Third grade students are connecting real world skills to their text, The Flag Maker, and writing. After reading The Flag Maker, the students then hand sewed a pillow, then they will write an essay telling others how to sew a quilt.
about 13 hours ago, East End Elementary School
students dressed in pjs for read ribbon week are sewing pillows to go with their text
students dressed in pjs for read ribbon week are sewing pillows to go with their text
students dressed in pjs for read ribbon week are sewing pillows to go with their text
students dressed in pjs for read ribbon week are sewing pillows to go with their text
students dressed in pjs for read ribbon week are sewing pillows to go with their text
Superintendent Search Update: Community Survey Results Available

Thank you to everyone who shared their perspectives through the Community Input Survey as the SDPC Board of Trustees searches for the district's next superintendent.

The feedback received will help inform the Board as it considers the leadership qualities, experience, and priorities that are important for SDPC's next leader.

The survey results are now available for the community to review.

🔗 View the results and learn more about the superintendent search: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/3112602

Thank you for being part of this important process and for your continued support of SDPC.
1 day ago, School District of Pickens County
Graphic announcing SDPC Board of Trustees Superintendent Search Updates
Bulldog Researchers, BIG Discoveries! Our East End Bulldogs have been busy putting their curiosity to work as they researched famous inventors and the incredible creations that changed our world! From asking questions to discovering fascinating facts, these proud student researchers are learning that every great invention begins with a BIG idea! Who knows? We may have some future world-changing inventors right here at East End!
1 day ago, East End Elementary School
fifth grade student sharing about his inventor
fifth grade students sharing about their inventor
fifth grade students sharing about their inventor
fifth grade students sharing about their inventor
fifth grade student sharing about her inventor
fifth grade student sharing about her inventor
fifth grade students sharing about their inventor
Pup Tales was SPOOK-TACULAR today! Our littlest Bulldogs had a BOO-tiful time at Pup Tales today! We enjoyed reading Click, Clack, Boo! and then jumped into some hands-on learning fun! Spook-tacular Stations: We practiced sounds, counting, and patterns through fun, engaging activities! A Sweet Treat: We wrapped up our fun with a yummy Halloween snack! Books to Build Readers: A HUGE Bulldog thank-you to Preschool Pages and Women United for sponsoring our books and helping us grow a love of reading in our youngest learners! We were also thrilled to welcome some special guests from United Way today! Thank you for joining us and supporting our little Bulldogs! At East End, we love bringing literacy, learning, and laughter together!
1 day ago, East End Elementary School
Mrs. Lively singing to a group of preschoolers
A parent and child reading a book during pup tales
A parent and child reading a book during pup tales
A parent and child making a letter b bay during pup
A parent and child making patterns during pup
A parent and child making a letter b bat during pup tales
A parent and child counting during pup
A parent and child play with blocks during pup
Math Meets Starbucks in Mrs. Whitfield’s 5th Grade Classroom! Who knew adding and subtracting decimals could be this much fun?! Mrs. Whitfield’s 5th graders put their math skills to work with a Starbucks-themed, real-world learning experience! Students practiced taking orders, calculating totals, making change, and comparing orders while strengthening their decimal skills. They were baristas, cashiers, and mathematicians all in one! After completing their challenges, students celebrated their hard work with a special treat—a Dirty Soda Cafe! What a fun way to connect classroom learning to real-life experiences while making memories along the way! A HUGE thank-you to Starbucks Easley, Joe’s Ice Cream Parlor, and Calhoun Corners for their generous donations and for helping make today so fun and special for our students! Your kindness helped create an unforgettable learning experience! At East End, we love making learning meaningful, hands-on, and FUN!
3 days ago, East End Elementary School
Mrs. Whitfield helping two students with the Dirty Soda Cafe!
Two fifth grade girls with Starbucks menu adding together the ingredients for their drinks.
two smiling fifth grade girls drinking their dirty sodas after successfully completing the tasks.
two fifth graders solving the tasks for dirty soda bars
all smiles while solving the word problem for the dirty soda cafe
a group of fifth graders working hard to complete activities for the dirty soda cafe
two students working on earning a dirty soda
two students working on earning dirty soda
two fifth grade girls smiling while working on the tasks for dirty sodas
Four students working on solving problems for the dirty soda tasks
CAMO VS. COUNTRY — BULLDOG STYLE! Our East End Bulldogs showed up and showed out for Day 2 of Red Ribbon Week! From camouflage and cowboy boots to hats and country flair, our Bulldogs were dressed to impress! Whether you’re a little bit country or ready to blend in with the camo, one thing is for sure — our Bulldogs are united in making healthy choices and staying DRUG FREE! We loved seeing all the creativity and school spirit today!
3 days ago, East End Elementary School
our students posing for camp vs country day
students dressed in camo or country for red ribbon week
looks like a combo of camo and country in this class as students pose for red ribbon week
two third grade students dressed in country attire for red ribbon week
posing for red ribbon week out in the sun in a little camo and a little country
our first graders posing in camo and country for red ribbon week
posing with Mrs. Gerhardt for red ribbon week dressed in our camo and country
Ms. Young and a k5 student posing in a selfie while wearing camo for red ribbon week
two fourth grade cowboys at recess during red ribbon week
Ms. Quinones and a first grader posing in camo for red ribbon week

A vision for the future is becoming a reality!

