🌟 Inside Voice: 🗓️ Board Meeting on Tuesday, 🎉New Pr...

2025–26 General Fund Budget First reading — April 22, 2025 Click here to access information about the First Reading shared in the Board Recap post. This includes details about the Board's vote to give preliminary approval of the Salary Study Committee's recommendations contingent upon final approval of the 2025–26 General Fund Budget. Recommendations include but are not limited to: Certified salary schedule: New starting salary: $52,000 Steps 0–5: 1.5% increase per step Steps 6–40: 1.1% increase per step Support staff salary schedule Increase starting pay by 3% Increase of 1.7% between steps Second reading — May 20, 2025 Public Hearing and Third Reading — June 10, 2025 Board Meeting on May 6 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold a brief business meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The agenda will be posted later today (Friday, May 2) on Board Docs. The meeting begins at 8 a.m., with the board voting to enter executive session. The public portion of the meeting will resume immediately after executive session. There will be no citizens’ participation at this meeting. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website. Board Subcommittee Meeting on May 6 A Lexington One Board of Trustees’ subcommittee will meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., in the auditorium in Building One of Central Services, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington, South Carolina. The subcommittee, comprised of Board of Trustees Members Kathryn McCown and Nicholas Pizzuti, and Board Secretary Christopher Rice, will meet with district administrators, including staff from the Lexington One Procurement Office, to develop an RFP for an audit of the 2018 Bond Referendum.  Agenda, May 6, 2025 Review Draft of Scope of Work Approve Scope of Work Next Steps   Allison to serve at WKES's principal Lexington County School District One proudly announces that, effective July 1, 2025, Bridget A. Allison will serve as the new principal of White Knoll Elementary. The Board of Trustees approved this personnel recommendation during its April 29, 2025, business meeting.  Bridget A. Allison With 17 years of experience in public education, Ms. Allison brings a deep commitment to student growth and a strong record of instructional leadership. She currently serves as an assistant principal at Hyatt Park Elementary, a Title I school in Richland School District One. Ms. Allison has spent the last decade helping educators refine their practice — first as a literacy instructional coach and now as a school administrator. Her expertise in data-driven instruction and student-centered support systems has made a tangible difference in the schools she’s served. Ms. Allison holds a Master of Education in educational leadership from the American College of Education and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from South Carolina State University. Her certification areas include elementary principal, early childhood and elementary education, and she holds endorsements in literacy coaching and gifted and talented education.   Updates on Demographics & Facilities Studies Now Online Lexington One is proactively addressing the future of its facilities through a comprehensive study conducted by external professional contractors. This initiative, launched in the fall of 2024, aims to provide a clear understanding of the current state of all district-owned buildings and properties, offering data-driven insights for future planning and investment. To help keep our students, employees, families and community members informed about this process, information is being posted on our website. By clicking here you will find information related to the ongoing studies that help us plan for the future needs of our growing district.   Hats off to the Class of 2025! Lexington County School District One is excited to announce the graduation details for the Class of 2025! Graduation ceremonies for Gilbert High, Lexington High, Pelion High, River Bluff High and White Knoll High will be held at the University of South Carolina's Colonial Life Arena on May 21 and May 23 2025. Dates and Times: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 River Bluff High School — 8 a.m. Pelion High School — 12 p.m. White Knoll High School — 4 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2025 Lexington High School — 12 p.m. Gilbert High School — 4 p.m. Guest Policy: Clear bags are required, and there are no limits on the number of guests allowed. Click here for details about Lexington One's graduation ceremonies. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with our graduates and their families! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Lexington One loves our teachers! May 5–9 is Teacher Appreciation Week, a week-long event dedicated to recognizing and honoring the dedication and hard work of educators. It's a time to show appreciation for the vital role teachers play in shaping the lives of students, families, and communities! Honor your amazing teachers this May! Thank your favorite teacher for helping you grow as a student! The Lexington One Educational Foundation gives families the chance to show their appreciation to their teachers by donating in their honor to the Educational Foundation. Although Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5–9, 2025, the Foundation is celebrating our awesome Lexington One teachers during the whole month of May! Make a donation anytime from now until the end of the school year, and the Foundation will help you thank your child’s terrific teachers! The Foundation offers two levels of giving for families to consider when honoring a special teacher: $15 Honorarium – Your child’s teacher will receive: Personalized Note of Appreciation from your child $25 Honorarium – Your child’s teacher will receive: Personalized Note of Appreciation from your child AND a Social Media* “Shout Out” on the foundation’s Facebook, Instagram & X apps. *Note that a Social Media “Shout Out” will not include your child’s name on it due to privacy concerns. Click here to donate. Once you submit the form you will see a link for an online payment or you can pay through our Donate button.  Questions? Please contact Educational Foundation staff Tracy Rouillard (trouillard@lexington1.net) or Heather Johnson (hyjohnson@lexington1.net/ 803-821-1288).   Thank you, School Lunch Workers! Lexington One celebrates our school lunch workers with School Lunch Superhero Day on May 2. We are so thankful for our school nutrition professionals, like the team at White Knoll High School pictured below, and the difference they make every day! Between preparing healthy meals for Lexington One students, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, school nutrition professionals are true heroes.   Happy School Nurse Day! May 7 is School Nurse Day, and Lexington One School Nurses play a critical role in supporting the health, wellness, and academic success of our students. Each day, our school nurses, like Meadow Glen Elementary's Rebekah Bennett and Lexington Elementary's Courtney Fick, play a vital role in improving attendance and supporting student wellness. We couldn't do what we do without them!   May 1–7 is National Physical Education and Sport Week This week is National Physical Education and Sport Week, a celebration of the importance of physical education and health education! Engaging in physical education helps students develop essential motor skills, personal and social skills, and core character values such as resilience, fairness and respect. We are so thankful for our health and physical education teachers and coaches! Important Information for Families 4K and 5K Staggered Start Schedule for the 2025–26 School Year To ensure a smooth transition for our youngest learners, ALL Lexington One four- and five-year-old kindergarten students will participate in a staggered start schedule. Here are the details:  Monday, August 4, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with A–G attend school Tuesday, August 5, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with H–O attend school Wednesday, August 6, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with P–Z attend school Please note these are full days. Starting Thursday, August 7, ALL four- and five-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.   Public Review of South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency Standards The updated South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency Standards are now available for public review and feedback. Parents and community members can review the draft document on the South Carolina Department of Education's website and share feedback via this form by 5 p.m. on May 30, 2025.   Save the date for the Parent Connections SEPAC Conference Don't miss the Parent Connections SEPAC Conference on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the White Knoll High Performing Arts Center! This is a fantastic opportunity to get information on services to help for students with special needs. Hosted by the Lexington One Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), this conference aims to connect parents of students with special needs with valuable resources and support. Click here to register.   Upcoming Triple P Seminar: Helping Children Deal with Bullying Mark your calendars for our next Triple P Seminar: Helping Children Deal With Bullying on Thursday, May 8, from 6–7:30 p.m. at North Lake Community Learning Center. This seminar aims to equip parents and guardians with strategies to support their children in navigating peer relationships, preventing bullying, and managing conflict. The seminar will explore proactive approaches and offer valuable insights into fostering resilience in children facing bullying situations. Can't make it in person? Attend the virtual seminar on May 13, 2025.   Apply for the Maxwell Leadership Foundation’s Student Ambassador Program Is your high school student passionate about leadership and making a difference? The Office of Student and Community Engagement, in partnership with the Maxwell Leadership Foundation, is offering an exciting opportunity to become a Maxwell Leadership Student Ambassador (MLSA). This unique program will equip your student with durable life skills essential for college, career and military success. South Carolina is one of only four states hosting this training this year! Applications are being accepted now through May 12. Click here to apply Accepted students will participate in an in-person workshop on Tuesday, July 15, followed by monthly virtual coaching sessions, valuable networking opportunities, and chances to practice leadership and service. Cost is $150 for the year (financial assistance available) For questions, please contact Mandy Roberts at mroberts@ed.sc.gov. Profile Spotlight Highlighting the Graduate Profile in Action! LTC's 5C Awards Connect Core Values to Graduate Success Lexington Technical Center (LTC) celebrated students embodying its core values – Character, Community, Craftsmanship, Creativity and Career Preparation – at its annual 5C Awards luncheon on April 3, 2025. Teachers nominated students who demonstrated these qualities, explaining their selections at the event. This year, each "C" was linked to Lexington One's Graduate Profile Competencies, highlighting the positive impact of these traits. The 2025 LTC 5C Award recipients include: Career Preparation — John Atkinson, LeeAnn Dalton, Addison Feary, Mary Ella Harvey, Addie Porth and Kaelyn Terminie Character — Cynthia Aranda Ojeda, Bellatrix Catoe, Emersin Clamp, Aline Collinsworth, Aaliyah Cook, Stephen Crawford, E. McKinnen Geiser, Anna Goodwin, Justin Morst, Salma Natsheh, Antuan Morris, Sydney Spooner and Katherine Voegele Community — Karla Castrejon-Arroyo, William Dannels, Lazaro Mejia, Claire Prater, Abby Sane, Piper Sestito Craftsmanship — Mary Anna Baker, Logan Crow, Noah Drafts, Abigail Dobson, Jenna Durstine, Andrew Georgia, Britni Plath, Kathryn Prickett and Jayda Williams Creativity — Shakty Arrieta-Lopez, Chloe Brannen, Johnathan Burns, Caroline Locklair, Mark Ullman and Yohanna Watson LTC students fly high with new drone licenses Congratulations to Lexington Technology Center students who recently earned their FAA Drones Licenses! Ready to fly are students Gary Blankenship, Ishaan Bolar, Daniel Butler, Angad Cheema, Salma Natsheh, Thalia Nieto, Ved Patel, Aaron Sharp, Nathan Stone, Trace Vermullen, David Wardlaw, Chesney Williams and Dawson Wiman. Front Row (l to r): Gary Blankenship, Ishaan Bolar, Chesney Williams, Salma Natsheh, Thalia Nieto, Nathan Stone Back Row (l to r): Angad Cheema, LTC Instructor Patrick Martin, AINautics Instructor Anthony Nedd, Dawson Wiman, LTC Director Bryce Myers, Aaron Sharp, Trace Vermullen, David Wardlaw Not Pictured: Daniel Butler, Ved Patel   Have you seen or been part of the Graduate Profile in action? The Communications Department wants to highlight our students and employees demonstrating the qualities of the Lexington One Graduate Profile: Knowledgeable; Creative Thinker and Problem Solver; Independent Learner; Communicator; Collaborator; Future-Ready Literate; Personally and Socially Responsible; Kind; and Resilient. Email details of examples to communications@lexington1.net. Celebrations WKMS's Jones named 2025 South Carolina Teacher of the Year by Teachers of Tomorrow Congratulations to Catrina Jones, geography and social studies teacher at White Knoll Middle School. She has been named the 2025 South Carolina Teacher of the Year by Teachers of Tomorrow. Teachers of Tomorrow is the nation’s largest alternative teacher certification provider, having certified more than 80,000 educators since 2005. Celebrating over 20 years of service, the organization partners with school districts to prepare committed, high-quality educators through affordable, flexible online training. “Ms. Jones consistently demonstrates exceptional skill in inspiring and engaging her students while cultivating a respectful, supportive, and dynamic classroom environment,” said mentor Dr. Jamal Sanders, who nominated Jones. “She has an unparalleled ability to balance structure with flexibility, ensuring that students remain engaged and motivated.” Ms. Jones wins a $500 award for classroom supplies and professional development, and now advances as a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year competition. The winner of this competition, which is chosen by public vote, will receive a $5,000 prize.   PHES's Schrodt named Columbia College APEC Fellow of the Year Congratulations to Katy Schrodt, kindergarten teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary, who was named the Columbia College APEC Fellow of the Year! Mrs. Schrodt works hard every day to prepare her kindergarteners at PHES.   UPCOMING DATES MAY 6 — Special Called School Board Meeting 20 — Regular Monthly School Board Meeting 21 — Half Day for Students/Lexington One Graduations River Bluff High — 8 a.m. Pelion High — 12 p.m. White Knoll High — 4 p.m. 22 — Half Day for Students/Last day of school 23 — Teacher Work Day/Lexington One Graduations Lexington High — 12 p.m. Gilbert High — 4 p.m.

