Colleton Academy for Success

Greetings, Colleton County School District Families. Please be reminded that October 8, 2024, is a full day of school, October 9, 2024, is an early release day, and schools will be closed for fall break on Thursday, October 10, 2024, and Friday, October 11, 2024. We hope everyone enjoys their Fall Break. Additionally, the Colleton County School District is actively monitoring Hurricane Milton at this time. We are receiving valuable updates from our local county emergency management team and the National Weather Service. While the storm is predicted to be an extensive system, its impact to our community is still undetermined at this time. We will continue to monitor Hurricane Milton's trajectory and maintain updated communications regarding its impact on our county and school district. We will continue to post all school-related changes to our district website (www.colleton.k12.sc.us) and our district’s social media platforms by 4:00 pm daily. The school district is committed to the safety and education of all students. Our goal is to provide a secure and supportive learning environment, even in times of emergency. In closing, we look forward to everyone returning to school after the fall break on Monday, October 14, 2024.

October is National Principals' Month & Colleton County School District has the "BEST" Principals in the world!!! Help us celebrate our great school leaders!!

Colleton County School District was highlighted in the September 2024 artsNOW September 2024 Newsletter! Click the link below to read the newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/artsnowlearning.org/march-newsletter-from-artsnow-17984483

Colleton County School District 500 Forest Circle Walterboro, SC 29488 Home - Colleton County School District Office of Student Athletics As we prepare for Homecoming 2024, Colleton County Cougars athletics would like to remind everyone of the expectations for attending athletic events within the Colleton County School District to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees: 1. A parent must accompany students under the age of 14 to enter athletic events. 2. Student-athletes using the pass gate must present their student ID badges for entrance. 3. Staff entering through the pass gate must present their school ID. 4. A clear bag or small handheld clutch is the only bag allowed at the games. 5. Once entered into the game, spectators will not be allowed re-entry for any reason. 6. After entering the game, spectators must immediately find a seat in the stands. 7. Standing along the walkways, near the concessions or restroom, or under the stadium is strictly prohibited. Guests must remain seated unless going to the restroom or concessions. All attendees are expected to behave appropriately, and any abusive or unruly behavior, including speech and gestures, will not be tolerated. In addition, the following items and activities are strictly prohibited at school grounds and athletic events: smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vapes; alcohol, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia; animals (unless a service animal); megaphones that produce amplified sound; radios without speakers; unauthorized flags; banners; handheld signs that may be seen as offensive; horns; signs; whistles; laser pointers; and any pole stick or wires to support flags or banners, or any other item deemed inappropriate by school administration or law enforcement. These guidelines are in place to ensure the safety, security, and enjoyment of all attendees. It is important to note that anyone found violating these expectations will be escorted from the stadium and asked to leave. Additionally, spectators who refuse to comply will be denied entry to future district athletic events. Any student found violating these rules will be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions outlined in the Student Code of Conduct issued by their school-level administrator. We urge everyone to take these rules seriously and comply for the benefit of all. Lastly, we are deeply grateful for your support of our athletes and your cooperation in ensuring that all events promote a safe, secure, and enjoyable environment. Your understanding and compliance with these guidelines are greatly appreciated. Thank you for being a part of our athletic community.

Thank you to a wonderful group of dedicated faculty & staff!! We saw you hard at work today & appreciate all that you do! Colleton County School District is very lucky to have you working in the district!! Great job, Everyone!!!

Public Announcement 9/30/2024 Colleton County School District is fully prepared to resume regular business hours on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. All buses will run their regular bus routes. All schools and offices will be open, and we look forward to welcoming our students and staff back. We hope to see all of our faculty and students on campus. All extra-curricular activities, athletics, and after-school programs will resume as usual. Students should bring their Chromebooks and chargers to school with them. For families who are still dealing with road hazards or power outages, we understand the challenges you are facing in the aftermath of this unprecedented storm. We want to reassure you that we are here to support you during this difficult time. Our commitment to you remains unwavering as we navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. We appreciate your continued support as we work to bring our students back to school. In closing, if you continue to experience issues related to Hurricane Helene's aftermath, please contact the Office of Student Services at 843-782-4524 or email ehwilliams@colleton.k12.sc.us for additional support.

