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Randy Williams is awarded as a WEHS Scholar of the Month at the Nov. 3 BCCSD meeting.
Williston-Elko band director Jessica Pym highlights the recent accomplishments of the Blue Devils marching band at the Nov. 3 BCCSD meeting.
Members of the Blue Devils marching band are recognized for their acceptance as Newberry Honor Band Scholars. From left to right: Jason Edwards, Seth Dorn, Blake Garrett, Colby Baker, Gabe Refugia, and Rashadd Jackson.
WEHS student Gabe Refugia is recognized as the second student to hold an IT apprenticeship with the district by BCCSD career facilitator, Cathy Smith.
MEMS Assistant Principal Chelsea Calhoun awards Amonya Smalls as an October Student of the Month.
MEMS Assistant Principal Chelsea Calhoun awards Nazyia Bagley as an October Student of the Month at BHHS.
BHHS student Dionnitay Allen is named an October Student of the Month and stands with Assistant Principal Chelsea Calhoun.
BHHS student Jamari Parker is an October Student of the Month. Shown with MEMS Assistant Principal Chelsea Calhoun.
BHHS student Tamaya James is named an October Student of the Month and stands with Macedonia Elementary-Middle School Assistant Principal Chelsea Calhoun.
Macedonia Elementary-Middle School student Ja’Nyla Donaldson is named an October Student of the Month at the Barnwell Consolidated School Board’s Nov. 3 meeting.
Macedonia Elementary-Middle School student Sanaa Jenkins is named an October Student of the Month at the Barnwell Consolidated School Board’s Nov. 3 meeting.
Macedonia Elementary-Middle School student Rainey Priester stands with MEMS Assistant Principal Chelsea Calhoun to be recognized as an Oct. Student of the Month.
MEMS student Jace Bryant is named an October Student of the Month at the Barnwell Consolidated School Board’s Nov. 3 meeting.
Kelly Edwards Elementary School students were recognized for portraying the character trait respect at the BCCSD Board Meeting.
Wesley Warren, who is pictured with WEMS Counselor Nancy Brady-Wood, is named an October Student of the Month at WEMS for displaying the character trait ‘respect.’
Natalee Bruner, pictured with WEMS Counselor Nancy Brady-Wood, is named an October Student of the Month at WEMS for displaying the character trait ‘respect.’
I’yana Robinson is awarded as a WEHS October Student of the Month at the Nov. 3 BCCSD meeting.
Markel Sanders is awarded as an WEHS October Student of the Month at the Nov. 3 BCCSD meeting.
The Barnwell County Consolidated School Board (BCCSD) held one of their last meetings with its current board members before the upcoming general election.
Meeting Schedule
The BCCSD voted in approval to change their meeting time from the second and fourth Tuesday of every month to the fourth Monday of each month.
Pickleball at BHHS
The construction of pickleball courts at Blackville-Hilda High School (BHHS) were approved by the board after Axis I Director Pam Rush detailed the addition of four courts funded through the HEALing Partners coalition.
There are currently two tennis courts at BHHS. The plan is to convert one of the tennis courts into four pickleball courts. The dimensions of a pickleball court are smaller than that of a tennis court, making one side of a tennis court able to transform into two separate pickleball courts.
Rush describes this as, “just another way to expand opportunities in the community for safe play.”
When the BCCSD board went to a vote on the decision, Fonda Patrick recused prior to the vote because she is a member of the HEALing Partners coalition.
Band Recognition
Williston-Elko High School (WEHS) band director Jessica Pym introduced the Blue Devil Marching Band students who were selected as Newberry Honor Band Scholars; Jason Edwards, Seth Dorn, Blake Garrett, Colby Baker, Stephen Branham, Gabe Refugia, and Rashadd Jackson.
As Newberry Honor Band Scholars, they participate in collegiate level marching band at Newberry College.
Pym also recognized the WEHS band for their accomplishments at the Silver Spirit Invitational where they placed first.
“I have the distinct privilege of working with the finest ladies and gentlemen in the district,” said Pym about her band students.
Policy Reading
The BCCSD board conducted the first reading of policies pertaining to conducting fundraisers, contests, and interscholastic activities.
Fundraising guidelines such as ensuring the fundraiser contributes to the school’s overall mission, is principal approval, volunteers are welcome, and it will not involve unnecessary risk were a few terms in the policy.
Policy JJF detailing student activities funds set forth procedures for using athletic, student organization, or other activity funds. It requires the principal to approve all expenditures in advance and the funds only be used for approved activities.
If a club or organization fizzles out due to lack of interest but still has a remaining fund, it will be added to the district’s general fund. Activity funds of a specific club or organization will roll over each year.
Policy JJG details the rules for contests such as a definite educational value, can be integrated into the regular instructional program, and student participation is voluntary.
Interscholastic Athletics are addressed in JJI, most of which are set by the South Carolina High School League which governs interscholastic athletics. This policy gives the High School League jurisdiction in any High School League Sport like volleyball, football, or cheerleading.
These policies are on their first reading, meaning the board can make edits and changes to this policy before adopting it into their permanent policy.
Student Recognition
Gabe Refugia was recognized for being accepted as the district’s IT apprentice by BCCSD career facilitator, Cathy Smith. Refugia is the second BCCSD student to hold this apprenticeship.
Blue Devils Marching Band Drum Major Jason Edwards was named a Rotary Scholar-of-the-Month at WEHS. Joseph Simmons was named the Rotary Scholar-of-the-Month at BHHS.
October Students of the Month were recognized at each school within the district. Each student was selected because of their display of the character trait of the month which was respect.
At Macedonia Middle-Elementary School (MEMS), students recognized were Jace Bryant, Shaniya Bing, Rainey Priester, Sanaa Jenkins, Ja’Nyla Donaldson, and Dareal Webster.
At BHHS, October’s respectful students were Bryce Tucker, Joseph Simmons, Tamaya James, Jamari Parker, Jalen Brown, Dionnitay Allen, Naziyia Bagley, and Amonya Smalls.
At Williston-Elko Middle School (WEMS), Natalee Bruner, Wesley Warren, and Lee’Asja Williams were recognized for their portrayal of the district’s character trait of the month.
Randy Williams, Rasan Houston, Markel Sanders, I’yana Robinson, and Cadence Brown were nominated as respectful students at WEHS.