Friday, May 02 2025

Kindergarten Countdown — Getting Ready for the 2025–...

Welcome to the Lexington One family! Here in Lexington One, we are deeply committed to cultivating a nurturing, supportive, and empowering environment, guiding all students to learn, grow, and excel. We believe in igniting a passion for learning and fostering the development of well-rounded individuals. Our dedication extends to ensuring your children evolve into confident communicators, curious and knowledgeable learners, compassionate and resilient individuals, innovative thinkers and problem-solvers, future-ready and literate citizens, personally and socially responsible contributors, self-directed learners, and effective collaborators. As we eagerly anticipate the start of the 2025–26 school year, we will share important information with you over the coming months to help you and your family feel fully prepared and connected, ready to start kindergarten in the fall!   4K and 5K Staggered Start Schedule for the 2025–26 School Year To ensure a smooth transition for our youngest learners, ALL Lexington One four- and five-year-old kindergarten students will participate in a staggered start schedule. Here are the details:  Monday, August 4, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with A–G attend school Tuesday, August 5, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with H–O attend school Wednesday, August 6, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with P–Z attend school Please note these are full days. Starting Thursday, August 7, ALL four- and five-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.   Check out ParentSquare! Lexington One uses ParentSquare to communicate with families. ParentSquare is an on-the-go communication tool that allows you to easily communicate with your student's teachers and school staff, and to stay up-to-date on school and district news and events. Click here to download the ParentSquare app. Below are the steps for Parents and Guardians to complete the setup process on ParentSquare: Your child's school should have sent you an invitation for ParentSquare through email or text. Click Activate your account or tap the link to activate your account. Create a Password for your ParentSquare account and click Register. Click Confirm for your email and/or phone number. A verification code will be sent to the email and/or phone number.  Enter the verification code to Confirm. Confirm your child(ren) by clicking Confirm. Use "Not My Child" if a child listed is not associated with your account. Select YES, This is Me when you have confirmed your contact information and child(ren) associated with your account.   Apps for Parents Lexington One uses a variety of tools to help families stay connected and involved in their student's education. Need help knowing which tool to use? Let's simplify things! This guide will help you quickly find the right tool. ​   There is still time to apply for Immersion Did you know that Lexington One offers an Immersion Program for rising kindergarteners? This program provides students with the opportunity to learn Chinese, French, or Spanish, helping them become multilingual and/or enhance proficiency in their home language. Click here to learn more about Lexington One’s Immersion Program and submit an application for your student!  

Monday, Apr 28 2025

Board of Trustees Update: 🗓️ Upcoming Meeting (April...

Board of Trustees Update Meeting notice and recap   Upcoming business meeting on April 29 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold a brief business meeting on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. Click here to view the agenda for the meeting. The meeting begins at 8 a.m., with the board voting to enter executive session. The public portion of the meeting will resume immediately following executive session. There will be no citizens’ participation at this meeting. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed live at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website.     April 22 Board Meeting Recap Click to view April 22 agenda Click to view April 22 video   Key Action Items Preliminary Approval of Salary Study Recommendations Following the First Reading of the FY 26 General Fund Budget, the Board voted to give preliminary approval of the proposed 2025–26 Certified Salary Schedule to include all the Salary Study Committee's recommendations with the understanding that this approval is preliminary and contingent upon final approval of the FY 26 General Fund Budget by the Board. ▶️ Click here to watch the presentation and discussion of the First Reading of the FY 26 General Fund Budget. ▶️ Click here to watch the preliminary approval 2025–26 Certified Salary Schedule to include all the Salary Study Committee's recommendations. Employment Recommendations The Board approved multiple employment recommendations for the 2025–26 school year. These include Dr. Stephanie L. Burgess as the new principal of Gilbert Middle School and H. S. “Tradd” Denny III for the role of director of student services. Dr. Stephanie L. Burgess Dr. Burgess brings more than 23 years of educational experience to her new leadership role, including 14 years as an assistant principal at Lexington High School. She is known for her deep commitment to student-centered learning, innovative instructional practices and strong community relationships. She was named the 2023 South Carolina State Assistant Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. Dr. Burgess holds a Doctor of Education from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Winthrop University, and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Lander University. A National Board Certified educator, she holds certifications in science and secondary supervision. She began her career in education as a science teacher at Batesburg-Leesville High School in her hometown. She is a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. H. S. Tradd Denny  Mr. Denny is stepping into the student services director position from his current job as the district’s student services coordinator/hearing officer. Prior to that role, he served as an assistant principal at River Bluff High School and Northside Middle School, assistant director at Lexington Technology Center, and a business education teacher in Lexington One and other districts.  A graduate of the College of Charleston where he earned a degree in communications and played baseball, Mr. Denny earned his Master of Education in educational administration from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Denny is a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators and the Palmetto State Teachers Association. 2026–27 Academic Calendar The Board approved the 2026–27 Academic Calendar as presented by the Calendar Committee with the exclusion of Collaborative Planning Days, which will be voted on at a later date. ▶️ Click to watch this portion of the meeting.   New Business Program Evaluation Plan: Chief Academic Officer Mary Gaskins presented an update on the district's plan for conducting regular evaluations of district programs. Discussion on the programs to be evaluated next year will occur at the May board meeting after board members submit their individual priorities from the list of "Programs Not Yet Evaluated." ▶️ Click here to watch this portion of the meeting. Program Evaluation Report: Dr. Shane Phillips, director of Assessment and Accountability, presented the findings from the program evaluation of The Center for Law and Global Policy Development at River Bluff High School. ▶️ Click here to watch Dr. Phillip's presentation.   Other actions taken by the board ✅ Approved a motion for Board Member Katie McCown to serve on the 2018 Bond Referendum RFP Development Committee in place of Board Member McKenzie Flashnick. 📄Authorized administration to submit a waiver application to the S.C. Department of Education for approval of an internal Principal Induction program. 📘Approved the renewal of an Innovative Course Application for Chinese Honors 5, which is part of the Chinese immersion sequence in the district. 📌Approved one administrative recommendation for the 2024–25 school year, and for the 2025–26 school year: 24 certified staff recommendations; 10 administrative recommendations; and 2179 certified contract renewal recommendations. 📄Authorized administration to enter into a lease agreement with Lexington County First Steps. ✅Approved the Consent Agenda Minutes from the March 13, 2025 and March 25, 2025 meetings Student Travel Requests New Hire Support Staff Report   Policies Second readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were approved: Home Schooling (IHBG) and (IHBG-R) First readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were presented for first reading: Field Studies and International Travel (IJOA, IJOA-R and IJOA-E) Threat Assessment (ECAA)   Superintendent's Report ▶️Click here to watch Dr. Postlewait's Superintendent's Report that includes: Board Budget Priorities Board Goals Annual Planning for 2025-26 Board Meetings Other Items ▶️Click here to watch Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Miller's March 2025 Finance Report that features an overview of the following reports: General Fund Revenues General Fund Balance General Fund Budget Transfers Unauthorized Procurements Capital Projects 8 Percent 2024B Capital Projects 8 Percent 2022B Capital Projects 8 Percent 2023C Capital Projects Bond Referendum   Honors and Achievements The board honored champion teams and student-athletes Logan Crooks from White Knoll Middle: Middle School Boys Division State Winner in Bullseye Category at S.C. NASP State Tournament🎯 🎉 Wilson Oxner from Gilbert High School: Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens State Award Winner🏆 River Bluff High Chess Team: 2025 South Carolina High School Chess Champions 🥇♟️ Meadow Glen Middle RoboGators: First Lego League South Carolina State Champions🥇🤖 River Bluff High "We the People" Team: "We the People" State Champions🥇📜 Rosa Serna, Lexington One Float Nurse: South Carolina Association of School Nurses 2025 LPN of the Year🥇💙 Click here to see the April 22 Proof Positive.   Book Study As the Board continued their Book Study of Great on Their Behalf, Board Member Nick Pizzuti summarized Part V Align Resources. ▶️Click here to watch this part of the meeting.   Upcoming Meetings Special Called Board Meeting — April 29 Special Called Board Meeting — May 6 Regular Monthly Meeting — May 20  

Sunday, Apr 27 2025

🌟 Inside Voice: 🗓️ Board Meeting on Tuesday, 🎉 Celeb...

