🦅 Congratulations to our SOAR Winners for September 11!
These Eagles were recognized for showing respect, owning their actions, acting responsibly, and rising above challenges. We are so proud of the way they lead by example each day!
Together We SOAR! 💙🤍
These Eagles were recognized for showing respect, owning their actions, acting responsibly, and rising above challenges. We are so proud of the way they lead by example each day!
Together We SOAR! 💙🤍
📚 Reminder! Don’t forget to sign up for our first Preschool Pages Storytime of the school year!
Preschoolers ages birth to 4 years who are not enrolled in school are invited to join us September 16 at 10:00 a.m. in the library.
📲 Sign up using the QR code by September 12. Spots are limited!
📖 All preschoolers will get a FREE book!
Preschoolers ages birth to 4 years who are not enrolled in school are invited to join us September 16 at 10:00 a.m. in the library.
📲 Sign up using the QR code by September 12. Spots are limited!
📖 All preschoolers will get a FREE book!
🏗️ Learning in Action at SDPC’s Gateway to Innovation!
Today, our Hagood students had an exciting opportunity to see another part of the construction process taking place at SDPC’s Gateway to Innovation! 👷♀️👷♂️
Students utilized our walking trail to get a firsthand look as construction continues right next door. What an incredible opportunity to watch this innovative facility come to life and expose our students to the many careers, skills, and possibilities connected to a project like this!
We are grateful for opportunities that allow learning to extend beyond the classroom walls.
Together We SOAR! 🦅
#HagoodElementary #TogetherWeSOAR
Today, our Hagood students had an exciting opportunity to see another part of the construction process taking place at SDPC’s Gateway to Innovation! 👷♀️👷♂️
Students utilized our walking trail to get a firsthand look as construction continues right next door. What an incredible opportunity to watch this innovative facility come to life and expose our students to the many careers, skills, and possibilities connected to a project like this!
We are grateful for opportunities that allow learning to extend beyond the classroom walls.
Together We SOAR! 🦅
#HagoodElementary #TogetherWeSOAR
SDPC is beginning the search for our next superintendent.
Following 13 years of leadership, Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck will conclude his service at the end of the 2026–2027 school year. With advance planning, the Board of Trustees is beginning the search process now to support a thoughtful and seamless transition.
The search will be guided by our Innovate ’28 Strategic Plan and shaped by input from the people who know and care about SDPC — our students, employees, families, and Pickens County community.
🗣️ Your voice matters.
The Board of Trustees, in partnership with the South Carolina School Boards Association, is gathering community input to help identify the qualities, experience, and leadership priorities that should guide the search for SDPC’s next superintendent.
The first opportunity to share your input:
📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
📍 Liberty High School (124 Red Devil Drive, Liberty, SC 29657)
⏰ 6:00 PM
Additional opportunities for community input will be announced as the search progresses.
Learn more about the superintendent search and how you can participate: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/3112602
#SDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
Following 13 years of leadership, Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck will conclude his service at the end of the 2026–2027 school year. With advance planning, the Board of Trustees is beginning the search process now to support a thoughtful and seamless transition.
The search will be guided by our Innovate ’28 Strategic Plan and shaped by input from the people who know and care about SDPC — our students, employees, families, and Pickens County community.
🗣️ Your voice matters.
The Board of Trustees, in partnership with the South Carolina School Boards Association, is gathering community input to help identify the qualities, experience, and leadership priorities that should guide the search for SDPC’s next superintendent.
The first opportunity to share your input:
📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
📍 Liberty High School (124 Red Devil Drive, Liberty, SC 29657)
⏰ 6:00 PM
Additional opportunities for community input will be announced as the search progresses.
Learn more about the superintendent search and how you can participate: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/3112602
#SDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
Mark your calendars, SDPC! There will be no school for students on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the long weekend!
For additional important dates throughout the school year, visit the SDPC District Calendar.
📚 It's time for the first Preschool Pages Storytime of the school year!
Preschoolers ages birth to 4 years who are not enrolled in school are invited to attend.
📲 Please sign up using the QR code by September 12. Spots are limited, so don't miss out.
📖 All preschoolers will get a FREE book!
Preschoolers ages birth to 4 years who are not enrolled in school are invited to attend.
📲 Please sign up using the QR code by September 12. Spots are limited, so don't miss out.
