School District of Newberry County

The School District of Newberry County will return to normal schedule on Friday, January 24, 2025.

This morning, while transporting students to school, Bus M10 was involved in a rear-end collision. Out of an abundance of caution, twenty-one students and two employees on the bus were transported to Newberry County Memorial Hospital (NCMH) for evaluation. Thankfully, no serious injuries have been reported at this time. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the first responders and the medical team at NCMH for their swift and professional care. Their quick action ensured that everyone involved received immediate attention. We understand that incidents like this can be concerning for families and our community. Please rest assured that the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. Our team is cooperating fully with authorities as they investigate the incident.

The School District of Newberry County Board of Trustees Meeting on January 27, 2025, will be held at the District Office and open to the public with a limited seating capacity. Public forum will be available. The public can access information regarding Board meetings on the district website under Board Members and Meetings/SDNC School Board Information or https://www.newberry.k12.sc.us/page/board-members. The information available includes links to the following: • The Public Participation Request Form BEDH-E. • View Live and Recorded Meetings • Board Meeting Agenda and Packet

Out of an abundance of caution, all Newberry County Schools and Offices will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule for Thursday, January 23, 2025. Buses will run two hours later than the regular route time with schools and offices beginning two hours later than usual.

Due to the weather and hazardous road conditions, all schools and offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Information regarding the make-up will be provided at a later date.

Due to the threat of winter weather and the resulting hazardous road conditions, the School District of Newberry County will have an early release day on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Dismissal times are: Reuben, Gallman, Newberry Elementary, and Boundary Street: 12:15 Newberry Middle: 12:45 Newberry High: 1:00 Whitmire Community School: 1:00 Mid-Carolina Middle and High: 1:00 Little Mountain, Prosperity-Rikard, and Pomaria-Garmany: 12:40 Newberry Alternative School: 12:05 Career Center: Mid-Carolina High and Whitmire Community School Students -12:30; Newberry High Students -12:50 Students will be served both breakfast and lunch prior to dismissal. All after school events are canceled. Canceled activities include all athletic games and practices, after school care, meetings, programs, and all other activities and events. We will also have a 2-hour delay on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Buses will operate 2 hours later and schools will open 2 hours later than normal. Again, we will have an early dismissal on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 and a 2-hour delay on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

We are closely monitoring the weather conditions in anticipation of any potential impact on school operations and will inform you of any changes to the school schedule by 1:00 pm Monday, January 20. Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families.

WHAT ARE PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES? Personal electronic devices are referred to as “device,” means any device utilized to access the internet, wi-fi, cellular telephone signals, or to capture images or video. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and gaming devices. WHAT ARE PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESSORIES? Personal electronic device accessories are referred to as “device accessories,” include any wired or wireless accessory or wearable technology that connects to a device and any other accessory commonly used in conjunction with a personal electronic device. WHAT IS CONSIDERED THE SCHOOL DAY? The school day is defined as the period of time that a student is present on the school campus from their arrival (i.e., tardy bell) until afternoon dismissal through the end of the instructional day. This policy may also apply to school buses, field trips, and athletic events. The applicability of this regulation to these activities will be determined by the school district. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERM “ACCESS”? Access is defined as viewing, holding, wearing, or otherwise using a device for the purpose of communication, internet access, gaming, recording, or any other function commonly associated with devices. During the school day, devices should be powered off and stored in bookbags. Exceptions granted for medical necessity, authorized for classroom use, or other authorized reasons should be in writing and are not considered violations of this definition. HOW DO I CONTACT MY CHILD DURING THE SCHOOL DAY? Parents or guardians needing to reach their child during school hours should contact the school’s main office. If a student needs to get in touch with a parent or guardian, they may use the phone provided in the main office. HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF AN EMERGENCY? Each school has a detailed emergency plan. Parents will receive timely updates and notifications regarding emergencies through the school or district communication systems. To ensure effective communication, parents and guardians are encouraged to verify that their contact information in PowerSchool is current and that they have enabled text messaging for district alerts. WHAT HAPPENS IF A STUDENT VIOLATES THE RULE? The student will be subject to progressive consequences in the SDNC’s Code of Conduct. WHAT HAPPENS IF A STUDENT REFUSES TO SILENCE AND PUT AWAY THE DEVICE? If a student is instructed to power off, silence, and put away a cell phone or electronic device but refuses to comply, this will be considered an act of defiance. Such behavior will be addressed according to the SDNC’s Code of Conduct. WHAT IS THE “FREE TO FOCUS” INITIATIVE? The South Carolina Department of Education’s Free to Focus program aims to promote a phone-free school environment to enhance learning by eliminating electronic distractions. Research indicates that reducing or removing student cell phone usage at school contributes to improved academic performance, decreased disruptions and conflicts, better mental health for students, and increased school safety. For more information and research about the Free to Focus initiative, visit the South Carolina Department of Education’s website.