2025–26 Annual Registration Please complete by May 16 Thank you to the parents/guardians who have completed annual registration for the 2025–26 school year, approximately 15% of our families. Your school and district administrators appreciate all parents/guardians making time between now and May 16 to complete the process. Click here for directions on how to complete the process. Board Meeting on April 22 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. Click here to view the agenda for the meeting, which includes the First Reading of the 2025–26 General Fund Budget. The regular monthly board meeting begins 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 at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website. Budget Timeline Upcoming important dates in the Budget Process for fiscal year 2025–26: First reading — April 22, 2025 Second reading — May 20, 2025 Public Hearing and Third Reading — June 10, 2025   Updates on Demographics & Facilities Studies Now Online Lexington One is proactively addressing the future of its facilities through a comprehensive study conducted by external professional contractors. This initiative, launched in the fall of 2024, aims to provide a clear understanding of the current state of all district-owned buildings and properties, offering data-driven insights for future planning and investment. To help keep our students, employees, families and community members informed about this process, information is being posted on our website. By clicking here you will find information related to the ongoing studies that help us plan for the future needs of our growing district. Thank you, Public School Volunteers! Public School Volunteer Week is here! This annual celebration recognizes the incredible contributions of parents, grandparents and community members who dedicate their time to supporting public education. Volunteers play a crucial role in student success—whether they’re tutoring, mentoring, assisting in classrooms, leading extracurricular activities or organizing events. Your dedication strengthens our school communities, fosters academic achievement and creates a collaborative learning environment here in Lexington One!   Happy School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Wednesday, April 23 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Lexington One's school bus drivers provide a consistent adult figure for our students and become a part of their routines every day. They work hard every day to support our students, schools and communities. Join us in thanking them for all they do! Important Information for Families Triple P Seminar: Helping Children Learn to Manage Anxiety Everyone feels anxious sometimes! The good news is that we can help our children learn ways to manage these feelings! Attend our next Triple P Seminar: Helping Children Learn to Manage Anxiety VIRTUALLY on Thursday, April 24, from 6–7:30 p.m. to learn some tips for teaching our children how to cope with anxiety. Profile Spotlight Highlighting the Graduate Profile in Action! From Challenges to Growth: Kingston's Resilience Shines This edition of the Profile Spotlight features Kingston, one of our 4K students, who started the year with some challenges, but has made significant positive change through his time at ATLAS. Lexington One's ATLAS program offers individualized support for pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students, enabling them to overcome obstacles and achieve success in their educational experience. With focused support and his own dedication, Kingston progressively developed his emotional regulation and built more constructive interactions, demonstrating a strong desire to learn, grow and excel. Rather than staying with previous patterns, Kingston adapted, learned new strategies and ultimately forged a more positive direction for himself. He shows an amazing ability to recover from difficulties and modify less helpful behaviors — highlighting his remarkable resilience. We salute the ATLAS staff, Kingston and his parents, and Lexington One's commitment to supporting our youngest learners! Congratulations Kingston!   Have you seen or been part of the Graduate Profile in action? The Communications Department wants to highlight our students and employees demonstrating the qualities of the Lexington One Graduate Profile: Knowledgeable; Creative Thinker and Problem Solver; Independent Learner; Communicator; Collaborator; Future-Ready Literate; Personally and Socially Responsible; Kind; and Resilient. Email details of examples to communications@lexington1.net. Celebrations WKMS Archer Logan Crooks Strikes Gold at State Tournament White Knoll Middle School's Logan Crooks recently demonstrated incredible skill and focus at the South Carolina National Archery in the Schools State Tournament. Logan took home first place in the middle school boys division in the Bullseye category, achieving an astounding score of 286. Lucas Kennedy placed second in the International Bowhunting Organization 3D middle school state competition. Congratulations Logan and Lucas!   PHMS student sings at ACDA Conference Casey Johnson was selected to perform with the Honor Choir at the 2025 ACDA National Conference in Dallas, TX. More than 5,000 students in middle and high schools throughout the United States auditioned. Approximately 300 students were selected through a competitive blind nationwide audition to join the 8–10 grade Tenor/Bass Honor Choir, directed by Randy Stenson. The prestigious ACDA National Honor Choir performed on March 22 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center — considered one of the world’s best concert halls, and well-known for its exceptional acoustics. Casey's journey to this national stage is a testament to his dedication and talent, as well as the supportive environment at Pleasant Hill Middle School. Congratulations!   State Champions & Runners-Up: MGMS Robotics shine! Congratulations to Meadow Glen Elementary Robotics teams who had a fantastic showing at the recent state competition: The RoboGators have been crowned State Champions! The Reptile Renegades, a remarkable rookie team, achieved State Runners-Up! These teams have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, teamwork, and innovation, and we are incredibly proud of their success. They now have the opportunity to represent South Carolina at the FLL Sunshine Invitational in Daytona Beach, Florida in June!   Lexington One students checkmate the competition at recent tournaments A few Lexington One teams have recently demonstrated their strategic prowess on the state chess scene, with Rocky Creek Elementary and River Bluff High School bringing home top honors. Rocky Creek Elementary School, who achieved First Place in Elementary School at the Palmetto Scholastic Chess League tournament held on March 1, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina. The winning team was proudly represented by students Tamaghna Roy and Keegan Augustyn. Adding to the school's impressive victory, Tamaghna Roy also secured the prestigious first-place individual award in the elementary division. River Bluff High School emerged as the State Champions at the South Carolina High School Team Championship held on March 22, 2025. The tournament saw an impressive gathering of 190 players representing over 90 schools from across the state. River Bluff's formidable team, comprised of Chandler Perry, Tyler Murrah, Daniel Lim, Dheer Chheda, Rushaan Sotimagar, Bryan Zheng, Alex Ziegler, Logan Santos, Ravi Narendhiran and Sanjhay Kodeeswaran, dominated the competition! In a stunning display of skill and determination, they triumphed over more than 90 schools and, remarkably, ended a 22-year-long victory streak held by another school. This momentous victory marks the first time ever that a school from the Midlands has claimed the state chess championship title!   RBHS Varsity Guard wins national bronze, makes history! The River Bluff High School Varsity Winterguard made school and district history this past week at the 2025 Winterguard International (WGI) World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, earning a remarkable bronze medal in the Scholastic A Class division. This win marked the highest placement in River Bluff history and established them as the first Lexington One school ever to medal at this prestigious level. Notably, they were also the sole representative from South Carolina to reach the Scholastic A Finals in their division. This incredible showing has resulted in a well-deserved promotion for the team to the WGI Open Class for the upcoming season, placing them among the elite winterguard programs in the country.   Lexington One students go for gold at Special Olympics On Thursday, April 10, Lexington One athletes competed at the Area Seven Special Olympics, which spans Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington and Richland counties. The students competed in sporting events to earn medals! Congratulations to all our athletes! UPCOMING DATES APRIL 22 — Regular Monthly School Board Meeting 29 — Lexington One Military Signing Day 29 — Special Called School Board Meeting MAY 6 — Special Called School Board Meeting 20 — Regular Monthly School Board Meeting 21 — Half Day for Students/ Lexington One Graduations River Bluff High — 8 a.m. Pelion High — 12 p.m. White Knoll High — 4 p.m. 22 — Half Day for Students/Last day of school 23 — Teacher Work Day/ Lexington One Graduations Lexington High — 12 p.m. Gilbert High — 4 p.m.

Monday, Apr 21 2025

Lexington One News: Registration, Library Month, Bud...