📖 All preschoolers will get a FREE book!
Calling all Hagood dads and father figures!
Join our Hagood All Pro Dads Chapter to connect, grow, and celebrate the important role you play in your children’s lives!
This year, pastors from the Pickens area will lead our meetings, sharing encouragement, wisdom, and practical guidance to help dads lead their families with love, tenderness, and strong character.
📅 Date change: Our first meeting has moved from September 18 to September 25! See the flyer for additional meeting dates.
A heartfelt thank-you to Landmark Baptist Church for once again sponsoring our chapter and supporting Hagood’s fathers and families!
Your presence, love, and example make a lasting difference. We look forward to seeing you on September 25! 🦅
Join our Hagood All Pro Dads Chapter to connect, grow, and celebrate the important role you play in your children’s lives!
This year, pastors from the Pickens area will lead our meetings, sharing encouragement, wisdom, and practical guidance to help dads lead their families with love, tenderness, and strong character.
📅 Date change: Our first meeting has moved from September 18 to September 25! See the flyer for additional meeting dates.
A heartfelt thank-you to Landmark Baptist Church for once again sponsoring our chapter and supporting Hagood’s fathers and families!
Your presence, love, and example make a lasting difference. We look forward to seeing you on September 25! 🦅
🍎🍽️ September Lunch Menu 🍽️🍎
Check out what’s cooking at Hagood Elementary this September! 💙 Be sure to save the menu for an easy look at breakfast and lunch choices throughout the month.
💙 A BIG Thank You to Our Community Sponsors!💙
We are incredibly grateful for the amazing community partners who helped make it possible for EVERY Hagood student to receive a grade-level color shirt this year!
A huge thank you to our PTO for securing these sponsorships and to each business and individual who generously supported our Eagles. Your partnership helps create special experiences for our students and reminds them just how much our community is behind them!
We appreciate you for helping us Achieve Excellence Together!💙🤍
We are incredibly grateful for the amazing community partners who helped make it possible for EVERY Hagood student to receive a grade-level color shirt this year!
A huge thank you to our PTO for securing these sponsorships and to each business and individual who generously supported our Eagles. Your partnership helps create special experiences for our students and reminds them just how much our community is behind them!
We appreciate you for helping us Achieve Excellence Together!💙🤍
Today, the School District of Pickens County celebrated the grand opening of our SDPC Academy for Early Learners, a milestone in our commitment to experiential learning and innovative approaches to early childhood education.
District leaders, Board of Trustees members, community partners, educators, and special guests gathered to celebrate this exciting investment in our youngest learners. The event featured a performance by Sweet Potato Pie Kids, remarks from district leaders and project partners, and concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Liberty Primary School, where our Pre-K students helped officially open the doors to their new learning environment. Guests then toured the newly completed immersive classrooms, experiencing firsthand how these thoughtfully designed spaces will spark curiosity, creativity, and discovery.
Designed around learning through exploration, play, and hands-on experiences, the SDPC Academy for Early Learners encourages students to ask questions, solve problems, and build foundational skills in engaging, meaningful ways.
Last year, one immersive classroom opened at each of our four hub schools: Six Mile Elementary, Hagood Elementary, East End Elementary, and Liberty Primary. This summer, the remaining classrooms were completed at each site, creating a fully immersive Academy experience for every Pre-K student as they walk through our doors next week.
The SDPC Experience begins here. We can't wait to welcome our newest learners into classrooms designed for wonder, exploration, and endless possibilities.
To find out more about the Academy for Early Learners, visit our webpage: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/preschool-programs
#SDPCAcademyForEarlyLearners #ExperienceSDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
District leaders, Board of Trustees members, community partners, educators, and special guests gathered to celebrate this exciting investment in our youngest learners. The event featured a performance by Sweet Potato Pie Kids, remarks from district leaders and project partners, and concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Liberty Primary School, where our Pre-K students helped officially open the doors to their new learning environment. Guests then toured the newly completed immersive classrooms, experiencing firsthand how these thoughtfully designed spaces will spark curiosity, creativity, and discovery.
Designed around learning through exploration, play, and hands-on experiences, the SDPC Academy for Early Learners encourages students to ask questions, solve problems, and build foundational skills in engaging, meaningful ways.
