Upcoming Events
Today
- Pickens County Has Talent Auditions for Daniel Area1/30/2012
- Kindergarten RegistrationWelcome to the School District of Pickens County
Daniel Area auditions for Pickens County Has Talent will be held at Edwards Middle School this Saturday, January 28, beginning at 10:00 a.m. More information
The Pickens Area preliminary event for Pickens County Has Talent will be held at Pickens High School this Saturday, January 28, starting at 6:00 p.m. Finalists for the event are Vataydra Ferguson, Lucy Porter, Caitlyn Howard, Samantha McClain, Laura Nelson, Hunter Holliday, Carley Scruggs, Jessie Lee Gilstrap, Chelsea Whitlock, Kaitlyn Holder, Kenneth Barton, Ruby Faith Dennis, Breann Griffin, Grace Chen, Chandra Murphy and Gracie Dellinger. More information
Trustee Cooper Honored for 20 Years of Service
Dr. Herbert P. Cooper, Jr., board member for the School District of Pickens County, has been recognized by the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for 20 years of service. Dr. Henry Hunt, superintendent, announced the milestone at the January 23 board meeting and presented Cooperwith a certificate from SCSBA.
Cooper is one of 25 South Carolina school board members commemorating 20, 25, and 30 years of service. According to a SCSBA news release, “veteran school board members provide vision and valuable leadership for school districts. SCSBA and the local boards are happy to honor these board members for their long-term dedication to improving student achievement in their communities.”
Cooper was elected to serve as the Clemson-area representative in November 1992. A graduate of Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina, he is a physician and owner of Pendleton Medical Clinic. News Release
First Round of Finalists Chosen for PCHT
Congratulations to the first round of competitors for Pickens County Has Talent! Vataydra Ferguson, Lucy Porter, Caitlyn Howard, Samantha McClain, Laura Nelson, Hunter Holliday, Carley Scruggs, Jessie Lee Gilstrap, Chelsea Whitlock, Kaitlyn Holder, Kenneth Barton, Ruby Faith Dennis, Breann Griffin, Grace Chen, Chandra Murphy and Gracie Dellinger have been chosen from the Pickens area and will compete on Saturday, January 28, at the Pickens area preliminary event held at Pickens High School starting at 6:00 p.m. The audience will select the top four acts to represent the area in the competition on the final night, Saturday, February 25, at Pickens High. More information
Middle School Students Will Shadow Mentors
Each year, SDPC middle school students have the opportunity to participate in job shadowing. The district’s Job Shadow 2012 officially begins on February 3 as Pickens Middle students shadow workplace mentors across the county. Other SDPC middle schools will hold their events throughout February and March. In Pickens County, hundreds of businesses mentor to SDPC middle school students. Businesses include Pickens County Sheriff’s Department, Clemson University, and many local governmental departments.
“The district’s participation in the national job shadowing program provides an opportunity for our middle school students to explore a career they are interested in by talking with a career mentor and going into the workplace,” said Danny Fahey, school-to-work facilitator. “It is a great experience, and we invite students, parents and businesses to participate.” News Release
Take a Virtual Tour of Pickens High School’s New Facilities
Have you visited the new Pickens High School? If not, you can take a virtual tour of the building and grounds, thanks to photos provided by Balfour Beatty Construction and Ryan Allen, the senior project manager. Join us as we take a look at a few of the new Pickens High facilities! The slideshow is posted on the Building Futures website under the Pickens High link.
Take a Virtual Tour of CTC’s New Facilities
You now have a chance to visit the new facilities at the Pickens County Career & Technology Center, thanks to photos provided by Jumper, Carter, Sease, architects of the building. To take a virtual tour of the new facilities, follow the link on the Building Futures website under Career & Technology Center.
Report to the Community Highlights Successes & More
As mandated by the Educational Improvement Act of 1984, each school district in South Carolina must publish by April 30th an annual report detailing financial and academic information for the preceding academic year. We are pleased to present the 2010-2011 Report to the Community. To save costs, we will only print a limited number of hard copies. We hope that our community members will access the electronic publication to see summaries of our academic achievement, finances, successes and building program.
Building Futures Plan Now 79% Complete
In his January progress report, Bob Folkman reported that the Building Futures facilities plan is 79% complete. According to Folkman, the relocation of the current Easley High School to the new site will begin June 16 while the new Daniel High School remains on schedule to be completed by June 16. The latest progress report has been posted to the Building Futures website. You can check the progress of our building program as well as see pictures of the building progress on that website. Each project has a listing with dropdown menus for facts, pictures, and plans. Check it out!
Pickens Soil & Water Conservation Poster & Essay Contest
The Pickens Soil & Water Conservation District is sponsoring a poster contest for children in grades K5 through fourth and an essay contest for students in grades fifth through eighth. The theme of the contest is Soil to Spoon. First place winners in the poster contest at each grade level will win a smoothie party for the entire class. Cash awards at each grade level in the essay contest will be $40 for first place, $30 for second place, and $20 for third place. For more information about requirements and deadlines, visit the PSWCD contests page on our website.
Worksite Screening Available for SDPC Retirees
SDPC retirees may take advantage of this year’s Worksite Screening that will be offered on Monday, February 20 at the new Liberty High School between the hours of 6:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. The co-payment for the screening is $15. The provider will collect payment at the time of screening or you can pay online during the health survey.
