Board workshop Tuesday, school board candidate forum...

September 28, 2026 Board Information Budget workshop Tuesday The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold a budget workshop on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The agenda for the meeting is posted on the board’s website and can be accessed here. The workshop begins at 4 p.m. There will be no citizens' participation at this workshop. The workshop is open to the public and can be viewed on the district’s YouTube Channel. After the workshop, the district will post a link to a video of the workshop to its YouTube channel and its website. School Board Candidate Forum Students from the Center for Law and Global Policy Development invite community members to the Lexington One Board Candidate Forum on Wednesday, September 30, at 6:30 PM in the River Bluff High Cafeteria. Registration is required. Sign up here. Last week to register to vote for November election Voter Registration Deadline (in-person, unless county board holds weekend hours): Friday, October 2, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline (online): Sunday, October 4, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline (by mail) *must be postmarked by this date: Monday, October 5, 2026 Here's a quick link to check your registration status or register. Learn more about the Board Candidates Click here to learn more about the candidates running for Lexington One School Board in the upcoming General Election on Nov. 3, 2026. Crystal Baker Dana Homesley Joyce Joy Jordan Jack Eddie Lundeen Katie McCown Chris Rice Chris Shealy Shelton Yonce There are three seats on the Lexington One School Board up for election. District Information Celebrating our Lexington One principals October is National Principals Month, and we’re celebrating the leaders who help make our schools great places to learn, grow and belong. Our principals do a little bit of everything — supporting students and staff, connecting with families, visiting classrooms, solving problems and celebrating successes. Through it all, they help create welcoming school communities where students can thrive. Join us in thanking our principals for all they do! Helping students move, grow and thrive October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time to recognize the physical therapists who help Lexington One students move with greater confidence and independence. From navigating school spaces to building strength, coordination and mobility, our PTs help remove barriers so students can participate more fully in learning and school life. Their work is thoughtful, individualized and often behind the scenes — but the impact can be seen in every step forward. Thank you to our physical therapists for helping students keep moving toward their goals! SC READY science scores continue to climb Lexington One students are making strong gains in science — and we are proud of the progress happening across our schools. On the 2026 SC READY science assessment, 60% of Lexington One students met or exceeded grade-level expectations, compared with 52% statewide. Our sixth graders saw especially strong results, with 64% meeting or exceeding expectations. Since 2022, Lexington One’s science performance has increased 11 percentage points, from 49% to 60%. This progress reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and school teams, and the support families provide at home. Together, we are helping students build the knowledge, curiosity and problem-solving skills they need to keep growing. Want to learn more about how Lexington One students are performing? Watch Dr. Shane Phillips, director of assessment and accountability, share the latest student achievement results during the Sept. 15 Board meeting. Graduate Profile in Action 10 Lexington One seniors named National Merit Semifinalists Ten Lexington One seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, placing them among less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. Their achievement reflects several qualities of the Lexington One Graduate Profile — including being knowledgeable, independent learners and future-ready. Lexington High School: Michael Harmon River Bluff High School: Alan Amalorpavanathan, Braelyn M. Davis, Alena J. Goveas, Ella K. Gregory, Addy E. Leonardi, Rushaan T. Sotimagar, Nishita P. Upasani, Maelle K. Wong and Yunha Yim The students now have the opportunity to advance to the finalist level and compete for National Merit Scholarships. 240 Multilingual Learners reach the finish line Congratulations to the 240 Lexington One Multilingual Learners who met the S.C. English language proficiency criteria and are exiting the Multilingual Learner Program! These students excelled on the WIDA ACCESS test, scoring 4.4 or higher across reading, writing, listening and speaking. Hitting this milestone while keeping up with all of their regular classwork shows that our students are resilient, independent learners and exceptional communicators. Breaking Boundaries: Introducing River Bluff High’s female football receivers coach While at Coastal Carolina University, Meghan Ford worked alongside current River Bluff Head Football Coach Perry Parks. After graduation, she continued growing her experience through coaching roles with Harvard and Massachusetts Maritime football. Now as a football coach at River Bluff, Ford’s journey reflects the Graduate Profile in action — showing what it means to be a resilient, independent learner who turns experience, relationships and passion into future-ready opportunities. UPCOMING DATES September 29 — Board Workshop October 6 — Special Called Board Meeting 9 — No school for students/Teacher workday/Parent Teacher Conferences 12 — First Weather Make Up Day (holiday for students and staff if not needed for a make-up day) 20 — Board Meeting (WKHS PAC) 21 — ***Collaborative Planning November 3 — Election Day/Holiday 23–27 — Thanksgiving Break December 9 — ***Collaborative Planning 18 — Half Day for Student/End of Second Quarter/End of First Semester 21–31 — Winter Break 2026–27 Academic Calendar 2026–27 Academic Calendar (Spanish) ***Collaborative Planning Dismissal Schedule: Elementary Schools: 11:20 a.m. Middle Schools: — All but GMS at 12:05 p.m. — GMS at 12:15 p.m. High Schools: — LHS, WKHS and RBHS at 12:45 p.m. — PHS and GHS at 12:25 p.m.