On October 26, 2026, the SDPC Board of Trustees gathered at the Gateway to Innovation construction site for a special dedication recognizing their visionary leadership and commitment to this exciting new chapter in Career and Technical Education.

A plaque installed in the building’s lobby honors the Board for the vision and forward-thinking work that have helped bring Gateway to Innovation to life.

This project represents SDPC’s commitment to Visionary, Future-Focused Innovation and creating meaningful opportunities for students to explore career pathways, discover new interests, and develop skills for future success.

Gateway to Innovation is scheduled to open in January 2027, welcoming school groups during a soft opening in the second semester. A grand opening celebration will follow, giving the community an opportunity to see the new facility firsthand. Be on the lookout for more details!

We’re grateful for the leadership that continues to move our district forward and excited for what Gateway to Innovation will mean for students and our community.

3 days ago, School District of Pickens County
Photo of Board of Trustees members with Dr. Danny Merck, posing in front of plaque in G2i lobby
G2i Director Tim Johnson, posing with dedication plaque in lobby of G2i
Current stage of construction at entrance to G2i
Dr. Danny Merck speaking to the group in the lobby of G2i
Board Chair Randy Robinson speaking to the group during the dedication
Photo of Board of Trustees members with Dr. Danny Merck, Director Tim Johnson, and representatives from the construction company
Director Tim Johnson speaking to the group in the lobby of G2i during dedication
Photo of G2i staff, including Director Tim Johnson, posing in front of plaque in G2i lobby
Today we kicked off Red Ribbon Week with the Tiger and Tiger Cub. We challenged our Bulldog family to wear RED because we are REaDy to be DRUG FREE!
4 days ago, East End Elementary School
The Tiger Cub in the car loop hugging a young bulldog
The Tiger Cub holding up the peace sign with a young bulldog in the car line at East End
The Tiger Cub holding up the number 1 sign with one of our safety patrols
Ms. Anderson’s class is posing in all red for red ribbon week.
Mrs. Sanders’s class posing in their red on the K playground showing they are all ready for red ribbon week!
A group of third grade students showing off their red for red ribbon week
a group of 4th graders showing off their red during red ribbon week
Ms. Bowers’s K4 class showing off their red for red ribbon week
Ms. Garvin is not sure how she feels about the Tiger Cub.
Our leadership team is ready to celebrate Red Ribbon Week and we got a good hug from the Tiger Cub!
What a great night at East End’s Pumpkin Patch Math Bash Family Night! Our Bulldog families rolled up their sleeves and put their math skills to work with some hands-on pumpkin investigations! From exploring and estimating to counting and discovering, math was definitely more fun with pumpkins! A special THANK YOU to our wonderful community partner, Pizza and Then Some, for the delicious pizza! A huge shoutout to Mrs. Leisten and our amazing East End staff for planning such a fun and engaging evening! And to our Bulldog families—THANK YOU for showing up, learning together, and making memories with us! Math + Family + Fun = A GREAT Night to Be a Bulldog!
7 days ago, East End Elementary School
a student estimating the amount of candy corn in the jar
A student and her parent completing pumpkin investigations
A family investigating the circumference of a pumpkin with ribbon
A family posing at dinner
a family posing at dinner
a family eating pizza together
a student playing corn hole at family night
two students playing corn hole at family night
a family enjoying pizza at family night
our staff ready to help with math games
Our Heroes Are Coming to East End!

Tomorrow, we are excited to welcome some of our local heroes to East End Elementary for a special reading event! Our students will have the opportunity to hear stories read by the brave men and women who serve and protect our community.

A QUICK HEADS-UP FOR OUR FAMILIES!

You may notice fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, or other emergency vehicles on our campus tomorrow. Please do not be alarmed! These vehicles may be here as part of our special event, and their presence does not indicate an emergency.

We are so thankful for our first responders and community heroes who take time out of their busy schedules to invest in our students.

We can't wait for a morning filled with books, Bulldogs, and HEROES!

