Schools & Learning
Thursday, February 23: Students, robots, classroom technology take center stage at showcase
Thursday, February 23
Students, robots, classroom technology take center stage at showcase
Students and teachers from every public school in Beaufort County will demonstrate how cutting-edge classroom technology is improving student learning at a district-wide showcase Thursday night, February 23, at Pritchardville Elementary School beginning at 6:00 p.m. [ read article ... ]
February 21: Board of Education/School Improvement Councils special meeting, agenda here
February 21
Board of Education/School Improvement Councils special meeting, agenda here
February 21: School Board meeting, agenda here
February 21
School Board meeting, agenda here
Beaufort Academy inducts new members into Latin Honor Society
Beaufort Academy inducts new members into Latin Honor Society
Beaufort Academy recently inducted several eighth graders into the National Latin Honor Society. [ read article ... ]
Local high school senior earns appointment to US Military Academy
Local high school senior earns appointment to US Military Academy
Michael Evans, a senior at Battery Creek High School, has received a prestigious appointment to the Class of 2016 at the United States Military Academy at West Point. [ read article ... ]
Education foundation surprises teachers with grants
Education foundation surprises teachers with grants
Fourteen Beaufort County public school teachers were surprised today by news that they had won innovative teacher grants from the Foundation for Educational Excellence, a fund of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. Foundation members visited teachers’ classrooms to deliver the news in person. [ read article ... ]
Middle school Junior Leadership visits Beaufort/Jasper Water Sewer Authority
Middle school Junior Leadership visits Beaufort/Jasper Water Sewer Authority
The Lady’s Island Middle Schools Junior Leadership class visited Beaufort/Jasper Water Sewage Authority on Tuesday, January 31. The leadership class spent part of the day touring the facility and learning how Beaufort receives it drinking water. [ read article ... ]
Hilton Head student photographer wins national honor, cash prize
Hilton Head student photographer wins national honor, cash prize
Jessica Smith, a Hilton Head Island High School student photographer, has been recognized as one of the “best and brightest” young artists in the nation. [ read article ... ]
Thank you for 25 years of service to Beaufort Academy, Mr. Wes
Thank you for 25 years of service to Beaufort Academy, Mr. Wes
Beaufort Academy announces National Merit finalist Michael Bible
Fifth BA senior to be named as a Finalist in the last four years
Beaufort Academy announces National Merit finalist Michael Bible
Carrying on tradition, Beaufort Academy is proud to announce that senior Michael Bible is a National Merit Finalist. In addition to numerous Semifinalists and Finalists in previous years, this marks the fourth consecutive year that a BA senior has been named. [ read article ... ]
School district gets federal ok to close Shell Point
School district gets federal ok to close Shell Point
The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has approved the Beaufort County School District’s decision to close Shell Point Elementary School next school year and make changes in student assignments to other schools. [ read article ... ]
Grant awarded to TAP at The Learning Center at Beaufort Academy
Laura McAlhaney, Director of TAP
Free services will help students achieve their college dreams
Grant awarded to TAP at The Learning Center at Beaufort Academy
The Learning Center at Beaufort Academy is pleased to be the recent recipient of a grant from The Beaufort Fund of Coastal Community Foundation. This $5,000 grant will be used for scholarships for The Aspire Program (TAP), a new program at The Learning Center located at Beaufort Academy. [ read article ... ]
Latest news from the school district
Latest news from the school district
Two Beaufort County high school students have been selected as finalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. A Bluffton Middle School science teacher was surprised Saturday night, February 4, with the news that she had been selected as the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce’s “Sue West Educator of the Year.” A world-renowned musical performance group will make a three-day tour stop at Hilton Head Island on March 1-3. [ read article ... ]
February 7: Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
February 7
Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
Riverview’s enrollment deadline is Tuesday
Riverview’s enrollment deadline is Tuesday
Riverview Charter School’s deadline for submission of applications to enroll new students is Tuesday, February 7. More than 600 students have already applied for the limited number of available seats, which will be chosen by lottery, at the popular school. Last week the school won a directed verdict against the school board, allowing Riverview to increase its 2012-2013 enrollment. Applications for new students in Kindergarten through 8th grade must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. Here’s the entire announcement: [ read article ... ]
St. Peter Catholic School wins multiple awards at State Literary Meet
St. Peter Catholic School wins multiple awards at State Literary Meet
Literary Meet group
St. Peter Catholic School sent 13 students to the SCISA State Literary Meet at Holly Hill, SC on Wednesday, February 1, and had 6 award winners. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy brings home top finishes from State Literary Meet
Beaufort Academy brings home top finishes from State Literary Meet
Beaufort Academy joined 32 other schools for the SCISA State Literary Meet on Wednesday, February 1, and had six top finishers. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy supports breast cancer awareness
Beaufort Academy supports breast cancer awareness
Pictured are boys varsity players, left to right - Back: Peyton Turner, Jordan Littleford, Lawton Harper, Preston Suber, Michael Bible, Billy Dailey, Finn Koppernaes; Front: Charles Sanford, Conner Akers, Matt Heroux, Nathan Cheung, Jack Griffith.
From January 30-February 10, SCISA Officials Association referees are showing support of Breast Cancer Awareness by using pink whistles during games. [ read article ... ]
Truesdale one of top ten overpaid SC educators
Truesdale one of top ten overpaid SC educators
Tax sheltered annuities, annual physical exams, generous life insurance policies, personal automobiles and thousands of dollars in bonuses and expense accounts. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Elementary Montessori accepting applications for 2012-13
Beaufort Elementary Montessori accepting applications for 2012-13
Applications are being accepted for expanded Montessori classes at Beaufort Elementary School, which plans to double the size of its program for 2012-13 due to high interest from parents. [ read article ... ]
Bluffton Elementary wins national honor for computer animation project
Bluffton Elementary wins national honor for computer animation project
Bluffton Elementary School was honored Thursday, January 26, by a national arts organization for an art initiative in which students use computer animation software. [ read article ... ]
Julie Corner named Head of School for Beaufort Academy
Julie Corner named Head of School for Beaufort Academy
After an extensive search this past fall, the Beaufort Academy Board of Trustees today named Ms. Julia Stewart Corner as the school’s Head of School. Ms. Corner was hired this past August as the interim Head of School. [ read article ... ]
Local elementary school hosts sport stacking event
Local elementary school hosts sport stacking event
Molly Smith
Lady’s Island Elementary hosted Mossy Oaks Elementary and Beaufort Academy in a sport stacking meet on Monday, January 23. [ read article ... ]
More exciting Beaufort Academy news
More exciting Beaufort Academy news
Participants in the Speling Bee included, left to right: Back - Ansleigh Pingree, Kate Gray, Preston Coleman, William Lindsay, Anna Sheppard, Quinn Fleming. Front - Emma Melville, Joe Stowe, John Dastous, Joe Bhoi, and Witt Compton. Not pictured, Coach Amy Melville.
Beaufort Academy students competed in the SCISA Regional Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 19. They also crowned their 2012 Homecoming Queen. [ read article ... ]
Friday, January 20: School district invites public to hear nationally noted math education reform expert
Friday, January 20
School district invites public to hear nationally noted math education reform expert
A nationally noted advocate of changing the way students are taught mathematics will speak at 4:00 p.m. Friday, January20 at Bluffton High School. The school district encourages parents and community members to attend. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy math team first at state meet
Beaufort Academy math team first at state meet
Team members included, left to right: Caroline Avera, Caroline Fontenot, Ben Hetherington, John Mathai, Katherine Neal, Michael Bible, Grace Stewart, Hope Keane, Eric Nguyen, Mike Bhoi, Xavier Westergaard, Coach Pam Steman, and Katie Gay.
The Beaufort Academy Math Team competed in the SCISA Division II High School State Math Meet on Tuesday, January 17, in Orangeburg, and brought home the top finish. [ read article ... ]
Port Royal Elementary SIC named to state Honor Roll for 2012
Port Royal Elementary SIC named to state Honor Roll for 2012
The School Improvement Council at Port Royal Elementary School has recently been named to the South Carolina School Improvement Council’s 2012 Honor Roll for its efforts to foster civic engagement in public education. [ read article ... ]
January 17: School Board meeting, agenda here
January 17
School Board meeting, agenda here
AMES magnet programs accepting student applications for 2012-13
AMES magnet programs accepting student applications for 2012-13
Beaufort County School District announced that a popular academic magnet program for high-achieving Beaufort County elementary students interested in math and science is now accepting applications for the 2012-13 school year. [ read article ... ]
College acceptances in full swing at Beaufort Academy
College acceptances in full swing at Beaufort Academy
With April 15 still three months away, a date that many colleges adhere to as the common acceptance notification date, the 26 Beaufort Academy seniors have already amassed 37 acceptance letters. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School begins enrollment period for 2012-2013
Riverview Charter School begins enrollment period for 2012-2013
Riverview Charter School is now accepting Kindergarten through 8th grade applications for the 2012-2013 school year. Open enrollment will run through January 31, 2012. [ read article ... ]
Seven schools to market specialized academic programs aimed at attracting student transfers
Seven schools to market specialized academic programs aimed at attracting student transfers
Seven Beaufort County schools hope to recruit additional students with specialized academic offerings designed to expand the number of school choice options for parents and fill up underutilized classroom space. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy students selected for SC Olympic Development Program
Beaufort Academy students selected for SC Olympic Development Program
Two Beaufort Academy students were selected for the South Carolina Olympic Development Program (ODP) for soccer. [ read article ... ]
January 5-6: Beaufort County School Board work session, agenda here
January 5-6
Beaufort County School Board work session, agenda here
135 eighth-grade students qualify as Junior Scholars
High scores on preliminary SAT exam up from 4 years ago
135 eighth-grade students qualify as Junior Scholars
The school district reported that one hundred thirty-five Beaufort County eighth-graders have met the qualifications for being named Junior Scholars by the South Carolina Department of Education. [ read article ... ]
January 3-5: Beaufort County School District Fiscal Autonomy Public Hearings, information here
January 3-5
Beaufort County School District Fiscal Autonomy Public Hearings, information here
Beaufort Hotchkiss School student receives second honors
Beaufort Hotchkiss School student receives second honors
James Post, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Post of Beaufort, received second honors for the fall semester at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. [ read article ... ]
New highway billboards direct families, kids to on-line directory of services
New highway billboards direct families, kids to on-line directory of services
Motorists across Beaufort County will soon be noticing new highway billboards advertising “beaufort4kids.com,” an on-line service directory aimed at helping children and their families. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy’s First Trimester Academic Honors
Beaufort Academy’s First Trimester Academic Honors
Beaufort Academy Headmaster’s List (All A’s)
5th grade: Piper Beasley, Quinn Fleming, Emma Hincher, David Mathai
6th grade: Joe Bhoi, Sarah Blocker, Kate Gray, Drew Luckey, Alex Mazzeo, Jennings Tumlin
7th grade: Hope Gray, Amanda Kahn, William Lindsay, Skyler Nuelle, Katie Smith
8th grade: Mary Margaret Achurch, Jake Bhoi, Maya Dixon, Kirsten Floyd, Jock Joyce, Anna Sheppard, Sarah Sheppard, Rosie Stewart
9th grade: Mike Bhoi, John Mathai, Taylor Vincent, Xavier Westergaard
10th grade: Caroline Fontenot, Patrick Mazzeo, Rebecca Strawn
12th grade: Michael Bible, Katherine Neal
Beaufort Academy Honor Roll (All A’s and B’s)
5th grade: Margaret Aimar, Joshua Boyd, Campbell Dukes, Herbert Gray, Gracie Guest, Hunter Harley, Lawrence Lindsay, Nelson McMillen, Caroline Moss, Miciah Pendarvis, Joe Stowe
6th grade: JJ Arnett, Micaela Borreggine, Abby Dalton, Lane Harrell, Rahzel Lemott, John Manos, Kathleen Simkins, Sarah Suber, Peter Trask, William Warren
7th grade: Preston Coleman, Mary Keane, Hannah Messenger, Gavin Palmer, Quinten Paton-Melland, Will Turner, Jackson Warren, Cecillia Williams
8th grade: Charles Aimar, Allison Alvarez, Caroline Blocker, Jacob Dalton, Will Dukes, Kiana Fortner, MacMillan Griffith, Alec Melville, Ting O’Regan, Cain Richards, Michael Schwartz, Frances Stowe
9th grade: Bridget Baggerly, Michael Bass, McKenzie Blake, Brynna Ferry, Katie Gay, Ben Hetherington, Casey Kahn, Drummond Koppernaes, Xavia Lemott, Jack Olsson, Natalie Simkins
10th grade: Caroline Avera, Zach Bachtell, Jack Dailey, Walker Floyd, Madeleine Gray, Brandon Massalon, Jeffrey Miller, Lauren Noonan, Nicole Schmiege, Courtney Smith, Kaley Turner, Kelly Walker, Miranda Weslake
11th grade: Conner Akers, Megan DeBardelaben, Charlotte Delfosse, Charlie Humphries, Emily Hutchins, Hope Keane, Finn Koppernaes, Laura Roddey, Grace Stewart
12th grade: Ray Aiello, Cayce Burgess, Sarah Chahin, Nathan Cheung, Madeline Griffith, Jack Griffith, Megan Kahn, JaneAnn Laffitte, Eric Nguyen, Lauren Ward
Beaufort Academy’s First Trimester Academic Honors was provided for publication by Bethany Byrne, Office of Development & Enrollment for Beaufort Academy.