Monday, Sep 28 2026

Lexington One board candidates, board meeting agenda...

September 15, 2026 Board Information Learn about the Board Candidates Click here to learn about the candidates running for the Lexington One School Board in the upcoming General Election on Nov. 3, 2026. There are three seats up for election. Voter registration deadlines for Nov. 3 Election In-person, unless county board holds weekend hours: Friday, October 2, 2026 Online: Sunday, October 4, 2026 Mail-in registration must be postmarked by: Monday, October 5, 2026 Here's a link to check your registration status or register. Lexington One Board of Trustees holds regular monthly meeting on September 15, 2026 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The agenda for the meeting is posted and can be viewed on the Lexington One Board of Trustees website. The regular monthly board meeting opens at 5:30 p.m., with the board voting to enter executive session. The public portion of the meeting will resume at 6 p.m. Citizens wishing to address the Board of Trustees during citizens’ participation — the public-speaking portion of the meeting — must sign up to speak. Sign-up opens at 5 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. You must be present to sign up to speak. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed here. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website. District News 💻 Need a Device? Lexington One Community Buyback sale opens Sept. 17 The Lexington One community will have the opportunity to purchase retired district Apple devices during our Community Buyback Sale, September 17–21. The sale gives our employees, families and community access to affordable technology while also supporting technology initiatives across Lexington One. Devices available through the program have been professionally tested, securely data-wiped and include a 90-day warranty. Inventory is available while supplies last. Preview the Community Buyback Sale here. Class of 2027 Graduation Dates Thursday, May 20, 2027 8 a.m. — White Knoll High School 12 p.m. — Pelion High School 4 p.m. — River Bluff High School Friday, May 21, 2027 8 a.m. — Lexington High School 12 p.m. — Gilbert High School All commencement ceremonies will be held at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. We invite families, friends and loved ones to join us as we celebrate the hard work, dedication and accomplishments of the Class of 2027. 👉 Explore our new Learn. Grow. Go. website. The site gives families a look at what students can expect in preschool, elementary, middle and high school — from those first learning experiences to turning interests into plans for the future. 👉 While checking out the site explore the updated Instructional Technology Family Hub. This site serves as a central resource in our partnership to help students grow into independent, future-ready learners. Lexington One's Digital Learning Coaches (DLCs) have given the instructional technology site a major update: Grade-Level Technology Overviews: Learn how technology is used to support teaching and learning at each grade level. How-To Guides: Easy, step-by-step instructions for using and troubleshooting Lexington One technology, devices and platforms. AI Fluency Guides: Resources for students in grades 6–12 to help them understand and use emerging digital tools responsibly. Accessibility Support: Helpful features, options and settings designed to make technology more accessible for every student. Graduate Profile in Action River Bluff High senior turns kindness into community impact River Bluff High School senior Alena Goveas is putting the Lexington One Graduate Profile into action through leadership, kindness and service to others. Alena was named the recipient of the 2026 R.D. Bennett Community Service Scholarship, a $5,000 award presented by The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina to a student whose service project demonstrates a strong “concern for community.” For her project, “Senior Summer Self-Care,” Alena planned and organized a wellness fair for residents at Lexington Medical Extended Care. She coordinated activities focused on physical, emotional, social, intellectual and financial wellness and secured more than $800 in donated snacks and refreshments. Her work reflects several Graduate Profile attributes, including being kind, personally and socially responsible, a communicator and a creative thinker and problem solver. Driven by Hope: Bea Arnold’s Story of Resilience Bea Arnold has served the Lexington One community as a school bus driver for more than 20 years. Each day, she works to make sure students feel safe, welcomed and valued. This year, Bea is celebrating 10 years of living with chronic myeloid leukemia, a slow-growing cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Although cancer remains part of her life, Bea has learned to see each day as a gift. Her experience has taught her to take chances, enjoy life more fully and keep moving forward through difficult moments. That resilience has shaped the way she faces her own challenges and how she encourages others. To help support cancer research and the development of new treatments, Bea created the “Bea-lieve in a Cure” team for the Light The Night Walk. She is especially inspired by children who are fighting leukemia and other blood cancers. Their strength and resilience motivate her to keep raising awareness and supporting the cause. Everyone who walks, donates or shares Bea’s message helps spread hope and reminds others that they do not have to face difficult times alone. Kindness is also an important part of Bea’s life. As a bus driver, she knows that one of her biggest responsibilities is showing up for students with patience, care and dependability. She takes time to greet students, ask about their interests and dreams, and learn more about what they enjoy at school. These small moments help students know they are seen, valued and cared for. Through the way she treats others, Bea hopes to be a positive example of personal and social responsibility. Whether she offers an encouraging word in the morning or a simple act of kindness, she looks for ways to make each student’s day a little brighter. Since her diagnosis, Bea has developed an even stronger sense of resilience and appreciation for life. Her message to Lexington One students and anyone facing a difficult challenge is simple: Take life one day — and sometimes one moment — at a time. Keep hoping, celebrate the small victories and make time for the people and activities that bring you peace. UPCOMING DATES September 15 — Board Meeting 16 — ***Collaborative Planning Day 29 — Board Workshop October 6 — Board Meeting 9 — No school for students/Teacher workday/Parent Teacher Conferences 12 — First Weather Make Up Day 20 — Board Meeting 2026–27 Academic Calendar 2026–27 Academic Calendar (Spanish) ***Collaborative Planning Dismissal Schedule: Elementary Schools: 11:20 a.m. Middle Schools: — All but GMS at 12:05 p.m. — GMS at 12:15 p.m. High Schools: — LHS, WKHS and RBHS at 12:45 p.m. — PHS and GHS at 12:25 p.m.