2025–26 Annual Registration Please complete by May 16 Thank you to the parents/guardians who have completed annual registration for 2025–26, approximately 10% of our families. Your school and district administrators appreciate all parents/guardians making time between now and May 16 to complete the process. Click here for directions on how to complete the process. National School Library Month is here! April is National School Library Month as started by the American Association of School Librarians. From sparking a love of reading with the perfect book recommendation to empowering students through collaborative project support, our school librarians are indispensable to the success of Lexington One. Join us in celebrating our school librarians. Share the following video on your social media accounts!   Lexington One celebrates our paraprofessional! On April 2, Lexington One recognized the vital contributions of paraprofessionals, also known as teacher's aides or instructional assistants, who support students and teachers each day. Your contributions are vital to the success of students and the effective school operations. #ParaprofessionalAppreciationDay Board Workshop Recap First Glance at 2025–26 Budget At the board workshop on April 1, 2025, Superintendent-Elect Dr. Keith Price and Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Miller updated the board on where district administrators are in preparing a draft budget for the 2025–26 General Fund Operating Budget. They highlighted revenue and expenditure forecasts, district cost savings and additional expense requirements and requests.   Links to information shared at the workshop: Strategic Plan Goals and Strategies Preliminary Budget Projects Budget Workshop Presentation Budget Timeline Upcoming important dates in the Budget Process for fiscal year 2025–26: First reading — April 22, 2025 Second reading — May 20, 2025 Public Hearing and Third Reading — June 10, 2025 Lexington One will "Purple Up" for military children on April 11 Join us in honoring the children of our military families by participating in Purple Up! Day on Friday, April 11, 2025! Students, teachers and staff are encouraged to wear purple, the color that represents all branches of the military. Let’s paint our schools and community purple to support our military students! Important Information for Families Triple P Seminar: Helping Children Learn to Manage Anxiety Everyone feels anxious sometimes! The good news is that we can help our children learn ways to manage these feelings! Mark your calendars for our next Triple P Seminar: Helping Children Learn to Manage Anxiety on Thursday, April 10, from 6–7:30 p.m. at North Lake Community Learning Center. Come learn some tips for teaching our children how to cope with anxiety. Can't make it in person? Attend the virtual seminar on April 24, 2025.   Reminder — Don't forget to complete the School Climate Survey for parents. Attention families — each year, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) administers a climate survey for students, teachers and parents/guardians. Again this year, the SCDE will collect these surveys using PowerSchool. The survey closes on April 11!   Click here to read more and see instructions on how to access the parent survey. Thank you for taking time to provide school and district leaders with helpful information.   Spring Break is April 14-18 — we will return to school on Monday, April 21!   Digital Report Cards Report cards were issued on Friday, March 21. Middle and high school students and families can access student report cards through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Reminder: If your student is taking a year-long class, you may not see a grade for the third quarter, as grades for these courses are reported at the end of each semester. Click here for directions on how to view and sign report cards for your middle and/or high school students. If you have questions or would like to request a paper copy of your child's report card, please contact your child's school.   SCDE and Attorney General team up to alert families to online threats The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and the Attorney General’s Office (SCAG) are working together to alert families about dangerous groups like the “764 movement,” which use social media, gaming platforms or other apps to manipulate vulnerable kids and teens.  What to look for: These groups often prey on kids struggling with loneliness, anxiety, or depression. They pose as “friends” or supportive communities, then gradually pressure them into sharing violent or graphic content or self-harming.  Watch for sudden changes in behavior—like withdrawing from family, being secretive about online activity, unexplained injuries, or references to disturbing symbols. What You Can Do:  Talk openly with your child about their online interactions. Ask who they’re chatting with and what platforms they use.  Monitor gaming and app use.  Report anything suspicious to local law enforcement or the FBI’s tip line.  Click here to read the warning issued by the SCAG. Profile Spotlight Highlighting the Graduate Profile in Action! Quick-thinking RBHS student saves neighbor with CPR training River Bluff High School junior Olivia Charles was honored for her remarkable quick-thinking and life-saving actions. Thanks to her CPR recertification at the Center for Public Health and Advanced Medical Studies at White Knoll High School, Olivia instinctively began CPR on her distressed neighbor, sustaining their life until EMS arrived. One evening, a young neighbor urgently sought help at Olivia's door for their father. Reacting instantly, Olivia and her parents rushed to the neighbor's home. Before her parents could even enter the room, Olivia was already performing CPR. Her parents were struck by her "poise, calmness, and confidence" as she continued chest compressions until paramedics took over. Olivia's immediate and effective intervention was critical in saving her neighbor's life, who has since fully recovered. Recognizing her heroic act, the American Heart Association presented Olivia with the Heart Saver Hero award for bystander CPR – a proven life-saver during cardiac emergencies. Olivia credits her experience at the Center for Public Health and Advanced Medical Studies with solidifying her aspiration to pursue a career in nursing.   Have you seen or been part of the Graduate Profile in action? The Communications Department wants to highlight our students and employees demonstrating the qualities of the Lexington One Graduate Profile: Knowledgeable; Creative Thinker and Problem Solver; Independent Learner; Communicator; Collaborator; Future-Ready Literate; Personally and Socially Responsible; Kind; and Resilient. Email details of examples to communications@lexington1.net. Celebrations Game On! Lexington One's Debut GameFest a Winner Lexington One's first GameFest was a smashing success! On March 21, more than 100 students from 13 middle and high schools throughout the state came together to show off their gaming skills. The participants all showed outstanding sportsmanship and had a great time competing. Lexington One was proud to be able to host this event, celebrating the growing world of esports and our talented students!  UPCOMING DATES APRIL 11 — Purple Up! Day in Lexington One 14–18 — Spring Break 22 — Regular Monthly School Board Meeting 29 — Lexington One Military Signing Day 29 — Special Called School Board Meeting MAY 6 — Special Called School Board Meeting 20 — Regular Monthly School Board Meeting 21 — Half Day for Students/ Lexington One Graduations River Bluff High — 8 a.m. Pelion High — 12 p.m. White Knoll High — 4 p.m. 22 — Half Day for Students/Last day of school 23 — Teacher Work Day/ Lexington One Graduations Lexington High — 12 p.m. Gilbert High — 4 p.m.

Monday, Apr 07 2025

March Board Meeting Recap: 📅 Calendar & Grading Poli...

March Board Meeting Recap Click to view March 25 agenda. Click to view March 25 video   Important Information Board voted to excuse school missed on March 5 The Board of Trustees voted to excuse school missed on March 5, 2025, due to weather and extreme winds.   Updated Grading/Assessment System The Lexington One Board of Trustees has approved updates to the district’s grading policies. Here’s what will change for the 2025–26 school year: Beginning in third grade, students will receive numerical grading in core subjects. More information: Standards-Based Grading for K–2 Students in kindergarten through second grade will continue using a standards-based grading system to measure their progress. Instead of traditional letter grades, students will be assessed on a four-tier scale: No Progress (NP) Partially Met (PM) Approaching Met (AM) Met (M) This system focuses on specific skill mastery rather than overall averages, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of student learning. Numerical Grading for Grades 3–12 Beginning in third grade, students will receive numerical grades following the South Carolina Uniform Grading Scale: A (90-100) B (80-89) C (70-79) D (60-69) F (59 and below) Click here to read the documents. Click here to watch this portion of the meeting.   Updates to the 2025–26 Academic Calendar The Lexington One Board of Trustees has approved amendments to the 2025–26 academic calendar: Collaborative Planning Days The board approved six collaborative planning days: September 10, 2025 October 1, 2025 November 12, 2025 January 28, 2026 February 25, 2026 March 25, 2026 These days will provide valuable time for teachers and staff to refine instructional strategies, ultimately benefiting student learning. Updated Plan for Missed School Days To ensure families and employees can plan, the district has updated its procedures for making up missed school days. Aligning with South Carolina Code of Laws 59-1-425, which requires districts to set aside at least three make-up days, Lexington One has designated the following weather make-up days: October 13, 2025 February 16, 2026 March 16, 2026 If these days are not needed, they will become student and staff holidays. Additionally, the district has received approval to use up to five eLearning days when in-person instruction is disrupted. The make-up plan is as follows: First Semester Make-Up Plan If a school day is missed before October 13, 2025, an in-person make-up day will be held on October 13. For additional missed days, the district will use eLearning if conditions allow. If eLearning is not possible, the next available in-person make-up days (February 16 or March 16, 2026) will be used. Second Semester Make-Up Plan If school is canceled before the designated make-up days, an in-person make-up day will be scheduled. If no additional in-person make-up days remain, the district will implement eLearning days, as permitted by state regulations and if conditions allow. Click here to view the updated 2025–26 calendar. Click here to watch this portion of the meeting.   Book Study Board Members McKenzie Flashnick and Katie McCown led the discussion for the Book Study of Great on Their Behalf by Airick Journey Crabill. Mrs. Flashnick summarized the section on clarifying priorities, and Mrs. McCown shared key points on the chapters focused on monitoring progress. Click here to watch this portion of the board meeting.   New Business Board Goals: The board discussed identifying board goals for the 2025–26 academic year. Work on solidifying these goals will continue at upcoming meetings. Click here to watch this portion of the meeting. Board Budget Priorities: Using a list of assumptions previously presented by administrators, board members discussed their budget priorities to help guide the work of administrators as they develop a proposed budget for 2025–26. Click here to watch this portion of the meeting. First reading of the 2026–27 School Calendar Click here to watch this portion of the meeting.   Action items taken by the board Approved Mathematics Instructional Materials Click here to watch the presentation. Approved a motion to form a committee to develop a Request for Proposals for an external audit for the 2018 bond referendum Click here to watch this part of the meeting. Approved the 2025 District Strategic Plan and School Renewal Plans Click here to watch this part of the meeting. Approved to reallocate $1,407,925.26 from IT device purchases (8% bond funds) to deferred maintenance projects and shift the same amount from the general fund (previously for deferred maintenance) to cover IT device warranties. Click here to watch this portion of the meeting. 📌 Approved 39 certified staff recommendations, two administrative staff recommendations for the 2024–25 school year, and 64 administrative position contract renewals (senior leadership, executive directors, directors and principals) for the 2025–26 school year ✅ Approved the Consent Agenda Minutes from the Feb. 13, 2025 Board Workshop and Feb. 25, 2025 Board Meeting Student Travel Requests New Hire Support Staff Report   Policies Second readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were approved: Grading/Assessment Systems (IKA, IKA-R) Report Cards and Assessment Reports (IKAB) Communicable/Infectious Diseases (JLCC) Deletion of Communicable Diseases Administrative Rule (JLCC-R) Assisting Students with Medication (JLCD, JLCD-R) Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs) (JLCDA, JLCDA-R) Use of Lifesaving Medications (JLCDB) First Aid and Emergency Care (JLCE) Seizure Safe Schools (JLCG) First readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were presented for first reading: Home Schooling (IHBG, IHBG-R)  Board Self-Evaluation (BAA)   Superintendent's Report Superintendent-elect Dr. Keith Price reviewed the 2025–25 budget timeline, data landscape calendar and board priorities for the next round of program evaluations. 🚀 Mission in Action — Postsecondary Pathways: During the Superintendent's Update portion of meeting, Executive Director of High Schools and Postsecondary Pathways Casey Calhoun shared details of the LexOne NexGen Educators and MedStart pathways. These postsecondary pathways bridge high school, higher education and career. Click here to watch the presentation. Financial Reports Overview: Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Miller presented an overview of the financial information presented in the following reports: General Fund Revenues — February 2025 General Fund Balance — February 2025 General Fund Budget Transfers — February 2025 Capital Projects — February 2025 Unauthorized Procurements — February 2025 Quarterly Grants — March 2025 Click here to watch this presentation.   Honors and Achievements The board honored champion teams and student-athletes 🎯🥇 S.C. NASP State Tournament First-Place Individual Winners Karlee Kneece from Pelion Middle: IBO and Bullseye Champion Liam O'Neill from Pelion Elementary: IBO and Bullseye Champion 🎯 🏆 S.C. NASP State Tournament First-Place Team Winners Carolina Springs Elementary: Bullseye Champions Carolina Springs Middle: Bullseye Champions Pelion Elementary: IBO Champions Pelion Middle: IBO Champions 🤼‍♂️ 🥇 S.C. State Wrestling Champions Grace Beeson from Lexington High School: First place in the 120-pound weight class Landon Byrd from Pelion High School: First place in the 113-pound weight class Read the Proof Positive newsletter to learn more about this month’s honorees.   Upcoming Meetings Board Budget Workshop and Business Meeting — April 1 Regular Monthly Meeting — April 22 Special Called Board Meeting — April 29 Special Called Board Meeting — May 6 Regular Monthly Meeting — May 20  

Monday, Mar 31 2025

Inside Voice: Teacher of the Year Celebration 🎉, Sch...