BA Chess Team places second in USCF competition
BA Chess Team places second in USCF competition
The BA Chess Team competed in The United States Chess Federation (USCF) National Youth Action – East on Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 in Miami, FL. [ read article ... ]
BA volunteers with Habitat for Humanity
BA volunteers with Habitat for Humanity
From left to right: Project advisor Dennis Smith, high school students Tommy Fang, Courtney Smith, Finn Koppernaes, Conner Akers, Billy Dailey, and Mary Catherine Carmody.
During the second week of the 2011 W.A.L.L. Approach Interim, a group of Beaufort Academy high school students volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. [ read article ... ]
Lady’s Island Middle School Junior Leadership visits Penn Center
Lady’s Island Middle School Junior Leadership visits Penn Center
Lady’s Island Middle Schools Junior Leadership class visited Penn Center on St. Helena Island on November 21. The leadership class spent part of the day touring the facility and learning about Penn Center’s rich history. [ read article ... ]
BHS Eagles Wrestling wins tournament for third year in a row
BHS Eagles Wrestling wins tournament for third year in a row
Photo from Beaufort Wrestling Facebook page
The Beaufort High School Eagles wrestling team won the Silver Fox Invitational Wrestling Tournament for the third year in a row. [ read article ... ]
December 13: School Board Audit Committee meeting and regular meeting, agendas here
December 13
School Board Audit Committee meeting and regular meeting, agendas here
County school system borrows $28.77 million
County school system borrows $28.77 million
The Beaufort County School District’s announced a $28.77 million bond sale this week that includes a refinancing component that will save taxpayers about $2.4 million due to an interest rate of less than 1 percent, the district’s financial advisers said in a press release. [ read article ... ]
BA students in Washington, DC
BA students in Washington, DC
As part of the 2011 W.A.L.L. Approach Interim, Beaufort Academy 7th and 8th graders are in Washington, DC, for a few days this week. Following are two letters that came from one of their chaperones. It really was an amazing first day. [ read article ... ]
District teachers earn National Board certification
District teachers earn National Board certification
Twelve Beaufort County teachers have earned the prestigious National Board certification, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced in a press release on Wednesday, December 7. [ read article ... ]
Community leaders head back to school for a day to shadow principals
Community leaders head back to school for a day to shadow principals
Beaufort City Manager Scott Dadson works with St. Helena Elementary Principal Kay Keeler at recess.
Being responsible for children can be quite a challenge. But what would it be like to be responsible for 500 children? How about 1,000? And not only to be responsible for their safety and welfare, but also to make sure that they’re transported to and from your place of business on time, fed once and sometimes twice a day, and also taught a rigorous set of academic skills by a staff that you hire and supervise. [ read article ... ]
Japanese students respond to Bluffton kids who reached out after devastating tsunami
Japanese students respond to Bluffton kids who reached out after devastating tsunami
Bluffton Elementary School fourth-graders wrote letters last spring to Japanese students whose city had been devastated by deadly tsunami waves. [ read article ... ]
Local elementary students help set new Guinness World Record!
Local elementary students help set new Guinness World Record!
BA first graders Alex Compton and Kate Luckey focus on their stacking skills.
On Friday, November 18, Beaufort Academy Kindergarten–6th graders joined the WSSA and students from 27 countries (including all 50 states in the USA) to set a new Guinness World Record for “Most People Sport Stacking at Multiple Locations in One Day.” [ read article ... ]
First Citizens awards $15,000 grant to local education foundation for teacher mini-grants
First Citizens awards $15,000 grant to local education foundation for teacher mini-grants
First Citizens announced Friday, November 18, a $15,000 donation to the Foundation for Educational Excellence, a fund of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, to support competitive grants for teachers’ classroom teaching. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy receives grants from local companies
Beaufort Academy receives grants from local companies
David Mixson, President of Mixson Oil Co. Inc.,Tiger Express, and Julie Corner, Interim Head of School at Beaufort Academy.
Beaufort Academy reports some great sports news
Beaufort Academy reports some great sports news
Beaufort Academy senior Madeline Griffith.
The Beaufort Academy Sailing Club was asked to compete in the Great Oaks Invitational Regatta. The Great Oaks is a national championship for new or developing sailing teams that have not competed in the Mallory National Championships in the past four years. [ read article ... ]
St. Helena preschool, Kindergarten celebrates Veterans Day with special guests
St. Helena preschool, Kindergarten celebrates Veterans Day with special guests
Children at the St. Helena Preschool and Kindergarten in downtown Beaufort celebrated Veterans Day with several military fathers who came to class to talk to the students about their role in the armed forces. [ read article ... ]
SCAD project filmed at Fort Fremont
SCAD project filmed at Fort Fremont
Savannah College of Art and Design students’ film project filmed at Fort Fremont the weekends of October 14-16 and 21-23. [ read article ... ]
News from Beaufort Academy
News from Beaufort Academy
On November 9, at 2:00 p.m., BA held the ribbon cutting ceremony, dedicating a fountain and reflection area in memory of Dr. Randy Wall. [ read article ... ]
District schools continue improvement on annual state School Report Cards
District schools continue improvement on annual state School Report Cards
Buoyed by improved student test scores and graduation rates, Beaufort County schools continued positive trends by posting higher ratings on 2011 School Report Cards released today by the South Carolina Department of Education. [ read article ... ]
Another great week at Beaufort Academy
Another great week at Beaufort Academy
Back row: Eric Nguyen, Nathan Cheung, Coach Bill Dalton, Jack Griffith, and Caroline Fontenot. Middle Row: Patrick Mazzeo, Katherine Neal, Madeline Griffith, and Michael Bible. Front Row: Eddie Shacklett. Not pictured: Tommy Fang.
Congratulations to BA’s Quiz Bowl Team who had great success by placing second on Tuesday, November 8 at a Regional Tournament held at Beaufort Academy. The team’s next competition will be a tournament held on Saturday, November 19 at Wando High School. [ read article ... ]
Free workshops offer parents tips on applying for college scholarships, financial assistance
Tuesday, November 15 and Wednesday, November 16
Free workshops offer parents tips on applying for college scholarships, financial assistance
The Beaufort County School District will sponsor a pair of identical workshops for parents next week on how to help finance their children’s college educations. [ read article ... ]
BA football players selected to play in North-South All-Star Game
BA football players selected to play in North-South All-Star Game
BA Seniors Jack Griffith and Billy Dailey were named 1st team All-Region for the 7-team, SCISA Region II, 8-man football. [ read article ... ]
Student achievement at TAP schools improves, teachers eligible for performance rewards
Student achievement at TAP schools improves, teachers eligible for performance rewards
Students at Beaufort County schools participating in an innovative teacher advancement program made significant academic gains last year, a South Carolina Department of Education official told the Board of Education Tuesday, November 1. High-achieving teachers at those schools will be eligible for performance pay bonuses ranging from $580 to $4,800. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy Varsity Cheerleading Competition Squad takes first place
Beaufort Academy Varsity Cheerleading Competition Squad takes first place
Back row from left: Grace Stewart, Alo Rodriguez, Coach Jessica Miller, Lauren Noonan, Bridget Baggerly, Frances Stowe, Cali Blocker, Kirsten Floyd. Front row from left: Mary Margaret Achurch, Julianna Dunphy, Mary Alice Strohmeyer, Maya Dixon, Hope Gray.
Beaufort Academy Varsity Cheerleading Competition Squad took first place in the 2011 SCISA Regional Competition in Charleston, SC on October 29. [ read article ... ]
November 1: Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
November 1
Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
High schools sponsor “College Application Day”
School district says to help seniors plan next steps after graduation
High schools sponsor “College Application Day”
The School district says high school seniors across Beaufort County can get a head start on applying to college this Thursday, October 27, with help from school guidance counselors, parents, community volunteers and representatives of colleges and universities. [ read article ... ]
HHI mayor establishes Youth Volunteer Service award
HHI mayor establishes Youth Volunteer Service award
The Town of Hilton Head Island has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service. Mayor Drew Laughlin realizes the value of the town’s young residents and believes this Initiative will be a way of honoring and showing support for the community’s young people. [ read article ... ]
Twelve teachers learn local foundation will fund classroom projects
Twelve teachers learn local foundation will fund classroom projects
A dozen Beaufort County public school teachers were surprised on Thursday, October 20, by news that they had won innovative teacher mini-grants from the Foundation for Educational Excellence, a fund of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. [ read article ... ]
School district says military personnel, contractors with children in public schools should fill out Impact Aid forms
School district says…
Military personnel, contractors with children in public schools should fill out Impact Aid forms
School district is urging parents who serve in the military or work for the federal government – and who have children in Beaufort County’s public schools – to fill out Federal Impact Aid forms that have been sent home with students. [ read article ... ]
School district says HHI school’s fitness club selected for DHEC’s statewide “All-Health Team”
School district says HHI school’s fitness club selected for DHEC’s statewide “All-Health Team”
The Strength Summed Up Team at Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts has been named to the All-Health Team, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced on Monday, October 17. [ read article ... ]
BA cheerleaders winners at first regional cheer competition of season
BA cheerleaders winners at first regional cheer competition of season
Beaufort Academy’s Competition Cheer Squad took first place for the most spirited team and third place overall in the 2A division at the first regional cheer competition of the season on Saturday, October 15, at Cardinal Newman in Columbia. [ read article ... ]
October 19: Beaufort County School Board Superintedent Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee meeting, agenda here
October 19
Beaufort County School Board Superintedent Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee meeting, agenda here
Wednesday, October 19: AMIkids Beaufort alternative school to host legislative luncheon
Wednesday, October 19
AMIkids Beaufort alternative school to host legislative luncheon
AMIkids Beaufort has invited legislators to tour and learn about success “separating a troubled past from a bright future”. With success stories ranging from a graduate who’s been accepted at The Citadel to a record number of GEDs to community involvement, AMIkids Beaufort will be bending state lawmakers’ ears at a luncheon on Wednesday, October 19. [ read article ... ]
October 18: Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
October 18
Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
School district reports Beaufort County named one of Nation’s ’100 Best Communities for Young People’
School district reports
Beaufort County named one of Nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People
Beaufort County won national recognition Wednesday, October 12, as one of America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for Young People for its comprehensive menu of initiatives to help young people. The competition recognizes communities across the country that focus on reducing high school dropout rates and providing service and support to their youth. [ read article ... ]
School district says some eighth grade students will get a closer look at their community
School district says new leadership program will allow
Some eighth grade students to get a closer look at their community
The school district says a group of highly motivated middle school students will soon get the opportunity to develop their personal leadership skills in a new program funded with help from a local business association. [ read article ... ]
Saturday, October 15: Harvest Festival at Bluffton Elementary
Saturday, October 15
Harvest Festival at Bluffton Elementary
Harvest Festival-Bluffton Elementary School and Early Childhood Center is scheduled for Saturday, October 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Bluffton Elementary School, Bluffton. [ read article ... ]
October 4: Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
October 4
Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
Beaufort educator to appear on live SC ETV program spotlighting virtual learning
Beaufort educator to appear on live SC ETV program spotlighting virtual learning
The South Carolina Department of Education and South Carolina ETV will air a live statewide broadcast Sunday night, October 2, spotlighting “virtual learning.” In virtual or online courses, teachers interact with their students over the Internet. [ read article ... ]
Coosa Elementary art teacher wins national leadership award
Coosa Elementary art teacher wins national leadership award
Coosa Elementary School art teacher Donna Sams has been selected to receive Artsonia’s Annual Leadership Award, an honor extended to only ten teachers from each state. [ read article ... ]
Three Beaufort schools win $518,000 federal grant
Three Beaufort schools win $518,000 federal grant
The US Department of Defense has awarded a $518,000 competitive grant to three Beaufort elementary schools that serve high percentages of military families, school district officials announced. [ read article ... ]
Aviation students visit Marine Corps Air Station
Aviation students visit Marine Corps Air Station
Battery Creek High School students in the school’s new aerospace magnet program course got an exciting glimpse of their possible futures today when they toured the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort. [ read article ... ]
Kindergarten class visits downtown Beaufort store
Kindergarten class visits downtown Beaufort store
This week the children from the kindergarten class of The Parish Church of St. Helena Preschool and Kindergarten in downtown Beaufort visited the store “Totally Beachin” on Bay Street. [ read article ... ]
Riverview announces new member elected to board of directors
Riverview announces new member elected to board of directors
Riverview Charter School is proud to announce that Geri Kinton was recently elected to the Board of Directors. In keeping with Riverview’s Charter and bylaws, a special election for the board vacancy was held earlier this month, and ballots were counted on Tuesday, September 20. [ read article ... ]
School District reports after a big increase in 2010, SAT scores decrease
School District reports after a big increase in 2010, SAT scores decrease
According to the school district, the College Board reported that average SAT scores of graduating seniors dropped across the nation and state in 2011. Beaufort County School District scores also decreased after a big increase the previous year. [ read article ... ]
School District says Whale Branch ECHS gaining positive momentum
School District says Whale Branch ECHS gaining positive momentum
In a press release on Tuesday, September 20, Beaufort County School District officials said that an innovative academic approach at Whale Branch Early College High School has students more engaged and more likely to pursue additional studies after graduating. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy averages on the SAT college entrance exam rise for the 5th consecutive year
Beaufort Academy averages on the SAT college entrance exam rise for the 5th consecutive year
Beaufort Academy’s SAT scores rose for the fifth consecutive year, exceeding the national average by 284 points, while 11 students earned AP Scholar Awards on Advanced Placement tests last spring. In addition, BA students once again earn honors on Advanced Placement testing. [ read article ... ]
The Parish Church of St. Helena to open classical Christian school
Rev. Chad Lawrence called as founding headmaster
The Parish Church of St. Helena to open classical Christian school
As The Parish Church of St. Helena celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2012, it has drawn on its past to build toward its future and announced it will open the Holy Trinity Classical Christian School for grades K-4 in the Fall of its Tricentennial year and has called Rev. Chad Lawrence as its founding headmaster. [ read article ... ]
September 20: Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
September 20
Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
Teacher of the year was announced on Friday
Teacher of the year was announced on Friday
Beaufort County School District announced it’s 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year on Friday, September 16. A National Board-certified math teacher at Hilton Head High School who “makes the light bulb go on” for her students, Christine A. Gray was named Teacher of the Year during a breakfast celebration to honor teachers of the year from all of the district’s schools. [ read article ... ]
BA announces National Merit semifinalist, Michael Bible
Four consecutive years one or more BA seniors have been named as semifinalist
BA announces National Merit semifinalist, Michael Bible
Carrying on tradition, BA is proud to announce that senior Michael Bible is a National Merit semifinalist. In addition to numerous semifinalists in previous years, this marks the fourth consecutive year that a BA senior has been named. In the last four years, two of these students, Luke Hetherington and Nathaniel Rollings, went on to become Finalists. The list of Finalists is traditionally announced in the spring. [ read article ... ]
BA seventh graders named Duke TIP scholars
BA seventh graders named Duke TIP scholars
Left to right, back row: Avery May, Quinten Paton-Melland, Will Turner, Gavin Palmer, William Lindsay, Preston Coleman. Front row: Hope Gray, Ashley Taylor, Skyler Nuelle, Cecillia Williams, Emily O’Regan.