Tuesday, Sep 15 2026

Sept. 14 Inside Voice: Explore our new Learn. Grow. ...

September 14, 2026 Explore our new Learn. Grow. Go. Website What does learning look like from preschool through graduation in Lexington One? Explore our Learn. Grow. Go. website to see how students build knowledge, develop important skills and discover their interests at every stage of their Lexington One journey. The site gives families a look at what students can expect in preschool, elementary, middle and high school — from those first learning experiences to turning interests into plans for the future. Explore Learn. Grow. Go. Updated Instructional Technology Family Hub now available 💻 Lexington One's Digital Learning Coaches (DLCs) have given the Instructional Technology Family Hub a major update. Students and families will find: Grade-Level Technology Overviews: Learn how technology is used to support teaching and learning at each grade level. How-To Guides: Easy, step-by-step instructions for using and troubleshooting Lexington One technology, devices and platforms. AI Fluency Guides: Resources for students in grades 6–12 to help them understand and use emerging digital tools responsibly. Accessibility Support: Helpful features, options and settings designed to make technology more accessible for every student. eLearning Resources: Technical support and guidance to help families navigate remote and eLearning days. 👉 Explore the Instructional Technology Family Hub and bookmark it for quick access. This site serves as a central resource in our partnership to help students grow into independent, future-ready learners. Board Information Learn more about the Board Candidates Click here to learn more about the candidates running for Lexington One School Board in the upcoming General Election on Nov. 3, 2026. Crystal Baker Dana Homesley Joyce Joy Jordan Jack Eddie Lundeen Katie McCown Chris Rice Chris Shealy Shelton Yonce There are three seats on the Lexington One School Board up for election. Voter registration deadlines for Nov. 3 Election Voter Registration Deadline (in-person, unless county board holds weekend hours): Friday, October 2, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline (online): Sunday, October 4, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline (by mail) *must be postmarked by this date: Monday, October 5, 2026 Here's a quick link to check your registration status or register. Lexington One Board of Trustees holds regular monthly meeting on September 15, 2026 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The agenda for the meeting is posted and can be viewed on the Lexington One Board of Trustees website. The regular monthly board meeting opens at 5:30 p.m., with the board voting to enter executive session. The public portion of the meeting will resume at 6 p.m. Citizens wishing to address the Board of Trustees during citizens’ participation — the public-speaking portion of the meeting — must sign up to speak. Sign-up opens at 5 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. You must be present to sign up to speak. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed here. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website. Parent Information September kicks off Attendance Awareness Month in Lexington One! September is Attendance Awareness Month, but in Lexington One, the focus on showing up and staying engaged continues all year long. Regular attendance helps students stay connected to their learning, their teachers and their classmates. Even a few missed days can add up over time, making it harder for students to keep pace and feel connected at school. As we kick off Attendance Awareness this September, families can help by building strong routines, scheduling appointments outside the school day when possible and communicating with their school when challenges arise. Every school day is an opportunity to learn, grow and excel. Thank you for partnering with us to help students show up, stay connected and make every day count — all year long. 💻 Need a Device? Lexington One Community Buyback sale opens Sept. 17 Lexington One families will have the opportunity to purchase retired district Apple devices during our Community Buyback Sale, September 17–21. The sale gives families access to affordable technology while also supporting technology initiatives across Lexington One. Devices available through the program have been professionally tested, securely data-wiped and include a 90-day warranty. Inventory is available while supplies last. Shop the Community Buyback Sale here. Graduate Profile in Action River Bluff High senior turns kindness into community impact River Bluff High School senior Alena Goveas is putting the Lexington One Graduate Profile into action through leadership, kindness and service to others. Alena was named the recipient of the 2026 R.D. Bennett Community Service Scholarship, a $5,000 award presented by The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina to a student whose service project demonstrates a strong “concern for community.” For her project, “Senior Summer Self-Care,” Alena planned and organized a wellness fair for residents at Lexington Medical Extended Care. She coordinated activities focused on physical, emotional, social, intellectual and financial wellness and secured more than $800 in donated snacks and refreshments. Her work reflects several Graduate Profile attributes, including being kind, personally and socially responsible, a communicator and a creative thinker and problem solver. Most importantly, Alena used those skills to build connections and make a meaningful difference in her community. Congratulations, Alena, on this well-deserved recognition! UPCOMING DATES September 15 — Board Meeting 16 — ***Collaborative Planning Day 29 — Board Workshop October 6 — Board Meeting 9 — No school for students/Teacher workday/Parent Teacher Conferences 12 — First Weather Make Up Day 20 — Board Meeting 2026–27 Academic Calendar 2026–27 Academic Calendar (Spanish) ***Collaborative Planning Dismissal Schedule: Elementary Schools: 11:20 a.m. Middle Schools: — All but GMS at 12:05 p.m. — GMS at 12:15 p.m. High Schools: — LHS, WKHS and RBHS at 12:45 p.m. — PHS and GHS at 12:25 p.m.

