Please take a moment to review this BCSD Office of Special Services newsletter. It includes information about multiple events and opportunities. https://www.smore.com/ra6x7
To better serve the physical and mental wellbeing of those who work for BCSD, the YMCA has partnered with the school district to provide free memberships to all BCSD employees. In celebration of this partnership, BCSD employees are invited to come out to the Cane Bay Family YMCA on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. to activate their memberships and tour the Cane Bay facility. Learn more at https://berkeleycosdsc.sites.thrillshare.com/article/1252290.
Due to the potential for severe weather resulting from Hurricane Idalia, Berkeley County School District (BCSD) schools will follow the half-day dismissal bell schedule (https://www.bcsdschools.net/o/bcsd/page/school-bell-schedules) on Wednesday, August 30. Thursday, August 31, students will learn from home and complete eLearning Day assignments. All schools and offices will be closed Thursday. BCSD will resume normal operations Friday, September 1.
Before and after-school care programs, activities, and athletics, to include practices and games, are canceled for Wednesday, August 30, and Thursday, August 31. Normal activities and operations will resume on Friday, September 1.
On Thursday, August 31, students will complete eLearning assignments from home via Schoology, Google Classroom, SeeSaw, or other designated virtual learning platforms. Specific information about assignments will be provided by the student’s teacher and/or school. Teachers will share information regarding their office hours to support students completing eLearning assignments at home. More information here: https://www.bcsdschools.net/o/bcsd/page/elearning-day-faqs
Due to the potential for severe weather, and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students, staff, and families, the district will not operate virtual feeding sites on Wednesday or Thursday.
BCSD officials work in partnership with Berkeley County Emergency Management and receive regular updates regarding the weather from the National Weather Service.
As safety and security is our number one priority, officials will continue to monitor the weather and assess any resulting damage.
Schools and offices will reopen and resume normal operations on Friday, September 1.
Berkeley County School District is currently monitoring the forecasts and receiving regular updates from Berkeley County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service on Tropical Storm Idalia. At this time, there are no changes to school operations. Any changes to operations will be communicated to staff and parents.
The South Carolina Department of Education purchased and provided Berkeley County School District and other school districts in our state with My Ride K-12 for communication of bus routes and delays. The app has been unable to provide parents with consistent delay information. BCSD is now tracking bus delays for parents using Google documents.
Bus Delays: https://www.bcsdschools.net/busdelays
Beginning Monday, Berkeley County School District parents and guardians will begin to receive invites for Rooms.
Rooms is a platform that lives within the new BCSD mobile app. It supplements school and district news and information by providing direct communication tools for parents, teachers, athletic coaches, club advisors, etc.
Our goal is to streamline communication and minimize the number of apps parents and guardians need for communication.
Parent Overview: https://youtu.be/upJMsLmn91Y
Introducción de los padres a las habitaciones: https://youtu.be/7pyvEIc3OOU
Please note that not all teachers and schools are utilizing Rooms at this time, but there is a plan to launch all schools on the platform in the future.
**Additional notes**
Parents will still need to use the PowerSchool Parent portal for academic information.
Rooms will not replace student learning management systems (Schoology).
With the first day of school less than one week away, we want to make sure families are aware of the new transportation features that pertain to bus riders. Learn more about My Ride K-12 and the student transportation tag program at www.bcsdschools.net/article/1203059.
Important Back to School Dates:
Facts & Fees: August 16 - 18, 8:00 am - 12:00 PM
Lockers: $5
Technology: $10
Please bring exact change.
6th - 8th Grade Meet the Teacher: August 17
Last names M - Z 5:00 PM- 6:00 PM
Last names A - L 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
5th Grade Orientation: August 18
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
First Day of School: August 21
7:45 am - 2:45 pm
Philip Simmons Middle School's 5th grade orientation will take place on Friday, August 18th from 10:00 am - 11:30 am. During the event, families will meet staff, learn expectations for the upcoming school year, and tour the facility. This is a great opportunity for students and parents that should not be missed! Please note, this is not a drop-in event. Families will follow a schedule for the duration of the event.
Philip Simmons Middle School's 6th - 8th Grade Meet the Teacher Event will take place on Thursday, August 17th. Families of students with last names beginning with letters M through Z should attend between 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Families of students with last names beginning with letters A through L should attend between 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Families of students with different last names should attend at the time of the student in the highest grade level. This event is for students in grades 6 through 8 only, 5th grade teachers will not be in attendance.
2023 - 2024 School Supply List
https://5il.co/1z3oz
Summer Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday
7:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Summer hours end on August 10.
Berkeley County School District will continue to serve meals to students this summer.
The 2023 Summer Breakfast and Lunch Program is available to all students and children in the Berkeley County community. The program is free to all children under the age of 18. Dates, times and site information can be found at www.bcsdschools.net/summermeals.
Philip Simmons Middle and Philip Simmons Elementary staffulty spent a great morning together at Healing Farms’ Walk and Roll 2023. We were so thankful for the opportunity to participate in this event! #WeSeeAbility #PSMBeTheOne
On this final day of Teacher Appreciation Week we want to take one more opportunity to let you know how we feel!
REMINDER: May 30th is a half day for all students. It is also the final day of school for all students. May 31 is a teacher workday and the final day of the school year for teachers.
Join the professionals on our transportation team. As a team member you will be an important part of the education process. Make a difference in education. Bus drivers and bus assistants are key to our students’ success. We are focused on safety, and we’ll train you!
For employment information contact: Michelle Smith at 843-899-8547.