Eleven Beaufort Academy seventh graders were named as Duke TIP Scholars. [ read article ... ]
Saturday, September 24: Port Royal Elementary School’s Centennial Celebration
Saturday, September 24
Port Royal Elementary School’s Centennial Celebration
On Saturday, September 24 from 3:00-6:00 p.m., Port Royal Elementary School is having their Centennial Celebration. [ read article ... ]
School District announcing Teacher of the Year this Friday
School District announcing Teacher of the Year this Friday
The Beaufort County School District will announce its 2011-2012 District Teacher of the Year at a Friday morning, September 16 breakfast at the Callawassie Club. [ read article ... ]
2011 BA graduate Jaymie Baggerly selected by Seventeen for Freshman 15
2011 BA graduate Jaymie Baggerly selected by Seventeen for Freshman 15
Seventeen picked 15 college freshmen to give you the real scoop on what really goes on your first year on campus! Read blogs, watch videos and get tips to make the most of your college experience! [ read article ... ]
Fifth graders not moving to middle schools
Fifth graders not moving to middle schools
At the Tuesday, September 6 school board meeting, the Beaufort County Board of Education voted against shifting fifth graders to Robert Smalls Middle and Beaufort Middle schools. [ read article ... ]
Data shows extra days pay off with more learning
Data shows extra days pay off with more learning
Test scores from low-achieving students who attended additional school days indicate that the extra classroom instruction is yielding stronger academic achievement, according to data presented at the Tuesday, September 6 meeting of the Beaufort County Board of Education. [ read article ... ]
September 6: School Board meeting, agenda here
September 6
School Board meeting, agenda here
September 6: School Board Redistricting Committee meeting, agenda here
September 6
School Board Redistricting Committee meeting, agenda here
According to school district officials moving fifth graders to RSMS is necessary
According to school district officials moving fifth graders to RSMS is necessary
School district officials claim a plan moving fifth graders from Broad River Elementary, Shanklin Elementary, and Shell Point Elementary schools to Robert Smalls Middle School next school year is a necessity, however it is not yet necessary to move fifth graders to Beaufort Middle School. [ read article ... ]
Two incidents last week at Robert Smalls Middle School interrupted classes
Two incidents last week at Robert Smalls Middle School interrupted classes
The Sheriff’s Office reported two incidents last week that interrupted classes at Robert Smalls Middle School, possibly ending in criminal charges. [ read article ... ]
August 30: School District 7 representative Bill Evans hosting Town Hall Meeting
August 30
School District 7 representative Bill Evans hosting Town Hall Meeting
Bill Evans, District 7 representative to the Beaufort County Board of Education, will host a Town Hall Meeting at the Beaufort High School Performing Arts Center, Lady’s Island, on Tuesday, August 30 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. [ read article ... ]
August 25: Parent Forum Meeting at Robert Smalls Middle School, more information here
August 25
Parent Forum Meeting at Robert Smalls Middle School, more information here
August 24: Parent Forum Meeting at Beaufort Middle School, more information here
August 24
Parent Forum Meeting at Beaufort Middle School, more information here
Field study program expanded to Robert Smalls Middle School
Field study program expanded to Robert Smalls Middle School
Students and teachers at Robert Smalls Middle School are ready for a school year of new adventures in learning. This week, the entire student body is participating in a four-day kickoff event focused on team building, cooperation and leadership. These are skills they will need for participation in Learning Expeditions, an environmental education program being expanded to the middle school year. [ read article ... ]
School board decides to close 41 classrooms in seven schools
School board decides to close 41 classrooms in seven schools
At the Beaufort County School Board meeting held on Tuesday, August 16, board members made closing classrooms at seven schools official. This action is reported to save approximately $75,000, as well as cut the number of empty seats in half. [ read article ... ]
More seniors take ACT; scores dip
More seniors take ACT; scores dip
Beaufort County’s public high school seniors’ average scores on the ACT college entrance exam decreased in 2011 as more students chose to take the test. [ read article ... ]
Teachers and staff begin school year with 5th annual rally celebration
Teachers and staff begin school year with 5th annual rally celebration
Nearly 2500 Beaufort County teachers, staff and administrators will be coming together in the Bluffton High School on Thursday morning, August 11 at 11:00 a.m., to celebrate the beginning of a new school year in what has become the greatly anticipated annual Back to School Rally. [ read article ... ]
August 16: Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
August 16
Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
Beaufort County School District Bus Pick-Up Schedules for 2011-2012
2011-2012
Beaufort County School District Bus Pick-Up Schedules
Following are the links to the Beaufort County School District’s 2011-2012 Bus Pick-Up Schedules. [ read article ... ]
Local cheerleaders to perform in Thanksgiving Day Parade at Walt Disney World® Resort
Local cheerleaders to perform in Thanksgiving Day Parade at Walt Disney World® Resort
Madison Mullen and Emily Eggers from Lady’s Island Middle School are two of more than 500 elementary, junior high and high school cheerleaders and dancers from across the country that will perform in the “UCA/UDA Thanksgiving Tour at the Walt Disney World® Resort” in Orlando, Florida. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy names interim headmaster, Julia Stewart Corner
Julia Stewart Corner
Beaufort Academy names interim headmaster
Beaufort Academy’s board of trustees has named Julia Stewart Corner as the school’s new interim headmaster for the 2011-2012 school year. [ read article ... ]
BA adds Larry Scheper as new tennis coach
BA welcomes Larry Scheper as new tennis coach
Beaufort Academy would like everyone to join them in welcoming Larry Scheper to their staff as new tennis coach. [ read article ... ]
August 5: Beaufort County School Board work session, agenda here
August 5
Beaufort County School Board work session, agenda here
August 3: Beaufort County Redistricting Committee meeting, information and agenda here
August 3
Beaufort County Redistricting Committee meeting, information here
The Redistricting Committee of Beaufort County Council meets this week and will continue its review of proposed plans for a new map of County Council and Board of Education voting districts. [ read article ... ]
August 2: Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
August 2
Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
Bill Evans reports: School Board District 7 news
Bill Evans reports
School Board District 7 news
Even though its summer, there is a lot going on with our schools that will continue to be of significance going forward. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County PASS scores improve, narrowing gaps between local and state averages
Beaufort County PASS scores improve, narrowing gaps between local and state averages
Beaufort County School District students posted broad-based improvements on the 2011 administration of the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS), according to results released Friday, July 22, by the South Carolina Department of Education. [ read article ... ]
July 21 & 22: Beaufort County School District worksession, agenda here
July 21 & 22
Beaufort County School District worksession, agenda here
July 20: School Consolidation/Closure Task Force meeting, agenda here
July 20
School Consolidation/Closure Task Force meeting, agenda here
July 19: Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
July 19
Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
School closure task force expands list of possible school closings
Port Royal & Shell Point Elementary Schools
School closure task force expands list of possible school closings
Photo by Glenn Bridges
The School Consolidation/Closure Task Force formed by the Beaufort County School District held its second prelimary vote yesterday, July 13, adding Shell Point Elementary School to its list along with Port Royal Elementary.
