Berkeley County School District is officially one week away from welcoming students back to school. Families are encouraged to use the quick reference guide detailed below to help navigate the start of the new school year.
Back-to-School Basics
Communication
Mobile app: Berkeley County School District encourages all parents and community members to download the Berkeley County School District mobile app for the latest news and information. Learn more.
Rooms: Rooms is the District's only approved 2-way communication platform. It is housed in the Berkeley County School District mobile app. Guardians and students using app are encouraged to switch on notifications. Rooms invites for guardians not already connected occur weekly. Rooms syncs with PowerSchool automatically; please make sure your PowerSchool contact information is up to date. Additional information can always been found at bcsdschools.net/rooms. Learn more.
Mass notifications: In addition to the BCSD mobile app and Rooms, the District and its schools utilize a mass notification platform that allows for automated calls, text messages and email. This communication is key for timely sharing of information.
Finance
BCSD has implemented a new online payment system, SchoolCash Online, that makes it easier and more convenient for parents/guardians to pay student activity and registration fees.
Secure and easy-to-use, SchoolCash offers 24/7 shopping convenience to parents/guardians who can manage all their child/children's school activity fees with a single account. Parents/guardians receive e-mail notifications as new items become available for purchase and can access their account history at any time to view activity and print receipts as needed. More than 100 languages are available.
It will also provide significant time savings for teachers and administrative staff who will spend less time handling cash in classrooms and offices.
SchoolCash Online also offers a guest checkout option so that members of the public can pay for sporting events, theatre productions, facility rentals, and the like.
(Please note: SchoolCash Online is not replacing HomeTown Ticketing for digital admission to athletic events).
Parents/guardians can register for a SchoolCash Online account by clicking HERE.
Nursing Services
Each year the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) provides the South Carolina Immunization Requirements for Childcare and School. This communication provides the school and childcare entry requirements for immunizations for the 2026-2027 school year. Included are general guidance and specific requirements for childcare and school attendance.
Childcare and school immunization requirements are minimum requirements. Several other vaccines are recommended to protect all children against diseases. Although they may not be required for childcare or school entry, DPH recommends all age-appropriate vaccines for children.
Changes for the 2026-2027 school year include the following grades:
Twelfth grade: two (2) doses of varicella. A child with a positive history of the disease is considered immune and is exempt from this requirement.
Sixth grade: two (2) doses of hepatitis A vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least 6 months.
Students enrolled in grades 5K to 12 in both public and private schools must be up to date on the following shots based on their grade level:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
DTaP (tetanus, whooping cough)
Polio
Measles, mumps, rubella
Varicella (chickenpox)
Tdap (whooping cough booster required before seventh grade)
Additionally, children in childcare must be up to date on the following shots based on their age. Childcare includes nursery or preschool programs (4K and younger) or any licensed childcare center.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
DTaP (whooping cough, tetanus)
Polio
Pneumococcal (pneumonia)
Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib)
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
Varicella (chickenpox)
To learn more about vaccinations and medications, click HERE.
Safety and Security
Quick facts: For safety plans and drill policies, click HERE.
Reporting safety concerns: See something? Say Something! BCSD has an anonymous tip reporting tool. Learn more.
School Meals
Berkeley County School District will again participate in the Community Eligibility Provision for the 2026-2027 school year.
The program is a federally-funded initiative that provides students breakfast and lunch at no cost. Established in 2010, the CEP utilizes multiple data sets like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) applications to identify qualifying communities/schools. There are 32 schools that will offer all students breakfast and lunch at no cost – see full list HERE.
BCSD schools not listed will continue to offer free and reduced-price lunches to students whose families apply and demonstrate financial need under the National School Lunch Program. Learn more.
Breakfast/Lunch Menus: Meals, foods and beverages sold or served at schools meet state and federal requirements based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines. All meals, foods and beverages are prepared and served by qualified child nutrition professionals. Learn more.
Transportation
Bus Delay Information: BCSD shares bus delay information via the Rooms platform located within the BCSD mobile app. Parents connected to their students within Rooms will receive mobile app push notifications on bus delays and other transportation information.
Tag Program: Berkeley County School District utilizes a tag program/system for the release of bus riders in pre-K through fifth grade.
Red/"Stop": The student (PK-2nd) cannot be released unless a parent or guardian is present.
Yellow/"Caution": The student (PK-2nd) can be released with a sibling in the third grade or above.
Green/"Go": Every student with a green tag is cleared to be released off the bus.
If a parent or guardian is not present for students with red tags, students will return to the school.
Student release forms are available for parents who choose to allow PK-2nd students off the bus without a parent/guardian present. Learn more.