Allendale County Schools

We're sorry we missed our December Birthday Shoutouts, but we hope each of you had a fantastic day filled with joy! Your dedication and hard work never go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate all that you do. Thank you for your service—we're grateful to have you on our team here at Allendale County Schools. Happy Belated Birthday to all our staff born in December!

Dear Parent or Guardian, We’re excited to tell you about a free program, ENGAGE Allendale, that will provide your student with an extra layer of support this school year. Here’s what one parent had to say about this program: “I couldn't ask for better dedication and support for my daughter. Our mentor is a blessing and has incredible energy. I love how she got my daughter out of her shell and talking more (and finding her voice to speak up more). Thanks to our coach and this program, my daughter loves school and learning again. This program is the best thing that could ever happen for my daughter and me!” — ENGAGE parent Allendale County Schools has partnered with Graduation Alliance to provide an extra layer of support for K-12 students and their families to boost school engagement and academic and personal success during the school year. If your student chooses to participate in the program, they will be assigned a mentor who will answer questions, connect them with resources, and develop a plan to help them stay on track and engaged with their schooling! Their coach will reach out by phone, email, text message, and more to provide support by grade level such as All Students: -Encouragement and motivation -Access to 24/7 virtual tutoring services -Organization and study tips -Referrals to local nonprofit organizations that can provide support with life’s challenges -Helping students identify resources and connections to help overcome obstacles and promote self-sufficiency -Encouraging students to engage with their school and teachers -Setting goals for academic and personal success Grades K-5: -Information about educational opportunities like summer reading programs -Activities and resources to strengthen reading, math, and handwriting skills -Skill-appropriate books kids will enjoy reading Grades 6-8: -Teaching students how to effectively communicate with teachers via email -Helping kids advocate for themselves in the classroom -Showing students how to prioritize assignments to get work done on time Grades 9-12: -Feedback on resumes and cover letters -Information about summer job and internship opportunities -Encouraging and guiding post-graduate planning We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity! If you have any questions, feel free to email the program directly at EngageAllendale@GraduationAlliance.com or visit RegisterAllendale.GraduationAlliance.com.

Parents and families, we apologize for any confusion but the AFHS 2nd Quarter Awards Day Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 5th at 1:45 PM in the gymnasium. We hope to see you there as we recognize our star students!

Parents and families please join us for the AFHS 2nd Quarter Awards Day Ceremony on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 1:45pm in the gymnasium. We hope you can come out to help us honor our scholars for their accomplishments!

Starting next week, Allendale-Fairfax High School will be participating in a technology free campaign until February 13th. The purpose of this challenge is to reintroduce our students to traditional forms of instruction. We also want to foster creativity and socialization amongst our scholars. We know this will be difficult, but we also know that you have the will power to do it! Let's get ready for a fun and engaging week ahead! #TogetherWeCanDoThis #TechFreeSchool

Congratulations to ZyKi Priester, a junior at Allendale-Fairfax High School, who was named the STEM Career Connection Winner. Mr. Priester explored various careers in the STEM field that are available in the CSRA region. He completed a survey and his name was drawn for a brand new Apple Watch! Well done Zyki!

If you’ve been thinking about giving back to Allendale County Schools, now is the time to step up and make a difference! We need community members who want to help shape the next generation of leaders and get our community back on track. Volunteer Orientation is tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM in the District Office Board Room. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of the change! Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/SQZfJGKtWu

As we wrap up Board Appreciation Month, our School Board Members are committed to regaining control of our district and steering it back onto the right path. Their role demands countless hours of hard work, tough decisions, and unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and community. While the challenges are great, the impact of their service is even greater. Together, they are building a stronger foundation for the future of education in our district. Thank you for your stewardship.

Last night's Board/Community Meeting was filled with warm and energetic energy! Everyone was excited to celebrate our wonderful board members: Althea Carter, Nakeisha Holloway, Farah Maner, Chasity Meyers, and our Board Chairman, Catherine Russell. They received a standing ovation for their work in helping make our district a better place. We appreciate their time and commitment, and are so grateful to have these women serve on our board.

Congratulations to our January Staff and Students of the Month who were honored at last night's board meeting! From inspiring learning in the classroom to showing exceptional character, you make our district shine! We hope you continue to go above and beyond throughout the rest of the year! #TogetherWeCanDoThis

Don't forget to attend tonight’s Board/Community Meeting in the AFMHS Cafeteria. Our Board Members will meet at 4:30 PM for a work session. Then at 6:00 PM we'll start our jam-packed meeting with important updates and celebrations! This month, we will be honoring our Board Members for Board Member Appreciation Month. So, come show your support for the amazing individuals who dedicate their time to serving our schools! Our Staff and Students of the Month will also be recognized. Lastly, we will hear department updates and progress reports. Let’s come together as a community to celebrate achievements, share updates, and continue building a brighter future for our scholars! #TogetherWeCanDoThis

Oh the places you'll go when you read! As part of our efforts to increase literacy rates and promote wellness practices, we held a Literacy Wellness Event for our scholars and their families to enjoy. Some of our middle school students received tablets on the behalf of the Twin City Outreach Mission and Family Learning Company. We heard from Eddie Miller, who encouraged the room to develop a "thirst" for learning. We were also honored to have the grand niece of the great Mary Mcleod Bethune, who was one of the original Six Triple Eight. We are so grateful for your help in creating futures for our scholars and their families.

