News and Updates

Johnston, SC – During the December regular meeting of the Edgefield County Board of Education, held Tuesday, December 10, 2024, school board members approved the school district’s 2025-26 academic calendar.

The 2025-26 Edgefield County School District (ECSD) Academic Calendar is available for download on the school district’s website at https://edgefield.k12.sc.us/our-district/calendar or by clicking on “Quick Links” at the top right of the home page and then selecting the “District Calendar” link.

The 2025-26 academic calendar marks the third year of the school district’s modified academic calendar. The modified academic calendar for the 2025-26 school year remains closely aligned with area school district calendars in school year start/end dates as well as holidays.

The new academic calendar features a two-week fall break (Sept. 29, 2025, to Oct. 10, 2025), a three-day break for Thanksgiving (Nov. 26-28, 2025), a two-week spring break (March 30, 2026, to April 10, 2026) and an end to the school year before June.

The first day of school for the 2025-2026 school year will be Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The final day of school will be Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Edgefield, SC – The Edgefield County Literacy Council (ECLC) recently announced its 2024-25 Distinguished Teachers of Literacy at a reception held at W.E. Parker Elementary School.

During the reception, teacher Mallory Rearden of Johnston Elementary School was named ECLC Elementary School Distinguished Teacher of Literacy.

“My goal as a teacher is to invoke a love of literacy within my classroom,” Mallory wrote in her ECLC application. “It is my hope that by allowing students free choice in reading and writing along with guided practice, students will develop their own unique curiosity about literacy.”

Teacher Kayla Frails of Merriwether Middle School was named ECLC Secondary (Middle/High School) Distinguished Teacher of Literacy.

“I make it a priority to help my students get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable,” Ms. Frails wrote in her ECLC application. “To do this, I allow myself to be vulnerable. I hope I have inspired and modeled the creativity I desire in my students. Literacy really is the passport to future success.” 

Additional honorees included Merriwether Elementary School Distinguished Teacher of Literacy, Hannah Kiser; Douglas Elementary School Distinguished Teacher of Literacy, Anna Young; W.E. Parker Elementary School Distinguished Teacher of Literacy, Amy Kelly; and J-E-T Middle School Distinguished Teacher of Literacy, Anne Widell.

These teachers also have the opportunity to pursue a number of grants and scholarships.

Edgefield County Literacy Council school representatives include Jennifer Brucker of Merriwether Elementary School, Brooklyn Johnson of Johnston Elementary School, Melissa Nicholson of W.E. Parker Elementary School, Anna Young of Douglas Elementary School, Kristen Taylor of Merriwether Middle School, Anne Widell of J-E-T Middle School, Marcie Burnip of Strom Thurmond High School and Lucia Moraru of Fox Creek High School.

The ECLC Executive Board members are Angela Fallaw (President), Stephanie Fletcher (Vice President), Tyra Miller (Membership Director), Amy Willhelm (Treasurer) and Brooklyn Johnson (Secretary).

 

Columbia, SC – With five regional titles and a state title to its credit over the past five years, the Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton (J-E-T) Middle School returned to the 2024 state championships on Saturday, December 7, 2024, looking for more championship hardware. They did not come away empty-handed, capturing a runner-up gavel and earning the respect of the judges.

The Eagles advanced through the first three rounds of the competition, held at the Richland County Judicial Center, and entered the final rounds with plenty of confidence. The courtroom action was fierce, as both teams made their cases before the judges. In the end, the finals came down to tiebreaker ballots, and the Eagles finished in second place.

“Our mock trial team from JET Middle School had a fantastic season, and we congratulate them on an outstanding performance in the state finals,” stated Edgefield County School District Superintendent, Dr. Kevin O’Gorman.

This year’s team included the following students: Rebecca Carpenter (8th Grade/Prosecution and Defense Attorney); DaNiylah Daniels (6th Grade/Bailiff); Izel Griffin (6th Grade/Bailiff); Luke Hatfield (7th Grade/Prosecution Witness); Colbie Hodson (7th Grade/Prosecution Witness); Ashlyn Legrand (7th Grade/Team Manager); Sa’Mya Lovett (8th Grade/Prosecution Attorney and Defense Witness); Truman Massey (7th Grade/Prosecution and Defense Attorney); Gillian O’Gorman (7th Grade/Prosecution Witness and Defense Attorney); Lindy O’Sullivan (7th Grade/Defense Witness); Justyce Rauch (7th Grade/Timekeeper); Ryan Lacon (7th Grade/Timekeeper); Olivia Stevens (8th Grade/Prosecution and Defense Witness) and Aden Wideman (6th Grade/Bailiff).

Teacher coaches included Ruth Bledsoe and Dr. Patricia Moseley. The team’s attorney coach is Blair Massey.

In each of the first three rounds of competition, teams put forward their choices for the most outstanding individual attorney and witness from the opposing team in that round. Judges also choose their top stars from each round. State finals honorees for the Eagles’ included the following students: (Round One) Sa’Mya Lovett (Outstanding Witness/Peers) and Gillian O’Gorman (Outstanding Attorney/Peers and Outstanding Witness/Judges); (Round Two) Olivia Stevens (Outstanding Witness/Peers) and Rebecca Carpenter (Outstanding Attorney/Peers and Judges); (Round Three) Truman Massey (Outstanding Attorney/Peers) and Gillian O’Gorman (Outstanding Witness/Peers and Outstanding Attorney/Judges). Following the championship rounds, Truman Massey was named as Outstanding Witness by their finals opponents, while Gillian O’Gorman was selected as Outstanding Attorney.