Due to the threat of winter weather and the resulting hazardous road conditions, the School District of Newberry County will have an eLearning day on Friday, January 10, 2025, with schools and offices closed. All activities are canceled for January 10. Teachers will post assignments for students to complete, but there will be no live Google Meets on this day. Students who do not have internet access will need to download assignments during school on Thursday. Students will have a five-school-day window of time to turn in eLearning assignments. Additional information regarding eLearning guidelines and expectations can be found at https://bit.ly/426hmBW.

SCDE responds to PowerSchool Data Breach Jan 8, 2025 Late Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) was informed by PowerSchool of a cybersecurity breach involving its PowerSource portal. This was an international incident over which the state and local districts had no control. This breach resulted in unauthorized access to certain customer data from PowerSchool’s Student Information Systems (SIS), including data from multiple states and school districts across the country. During a meeting with PowerSchool’s senior leadership, they confirmed that personally identifiable information (PII) was compromised. The SCDE is currently working to understand the full scope of the breach. PowerSchool has stated that this breach has been contained and has informed the SCDE that it has taken steps to secure its systems, engage cybersecurity experts, and is also coordinating with law enforcement to address the breach. The SCDE is actively communicating with PowerSchool, legal counsel, and local districts to assess the full impact on South Carolina schools, students, and educators and to determine next steps. The SCDE is also in direct communication with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Attorney General’s office and has notified the Governor and legislative leaders. Commenting on the seriousness of this incident, State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver said, “The protection of our South Carolina students’ and educators’ personal data is non-negotiable. We fully recognize the anxiety this raises for them and their families.” She continued, “While PowerSchool has taken accountability for this breach, our Department will take uncompromising action to ensure we uncover the complete extent of this incident. We will insist that PowerSchool not only notify affected individuals but also provide them with credit and identity monitoring services." The SCDE will continue to engage and support districts and schools throughout this process as more information becomes available. https://ed.sc.gov/newsroom/news-releases/scde-responds-to-powerschool-data-breach/

The School District of Newberry County Board of Trustees Legislative Breakfast and Special Called Board Meeting on January 10, 2025 will be held at the District Office at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will be open to the public with a limited seating capacity. Public forum will not be available.

FREE TO FOCUS Beginning January 6, 2025 The South Carolina Department of Education has released a policy that prohibits the use of personal electronic devices during the school day. The purpose of this policy is to create a phone-free school environment that fosters a positive learning experience free from electronic distractions. During the school day, students are prohibited from accessing their personal electronic devices. Students may not wear or access device accessories during the school day. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and gaming devices. MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!

The School District of Newberry County Board of Trustees Meeting on December 16, 2024, will be held at the District Office and open to the public with a limited seating capacity. Public forum will be available. The public can access information regarding Board meetings on the district website under Board Members and Meetings/SDNC School Board Information or https://www.newberry.k12.sc.us/page/board-members. The information available includes links to the following: • The Public Participation Request Form BEDH-E. • View Live and Recorded Meetings • Board Meeting Agenda and Packet.

District-Wide Recruitment Fair! Saturday, January 25, 2025 Mid-Carolina High School 377 Cy Shumpert Rd. Prosperity, SC 29127 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. All positions: Teacher, Nurse, Child Nutrition, Bus Driver, Instructional Assistants, and other positions.

