Communications
SDOC Board of Trustees Approves 2021-2022 School Calendar
At its regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, January 11, 2021, the SDOC Board of Trustees approved calendars for the 2021-2022 school year. Middle and high school students will begin on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, and end on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Elementary school students will begin on Monday, August 16, 2021, and end on Friday, May 27, 2022. All inservice days and holiday breaks are identical between the two calendars. Associate Superintendent Mr. Steve Hanvey said, "State law says schools cannot begin before the third Monday of August. Last year, we were granted permission to start middle schools and high schools prior to the third Monday to allow us to complete the first semester before Christmas break. This is very beneficial to our high school students. While we would love for all our schools to be able to begin at the same time, there are not the same compelling reasons for elementary schools. We are hopeful that the state legislature will give districts more flexibility with the calendar start date in the future." School calendars on the district website under the Calendars tab or by clicking on the links below. |
SDOC Board of Trustees approves bonus for all employees
At the regularly scheduled board meeting held Monday, December 14, 2020, the School District of Oconee County voted to award all employees a bonus in consideration of their hard work and dedication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A motion to approve a one-time bonus of $300 for full-time employees and a pro-rated bonus for all part-time employees was made by Dr. Sloan, seconded by Dr. Ketterman, and approved unanimously by the board. Chairperson, Mrs. Denise McCormick said, "Our employees have done a tremendous job in a year that cost them a raise and even a step increase. This is a simple way for us to honor all they have done this year." Dr. Sandra Sloan, Clerk of the board, said, "The Board sincerely appreciates all the effort from the entire staff during this season of uncertainty. We regret that pay increases have not been implemented to date and ask our employees to accept this bonus as a small token of our great appreciation." Employees should receive the bonus in December. Part-time employees will receive a bonus based on their contract status. For example, a 0.5 FTE employee will receive $150; a 0.75 FTE employee will receive $225. Employees new to the school district will also receive a prorated bonus based on their starting date. |
SDOC Retired iPad Sale
The School District of Oconee County is retiring several iPad models due to Apple no longer providing security/ software updates and securing repair parts is difficult and/or cost prohibitive. Devices will be sold at 50% of the current market value. Chargers and/or cases are not included but may be purchased while supplies last. THESE DEVICES MAY BE PURCHASED BY CURRENT SDOC FAMILIES AND STAFF ONLY. There will be a limit of 1 per student or employee. Wednesday & Thursday, December 16th & 17th 4:00pm - 6:00pm Devices and accessories are sold as-is, while supplies last. All sales are final. Exact cash (no change will be available), checks or credit cards will be accepted. Items offered for sale are used and may contain defects not immediately detectable. Buyers may inspect the property prior to purchasing. Location: SDOC District Office 414 S. Pine Street Walhalla, SC 29691 Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, purchases will be done through a drive through process at the back of the District Office. Individuals will remain in their vehicles at all times. Please be aware of the following information:
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Stand Up - Speak Out Bullying Prevention Poster Contest
DHEC Student Flu Clinic
The flu vaccine offers the best protection against getting the flu. When most people in a school get the flu vaccine, the flu can't spread as easily. You can get your flu vaccine from your doctor, local health department or pharmacy (no prescription is needed for anyone 12 years and older, age may vary by pharmacy). Everyone 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine every flu season. For more information: www.scdhec.gov/health/flu Upcoming DHEC Children's Flu Clinics: Monday, December 14, 2020 Thursday, December 17, 2020 2:00 - 4:00 pm 3:00 - 5:00 pm Walhalla Library Bountyland Education Campus 501 W. South Broad Street 100 Vocational Drive Walhalla, SC Seneca, SC |
December 21st and 22nd will be eLearning Days
After discussion between district administration and principals, the decision was made to observe December 21st and 22nd as eLearning days. Factors leading to this decision included difficulty in finding substitutes to cover both COVID-19 related absences and normal requests for leave on those days, as well as conflicts with some events that were scheduled prior to the two-week delay in starting school. Superintendent Dr. Michael Thorsland said, "Our plan for eLearning days was for them to be used solely for inclement weather and that will absolutely be our plan going forward into next school year. With that being said, having the ability to move to eLearning during this difficult year is helpful. While not ideal, we feel this decision is the best call under our current circumstances." Students will not come to school buildings on these days. Assignments for both days will be available no later than 10:00 am on Monday, December 21st. Students will have 5 days upon returning to school to turn in assignments. If those assignments are not completed and turned in by Friday, January 8th, students will be marked absent for December 21st and 22nd. |