Monday, Sep 14 2026

District safety update

District Safety Update Dear Lexington One Families and Employees, This week, families at one of our middle schools received two safety updates after weapons were found in students’ backpacks — a kitchen knife earlier in the week and a firearm yesterday. The incidents were unrelated, and law enforcement investigations found no evidence that threats were made against the school or anyone there. We know that two weapons incidents at one school in the same week are concerning. They may also cause students, employees and families across Lexington One to have questions about school safety and how we respond when a concern is reported or discovered. Most importantly, all students and employees are safe. We also recognize that anytime a weapon is brought onto a school campus, it can take an emotional toll on students, employees and families. We hope the information below provides some reassurance about the people, procedures and systems in place to keep our schools safe. We take any action that may compromise school safety seriously, and our response is immediate and coordinated. School safety is a shared responsibility. Thank you to our students who report concerns, our employees who respond, our law enforcement partners who support our schools and our families who continue these important conversations at home. Thank you for working with us to keep Lexington One schools safe, caring places where students can learn, grow and excel. Sincerely, Keith Price Superintendent How we respond When a serious safety concern occurs at one of our schools, that school does not respond alone. As we did in response to this week’s incidents, school administrators and the School Resource Officer receive immediate support from district administrators and other law enforcement personnel. Together, they assess the situation, take the steps needed to keep students and employees safe, support the school and determine what additional actions are needed. Every situation is different, but our commitment is the same: Take every concern seriously. Respond quickly. Put safety first. Layers of safety School safety involves much more than responding when something happens. Lexington One has multiple layers of safety and security in place across our district, including: School Resource Officers at every school. Our SROs are sworn law enforcement officers employed by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington Police Department or Pelion Police Department. They provide a visible law enforcement presence while also building relationships with students and employees. A dedicated district safety team. Lexington One has a Director of Safety and Emergency Services, two safety coordinators and a district-level team that supports our schools before, during and after safety incidents. They also ensure that our district follows all legal requirements for lockdown drills and include our law enforcement partners in all drills performed. Individual school safety plans. Every school has a detailed safety plan that is reviewed annually and includes procedures for a variety of situations. Tip Line. Lexington One has a districtwide Tip Line, accessible online, by telephone or by email, for students, their parents or staff to report school safety concerns or the improper use of district resources. Submit a report by calling or texting (803) 636-8317; filling out this form; or emailing 1607@alert1.us The CENTEGIX CrisisAlert system. We are beginning our third year using CENTEGIX to help employees quickly communicate when assistance is needed and support a rapid emergency response. Secure schools. Schools have controlled front entrances, visitor check-in procedures, security cameras and other safety measures. Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management teams. Each school has a team trained to assess concerning behavior and determine appropriate interventions and support before a situation escalates. We need help from the Lexington One family This week’s incidents also provide an important opportunity for families to talk with students. Weapons are not allowed at school. Students should never bring a gun, knife or other weapon onto school property. We encourage families to periodically check their child’s backpack, athletic bag and other belongings and remind students to do the same before coming to school. Students also need to understand that bringing a weapon to school carries serious consequences: Immediate suspension Recommendation for expulsion — Lexington One is required by state law (S.C. Code 59-63-235) to expel, for no less than one calendar year, any student who knowingly brings a firearm (gun) to school, who knowingly has a firearm on school property or who knowingly has a firearm while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property. Referral to law enforcement Just as important, students should tell an adult when something does not seem right. Our schools are filled with caring adults who are ready to listen and help. If a student sees or hears something concerning, feels unsafe or knows that someone may have a weapon, they should tell a teacher, administrator, counselor, School Resource Officer or another trusted adult immediately. Students who speak up help us respond quickly and help keep their classmates, teachers and schools safe. Another way we can take action together is by promoting secure gun storage so that children do not have access to weapons. The Be SMART program asks parents and caretakers, gun owners and non-gun owners alike, to ‘Be SMART’ and take these simple steps: Secure all guns in homes and vehicles Model responsible behavior around guns Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes your child visits Recognize the role of guns in suicide Tell your peers to Be SMART

Friday, Aug 28 2026

Lexington One named Best School District — Read abou...