Colleton County School District is getting ready to feed the students!! Others are hard at work with cleaning up the storm damage. Thank you to everyone that is pitching in to get the job done!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Colleton County School District 500 Forest Circle Walterboro, SC 29488 Home - Colleton County School District Public Announcement: September 29, 2024 The Colleton County Schools’ Buildings and Grounds team continues to assess the condition of our facilities. As of this morning, Colleton County has 21% of its residents without power. Therefore, the Colleton County School District will implement an e-learning day on Monday, September 30, 2024. This decision was made with the utmost caution and concern for all internal and external stakeholders to include students, staff, and families. Additionally, the Colleton County School District will provide a bagged breakfast and lunch meal for all students. The meal distribution plan is as follows: If your child is a car rider, you will pick up your bagged meals from your child’s school beginning at 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parents that have car riders at multiple school locations will pick up the bagged meals from Colleton County Middle School starting at 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is to prevent parents having to travel to multiple locations. Delivery of bagged meals for bus rider students will begin at 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m. by their bus driver at their normal bus stop. The District will continue to post all school-related changes to our district website (www.colleton.k12.sc.us) and our District’s social media platforms by 4:00 pm daily. We encourage staff, students, and families to continue to employ safe practices and protocols. The delay of providing this specific level of updated information was driven by organizing the logistics for feeding our students.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Colleton County School District 500 Forest Circle Walterboro, SC 29488 Home - Colleton County School District September 28, 2024: Public Announcement The Colleton County Schools’ Buildings and Grounds team started assessing the condition of our facilities late yesterday and this morning. As of this morning, a significant number of schools still do not have power and connectivity. There are concerns about clearing roads due to downed trees, and 43% of the community is still without power according to our local and state emergency response teams. At this time, we are not prepared to make a decision on school operations for Monday, September 30, 2024. We will continue to assess facilities throughout the weekend and monitor power restoration in the community. Families will receive an update regarding operational readiness for Monday, September 30, 2024, no later than 4pm on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Colleton County School District 500 Forest Circle Walterboro, SC 29488 Home - Colleton County School District Colleton County School District Continues Monitoring Hurricane Helene/Operational Schedule Change As a precaution, the Colleton County School District will transition from onsite operations to e-learning for Friday, September 27, 2024, due to Hurricane Helene's increased wind gusts. These gusts may exceed the maximum limit for safe and secure bus transport of students to school, as per the latest updates from the National Weather Service - Charleston. In order to avoid adding a weather make-up day to the school calendar, the District will implement an e-learning day for our students. Each school will provide additional information about e-learning. All buildings and district facilities will be closed for in-person activities. Our top priority is the safety of our students, staff, and their families. In closing, please keep your families safe during this tropical weather that we are experiencing, and continue to monitor the District’s official communication methods to include our website posting, parent notification system and social media platforms.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Colleton County School District 500 Forest Circle Walterboro, SC 29488 Home - Colleton County School District Colleton County School District Continues Monitoring Hurricane Helene CCSD Operational Schedule As Colleton County School District collaborates with our local county emergency management team and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the Colleton County School District will implement our Early Dismissal Schedule for all schools on Thursday, September 26, 2024, due to potential rainfall, high wind gusts, possible tornado warnings, and hazardous road conditions. All extra-curricular activities and athletic events have been canceled as well. The early dismissal schedule is listed below: Early Dismissal Schedule – Thursday, September 26, 2024. On Friday, September 27, 2024, the district will implement a delayed start for students & staff. Our top priority is the safety of our students, staff, and their families. We will continue to post all school-related changes to our district website (www.colleton.k12.sc.us) and our district’s social media platforms by 4:00 pm daily. Please keep your families safe during any tropical weather that we will experience. In closing, the school district is committed to the safety and education of all students. Our goal is to provide a secure and supportive learning environment, even in times of emergency.