SDOC COVID-19 Update
Due to updated information from the CDC, the School District of Oconee County has adjusted quarantine guidelines for schools. These guidelines were effective as of Thursday, December 3, 2020. Students and staff will now be required to quarantine for 10 days, instead of 14 days, from the last exposure to an individual who tested positive. For those currently quarantined, the quarantine period will be shortened by 4 calendar days. The district is working to reach out to these individuals to adjust their return to school date. At this time, the district will not implement the option for students and staff to return after 7 days with evidence of a negative test. This decision was made considering demands on school personnel and due to the complexity of managing multiple quarantine lengths and verifying test results. COVID-19 Rapid Testing Governor McMaster recently announced that all South Carolina schools will have the ability to offer rapid COVID-19 testing to students and staff who are symptomatic. A parent permission form will be required before any student can be tested. SDOC is currently completing the required certification and training process. We anticipate beginning testing when we return from Christmas break. |
WMS 6th Grade Transitioning to Distance Learning beginning Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Due to a cluster of COVID-19 cases, SDOC has made the decision to move Walhalla Middle School 6th grade face-to-face students to distance learning for a period of 14 days beginning on Tuesday, December 1st. Sixth grade students will not go to the school building during this time. Students will be able to return to the school building on December 15th unless under quarantine for another reason. This decision was made in consultation with DHEC, the district leadership and nursing supervisor, and Walhalla Middle administration. Face-to-Face students will transition to Distance Learning during this time.
We strongly encourage families to practice the following guidelines:
Please note: This transition does not impact SDOC@Home students |
SDOC COVID-19 Update
District leadership is closely monitoring the spike in
COVID-19 cases at a national, state, and
local level, particularly with the approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas
holidays. It continues to be our goal to
provide face-to-face instruction for as many students as possible while
protecting the health and safety of our staff and students.
Through the first 12 weeks of school, the School District of Oconee County has had a total of 143 cases of COVID-19 among students and staff. Over that time, 12 classrooms and one grade level were transitioned to distance learning for 2 week periods to mitigate the spread of the virus. Through this targeted approach and careful contact tracing, the vast majority of students were able to remain in face to face instruction. The district will continue to use the targeted approach to address future clusters if they occur. However, in light of the increase in cases, we would encourage all families to develop contingency plans for students in case there is a need to transition the entire district to distance learning for a period of time. The decision to transition to distance learning will be made by district leadership in consultation with the SDOC Board of Trustees, the district nursing supervisor and officials from DHEC. During a period of distance learning, students will continue learning through remote instruction via district-issued technology devices or learning packets. Communication will come through the method regularly used by teachers such as email, Class Dojo, Google Classroom, or Canvas. No on-campus activities will be held. All sports practices and competitions will be suspended until a return to in-person instruction. We continue to maintain safety protocols within our schools. However, our best chance to continue face-to-face learning is for our families and the community at large to be mindful of safety precautions. We encourage everyone to be diligent in wearing masks while in public; to maintain social distancing, particularly at gatherings; to stay home when sick; and to get tested if symptoms of COVID-19 develop. Please note: a transition to distance learning will not impact SDOC@Home instruction. However, any in-person activities or classes attended by SDOC@Home students will be suspended until the district returns to in-person learning. |
SDOC@Home Students - November Meal Pick-up Schedule
SDOC@Home meals will be available for pick up on Thursday, November 19, 2020, as usual. There will be no meal pick-up the week of Thanksgiving. Students will receive 7 days worth of meals on Thursday, November 19, 2020. This will provide meals for each school day from 11/19/20 through 12/2/20. Meal pick-up will resume on Thursday, December 3, 2020. Meals must be pre-ordered each week. When ordering, please give the student's full name, school, and date of pick-up. Meals must be ordered by 12pm (noon) on Monday to be picked up on Thursday.
Pick-up Location and Time Meals will be available for curbside pick-up on Thursdays from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the Bountyland Education Campus (former Hamilton Career Center) located at 100 Vocational Drive in Seneca. Parents will not enter the building; meals will brought to cars. Students do not have to be present, however; parents will need to present identification when picking up meals. |