Last year, one immersive classroom opened at each of our four hub schools: Six Mile Elementary, Hagood Elementary, East End Elementary, and Liberty Primary. This summer, the remaining classrooms were completed at each site, creating a fully immersive Academy experience for every Pre-K student as they walk through our doors next week.
The SDPC Experience begins here. We can't wait to welcome our newest learners into classrooms designed for wonder, exploration, and endless possibilities.
To find out more about the Academy for Early Learners, visit our webpage: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/preschool-programs
#SDPCAcademyForEarlyLearners #ExperienceSDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
🎉 75 YEARS OF IMPACT 🎉
For 75 years, the School District of Pickens County has been more than a collection of schools - it has been a place where students discover their passions, build lasting relationships, and create memories that shape their futures.
Throughout this anniversary year, we’ve celebrated the people, places, and programs that have made SDPC special by sharing stories from across our schools and community.
Now, those stories come together in one place.
📖 "75 Years of Impact: Past. Present. Potential." is a commemorative magazine that celebrates the legacy we’ve built and the Experience SDPC that continues to make our district unique.
Inside, you’ll find the moments, milestones, and voices that reflect who we are - and the commitment that continues to guide us as we engage students today and empower them for tomorrow.
👉 Explore the magazine: https://www.flipsnack.com/BFD76799E8C/75-years-of-impact-sdpc-2026
#75YearsOfImpact #ExperienceSDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
For 75 years, the School District of Pickens County has been more than a collection of schools - it has been a place where students discover their passions, build lasting relationships, and create memories that shape their futures.
Throughout this anniversary year, we’ve celebrated the people, places, and programs that have made SDPC special by sharing stories from across our schools and community.
Now, those stories come together in one place.
📖 "75 Years of Impact: Past. Present. Potential." is a commemorative magazine that celebrates the legacy we’ve built and the Experience SDPC that continues to make our district unique.
Inside, you’ll find the moments, milestones, and voices that reflect who we are - and the commitment that continues to guide us as we engage students today and empower them for tomorrow.
👉 Explore the magazine: https://www.flipsnack.com/BFD76799E8C/75-years-of-impact-sdpc-2026
#75YearsOfImpact #ExperienceSDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
🚌 SDPC Families – Does your child need bus transportation this school year?
If your student will be riding the bus to or from school, please take a moment to complete the 📝 SDPC Transportation Form to ensure they are scheduled for 🚌 pickup and drop-off before August 1.
🔗 Find the form linked here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/transportation
If your student will be riding the bus to or from school, please take a moment to complete the 📝 SDPC Transportation Form to ensure they are scheduled for 🚌 pickup and drop-off before August 1.
🔗 Find the form linked here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/transportation
🚌 SDPC Families – Does your child need bus transportation this school year?
If your student will be riding the bus to or from school, please take a moment to complete the 📝 SDPC Transportation Form to ensure they are scheduled for 🚌 pickup and drop-off before August 4th!
🔗 Find the form linked here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/transportation
If your student will be riding the bus to or from school, please take a moment to complete the 📝 SDPC Transportation Form to ensure they are scheduled for 🚌 pickup and drop-off before August 4th!
🔗 Find the form linked here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/transportation
🥞 FREE Meals for All Students This Year! 🍎
We’ve got great news for SDPC families!
Thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all students will receive FREE breakfast and lunch every day during the 2026-2027 school year - no forms, no fees, no hassle! 🙌
✅ No need to submit a meal application
✅ Every student is automatically eligible
✅ Healthy meals = focused minds + strong bodies
This program ensures that every child has access to nutritious meals to fuel learning and success. It’s one more way we’re supporting our students - together!
Questions? Visit www.sdpcnutrition.com or contact Jenaffer Stevenson, Director of Student Nutrition Services:
📧 jenafferstevenson@pickens.k12.sc.us | 📞 864-397-1166
#SDPCNutrition #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
We’ve got great news for SDPC families!
Thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all students will receive FREE breakfast and lunch every day during the 2026-2027 school year - no forms, no fees, no hassle! 🙌
✅ No need to submit a meal application
✅ Every student is automatically eligible
✅ Healthy meals = focused minds + strong bodies
This program ensures that every child has access to nutritious meals to fuel learning and success. It’s one more way we’re supporting our students - together!