[ read article ... ]
Beaufort County School District: School Consolidation/Closure Task Force
Beaufort County School District
School Consolidation/Closure Task Force
Budget shortfalls and empty seats in classrooms in schools throughout the school district have prompted the Beaufort County School Board to consider closing at least one school for the 2012-2013 school year. The district formed a “School Consolidation/Closure Task Force” hoping to involve as many community members as possible. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County School District presents Back to School Expo 2011
Beaufort County School District presents
Back to School Expo 2011
Beaufort County School District is presenting its annual Back to School Expos on Saturday, July 23 and Saturday, July 30. [ read article ... ]
School Board hires Mona Lise Dickson as principal of Lady’s Island Middle
School Board hires Mona Lise Dickson as principal of Lady’s Island Middle School
Following approval by the Board of Education last Tuesday, July 5, Ms. Mona Lise Dickson will begin her new assignment this week as principal of Lady’s Island Middle School. [ read article ... ]
29 Beaufort County schools named award winners in HealthierUS School Challenge
29 Beaufort County schools named award winners…
HealthierUS School Challenge
Beaufort County School District leaders are pleased to announce that 29 of 31 Beaufort County Schools were designated winners in the HealthierUS School Challenge national awards. [ read article ... ]
Anita Lynn Nelson named principal of Whale Branch Elementary
Anita Lynn Nelson
Anita Lynn Nelson named principal of Whale Branch Elementary
The Beaufort County School Board has approved Ms. Anita Lynn Nelson as new principal of Whale Branch Elementary School. [ read article ... ]
Hilton Head High hires new athletic director
Mark Karen (image from www.gwinnettdailypost.com)
Hilton Head High hires new athletic director
The Beaufort County Board of Education has named Mark Brian Karen as the new athletic director of Hilton Head Island High School. [ read article ... ]
July 5: School Board meeting, agenda here
July 5
School Board meeting, agenda here
Bill Evans reports: School Board District 7 news
Bill Evans reports
School Board District 7 news
We have come to the end of the school year, students and families are getting in some vacation and teachers are trying to squeeze in some down time between college classes and other professional development opportunities. This has been a very busy six months but, there is still much to do over the summer to close out the year and prepare for the renewal of classes in August. [ read article ... ]
June 27: Beaufort County Council meeting, third and final reading of County and School District budgets, agenda here
June 27
Beaufort County Council meeting, third and final reading of County and School District budgets, agenda here
Beaufort Academy seeks interim headmaster
Beaufort Academy seeks interim headmaster
Building on the blueprint crafted by late headmaster Dr. Randy Wall, Beaufort Academy will expand on his vision with an interim headmaster who is expected to be in place when school resumes in August. [ read article ... ]
June 23: County and School leaders meet to discuss TIF, more information here
June 23
County and School leaders meet to discuss TIF, more information here
June 21: Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
June 21
Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
Randy Wall, Beaufort Academy’s headmaster, dies
Leukemia victim
Randy Wall, Beaufort Academy’s headmaster, dies
Randy Wall, Beaufort Academy’s headmaster, died Tuesday evening, June 14, from the effects of leukemia. He was diagnosed with the disease only a few weeks ago. Before joining Beaufort Academy in 2009, Wall served as a middle-school principal in the Beaufort County public-school system. Below is the announcement of his death by Beaufort Academy. The Beaufort Tribune will furnish additional details when they become available. [ read article ... ]
Whale Branch Early College High School hires Athletic Director
Whale Branch Early College High School hires Athletic Director
Carlos Vergil Cave has been named the new Athletic Director for Whale Branch Early College High School for the 2011-2012 academic year. [ read article ... ]
BA seniors graduate with high SATs, 100% college acceptance, $1.3 million in scholarships
BA seniors graduate with high SATs, 100% college acceptance, $1.3 million in scholarships
Beaufort Academy’s 17 seniors averaged 1,783 on their SAT – almost 300 points above the 2010 national average – and all 17 gained acceptance to the college of their choice, according to Sheldon Clark, director of college advising at BA. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort High School reunion celebration: Class of 1961 50th Reunion
Beaufort High School reunion celebration
Class of 1961 50th Reunion
On Saturday morning, June 4, the Golden Corral had their usual breakfast with many new faces. They had come to see who was going to be at the Beaufort High School Class of 1961 50th Reunion that night at the Holiday Inn Express. [ read article ... ]
Whale Branch Elementary School makes gains
Whale Branch Elementary School makes gains
The State Department of Education has released Whale Branch Elementary from Palmetto Priority status. The school met the state guideline of improving the absolute rating at least one level, removing the school from an At-Risk status. [ read article ... ]
School district receives award for Excellence in Financial Reporting
School district receives award for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Beaufort County School District by the Government Finance Officers Association for the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). [ read article ... ]
School Board District 7: Bill Evans’ School Board News
School Board District 7
Bill Evans’ School Board News
The hot topics on the Board’s plate and in the community are the budget and the possible closure of schools; in reality the two are deeply connected. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County School District: Coastal Discovery Camps
Beaufort County School District
Coastal Discovery Camps
The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn is a not-for-profit, community based, educational institution dedicated to fostering greater knowledge and appreciation of the cultural heritage and natural history of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. [ read article ... ]
Theresa Nicole Bishop: Twelve years of perfect attendance
Theresa Nicole Bishop
Twelve years of perfect attendance
If you’re looking for symbols of dedication and hard work, it’s hard to beat Theresa Nicole Bishop. When she graduates from Battery Creek High School at ceremonies next Thursday evening, June 2, she will have completed 12 years of school without missing a single day. [ read article ... ]
Monday is Memorial Day: Students set flags in Beaufort National Cemetery
Monday is Memorial Day
Students set flags in Beaufort National Cemetery
Monday, May 30 is Memorial Day, a national, state and local holiday. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in military service. As in years past school, church and community groups, families and individuals are placing flags on all the graves, honoring those lost in protecting our freedoms. [ read article ... ]
June 2, 3, 6 & 7: BCSD High School Graduation Ceremonies, information here
June 2, 3, 6 & 7
BCSD High School Graduation Ceremonies, information here
May 25, 26 & 31: BCSD School Closures discussions, information here
May 25, 26 & 31
BCSD School Closures discussions, information here
High school report card ratings revised: Battery Creek High School moves to average
High school report card ratings revised
Battery Creek High School moves to average
Photo from www.bch.beaufort.k12.sc.us
Battery Creek High School’s Absolute rating has improved from Below Average to Average due to the State Department of Education’s Appeal process. [ read article ... ]
Lady’s Island Middle School science teachers can answer the question
Lady’s Island Middle School science teachers can answer the question
Almost on a daily basis students invariably ask “Why do I have to learn this stuff?” The question is not new. It has been queried by pupils for years in classrooms everywhere. The answer is not always easily explained unless their teachers have first-hand knowledge of the application of academics to what is required in business and industry. [ read article ... ]
BCSD 2011 Spring Map score report
BCSD 2011 Spring Map score report
Beaufort County School District has released the 2011 Spring MAP Score Report. NWEA’s (Northwest Evaluation Association) Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) is the main determining assessment system in BCSD. Kindergarten through 8th grade students participated in the Spring testing. Following is the report. [ read article ... ]
May 17: Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
May 17
Beaufort County School Board meeting, agenda here
Community member chosen as recipient of Champions for Public Education award
Community member chosen as recipient of Champions for Public Education award
Community member, Ed Gillies, has been named the recipient of the Champions for Public Education Award. Ed Gillies serves on the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee as chairman for the Beaufort County School District. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School MAP scores surpass National norms for reading, math
Riverview Charter School MAP scores surpass National norms for reading, math
In a presentation to the Riverview Charter School Board of Directors on Tuesday May 10, School Director Alison Thomas announced that Riverview students are surpassing national averages in both reading and math at all grade levels according to the school’s most recent MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) data. [ read article ... ]
May 10: Beaufort County School District Budget Public Forum
May 10
Beaufort County School District Budget Public Forum
BCSD 2011 Teachers of the Year announced
BCSD 2011 Teachers of the Year announced
Beaufort County School District teachers were treated with balloons, flowers, chocolate and proclamations this week as members of the Board of Education and District senior staff members made surprise visits to each teacher’s classroom to announce the 2011-2012 Teachers of the Year. [ read article ... ]
School district offering Robotics Camp
School district offering Robotics Camp
Beaufort County School District is offering Robotics Camps for elementary and middle school students this summer. [ read article ... ]
May 6 & May 8: The County Channel to air 2011 USCB Graduation Ceremony
May 6 & May 8
The County Channel to air 2011 USCB Graduation Ceremony
The County Channel will rebroadcast the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s 2011 Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 6 at 8:00 p.m. and again Sunday, May 8 at 8:30 p.m. [ read article ... ]
May 2-6: Teacher Appreciation Week
Artwork from http://www.teacher-appreciation.info/
May 2-6
Teacher Appreciation Week
The first full week in May, Teacher Appreciation week lasts from the May 2-6. This is a week that we can show teachers gratitude. The week is dedicated to the celebration of our favorite teachers, and a time that we can reward the teachers of our choice. [ read article ... ]
Bill Evans reports: School board district 7 news
Bill Evans reports
School board district 7 news
The temperatures are warming, the sand gnats are out and we are in the middle of lots of testing at the schools; it must be Spring in the Lowcountry! I had the occasion to see Wendy Pollitzer last Friday as we both joined Dr. Zais, State Superintendent of Schools and Rep. Shannon Erickson on a tour of local schools. It is always great to see the fabulous work being done by our students and teachers, but I was reminded that I had not written an update lately so here we are. [ read article ... ]
Guest editorial: Fuzzy math muddles school choice debate
Guest editorial
Fuzzy math muddles school choice debate
In every profession there are certain tools. No one would tolerate a dentist who scraped plaque with wire strippers or an auto mechanic reaching for a scroll saw rather than a wrench to tighten belts. [ read article ... ]
School bus overturned in Bluffton
Driver and one student injured, other students unharmed
School bus overturns in Bluffton
At approximately 6:54 a.m. this morning, Tuesday, April 19, a school bus was reported overturned at Old Miller Road near Grand Oaks Road in Pritchardville, Bluffton. [ read article ... ]
School choice bill moves forward in Columbia
School choice bill moves forward in Columbia
School choice advocates won an important victory today in Columbia, as legislation expanding access to independent schools emerged from a House subcommittee late Wednesday. [ read article ... ]
City suggests Riverview Charter consider Beaufort Elementary campus
City suggests Riverview consider Beaufort Elementary campus
At a workshop session on Tuesday, April 12, Beaufort City Council suggested to Riverview Charter School leaders that they consider the Beaufort Elementary School campus at Bay and North Streets in downtown Beaufort as the site for Riverview’s permanent quarters. [ read article ... ]
School board news: School board member Bill Evans speaks out
School board news:
School board member Bill Evans speaks out
Time for some more updated information on both the budget and the recent meeting on attendance zones and transfer policy. As we continue to move deeper into the budget preparation process and on to approval by the Board before presentation to the County Council, several new concerns and issues are becoming more prominent. [ read article ... ]
National expert says: Honesty & facts key to improving S.C. public-school education
National expert says:
Honesty & facts key to improving S.C. public-school education
By Adam Schaffer
I recently had the privilege of giving testimony in Columbia on the merits of an education tax credit bill being considered by state lawmakers. I was honored to join parents, local educators and education officials from other states to discuss education tax credit policies across the country and what makes for successful choice reform. [ read article ... ]
School choice bill moves forward in S.C. Senate
School choice bill moves forward in S.C. Senate
School Choice advocates won a key victory Wednesday in Columbia as legislation expanding access to independent schools emerged from a Senate subcommittee. [ read article ... ]
Mike Sanz says: Solutions to schools start with parent visits
Mike Sanz says
Solutions to schools start with parent visits
I am pleading with every parent with a child in our public school system to spend a full day in your child’s school. Walk the halls, have lunch in the café and attend classes. I’m willing to bet that almost all who attend will never come into a school with the same mindset again. [ read article ... ]
April 5: School Board meeting, agenda here
April 5
School Board meeting, agenda here
Riverview proceeds with reduced lottery
Riverview proceeds with reduced lottery
Responding to the Beaufort County School Board’s refusal to compromise on the number of students to be enrolled for the upcoming 2011-12 school year, Riverview Charter School’s board announced today its decision to proceed with a lottery for new students based on a total school enrollment of 242, the lowest possible total enrollment the board anticipates. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School sues school board
Riverview Charter School sues school board
Alleges breach of contract, seeks declaratory judgment
Riverview Charter School’s board of directors announced today filing of a lawsuit in the Court of Common Pleas against the Beaufort County Board of Education and the Beaufort County School District. [ read article ... ]
School Choice debate heats up in Columbia
School Choice debate heats up in Columbia
Who decides where children attend school? What are the options available to parents who are unhappy with their local public school? [ read article ... ]
Focus on Beaufort County School District: Charter schools could ease budget woes, improve academics
Focus on Beaufort County School District
Charter schools could ease budget woes, improve academics
A long-time political activist from Bluffton says the Beaufort County School District could greatly reduce its financial overhead while also enhancing students’ academic performance by establishing more charter schools in the area. [ read article ... ]
April 2: 16th Annual KidFest
April 2
16th Annual KidFest
Image from www.beaufort.k12.sc.us
Everyone is invited to join us for the 16th Annual KidFest on Saturday, April 2 at the Cross Creek Shopping Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a day of free fun and games. [ read article ... ]
April 4-8: Beaufort County School District Child-Find Screenings
April 4-8: Beaufort County School District
Child-Find Screenings scheduled
Image from www.childfindidea.org
The Beaufort County School District Child-Find Screenings will be held from April 4-8 for children turning 4 by September 1, 2011. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County School District press release: Balancing enrollment and student assignments
Beaufort County School District press release
Balancing enrollment and student assignments
The following is a press release by the Beaufort County School District:
On Saturday, March 19, the Board of Education wrestled with many issues relating to student assignments. With enrollments high in some schools and waning in some other schools, there has been much discussion in the community about schools being out of balance. [ read article ... ]
March 19: School Board budget worksession, agenda here
March 19
School Board budget worksession, agenda here
Graduation rates go down, Truesdale’s report card claims improvement
Truesdale’s report card claims improvement, the numbers contradict her
High-school graduation rate goes down
Data released by the SC Department of Education states that the Beaufort County School District’s on-time graduation rate fell by 8 percentage points in 2010 to 61%. In spite of this result, the district issued a press release today claiming high school report cards improved to “average” this year in the district. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Twilight Run, Oyster Roast on tap for next weekend
Participants and spectators of last year's Beaufort Twlight Run and Oyster Roast enjoy the festive environment. (BTR website)
Beaufort Twilight Run on tap for weekend
Riverview Charter School in Beaufort will host the school’s biggest fundraiser and now a Lowcountry favorite – the Annual Beaufort Twilight Run and Oyster Roast – on Saturday, March 19. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County senior scholars honored at banquet
Banquet honors Beaufort County senior scholars
The Beaufort County School District honored 23 students at the Annual Senior Scholars Banquet on Thursday night, March 10, for their outstanding academic performance. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy wins state title in scholastic chess competition
Beaufort Academy wins state chess title
More than 130 students from kindergarten through college competed this past weekend in the state scholastic chess championship. Beaufort Academy took top team honors in the elementary school division. (South Carolina Chess website image)
Beaufort Academy won the elementary school team title during last weekend’s South Carolina Chess State Championship in Columbia. [ read article ... ]
USCB announces Emerging Artists Competition Scholarship Winners
USCB announces Emerging Artists Competition
Scholarship Winners
In conjunction with USCB’s first annual “Celebrate the Arts” festival, the University hosted its first annual juried high school arts competition this past weekend, awarding $55,000 worth of scholarships to 22 local high school art students. [ read article ... ]
March 15: Superintendant’s Goal Setting Committee meeting, agenda here
March 15
Superintendant’s Goal Setting Committee meeting, agenda here
March 15: School Board meeting, agenda here
March 15
School Board meeting, agenda here
Beaufort High School wins state honors for science
Beaufort High wins state science honors
Beaufort High School students have captured second place in the state competition for Principles of Engineering – defeating some of the Palmetto State’s best and brightest high school engineering programs, according to Dr. Jesse Washington III, director of School and Community Services for the Beaufort County School District. [ read article ... ]
March 2: School Board calls special meeting, personnel hearing
March 2: School Board special meeting, agenda here
School Board calls special personnel hearing
The Beaufort County Board of Education will hold a meeting on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, starting at 8:30 a.m., at the District office located at 2900 Mink Point Blvd. in Beaufort. [ read article ... ]
March 1: School Board meeting agenda
March 1 agenda
School Board meeting
Beaufort Academy’s interim students: New experiences, fresh perspectives
Beaufort Academy’s interim students
New experiences, fresh perspectives
Photo-L-R: Nathan Akers, Katherine Neal, Jaymie Baggerly, and Chris Huckabee
Seeing the “work behind the work” and “doing, not just watching,” opened eyes and opportunities for Beaufort Academy Upper School students during the first Interim session, students say.
