School Board recognizes student achievements
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
The Darlington County Board of Education celebrated several district students, and two board members at their Monday, December 12th meeting.
Board members Wanda Hassler and Billy Baldwin were recognized for completing one of six levels in the South Carolina School Boards Association’s Boardsmanship Institute; Hassler complete level three, and Baldwin level two.
Chassidy Leonard was lauded as winner of the Darlington County School District’s 2016 Holiday Card Art Contest; her winter scene was chosen for the school district’s official holiday greeting card. Leonard is in 6th grade and attends Hartsville Middle School.
Another student artist, Emma Graham, was recognized as winning a first-place ribbon for outstanding artistic achievement in the 2016 South Carolina State Fair Student Art Competion. Graham is a sophomore at Hartsville High School.
The following students were recognized as the top 12 readers of the district’s 2016 Summer Reading Program:
Joshua Arrowood of Hartsville Middle School
Caden Booth of Hartsville Middle School
Gracen Greenburg of Darlington Middle School
Cynthia Howell of Carolina Elementary School
Hannah Jewell of Hartsville Middle School
Alexis Jeppson of Carolina Elementary School
Hunter Jeppson of Carolina Elementary School
Grace Johnson of Hartsville Middle School
Henry Thomas Klimek of Hartsville Middle School
Madison Lynn of Hartsville Middle School
Ashley Niu of North Hartsville Elementary School
Sha-Tazia Robinson of Washington Street Elementary School
During the summer months, the Darlington County Library System branches offer Accelerated Reader quizzes during the summer to all DCSD students in kindergarten through 8th grade; students receive prizes as incentives as they garner points, and the top 12 readers are also recognized by the Darlington Raceway with special medals for their accomplishments.
The board approved the 2017-2018 district calendar for the school year, including four early dismissal days for professional development for teachers.
The board approved the first-reading the following policy updates:
Policy BEC: Executive Sessions/Open Meetings
Policy EBCE: School Closings and Cancellations
Policy EEAE: Bus Safety Program
Policy IHAC: Social Studies Education
Policy IHAM: Health Education
Policy IJA: Comparability of Services
Policy ILBB-R State Program Assessments
The Clean School of the Month Awards for November were given to the Darlington County Intervention School Division I award for schools with a student population of 325 or fewer, and the Darlington County Institute of Technology received the District II award for schools with 326 or more students.
The next regular Darlington County Board of Education meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the training room at the Darlington County School District Administrative Office in Darlington.