FAFSA FRENZY with Newberry College Admissions Game Day Visit December 18 - 4 p.m. Get the expert assistance with your FAFSA application, whether it's your first time or your need extra support. After filing, enjoy free admission to cheer on the Newberry Wolves Women's and Men's basketball teams. A free snack voucher will be included! Don't miss this perfect mix of planning your future and game-day fun! Register with the link below: https://admissions.newberry.edu/register/?id=249918a5-56ba-4692-a362-a3f0caec3e16&fbclid=IwY2xjawG8PMZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZtwskKFQcgxezxNzWeTTEjg9dauyECEqB2lPbSOil3IIBczE5OBrZ38wQ_aem_1o8r2pdzZtxThkjc1m7SRA

The School District of Newberry County Board of Trustees Meeting on November 18, 2024 will be held at the District office at 6:00 pm and will be open to the public. Public forum will be available. The Public Participation Form BEDH-E can be accessed through the district website under Board Members and Meetings or using the link below: https://bit.ly/NCSD_Part_Form This meeting will be live streamed and can be accessed through the district website under Board Members and Meetings at www.newberry.k12.sc.us.

The School District of Newberry County Board of Trustees will have a Special Called Meeting on November 7, 2024 at 6:00 pm The meeting will be held at the District Office and will be open to the public. Public forum will not be available.

The School District of Newberry County Annual Meeting of the Directors for Newberry Investing in Children’s Education (NICE) will be held on October 30, 2024, at the District Office at 3:00 pm. The agenda can be accessed through the district website under Board Members and Meetings/SDNC School Board Information or at https://www.newberry.k12.sc.us/page/board-members The meeting will be open to the public with a limited seating capacity. Public forum will not be available.

The School District of Newberry County Board of Trustees Meeting will be held on October 28, 2024 at the District Office. This meeting will be open to the public with a limited seating capacity. Public forum will be available. The Public Participation Form BEDH-E can be accessed through the district website under Board Members and Meetings or at https://bit.ly/NCSD_Part_Form The public may view this meeting at www.youtube.com/ncsdliveevents.

The School District of Newberry County Celebrates Remarkable Achievements in 2024 State Education Report Cards We are excited to announce that the School District of Newberry County has made significant progress in the latest South Carolina School Report Card, underscoring our commitment to providing educational excellence to every child every day. Key Highlights: Several schools have earned top ratings, showcasing strong academic outcomes and student achievement. Notably, Reuben Elementary and Whitmire Community School (high school) received Excellent ratings, placing them among the highest-performing schools in the state. After two consecutive years of receiving an unsatisfactory rating, Newberry Elementary has made a remarkable leap to an average rating this year, skipping the below average category altogether. This tremendous improvement has resulted in removing its designation as an underperforming school. Newberry High School raised its rating from below average to average, dropping its underperforming label. This progress shows the hard work of students, staff, and the support of the community. Overall, from 2023 to 2024, the district saw an impressive average increase of 4 points in school report card ratings. Notable growth was exhibited by several schools, including Boundary Street Elementary (+4), Gallman Elementary (+6), Little Mountain Elementary (+14), Newberry Elementary (+9), Prosperity-Rikard Elementary (+5), Reuben Elementary (+5), Mid-Carolina High (+1), Newberry High (+6), and Whitmire Community High (+11). This upward trend reflects the district's commitment to enhancing educational quality and student performance across the board. Contributing to these successes are impressive outcomes across several critical areas. The district's performance meets or exceeds state averages in key indicators such as College and Career Readiness, Graduation Rate, Algebra I proficiency, High School Student Success, and Student Progress. Moreover, district trends in SC Ready ELA and Math scores reflect a three-year high in the percentage of students meeting and exceeding proficiency targets. These achievements underscore our dedication to fostering an environment that promotes academic excellence and prepares students for future success. Our schools remain steadfast in creating school climates that are safe, engaging, and supportive environments where all students can thrive academically and socially. Reflecting the positive climate we aim to cultivate, 9 out of 14 campus ratings were classified as good or excellent, contributing to an overall district score that surpasses the state average. Superintendent Alvin Pressley highlighted the importance of the district’s collective efforts: "Our district’s recent achievements reflect the incredible efforts of our students, teachers, and staff, alongside the unwavering support of our community. The progress we’ve seen shows what’s possible when we work together toward a shared goal of Educational Excellence Everyday for Every Student! We are committed to building on this momentum and ensuring that every student in the School District of Newberry County can succeed in a safe, supportive environment.” These successes are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our educators, students, and community partners. Together, we are building a brighter future for every student in the School District of Newberry County. For additional information, please visit https://www.newberry.k12.sc.us/page/2023-2024-report-card-data