Questions? Visit www.sdpcnutrition.com or contact Jenaffer Stevenson, Director of Student Nutrition Services:
📧 jenafferstevenson@pickens.k12.sc.us | 📞 864-397-1166
#SDPCNutrition #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
📚 The first day of school for SDPC students is Tuesday, August 4! We can't wait to welcome everyone back for an amazing year of learning.
Please note: Students in our 4K and 5K programs have a staggered start to help ensure a successful transition to school.
🍎 4K Families: Your child's school will contact you to schedule:
• An assessment appointment on August 4 or 5
• A half-day orientation on August 6 or 7
• Full-day classes begin Monday, August 10
🍎 5K Families: Your child's school will contact you to schedule:
• An assessment appointment on August 4, 5, or 6
• Full-day classes begin Friday, August 7
We look forward to seeing our students soon! 💙
🍎 Still looking for the right Pre-K option for your 4-year-old this fall? We have a few openings remaining!
Give your child a great start with the SDPC Academy for Early Learners — a FREE 4K program designed to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students for kindergarten and beyond.
Through hands-on learning in immersive environments, students explore, create, problem-solve, and grow while developing important early literacy, social, and emotional skills.
🚌 FREE transportation is available to all Pre-K students!
Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child an engaging learning experience that sets the stage for future success!
🔗 Register for 4K today: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/four-year-old-kindergarten
📩 Questions? Contact the Academy for Early Learners at aelreg@pickens.k12.sc.us or 864-397-1000.
Give your child a great start with the SDPC Academy for Early Learners — a FREE 4K program designed to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students for kindergarten and beyond.
Through hands-on learning in immersive environments, students explore, create, problem-solve, and grow while developing important early literacy, social, and emotional skills.
🚌 FREE transportation is available to all Pre-K students!
Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child an engaging learning experience that sets the stage for future success!
🔗 Register for 4K today: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/four-year-old-kindergarten
📩 Questions? Contact the Academy for Early Learners at aelreg@pickens.k12.sc.us or 864-397-1000.
“Last year, SDPC adopted HMH Into Reading for K5–5th grade, and the results have already been remarkable for our students. Structured Literacy teaches reading by explicitly and systematically showing how the English language works. This approach has helped build a strong foundation for our kindergartners, giving them confidence in both reading and writing while enabling them to decode much more quickly. Our first grade teachers are already seeing tremendous success from students who began with Structured Literacy in kindergarten, noting how well-prepared they are as they enter first grade. As a school, it has been eye-opening to see how far our students have come and what a success this program has already been for us.” - Courtney Ray, Kindergarten Teacher at Hagood Elementary School
As the School District of Pickens County celebrates 75 years of learning, growth, and community, it’s the people who have made the journey meaningful. From classrooms and concerts to bus routes and boardrooms, every chapter of SDPC’s story has been shaped by those who gave their time, their talent, and their heart. These short reflections - captured over the year and shared by the voices of SDPC - capture the spirit, pride, and personal moments that define who we are. Together, they form a living tribute to the legacy we share and the bright future still ahead.
This story is one of many that reflects SDPC’s commitment to academic growth and excellence. To learn more about Hagood Elementary School, visit their website at https://hes.pickens.k12.sc.us/
#AcademicGrowthAndExcellence
#EngagingToday
#EmpoweringTomorrow
As the School District of Pickens County celebrates 75 years of learning, growth, and community, it’s the people who have made the journey meaningful. From classrooms and concerts to bus routes and boardrooms, every chapter of SDPC’s story has been shaped by those who gave their time, their talent, and their heart. These short reflections - captured over the year and shared by the voices of SDPC - capture the spirit, pride, and personal moments that define who we are. Together, they form a living tribute to the legacy we share and the bright future still ahead.
This story is one of many that reflects SDPC’s commitment to academic growth and excellence. To learn more about Hagood Elementary School, visit their website at https://hes.pickens.k12.sc.us/
#AcademicGrowthAndExcellence
#EngagingToday
#EmpoweringTomorrow
Today, we celebrate the incredible men and women who ensure our students travel safely to and from school each day. It's SC Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and we want to say THANK YOU to our SDPC bus drivers and assistants!
To truly capture the impact of our drivers, we spent time riding along on routes and speaking with two of our dedicated drivers—experiencing firsthand the joy, care, and commitment they bring to their work.
🎥 Watch our special tribute video here: https://youtu.be/omM_SDLXcM0
