This week’s Fins Up is ready! Please take a few minutes to read through each section for important updates, reminders, celebrations, deadlines, and everything you need to know for the week ahead.
Thank you for all you do for our Sharks. Let’s make it another great week at MAST!
📲 Check out Fins Up here: https://app.smore.com/n/jby2h
🎵 The Art and Science of Music: An Opportunity for Grades 6–12
Does your student enjoy singing or playing an instrument? Are they interested in songwriting, graphic design, sound and lighting, or working behind the scenes at live events?
The Art and Science of Music offers School District of Pickens County students in grades 6–12 the opportunity to work alongside musicians and entertainment professionals to create original music and help produce a live show!
Presented by the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame, this three-day experience will take place November 19–21, 2026, at Easley High School, concluding with a live performance alongside Hall of Fame musicians.
Students will work in small teams, contributing through music, design, promotion, stage production, and other roles. No audition is required, and students do not have to sing or play an instrument to participate.
Anticipated Schedule:
Thursday, November 19: Evening workshop beginning at approximately 5:00 PM.
Friday, November 20: Full-day workshop, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Participating students will be excused from school to attend.
Saturday, November 21: Final production preparations and a live performance at 7:00 PM. Student arrival time and additional details will be shared with participating families.
Participation Information:
Cost: $35 per student
Students must attend all three days.
Families must provide transportation to and from Easley High School.
Interested in participating?
Complete the Student Workshop Interest Form to receive registration information and additional details.
Please note: Submitting the interest form does not complete registration.
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.
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.
🦈 This Week’s Fins Up Newsletter!
Another great week is in the books at MAST! Be sure to check out this week’s Fins Up Newsletter for important updates, upcoming events, celebrations, and a look at what our Sharks have been up to.
Thank you for staying connected and partnering with us as we continue making this the Best Year at MAST!
📖 Read this week’s newsletter here: https://app.smore.com/n/f2whrm
We Are GOOD at MAST, but Striving for EXCELLENCE!
Our 2025–2026 SC School Report Card is here, and we have some BIG wins to celebrate!
EXCELLENT in Academic Achievement!**
EXCELLENT in School Climate!**
14.5 percentage-point increase** in Multilingual Learner Growth!
9.9 percentage-point increase** in third-grade math proficiency!
Improved teacher working conditions!
These accomplishments reflect the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the support of our families!
While we celebrate earning an overall GOOD rating, our eyes are set on EXCELLENT! We have a plan, and our entire MAST family plays an important role in reaching our goal.
Read the full story here, to celebrate our progress, and learn how YOU can help us reach excellence!
https://mast.pickens.k12.sc.us/o/mast/page/2025-2026-school-report-card-report-to-parents
📲 Check out the Shark Report here: https://app.smore.com/n/8nh13y
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.
This week’s Fins Up is ready! Please take a few minutes to read through each section for important updates, reminders, celebrations, deadlines, and everything you need to know for the week ahead. Thank you for all you do for our Sharks. Let’s make it another great week at MAST!
📲 Check out the Shark Report here: https://app.smore.com/n/b986z
🦈 MAST Families! This week’s Fins Up Newsletter is ready! Take a few minutes to check out important updates, upcoming events, celebrations, and everything happening at MAST. Thank you for staying connected!
📲 Read it here: https://app.smore.com/n/y45ts
Fins Up! 🦈
CoGAT and ITBS testing for Gifted and Talented qualification will take place October 6–8 and October 20–21 for all second-grade students.
Please help your child do their best by ensuring they attend school each testing day, get a good night’s sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast. Thank you for helping our Sharks be ready to shine! 🦈💚
Thank you for all you do for our Sharks. Let’s make it another great week at MAST!
📲 Check out the Shark Report here: https://app.smore.com/n/x641a
We invite all families and friends with children ages 5 and younger to join us for Pup Tales tomorrow at 8:15am. We will read the book I Can Code: If/Then Coding and learn about if/then coding using our bodies and then indi robot cars. Each child will be given a copy of the book to build a home library and will receive an activity to continue learning at home. We hope you can join us!
📲 Read it here: https://app.smore.com/n/zkd8v
Fins Up! 🦈
Thank you for all you do for our Sharks. Let’s make it another great week at MAST!
📲 Check out the Shark Report here: https://app.smore.com/n/svp81
Following 13 years of leadership, Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck will conclude his service at the end of the 2026–2027 school year. With advance planning, the Board of Trustees is beginning the search process now to support a thoughtful and seamless transition.
The search will be guided by our Innovate ’28 Strategic Plan and shaped by input from the people who know and care about SDPC — our students, employees, families, and Pickens County community.
🗣️ Your voice matters.
The Board of Trustees, in partnership with the South Carolina School Boards Association, is gathering community input to help identify the qualities, experience, and leadership priorities that should guide the search for SDPC’s next superintendent.
The first opportunity to share your input:
📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
📍 Liberty High School (124 Red Devil Drive, Liberty, SC 29657)
⏰ 6:00 PM
Additional opportunities for community input will be announced as the search progresses.
Learn more about the superintendent search and how you can participate: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/3112602
#SDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
📲 Read it here:https://app.smore.com/n/k7y8h
***4th & 5th Grade families, DO NOT FORGET TO SIGN-UP FOR THE FIELD TRIP :)
📲 Read it here: https://app.smore.com/n/xd5g3
Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning for Coffee with the Principal and our 4th and 5th Grade Field Trip Information Meeting! 🦈☕️
We appreciate you taking the time to connect, ask questions, and partner with us as we work to create the best experience for our Sharks.
If you were unable to attend, no worries! Please review the presentations linked below for the information shared during each session.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of MAST! 💙
Coffee with the Principal: https://canva.link/7xqn614gjcmmuum
Chattanooga Field Trip: https://canva.link/qmyxrzllis491ye
Another great week is in the books at MAST! Be sure to check out this week’s Fins Up Newsletter for important updates, upcoming events, celebrations, and a look at what our Sharks have been up to.
Thank you for staying connected and partnering with us as we continue making this the Best Year at MAST!
Read this week’s newsletter here: https://app.smore.com/n/1wut0