JASPER WEATHER
SPOTLIGHT
DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLANS
Copies of the Jasper County School District Strategic Plan for school improvement are available at schools, libraries and municipal offices for your review and comment. Please take the time to give us your input on how we might better serve our community. We really want to hear from you.
PARENT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM COMING SOON
Parents want to know. Early dismissals and weather emergencies are just some of the times when parents want to be called. They must arrange for their children. But they also want to know about PTA meetings, special events and changes in policy.
The School Board has contracted to have an automated telephone notification system installed and it should be in place within the next few weeks. Information that is needed by the company, Alert Now, is already being transmitted.
Calls can be made to everyone in the district, or just to those at one school, or even to smaller identified groups such as grade levels or athletic teams. It is hoped that this system can be a positive way to get "everyone on the same page."
DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHY WINS STATE AWARD
The South Carolina Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association has again honored the Jasper County School District Public Information Office. This time, a photograph of a spectacular sunrise over the new Hardeeville school complex on moving day was seen as a visualization of "A New Day... A New Way... A New School.
Last year the department was honored at the state level for its website and at the national level for its comprehensive communications plan.
Jasper County was the only local district to be honored.
DISTRICT ADDRESS
Jasper County School District
Dr. Delacy W. Sanford, Superintendent
10942 North Jacob Smart Boulevard
Post Office Box 848
Ridgeland, South Carolina 29936
Phone (843) 717-1100
Fax (843) 717-1199
JASPER SCHOOLS TO RETURN TO MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCEPT
When students return to school in the fall, they will find a few changes. On is that there will be no junior high schools. Some changes were made so that our schools will better align with other schools in the state when it comes to accountability.
Sixth grade students and teachers, currently part of the elementary school, will become part of the middle school. This may require a move to another wing or to another floor in order to separate them from the lower grades.
Ninth grade students will leave the junior high behind and be part of the high school. It is not expected that any moving will be required.
The junior high arrangement had been chosen as it was a better fit in the distribution of students in the crowded Ridgeland campus. The change to middle school was suggested by a state review team.
DISTRICT UNIFORM POLICY IN EFFECT FROM PRE-K TO 9TH; TO EXPAND TO ALL GRADES NEXT YEAR
Students in Jasper County Schools in Pre-K through 9th grade must wear uniforms this year. Next year, all of the students, all grades, will be wearing them.
All Pre-K through 6 students are wearing either a Royal Blue or White shirt that must be a polo or collared. T-shirts are not permitted.
Students at Hardeeville in grade 7 through 12 (7 to 9 mandatory this year) will wear either an Orange or Dark Green shirt, polo or collared (no t-shirts). Students at Ridgeland (7 to 9 mandatory this year) will wear either a Red or Black shirt, polo or collared (no T-shirts).
Shirts may have no logo or wording except school logo if available. ALL students will wear Khaki pants, skirts, shorts of skorts. Cargo pants are not permitted.
Uniforms are available at: Allprint Custom Tees, Center Court, Maggie's, Martha's Fashions and The Initial Farm in Ridgeland; New York Urban Fashions and Wal-Mart in Hardeeville; The Uniform Source in Bluffton; and Red Dot Uniforms in Pooler. To view shirt colors, click here.
ACADEMIC EVENTS
| May. 1 | Begin National Phys Ed & Sport Week |
| May. 4 | Begin Teacher Appreciation Week |
| May. 5 | Begin Bus Driver Appreciation Week |
| May. 7 | Special Board Meeting |
| May. 11 | Mother's Day - Thanks Mom! |
| May. 12 | Begin PACT Testing Weeks |
| May. 12 | Board Meeting - District Office |
| May. 26 | Memorial Day - Thank a Veteran! |
| May. 31 | Surplus Sale-West Hardeeville/Old Ridgeland El |
| Jun. 1 | Surplus Sale Continues |
JASPER SCHOOLS TO SELL SURPLUS
When the schools opened this fall, rooms were equipped with new furniture and new technology. We left all existing behind us. Surplus furniture and equipment will be sold to the public.
Tables, chairs, office furniture, TVs, desks, printers, appliances, file cabinets, and even some portable classrooms are available. The public, other schools, day care centers and churches are encouraged to attend.
Both West Hardeeville School and the old Ridgeland Elem/Middle School will be open on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sunday, June 1, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.
BOARD HEARS HEALTH ISSUES
A study of third, fifth and eighth graders has resulted in findings that a third of the students were considered to be obese. According to studies, South Carolina has the fifth highest obesity rate in the country, and our adolescents are seventh highest in the U.S.
Schools are already active in implementation of school wellness policies and state nutritional standards. The Jasper County School District is currently working on a School Health Index to self-assess their elementary schools.
REPORT ON STUDENT WEIGHT AND HEALTH ISSUES
PARENTS... BE THERE!
The Jasper Schools are asking parents to become their child's favorite teacher.
Soon, parents will be recieving a brochure (in English and Spanish) that shows them some examples of opportunities to engage their children and help them to learn from you.
Be There is a multimedia program that invites parent involvement. Research shows that small increases in parent/student connections will have a increase in the student's success rate. Posters will soon be appearing in stores and business places. They are to remind you that learning can happen anywhere and you will see the many opportunities.
You can make ordinary events become special in the life of your child. Be There!
