In preparation for the new school year, the SCCPSS Communications Department invited all media to A.B. Williams Elementary to hear from District leadership about plans for the new school year.
Bernadette Ball-Oliver, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, shared news of the new Learning Management System, BrightSpace. Brightspace is designed with students in mind and offers all the features and support needed to reimagine blended learning at every grade level. BrighSpace is a cloud-based LMS that helps K-12 districts deliver high-quality, personalized learning experiences and provides educators with the tools they need to succeed. Ball-Oliver also covered the new literacy initiative and new math standards.
Deputy Superintendent Vanessa Miller-Kaigler provided an update on transportation, school nutrition and maintenance. “One of the most exciting advances we are able to offer our students and families this year is a new 'rider ID' system. Students will swipe on and off the bus with their student ID, enhancing rider safety and providing an additional layer of security should a student miss the bus or disembark at a stop other than their usual stop," said Mrs. Miller-Kaigler. “This new feature is in addition to the Here Comes The Bus app, which provides location services for buses, so parents and students can tell when the bus is about to arrive at their stop."
In addition, the School Nutrition Program announced a change from previous years to the Free/Reduced lunch program. Thanks to a move by the Georgia Department of Education, students who have received a reduced lunch price in the past will receive free lunch this year, rather than a reduced price. All parents are urged to fill out the application online and take advantage of this program. Breakfast will continue to be at no charge to students and will be available as students arrive at school each morning.
Staffing for all positions was covered by Chief Human Resources Officer Ramon Ray, and he underscored the staffing shortages facing many school districts, including transportation, maintenance, and campus police. He described aggressive recruitment marketing campaigns, with an emphasis on bilingual candidates.
Campus security is on everyone's mind and Chief Terry Enoch reminded everyone to “Stay Ready so you don't have to Get Ready!" Whether walking to school, riding the bus or being dropped off by parents, students must be aware of their surroundings and practice safety each day. Enoch reinforced the District's commitment to safety at all events – in-school, athletics, field trips and more – and shared tips for parents and students.
Most all media outlets were in attendance so be sure to watch for these and other stories in the days leading up to the first day of school, August 3.
