Indian Land High School – Sunday Weekly Update from Principal Parker
Good Evening Warrior Families,
We’ve wrapped up another great week on the Highway to Success 521! Students and teachers are getting into a good rhythm, and we’re proud of the energy and effort we’re seeing each day. Let’s keep the momentum going by continuing to Warrior Up—being on time, following the dress code, and giving our best in and out of the classroom.
A few important reminders:
Tardies: Being on time matters! Daily tardies can add up quickly, so please make it a priority to arrive on time.
FLEX Pick-Up: Parents, if you arrive after 3:55 pm for FLEX pick-up, please go through the regular afternoon line. After 3:55, you cannot pick up from the FLEX line.
FLEX Attendance: If your student is assigned to FLEX but does not attend, it counts as cutting class.
School Rules: All expectations are being fully enforced:
Tardies – Students must be in class when the bell rings.
Dress Code – Please check that your student is following guidelines daily.
Cell Phones – Policies will be strictly applied during the school day.
We know these reminders may sound firm, but they are in place to help our students succeed and to build a strong Warrior Mindset—one that values responsibility, respect, and resilience.
I also came across a message that beautifully reflects what we are trying to instill in all our students. I look forward to sharing it with you, and I hope it inspires you as much as it inspires us.
Thank you for your partnership and support in making Indian Land High School the best it can be!
Warrior Proud,
Rick Parker
Principal
Your Life Isn’t Heavy, Your Lens Is.
I know so many struggling near and dear to me right now, this is a great reminder of life is 10 % of what is happening and 90 % how WE respond to it. One thing I’ve always told my kids so this is a great read for anyone struggling right now
(7 ways to reframe life’s heavy moments):
The weight we feel isn’t always about the situation itself.
It’s the meaning we attach to it.
Same event. Same challenge. Same circumstance.
One mindset drains you. The other fuels you.
Here are 7 reframes that make the load lighter:
“I failed, this is proof I’m not good enough.”
“I failed, this is proof I’m learning.”
→ Every stumble is a step forward if you choose to see it that way.
“I don’t have enough time.”
“I control what I give my time to.”
→ Time is a choice, not a shortage. What you prioritize grows.
“They don’t appreciate me.”
“I can still celebrate myself.”
→ Recognition is powerful, but self-worth doesn’t depend on applause.
“This change is too much.”
“This change is teaching me something I wouldn’t learn otherwise.”
→ Discomfort is often the classroom of growth.
“I should be further ahead by now.”
“I’m exactly where I need to be to prepare for what’s next.”
→ Growth isn’t late. It’s layered.
“I’m exhausted, I can’t keep going.”
“Rest is part of progress, not the opposite of it.”
→ Pausing is productive when it keeps you in the game longer.
“Life feels messy, I need to fix everything.”
“Life is messy, but it’s mine to shape.”
→ Perfection isn’t the goal, presence is.
Your circumstances don’t always change right away.
But the story you tell yourself about them? That’s in your hands.
Mark your Calendars!
Your student’s Highway to Success starts here!
Join us on Wednesday, August 27 for Back to School Night and see how every day, every class, every block builds toward one goal: graduation. Come check out the journey in action!
Drop-in Open House Powerpoints for your convenience:
Welcome back to Sophomore Year!
Here is What’s Important Now (W.I.N.) for next week:
Student Drivers
Thank you for parking in your assigned spaces during the first week!
Parking violations are being enforced. Please make sure you are parking in your correct spot each day.
Parent Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Thank you for helping keep traffic moving by using two lanes in the morning and afternoon.
You’ll notice a yellow curb in front of the school – this is the official drop-off/pick-up zone.
Once you are in the yellow zone, please unload/load immediately instead of waiting to reach the very front.
For safety reasons:
Do not pick up or drop off students in the student parking lots or on the bus access road.
Please remind your student to walk to the front of the school at dismissal so the line can move smoothly. FLEX early release students are only allowed to be picked in the Bus Loop.
