As a result of Governor McMaster’s school closure order issued during the press conference Tuesday (March 24th) afternoon, all Berkeley County School District (BCSD) schools will be closed through Thursday, April 30. BCSD will recognize spring break as planned April 13-April 17. Expectations for instruction will be suspended on April 13, and resume on April 20, in recognition of spring break.
We realize the state’s decision to extend the school closure continues to present various hardships for many of our families. Please understand the district’s number one priority is the safety and security of our students, staff and our community. We have significantly reduced staff who are physically reporting to any facility in an effort to comply with social distancing guidance and will continue operating feeding sites as drive-through PICK UP service only. Additionally, we will continue to support student learning through our online platforms, and we will provide guidance and instructional materials for the extended closure as they become finalized. Please review the information below regarding BCSD plans for the extended closure.
ALL BCSD employees, except those who have been notified that their continued ability to report to facilities is essential to modified operations, are now working remotely, as directed, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please continue to monitor your BCSD email account as we work to provide information to employees concerning compensation, leave and benefits in accordance with federal and state regulations.
New student registration dates for the 2020-2021 school year will be rescheduled and information will be forthcoming. This only applies to new student registration for the 2020-2021 school year.
BCSD shift from modified eLearning plan to blended learning platform coming soon
Although we understand that this continued closure will be difficult for many to process and confront at this time, we want to assure you that our central services staff have worked diligently to prepare to respond to news of an expanded closure. We are committed to supporting our teachers, students, parents and guardians during the extended closure, as we have been since closures were announced on March 15.
We have sought student, teacher, and parent feedback during this unprecedented closure. We are proud of the strides each have taken to meet the needs of eLearning. However, we have also listened to constructive feedback of the difficulties of eLearning.
Accordingly, BCSD is moving to a blended learning platform, a hybrid model that integrates online content with traditional teaching. Teachers and parents will get the additional support that they need to keep students focused, and students still continue to receive the personalization only their teachers can provide. This blended learning platform will allow us to continue ensuring that we provide a high quality instructional experience for this extended instructional time. You will receive more information about this new blended learning soon. Continue to complete your eLearning lessons until we contact you about this new exciting platform. School leaders and teachers will be provided with training on the blended learning platform before its public launch.
We will continue to provide you with updates regarding our modified learning plans, and we will remain committed to supporting our students, parents, guardians, and teachers during these unprecedented times.
Student feeding program
Since March 16, BCSD has continued to provide lunch and snack AT NO COST to children 18 years of age and younger during the school closure as a drive-through PICK UP service. We recognize that the support our children and families need remains the same and may even increase during this time. Multiple schools throughout the district provide hot lunch and a snack for PICK UP, Mondays through Fridays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Through a partnership with local churches and other community organizations, Berkeley County School District continues to expand its student feeding program.
Please regularly check our list of student feeding sites as information is updated daily.
If you have any questions please call our Child Nutrition Services department at 843-899-8708.
For more information about BCSD’s Child Nutrition Services department, click here.
It is our priority to ensure that our students continue to receive the proper nutrition during this school closure. This service is available to ALL Berkeley County children 18 years of age and younger. No student will be permitted to enter the building or eat on-site.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
BCSD will continue to protect student and staff privacy and ensure that information concerning the health of students and staff is not shared with unauthorized individuals. We ask that everyone commit to keeping information concerning the health of all students and staff confidential.
In the event the district learns of any confirmation of coronavirus (COVID-19) related to BCSD, we will notify the impacted school or central services community under the guidance of South Carolina Department Health and Environmental Control. If a wider notification is deemed necessary by SCDHEC and district leaders, we will use the district’s communication platforms to provide communities with that information.
Please continue to follow BCSD on Facebook and Twitter, and check the district website (www.bcsdschools.net/coronavirus) for any updated information.