BA students created PowerPoint presentations last month to showcase their experiences, and recently met to talk about their Interim internship highlights. [ read article ... ]
Small fire at Hilton Head High School quickly contained
Hilton Head High fire quickly contained
The Hilton Head Fire and Rescue was called to Hilton Head Island High School Friday morning, February 25, in response to a small fire, according to Dr. Jesse Washington, director for School and Community Services for the Beaufort County School District. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy senior Lily Westergaard is National Merit Finalist
Lily Westergaard
BA senior is National Merit Finalist
Lily Westergaard, a senior at Beaufort Academy, is a 2011 National Merit Finalist.
Lily Westergaard, a senior at Beaufort Academy, is a 2011 National Merit Finalist.
Lily Westergaard, a Beaufort Academy senior who scored a perfect 800 on the SAT literature test last spring, is a National Merit Finalist, school leaders announced this week. [ read article ... ]
Six McCracken Middle School students arrested for alcohol, drugs
At H.E. McCracken Middle School
Six students arrested for alcohol, drugs
Six students at H.E. McCracken Middle School have been arrested for possession of alcohol and marijuana on school grounds, according to a statement released Thursday, February 24, by Capt. Bryan Norberg of the Bluffton Police Department. [ read article ... ]
Bluffton HS police search gets thumbs up
Bluffton High police search gets thumbs up
Administrators at Bluffton High School – and most likely students, parents, teachers and many others in the community – were pleased to learn that no drugs or weapons were found at the school during a random search conducted today, February 22, by local law enforcement. [ read article ... ]
Annual Teacher Career Fair set for Saturday
Annual Teacher Career Fair set for Saturday
Beaufort County School District will hold its annual Teacher Career Fair this Saturday, February 26 at Bluffton High School. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 3:30 p.m. All district principals, curriculum coordinators and teacher leaders will be on hand to interview pre-registered applicants for potential teaching opportunities in the coming 2011-2012 school year. [ read article ... ]
Truesdale receives AASA leadership award
Truesdale receives leadership award
Dr. Valerie Truesdale
Dr. Valerie Truesdale, superintendent of the Beaufort County Public School District, has been named a recipient of the American Association of School Administrators’ 2011 Women in School Leadership Award. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort coach suspended for five games
Dixon convicted of DUI
BHS coach receives five-game suspension
The head baseball coach at Beaufort High School will keep his job after being found guilty Tuesday (February 15) by a Beaufort County magistrates court on charges of driving under the influence. [ read article ... ]
February 18: School Board budget worksession, agenda here
February 18
School Board budget worksession, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Shell Point Elementary to remain open
Shell Point Elementary to remain open
No Beaufort County public schools will be shuttered this year, according to a decision reached Tuesday (February 15) by the Beaufort County Board of Education. [ read article ... ]
Handgun on school bus was false alarm
H.E. McCracken Middle School
Handgun on school bus was false alarm
A routine day in Bluffton Tuesday morning (February 15) was quickly disrupted for some students and administrators at an area middle school after receiving word of a possible handgun on a school bus. [ read article ... ]
Baseball coach reportedly facing DUI charge
Local coach reportedly facing DUI charge
Beaufort High School head baseball coach William Halbrook “Brook” Dixon is reportedly scheduled to appear in a county courtroom on Tuesday, February 15, to face a charge of driving under the influence. [ read article ... ]
February 15: School Board meeting, agenda here
February 15
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Riverview open enrollment exceeds expectations
Riverview open enrollment exceeds expectations
SCHOOL RECEIVED 350 NEW APPLICATIONS DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD
Having concluded the school’s open enrollment period on January 31, Riverview Charter School received 350 new applications for openings in the 2011-12 school year. [ read article ... ]
Statewide logo contest for students offers $100 savings bond
Statewide logo contest offers students $100 savings bond
The United States Attorney’s Office is sponsoring its 8th Annual Project Sentry Logo Contest, which allows student to illustrate how they would prevent gun violence in school by designing a logo to be used on upcoming Project Sentry publications. [ read article ... ]
Kids decorate Anti-Litter
KBCB offers environmental education
Pre-kindergarten teacher Alice Miller at the Little Brown School in Port Royal plays the imaginary character, “Anti-Litter” as Veronica Miller, Keep Beaufort County Beautiful coordinator, explains how to take care of the environment. [ read article ... ]
Two seventh graders bring knives to school
Two seventh graders bring knives to school
On Tuesday, February 1 two Bluffton Middle School seventh graders were charged with Possession of a Weapon on School Property. [ read article ... ]
School District wins record number of gold, silver awards
School District wins record number of gold, silver awards
Fifteen Beaufort County Schools are being recognized by the State Board of Education for high levels of academic achievement and improvement. [ read article ... ]
Other voices: “Nobody gets married any more, Mister”
Other voices
“Nobody gets married any more, Mister”
Editor’s comment: Concern over the state of our county’s schools, especially at the high school level, is expressed often in our readers’ comments. Most point blame at school administrators. But what about the students themselves and their parents? Are they not responsible for their moral values, their behavior and their educational outcomes? [ read article ... ]
Truesdale claims district “closing national gap”
Truesdale claims district “closing national gap”
Beaufort County School District Superintendent Dr. Valerie Truesdale (right) greets a participant at the community education forum held Friday at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Dr. Valerie Truesdale, superintendent of Beaufort County Schools since 2007, says the report card recently released by the South Carolina Department of Education shows the district is “constantly closing in on the national gap.” [ read article ... ]
Education Forum highlights progress and room for improvement
Truesdale claims district “closing national gap”
Beaufort County School District Superintendent Dr. Valerie Truesdale (right) greets a participant at the community education forum held Friday at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Dr. Valerie Truesdale, superintendent of Beaufort County Schools since 2007, says the report card recently released by the South Carolina Department of Education shows the district is “constantly closing in on the national gap.” [ read article ... ]
February 1: School Board meeting, agenda here
February 1
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Riverview students excel on test
Riverview students excel on tests
While several Beaufort county schools continue to struggle for consistency in state achievement tests, students at the area’s only charter school posted above average scores on most indicators in the latest reviews released by the state. [ read article ... ]
January 23: Riverview Charter School Board meeting, agenda here
January 23
Riverview Charter School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Bill Evans, District 7, Volume 3: School Board news
Bill Evans, District 7, Volume 3
Well, my first three weeks on School board have certainly been busy and we have already begun to tackle the really important issues out there. After induction on January 4, the Board met with the County Council and the Legislative Delegation to discuss the budget process; I thought the information was clear and it will give the legislators some good information to digest. [ read article ... ]
SC Legislation: School choice introduced
SC Legislation
South Carolina lawmakers have introduced legislation that would empower parents with the right to choose what educational options are best for their children. [ read article ... ]
Mike Sanz gives solutions for academic improvement in Beaufort County’s schools: “Do your homework, be prepared, and study!”
Mike Sanz gives solutions for academic improvement in Beaufort County’s schools
“Do your homework, be prepared, and study!”
Many of us have those few movies that we can just watch over and over. One of mine is “A Few Good Men” starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson. I am always mesmerized during the courtroom scene, when Cruise and Nicholson go at it. The classic exchange is when Nicholson’s character barks out, “You want answers?”, and the young attorney Cruise passionately responds with, “I want the truth!” [ read article ... ]
Montesorri and AMES: New school choice programs available in county schools
Montesorri and AMES
New school choice programs available in county schools
At its January work session, the Board of Education approved two new school choice programs for Beaufort County Schools. Beaufort Elementary School will implement a Montessori program for students in first through fifth grades. In addition, the highly successful Advanced Math, Engineering, and Science (AMES) Academy will expand to Pritchardville Elementary School, serving students in grades three and four. [ read article ... ]
January 18: School Board meeting, agenda here
January 18
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
January 17: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day local government closings
January 17
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day local government closings [ read article ... ]
School District important weather update: Two hour delay again today
School District important weather update
Two hour delay again today [ read article ... ]
January 7-8: School Board worksession, agenda here
January 7-8
School Board worksession, agenda here [ read article ... ]
January 4: School Board meeting, agenda here
January 4
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Senior participation in college-level courses increased, 2009-2010
Senior participation in college-level courses increased, 2009-2010
Each year, high achieving students have an opportunity to participate in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) college-level courses and exams. Through these extremely challenging programs of study, students can earn college credit, stand out in the college admissions process, and develop study habits necessary to succeed after high school. [ read article ... ]
Parents, be aware of what is happening with your children at school: Bullying
Parents, be aware of what is happening with your children at school
By Mike Sanz
The daily routine from hell had begun. I glanced at the clock and prepared myself for another journey through panic, fear and anxiety. I’m not sure of the exact date or which class I was in. After so many months of pain and suffering, the process and the specific moment became unimportant. It was early March and I was up on the second floor, a good distance from my locker. I knew that I would have to think quick, move smart and keep my head down as usual. [ read article ... ]
Riverview and school board disagree, again
Riverview and school board disagree, again
Riverview Charter School and the Beaufort County Board of Education are in disagreement over the number of students the charter school can enroll next year. In November, the school board voted to limit the school’s enrollment expansion to 38 more students (total 342); however, last week Riverview’s board voted to admit 76 more in kindergarten students (total 380). [ read article ... ]
HE McCracken Middle School searched, nothing found
HE McCracken Middle School searched, nothing found
During a search conducted on Friday morning, December 17, no illegal contraband was found at HE McCracken Middle School, 250 HE McCracken Circle. [ read article ... ]
Riverview hires a new director
Fourth director in 16 months
Riverview hires a new director
Alison Thomas was hired as Riverview Charter School’s next director by a unanimous vote on Thursday night, December 16. This is Thomas’ first paid position with the school. She was a member of the original committee that formed Riverview and began chairing that committee before the school opened in August 2009. [ read article ... ]
December 15: School Board meeting, agenda here
December 15
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
December 7: School Board meeting, agenda here
December 7
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
BA students tour colleges, Civil War sites during Interim
BA students tour colleges, Civil War sites during Interim
Beaufort Academy students tour colleges and Civil War sites in first week of their Interim. This month’s Civil War History and College tour for Beaufort Academy Upper School students featured a range of visits to higher educational institutes along with a tour of Civil War History. The trip occurred in the first week of Interim, the three week period from after Thanksgiving to Christmas vacation. [ read article ... ]
December 6-8: Riverview Visioning and Programming workshop
December 6-8
Riverview Visioning and Programming workshop
Riverview Charter School’s Visioning and Programming workshop will be the formal kick-off to their permanent facility implementation, a much-anticipated and highly-pressing milestone in the young school’s life. [ read article ... ]
School District receives community foundation grant
School District receives community foundation grant
The Beaufort County School District has been awarded a $38,000 grant by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to implement a robotics initiative at five elementary schools in southern Beaufort County. The grant award will provide students at these schools with expanded learning opportunities using leading robotics technologies that will better prepare them with the knowledge, skills and personal responsibility necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing global society. [ read article ... ]
November 29: School Board Audit Committee meeting, agenda here
November 29
School Board Audit Committee meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Guest editorial: Education Voters Spoke, Who Will Listen?
Guest editorial
Education Voters Spoke, Who Will Listen?
