Teachers, administrators and classmates are supporting students at the Little League World Series. The players will miss at least the first two weeks of school.
Their return to the classroom is delayed, the first team from South Carolina since 1950 to play in Williamsport is being supported, both in spirit and academically, by their respective middle schools.
Riverside and Northwood Middle Schools each have students on the Northwood roster. The principals at each institution said teachers and administrators are working with parents and coaches to ensure these talented student athletes do not fall behind on their studies.
"Teachers are providing copies of beginning of the year information and procedures and are updating parents on any content the boys are missing so that they will not fall behind when they return from the tournament," said Riverside Middle School Principal Katherine Malone.
Riverside Middle has seven players on the Northwood roster.
Northwood Middle School, who has three students on the team, is also working to ensure that their students are up to speed.
"Northwood Middle is very proud of our boys and the entire team," said Principal Treva Lee. "We will work with them so that they are not behind in their classes when they arrive back in South Carolina."
Each school is also providing spirit and encouragement. Riverside and Northwood have each shown their support for the Northwood squad in different ways. Northwood even made sure that each of their players received a special surprise upon arrival in Williamsport.
"All three boys are seventh graders, so our seventh grade students all signed a good luck banner one day at lunch," added Lee. "We had the teachers, guidance, and administration all sign a baseball for each boy. One of the moms came by to pick those items up before heading up to P.A."
Riverside Middle School students donned the Northwood team colors on Friday, the day of the team's opening round victory over Cranston, R.I. (Northeast).
"We, as a school community, are very excited for the boys and students, and staff are wearing team colors today and are planning to watch them play this evening on TV, as well," Malone said.
Northwood players hope their teachers and classmates are able to tune in and watch them many more times before they return to the Palmetto State.