It Always Does Me Good

It always does me good to spend time with high school students…
I had my first meeting of the year with Student Cabinet, a group that includes student leaders from all grades from all three of our high schools.  We had a great discussion about the transition to ninth grade, the budget, technology, and President Obama’s [...]

Target Comes Through Again!

As it has so many times before, the Target Corporation has come through for our district again with a grant to support our “Strings for All” program.  During these economic times, keeping tremendously worthwhile programs like this one is all the more difficult.  I and many, many students are extremely grateful to Target for its [...]

Something Akin To Magic

I was reading with a young man at Jackson School this morning, a primary grade student who is just learning to read.  As he was reading a story to me, I was struck by how well he has progressed in the last month in terms of using his “word attack” skills to sound out words.  [...]

Outstanding Job At LES!

This morning, a plumbing problem at Lugoff Elementary School required changes in classroom locations and changes in lunches.  I was totally impressed by the flexible way in which everyone at the school responded and made the best of an inconvenient situation.  I also want to recognize the fast and efficient work by our maintenance staff in [...]

This Is Very Cool!

Lisa Carter, Principal of Blaney Elementary, passed a great video done by her kids on preventing the spread of illness.  It’s at this link:  http://www.schooltube.com/video/44105/Cover-That-Cough  Really creative!  Outstanding job!
How ’bout those Gamecocks!

A Couple Of Bright Spots

I’ve had a couple of real bright spots today…
I enjoyed visiting Nancy Neal and the Camden Middle School Jazz Band this morning.   Great bunch of kids who really play well.  It’s obvious why this group has won so many awards.
Also visited an “Ultimate Frisbee” game at the Continuous Learning Center.  The game was organized by [...]

Update

As we work together to address our budget situation, many of you have asked me to keep you abreast of the latest developments.  In order to “guarantee an adequate program of public school education,” as mandated in state law, the School Board had originally budgeted for 2009-10 the same amount of local funding ($17,684,000) that [...]

Belt Tightening

A few days back, I had a conversation with a citizen, who expressed the view that the school district needed to “tighten its belt” given the current economic circumstances.  I appreciated the candor.  However, this individual was somewhat surprised when I described what we had reduced or eliminated over the past year.  In case other [...]

Dedication Of Camden Middle School

Thanks to everyone who attended the formal dedication of the new Camden Middle School that was held yesterday afternoon.  It was a great occasion!  The staff at CMS has done an amazing job of decorating the school.  Just awesome!  I also appreciate Camden Mayor Jeffrey Graham, a CMS graduate, for giving the keynote remarks.  This [...]

The Follies….

Being the frustrated high school thespian that I am, I always enjoy my yearly foray onto the stage with the annual Fine Arts Center Follies.  This all-male show is the “artistic” (?) start to the Fine Arts Center’s year.  The show will go on (ready or not) this coming Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 8:00 p.m.  I can [...]