By Randy Page, President of South Carolinians for Responsible Government (SCRG)
The numbers are shocking. 110,000 students trapped in persistently failing schools. 30,000 students per high school class fail to graduate on time. 87 public high schools identified as “dropout factories.” $12,200 per student in spending. A mere 44 cents per educational dollar directed to the classroom. [ read article ... ]
Bluffton Middle School searched
Bluffton Middle School searched
No illegal contraband was found at the new Bluffton Middle School, 30 New Mustang Lane, during a search conducted Tuesday morning, November 23. [ read article ... ]
Bluffton Elementary wins EdTech award
Bluffton Elementary wins EdTech award
Bluffton Elementary was recognized by the South Carolina Association for Educational Technology (SCAET) at the annual SC Educational Technology Conference (SC EdTech 2010) held in Myrtle Beach, October 27-29, 2010. [ read article ... ]
School District Thanksgiving schedule
School District Thanksgiving schedule [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Boys All-Stars soccer team to state championship tournament
Beaufort Boys All-Stars soccer team to state championship tournament
Beaufort County Parks and Leisure Services (PALS) 8- and 9-year-old Boys All-Stars Soccer team will head to Rock Hill on Saturday, December 4, to play in the South Carolina State Championship Tournament after traveling to West Ashley on Saturday, November 20, to win the Lowcountry Under 10 District playoffs.
[ read article ... ]
Riverview school adopts Empty Bowls Project
Riverview school adopts Empty Bowls Project
Riverview Charter School students, grades K-6, have been learning about childhood hunger in the lowcountry and adopted the Empty Bowls Project as a multi-faceted service learning initiative. [ read article ... ]
Report to public: New school board member Bill Evans says school funding is “heart of all the issues”
Report to public
New school board member Bill Evans says school funding is “heart of all the issues”
By Bill Evans, newly elected to represent District 7 (Lady’s Island) on Beaufort County Board of Education, winning over Robert White and replacing Jim Bequette, who did not stand for re-election.
First official contact as a board member took place last weekend at the Board Work Session on November 12 and 13. I received lots of information and the new members, although not yet official, were given plenty of opportunity to speak and ask questions about all of the issues. [ read article ... ]
School district awarded comprehensive math & science grant
School district awarded comprehensive math & science grant
The Beaufort County School District has been awarded a highly competitive Math Science Partnership (MSP) grant totaling $700,000 to implement a comprehensive initiative aimed at increasing student achievement in math and science over the next three years. The grant award culminated a year-long effort that included an extensive needs analysis and project plan that was submitted to the State Department of Education last July. [ read article ... ]
‘Interim’…a chance to stretch wings in a bigger world for students at Beaufort Academy
‘Interim’ … a chance to stretch their
wings in a bigger world for
It’s a test drive for career choices. It’s a dive into the unknown. It’s a stretching of young wings in a bigger world. It’s a unique partnership with the Beaufort community and the world. “It” is Interim, a unique learning period at Beaufort Academy nestled between the Fall and Winter trimesters, and students and staff are jazzed at the prospects. Interim starts November 29 when students return from Thanksgiving. [ read article ... ]
State report cards released: Beaufort County schools make gains
State report cards released
Beaufort County schools make gains
The South Carolina Department of Education released report cards for the elementary and middle schools today. The Beaufort County Schools’ report cards show “tremendous improvement” during the 2009-2010 academic year, according to a school-district news release. The High School report cards are delayed and will not be released at this time. [ read article ... ]
Letter to editor: Closing Shell Point Elementary makes no sense
Letter to editor
Closing Shell Point Elementary makes no sense
Recent article in Beaufort Gazette states the school board is looking at possible school closings. One of these schools is Shell Point Elementary which makes no sense. [ read article ... ]
Guest editorial: Private schools serve public good
Guest editorial
Private schools serve public good
“Public Education” and “public schools” are not one and the same.
“Public Education” is an educated public. It is a public commitment to education, the public support of education and the public benefits derived from education. [ read article ... ]
November 12-13: School Board Worksession, agendas here
November 12-13
School Board Worksession, agendas here [ read article ... ]
Voters pull lever for School Choice candidates
Voters pull lever for School Choice candidates
Candidates who committed themselves to instructional options and school reform won major victories at the South Carolina polls this election. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County Board of Education: Evans and Rivers win contested school board seats
Beaufort County Board of Education
Evans and Rivers win contested school board seats
Bill Evans won School Board District 7 (Lady’s Island), formerly held by retiring member Jim Bequette, with 56% of the vote over Robert White. Michael Rivers, the incumbent, won District 5 (St. Helena Island) with 61% over Faye Alston. These were the only two contested seats on the 11-member school board, members of which serve four-year staggered terms. [ read article ... ]
7th graders eligible for Duke University TIP almost doubles
7th graders eligible for Duke University TIP almost doubles
This fall, 296 Beaufort County School District 7th graders have been identified and invited to participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP). The district has experienced a steady increase in eligible students over the past four years from only 168 in 2007-2008 to 296 currently in 2010-2011 while increasing every year. [ read article ... ]
Almost 26% of BCSD students flunk high school exit exam on first attempt
Almost 26% of BCSD students flunk high school exit exam on first attempt
25.9% of BCSD students flunked the state’s high school exit exam on their first attempt in 2010, according to results released today by the Education Department, meaning 74.1% passed. That represented an increase from 2009’s average passing rate of 71.1 percent, an overall increase of 3 percentage points, but still leaving Beaufort county’s schools below the state average. [ read article ... ]
Adopt a school campus and keep it litter free
Adopt a school campus
Mrs. Gilliard’s third graders at Coosa Elementary School work to keep the planet green and clean. The class adopted the school campus and sweeps it of litter and recycles bottles and cans. [ read article ... ]
November 3-5: DaVinci Days at public schools
November 3-5
DaVinci Days at public schools
100 Beaufort County School District students in grades 3-8 will be participating in the 2nd annual DaVinci Days creative workshops this week, November 3-5, 2010 from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. [ read article ... ]
November 2: School Board meeting, agenda here
November 2
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Bluffton Middle School teacher charged with disrupting school
Maria Katherine Urbin, 17 Ashton Cove Drive, HHI (05/06/1963); Charges: Public Disorderly Conduct and Disrupting School
Bluffton Middle School
Teacher charged with disrupting school
On Thursday, October 28, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Bluffton Police responded to an alleged intoxicated faculty member at Bluffton Middle School, 30 New Mustang Lane. [ read article ... ]
Higher Education Commission buys Beaufort Chamber building for University
Higher Education Commission buys Beaufort Chamber building for USCB
Tim Pearce, Chair of the Beaufort Jasper Higher Education Commission announced today that the Commission has purchased the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce headquarters on Bellamy Curve for the use of the University of South Carolina Beaufort. [ read article ... ]
Men arrested on Lynching/Assault & Battery by a Mob charges for Bluffton High School assault
Bluffton High School assault
Men arrested on Lynching/Assault & Battery by a Mob charges
On Tuesday, October 26, at approximately 2:30 p.m. a 17-year-old male student was allegedly assaulted at Bluffton High School, 12 H.E. McCracken Circle, near the bus loading area. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County School District #6 “Worst Waster”
Beaufort County School District #6 “Worst Waster”
The Beaufort County School District is one of the “Worst Wasters” in excessive spending outside classroom instruction in the state according to a new report compiled by South Carolinians for Responsible Government, based on the latest figures released by the South Carolina Budget and Control Board. According to the report, only 35 cents of every dollar spent on Beaufort County’s public schools reached the classroom in 2009. [ read article ... ]
Two schools awarded arts curricular innovation grant
Two schools awarded arts curricular innovation grant
Beaufort Middle School and Lady’s Island Elementary School have been awarded funding from the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) for the 2010-2011 Distinguished Arts Program. [ read article ... ]
Tenenbaum Award honors middle school principal
Tenenbaum Award honors middle school principal
Phillip Shaw, principal of H.E. McCracken Middle School has been honored for outstanding performance in a training program that gives educators the kinds of skills used for success by top business executives. [ read article ... ]
Palmetto Electric Coop helps 3rd graders be energy savers
Palmetto Electric Coop helps 3rd graders be energy savers
Third-graders at Okatie Elementary School and all elementary schools in the district can learn how to save energy and save their families money thanks to Palmetto Electric Cooperative. On Thursday, October 14, with the help of the Touchstone Energy mascot CFL Charlie, the co-op distributed Super Energy Saver kits to Okatie Elementary School and will be delivering kits to all the elementary schools in the district over the next two days. The kits help teach students about electricity, electrical safety, energy savings and renewable energy. [ read article ... ]
Waiting for Superman
Waiting for better public schools
Here’s an article about public schools that you’ve just got to read from the hometown newspaper of the current incarnation of Superman himself.
Museum awarded EPA education grant
Museum awarded EPA education grant
The Coastal Discovery Museum has been awarded a $36,600 Environmental Education grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The grant will be specifically used to work with Beaufort County School District’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) schools throughout the District to fund environmental science experiences. It is the Museum’s first ever federal grant. [ read article ... ]
40 years of public school data: More money does not improve student outcome
40 years of public school data
More money does not improve student outcome
Chart above shows that student achievement of 17-year-olds after their K-12 years of public school education has not increased one iota during the past 40 years after federal, state and local governments have poured trillions of taxpayer dollars into public schools.
Berkeley County school board chairman attacks school choice
Berkeley County school board chairman attacks school choice
Berkeley County school board chairman Kathy Schwalbe (pictured above) attacked her county’s state senator, Larry Grooms, for Grooms’ support of school choice, one of the major initiatives designed to foster better public schools in South Carolina. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy students volunteer at Lt. Dan Bike Ride
Beaufort Academy students volunteer at Lt. Dan Bike Ride
Sarah Sheppard and Ting O’Regan prepare a water station for the veterans riding in the race
Beaufort Academy students went beyond their pre-event fundraising and also volunteered at the Lt. Dan Bike Ride on Saturday, October 2, 2010. Click here for more photos.
Beaufort County students make gains on end-of-course tests
Beaufort County School District students
Making gains on end-of-course tests
Student scores improved this year on South Carolina’s high school end-of-course exams, with various demographic groups showing better performance in almost every area. [ read article ... ]
Riverview students support Lt. Dan Project with the gift of gratitude
Riverview students support Lt. Dan Project with gift of gratitude
Riverview's cross country stars, Robyn Bridgers and Olivia Ward, celebrate their 2nd and 3rd place victories, for the 12 and under age group, in the Lt. Dan 5K run.
Before Riverview Charter School started its first year, its inaugural staff developed core values in which the schools’ social and emotional learning program is based. Empathy, gratitude, integrity, stewardship, cooperation, mindfulness, and perseverance are the hallmarks of the program and are weaved into the fabric of student life at Riverview. Whether students are studying science or math, playing on the playground, embarking on a field trip, or participating in an assembly, Riverview’s core values are integrated into all aspects of the educational program. [ read article ... ]
October 5: School Board meeting, agenda here
October 5
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Other voices: “Obama’s education vision deserves an F”
Other voices: Nick Gillepsie of Reason
“Obama’s education vision deserves an F”
Other voices: “Biggest issue plaguing troubled schools is children’s sociological and psychological problems”
Other voices: The Washington Post
“Biggest issue plaguing troubled schools is children’s sociological and psychological problems”
[ read article ... ]
Other voices: “Reading, writing, speaking and reasoning are the most important skills to teach”
Other voices: The New York Times
“Reading, writing, speaking and reasoning are the most important skills to teach”
[ read article ... ]
Bill Evans, running for School Board District 7: Closing schools not always best way to save money, serve students
Bill Evans, running for School Board District 7
Closing schools not always best
Close schools to save money? Re-draw attendance areas to shift students to under-used schools? Move grade levels to better balance enrollments? Tough questions without easy answers – but answers will be needed by the next Beaufort County Board of Education. [ read article ... ]
88% of HHI 3rd graders flunk 2010 PASS math test
Joan Deery says HHI’s African-American & Hispanic students “not doing well”
88% of HHI 3rd graders flunk 2010 PASS math test
In addition to reporting a 34% overcapacity in construction in Beaufort County’s public schools, school board member Joan Deery’s recent email to her fellow board members included a spreadsheet showing that African-American and Hispanic students in the Hilton Head Island schools are, in her words, “not doing well”, which is perhaps the understatement of the year. In one school 88% of African-American 3rd graders flunked the math test and 70% flunked the reading test. In the same school 60% of the Hispanic 3rd graders flunked the math test. [ read article ... ]
Empty classrooms, empty schools, overburdened taxpayers: Beaufort County School District has 34% too much capacity
Empty classrooms, empty schools, overburdened taxpayers
Beaufort County School District has 34% too much capacity
Update with corrected statistics based on text of Joan Deery’s email to Beaufort County school board members:
Beaufort County School District, which has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to construct new schools, now finds itself with 34% too much capacity, the school board revealed to the public at its meeting this past Tuesday, September 21. [ read article ... ]
34% over capacity in Beaufort County’s schools: Text of Joan Deery’s email to Valerie Truesdale
34% over capacity in Beaufort County’s schools
Joan Deery’s email to Valerie Truesdale
Following is Beaufort County school board member Joan Deery’s September 9 email to Valerie Truesdale, Beaufort County superintentent of education, regarding overcapacity in the county’s schools: [ read article ... ]
Letter to editor: “Our schools have become a place of apathy and violence”
Letter to editor
“Our schools have become a place of apathy and violence”
The school situation in SC, and particularly in Beaufort County, is an embarrassment to all of us, and what is particularly sad is that such a small percentage of these students are even reaching graduation. [ read article ... ]
Mike Sanz: School District’s response is “unbelievable”
Mike Sanz: School District’s response is “unbelievable”.