Dear Parents and Families, I am writing to inform you of a recent cybersecurity incident at PowerSchool, the platform we use to manage student and teacher information. Unfortunately, this incident exposed sensitive information related to our teachers and students. We understand that the security of personal information is of utmost importance, and we are committed to addressing this issue with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. This nationwide incident was isolated to PowerSource, a customer support portal. Forensic investigations confirm other PowerSchool products were not impacted. PowerSchool has taken heightened security measures, conducted a full reset, and restricted access. Additionally, no malware was detected, and all systems are operating normally. Since the incident, cybersecurity experts, legal counsel, PowerSchool officials, and the State Department have been working tirelessly to determine its cause and scope to prevent future incidents. While this incident was through no fault of our own, we deeply apologize for this invasion of privacy. Protecting personal information is our top priority, and we remain steadfast in ensuring its security. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Josalyn Sanders at sandersj@acs.k12.sc.us. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Sincerely, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Vallerie C. Cave

Join us for the first Board/Community Meeting of 2025 on January 27th at 6:00 PM in the AFMHS Cafeteria! A Board Work Session will be held prior to the meeting at 4:30 PM. We’ll be sharing updates from the Curriculum & Instruction, Human Resources, and Finance departments. Plus, hear progress reports on the CV Bing Project and Middle-High School Renovations. We will be celebrating our board members in honor of Board Member Appreciation Month. We will also recognize our amazing January Staff and Students of the Month. This is your chance to stay informed, get involved, and help shape the future of our schools! We hope to see you there! #DistrictUpdates #TogetherWeCanDoThis #GetInvolved

After much reflective thought and collaboration with our transportation department, and in the interest of safety for our students, staff, and bus drivers, Allendale County Schools and its offices will remain closed on tomorrow, Friday, January 24, 2025. This includes all after school programs and athletic events. I know this has been a challenging week, but I hope you have had quality time with those you love and with those who love you. We will make the decision regarding make up days early next week. We will look forward to seeing students and returning to full operations on Monday, January 27, 2025. Please be safe and stay warm.  Dr. Vallerie Cave  Superintendent of Schools

Even though we are out of school, we would still love to connect with our students and families on this #ACSSNOWDAY. Share a picture of you enjoying the snow whether that be your reaction, creation, or backyard! Snow is a delicacy here in Allendale County, so we want to commemorate the occasion by featuring your memories! We hope everyone stays safe and warm while enjoying the snow day!

Be the change you want to see! Volunteers like YOU can make all the difference in our schools. You can help our students grow and shape our community. Whether you're looking to share your time, skills, or passion, we would love to have you as part of our volunteer team. If you are interested in volunteering, please join us for our Volunteer Orientation in the District Office Board Room on January 30th at 9:00 AM to learn more and get started. Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/SQZfJGKtWu

Dear Allendale County Community of Learners, We hope this message finds you safe and warm! Due to hazardous conditions, including black ice that has made our roads unsafe for bus transportation, Allendale County Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 23rd. This includes all athletic events and after-school programs. Please note that this will not be an e-learning day, and students will be required to make up this missed day in the future. This decision was made in collaboration with the Allendale County Emergency Management Team, prioritizing the safety of our students and staff. We will be evaluating conditions for Friday and will share a decision by tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, please continue to monitor local news and our social media channels for updates. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Stay safe, stay warm, and we look forward to seeing you all soon! Superintendent Dr. Vallerie Cave Allendale County Schools

We are beyond proud of the Allendale-Fairfax Middle High School Chorus for their unforgettable performance on MLK Day at the State House in Columbia! Their talent, hard work, and dedication have earned them well-deserved recognition from multiple news outlets. This incredible achievement highlights the amazing progress of our music program, and we're thrilled to see our students representing Allendale-Fairfax with such pride and passion! #AFMHSChorus #TigerPride #TogetherWeCanDoThis Link 1: https://wach.com/news/local/naacps-25th-king-day-at-the-dome-unites-hundreds-in-honoring-dr-kings-enduring-legacy Link 2: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=smCc_UJ_DtM&feature=youtu.be Link 3: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/155hMhWoNH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Happy Birthday to our amazing staff with January birthdays! While we brace for the freezing temperatures, let's warm things up with bday celebrations and good vibes! Even though we're working from out of the buildings, we hope you feel the love and appreciation for all the hard work you put in every day. Let’s keep the celebrations going, no matter how chilly it gets outside #BirthdayShoutouts #SweaterWeather #StaffBirthdays