To schedule your appointment, email Missy Ducker, SDPC Benefits Specialist, at melissaducker@pickens.k12.sc.us. Make sure to put "Worksite Screening" in the subject line and list three preferred appointment times in the body. You will receive an email confirmation with additional instructions and more information about the health survey.
We’re Looking for Talent in Pickens County
Pickens County Has Talent, SDPC’s first county-wide talent show, will be a family-oriented fun event that will showcase the best of the best within Pickens County. Most importantly, 100% of the proceeds will be distributed to the schools for instructional supplies. Auditions, preliminary shows, and the final event will be held at our high schools, but the contest is not only for high school students. It’s open to all SDPC students and to any Pickens County resident. There’s no age limit or entrance fee. We only ask that acts are “G-rated.”
Read the contest details and get involved. Tell everyone possible about the contest. Encourage all the talented people you know to audition. If you have any questions not answered on the PCHT Web page (www.pickens.k12.sc.us; click on Upcoming—Pickens County Has Talent), contact Roy Costner at 864-270-3675 (cell), 864-843-3139 (home), or Roy.Costner@chartercom.com (email). Help to make Pickens County Has Talent a real success!
Adult Learning Center Provides Online Opportunity for Learning New Languages
If you’ve ever wanted to learn a new language, now is the perfect time. Rosetta Stone is working with the School District of Pickens County and its Adult Learning Center to offer adults in our community and SDPC employees a web-based language learning resource at a reduced cost. Rosetta Stone is the top-selling language learning software across the world. For more than fifteen years, learners have used Rosetta Stone to discover new languages naturally and easily, just like they learned their first language.
Through the district’s partnership with Rosetta Stone, you can purchase a subscription to one of twenty-five languages. You will need a high-speed Internet connection and a USB headset with microphone.
For a limited time, special introductory rates for a six-month subscription are available: $75 for adults in our community and $50 for SDPC employees. To purchase your subscription at the special introductory rate, complete the Rosetta Stone Registration form. Mail or drop the form and your fee by the SDPC Adult Learning Center at 106 Glazner Street, Easley, SC 29640. You will receive an email with instructions for accessing your subscription.
World of Energy Hosts Student Art Show
The Blue Ridge Arts Council and the World of Energy have partnered with the School Districts of Oconee and Pickens Counties to showcase the artwork of students and teachers. The show consists of three student works of art selected by each art teacher as well as a piece of art created by the teacher. The art on display will be 2D and 3D and will encompass a wide variety of styles and mediums. The show gives students a unique opportunity to see artwork created by their teachers.
On Thursday, January 12 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m., the World of Energy will host a show opening. The event is open to the public, and admission is free. The show will remain on display until February 12 during normal business hours. The World of Energy is located at 7812 Rochester Highway in Seneca and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon until 5 p.m.
On Thursday, January 12 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m., the World of Energy will host a show opening. The event is open to the public, and admission is free. The show will remain on display until February 12 during normal business hours. The World of Energy is located at 7812 Rochester Highway in Seneca and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon until 5 p.m.
4K and 5K Registration Begins January 9
The School District of Pickens County will conduct registration for four-year-old (4K) and five-year-old (5K) kindergarten beginning January 9, 2012. Children must register at the school in the attendance zone in which they reside and must be registered by their parent/legal guardian. Registration hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Parents are encouraged to register kindergarten students the scheduled dates of January 9 through January 31, 2012. However, students may be registered at the elementary school in their attendance zone during normal school hours any time before the first day of school begins.
A child who is four years old on or before September 1, 2012 may register for four-year-old kindergarten; however, the child must qualify for the program. A child who is five years old on or before September 1, 2012 can register for five-year-old kindergarten.
A child who is four years old on or before September 1, 2012 may register for four-year-old kindergarten; however, the child must qualify for the program. A child who is five years old on or before September 1, 2012 can register for five-year-old kindergarten.
To enroll, a student must reside in Pickens County with his/her parent or legal guardian and provide the following three required documents:
- Student’s state-issued birth certificate – not the hospital keepsake copy;
- Student’s South Carolina Certificate of Immunization;
- Proof of Pickens County residence. A parent or guardian must provide proof of Pickens County residence when a student first enrolls at any school. Acceptable proof of residence is a current electricity, gas, water or cable/satellite bill in the parent/guardian’s name. The bill must show the service address.
Since 4K programs are funded only for identified four-year old children who have significant readiness deficiencies, students are screened prior to placement. All elementary schools have 4K programs on site; however, 4K programs for the upcoming school year are contingent on funding.
SDPC Board Begins Search for Superintendent
The School District of Pickens County Board of Trustees has begun its search for the district’s next superintendent. Jim Shelton, chairman of the board’s employee/public relations committee, is directing the search process.
Shelton said, “Our expectation is to choose a candidate who will make Pickens the premier school district of South Carolina. The resources are all in place: a stable student population; a motivated, experienced team of educators; and modern facilities. Much will be expected of our next superintendent, but we're confident that we can find the right person who will meet the challenge and achieve our vision."
A description of the required qualities, education, training, and experience is published under Human Resources/Vacancies. Applications are being accepted through January 31.
The new superintendent will succeed Dr. Henry Hunt who is retiring at the end of June.
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