“Unbelievable that they are using these angles to avoid publishing what every citizen of Beaufort County has a right to know” says Mike Sanz to The Beaufort Tribune about the School District’s response to his questions. Following is Sanz’s reply to Dr. Jesse Washington III’s email: [ read article ... ]
School District responds to Mike Sanz’s questions
School District responds to Mike Sanz’s questions
Following is an email sent to Michael Sanz by Jesse Washington III, Ph.D., Director for School and Community Services, Beaufort County School District, on Friday, September 24: [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy students connecting with injured troops and their families
Beaufort Academy students
Connecting with injured troops and their families
Every soldier wounded or killed in war carries a story and a family along with the rifle and rucksack. Beaufort Academy students are learning that lesson firsthand as part of their fundraising for the Independence Fund. [ read article ... ]
Readers ask: When are the school board and Valerie Truesdale going to answer Mike Sanz’s questions?
Readers ask:
When are school board & Truesdale going to answer Sanz’s questions?
Numerous comments in recent days by readers of The Beaufort Tribune to questions raised by Michael Sanz, the Beaufort County public school teacher who has publicized failings in our county’s school system, indicate a high level of citizen concern that deserves immediate, forthright answers from public officials. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School: Kids win chess tournament
Riverview Charter School
Congratulations to Riverview’s Chris and Casey Hoogenboom for their performance at the Scholastic Chess Tournament
Chris and Casey Hoogenboom represented the Riverview Chess Club at the Ogeechee River Scholastic Chess Tournament in Statesboro, Georgia. Coached by Darrin Rogers and the boys’ father, the Hoogenbooms competed against some of the top youth chess teams from schools across South Carolina and Georgia. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School: Pinwheels for Peace
Riverview Charter School
Students at Riverview Charter School took part in an integrated art project, Pinwheels for Peace, in commemoration of International Peace Day. [ read article ... ]
Guest editorial comment: A teacher’s call to innovate
Guest editorial comment
Across South Carolina, parents, students and teachers are back to school, several weeks into the new school year. For many, the beginning of a new school year marks new opportunities, another chance to prepare for a promising future. But all teachers know that the hopes of success for some children will be short lived. [ read article ... ]
September 21: School Board meeting, agenda here
September 21
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County public school teacher Mike Sanz: Are my allegations fact or fiction?
Beaufort County public school teacher Mike Sanz
Mike Sanz asks: Are my allegations fact or fiction?
A little over a month ago, I presented seventeen questions to Superintendent Truesdale, Assistant Superintendent Rosswurm, the school board and the principal of Hilton Head Island Middle School, Jim Shirley. My hope was through the “Fact or Fiction” section of the school district web site, the community would be provided with answers and responses to these questions. I received zero responses to these questions. [ read article ... ]
School District announces Teacher of the Year
School District announces Teacher of the Year
At a breakfast held this Friday morning, September 17, to honor all of the teachers of the year from Beaufort County School District, Tennille Scheriff was named as the District Teacher of the Year, according to a press release. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy hits 1770 on SAT, announces Lily Westergaard as National Merit Semifinalist
Beaufort Academy hits 1770 on SAT, announces Lily Westergaard as National Merit Semifinalist
Beaufort Academy’s SAT scores exceeded the national average by 261 points while a dozen students earned high scores on Advanced Placement tests last spring, according to a press release. [ read article ... ]
State, regional gaps remain on SAT scores
State, regional gaps remain on SAT scores
South Carolina’s best and brightest public school students continue to lag far behind their peers in North Carolina and Georgia as well as private school students here in the Palmetto State. [ read article ... ]
School District issues public statement regarding Eleonore Bednarsh
School District issues public statement regarding Eleonore Bednarsh
The Beaufort County School District issued a press release on September 3, 2010 regarding Eleonore Bednarsh, the former Director of Riverview Charter School and the lawsuit she filed in March 2010. The press release issued follows. [ read article ... ]
September 7: School Board meeting, agenda here
September 7
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy starts fresh year Monday building on success, new trimester schedule
Beaufort Academy starts fresh year Monday building on success, new trimester schedule
With new students, new staff, a new trimester schedule and a new school year, there was a special buzz at Beaufort Academy for Monday’s first day, according to a press release. [ read article ... ]
Letter to editor: Does Billy K’s re-branding of USCB make sense?
Letter to editor
Does Billy K’s USCB re-branding make sense?
The mayor of Beaufort seemingly dropped a bombshell when he suggested that The University of South Carolina eliminate “Beaufort” from its designation of the two campuses in Beaufort County. Since he asked for input and feedback here goes: [ read article ... ]
Mayor Keyserling throws weight behind USCB name change
“Should be changed to reflect something much bigger”
Keyserling throws weight behind USCB name change
Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling announced yesterday, August 24, his support to change the name of University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) “to reflect something much bigger”. [ read article ... ]
ABCTE Names Beaufort’s Jeremiah Young as Inaugural Teacher of the Year
ABCTE Names Beaufort’s Jeremiah Young as Inaugural Teacher of the Year
The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) has named Jeremiah Young, a science teacher from Beaufort High School in South Carolina, as the recipient of its inaugural National Teacher of the Year Award, according to a press release by PRWeb. [ read article ... ]
ACT scores released, Beaufort County continues growth
ACT scores released, Beaufort County continues growth
The South Carolina Department of Education released ACT college entrance scores on Wednesday, August 18. Seniors in Beaufort County continue to make positive growth. All high schools made gains in composite scores from 2009 to 2010, according to a press release. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort Academy kicks off new school year August 30
Beaufort Academy kicks off new school year August 30
Beaufort Academy will start its upcoming school year August 30 with a new trimester schedule, increased time in academic classes and new staff. Students are returning to BA two weeks later than usual because of the shift to trimesters. [ read article ... ]
School District names five finalists for District Teacher of the Year
School District names five finalists for District Teacher of the Year
At a luncheon held Tuesday, August 10, five finalists were named for the Beaufort County School District Teacher of the Year, according to a School District press release. [ read article ... ]
August 17: School Board meets, agenda here
August 17
School Board meets, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Beaufort High School Class of 1970 40th reunion
Beaufort High School Class of 1970 40th reunion
Mike Sanz asks questions of school board and superintendent
Mike Sanz asks questions of school board and superintendent
Mike Sanz, the dissident Beaufort County public school teacher who is leading an effort to improve student behavior and academic performance, recently submitted a long list of questions to our local school board (headed by Fred Washington) and to our local superintendent of education (Valerie Truesdale). He has asked The Beaufort Tribune to print his questions, which follow: [ read article ... ]
Results of Michael Sanz’s first public meeting on school culture and academic rigor
Results of Michael Sanz’s first public meeting on school culture and academic rigor
Michael Sanz, the Bluffton High School teacher who has gone public with his concerns about the low level of academic accomplishment and student behavior in the Beaufort County public schools, completed his first public meeting on school culture and academic rigor this past Wednesday, July 28. [ read article ... ]
August 3: School Board meets, agenda here
August 3
School Board meets, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County School District continues growth toward adequate yearly progress
Beaufort County School District continues growth toward adequate yearly progress
The Beaufort County School District increased the number of schools meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for 2010 according to data released today by the South Carolina Department of Education as part of requirements of No Child Left Behind according to a School District press release. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County public schools hosting a back to school expo
Beaufort County public schools hosting a back to school expo
Beaufort County public schools will host a Back to School Expo Saturday, July 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in the cafeteria of Battery Creek High School, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort, SC according to a press release. [ read article ... ]
SC’s public school dropout rate rises again
SC’s public school dropout rate rises again
A new report issued by the U.S. Department of Education points to another rise in South Carolina’s public school dropout rate. [ read article ... ]
July 23-24: School Board work session, agenda here
July 23-24
School Board work session, agenda here
Mike Sanz announces public meeting aimed at Beaufort County School District reform
Mike Sanz announces public meeting aimed at Beaufort County School District reform
Mike Sanz, the Beaufort County public school teacher who spoke out for “three pillars of respect, discipline and courage” in a mass email and had his laptop computer seized by school administrators in retaliation, is holding a public meeting aimed at reforming the school district. [ read article ... ]
Joan Deery speaks: Departing school board member’s comments reveal why she is not running for re-election
Joan Deery speaks
Departing school board member’s comments reveal why she is not running for re-election
Departing Beaufort County Board of Education member Joan Deery (District 1, Hilton Head), who is not running for re-election in the upcoming general election in November, was recently interviewed by The Beaufort Tribune about her views on the Board of Education and the Beaufort County School District. Here is a summary of her comments: [ read article ... ]
July 20: School Board meeting, agenda here
July 20
School Board meeting, agenda here
Kinghorn Insurance gives matching grant to Beaufort Academy
Kinghorn Insurance gives matching grant to Beaufort Academy
Garrett Wreden (’01) and Jay Taylor of Kinghorn Insurance Agency of Beaufort (in blue shirts) present the checks from Kinghorn Insurance Agency of Beaufort and The Selective Group Foundation to Beaufort Academy Headmaster, Dr. Randy Wall, and Business Manager, Elizabeth Malinowski.
Beaufort High teacher vies for SC Teacher of Year award
Beaufort High teacher vies for SC Teacher of Year award
A Beaufort High School teacher, Jeremiah Young, is one of three South Carolina state finalists for the Teacher of the Year award by the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE). [ read article ... ]
Detour from reality: Beaufort County public school’s sign of the times
Detour from reality: Beaufort County public school’s sign of the times
The new $35 million Whale Branch high school is slated to open its doors to students for the first time in just a few weeks. This entrance sign suggests it’s going to be a detour to a fast route to college. But is it actually an exercise in doublethink? [ read article ... ]
USCB appoints Dr. Harvey Varnet Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Appoints Dr. Harvey Varnet Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
The University of South Carolina Beaufort is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Harvey Varnet as Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Varnet’s broad background encompasses work at the university, college and community college level, covering four states. He was a Fulbright Professor at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. Varnet was a member of the project team that developed and built the Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. [ read article ... ]
July 6: School Board meeting, agenda here
July 6
School Board meeting, agenda here [ read article ... ]
The Little Brown School: Work continues at first Reggio-inspired preschool in northern Beaufort County
The Little Brown School
Work continues at first Reggio-inspired preschool in northern Beaufort County
Yes, it really is a brown school building, but painting it brown was just the beginning. The renovations underway at The Little Brown School are directly tied to the school’s Reggio-based program; the school will be the first of its kind in Northern Beaufort County when it opens August 16. [ read article ... ]
County council rejects school board tax increase
County council rejects school board tax increase
At its regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, June 28, Beaufort County Council rejected in a close split vote Beaufort County Board of Education’s plans to increase school taxes two percent. The school board wanted to fund with taxes a $2.3 million spending increase included in its $175 million budget for fiscal year 2010-2011, which begins July 1. The vote was 6-5 against the increase with every member of council present and voting (even the often absent Laura Von Harten). [ read article ... ]
June 28: Riverview Charter School board meets today, agenda here
June 28: Riverview board meets today, agenda here
[ read article ... ]
Charter school movement gets good grades nationwide, bodes well for Riverview
Charter school movement gets good grades nationwide, bodes well for Riverview
In a report that bodes well for the only charter school in Beaufort County, Riverview, a rigorous study reported in The Washington Times of a national charter school system has found that most of its low-income students achieve “overwhelmingly positive” academic improvements in a few years. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School’s head quits, second in six months
Riverview School’s head quits, second in six months
“VeggieTown Values” features three children’s summer sessions
Parish Church of St. Helena summer program
“VeggieTown Values” features three children’s summer sessions
June 14: Riverview Charter School board meeting, agenda here
June 14
Riverview Charter School board meeting, agenda here
South Carolina public school graduation rate near rock bottom
South Carolina public school graduation rate near rock bottom [ read article ... ]
Editor’s comment: Of guns and graduates
Editor’s comment
Two articles in The Beaufort Tribune today epitomize the chasm that separates civilized man from savage man in contemporary American society, indeed in contemporary Beaufort society. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort High School graduates 348 seniors, names and valedictory speech here
Valedictorian Lindsey Ware
Beaufort High School graduates 348 seniors, names and valedictory speech here
Students set flags for Memorial Day at National Cemetery
Students set flags for Memorial Day [ read article ... ]
Tribune obtains School District’s “Acceptable Use Policy”
Here’s School District’s “Acceptable Use Policy” [ read article ... ]
Ladys Island Elementary first graders spot dolphins
First graders spot dolphins [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School announces lottery results, meet and exceed OCR goals
Riverview lottery results meet and exceed OCR goals [ read article ... ]
Teacher Mike Sanz throws down gauntlet to Valerie Truesdale & school board: “Put me in charge of worst school and I will fix it”
Teacher Mike Sanz throws down gauntlet to Valerie Truesdale & school board:
“Put me in charge of worst school & I will fix it” [ read article ... ]
May 24: Riverview announces lottery results today, agenda here
May 24: Riverview announces lottery results today, agenda here [ read article ... ]
Opinion poll results: 89% of Beaufort High critics point finger at administrators
Opinion Poll Results:
89% of Beaufort High critics point finger at administrators [ read article ... ]
May 18: School board committee to meet for internal audit, agenda here
May 18: School board committee to meet for internal audit, agenda here [ read article ... ]
May 17: Riverview Charter School board to meet three times today
May 17: Riverview Charter School board to meet three times today
[ read article ... ]
Parent: Beaufort High School is in crisis
Parent says:
Beaufort High School in crisis.