This year’s court case was a criminal case involving the fictitious death of a high school student-athlete who collapsed during the intense heat of a summer workout. Members of the J-E-T team represented both sides of the case and serve as attorneys, witnesses, bailiffs or timekeepers.

Johnston, SC – Olivia Grant and Emmy McKie have been part of district and region titles and many wins for the Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) varsity softball program. Now, the two standouts will have the opportunity to continue their production at the collegiate level.

In front of family members, coaches, teammates and friends, on Friday, November 22, 2024, Olivia signed with the Newberry College Wolves and Emmy with Catawba Valley Community College Red Hawks, respectively.

The signings were especially meaningful for STHS athletic director Drake Dunlap, who also serves as the school’s varsity softball coach.

“I am extremely proud of both of them,” stated Dunlap. “Their achievements are a testament to their hard work. These two have put in the work and they deserve everything they’ve received.”

“I know they will be successful with anything they do in life,” he added. “I’m not looking forward to losing them after this year, but I am very proud of them.”

Emmy thanked her parents, coaches and teammates for support and encouragement.

“They have all pushed me to be the very best player I can be,” commented Emmy.

Olivia thanked her parents and family, friends, coaches and teammates for their support.

“Everyone has helped push me to my limits and get me to where I am today,” stated Olivia.

Johnston, SC – Members of the Edgefield County Board of Education recently approved an updated school district cell phone policy during their regularly scheduled monthly meeting held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

The new Edgefield County School District (ECSD) cell phone policy, which has been expected for several months, aligns with the State Department of Education’s (SCDE) model cell phone policy guidelines, which are part of the "Free to Focus SC" initiative (https://ed.sc.gov/initiatives/free-to-focus/). These guidelines were shared with school districts following the addition of state budget Proviso 1.103 by the S.C. Legislature and the signing of the budget into state law on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, by Governor Henry McMaster.

Proviso 1.103 Mandates the Following: To receive state funds allocated for State Aid to Classrooms, a school district shall implement a policy adopted by the State Board of Education that prohibits access to personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day. For purposes of this provision, a personal electronic communication device is considered to be a device not authorized for classroom use by a student, utilized to access the Internet, wi-fi, or cellular telephone signals.

The newly updated and approved school district cell phone policy may be viewed in its entirety here: https://ecsdsc.link/1kfgh.

The policy is designed to create a phone-free school environment that fosters a positive learning experience free from electronic distractions. In prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during the school day, this policy aims to enhance focus and engagement, allowing students to develop the college and career-ready skills outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Students will have more opportunities to engage in meaningful interactions, collaborate with peers, and cultivate the essential skills necessary for college, career, and life success.

Enforcement of the updated ECSD cell phone policy will begin on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, when students return from winter break.

IMPORTANT POLICY BENEFITS (noted from other schools already enforcing the policy)

- Improved student focus, attention, and comprehension.

- Less cyberbullying.

- Fewer fights and social media-related drama.

- Students are engaged more with their peers and teachers both in and outside of the classroom.

- Teachers are ahead of schedule on their lesson plans because they aren’t spending time policing phones and students are completing classwork and assignments faster.

- Phone-free schools report an increase in books checked out from their libraries.

- There is improved teacher morale and retention.

- Students request to use the restroom less frequently and trips to the restroom are shorter because students aren’t using that time to be on their phones.

- Lunchrooms in a phone-free school see greater face-to-face conversations with peers.

- There is less cheating.

- School counselors see a decrease in the rate of mental health-related student visits.

IMPORTANT POLICY DEFINITIONS

● A personal electronic device is 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, iPads, and gaming devices.

● Personal Electronic 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.

● School day is the period of time that a student is present on the school campus from their arrival (i.e., tardy bell) until afternoon dismissal at the end of the instructional day. This includes field trips.

● Access is 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.

IMPORTANT POLICY HIGHLIGHTS

● During the school day, students are prohibited from accessing personal electronic devices. Students may not wear or access device accessories during the school day. Employees are expected to strictly enforce this policy at all times.

● Students must store their devices and device accessories in lockers, backpacks, or as otherwise directed by the school administration during the school day. It is not permissible for students to carry devices on their person, including jackets, pants, etc.

● Devices must be powered off during the school day.

● Students and staff members will not photograph/videotape other individuals at school or at school-sponsored activities without their knowledge and consent, except for activities considered to be in the public arena (sporting events, etc.).

● Use of devices is strictly prohibited in locker rooms and restrooms.

● Office telephones are available for students who need to call parents/legal guardians. Parents/Legal guardians may contact students through the office.

● Students are permitted to use their personal electronic devices on school buses while traveling to and from school. (additional rules apply, see Policy JICJ).

IMPORTANT CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATIONS

● A 1st offense includes a verbal warning, device powered off and put away.

● A 2nd offense will result in the device being confiscated, returned to the student at the end of the school day. Only an administrator has the authority to confiscate an electronic device.

● On a 3rd offense the device will be confiscated, parent/guardian must pick up, sign an acknowledgment of the policy.

● A 4th offense will mean a student will no longer be allowed to bring their cell phone or personal electronic device on campus for the remainder of the school year. Two days of in school suspension will be assigned.

● After a 4th offense, a student will be referred to Alternative School through In-house Hearing which could result in alternative placement

● Refusal to turn over a device to an administrator will result in two days of out-of-school suspension and the student will not be allowed to bring their device on campus for the remainder of the year.

● The school district reserves the right to view the contents of electronic devices under certain circumstances, including reasonable suspicion of inappropriate or illegal content or activity.