🎉 We’re honored to be voted Best School District in the Free Times Best of Columbia 2026! Thank you to our Lexington One families and community for your support. Together, we’re guiding all students to learn, grow and excel. 💙 Board Information Board meeting on Tuesday, August 18 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The agenda for the meeting is posted and can be viewed on the Lexington One Board of Trustees website. The regular monthly board meeting opens at 5 p.m., with the board voting to enter executive session. The public portion of the meeting will resume at 6 p.m. Citizens wishing to address the Board of Trustees during citizens’ participation — the public-speaking portion of the meeting — must sign up to speak. Sign-up opens at 5 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. You must be present to sign up to speak. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed here. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website. Lexington Rotary fills the pantry, fuels the future Angelle LaBorde, Lexington Rotary president, and Rotarian Trent Loggins deliver donations for the Lexington One pantry to Lexington One McKinney-Vento Liaison Alma Puente-Ruiz and Spanish Interpreter Joyce Escalera. In addition to the items collected by members of Lexington Rotary, the Lexington Chamber's Women's Leadership Council donated items to the August service project for the local Rotary chapter. District News New State Law Changes How Grades Are Reported What changed: South Carolina law H. 5073 does not allow public schools or districts to use “grade floors.” A grade floor is a rule that sets the lowest grade a student can receive, even if the student earns a lower score. For Lexington One students, this means the previous minimum nine-weeks grade of 45 will no longer apply. If a student earns a grade below 45 for a nine-weeks grading period, that grade will be reported. Why it matters: Every assignment can affect a student’s overall grade. Missing or incomplete work can have a greater impact when there is no minimum grade. Students can stay on track by completing assignments, turning in work on time and asking for help when they need it. What families can do: Check PowerSchool Parent Portal regularly for grades and missing assignments. Checking throughout the grading period gives families time to ask questions and help students get back on track. Families, students and teachers all play a role in helping students learn, grow and excel. 📣 Now Registering: Family Engagement for PreK! Family Engagement for PreK is a 14-week program, designed for families of 3- and 4-year-olds who are not currently enrolled in a Lexington One PreK program. Families will participate in weekly learning experiences at school that help build confidence, strengthen early learning skills and prepare children for a successful start to school. Program highlights: Weekly family learning experiences at school Sessions offered during school hours No cost to participate Opportunities to build strong family-school partnerships Space is limited! Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit https://bit.ly/4gzkGJP to complete the interest form. Questions? Contact ashearer@lexington1.net or 803-821-1076. Celebrating progress across Lexington One Lexington One has some exciting news to celebrate. The South Carolina Department of Education recently released 2025–26 state assessment results, and Lexington One students posted gains across multiple assessments while outperforming the state in every reported area of SC READY, End-of-Course examinations and SC Career Readiness. A few highlights from this year’s results: English Language Arts: 69% of Lexington One students in Grades 3–8 met or exceeded standards — eight percentage points above the state. Mathematics: 55% of students met or exceeded the new state standards, with Lexington One outperforming the state at every grade level. End-of-Course exams: The percentage of students earning a C or higher increased in Biology 1, English 2 and U.S. History, including an eight percentage point increase in Biology 1. Career Readiness: Lexington One students once again outperformed the state in math, data, reading and soft skills, with district performance remaining stable or improving in every area. Read the district's complete news release here. Read the state's complete news release here. Just this week, State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver visited Carolina Springs Elementary to celebrate the remarkable success the school with test scores last year! Watch the video to learn more! What does the Lexington One Way mean? Listen to school administrators across the district to hear what the Lexington One Way means to them. Their answers highlight the shared commitment, connection and purpose that make Lexington One special! UPCOMING DATES August 18 — Board Meeting September 7 — Labor Day/Holiday for staff and students 15 — Board Meeting 16 — ***Collaborative Planning Day 29 — Board Workshop October 9 — No school for students/Teacher workday/Parent Teacher Conferences 12 — First Weather Make Up Day 20 — Board Meeting 2026–27 Academic Calendar 2026–27 Academic Calendar (Spanish) ***Collaborative Planning Dismissal Schedule: Elementary Schools: 11:20 a.m. Middle Schools: — All but GMS at 12:05 p.m. — GMS at 12:15 p.m. High Schools: — LHS, WKHS and RBHS at 12:45 p.m. — PHS and GHS at 12:25 p.m.

Monday, Aug 17 2026

Inside Voice: 🎉 Best School District Award, District...

