Colleton County School District

Congratulations to the Band of Blue on their 2nd place ranking this weekend at the 2024 Mustang Classic at Midland Valley High School. Overall the Band of Blue ranked: 2nd in Music; 1st in Visual and 2nd in Effect in Class 4A. The Band of Blue was 4th overall out of all 18 bands and won High Visual and Best Drum Major and the Mustang Spirit Award for the best fans! The Walterboro Band Classic is this Saturday, September 28 starting at 1:20pm at Cougar Stadium. The Band of Blue performs at 9pm! Way to go BIG BLUE!!

SCREADY RECOGNITION Harley T., NES, 4 th Grade Congratulations on your incredible academic performance on the 2023-2024 SC READY test. This achievement places you in a distinguished top one percent of students statewide who score a perfect score on the SC READY test! Your diligence and perseverance have paid off with exceptional results. It is this kind of hard work and dedication that will undoubtedly take you to great heights. Congratulations for setting such a high standard of excellence for yourself.

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.

In celebration of our current unit in Open Court, our fourth graders are making a difference at Bells Elementary School! The students began bringing in donations to stock our blessing box. However, it wasn't until then that we realized that our blessing box wasn't just in need of repair. It needed to be replaced. Jeff Johansen stepped up and replaced our blessing box with a wonderful build that will last our school and the local community for years to come. It filled our hearts to see our students fill our new blessing box with new items that will support those in need. We are so thankful for the opportunity to apply our focus of making a difference while showing our students the importance of teamwork in our community.

Monday, September 9, 2024, Bells Elementary held a Grandparents' Day Celebration. Grandparents participated in a parade while students & staff cheered for them. Grandparents also helped plant a garden to commemorate the special day. Afterwards, the grandparents were treated to coffee & doughnuts.

Friday, September 13, 2024 was a great day to be a Forest Hills Elementary Cougar Cub. The CCHS Varsity Football Team read to students at Forest Hills Elementary! Even Coach Kinloch participated! Thank you, CCHS Varsity Football, for visiting & reading to the FHE Cougar Cubs. #CougarPride

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

Science Teachers Needed at Colleton County High School- Join Team Colleton today! Apply Today: https://www.applitrack.com/colletonsd/onlineapp/default.aspx

Petty Officer Drake presented to Ms Bonnie Brown and Ms Tammy McMillion's Juniors and Seniors today about reality, their career goals, and career opportunities within the Navy. PO Drake explained the differences of the different branches of the military. The combat branches are the Army and Marines which are designed for combat, and the support branches are the Navy and Air Force, which focus on logistics/sciences, and making sure that they have what is needed. The Air Force supports the Army and the Navy supports the Marines. PO Drake shared the differences and similarities between civilian life and military life as far as the benefits and salaries. He shared information about the mattress approach: M-money A-advancement T-training R-recreation E-education S-security S-success PO Drakes told the students that the best part of being in the military for him are the benefits of having healthcare. He also shared his various travel experiences. In closing, PO Drake gave the students surveys to complete with the option to express if they wanted further information about the Navy or the option to opt out.

Congratulations to the Varsity Girls Tennis Team on their 5-1 win over Woodland on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, and to JV Girls Tennis on their 5-1 win over Hampton! The Lady Cougars improve to 4-0 with this victory #CougarPride

Mark your calendars. Plan to celebrate "National Night Out" on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Kudos to our students that participated in the Kindergarten to First Grade summer reading challenge offered by Original Six Foundation!

On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, International Math teachers engaged in PD that centered around student engagement, effective use of technology, formative assessment strategies, and lesson plan development.

On Friday, August 23, the US Marines brought their pull-up bar to CCHS which had the students of all grade levels actively engaged. Students learned more about careers in the US Marines as well. Girl Power!

On Friday, August 23, the US Marines brought their pull-up bar to CCHS which had the students of all grade levels actively engaged. Students learned more about careers in the US Marines as well.

SFC Felicia Golden, a 2008 Colleton County High School Graduate, presented to interested JAG Students, and Juniors & Seniors who wanted to gain more insight into a military career. SFC Golden was a Motor Transport Operator (88M), and she was a Drill SGT. Now as a Sergeant First Class, she handles tactical logistics, tactical casualty evacuations, and serves as the Senior tactical adviser to the platoon leader. SFC Golden spoke about how she had to overcome some barriers while she was a high school student. She told them that she did try college, but found out that it wasn't for her. She decided to join the Army after her best friend joined the Air Force. SFC Golden informed the students that as of September 8, 2024, it would be her 14th year anniversary in the US Army. SFC Golden told the females that although she's in the military, she's still a "girly girl" with her hair style and her nails. She told them that she moves every three years, and that her salary is constantly coming in. She is six years away from retirement, and about to be stationed in Germany for the next three years. Thanks from the CCHS GCDFs, Ms Footman and Mr Edwards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Colleton County School District 500 Forest Circle Walterboro, SC 29488 Home - Colleton County School District Office of Student Athletics As we prepare to begin another season of Colleton County Cougars athletics, we 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. 500 Forest Circle 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.