Francis Marion School -

There’s still time to enroll in the First Class Pre-K Program at Francis Marion School! Give your child the best possible start with high-quality early childhood education. Register online today: https://prek.alaceed.alabama.gov/ Don’t miss this opportunity—spots are filling fast!

Dr. Tommie Marby, renowned speaker, author, and educator, has inspired countless young people through his personal story of resilience and success. Today, Dr. Marby visited Francis Marion School and Robert C. Hatch High School to share his empowering message: “To Predict Your Future, You Must Create It.” His presentation emphasized the importance of overcoming adversity and focusing on solutions rather than problems. Dr. Marby encouraged students to reflect on key themes such as attitudes, character, choices, and leadership, reminding them that their future is shaped by the decisions they make today.

RAM Update!

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Francis Marion School and R.C. Hatch High School were honored at the JAG National Training Seminar in Louisville, Kentucky, with the prestigious 6-of-6 National Network Award! This award recognizes programs that go above and beyond—exceeding all six Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) national performance metrics, with a strong focus on graduation and employment success. Big shout out to our amazing Perry County JAG Specialist, Ms. Shelia Lewis, for her dedication and hard work in making this achievement possible!

Open House at Francis Marion was a HUGE success! We are so grateful for the overwhelming turnout from our amazing parents and students. Your support, energy, and commitment to our school community made this event truly special. Thank you for coming out to meet teachers, explore classrooms, and learn more about the exciting year ahead. Your partnership is the key to student success, and we couldn’t do it without you! Here’s to a fantastic school year at Francis Marion!

We were honored to welcome Dr. Tommie Mabry as the keynote speaker for our 2025 Employee Institute! His powerful message of resilience, purpose, and the transformative power of education reminded us of the lasting impact we make when we lead with passion and commitment. Dr. Mabry’s inspiring journey and dynamic presence truly set the tone for a school year filled with possibility, purpose, and positivity. Thank you, Dr. Mabry, for reigniting our drive and reminding us why we do what we do. Here’s to a phenomenal school year ahead! Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, excellence, and unstoppable momentum.

The Perry County School Board and Superintendent Smiley extend heartfelt thanks to all stakeholders who attended our Parent and Community Briefing yesterday at R.C. Hatch and Francis Marion School. Your presence and active participation demonstrate a shared commitment to the success of our students and schools. We sincerely appreciate your continued support and engagement as we work together to strengthen educational opportunities and outcomes throughout Perry County. Together, we are building a stronger future—one student at a time.

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Francis Marion School is excited to host a Mini Cheer Clinic for students in Pre-K through 5th grade on Saturday, August 16, 2025! This fun-filled day is a great opportunity for our youngest Rams to learn basic cheers, chants, and beginner-level routines taught by the Francis Marion cheerleaders. Participants will build school spirit, teamwork, and confidence—all while having a blast! Please see the flyer for full registration details and how to sign up. Let’s get ready to cheer loud and proud—Go Rams!

Join us on Saturday, July 26, 2025, for a district-wide update as we discuss people, progress, and partnerships in Perry County Schools. 📍 R.C. Hatch High School Gymnasium – 12:00 PM 📍 Francis Marion School Gymnasium – 3:00 PM This event will also be live streamed for those who are unable to attend in person. We look forward to connecting with you and celebrating the progress of our students, staff, and schools!

Perry County Schools were proudly represented at the SREB Summer Conference in New Orleans. Mrs. Wiggins and Ms. Fowlkes delivered an outstanding presentation, showcasing the great work happening in our district. Team Perry County was there in full support, celebrating and uplifting our educators as they shared valuable insights and strategies with fellow professionals. In addition to supporting our presenters, we also gained valuable knowledge, tools, and ideas to bring back and implement in our schools—further strengthening teaching and learning across the district.

There’s still time to enroll in the First Class Pre-K Program at Francis Marion School! Give your child the best possible start with high-quality early childhood education. Register online today: https://prek.alaceed.alabama.gov/. Don’t miss this opportunity—spots are filling fast!

