To: Abbeville County School District Employees, Parents, and Community Stakeholders We encourage you to review the memo in the link below from the South Carolina State Department of Education. This memo, along with an accompanying statement from the Attorney General’s office, provides crucial information as we work together to protect and support our youth. At Abbeville County School District, we stand in solidarity with our School Board of Trustees, Administrators, Teachers, Counselors, Educators, Parents, and the entire community in our shared commitment to creating and maintaining safe spaces for all students. Thank you for your dedication to the well-being and success of our students. Sincerely, Lori Brownlee-Brewton, Superintendent For more details, please review the official memos linked here - https://5il.co/3cibv Article From Attorney General Alan Wilson On Warning Signs And How To Report - https://www.scag.gov/about-the-office/news/attorney-general-alan-wilson-issues-warning-to-parents-on-the-dangers-and-signs-of-children-being-victimized-by-violent-online-gore-seeking-groups-such-as-764/
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to inform you about the new statewide Cell Phone Policy for Schools in South Carolina, which has been implemented to create a more focused and effective learning environment for all students.
Beginning January 1, 2025, the South Carolina Department of Education requires that personal electronic devices, including cell phones, be regulated during school hours to minimize distractions and enhance student engagement. Our district has aligned its procedures with this policy to support academic success and ensure a safe learning environment.
For the purpose of the policy, the school day is defined as the beginning of the instructional day to the dismissal of the instructional day (from bell to bell).
Key Points of the New Cell Phone Policy:
1. Classroom Use:
o Students are not permitted to use cell phones during instructional time unless explicitly authorized by the teacher for educational purposes.
o Cell phones must be turned off or placed on silent and stored securely away such as in backpacks, lockers, or designated areas during class.
2. Medical Necessity:
o Explicitly required by a student’s IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 Plan.
3. Volunteer Services
o Students who are members of a volunteer firefighting or emergency organization may be authorized to carry a telecommunication device with written permission from the District / School designee.
We understand the important role that cell phones play in staying connected with your child. However, this policy aims to promote responsible use of technology while prioritizing academic and social growth.
Your partnership in reinforcing these guidelines is crucial to the success of this initiative. Please review the policy with your child and discuss the importance of maintaining a distraction-free learning environment. If you have any questions or concerns about the new policy, feel free to reach out to your child’s school. Thank you for your support as we work together to ensure a productive and focused school experience for all students.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lori Brownlee-Brewton,
Superintendent
HOSA Raffle Winners have been chosen! Thank you to all who participated in this raffle! Check out our Facebook page to see the winners!
We will kick off Community Night with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!
The Abbeville County Career Center is thrilled to invite you to our Community Night on September 16th! The event kicks off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 PM, celebrating our new classrooms and office building. After the ceremony, enjoy fantastic student showcases featuring skills they’ve learned at the career center. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet local industries and vendors who enrich our community. As a special treat, we’ll be serving free hotdogs on a first come, first served basis! This is a wonderful chance to connect, celebrate our students, and explore community resources. We can’t wait to see you there!
Congratulations to the new members of the 2022-2023 National Technical Honor Society. These students were inducted on February 9, 2023.
Parents, due to the recent announcement by State Superintendent Molly Spearman of masks now being required in every public school building, the ACSD iTECH Academy registration deadline has been extended until Monday, August 3, at midnight.
Parents wishing to make any changes to an already submitted registration, please contact your child’s school by Monday afternoon.
Any parent in need of Internet services at home for a child enrolled in the iTECH Academy, please contact your child’s school to see if you qualify for free Internet services, provided by Abbeville County School District.
Parents, if you have a rising 5K student who did not attend one of our 4K programs last year OR a child
who is new to our district, please go by the school on Tuesday, July 28th, between 8:30 and 3:00 to
complete the new student registration packet.
Parents, if you need assistance completing the online registration form for your returning ACSD student,
you may go by the child’s school on Tuesday, July 28th, between 8:30 and 3:00. Computers will be
available for use, and a staff member can assist with questions you may have.
The online registration portal for returning students is now open. You should be receiving another email with your snapcode information soon. If you completed registration when we originally launched it on June 16th, you will not need to re-register.
Parents, due to unforeseen circumstances, online registration has been suspended for the time being. Please stay tuned for updated information regarding online enrollment. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Attention Parents of ACSD! Your input is needed as we make plans for our upcoming school year. Please complete the Parent Survey on re-opening our schools for the 2020-21 school year by clicking on the following link - https://forms.gle/iEGbLMB4Wv1mD2mFA.
Attention! Online registration begins today. Parents, you should receive an email soon with a new snapcode and instructions on how to get started. For any questions, please contact David Myers at dmyers@acsdsc.org.
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!
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.
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 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