Reminder — Don't forget to complete the School Climate Survey for parents. Attention families — each year, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) administers a climate survey for students, teachers and parents/guardians. Again this year, the SCDE will collect these surveys using PowerSchool.   Click here to read more and see instructions on how to access the parent survey. Thank you for taking time to provide school and district leaders with helpful information.   Board Meeting Scheduled for March 25 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. Click here to view the agenda for the meeting. The regular monthly board meeting begins 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 at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website.   A Celebration of Extraordinary Powers! Lexington One honors its Teachers of the Year — Save the Date! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's the Lexington One Teacher of the Year Celebration! Get ready for a night of super-powered inspiration as we honor our 2024–25 school-level Teachers of the Year and unveil the newest champion among them – the Lexington One Teacher of the Year! Join us for an evening of heroic proportions on Thursday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. at River Bluff High School.   Bald Cypress Builders Supports Lexington One Construction Program Bald Cypress Builders donated $1,500 to the Lexington One Educational Foundation, benefitting the Lexington Technology Center's Building Construction Program. This program offers hands-on training for students at Lexington Technology Center, Gilbert High and Pelion High, preparing them for careers in construction. "We believe in supporting local youth pursuing construction careers," said Amelia Pocta, co-owner of Bald Cypress Builders. The donation will support students in courses like Building Construction, Cabinet making and Electricity, as well as their participation in SkillsUSA competitions. Pictured (L to R): Bald Cypress Builders co-founders & owners Matt and Amelia Pocta; Lexington Technology Center Assistant Director Sandy Vining; and Lexington One Educational Foundation Executive Director Julie Anderson Washburn   Update: PowerSchool Data Breach Here is the latest information regarding the PowerSchool data breach. On March 7, PowerSchool posted an update on the PowerSchool Cybersecurity Incident web page.  Notification to Individuals, Credit Monitoring, & Identity Protection  PowerSchool has notified relevant regulators on our customers’ behalf in applicable jurisdictions as well as students (or their parents/guardians) and educators in the U.S. and Canada. They have offered complimentary identity protection services including, if applicable, credit monitoring services, for involved students and educators, regardless of whether an individual’s Social Security Number/Social Insurance Number was exfiltrated. Click here for instructions on how to enroll in credit/identify monitoring. CrowdStrike Incident Report PowerSchool engaged CrowdStrike, an industry leading cybersecurity expert, as soon as we became aware of the incident. After a thorough investigation, CrowdStrike has submitted its final incident report which you can read here. CrowdStrike did not identify any new or concerning findings beyond what we already shared; these findings include: The Threat Actor accessed PowerSource, a community-focused customer support portal, using a single compromised credential. The Threat Actor’s activities were limited to exfiltration of select PowerSchool SIS instances of Students and Teachers tables. CrowdStrike’s Recon+ Intelligence service has not identified any evidence of this exfiltrated information available for sale or download. CrowdStrike found no evidence of system-layer access or malware associated with this incident. CrowdStrike found no other PowerSchool products were compromised. While the PowerSource environment experienced unauthorized activity prior to December, PowerSchool believes that the data exfiltration occurred in late December. Important Information for Families Pre-K and Immersion Program Applications and 5K Enrollment now open Do you or someone you know have a pre-kindergartener or five-year-old ready to start school? Applications for the 4K program and enrollment for 5K in Lexington One are now open! Click here to learn more about both of these programs. Embark on an exciting journey of learning and growth with Lexington One's Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs! Our highly qualified teachers inspire young minds, fostering creativity, curiosity and a love of learning. Your child will develop essential skills for future success, all while having fun in a nurturing environment. To be eligible for a Lexington One Pre-Kindergarten or 5K program, families must be zoned for a Lexington One elementary school and their child must be four or five years old on or before September 1 of the current school year. Applications Open for Immersion Program Time is ticking! Lexington One's Immersion Program applications are open for rising kindergarteners, offering the incredible chance to learn Chinese, French or Spanish. Don't miss out on giving your child a multilingual advantage! Remember, applications are time-stamped and accepted in order they are received. If you are interested, apply NOW. Spaces are filling quickly! Give your child a head start in being multilingual through Lexington One's Immersion program by developing proficiency in a new language and/or strengthening proficiency in their home language.    Lexington One will "Purple Up" for military children on April 11 Join us in honoring the children of our military families by participating in Purple Up! Day on Friday, April 11, 2025! Students, teachers and staff are encouraged to wear purple, the color that represents all branches of the military. Let’s paint our schools and community purple to show our military students that they are never alone.    Profile Spotlight Highlighting the Graduate Profile in Action! Local Food and Learning: Beechwood Middle School Named USDA People's Garden Congratulations to Beechwood Middle School, whose agricultural efforts have earned a USDA People's Garden recognition! The People’s Garden community connects gardens across the country that produce local food, practice sustainability and bring people together in their community. People’s Gardens can take many different forms; they can include food-producing gardens, wildlife habitat conservation or beautification projects and/or education and training spaces. To become a USDA People's Garden, schools and organizations grow the garden using sustainable practices that benefit people and wildlife and teach about gardening and resilient, local food systems. Beechwood Middle School's recognition as a USDA People's Garden is a testament to the school's commitment to fostering the attributes outlined in the Lexington One Graduate Profile. Through their dedication to sustainable agriculture, students have demonstrated their ability to be knowledgeable, creative problem solvers and responsible members of their community. Have you seen or been part of the Graduate Profile in action? The Communications Department wants to highlight our students and employees demonstrating the qualities of the Lexington One Graduate Profile: Knowledgeable; Creative Thinker and Problem Solver; Independent Learner; Communicator; Collaborator; Future-Ready Literate; Personally and Socially Responsible; Kind; and Resilient. Email details of examples to communications@lexington1.net.   Celebrations Celebrating the Arts in our Schools this March! March is a busy month for Lexington One, as we celebrate the importance of arts in our student's education. Arts in Our Schools Month, Music in Our Schools Month, Dance in Our Schools Month, Theatre in Our Schools Month, and Youth Art Month all converge to showcase the vital role of the arts in student development. Throughout the district, students engage in a variety of artistic endeavors, from musical performances and theatrical productions to dance recitals and visual art exhibitions. These experiences foster creativity, critical thinking and self-expression.   Lexington One students named to the National Honor Band of America Congratulations to the following Lexington One students, who were recently named to the National Honor Band of America: From Lexington HIgh: Daniel Lee and Jackson Winston From River Bluff High: Anna Zou and Anthony Zou This honor places them among the top high school musicians in the country, recognizing their exceptional talent, dedication, and hard work. Selected through a rigorous audition process, they will have the opportunity to perform under world-renowned conductors and collaborate with the best young musicians from across the U.S. Being chosen for the National Honor Band of America is a rare and outstanding achievement, and we couldn't be more proud of these talented musicians!   Rosa Serna named LPN of the Year Congratulations to Rosa Serna, who was recently named the South Carolina Association of School Nurses 2025 LPN of the Year. A float nurse for two years, Serna is praised for her dedication to student well-being and her leadership within the nursing team. Serna is an advocate for students, ensuring staff are informed about student medical needs. She mentors peers and excels in critical thinking, particularly in emergencies. Her commitment extends to improving student access to care, and her bilingual skills are invaluable. Serna builds strong relationships within school communities and uses evidence-based practices to provide quality care. Lexington One congratulates her on this well-deserved recognition.   Lexington One archers hit the mark at state competition! Lexington One schools showcased exceptional talent at the recent state archery competition, with multiple teams and individuals bringing home championship titles. The Carolina Springs Elementary archery team triumphed in the Bullseye category, securing first place with a remarkable score of 2,932, beating out 15 other teams. The Carolina Springs Middle Huskies also took first place in the Bullseye category with a score of 3,329, defeating 15 teams. Pelion Elementary and Pelion Middle archers excelled in the IBO category, achieving multiple victories. Liam O’Neill of Pelion Elementary swept the competition, winning first place in both Bullseye and IBO categories in the elementary division, defeating over 200 competitors. The Pelion Elementary team secured first place in the IBO category with a score of 1,500. Karlee Kneece of Pelion Middle mirrored Liam’s success, winning first place in both Bullseye and IBO categories in the middle school girl division. The Pelion Middle team clinched first place in the IBO category with a score of 1,658. Lexington One congratulates all the winning teams and individuals for their dedication, skill and outstanding achievements!   Wrestlers take to the mat to become state champions Lexington One recognizes two outstanding student-athletes who have achieved state championship titles in wrestling. Grace Beeson, a freshman at Lexington High, captured the state wrestling championship in the 120-pound weight class at the 2025 South Carolina Wrestling State Championship. This remarkable accomplishment, achieved in February, highlights Beeson's exceptional skill and dedication. Adding to her impressive record, Beeson is also a member of the state-winning Lexington High Varsity Cheerleading team, securing two state titles in her freshman year. Landon Byrd of Pelion High also triumphed at the South Carolina Wrestling Championship, claiming first place in the 113-pound category. This victory marked a significant milestone for Byrd, culminating in his 100th career win.   LHS Inclusive Cheer Team brings home state medal Congratulations to the Lexington High Inclusive Cheer Team, who recently won a silver medal at the Special Olympics State Cheer Championship! UPCOMING DATES MARCH 25 — School Board Meeting 27 — Teacher of the Year Celebration at River Bluff High School APRIL 1 — Board Budget Workshop 2 — Collaborative Planning Day 11 — Purple Up! Day in Lexington One 14–18 — Spring Break 22 — School Board Meeting 29 — School Board Meeting MAY 6 — School Board Meeting 7 — Lexington One Military Signing Day 20 — School Board Meeting 21 — Half Day for Students/ Lexington One Graduations River Bluff High — 8 a.m. Pelion High — 12 p.m. White Knoll High — 4 p.m. 22 — Half Day for Students/Last day of school 23 — Teacher Work Day/ Lexington One Graduations Lexington High — 12 p.m. Gilbert High — 4 p.m. The Year of Weather Disruptions This school year has brought more weather-related schedule changes than we’ve seen in recent memory. As an eLearning district, we can use up to five eLearning days per South Carolina Department of Education regulations — either on the actual day of closure or on a designated make-up day. The Breakdown Here’s how we’ve adjusted for weather disruptions so far: 🔹 August 8 – Hurricane Debby: Closed; made up on October 14 (eLearning). 🔹 September 27 – Hurricane Helene: eLearning day used. 🔹 September 30 – Hurricane Helene: Closed; made up on February 17 (eLearning). 🔹 October 1 – Hurricane Helene: Closed; Board waived the make-up day (originally would have been made up on March 17). 🔹 January 22 – Winter Weather: eLearning day used. 🔹 January 23 – Winter Weather: eLearning day used. 🔹 March 5 – Severe Weather: Closed for students; employees reported to work. What’s Next? With all five eLearning days used, any decision about making up March 5 — or waiving it — rests with the Lexington One Board of Trustees who will weigh all factors before making a final decision. Stay tuned for updates!