🎉 We’re honored to be voted Best School District in the Free Times Best of Columbia 2026! Thank you to our Lexington One families and community for your support. Together, we’re guiding all students to learn, grow and excel. 💙 Parent Information It's time to pay school fees! As shared in our Back-to-School updates, we asked families to wait until now to pay class fees. This ensures schedules are finalized before any payments are made. With the third week of school underway, please take a moment to log in to PowerSchool’s Parent Portal to view and pay your student’s fees. Click for directions with screenshots. Important notes: If your child qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, you may be eligible for a fee reduction. Please check with your school's bookkeeper. For middle and high school students taking semester-long courses, fees shown now cover first semester (first and second nine weeks) only. Second semester (third and fourth nine weeks) fees will be posted in January, and we’ll send a reminder then. Lexington County School District One does not store or retain your credit card information. A trusted third party, RycorPay, securely processes all online fee transactions. If your account shows unpaid school fees from previous school years, those remain on your account until they’re paid or a fee waiver is approved. New State Law Changes How Grades Are Reported What changed: South Carolina law H. 5073 does not allow public schools or districts to use “grade floors.” A grade floor is a rule that sets the lowest grade a student can receive, even if the student earns a lower score. For Lexington One students, this means the previous minimum nine-weeks grade of 45 will no longer apply. If a student earns a grade below 45 for a nine-weeks grading period, that grade will be reported. Why it matters: Every assignment can affect a student’s overall grade. Missing or incomplete work can have a greater impact when there is no minimum grade. Students can stay on track by completing assignments, turning in work on time and asking for help when they need it. What families can do: Check PowerSchool Parent Portal regularly for grades and missing assignments. Checking throughout the grading period gives families time to ask questions and help students get back on track. Families, students and teachers all play a role in helping students learn, grow and excel. Customize Your ParentSquare Language and Notification Settings In ParentSquare, parents, guardians and employees can select a preferred language and choose how and when notifications are delivered. From a Web Browser Change your language: Click your name in the upper-right corner and select Manage account. Under Settings, select Language Settings. Choose your preferred language and click Save. Update notifications: Go to Manage account and select Notification Settings under Settings. Choose your preferences for: Posts: Instant, Digest, or Off Direct Messages: Email, Text, or App Alerts & Notices: On or Off From the ParentSquare App Change your language: Go to Menu → Account → Preferences → Language, then select your preferred language. Update notifications: Go to Menu → Notifications. Choose email, text, or app notifications and select Instant or Digest for email and text. Directory Information and Annual Notifications On August 10, Lexington One families received the annual notifications for the 2026-27 school year. In addition, families received communication explaining their right to restrict the release of their child's directory information (such as their name, photograph, grade level, honors, awards and participation in school activities). Click the links below to read and acknowledge the notifications. Directory Information Annual Notifications — 5K–2 Annual Notifications — 3–5 Annual Notifications — 6–8 Annual Notifications — 9–12 📣 Now Registering: Family Engagement for PreK! Family Engagement for PreK is a 14-week program, designed for families of 3- and 4-year-olds who are not currently enrolled in a Lexington One PreK program. Families will participate in weekly learning experiences at school that help build confidence, strengthen early learning skills and prepare children for a successful start to school. Program highlights: Weekly family learning experiences at school Sessions offered during school hours No cost to participate Opportunities to build strong family-school partnerships Space is limited! Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit https://bit.ly/4gzkGJP to complete the interest form. Questions? Contact ashearer@lexington1.net or 803-821-1076. Board Information Board meeting on Tuesday, August 18 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The agenda for the meeting is posted and can be viewed on the Lexington One Board of Trustees website. The regular monthly board meeting opens at 5 p.m., with the board voting to enter executive session. The public portion of the meeting will resume at 6 p.m. Citizens wishing to address the Board of Trustees during citizens’ participation — the public-speaking portion of the meeting — must sign up to speak. Sign-up opens at 5 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. You must be present to sign up to speak. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed here. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website. District News Celebrating progress across Lexington One Lexington One has some exciting news to celebrate. The South Carolina Department of Education recently released 2025–26 state assessment results, and Lexington One students posted gains across multiple assessments while outperforming the state in every reported area of SC READY, End-of-Course examinations and SC Career Readiness. A few highlights from this year’s results: English Language Arts: 69% of Lexington One students in Grades 3–8 met or exceeded standards — eight percentage points above the state. Mathematics: 55% of students met or exceeded the new state standards, with Lexington One outperforming the state at every grade level. End-of-Course exams: The percentage of students earning a C or higher increased in Biology 1, English 2 and U.S. History, including an eight percentage point increase in Biology 1. Career Readiness: Lexington One students once again outperformed the state in math, data, reading and soft skills, with district performance remaining stable or improving in every area. Read the district's complete news release here. Read the state's complete news release here. Just this week, State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver visited Carolina Springs Elementary to celebrate the remarkable success the school with test scores last year! Watch the video to learn more! What does the Lexington One Way mean? Listen to school administrators across the district to hear what the Lexington One Way means to them. Their answers highlight the shared commitment, connection and purpose that make Lexington One special! UPCOMING DATES August 18 — Board Meeting September 7 — Labor Day/Holiday for staff and students 15 — Board Meeting 16 — ***Collaborative Planning Day 29 — Board Workshop October 9 — No school for students/Teacher workday/Parent Teacher Conferences 12 — First Weather Make Up Day 20 — Board Meeting 2026–27 Academic Calendar 2026–27 Academic Calendar (Spanish) ***Collaborative Planning Dismissal Schedule: Elementary Schools: 11:20 a.m. Middle Schools: — All but GMS at 12:05 p.m. — GMS at 12:15 p.m. High Schools: — LHS, WKHS and RBHS at 12:45 p.m. — PHS and GHS at 12:25 p.m.

Monday, Aug 17 2026

🎉 Welcome Back, Lexington One! 🚌💙

Welcome Back to School! As we kick off a brand-new school year, Superintendent Dr. Keith Price has a special welcome message for our Lexington One family. Whether you're returning or joining us for the first time, we invite you to take a few moments to hear his thoughts as we prepare for another year of learning, growth and opportunity.

Tuesday, Aug 04 2026

☀️ Soak Up the Last Week of Summer — We'll See You N...