9 days ago, East End Elementary School
East End Elementary is excited to welcome local first responders and community heroes for a special reading event. Students will enjoy stories shared by these special guests. Families are reminded that emergency vehicles, including fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances, may be on campus during the event. Their presence is part of the planned visit and does not necessarily indicate an emergency.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at East End! Our Bulldogs spent Hispanic Heritage Month exploring the colorful cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities around the world! Our talented Related Arts teachers brought culture into the classroom through special lessons in World Language, Art, and Music! Students experienced new languages, discovered musical traditions, and explored the incredible work of artists from different backgrounds. In Art, each grade level explored a different artist! * K5: Mercedes Pardo * 1st Grade: Xul Solar * 2nd Grade: Pablo Picasso * 3rd Grade: Carlos Catasse and Okuda San Miguel * 4th Grade: Amelia Peláez * 5th Grade: Jaime Gili The learning didn’t stop there! Each morning, Mr. Brewington took our Bulldogs on a new cultural adventure through special announcements highlighting different countries, their traditions, and interesting facts! A huge thank-you to our Related Arts team and Mr. Brewington for helping our students discover that learning about the world around us makes our Bulldog family even stronger!
11 days ago, East End Elementary School
student art work display inspired by Hispanic artists.
student art work display inspired by Hispanic artists.
student art work display inspired by Hispanic artists.
student art work display inspired by Hispanic artists.
student art work display inspired by Hispanic artists.
student art work display inspired by Hispanic artists.
student art work display inspired by Hispanic artists.
student art work display inspired by Hispanic artists.
student art work display inspired by Hispanic artists.
student art work display inspired by Hispanic artists.
Learning was in full swing in Ms. Bezy’s third grade class as students worked together to build and sort compound words! Hands-on activities like this help make word study fun, meaningful, and engaging. We love seeing our Bulldogs learning, thinking, and growing together!
15 days ago, East End Elementary School
A smiling third grade student in Ms. Bezy’s class holds a stylus while working on a writing tablet during a hands-on compound word activity.
A smiling third grade student in Ms. Bezy’s class holds a stylus while working on a writing tablet during a hands-on compound word activity.
A smiling third grade student in Ms. Bezy’s class holds a stylus while working on a writing tablet during a hands-on compound word activity.
Three third grade students sit around a classroom table working on a compound word activity. Word cards are spread out on the table as the students match and sort them together during a hands-on literacy lesson in Ms. Bezy’s class.
Three third grade students sit around a classroom table working on a compound word activity. Word cards are spread out on the table as the students match and sort them together during a hands-on literacy lesson in Ms. Bezy’s class.
We are proud to share that East End Elementary earned a GOOD rating on the 2025–2026 School Report Card!

Our students performed above the state in all three tested areas:
Reading: 63.8%
Math: 54.3%
Science: 63.5%

We are especially excited to celebrate our 4th grade students for their hard work in science! Their achievement helped East End show an 11.5 percentage-point increase in science, rising from 52.0% to 63.5%.

Way to go, Bulldogs! Thank you to our students, staff, and families for all you do to support student success.

Swipe through to celebrate with us!
17 days ago, East End Elementary School
A bright blue celebratory graphic featuring East End’s bulldog mascot, Buster, wearing a blue suit and red tie, raising one fist and pointing. Large text reads, “It is GOOD to be an East End Bulldog!” A white text box says East End earned a GOOD rating on the 2025–2026 School Report Card and explains that in South Carolina, a GOOD rating means school performance exceeds the state’s established criteria for student success. A red banner at the bottom says, “Swipe to see what we’re celebrating!”
A blue graphic with Buster the bulldog mascot in a blue suit and red tie pointing upward beside the headline, “ABOVE THE STATE!” A text box says East End outperformed South Carolina in all three tested areas. Score comparisons are shown: Reading 63.8% versus state 61.5%, Math 54.3% versus state 47.8%, and Science 63.5% versus state 51.8%. A red banner at the bottom reads, “Our Bulldogs are showing strong achievement across subjects!”
A blue school achievement graphic showing Buster the bulldog mascot in a blue suit and red tie holding a green science flask and giving a thumbs up. Large text reads, “SCIENCE scores are SOARING!” The graphic highlights a science score of 63.5%, up from 52.0% in 2024–2025, noting an 11.5 percentage-point increase. Smaller boxes compare District 57.5% and State 51.8%. A bold banner across the bottom says, “SHOUT OUT TO 4TH GRADE!” with smaller text underneath reading, “Way to soar in science, 4th grade!”
5th Grade Families — Get Ready for Gettys Greatness! Middle school is right around the corner, and Gettys Middle School is rolling out the welcome mat for our future 6th graders! Join Gettys for a special evening designed to help students and families get excited about the transition to middle school! Monday, October 26, 2026 5:15–5:50 PM: Enjoy a pizza dinner and meet your future 6th grade teachers! 5:55–6:20 PM: Get your questions answered during a special 6th grade Q&A session. 6:30–7:30 PM: Stay for a FREE performance of the fall comedy Transylvania! Donations benefiting the theater department are welcome. RSVP by October 21! Scan the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot.
18 days ago, East End Elementary School
pendant style flyer to rising sixth graders about Gettys night.
From our community partners.... SWISH! It's Time to Hit the Court! Calling all future basketball stars! Easley Parks & Recreation Youth Basketball registration is officially OPEN! Whether your child is ready to shoot some hoops, learn new skills, or make new friends, this is a great opportunity to get in the game! Registration: October 1–31, 2026 Age Divisions: Girls: Ages 7–12 Boys: Ages 7–14 Cost: $80 Co-Ed Peanut League (Instructional): Ages 5–6 Saturdays only Cost: $65 Scan the QR code on the flyer to register! Don't let your little athlete miss their shot at a fun basketball season! Lace up those sneakers, Bulldogs! It's GAME TIME!
18 days ago, East End Elementary School
Green and white flyer from Easley Rec with prices for basketball and QR code to sign up