Monday, Mar 24 2025

Inside Voice, March 11 — Survey Reminder 📝, Hero Nur...

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Reminder — Don't forget to complete the School Climate Survey for parents. ​ Attention families — each year, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) administers a climate survey for students, teachers and parents/guardians. Again this year, the SCDE will collect these surveys using PowerSchool.   Click here to read more and see instructions on how to access the parent survey. Thank you for taking time to provide school and district leaders with helpful information. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Board Workshop Scheduled for March 13 ​ The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold a board workshop and brief business meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The workshop begins at 11 a.m. The Board of Trustees will hear from Human Resources, Operations, Safety and Student Services and conduct a brief business meeting. There will be no citizens' participation at this workshop. Click here to view the agenda for the workshop. The workshop is open to the public and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the workshop, the district will post a video of the workshop on our YouTube channel and our BoardDocs site. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ A Celebration of Extraordinary Powers! Lexington One honors its Teachers of the Year — Save the Date! ​ Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's the Lexington One Teacher of the Year Celebration! Get ready for a night of super-powered inspiration as we honor our 2024–25 school-level Teachers of the Year and unveil the newest champion among them – the Lexington One Teacher of the Year! Join us for an evening of heroic proportions on Thursday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. at River Bluff High School. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Update: PowerSchool Data Breach ​ ​ ​ ​ Here is the latest information regarding the PowerSchool data breach. On March 7, PowerSchool posted an update on the PowerSchool Cybersecurity Incident web page.  Notification to Individuals, Credit Monitoring, & Identity Protection  PowerSchool has notified relevant regulators on our customers’ behalf in applicable jurisdictions as well as students (or their parents/guardians) and educators in the U.S. and Canada. They have offered complimentary identity protection services including, if applicable, credit monitoring services, for involved students and educators, regardless of whether an individual’s Social Security Number/Social Insurance Number was exfiltrated. Click here for instructions on how to enroll in credit/identify monitoring. CrowdStrike Incident Report PowerSchool engaged CrowdStrike, an industry leading cybersecurity expert, as soon as we became aware of the incident. After a thorough investigation, CrowdStrike has submitted its final incident report which you can read here. CrowdStrike did not identify any new or concerning findings beyond what we already shared; these findings include: The Threat Actor accessed PowerSource, a community-focused customer support portal, using a single compromised credential. The Threat Actor’s activities were limited to exfiltration of select PowerSchool SIS instances of Students and Teachers tables. CrowdStrike’s Recon+ Intelligence service has not identified any evidence of this exfiltrated information available for sale or download. CrowdStrike found no evidence of system-layer access or malware associated with this incident. CrowdStrike found no other PowerSchool products were compromised. While the PowerSource environment experienced unauthorized activity prior to December, PowerSchool believes that the data exfiltration occurred in late December. ​ ​ ​ ​ Important Information for Families ​ ​ ​ ​ Pre-K and Immersion Program Applications and 5K Enrollment now open ​ ​ ​ ​ Do you or someone you know have a pre-kindergartener or five-year-old ready to start school? ​ Applications for the 4K program and enrollment for 5K in Lexington One are now open! Click here to learn more about both of these programs. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Embark on an exciting journey of learning and growth with Lexington One's Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs! Our highly qualified teachers inspire young minds, fostering creativity, curiosity and a love of learning. Your child will develop essential skills for future success, all while having fun in a nurturing environment. To be eligible for a Lexington One Pre-Kindergarten or 5K program, families must be zoned for a Lexington One elementary school and their child must be four or five years old on or before September 1 of the current school year. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Applications Open for Immersion Program ​ Time is ticking! Lexington One's Immersion Program applications are open for rising kindergarteners, offering the incredible chance to learn Chinese, French or Spanish. Don't miss out on giving your child a multilingual advantage! Remember, applications are time-stamped and accepted in order they are received. If you are interested, apply NOW. Spaces are filling quickly! Give your child a head start in being multilingual through Lexington One's Immersion program by developing proficiency in a new language and/or strengthening proficiency in their home language.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Grants for High School Seniors ​ In an effort to support Lexington One students in their pursuit of higher education, the Lexington One Educational Foundation forms partnerships with individuals and friends to offer Higher Education Support Grants for Lexington One enrolled, graduating seniors who plan to attend college in the fall and have significant, documented financial need. Higher Education Support Grants — Applications due March 21, 2025 Applications can be found on the foundation's website and should be completed and returned to a student's High School Counseling Office no later than Friday, March 21, 2025. The grant can assist with the purchase of dorm room items, tuition and/or academic expenses as detailed in the application. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Profile Spotlight Highlighting the Graduate Profile in Action! ​ ​ ​ ​ PHES students make a difference, one project at a time ​ Pleasant Hill Elementary's Service Learning (SL) students are busy making an impact in our community! Each month, SL classroom representatives present a new project to their classmates, and then everyone works together to bring it to life. From making cards and gift bags to collecting coats and books, our students are learning the importance of giving back. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ This year, the SL program has tackled a wide range of projects, showing care and support to various groups. In September, they teamed up with Lexington High School to thank Dominion linemen for their hard work after Hurricane Helene. In October, they honored local first responders with gift bags and a special reception. November saw them collecting and donating coats to those in need, including sending over 200 coats to a school in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. During the holiday season, SL students created greeting cards for children at Prisma Hospital, bringing cheer during a difficult time. February was filled with love, as students made Valentine's cards for senior citizens and collected items for the district's food pantry. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ This month, in conjunction with Read Across America Week, students are collecting new or used books to donate to the Salvation Army's after-school reading program. Each donated book will include a personal note and bookmark from a student. The SL program has more exciting projects planned. In April, students will participate in a school beautification project, and in May, they will collect items for the Nancy K. Perry Children's Shelter. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pleasant Hill Elementary students embody the Lexington One Graduate Profile's qualities of being kind, personal and social responsibility, and collaborative. Their dedicated efforts are making a positive impact. We're incredibly proud of their work. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ LHS Men's Soccer raises $5,000 for Cats Kick Cancer Fund ​ The Lexington High School Men's Soccer team presented a $5,000 donation to the Lexington One Educational Foundation's Cats Kick Cancer Fund on February 27, 2025. This annual effort, led by Coach Will Gettys, raises funds through bracelet sales and tournament sponsorships. Since 2011, the team has raised over $145,000, now directly supporting Lexington One families battling cancer. The Cats Kick Cancer Fund provides crucial financial assistance for students, employees and parents facing cancer. The funds help with rent, utilities, food and medical expenses. The team also provides blankets and stuffed Wildcats to recipients, showing their support. Coach Gettys emphasized, "We want our players to become better people, and the Cats Kick Cancer fund is a great way for them to connect and help family members battling cancer." ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Have you seen or been part of the Graduate Profile in action? ​ The Communications Department wants to highlight our students and employees demonstrating the qualities of the Lexington One Graduate Profile: Knowledgeable; Creative Thinker and Problem Solver; Independent Learner; Communicator; Collaborator; Future-Ready Literate; Personally and Socially Responsible; Kind; and Resilient. Email details of examples to communications@lexington1.net. ​ ​ ​ ​ Celebrations ​ ​ ​ ​ Pelion Elementary Nurse Hailed a Hero After Saving Grandparent's Life ​ Pelion Elementary School Nurse Kayla Hale has been honored with the Pelion Police Lifesaver Award for her quick-thinking and life-saving actions during a recent school event. On February 13, during PES's Grandparents Luncheon, a medical emergency occurred in the parking lot. A grandparent suffered a life-threatening stroke, creating a moment of crisis. As Pelion Police arrived on the scene, Nurse Hale, drawing upon her extensive training and experience, immediately stepped in to provide critical medical care until EMS arrived. "Nurse Hale's swift and decisive actions were nothing short of heroic," stated Pelion Mayor Frank Shumpert. "According to medical officials, her intervention was the key factor in the grandparent's survival." On February 27 Mayor Shumpert and the Town of Pelion Police department representatives recognized Nurse Hale for her extraordinary efforts. She was presented with a plaque and a letter of commendation, expressing the town's deep gratitude. Nurse Hale's actions exemplify the dedication and care that our Lexington One staff provide to our students and their families every day. Her commitment to the well-being of the PES community is truly commendable. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Kayla Hale (c) pictured with Pelion Mayor Frank Shumpert and PES Principal Francina Gerald. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Celebrating School Social Work Week! ​ Lask week, March 2-8, 2025, Lexington One celebrated National School Social Work Week — an opportunity for schools, communities, and partners to acknowledge and recognize the impactful work they do to support students, families, and their communities. We are so thankful for our school social workers, who provide essential support to students, families, and staff. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment help create a safe and supportive learning environment for all. Thank you for the vital role you play in our schools and communities! To celebrate National School Social Work Week, Lexington One's Central Services is hosting a supply drive to benefit Lexington One's Pantry. The pantry provides essential support to families in need. Donations of household items (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.), hygiene products (soap, shampoo, etc.), and clothing (boys and girls underwear) are being collected now through March 14. Donations can be dropped off at Central Services (100 Tarrar Springs Road, Lexington). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Wilson Named South Carolina's Top DAR Good Citizen ​ Congratulations to Gilbert High student Wilson Oxner, who won the top South Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award. He earned the highest score statewide after winning the Lexington One district essay contest. The award ceremony, set for March 22, will honor Wilson's academic excellence, community service, and extracurricular involvement. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Gilbert High's Frances Meetze Awarded Prestigious Dr. Elizabeth Gressette Scholarship ​ Frances Meetze, Gilbert High School AP U.S. history teacher and instructional coach, has been selected as a winner of the 2025 Dr. Elizabeth Gressette Professional Development Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded by the Palmetto State Teachers Association’s foundation for Professional Development, recognizing Mrs. Meetze’s unwavering dedication to advanced education. Mrs. Meetze is currently pursuing her third master's degree, this time in American History from Gettysburg College. The winners were honored and awarded $2000 at the PSTA Annual Business Meeting on March 1, 2025. Congratulations to Mrs. Meetze! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Lexington One Esports: A Rising Force in Competitive Gaming ​ Lexington One's esports program is not just about winning; it's about developing well-rounded student-athletes and fostering a vibrant community. Over the past two years, our teams have risen to become regional leaders, consistently demonstrating exceptional skill and teamwork in both live and online competitions. Our Rocket League team's impressive Top 10 Eastern Region ranking in the High School Esports League (HSEL) and their recent HSEL Winter Blitz Gold Championship victory are testament to their dedication. Similarly, our Super Smash Bros. team has achieved back-to-back Eastern playoff appearances. This remarkable growth reflects the expanding role of esports in Lexington One and South Carolina, providing students with unique avenues to enhance leadership, communication and critical thinking skills. Beyond competition, the program strengthens community ties through events like the highly successful fall Community Clash and the upcoming March event. We celebrate the achievements of our talented esports athletes and the tireless efforts of their coaches! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ CSMS Huskies Archers Shatter Records with Historic High Score! ​ Carolina Springs Middle Huskies Archers set a new South Carolina NASP middle school archery record at the Battle of the Bows at Gilbert High School in February with a remarkable score of 3355. This impressive performance by the team, coached by White Knoll High Teacher Todd Fulmer, set them up for an award-winning performance at the state championships. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ UPCOMING DATES ​ MARCH 13 – Board Workshop 17 — No School for students and staff (Weather Make-up Day waived) 21 — Report Cards Issued 25 — Board Meeting 27 — Teacher of the Year Celebration at River Bluff High School APRIL 1 — Board Budget Workshop 2 — Collaborative Planning Day 14–18 — Spring Break ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The Year of Weather Disruptions ​ This school year has brought more weather-related schedule changes than we’ve seen in recent memory. As an eLearning district, we can use up to five eLearning days per SC Department of Education regulations — either on the actual day of closure or on a designated make-up day. The Breakdown Here’s how we’ve adjusted for weather disruptions so far: 🔹 August 8 – Hurricane Debby: Closed; made up on October 14 (eLearning). 🔹 September 27 – Hurricane Helene: eLearning day used. 🔹 September 30 – Hurricane Helene: Closed; made up on February 17 (eLearning). 🔹 October 1 – Hurricane Helene: Closed; Board waived the make-up day (originally would have been made up on March 17). 🔹 January 22 – Winter Weather: eLearning day used. 🔹 January 23 – Winter Weather: eLearning day used. 🔹 March 5 – Severe Weather: Closed for students; employees reported to work. What’s Next? With all five eLearning days used, any decision about making up March 5 — or waiving it — rests with the Lexington One Board of Trustees who will weigh all factors before making a final decision. Stay tuned for updates! ​ ​

