It's always important to show our teachers how much we appreciate them. This month, Dr. Bethea and Mrs. Wilbanks visited the district's new teachers to see how they were doing and to show their appreciation during their first 4.5 weeks of school. They also made sure to give them a special sweet treat and a card to let them know just how much they are valued and appreciated.

September was National Attendance Awareness Month! It's a bigger problem than you think. Absenteeism begins at a young age, and children from low-income families are four times more likely to be chronically absent from school. Students who miss two to four days in the first month of school are more likely to have a poor attendance record during the school year. Many of our schools had attendance incentives and rewards for students and staff to encourage good attendance habits early in the 2024–2025 school year!

College Colors Day was August 30. Students and staff joined college fans around the country in showing their spirit by wearing their favorite team's gear. #CollegeColorsDay

We've made some exciting upgrades across the district! Johnakin Middle now features a stunning new mural and updated furniture. Mullins High has brand-new furniture and flooring in the Commons Area. The Academy for Careers & Technology, also known as The Hub, has given its campus a fresh new look. Palmetto Middle has refreshed the front of its building, and our athletic fields look fantastic as well!

Congratulations to Dr. Bethea for being elected as the 2024-2025 South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) President of State Superintendents!

MCSD schools celebrated and honored our first responders on September 11. We are incredibly thankful for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.

Easterling Primary School recently celebrated the ribbon-cutting and unveiling of its new STEM Lab. The lab is a key component of the district's partnership with STEMU, which offers an engaging curriculum and hands-on learning experiences.

Thank you to the Greater Mullins Chamber Foundation for hosting the recent Teacher Supply Giveaway for Marion County School District teachers! We truly appreciate the generous supply bags and breakfast provided for our educators. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from our community.

The Marion County Daughters of the American Revolution met with Superintendent Dr. Kandace Bethea to sign the proclamation confirming that the Marion County School District will recognize September 17 through 23, 2024, as Constitution Week.

Thank you to the Woodmen of the World representatives for gifting Marion County School District with a new American flag! We are excited to proudly fly this flag over the school district's Central Services building!

In September, Aramark showcased for a special limited-time: the Chicken Katsu Bowl. Each month, Aramark introduces new global dishes at secondary-level schools, and this past month, they highlighted the delicious Japanese-inspired flavors of the Chicken Katsu Bowl.

Meeting with parents is a crucial aspect of our district's commitment to enhancing home-school relations. This month, we enjoyed engaging conversations, received valuable feedback, and gathered some fantastic ideas during the Parent Chat and Chew event! A special thank you to Awaken Coffee for allowing us to use your coffee shop for our meeting. This event was sponsored by the MCSD Parenting and Community Engagement Department.

The 17th annual ABB Tobacco Bowl ends with an Auctioneer win! Congratulations to Mullins High School!!