The Connector

Lancaster County School District welcomed back staff during a districtwide celebration. Four former graduates shared the impact teachers and staff made on their lives. The 2024 Beginning Teacher of the Year, Kristine Hyde from Clinton Elementary School received a trophy together with a $500.00 check from the district. The 2024 Teacher of the Year, Jessica Burns from Discovery School received a trophy and an $1,000.00 check from the district and an $1,000.00 check from the state. Schools were encouraged to Go for the Gold through a process of continuous improvement.

Students returned to campus on August 12, 2024 and were greeted by district and school staff, as well as members from the community in conjunction with the Promise Neighborhood partnership. District leadership visited schools on day two and three to assist and gather feedback. The Academics Team began Learning Walks in our schools within the first weeks. The school instructional leadership teams practiced goal setting, observation, and feedback based on the Core Actions. Instructional coaching cycles with district level support are being scheduled.

Athletics is in full swing throughout the district. You can enjoy football, volleyball, tennis, and cross-country. Please check out how to get a Gold Card pass below. Our middle and high school football players are wearing Guardian Caps helmet covers during all practices. The caps are reported to decrease the effect of impacts. Student athletes and their families can opt for the Guardian Cap to be worn during games.

The Lancaster County School District Board of Trustees voted to move forward with a bond referendum during the March 19, 2024 regular meeting. The bond question will appear on the ballot on November 5th during the general election. If you would like more information about the proposed bond, please view the Bond Referendum Facts area of the newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support as we strive to be the premier school district in South Carolina! #AllIn #PuttingOurChildrenFirst

Did you know:

South Carolina law requires children ages 5–17 to attend school regularly, Monday through Friday, until they turn 17 or graduate from high school. Children can attend public or private school, or be homeschooled. Parents and guardians are responsible for their children's attendance and may face penalties if their children are absent too often.

Based on LCSD Board Policy JB/JBA regarding attendance:

Any absences for a student in grades K-8 exceeding 10 or in grades 9-12 on a block

schedule exceeding six in a unit course or exceeding three in a one-half unit course

whether lawful, unlawful or a combination thereof, must be approved or disapproved by the superintendent’s designee, the school principal.

Your child's attendance may also be a factor in considering grade level promotion or retention, as outlined in Board Policy IHE.

To view all LCSD Board Policies, visit the Board Policies section of the district website here: https://lancastercsdsc.sites.thrillshare.com/o/lancaster-csd/page/board-policies

Thank you Lancaster Grove Senior Living for allowing Lancaster County School District the opportunity to help make Ms. Alvilda Barnes' Dream Come True! Mrs. Barnes is 1952 graduate of South Carolina State University and a former teacher within the Lancaster County School District for many years. Barr Street High School Alumni and former co-workers honored Ms. Barnes sharing their stories of her impact in their lives and the impact on Lancaster County . #CommUNITY

Sept 3 - Buford area- Multipurpose Building - 6 p.m. - Watch the forum

Sept 9 - Lancaster area- Multipurpose Building- 6 p.m.

Sept 23 - AJ area- Multipurpose Building- 6 p.m.

Oct 7 - IL area - ILMS Gym - 6 p.m.

Sept. 11: First high school reporting period ends

Sept.18: High school report cards issued

Oct. 11: Second high school reporting period ends

Oct.14: First elementary/middle school reporting period ends

Oct.17: Professional development - no students attend

Oct. 18: Student & Staff holiday

Oct. 21: Professional development - no students attend

Oct. 23: High school report cards issued

Oct. 24: Elementary/middle/high school report cards issued

To stay up-to-date, please visit the Bond Referendum information page on the Lancaster County School District website.

Plexus Health is seeking entries for a new mascot! Download the guidelines and media release below!

The 2024 General Election is Tuesday, November 5, 2024

We need your help to work on this important election!

The Lancaster County Board of Elections would like to thank you for your interest in

becoming an Election Worker. Below is a brief description of the responsibilities and

benefits of this important public service.

• Election Day hours are 6 a.m. until after 7 p.m. (Closing times may vary depending

on voter turnout) You will help open and close the polls, assist and process voters

• Pay is $180 for training, setting up the polling location the day prior to the election and

working on Election Day. You must work the entire day to be compensated.

• Training is mandatory for all poll workers (Dates and times of training classes TBD)

TO APPLY:

1. You must complete the Election Worker Application which is found on our

website: www.mylancastersc.org

2. You must be a Registered Voter (16 and 17 years old are eligible to work)

3. Once you apply, we will send you the new hire information

4. Please apply no later than September 14, 2024

For more information, please call the Voter Registration office at 803-285-2969.

Thank you again!

Lori Sistare

Voter Registration Clerk

Please note: If you are a retiree and have a retiree pass, a Gold Card is not needed.