Tuesday, Mar 11 2025

Inside Voice, March 11 — Survey Reminder 📝, Hero Nur...

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Reminder — Don't forget to complete the School Climate Survey for parents. ​ Attention families — each year, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) administers a climate survey for students, teachers and parents/guardians. Again this year, the SCDE will collect these surveys using PowerSchool.   Click here to read more and see instructions on how to access the parent survey. Thank you for taking time to provide school and district leaders with helpful information. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Board Workshop Scheduled for March 13 ​ The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold a board workshop and brief business meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The workshop begins at 11 a.m. The Board of Trustees will hear from Human Resources, Operations, Safety and Student Services and conduct a brief business meeting. There will be no citizens' participation at this workshop. Click here to view the agenda for the workshop. The workshop is open to the public and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the workshop, the district will post a video of the workshop on our YouTube channel and our BoardDocs site. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ A Celebration of Extraordinary Powers! Lexington One honors its Teachers of the Year — Save the Date! ​ Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's the Lexington One Teacher of the Year Celebration! Get ready for a night of super-powered inspiration as we honor our 2024–25 school-level Teachers of the Year and unveil the newest champion among them – the Lexington One Teacher of the Year! Join us for an evening of heroic proportions on Thursday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. at River Bluff High School. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Update: PowerSchool Data Breach ​ ​ ​ ​ Here is the latest information regarding the PowerSchool data breach. On March 7, PowerSchool posted an update on the PowerSchool Cybersecurity Incident web page.  Notification to Individuals, Credit Monitoring, & Identity Protection  PowerSchool has notified relevant regulators on our customers’ behalf in applicable jurisdictions as well as students (or their parents/guardians) and educators in the U.S. and Canada. They have offered complimentary identity protection services including, if applicable, credit monitoring services, for involved students and educators, regardless of whether an individual’s Social Security Number/Social Insurance Number was exfiltrated. Click here for instructions on how to enroll in credit/identify monitoring. CrowdStrike Incident Report PowerSchool engaged CrowdStrike, an industry leading cybersecurity expert, as soon as we became aware of the incident. After a thorough investigation, CrowdStrike has submitted its final incident report which you can read here. CrowdStrike did not identify any new or concerning findings beyond what we already shared; these findings include: The Threat Actor accessed PowerSource, a community-focused customer support portal, using a single compromised credential. The Threat Actor’s activities were limited to exfiltration of select PowerSchool SIS instances of Students and Teachers tables. CrowdStrike’s Recon+ Intelligence service has not identified any evidence of this exfiltrated information available for sale or download. CrowdStrike found no evidence of system-layer access or malware associated with this incident. CrowdStrike found no other PowerSchool products were compromised. While the PowerSource environment experienced unauthorized activity prior to December, PowerSchool believes that the data exfiltration occurred in late December. ​ ​ ​ ​ Important Information for Families ​ ​ ​ ​ Pre-K and Immersion Program Applications and 5K Enrollment now open ​ ​ ​ ​ Do you or someone you know have a pre-kindergartener or five-year-old ready to start school? ​ Applications for the 4K program and enrollment for 5K in Lexington One are now open! Click here to learn more about both of these programs. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Embark on an exciting journey of learning and growth with Lexington One's Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs! Our highly qualified teachers inspire young minds, fostering creativity, curiosity and a love of learning. Your child will develop essential skills for future success, all while having fun in a nurturing environment. To be eligible for a Lexington One Pre-Kindergarten or 5K program, families must be zoned for a Lexington One elementary school and their child must be four or five years old on or before September 1 of the current school year. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Applications Open for Immersion Program ​ Time is ticking! Lexington One's Immersion Program applications are open for rising kindergarteners, offering the incredible chance to learn Chinese, French or Spanish. Don't miss out on giving your child a multilingual advantage! Remember, applications are time-stamped and accepted in order they are received. If you are interested, apply NOW. Spaces are filling quickly! Give your child a head start in being multilingual through Lexington One's Immersion program by developing proficiency in a new language and/or strengthening proficiency in their home language.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Grants for High School Seniors ​ In an effort to support Lexington One students in their pursuit of higher education, the Lexington One Educational Foundation forms partnerships with individuals and friends to offer Higher Education Support Grants for Lexington One enrolled, graduating seniors who plan to attend college in the fall and have significant, documented financial need. Higher Education Support Grants — Applications due March 21, 2025 Applications can be found on the foundation's website and should be completed and returned to a student's High School Counseling Office no later than Friday, March 21, 2025. The grant can assist with the purchase of dorm room items, tuition and/or academic expenses as detailed in the application. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Profile Spotlight Highlighting the Graduate Profile in Action! ​ ​ ​ ​ PHES students make a difference, one project at a time ​ Pleasant Hill Elementary's Service Learning (SL) students are busy making an impact in our community! Each month, SL classroom representatives present a new project to their classmates, and then everyone works together to bring it to life. From making cards and gift bags to collecting coats and books, our students are learning the importance of giving back. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ This year, the SL program has tackled a wide range of projects, showing care and support to various groups. In September, they teamed up with Lexington High School to thank Dominion linemen for their hard work after Hurricane Helene. In October, they honored local first responders with gift bags and a special reception. November saw them collecting and donating coats to those in need, including sending over 200 coats to a school in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. During the holiday season, SL students created greeting cards for children at Prisma Hospital, bringing cheer during a difficult time. February was filled with love, as students made Valentine's cards for senior citizens and collected items for the district's food pantry. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ This month, in conjunction with Read Across America Week, students are collecting new or used books to donate to the Salvation Army's after-school reading program. Each donated book will include a personal note and bookmark from a student. The SL program has more exciting projects planned. In April, students will participate in a school beautification project, and in May, they will collect items for the Nancy K. Perry Children's Shelter. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pleasant Hill Elementary students embody the Lexington One Graduate Profile's qualities of being kind, personal and social responsibility, and collaborative. Their dedicated efforts are making a positive impact. We're incredibly proud of their work. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ LHS Men's Soccer raises $5,000 for Cats Kick Cancer Fund ​ The Lexington High School Men's Soccer team presented a $5,000 donation to the Lexington One Educational Foundation's Cats Kick Cancer Fund on February 27, 2025. This annual effort, led by Coach Will Gettys, raises funds through bracelet sales and tournament sponsorships. Since 2011, the team has raised over $145,000, now directly supporting Lexington One families battling cancer. The Cats Kick Cancer Fund provides crucial financial assistance for students, employees and parents facing cancer. The funds help with rent, utilities, food and medical expenses. The team also provides blankets and stuffed Wildcats to recipients, showing their support. Coach Gettys emphasized, "We want our players to become better people, and the Cats Kick Cancer fund is a great way for them to connect and help family members battling cancer." ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Have you seen or been part of the Graduate Profile in action? ​ The Communications Department wants to highlight our students and employees demonstrating the qualities of the Lexington One Graduate Profile: Knowledgeable; Creative Thinker and Problem Solver; Independent Learner; Communicator; Collaborator; Future-Ready Literate; Personally and Socially Responsible; Kind; and Resilient. Email details of examples to communications@lexington1.net. ​ ​ ​ ​ Celebrations ​ ​ ​ ​ Pelion Elementary Nurse Hailed a Hero After Saving Grandparent's Life ​ Pelion Elementary School Nurse Kayla Hale has been honored with the Pelion Police Lifesaver Award for her quick-thinking and life-saving actions during a recent school event. On February 13, during PES's Grandparents Luncheon, a medical emergency occurred in the parking lot. A grandparent suffered a life-threatening stroke, creating a moment of crisis. As Pelion Police arrived on the scene, Nurse Hale, drawing upon her extensive training and experience, immediately stepped in to provide critical medical care until EMS arrived. "Nurse Hale's swift and decisive actions were nothing short of heroic," stated Pelion Mayor Frank Shumpert. "According to medical officials, her intervention was the key factor in the grandparent's survival." On February 27 Mayor Shumpert and the Town of Pelion Police department representatives recognized Nurse Hale for her extraordinary efforts. She was presented with a plaque and a letter of commendation, expressing the town's deep gratitude. Nurse Hale's actions exemplify the dedication and care that our Lexington One staff provide to our students and their families every day. Her commitment to the well-being of the PES community is truly commendable. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Kayla Hale (c) pictured with Pelion Mayor Frank Shumpert and PES Principal Francina Gerald. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Celebrating School Social Work Week! ​ Lask week, March 2-8, 2025, Lexington One celebrated National School Social Work Week — an opportunity for schools, communities, and partners to acknowledge and recognize the impactful work they do to support students, families, and their communities. We are so thankful for our school social workers, who provide essential support to students, families, and staff. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment help create a safe and supportive learning environment for all. Thank you for the vital role you play in our schools and communities! To celebrate National School Social Work Week, Lexington One's Central Services is hosting a supply drive to benefit Lexington One's Pantry. The pantry provides essential support to families in need. Donations of household items (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.), hygiene products (soap, shampoo, etc.), and clothing (boys and girls underwear) are being collected now through March 14. Donations can be dropped off at Central Services (100 Tarrar Springs Road, Lexington). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Wilson Named South Carolina's Top DAR Good Citizen ​ Congratulations to Gilbert High student Wilson Oxner, who won the top South Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award. He earned the highest score statewide after winning the Lexington One district essay contest. The award ceremony, set for March 22, will honor Wilson's academic excellence, community service, and extracurricular involvement. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Gilbert High's Frances Meetze Awarded Prestigious Dr. Elizabeth Gressette Scholarship ​ Frances Meetze, Gilbert High School AP U.S. history teacher and instructional coach, has been selected as a winner of the 2025 Dr. Elizabeth Gressette Professional Development Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded by the Palmetto State Teachers Association’s foundation for Professional Development, recognizing Mrs. Meetze’s unwavering dedication to advanced education. Mrs. Meetze is currently pursuing her third master's degree, this time in American History from Gettysburg College. The winners were honored and awarded $2000 at the PSTA Annual Business Meeting on March 1, 2025. Congratulations to Mrs. Meetze! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Lexington One Esports: A Rising Force in Competitive Gaming ​ Lexington One's esports program is not just about winning; it's about developing well-rounded student-athletes and fostering a vibrant community. Over the past two years, our teams have risen to become regional leaders, consistently demonstrating exceptional skill and teamwork in both live and online competitions. Our Rocket League team's impressive Top 10 Eastern Region ranking in the High School Esports League (HSEL) and their recent HSEL Winter Blitz Gold Championship victory are testament to their dedication. Similarly, our Super Smash Bros. team has achieved back-to-back Eastern playoff appearances. This remarkable growth reflects the expanding role of esports in Lexington One and South Carolina, providing students with unique avenues to enhance leadership, communication and critical thinking skills. Beyond competition, the program strengthens community ties through events like the highly successful fall Community Clash and the upcoming March event. We celebrate the achievements of our talented esports athletes and the tireless efforts of their coaches! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ CSMS Huskies Archers Shatter Records with Historic High Score! ​ Carolina Springs Middle Huskies Archers set a new South Carolina NASP middle school archery record at the Battle of the Bows at Gilbert High School in February with a remarkable score of 3355. This impressive performance by the team, coached by White Knoll High Teacher Todd Fulmer, set them up for an award-winning performance at the state championships. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ UPCOMING DATES ​ MARCH 13 – Board Workshop 17 — No School for students and staff (Weather Make-up Day waived) 21 — Report Cards Issued 25 — Board Meeting 27 — Teacher of the Year Celebration at River Bluff High School APRIL 1 — Board Budget Workshop 2 — Collaborative Planning Day 14–18 — Spring Break ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The Year of Weather Disruptions ​ This school year has brought more weather-related schedule changes than we’ve seen in recent memory. As an eLearning district, we can use up to five eLearning days per SC Department of Education regulations — either on the actual day of closure or on a designated make-up day. The Breakdown Here’s how we’ve adjusted for weather disruptions so far: 🔹 August 8 – Hurricane Debby: Closed; made up on October 14 (eLearning). 🔹 September 27 – Hurricane Helene: eLearning day used. 🔹 September 30 – Hurricane Helene: Closed; made up on February 17 (eLearning). 🔹 October 1 – Hurricane Helene: Closed; Board waived the make-up day (originally would have been made up on March 17). 🔹 January 22 – Winter Weather: eLearning day used. 🔹 January 23 – Winter Weather: eLearning day used. 🔹 March 5 – Severe Weather: Closed for students; employees reported to work. What’s Next? With all five eLearning days used, any decision about making up March 5 — or waiving it — rests with the Lexington One Board of Trustees who will weigh all factors before making a final decision. Stay tuned for updates! ​ ​

