Berkeley County School District stayed busy this summer preparing for the 2025-2026 school year.
Students stayed active participating in summer camps, such as the Future Innovators Camp, which provided hands-on STEAM lessons. Fine arts students wowed audience members during the Summer STEP finale. School and district leaders gathered for summer leadership training. BCSD had a great turnout at the OneBerkeley Back to School Festival.
In June, to ensure every student receives high-quality instruction, BCSD announced a number of school leadership updates across the district (learn more). To make sure these new school leaders started their year on the right foot, many school communities were invited to participate in special Meet and Greet events with their new principals and/or assistant principals.
BCSD’s families definitely delivered. Thanks to some local community business partners and the support of parents and students, BCSD’s summer Meet and Greets with the principals were very well attended.
“We appreciate our local business partners, as well as our families and staff members, for making our administrators feel welcomed and supported in their school communities,” Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon said. “We are excited to see the positive difference our administrators will make this year in their new leadership roles.”
The types of events varied from school to school. Elementary-level administrators invited families out to their schools for different events; Sangaree Intermediate Interim Principal Jessica White had students and parents join her for “popcorn with the principals”.
“It was exciting to meet community members,” she said. “They welcomed me in, and we've had a great start to the school year. I'm looking forward to growing with the Sangaree community and working together to support our students.”
Middle and high school-level administrators joined forces with local community business partners to do special events for their families. Berkeley Middle’s school community kept the semi-new Fishbowl Ice Cream Shop in Moncks Corner very busy when the shop hosted a “Spirit Night” so that everyone could meet Interim Principal Chris Thurman.
Thurman said he is incredibly grateful for the support he has received from the Buck community, as well as the Town of Moncks Corner, and that the support has made the transition exciting and meaningful.
“I’m looking forward to a school year filled with collaboration and growth, and working together to ensure success for every student for many years to come,” he said. “A special thank-you to Fishbowl for opening their doors to us for my Meet and Greet event in July and introducing me to their delicious ice cream—it’s just one of many reminders of how strong and connected our community is.”
Similarly, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice off of Clements Ferry welcomed Philip Simmons High parents and students as they came out to meet Principal LaTanya Butler.
“I have enjoyed getting to know the school staff as well as parents and community members,” Butler said. “Over the past month I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and getting to know the wonderful students at Philip Simmons High and I am looking forward to what this school year will bring.”
In addition to Jeremiah’s and Fishbowl, BCSD would like to thank Bald Monkey Beanery in Goose Creek, Ra Coffee Company in Goose Creek, Mpishi on Daniel Island, Starbucks in Cane Bay, Cuppa Manna in Carnes Crossroad, and Kona Ice for supporting some of BCSD’s summer Meet and Greets.