Can you believe it's almost August? It's time to get ready for the first day of school — August 4! This is the third edition of our Back-to-School Newsletter, designed to help Lexington One families and employees ease into the new school year with confidence. Patience is also key to a smooth start of the new school year. During the first week or so of school, traffic will be extra heavy and and there will be back-ups. Buses will run behind. In those times, we can help improve our circumstances by practicing Lexington One Graduate Profile skills such as kindness, resiliency and collaboration. Thank you for taking a few moments to review the information below. New information in this issue: Technology with purpose New Faces/New Places/New Roles Classes in ParentSquare Info from past issues Student fees reminder Bus transportation information Free and reduced-price meal applications 4K and 5K staggered start details Annual Registration reminders Upcoming dates New Information Technology with purpose Across South Carolina, state leaders are putting a sharper focus on the effects of technology use on children. What to know: Lexington One’s Instructional Technology Belief Statements were developed to help inform how technology is used to enhance teaching and learning, with feedback from district advisory councils and alignment to the district’s instructional framework and graduate profile. The big picture: These beliefs reinforce a simple idea: technology is a tool, not a teacher. They are designed to keep learning human-centered, age-appropriate and grounded in strong relationships between students and educators. They also emphasize purposeful, high quality use of technology. Across grade levels: K-2: Short, guided use that supports hands-on learning — majority of learning screen-free Grades 3-5: Structured use that builds skills, creativity and independence —engage with digital tools more frequently, but still within clear limits and under teacher guidance Grades 6-8: Teachers guide purposeful and balanced technology use that supports inquiry, critical thinking and academic growth Grades 9-12: Teachers remain central to instruction as students use digital tools to create, solve real-world problems and prepare for success after high school More to come: The district’s Academics website is getting a make-over. The new site will feature a “Learn, Grow and Go” section for each level (elementary, middle and high). Information about the district’s technology beliefs and the skills we want to help students develop will be featured in each “Grow” section. Coming Soon: New Faces/New Places/New Roles Click here to meet the new faces to the Lexington One family as well as the individuals stepping into new roles and new places! Classes are visible in ParentSquare ParentSquare class pages are now live, which means your child's teacher may begin reaching out before the first day of school to help your family get ready for a great year. Keep an eye out for: 👋 A welcome message from your child's teacher 📅 Important back-to-school information, including classroom expectations, supply reminders and upcoming events 📣 Updates and announcements to help you stay informed throughout the school year To make sure you don't miss a message: 📱 Download the free ParentSquare app if you haven't already. ⚙️ Review your notification preferences to choose how and when you'd like to receive updates. ✅ Confirm your contact information is up to date. Make sure to verify your ParentSquare! Your ParentSquare account is the best way to receive updates from your child’s school and send direct messages to teachers. But first, make sure you’ve verified your account to stay connected. What to do: Find the email from your school and click to get started, or: Go to parentsquare.com/signin (or install the ParentSquare app) and follow the prompts to sign up. Use Google single sign-on, your email or your phone number to set up your account. Your email/phone number must match the contact details in the school’s database for this to work! If your contact details aren’t recognized, contact your school administrator to get them added. After they update your information in their database, the new contact details will appear in ParentSquare after the next daily sync, and you will be able to verify your account. Note: After you are added to ParentSquare by your school, you will receive school communications even if you have not verified your account. However, you will need to verify your account in order to participate in two-way communications and to access any confidential student-specific documents or forms. Once you have logged in, you may need to confirm some details: If you have unverified contact information, you will see one or more contact cards under, “Action Required: Confirm Your Account Information.” Note: You can also click “Confirm Contact Info” on your Account page to start the process. Confirm Email and/or Phone. A verification code will be sent to the email or phone number. Enter this verification code in ParentSquare to confirm. Confirm Child(ren). Confirm your name and school affiliations by clicking Yes, this is me. Important note about school fees Remember, you will pay any class fees for the 2026–27 school year the week of August 17 to ensure the fees match your student’s final schedule. So for now, no need to worry—we’ll send a reminder on August 18 when it’s time to log in and take care of those fees. One exception: If your account shows unpaid school fees from the 2025–26 school year, those remain on your account until they’re paid or a fee waiver is approved. Any outstanding meal balances from last school year are shown in LINQ Connect. You can pay past-due fees at any time. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school for assistance. Useful Information to Save Apps for Parents School Start and End Times 2026–27 Student Handbook Bus Transportation Information If your child will be a bus rider for the 2026–27 school year, it's very important for you to review the following info: Check your student’s bus number, bus stop locations and pick-up/drop-off times in Parent Portal Log in to Parent Portal. Under the Navigation menu on the left-hand side of the screen, click on the Bus Info icon. Review your student’s bus information in the table on the screen that looks similar to the table below. ** Important Note regarding special needs routes: Bus information for our special needs routes will not be listed in ParentPortal at this time. The team working on those routes, both drivers and hub dispatchers, will contact parents directly once the routes are finalized. Next steps If your student’s bus information is listed in the table, please make sure you log into the Parent Portal a few more times before school starts as pick-up and drop-off times will most likely change between now and the start of school. At a minimum, please make sure you check the times on August 3 (the day before school starts). If you have questions about the bus information listed, click here for contact information for our bus hubs. If there is no information listed in any of the fields, complete annual registration in FinalForms. Your child can not be assigned a bus until annual registration is completed. Click here for information on how to complete annual registration. Meal Applications Free & Reduced-Price Meal Applications Now Open for 2026–27 Free and reduced-price meal applications for the 2026–27 school year are now open as of July 1, 2026! Families must reapply each school year unless they receive Direct Certification. Last year’s benefits will expire after the first 30 school days, so don’t delay. If your student(s) attend Forts Pond Elementary, Pelion Elementary, Pelion Middle or Pelion High you do not need to complete an application. Click here to apply online! Fast, secure and available in multiple languages One application per household Income-based eligibility If you need a paper application, they will be available in the front office of your child’s school beginning July 15, 2026. Questions? Please contact the Office of Food Service and Nutrition at (803) 821-3940. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Updates for 4K and 5K families 4K and 5K Staggered Start Schedule for the 2026–27 School Year To ensure a smooth transition for our youngest learners, ALL Lexington One 4- and 5-year-old kindergarten students will participate in a staggered start schedule. Here are the details: Tuesday, August 4, 2026: ONLY students with last names beginning with A–G attend school Wednesday, August 5, 2026: ONLY students with last names beginning with H–O attend school Thursday, August 6, 2026: ONLY students with last names beginning with P–Z attend school Please note these are full days. Starting Friday, August 7, ALL 4- and 5-year-old kindergarten students will attend school on a regular daily schedule. The staggered start creates an opportunity for our teachers to foster a more personal and supportive environment. This setting enhances community building and allows for more focused attention on each student’s strengths and needs through individual assessments. Should you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's school directly. Other Useful Information Can we get to 100% complete for annual registration? What's happening We are getting closer to having 100% of our students with completed annual registration forms! How to help Log in to FinalForms to confirm that the process has been completed for your student(s). On the My Status screen check for "Eligible" listed to the left of your student's name under "Status." If you see "Incomplete Forms" under Status, please click the box to complete the process. Why it matters A successful school year for students, teachers, families and our schools begins with having up to do date information. This quick and easy process makes sure we know: ✅ How to get in touch with parents/guardians in an emergency ✅ About students' current medical conditions ✅ Who needs to be picked up and/or taken home by a school bus UPCOMING DATES August 4 — First day for students (except 4K and 5K students, who will follow a staggered start) 18 — Regular Monthly Board Meeting 2026–27 Academic Calendar 2026–27 Academic Calendar (Spanish)