We have been informed by Stratford that they have canceled Thursday's Middle School and JV Football contests due to Tropical Storm Helene. We will work with Stratford to reschedule at a later date. Thank you. Wayne Alston Director of District Athletics Colleton County School District ColletonCountyCougars.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Colleton County School District 500 Forest Circle Walterboro, SC 29488 Home - Colleton County School District Colleton County School District is monitoring Tropical Storm Helene/Operational Schedule Colleton County School District is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Helene at this time. We are receiving valuable updates from our local county emergency management team and the National Weather Service. While the storm is predicted to be an extensive system, and its impact may reach well outside its path, its specific effect on our region of the Lowcountry is still undetermined. We will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Helene's trajectory and maintain updated communications regarding its impact on our county and school district. We will continue to post all school-related changes to our district website (www.colleton.k12.sc.us) and our district’s social media platforms by 4:00 pm daily. In closing, the school district is committed to the safety and education of all students. Our goal is to provide a secure and supportive learning environment, even in times of emergency.

Please note the change in the schedule for the upcoming football game between CCHS & Stratford.

During the Friday Reading Coaches meeting held at the District Office on 9/20/24, Mrs, Headden read her all time favorite book to the coaches. "The Paper Bag Princess" was not just read to the coaches. They were able to draw parallels from it to their practices at school. Mrs. Headden even wore a crown as she read the story.

Revised (9-12-24) 2024-2025 School Calendar The Colleton County School District Board of Trustees approved revisions to the 2024-2025 School Calendar on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The revisions assist the district in making up 2 days of lost instructional time due to the effects/damage caused by Tropical Storm Deby. The changes approved are listed below: Make Up Dates: October 9, 2024 will be the make up day for August 8, 2024 January 7, 2025 will be the make up day for August 9, 2024 Important Changes: ***October 8, 2024 is now a full day ***October 9, 2024 is now a half day.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT September 12, 2024 Greetings Colleton County School District Families, This is Jessica Williams, Superintendent of the Colleton County School District. Ensuring student safety has become more urgent than ever. Schools should be a haven where students can focus on learning and growing without fear. Recent events involving threats circulating nationally, statewide, and in our local community about school violence has alarmed me greatly. It has become increasingly important for me to be clear about the expectations for students engaging in inappropriate social media posts regarding threats of violence. Keeping our students in Colleton County safe, and holding all students accountable for engaging in such behaviors is imperative. Posting and reposting false information about school violence or perceived school violence activities in our schools is simply irresponsible. As Superintendent, I do not take any form of threats to our schools and/or rumors of violence to our learning community lightly. Every rumor the district is aware of will be thoroughly investigated, and the consequences of making those rumors and threats will be pursued to the fullest extent of board policy and the law. Additionally, any student found to be responsible for engaging in these behaviors will face school consequences and possible criminal charges. I am asking all parents to converse with their students about making good choices. We do not take rumors and threats of violence as a joke. Please know that your child’s safety in our schools is our highest priority. We are actively monitoring all social media and school communication to ensure the protection of our school community. We have software and other technologies to help support this effort. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS! THE TIME IS NOW! In closing, parents, please talk to your students about these behaviors. Please inform them if they “see something, say something” to their school level administrators. Our responsibility is to ensure that our kids in the Colleton County School System have a safe learning environment, and we are committed to doing whatever it takes to maintain safety and security. I appreciate your continued support and partnership as we lead the way in preparing every student to graduate from the Colleton County School District with a 21st-century education to be globally competitive for their chosen college and career path in a safe, secure, and positive learning environment. And remember, “It’s all about the kids! The time is NOW! Thank you for your continued support! Jessica F. Williams Superintendent 500 Forest Circle Walterboro, SC 29488 Telephone: 843-782-4510, colleton.k12.sc.us

Media Release From the Colleton County Sheriff's Office:

Colleton County School District & our faculty & staff at each of our schools have been working diligently throughout the year to improve our SC Department of Education's School Report Card Ratings. Though we are not where we want to be, we are improving and have shown growth since returning to school after COVID. We are not done. Colleton County School District will continue to strive towards improvement. New report ratings will be released October 10, 2024. We are TEAM Colleton! #ItsAllAboutThe Kids!TheTimeIsNow! #CCSDPurposeDriven2024-2025! #CCSDForwardThinking2024-2025!

Please enjoy our special July edition of "The District Digest" that showcases some of our dedicated and hardworking faculty & staff. https://secure.smore.com/n/sh9drk