The main emphasis of Bamberg School District One (BSD1) is to help all students to develop world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by placing a strong focus on academics, athletics, and the arts. It has always been our philosophy to educate the whole child which includes the three “As”, along with good health practices and the constant monitoring of the social/emotional well-being of each student. Our partnership with MUSC for telehealth and telemental health provides significant opportunities for our students to seek physical and emotional help before issues become overwhelming.
Richard Carroll Elementary School (RCES) continues to develop leadership skills in students 4K-6 with the continuation of the LEADER IN ME process. This program has been given credit for reducing discipline referrals by helping each student to take responsibility for their own actions. Data analysis remains a significant focus for staff and students. No state tests were given this spring, but the previous year’s report card grade was AVERAGE and will be carried over for the 2020-2021 school year. We feel extremely confident that our grade would have increased significantly had state tests been administered in the Spring. RCES continues to utilize Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) to measure academic progress through the school year. Students are fortunate to have a 1:1 technology program in place.
Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School (BEMS) offers English 1 and Algebra 1 for Carnegie Unit credit. Past results in both classes have been outstanding, but due to unforeseen circumstances, these tests were not administered this spring. BEMS does utilize MAP testing for periodic monitoring of academic skills. BEMS also has a 1:1 computer program in place. Google classroom has been successfully implemented this year and will be integrated into all subject areas as we move forward. BEMS’s report card grade of GOOD will be carried over for the 2020-2021 school year.
Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School which scored an EXCELLENT on the state’s report card will carry that distinction through the 2020-2021 school year. Our regular education student graduation rate was 89.2 while our student graduation rate for students with disabilities (SPED) was 85.7. This is an amazing increase for our SPED population and we are extremely proud of these students as well as the staff who supports them. BEHS encourages students to be well-rounded by participating in organizations, extracurricular activities and sports.
BSD1’s Special Education Department is highly regarded at the SDE and throughout the state. The department is run very effectively and efficiently with a director, 2 school psychologists, 3 speech pathologists, 1 occupational therapist, and .25 physical therapists. Approximately 10 certified teachers and numerous aides assist in carrying the ever increasing responsibilities of this program. All SPED students are outfitted with technology devices for their personal use. Opportunities for technology use were 100%.
Well, all was going well until the PANDEMIC closed the doors of all of the schools in the district. March 13, 2020, was the last day that students and staff attended school for face-to –face teaching. On March 15, 2020, the governor announced that all schools would closed for a relatively short period of time. However, this was not to be. In an effort to keep students and staff as safe as possible from being infected by Covid-19, schools in South Carolina were closed for the remainder of the school year. Teachers jumped into action to prepare instructional packets that were to be completed by the students at home hopefully with appropriate assistance from parents or other encouraging ‘home teachers.’ Of course, we are aware that this in no way provides the instruction that teachers in a face-to-face mode can. We are currently working on plans within the district as well as with the SDE to ensure that all students will have technology access at home in 2020-2021 should that need arise.
We have learned much from this unprecedented year…some good and some not so good; but this we know…the struggles and obstacles that have come our way will prove to make us a stronger community and a stronger nation. We are a community of survivors and together we shall overcome.
On a personal note, it saddens me to leave the district I’ve called ‘home’ for the past 48 years, but you are in good hands. My heart will with remain in BSD1 and I will continue to follow your growth in all areas. Please remember that schools are not made of brick but of SPIRIT! You ALL have shown plenty of THAT!
Thanks for the wonderful memories…
Most sincerely and with much love,
Phyllis K Schwarting
Superintendent
