Per State Superintendent Molly Spearman, schools will remain closed for the rest of the year. More details will be forthcoming about procedures for turning in instructional packets, returning devices and textbooks, and gathering items from lockers. Please understand, just because we are not returning for face-to-face instruction does not mean instruction stops for this school year. We remain committed to having students ready for the next grade, course, or next steps post-graduation. Stay tuned for more information in the coming days and stay safe!
It's Census Time!
The U.S. Census, which is conducted every 10 years, directly impacts federal funding every year for schools and communities in South Carolina. This funding impacts special education, teacher training, technology, school lunch assistance, Head Start and after-school programs. According to the Count All Kids Campaign, more than two million young children nationally were missed in the 2010 census. If we undercount children in the 2020 census, South Carolina could miss out on funding for the programs our students depend on. If you haven't completed the census yet, please do so as soon as possible!
There will be a Board of Trustees Meeting on Monday, April 20th at 6pm. Please see the attached agenda.
Due to a power outage, the live stream was disabled. The chairman adjourned the Board meeting at the end of the Executive Session. No action was taken in the Executive Session. The Board will reconvene in open session at a later date.
Please click on the link below for tomorrow’s special called board meeting live stream. The board meeting will start at 6pm on Thursday, April 16th.
https://youtu.be/0bxpyQqp8jQ
Please take note of the Special Called Board of Trustees Meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 16.
Due to power outages at Cherokee Trail and Dixie, no meals will be served today. Both schools will serve meals tomorrow 11:30-12:30. Students will receive meals for the remainder of the week. Our normal meals service is each Monday 11:30-12:30. Students receive meals for the entire week. All other schools will have meals available today 11:30-12:30.
This week, the South Carolina Department of Education launched SCRemoteLearning.com, a website offering digital teaching and learning resources for teachers, parents and students during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Stay safe!
Parents/Guardians, please see the Alternative Learning Parent Letter below for information on the newest instructional packets for students, which includes dates for picking up and dropping off materials. Contact your individual schools with any questions you may have.
Alternative Learning Parent Letter (Phase 2) - https://5il.co/ei0b
Meals are available at the following locations 12:30 - 1:30: Abbeville High, Cherokee Trail Elementary, Diamond Hill Elementary, Dixie High, John C. Calhoun Elementary, Long Cane Primary, Westwood Elementary, Wright Middle. Meal service dates: Wednesday, April 1st students will receive meals for the remainder of the week. Monday, April 6th students will receive meals for the entire week. Beginning April 13th meals will be available each Monday and Wednesday through April 30th.
Census data ensures our schools receive their fair share of resources. Ensuring every resident in SC is counted during the 2020 census will help our schools for the next 10 years. Complete your census here: https://my2020census.gov/. #retweet #CountMeInSC #SCCounts2020
Need some resources for schooling at home? Check out this informative presentation called Let's Go Exploring!
Let's Go Exploring - https://5il.co/eh6r
An announcement was made this afternoon by Governor McMaster and State Superintendent, Molly Spearman, that SC schools will be closed through April 30. Should this timeline need to be adjusted by ending sooner or by being extended, an announcement will be made at that time.
ACSD was braced for the announcement of a school closing extension as a result of the daily SCDE and State Superintendent briefings provided to district superintendents. With other decisions being made in our state and those in states like NC, it seemed to be a matter of time. I do think it gives our students, especially our seniors, a window of hope that the school closure through April 30 will have helped to flatten the curve and the month of May will usher in the possibilities of returning to school, holding prom and graduation, etc. although there are still no guarantees.
ACSD is busy preparing for the second wave of providing instructional packets and eLearning plans for students. We stand ready to provide the best services possible to our students at this time. We are currently awaiting guidance from the SCDE on decisions governing some instructional components and will share and implement these once received. Our focus is on what students have already been taught and what they need between now and the end of the year in order to be prepared for the next grade level or course content in a sequence or for graduation.
- Dr. Julie Fowler, ACSD Superintendent
The live link for the Tuesday evening Board of Trustees meeting is posted below. To watch the live streamed broadcast, click on the link at the time of the meeting, which will be at 6pm on Tuesday, March 24th.
Live stream link - https://youtu.be/i9kE9EyGqto
The SCDE's request for the assessment and accountability waiver has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education and is supported by the State Board of Education. For more specific information on the tests that are affected, please click on the following link - https://5il.co/e2ec
Spring 2020 Assessment and Accountability Updates -
https://5il.co/e2ec
U.S. Department of Education approves South Carolina assessment suspension waiver. For more information, please click on the link below.
South Carolina Assessment Suspension Waiver info - https://5il.co/e2bz
FEMA has developed a Rumor Control page for COVID-19 on FEMA.gov. Please click on the link below for more information:
FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control - https://www.fema.gov/Coronavirus-Rumor-Control
THANK YOU, BURGER KING!
Burger King will be offering free kids meals starting Monday, March 23.
The free meals will be available nationwide with any purchase through the Burger King app. The free meals are only applicable on takeout or drive-thru orders — not delivery.
THANK YOU, HARDEES!
Beginning Monday, March 23 through March 31, Hardees will serve a free sausage biscuit to students age 18 and under.
Please see the ACSD Board of Trustees meeting agenda for March 24th attached below.