Thank you for your cooperation and teamwork as we work together to make drop-off, pick-up, and parking safe and efficient for everyone!
Please take time to review the 2025-26 ILHS Student and Parent Handbook ILHS Student Handbook 2025-2026
- Important FLEX Schedule Update
Please review these important details:
Student Responsibilities
Sign up for a FLEX activity every day of the week.
9th graders: You may not select the study hall in the main gym.
Students leaving early: If you have a free 4th block or early dismissal, you must sign up for the “Leaving Early” activity.
Parent Permission
If you do not want your student to leave campus, please complete the “Opt Out” form (even if you filled out the first version—it contained an error).
Deadlines & Attendance
Students who don’t sign up will be auto-assigned to an open activity at 12:00 AM.
Students can make changes until 12:07 PM each day.
Attendance is required in FLEX. If a student skips their scheduled activity, the teacher will write a referral, and an administrator will assign consequences.
Thank you for working with us to make FLEX a successful part of the school day!
Indian Land High School - Student Attendance Recovery Details & Schedule 2025-2026 ILHS Seat Time Recovery Plan - Fall/Spring 2025-26
Upcoming Visits & Events
Get ready for some special visitors and important nights!
August 26: Navy lunch visit
August 27: U.S. Army lunch visit
September 17: Financial Aid Night at 6:00 p.m. (open to all, especially seniors)
September 18: USC Columbia private visit at 2:30 p.m. in the Fishbowl. Make sure to sign up in the counseling lobby ahead of time!
Please take a moment to log in to PowerSchool and update your family's contact information. Having your most current phone numbers and email addresses on file is the best way for us to communicate with you, especially in case of an emergency.
If you do not have a Powerschool account here is “How to create Parent Portal Accounts”.
Step by Step Guide to Assist Parents with Username/Password Issues
Step by Step Guide to Create a PowerSchool Parent Portal Account
For Seniors (Class of 2026):
Please check out the information about Senior Portraits Senior Portraits-FAQs
Senior Individual Graduation Plans (IGPs)
It's time for seniors to start planning for the future! An IGP is like a roadmap for your final year and beyond.
When: Senior IGP meetings are from August 25 to September 12, 2025.
Before the meeting: All seniors must complete the "Senior Exit IGP Slides deck" in their Senior Google Classroom (code: 6xe3d2t).
Who needs to attend? Every senior and their parent or guardian should be there in person or by Google Meet.
Look for the email from your ILHS counselor for the sign up link (Dr. Coogler's caseload will see the email from Ms. Sha'Tonna Walker)
Just a heads-up! Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) meetings are held throughout the year, by grade level. We will send an email with all the details for your student's grade when their meeting time gets closer.
Dual Enrollment (DE) Program News
Thinking about earning college credit while in high school? Here's what you need to know about the DE program.
LCSD has contracts with 3 area colleges. There will be information nights for each one- more information to come. In the meantime, please read through ALL of the information on our website: https://sites.google.com/lcsd.k12.sc.us/ilhcounseling/home/dual-enrollment
Who can join? Students who have a 3.0 GPA or higher and are a rising junior (after the successful completion of their sophomore year), junior, or senior.
Any current DE students should have already sent their ILHS counselor a PDF of their concise schedule and completed DE Form 1 and DE Form 2 on our website- your schedule in PowerSchool should be up to date now.
Important! If you are already in a DE class and drop it, tell your high school counselor immediately.
Dropping a class within the first 5 days results in a "WP" (withdrawn passing).
Dropping after the first 5 days results in a "WF" (withdrawn failing), which can hurt your GPA.
Winthrop University Dual Enrollment
Application Dates:
Spring & Summer 2025: Opens September 15; closes November 1.
Fall 2026: Opens January 4; closes May 1. Apply by April 1 for priority course registration.
Information Sessions: Learn more at one of these sessions on the Winthrop campus:
September 25 at 5:00 p.m. Register Now
October 7 at 5:00 p.m. Register Now
October 23 at 5:00 p.m.