Battery Creek High School JROTC cadets honored
Cadet 2nd. Lt. Anthony Grant and Wayne Cousar of the SAR
Battery Creek High School JROTC cadets honored
On May 14 Beaufort’s Gov. Paul Hamilton Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and Gen. Richard H. Anderson Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) honored two of Battery Creek High School’s top Marine JROTC Cadets for the 2009 – 2010 school year. [ read article ... ]
Here are the lottery procedures for Riverview Charter School
Here are the lottery procedures for Riverview Charter School [ read article ... ]
May 14: Riverview Charter School reschedules to set lottery procedures, agenda here
May 14: Riverview Charter School reschedules to set lottery procedures
Riverview Charter School will set lottery procedures for choosing new students for its upcoming school year at a 4:30 p.m. meeting of its board of directors Friday afternoon, May 14. Consideration of this item was originally scheduled for the board’s May 10 meeting but had to be rescheduled. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School gets racial reprieve
Riverview Charter School gets racial reprieve
Riverview Charter School got a racial reprieve from the U.S. Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Beaufort County School Board as the result of a closed meeting of the school board yesterday, May 10. [ read article ... ]
May 10: School board meets in secret today on racial quota agreement
May 10: School board meets in secret today on racial quota agreement
The 11-member Beaufort County Board of education meets to at 3:30 p.m. in executive session. On the agenda is an update on the agreement the board has with the U.S. Office for Civil Rights. That agreement sets quotas for the racial makeup of schools within the Beaufort County School District. [ read article ... ]
May 10: Lottery on Riverview Charter School agenda today
May 10: Lottery on Riverview Charter School’s meeting agenda
The agenda for the Monday, May 10, meeting of Riverview Charter School includes ratifying the lottery procedures for the selection of additional Riverview students for the upcoming school year. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County school administrators seize physics teacher Mike Sanz’s laptop computer, claim violation of “policy”
Sanz’s computer seized for “violation of policy” [ read article ... ]
School district makes new budget public after Beaufort Tribune news article
Beaufort County School District makes budget public after The Beaufort Tribune news article
The Beaufort County School District made public its upcoming $175 million FY 2010-2011 budget on its web site Friday, May 7, following revelation by The Beaufort Tribune that the district had failed to present the budget at two public hearings on the budget it held earlier this week on Hilton Head Island and in Beaufort. The Beaufort Tribune also revealed that the school board had adopted the budget even before holding these two public “hearings”. Approval came at the board’s May 4 meeting, the day before the first public hearing. [ read article ... ]
Letter to editor: It’s about time someone had the guts to speak up about our failed schools
Letter to editor:
It’s about time someone had the guts to speak up about our failed schools
It’s about time someone had the guts to speak up about the way our schools have been allowed to decay throughout the years. Our future community leaders deserve better than we are giving them. [ read article ... ]
Letter to editor: School board members should be removed for malfeasance
Letter to editor:
School board members should be removed for malfeasance
I live in Beaufort only part of the year and have no children. I am glad to pay school taxes because really, a community is only as good as its schools. Beaufort, a town I love, is failing in that regard. [ read article ... ]
Editor’s comment: School board “hearing” on “proposed budget” failed to show budget and was not a hearing
Editor’s comment:
School board “hearing” on “proposed budget” failed to show budget and was not a hearing
On Thursday evening, May 6, the Beaufort County Board of Education held the second of its “public hearings” on its “proposed” FY 2010-1011 Beaufort County School District budget. The meeting was held at Robert Smalls Middle School in a room that the citizens had trouble finding due to absence of signage at the school’s front door directing the public to the meeting. No budget document was presented at the meeting. The chairman admitted in answer to a question that the school board had already passed the budget, meaning that this was not a proposed budget but an adopted budget as far as the school board is concerned and was not a hearing but a window dressing. [ read article ... ]
Violence is everyday occurrence in Beaufort County public schools
Violence is everyday occurrence in Beaufort County public schools
Violence is an everyday occurrence in Beaufort County public schools according to reports at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office as verified by a reporter for The Beaufort Tribune. Below is a list of only some of the violent events that occurred in the schools during a typical two-week period. None of these reports is routinely furnished to the news media in press releases by the police nor made available by the school system. [ read article ... ]
Letter to editor: Beaufort County education system is a shame bordering on gross negligence
Letter to editor:
Our education system is a shame bordering on gross negligence
The education system in Beaufort County (and probably state wide) is a shame bordering on gross negligence. The “powers that be” solution is to throw money (taxpayer’s money) at the problem, usually by increasing their own compensation. [ read article ... ]
Letter to editor: School board throws good money after bad
Letter to editor:
School board throws good money after bad
I am writing in support of Mike Sanz’s letter to the School Establishment. As the parent of a Beaufort County Public School child, I hear what goes on in the schools and am in utter amazement. [ read article ... ]
Letter to editor: Students not only ones to blame for weakened school discipline
Letter to editor:
Students not only ones to blame for weakened school discipline
When I taught in Beaufort County schools the one point that central administration was missing is the number of tries a student needs to graduate. Just because it takes 24 credits does not mean the student needs teachers for 24 classes. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County public school teacher Mike Sanz says quality education is falling apart in Beaufort County
Beaufort County public school teacher Mike Sanz says:
Quality education is falling apart here [ read article ... ]
Public hearing on FY 2010-2011 school district budget today
Editor says:
Go to the school budget hearing today !
Editor’s note: The least-read article in the entirety of The Beaufort Tribune during the past several days is this notice about yesterday’s and today’s public hearing on the school budget. The proposed school budget is by far the largest annual public-spending initiative subject to local taxation in Beaufort County. We ask: does the public really care about our public schools ? We urge: Go to the public hearing today on the proposed school budget and tell the school board what you think ! [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School anticipates lottery approval for new students
Riverview Charter School anticipates lottery approval for new students
The board of directors of Riverview Charter School announced yesterday their expectation of holding the lottery on May 20 to determine new students for the upcoming school year. The lottery was delayed following controversial reporting of erroneous racial data by the Beaufort County School District to the U.S. Office for Civil Rights. [ read article ... ]
May 4: School board meets today, agenda here
May 4: School board meets today, agenda here
The Beaufort County Board of Education will hold a regular meeting starting at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 4. Preceding this public session the board will convene at 4:30 p.m. in executive session. The meeting will be held in the chambers of Beaufort County Council, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort. Here is the agenda: [ read article ... ]
University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates 222 at golden jubilee commencement
University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates 222 at golden jubilee commencement
The largest class in the history of the University of South Carolina Beaufort — 222 graduates — were awarded degrees at commencement exercises this past Friday, April 30, at the USCB Hilton Head Gateway Campus, Helen and Brantley Harvey Plaza, Highway 278, Bluffton. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School president elected to statewide board
Riverview Charter School president elected to statewide board
Riverview Charter School announced this past weekend that Alison Thomas, current president of Riverview’s board of directors, has been elected to the South Carolina Association of Public Charter Schools (SCAPCS) board of directors. [ read article ... ]
May 2 – 8: Riverview celebrates National Charter School Week
May 2 – 8: Riverview celebrates National Charter School Week
This week, May 2 – 8, is National Charter School Week. In recognition, the first charter school in Beaufort county, Riverview, is planning special events. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School leaders explain choice of Wendy Randle to head school
Riverview Charter School leaders explain choice of Wendy Randle to head school
The members of the Riverview Charter School Director Search Committee issued the following statement explaining in detail the reasons why they chose Wendy Randle as the school’s new director. [ read article ... ]
April 23 & 24: School board work sessions, agendas here
April 23 & 24: School board work sessions, agendas here
The Beaufort County Board of Education will hold full-day work sessions today, April 23, and tomorrow, April 24, starting at 8:30 a.m. each day. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School names new director
Riverview Charter School names new director
The Riverview Charter School board of directors announced Wednesday, April 21, that Wendy Randle has been named the new director of Riverview effective May 17. [ read article ... ]
Statewide overview of public education report card
Statewide overview of public education report card
The Education Oversight Committee of the South Carolina State Legislature released yesterday, April 19, discussion points for the 2009 report card on schools issued by the South Carolina Department of Education. The Beaufort Tribune published on Friday the report card for the Beaufort County School District. These discussion points provide a statewide overview of the results of the report card. [ read article ... ]
April 20: School board meets today, agenda here
April 20: School board meets today, agenda here
The Beaufort County Board of Education will hold a regular meeting starting at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 20. Preceding this public session the board will convene at 5:30 p.m. in executive session. The meeting will be held in the chambers of Beaufort County Council, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort. Here is the agenda: [ read article ... ]
Other voices: South Carolinians need school choice
Other voices: South Carolinians need school choice
The report card issued late last week by the South Carolina Department of Education that Beaufort County’s public schools are below average and have fallen further behind begs for a solution to the problem of poor education in our county. Here is one proposal that is gaining increasing attention statewide– school choice–in an editorial by Philip Bowers, a member of the South Carolina Board of Education. [ read article ... ]
2009 report card for Beaufort County’s schools: Below average and headed downward
2009 report card for Beaufort County’s schools: Below average and headed downward
The South Carolina Department of Education has just released its 2009 annual school report cards. The results show that performance in the schools in the Beaufort County School District continue below average and have fallen further behind compared to previous years and to comparable school districts in the state. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School earns IRS 501(c)(3) status, contributions tax deductible
Riverview Charter School earns IRS 501(c)(3) status, contributions tax deductible
Riverview Charter School has been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that Riverview qualifies for Section 501(c)(3) status under the United States Internal Revenue Code. This means contributions to Riverview are tax deductible for Federal income tax purposes. [ read article ... ]
The Little Brown School offers full-day preschool, open house April 16
The Little Brown School offers full-day preschool, open house April 16
Tadpoles, shrimp boats, fiddler crabs, airplanes, pluff mud . . . walking into The Little Brown School this fall, you could find elaborate hands-on exhibits about any of these things, all created by kids five and under. [ read article ... ]
Beaufort County Board of Education meeting agenda: April 6, 2010
Beaufort County Board of Education meeting agenda: April 6, 2010 [ read article ... ]
Riverview second and third graders bring Broadway to Beaufort
Riverview second and third graders bring Broadway to Beaufort
The seventy-one second and third grade children at Riverview Charter School, ages seven, eight and nine, brought Broadway to Beaufort Thursday evening in a standing-room only production of the first-ever musical production at Riverview, the hit kids musical Bugz. [ read article ... ]
Hilton Head resident announces intention to run for seat on school board
Hilton Head resident announces intention to run for seat on school board
Community advocate, philanthropist, and local business co-owner/operator Steven Morello has announced his intention to file for candidacy in District 1 in the upcoming Beaufort County school board elections. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School lottery delay continues, school board drags feet
Riverview Charter School lottery delay continues, school board drags feet
The lottery to choose new students for the upcoming school year at Riverview Charter School continues to be delayed because the Beaufort County Board of Education has so far failed to send Riverview’s lottery proposal to the U.S. Office for Civil Rights. [ read article ... ]
Palmetto State E-Cademy travels to Beaufort to spread message of online charter high school
March 23: Palmetto State E-Cademy spreads online charter high school message to Beaufort
Teachers, students and staff of Palmetto State E-Cademy will be traveling to Beaufort next Tuesday, March 23, to discuss their online charter school academic program to potential students for the 2010-2011 high school year. [ read article ... ]
Riverview Charter School board meets today, March 18, agenda here
