School District of Pickens County

We are closely monitoring the weather as South Carolina prepares for Hurricane Ian. At this time, there are no changes to the school schedule. We are continuously in contact with emergency preparedness officials and other agencies. We will let you know if any changes are made to normal school operations.

Free and Reduced LUNCH Applications for 2022-2023 Over the past two years, SDPC has been able to provide free meals to our students due to the USDA waivers associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This federally funded free school meal program is no longer available beginning the 2022-2023 school year. If your student qualifies for free or reduced meals, they can still receive them next year, but you MUST TAKE ACTION to make it happen. To learn more about eligibility and the free and reduced program, visit: www.sdpcnutrition.com To apply now, visit: bit.ly/3afH7Yd If you have any questions, please contact our Student Nutrition department : (864)397-1167 or theresaboggs@pickens.k12.sc.us

Rising juniors and rising seniors are invited to attend the SDPC Work-Based Learning Student Job Fair. SDPC students and businesses can register and find out more information at [tinyurl.com/MY-SDPC-WBL].

We are hiring! Do you know anyone searching for positions such as teachers, custodial staff, summer camp workers, guidance counselors, coaches, and more? Please share these opportunities with them. There are immediate opportunities for custodians at Easley High School and Clemson Elementary. Visit pickens.k12.sc.us/page/join-our-team to apply online. Join our SDPC team!

The School District of Pickens County (SDPC) is undergoing a refresh of its Core Values, Beliefs, Mission, and Vision Statements to reflect the thoughts and feelings of the community. With that in mind, we are currently asking students, parents, community members, and staff to help shape the future of PreK-12 education in Pickens County. For more information about how you can contribute to this effort, CLICK HERE: www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/vision2022

The 2022 SDPC All-County Chorus Concert will take place on 4/8/22 at Liberty High School. The guest clinician/conductor is Dr. Chris Hansen from Anderson University. A Live Feed & Recording of the concert will be available at this link: https://youtu.be/Lvi19vaOwd0

SDPC News: Any high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about TECHNICAL CAREER PATHWAYS can attend an an orientation at the Pickens County Career & Technology Center on Tue., April 5 at 6PM. For more information click here - https://bit.ly/378yn45

The SC State Department of Education has provided a parent resource webpage that includes important information about state testing in multiple languages: https://ed.sc.gov/tests/assessment-information/student-and-parent-resources/ For more information about testing, visit our website: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/

National School Counseling Week is Feb. 7-11, and we're happy to join our schools in celebrating. Every day, school counselors make a difference for students! Join us in thanking them for all they do! #SDPCBetterTogether #NSCW22

COLLEGE BOARD OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP- BIGFUTURE The College Board Opportunity Scholarships are now named BigFuture Scholarships. Through the program, students are eligible to compete for scholarships by completing critical college planning actions during certain windows in their junior and senior years. As of January 2022, 104 scholarship awards totaling $52,000 have been awarded to South Carolina students from the Class of 2022. Final awards for the Class of 2022 will be announced in March. The program is now open for students in the Class of 2023 with the first awards announced February 2022. Learn more at bigfuturescholarships.org.

🚨Reminder🚨: There will be no school: Friday, February 4, 2022 Friday, February 18, 2022 Monday, February 21, 2022 These days are planned breaks on the 2021-2022 calendar. (Note: The free COVID-19 testing center for SDPC will be closed on these dates)

The SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Accelerate program in pre-engineering is wrapping up application season. They will be having one last zoom meeting with interested students on Thursday, January 27, at 5:30 PM. Interested 8th and 9th graders may contact their math teachers or school counselors for the Zoom link. It may also be posted in your Schoology for your math course. Accelerate Application link: https://scgssm.force.com/apply/TX_SiteLogin?startURL=%2Fapply%2FTargetX_Portal__PB

The School District of Pickens County (SDPC) will open on a two-hour delay on Thursday, January 20, 2022, due to the continued danger of ice on shaded areas and on secondary roads. The two-hour delay gives additional time for ice to melt off the roads and will improve visibility for drivers. -- Morning 3K and 4K classes are canceled. PM classes operate on a normal schedule. -- No Buses on Icy Roads -- High school students (including Career Center) should check their Schoology messages for adjusted class times and bell schedules.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 will be a Digital Learning Day for the School District of Pickens County due to the continued danger of icy roads. Students will not attend school in-person. While there are areas in our county that have improved, there are many shaded areas that continue to have noticeable ice and black ice on roads. Temperatures are expected to drop again tonight and are not predicted to rise above freezing until after 9:00 am. Even with a delay, transportation would have to occur on the roads prior to this time.

Tuesday, January 18, 2022 will be a Digital Learning Day for the School District of Pickens County due to icy roads. Students will not attend school in-person. Digital Learning Days allow students to make up days missed to inclement weather or other emergencies by completing a set of assignments within 5 school days (Jan. 25). For students in grades K5-12, most or all of these assignments can be completed on the student's school-issued Chromebook. Students in earlier grades may also be given a list of traditional assignments to complete within five days. Your child's teacher will communicate the details of the assignments for your child's class. Students who do not complete their assignments will be counted as absent for the day. Temperatures are expected to drop into the teens tonight following the snow, sleet, freezing rain from yesterday. Noticeable ice and black ice on roads throughout the county is a serious concern tomorrow morning. We will make a decision regarding school for Wednesday (January 19, 2022) on Tuesday evening.

Save the Date for Kindergarten Registration! It’s almost time for 3K, 4K, and 5K students to enroll for the 2022-23 school year! SDPC will start registration for the 2022-23 school year beginning in February. Parents can begin the registration process online now by entering their information into the New Student Gateway: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/new-student-gateway Schools will use this registration to contact parents of potential 3K and 4K students to set up screening appointments. More information regarding 3K and 4K programs for the 2022-23 school year will be available in February. For answers to common registration questions, visit our website at: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/registration

Reminder: As scheduled on the 2021-22 school calendar, there will be no school on Monday, November 1, 2021. Enjoy the long weekend! 🎃 🍁 🍂

Tonight is our live Zoom meeting for students and parents interested in the early college opportunity through the SC Governor's School for Science and Math in their Accelerate program for Engineering. Our 8th and 9th grade students who are interested are invited to learn more. The application for this program is now open for 9th graders. From GSSM Accelerate - I am excited about the Pickens County Accelerate Zoom info session which is scheduled for Thursday, October 14th @ 7:00pm. My Zoom link is included below that can be shared with interested/eligible students/families. Meghan Terry Zoom link: https://gssm.zoom.us/j/5217469078 Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to “seeing” you and your students/parents on Zoom this Thursday @ 7pm. Kind regards, Meghan Terry Virtual/Outreach Enrollment Counselor

Blue Ridge Pediatric's Mobile Vaccine Clinic will be offering free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Daniel High School Football game this Friday (10/1) from 6pm until halftime. Parents MUST be present with their students in order for their child to be vaccinated. The vaccine is FREE and available to any individual age 12 or older. Pfizer booster vaccines will also be given. The vaccination clinic will be located outside the gates so admission to the game is not required.

We're so proud of our students' success! Easley High School achieved 90% on time graduation rate for the first time ever! Congrats to Easley High School and all of our high schools for their success during the 2020-2021 school year!