
For the first time, SAFY & Children’s Trust of South Carolina will be offering the Strengthening Families Program to families in Pickens County for the SUMMER of 2025! This is a completely FREE program that serves families in our community.
Here are some of the amazing benefits of this program:
FREE family meal
FREE gas card incentive
FREE transportation via cab/Uber if needed
Weekly gift cards & raffle prizes
Weekly incentives/gifts
Topics Covered:
Problem solving
Communication
Positive parenting
Relationships/Bonding
Drugs/Alcohol dangers
Safety
Responsibilities


SC Ready


Spring Testing Dates for iReady and SC Ready:
Students in K5 through 5th grade will take the iReady assessment during one of the following windows:
Grades 3-5: March 31 - April 4
Grades K-2: April 22 - April 30
State Testing (SC READY) for Grades 3-5
Students in grades 3 through 5 will take the SC READY state assessments on the following dates. Please ensure that all appointments are scheduled around these testing dates, as we need all students present during the testing period.
April 28: Reading Part A
April 29: Reading Part B
May 1: Writing
May 6: Math
May 8: Science (4th grade only)


Awards Day


GT testing dates:
2nd and 3rd grades: Feb. 19 and 20
4th and 5th grades: Feb. 26 and 27
Make ups: Feb. 21 and 28
If your child is participating in this testing, they received a letter from the school.


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


🎉 4K Applications & 5K Registration Now Open! 🎉
The time has come! 4K applications and 5K enrollment for the 2025-26 school year are officially open.
📌 Learn more & register today: www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/pre-k-information-page
✨ New for 2025-26! We're excited to enhance our preschool programs across the district. Read about these important updates here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/1937097


📢Coming soon: 2025 Pre-K & 5K Registration! 📢
Do you have a rising 4K or 5K student ready to start their learning journey? Mark your calendars, registration opens TOMORROW, January 17, 2025!
✅4K Applications - Learn about eligibility and how to apply
✅5K Enrollment - get ready for kindergarten at SDPC
📌Learn more & Register here: www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/pre-k-information-page
NOTE: If you have completed any form prior to January 17., 2025, it will need to be resubmitted once registration opens.
🎉New for 2025-26! Our Preschool programs are evolving to better serve young learners. Read about these exciting updates: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/1937097
Tag a friend who needs this info! 🎒📚
#engagingtoday #empoweringtomorrow


SDPC will operate on a two-hour delay on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, due to the danger of ice on secondary roads. No buses will travel on icy roads. High school students should check Schoology for adjusted schedules. Details:: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/196018


📱 Revised Personal Electronic Device Policy: Beginning January 2025 📱
Under a new South Carolina policy, schools are required to limit students' access to cell phones and other personal devices during the school day. The School District of Pickens County has adopted a revised Personal Electronic Device Policy to comply with state law (Budget Proviso 1.103).
✔️Devices must be silenced and stored in lockers, backpacks, or other designated areas throughout the instructional time.
✔️Devices include but are not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and gaming devices.
We encourage parents to discuss this policy with their children and support its implementation when we return in January. Thank you for partnering with us as we implement this required policy.
Please visit this site for detailed information [www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/sdpc-cell-phone-policy].


Ambler students, Andy McJunkin and Ann Alyse Taylor, achieved a PERFECT score on the SC READY Math assessment! They are shown here with their mothers, BreAnna McJunkin and Patty Taylor, alongside their outstanding math teacher, Michelle Conley! WAY TO GO!!


Reminder: There will be no school for students on Monday and Tuesday of next week, as we have an extended holiday.
No School:
- Monday, Oct. 14, 2024
- Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 (Teacher Professional Development day)
These days are planned breaks on the 2024-2025 calendar. You can view the current calendar and future calendar drafts here: [www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/spdc-calendars]


Please fill out the following form if you and your child plan to attend Ambler's Cub Corner.
https://forms.gle/YDF8amasEgdd1XWE9


Your child will receive their results from the iReady diagnostic assessment the week of Sept. 9th. Below are helpful links to explain the results.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LOvnzCEqm2bd4VLfJtRKI02DVYOQv7BT/view
https://i-readycentral.com/view-resource/?id=42513