Tuesday, Mar 11 2025

Feb. 25 Board Meeting Recap

​ ​ Feb. Board Meeting Recap ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Click to view Feb. 25 agenda. ​ ​ ​ ​ Click to view Feb. 25 video. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Book Study ​ ​ ​ ​ The Board of Trustees continued their book study of Great on Their Behalf by Airick Journey Crabill. This session, led by Secretary Chris Rice, focused on Step One: Focus Mindset in Part II of the book: "How Your School Board Can Become Effective." The discussion centered on how board members can sharpen their strategic focus to drive student success. Click here to watch this portion of the board meeting. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ New Business ​ ​ ​ ​ 🚀 Mission in Action: Reports on how schools are implementing the Lexington One Graduate Profile and Instructional Framework continued this month with a highlight at the high school level. Teachers and leaders from Gilbert High School presented how they utilize district common assessment data to enhance teaching and learning in U.S. History. 📊 Program Evaluation Reports: Shane Phillips presented evaluations for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and The College Center, highlighting their impact on student learning and achievement. 📑 Consideration of Independent Audit for 2018 Bond Referendum Transactions: Board members Katie McCown, Nick Pizzuti and Chris Rice led a discussion on the potential for an independent audit of the 2018 Bond Referendum transactions to ensure transparency and accountability. 📌 Review 2024–25 Board Priorities: The board discussed plans for developing 2025–26 board goals and priorities. 💰 Preliminary Budget Discussion: Devona Price reviewed a comparison of the staffing standards as outlined by the South Carolina Defined Program and the Lexington One standards and how the Lexington One standards and enrollment projections are used to calculate preliminary school staff allocations. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Action items taken by the board ​ ​ ​ ​ 📚 Upheld the district-level committee's recommendation to fully retain The Hunger Games at middle schools after conducting a hearing to consider an instructional materials complaint submitted by a parent 📌 Approved two certified staff recommendations and one administrative staff recommendation for the 2024–25 school year, and 22 certified staff recommendations for the 2025–26 school year ✅ Approved the Consent Agenda January 28 Board Meeting minutes and February 4 Board Workshop minutes Student Travel Requests New Hire Support Staff Report Homeschool Applications 📌 Approved the recommendation to sustain the administrator assistance position at Pelion Middle School for the 2025–26 school year that was piloted during the 2024–25 school year 📋 Approved up to $50,000 from the General Fund Balance to conduct a district-wide communications audit ✈️ Approved an exception to Policy IJOA Student Travel to allow students to attend the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, TX and the "We The People" Competition in Washington, D.C. 📅 Approved the 2025–26 board meeting schedule ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Policies ​ ​ ​ ​ Second readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were approved: Student Absences and Excuses (JH, JH-R) Primary/Pre-Primary Education (IHBIB, IHBIB-R) First readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were presented for first reading Grading/Assessment Systems (IKA, IKA-R) Report Cards and Assessment Reports (IKAB) Communicable/Infectious Diseases (JLCC) Deletion of JLCC-R Assisting Students with Medication (JLCD, JLCD-R) Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs) (JLCDA, JLCDA-R) Use of Lifesaving Medications (JLCDB) First Aid and Emergency Care (JLCE) Seizure Safe Schools (JLCG) ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Superintendent's Report ​ ​ ​ ​ Click here to watch the Superintendent's Report and learn about: Proposed grading policy adjustments Program evaluations Invitation to participate in collaborative planning sessions Annual homeschool report Teacher recruitment fair attendance National Assessment of Educational Progress Planning for 2025–26 Review the slides from the Superintendent's Report. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Honors and Achievements ​ ​ ​ ​ The Board recognized several outstanding students and staff members: 📖 S.C. Association of School Librarians Awards: Administrator of the Year: Don Hardie, White Knoll Middle New Professional Award: Jordan Henry, White Knoll Middle 🗣️ S.C. Fellowship of Language Teachers & Advocates Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Cathy Bouabre, Pelion High Teacher of Promise Award: Wendy Guo, Meadow Glen Elementary World Language Teacher of the Year: Kelly Jones, Pleasant Hill Middle 🏆 Newly National Board Certified Teachers: Tonya Clamp, Gilbert High Jean Cochran, Meadow Glen Elementary Amy Donaldson, White Knoll High Adriana Dooley, River Bluff High Kathryn Gibb, River Bluff High Cielo Catherine Holt, Gilbert High Trevor Hutson, Lexington High Amy Long, Lakeside Middle Holley Matthews, Pelion Middle Jennifer May, Pelion Middle Gina Rawl, Beechwood Middle Stephenie Sims, Oak Grove Elementary Elizabeth Stevenson, Lake Murray Elementary Read the Proof Positive newsletter to learn more about this month’s honorees. Click here to watch this part of the meeting. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Reports Shared With The Board: ​ General Fund Revenues — January 2025 General Fund Balance — January 2025 General Fund Budget Transfers — January 2025 Capital Projects — January 2025 Unauthorized Procurements — January 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Upcoming Meetings ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Board Workshop — March 13 Regular Monthly Meeting — March 25 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​

Thursday, Mar 06 2025