Team Perry County is representing at the 2025 MEGA Conference in Mobile, AL, where they are engaging in meaningful learning, collaboration, and professional growth. We’re excited to bring back innovative ideas and strategies to strengthen our schools and support student success across Perry County!

Chasidy Scores Perfect 740 on ACAP! Francis Marion proudly celebrates Chasidy for achieving a perfect score of 740 on her ACAP Assessment! 🎉 Dr. King and the K–3 team came together to honor her outstanding accomplishment and cheer her on. Chasidy’s success is a reflection of her dedication and the support of the incredible educators who guided her each year. From kindergarten with Ms. Files, to first grade with Ms. Essex, second grade with Ms. Harris, and third grade with Mrs. Kedra King, each teacher played a key role in building the foundation for her achievement. Special thanks go to Administrator Dr. King and Reading Specialist Mrs. Thigpen for leading the celebration and for their continued support of student excellence. We’re so proud of you, Chasidy! Your hard work and the devotion of your teachers are truly inspiring. 💙🧡

Jessica Essex Represents Francis Marion at HOBY Leadership Conference Francis Marion student Jessica Essex recently attended the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Conference from May 23–25 at Troy University. HOBY empowers young leaders through service, innovation, and personal growth. Jessica shared, “HOBY helped me step out of my comfort zone, connect with others, and learn the value of effective leadership.” She especially enjoyed activities like the HOBY Pony and hearing from speaker Timothy Alexander. Dr. King praised Jessica’s leadership and thanked her family, former Superintendent John Heard III, and the Alfred G. Adams Optimist Club for their support. Jessica proudly represented Francis Marion with integrity and spirit.

Francis Marion School Celebrates Alabama Public Television's May Teacher of the Month: Ms. Annette Scott We are proud to announce that Ms. Annette Scott has been named Alabama Public Television's Teacher of the Month for May! Ms. Scott is a passionate and dedicated educator who goes above and beyond to support her students both academically and personally. A colleague shared, "Ms. Scott’s passion for teaching is contagious. She differentiates every lesson to ensure that all students can succeed, no matter their learning style. She makes educational games like bingo to increase student engagement, and her students are fully immersed in her lessons." Ms. Scott is also a strong advocate for student recognition and well-being. Her commitment to inclusive learning, creativity in the classroom, and unwavering support for her students makes her an exceptional representative of Francis Marion School and the Perry County School District. Congratulations, Ms. Scott, on this well-deserved statewide recognition!

Congratulations to John Bates! We’re proud to announce that John Bates, a junior at Francis Marion School, has been elected Alabama FBLA District 2 Vice President! His dedication and leadership continue to inspire us all. Way to go, John!

Girl Talk was concluded today at Francis Marion School with speaker, Lashandra Walters, Nurse Practitioner at Cahaba Medical Center in Marion and a 2007 graduate of Francis Marion School. Ms. Walters encouraged the young ladies to focus on their dreams and never give up. The young ladies were very excited to hear Ms. Walters inspiring story. Girl Talk consist of 10th grade students who were provided Character Building and Etiquette Imperative by Mental Health Services Coordinator, Ms. Meredith Wiggins and Community Activist, Ms. Della Maynor.

The Francis Marion School Literacy Department and the 21st Century Community Learning Center are excited to present the Literacy Round-Up – Family Night, a special event dedicated to celebrating literacy and fostering a love for reading among students and families. This fun-filled evening will take place on March 19, 2025, in the Francis Marion School Gymnasium from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Families are encouraged to attend and participate in engaging activities designed to promote literacy and learning in an interactive and enjoyable way. The event will feature various activities that highlight the importance of reading and literacy skills. Whether you’re looking for exciting reading challenges, interactive storytelling, or other engaging literacy-based experiences, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, support their children’s education, and strengthen their love for reading. Don’t miss out on this fantastic evening—we look forward to seeing you there!

Superintendent Dr. Marcia Smiley successfully completed the 2025 Executive Coach Training offered by the School Superintendents of Alabama (SSA) this week. This comprehensive program provides leaders with valuable tools and strategies to effectively mentor and support the growth of future school and district administrators. Through the training, Dr. Smiley further honed her expertise in leadership development, strategic planning, and building strong, collaborative professional relationships.