Tuesday, Jul 28 2026

July Board Meeting Recap

Board Meeting Recap July 21, 2026 New member takes oath Shelton Yonce, Lexington One’s newly elected Board of Trustees, took the Oath of Office, which was administered by the Honorable Matthew Johnson, chief magistrate for District 5 of Lexington County. Mr. Yonce was elected to serve on the Lexington One Board of Trustees to finish a vacant term that expires in November 2026. Action items ✅ Approved 26 certified staff and 4 administrative staff recommendations for the 2026–27 school year ✅ Approved the consent agenda excluding the minutes for the June 16 meeting ✅ Approved amended minutes for the June 16 meeting ✅ Approved a grant utility easement to allow the Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission access along the western property boundary of Lexington High School on Olde Farm Road. This will not affect district operations. New Business Jennifer Miller, the district's chief financial officer, presented the Minority Business Report in accordance with Section 5240 of the District's procurement code. View the report. Policies First reading of policy revisions — The following revised policies were presented to the Board for first reading: Policy JFAB Admission of Nonresident Students, JFAB-R Admission of Nonresident Students (Interdistrict Transfers) Second readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were approved by the Board: Policy JICFAA and Policy JICFAA-R Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying Upcoming Board Meetings Regular Monthly Meeting — August 18

Monday, Jul 27 2026

Inside Voice: Board Meeting, Support Organizations T...

Board Information Board of Trustees holds regular monthly meeting on July 21 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The agenda for the meeting is posted and can be viewed on the Lexington One Board of Trustees website. Lexington One’s newly elected Board of Trustees member, Shelton Yonce, will take the Oath of Office at 5 p.m. In the June 23 Special Election, Mr. Yonce was elected to serve on the Lexington One Board of Trustees to finish a vacant term that expires in November 2026. The regular monthly board meeting opens at 5:30 p.m., with the board voting to enter executive session. The public portion of the meeting will resume at 6 p.m. Citizens wishing to address the Board of Trustees during citizens’ participation — the public-speaking portion of the meeting — must sign up to speak. Sign-up opens at 5 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. You must be present to sign up to speak. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed here. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website. For our support groups Support Organizations Training Opportunity – Aug. 24 Lexington One invites members of our schools' Support Organizations (PTAs, PTOs, booster clubs and similar groups) to attend a free training designed to help nonprofit organizations operate successfully and stay in compliance. When: Monday, August 24, 2026, at 6 p.m. Where: Central Services Auditorium, 100 Tarrar Springs Road, Lexington Presented by Mauldin & Jenkins and the South Carolina Secretary of State's Office, this session will feature Kim Wickersham, director of the Public Charities Division, who will share practical guidance on nonprofit compliance, governance, financial oversight and best practices.

Monday, Jul 20 2026