Inside Schools
A quick news break for employees
Recent KCSD Honors
ATEC instructor Katie Gilson received the 2013 "Teacher Turn the Key" award from the SC Association of Agricultural Educators.
Doby's Mill Elementary third grade teacher Rebecca Thrall was selected for the 2013 Science PLUS Institute at Roper Mountain Science Center this summer.
North Central High athletics department received the High School League's Sportsmanship Award for 2012-13. This is the second time the school has received the honor in the last three years.
Walk to School Day
Jackson Principal Matia Goodwin welcomes families as they participate in Walk to School Day.
Fall Planting Time
Bethune Elementary teacher Martie McCaskill works with a student in the school's outdoor garden.
Dig Pink
Camden High senior volleyball players supported breast cancer awareness with their Dig Pink event.
Golden Apple Award honorees for August/September 2013:
The Kershaw County Teacher Forum’s Golden Apple program honors employees who are doing outstanding jobs.
Golden Apple Award honorees for August/September 2013:
ATEC: Tammy Cockman & Derek Napper
Baron DeKalb Elementary: Donna Garber & Lucinda Howell
Bethune Elementary: Vicki Raab
Blaney Elementary: Mark Farlett & Jeanette Dixon
Camden Elementary: Regina McDonald & Katherine Branham
Camden High: Rebecca South & Angela Brennen
Camden Middle: Quiyam Fleming & Teresa Ross/Lucy Ross & Jennifer Catoe
Doby’s Mill Elementary: Amanda Raper & Jeanette Smith
Jackson: Jessica Baipoh & Denise Tate
Lugoff Elementary: Melody Johnson & Sandra Peebles
Lugoff-Elgin High: Joel Mitchell & Marc Dyer/Lauren Thompson & Abdul Habibullah
Lugoff-Elgin Middle: Shanna Gilmer & Traci Quinlin
Midway Elementary: Selena Jones & Kim Anderson
Mt. Pisgah Elementary: Linda Mackey & Sarah McCaskill
North Central High: Patricia Clinton & Mary Scott
North Central Middle: David Pollock & Craig Smith/Donna Gaskins & Charlene Mathis
Pine Tree Hill Elementary: Sarah Beltz & Elizabeth Douglas
Stover Middle: Jennifer Mathews / Janet Robertson & Teresa Freier
Wateree Elementary: Carolyn Clippard & Kris Hendrix/Melissa Smith & Kelly Wilder
Melody Johnson, (Lugoff Elementary) and Mary Scott, (North Central High) were the winners of the district drawing to receive $20 gift certificates from Fatz Cafe.
Q and A with Dr. Morgan and Staff
Questions for this column are questions of general interest submitted each month in Superintendent's Cabinet meetings.
Do we have any more information regarding the implementation of value-added pay yet? Several school districts across the state are piloting this initiative at the current time. The state will use input from these districts in making a decision about any possible statewide implementation.
Do we expect any impact from the Affordable Care Act as regards our benefit plans? January 1, 2014, is the date that individuals will be required to have health insurance or pay a penalty. Because KCSD has always offered health insurance, our plan will be covered by the grandfather clause. Therefore, we do not anticipate an increase in our premiums.
How was the lead technology instructor position chosen? The stipends that were used to pay the three instructional technology contacts at the high school were consolidated to fund the lead technology instructor position. As a teaching position, this appointment was made by Dr. Morgan.
Will all funding for libraries be added back into the budget for next year? The school board will begin development of the 2014-15 school budget early next year. At this point, it is difficult to know many details since we do not have any revenue information yet. The school board will be looking at many areas that have had to be reduced during the economic downturn in terms of what might possibly be added back if additional revenue is received.
Is it legal for teachers' planning periods to be used for professional development? Currently our professional development routinely takes 45 minutes of our planning time per week. The ability to find adequate time for up-to-date and critical professional development for teachers is a significant challenge in the school calendar. Lugoff-Elgin High has used the once-a-week technology PD time slot for all its teachers for several years and that set up has been expanded to the other high schools this year. This will be especially beneficial as we continue to work toward the implementation of common core standards.
What is the role of the common core transition specialist? The common core specialist works with each individual school’s needs and issues as identified by the principal and district administration. The expectations and assessments for the Common Core are focused on application of knowledge and skills. The common core specialist helps schools to prepare for this transition.
Why do we spend money on security doors inside of Camden High School when there are open gates to the public in a courtyard and unlocked doors at other entrances to the school? All decisions involving door access are made with safety and security in mind. The security doors help to limit access and provide greater control to the front office. Due to the design of the school, there is no way to lock all exterior doors since students travel back and forth between buildings throughout the school day. While all doors that lead to the parking areas are locked, some doors must be left unlocked. If you have specific concerns, please talk with CHS Principal Dan Matthews.
Can we stop left turns from York Street into Camden High? It creates a backup of cars. We will ask the SC Department of Transportation for an answer.
Why aren't Lugoff-Elgin High School non-football players allowed to change in the locker rooms for their weight lifting class when the locker rooms are not being used by the football players? The wellness center’s locker rooms are used for the sports teams to help student athletes secure their athletic gear. They are separate from the locker rooms used by classes during the school day. Athletic lockers do not have doors; they are open fronts. Athletes typically have a lot of expensive personal equipment such as shoes, gloves, etc. that are not the property of the school. Opening the wellness center locker rooms during the school day presents a problem when students that do not play such a sport have access to other students’ property. We have available locker rooms for PE classes to use during the school day. The other locker rooms were remodeled at the same time as the wellness center opened and are equally functional. The lockers in those areas do have doors and can be secured.
Is there a way in PowerTeacher to separate language arts and reading? Yes, this can be done at the district level. Please discuss this with your principal to see if this is something that he/she would like to pursue. If so, he/she should contact Greta McAvoy.
How is placement at CLC determined? What is the difference between the way CLC has been operating in the past and the school-based sites we have this school year? After a district wide task force reviewed our alternative education program last year, several changes were made to address the fact that the graduation rate at CLC has been less than 25 percent. This school year, students who are placed at CLC have some of the greatest needs for an alternative environment in order to be successful. Other students who don’t have as severe needs for this therapeutic setting are served in the school-based sites. This distinction between the needs of the students is in line with providing differentiated instruction based on individual student’s needs and offering more options for students to be successful.
Kershaw County School District
Nestled in the heart of the Palmetto State, KCSD is home to over 10,300 students and more than 1,200 employees.
Email: maryanne.byrd@kcsdschools.net
Website: www.kershaw.k12.sc.us
Location: 2029 W Dekalb St, Camden, SC
Phone: (803) 432-8416
Facebook: facebook.com/KershawCountySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @kcsdschools