Communications
Virtual Summer 2020 Course Offerings
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SDOC Math Madness Event Cancelled
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Coronavirus FAQ - 3/12/2020
 Q. Do you plan to close schools for an extended length of time? A. Any decision to close schools will be made in consultation with DHEC, the SC Department of Education (SCDOE) and the Governor’s office. At the current time, the SCDOE has not recommended closing schools. Q. If schools close, will there be any e-learning like other districts do on inclement weather days? A. Discussions on how to best meet the instructional needs of students in the event of an extended closure are happening now. Our instructional department is working on a plan to provide alternate methods of instruction for students during a closure to help minimize impact on student learning. We are aware that some in our district do not have home internet access. Therefore, we understand the need to develop ways to provide extra instruction for those students upon return to school. Q. Will we have to make up the days if schools close? A. That decision would come from the SCDOE and the legislature. We would anticipate they would work with local districts in a similar way as when we miss more than normal days for weather issues. Q. What about school events like concerts, athletics, field trips, and others? A. At this time, DHEC and the SCDOE are not recommending canceling school activities, events or field trips. This is being closely monitored and we are in contact with both agencies to keep up to date of any new protocols for our schools. As the situation evolves, SDOC may cancel trips based on travel advisories from the CDC. As always, parents reserve the right to limit their children's participation in field trips due to safety concerns. SDOC cannot guarantee refunds on prepaid travel expenses. However, we have asked trip organizers to reach out to travel partners in regards to possible refunds if cancellation is necessary. Q. I’m traveling for spring break, should I go? A. Each individual family will need to make their own travel decisions. It is possible that you may have to self- quarantine upon return based on CDC Travel Health Notices or directives from a state or federal agency. As of today, CDC Level 3 nations, (which would require self-quarantine) includes China, Iran, Italy and South Korea. This means that a student or employee who has traveled to or lives with people who have traveled to one of those areas are required to self-quarantine and will not be permitted to attend school until the 14-day quarantine period passes. Additionally, those individuals who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 are expected to self-quarantine and refrain from attending school for 14 days from the day of last exposure. Both the CDC and the US State Department have given specific advisories for cruise ship travel. Both agencies have advised US citizens against traveling by cruise ship during the COVID-19 outbreak, especially those with underlying health conditions. For those who have been on a cruise ship, the CDC recommends monitoring your health, limiting your interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the U.S. In addition, if a case of COVID- 19 was reported on your ship during the cruise, you will be required to stay home during these 14 days and practice social distancing. Please visit the following sites for more information Q. I’m an employee, will I have to use annual leave if I have to quarantine or test positive for COVID-19? A. It is our understanding at this time that employees would need to use annual leave days. However, there has been discussion of federal intervention to come alongside individuals and families affected by the virus. We will comply with any federal or state directive concerning time away from work due to COVID-19. Q. If I choose not to send my child to school due to concern about the virus, will those days be excused? A. We encourage parents to be cautious in keeping students at home at this point considering there are no cases in our local area. With that being said, we do have students, or family members of students, with compromised immune systems or other health concerns that are at higher risk than most. In light of this, the decision on whether missed days would be excused will have to be made on a case by case basis. |
SDOC Kindergarten Pre-registration is now open
 SDOC Kindergarten Pre-Registration Form Students currently attending a School District of Oconee County 4K program do not need to register since they
will be considered returning students. Registration for returning students will open in July 2020.
As a reminder, screening dates for 4K are still available. If you have a child that will be 4 years old on or before
September 1, 2020, please 864-718-5133 to schedule a screening appointment.
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School Board approves property for new Seneca Middle School
 While considering several other sites, district officials felt that this site had the most positives for the new school. The site is
located approximately one mile from Seneca High School along Wells Highway and is in close proximity to all three
elementary schools. In addition, there are sidewalks on both sides of the road between the site and Seneca High School.
With the location being on Wells Highway, there will be very little road improvement needed due to it already being a fivelane road. Site work including grading will also be limited due to the fact that it is relatively level. Associate Superintendent Steve Hanvey said, “Coordinating the purchase of multiple parcels certainly had its challenges,
but it was well worth it to get what is close to a perfect site for the new Seneca Middle School. We look forward to the next
steps in the process.” Dr. Michael Thorsland, Superintendent, said “With the proximity to all the Seneca area schools and the other positives, this
property is well worth the investment. The staff of Seneca Middle and the community as a whole have waited a long time
for this. It feels good to take this huge step toward the opening of the new Seneca Middle School.” |
SDOC Continues to Monitor COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
 The district has taken several steps to help students and staff stay healthy. We have developed basic guidelines
concerning students/staff returning from domestic and international travel, as well as cleaning procedures and
suggestions for limiting the spread of respiratory illnesses, which include the flu and Covid-19. Those guidelines
include a 14-day quarantine for any student or staff returning from a country designated as a high-risk area by the
CDC. We have added extra cleaning of desks, water fountains, door knobs, and other commonly touched surfaces
with an EPA-registered disinfectant with a claim for human coronaviruses. We also continue to encourage everyone
to practice proper handwashing; avoid frequent touching of the eyes, nose, and mouth; covering the mouth and nose
with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; and staying home when you’re sick. The district leadership team has begun planning for some of the “what ifs” we could possibly face due to the virus.
These discussions have included canceling or postponing events with large groups of people; canceling travel,
particularly field trips; limiting visitors – parents, mentors, and others – to our schools; and even the possibility of
school closure for a period of time. Please be assured, these discussions are taking place so we are prepared - not
because they are about to happen in our district. Any decision on these areas would be in response to
recommendations from state or federal agencies overseeing this effort. Dr. Molly Spearman released this statement Monday afternoon, “Any decisions regarding school closures or
cancelling school events as a result of COVID-19 should not be made solely at the local level. Please consult with the
State Superintendent of Education who will work with state health officials at DHEC and the Governor’s office for the
final appropriate decision. In addition, any announcement of local cases should come from state DHEC officials. As a district, we are aware that this is a rapidly evolving situation in our nation and our state. A decision
made today may need to be changed tomorrow based on new information. We will work to quickly and
efficiently communicate information while doing our best to not contribute to or create panic. |
Daylight Saving Time = Check Your Smoke Alarms
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Student Headed to State GeoBee
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Westminster Elementary partners with Oconee Farm Bureau
 Oconee Farm Bureau Women's Committee chair Lisa Durham commented, "My heart is happy when children take on projects like this to help others in need. Many of our families have been affected by the Ronald McDonald house and now we can give back". |
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