Mark your calendars, SDPC! There will be no school for students Friday, October 9, through Tuesday, October 13. We hope our students and families enjoy the extended break!

📅 View the SDPC District Calendar for additional important dates throughout the school year.

28 days ago, School District of Pickens County
Graphic announcing no school for SDPC students on October 9 and October 12–13, 2026.
Tailgate + Teamwork = a winning night at East End! Thank you to all of our families who joined us for our Tailgate and Teamwork Title I Math Night! We loved seeing students and families working together, playing math games, solving problems, and having fun while learning. A huge thank you to Mrs. Leisten and her amazing team for all of the planning, preparation, and creativity that made the evening such a success. We are also so thankful to the Easley High School football players who spent part of their evening with our Bulldogs. Our students loved having these hometown role models join in the fun! And, of course, thank you to all of our staff and volunteers who helped make the night possible. When families, schools, and our community work as a TEAM, our Bulldogs WIN!
about 1 month ago, East End Elementary School
The EHS football team came to cheer on our Bulldogs!
our families signing in at the sign in table
Mrs. Brown had students using gross motor skills to walk the football line.
One our little bulldogs lifting weights in the gym
Our Bulldogs working with Mrs. Richardson on a math game
Mrs. Timmerman helping students with a math game
Trying to score a touchdown tonight at family night
Our PreK students are matching football shapes with parents
Mrs. Leisten is leading a Title One Parenting session
Our East End staff serving hotdogs at family night
REAL GRANDPARENTS READ What a special morning at East End Elementary! Today, we welcomed some very important guests into our school for our REAL Grandparents Read event. Our grandparents shared stories, smiles, and a love of reading with our students—and made some pretty sweet memories along the way. There is just something extra special about seeing generations come together around a good book. A huge THANK YOU to every grandparent who took time out of their day to read with our Bulldogs. Your presence made our classrooms brighter and reminded our students that reading really does bring people together. We are so thankful for our East End families and the many ways they help make our school such a special place! More pictures in this week's reels.
about 1 month ago, East End Elementary School
Grandparents holding the books that are going to read to homerooms around East End.
Students in Mrs. McKenzie’s third grade class listening to a special grandparent reader
Students in Ms. Gibson’s third grade class listening to a special grandparent reader
Students in Ms. Lewis’s third grade class listening to a special grandparent reader
Happy International Dot Day! Mrs. Ward’s art students started with a simple dot and let their creativity take over! Their colorful creations remind us that every masterpiece begins with the courage to make that first mark. We love seeing our East End artists use their imaginations and create something uniquely their own. Way to make your mark, Bulldogs!
about 1 month ago, East End Elementary School
International Dot Day display created by Mrs. Ward’s art students, featuring hundreds of colorful painted dots flowing from a large paper paintbrush and paint can.
A “Make Your Mark” International Dot Day sign displayed beside a student’s bright yellow and black dot-inspired artwork.
An “Inspiration Begins with a Dot” sign displayed beside a student’s artwork featuring a small black dot surrounded by a bright yellow border.
Student artwork featuring a colorful butterfly with purple, blue, and green wings, displayed with clothespins on the art room wall.
Big reading skills start with small sounds!
Mrs. Alexander’s K4 class is using Heggerty Phonemic Awareness lessons to practice hearing, blending, breaking apart, and changing sounds in words.
These quick, interactive lessons get our youngest Bulldogs listening, moving, responding, and building the foundation they need to become strong readers and spellers.
Small sounds. BIG reading growth
about 2 months ago, East End Elementary School
A group of young students sit together on the classroom floor, actively participating in a lesson by listening, responding, and using hand gestures.
A young student sits cross-legged on the classroom floor, smiling and giving a thumbs-up while participating in a learning activity with hand motions.
Young K4 students sit together on the classroom floor participating in a phonemic awareness lesson. Several students use hand motions and gestures as they listen and respond.
Mrs. Alexanders leads a group of young students in a phonemic awareness activity. Students sit on colorful floor spots and follow along with hand motions as the teacher models the lesson.