Applications are now being accepted for school choice for the 2024-2025 school year. Families who wish for their child to attend a school other than the one they are zoned for must complete a school choice application annually, even for those who are currently on school choice. Applications will be accepted through Friday, June 7, 2024. Any parent wishing to apply for school choice for an incoming kindergarten student will be able to do so during Kindergarten Pre-registration which opens on Monday, March 4th.
Please note: to submit an application, the student’s birthdate and student ID number will be required. Parents should have received an email from School Messenger this past week for each student that contained the student's ID number - Parent's are encouraged to check their spam folder if the email is not in their inbox. Parents should reach out to their student's school if they did not receive the email or if they have questions.
There are currently no restrictions on specific schools and/or grade levels for 2024-2025. Once enrollment numbers are finalized, it is possible that some schools and/or grade levels may not accept school choice students. Students currently on school choice will be grandfathered in as long as they submit the yearly application and continue to meet the requirements. The School Zone Locator tool is available for families to determine what school their child is zoned to attend.
SDOC School Board Administrative Policy JFB governs the school choice process. Policy JFB includes the following parameters:
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Only students that reside in Oconee County are eligible for school choice.
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Transportation to a "choice school" is the responsibility of the parent/guardian (no bus service)
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Principals will consider behavior, attendance, and grades before approving applications.
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A lottery will be used to fill spaces if more applications are received than available space.
Note: Eligibility for athletics at the middle and high school levels is governed by the South Carolina High School League. Attending a choice school may affect a student’s eligibility to participate in sports.
The School District of Oconee County has transitioned to MySchoolBucks for student payments for the 2023-2024 school year. This payment platform will be used for all payments, including meals, field trips, athletic tickets, and others.
Families are encouraged to download the MySchoolBucks app and set up their account. Families can use the QR code below or visit www.myschoolbucks.com to register for an account or to download the app. A link can also be found on the parent table of the district and all school websites. Once in the app, be sure to select "South Carolina" and "School District of Oconee County" so you can add your student.
The newsletter linked below has important information for next school year concerning student attendance, students meals, technology, and concerns about vaping in our schools. It also includes a link to registration dates for next year, details on summer meals, and info on mental health resources. We encourage all of our families to read through the information provided.
SDOC Clear Bag Protocol
SDOC is continually reviewing safety and security measures. To enhance safety inside athletic venues, the district will implement a Clear Bag Protocol as part of the screening process to enter all athletic events for the 2022-2023 school year. A clear bag is easily searched, reduces faulty bag searches, and supports the Department of Homeland Security's "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign.
SPECTATORS WILL BE PERMITTED TO CARRY
ONE LARGE CLEAR BAG UP TO 12” X 12” X 6”
PLUS A SMALL CLUTCH PURSE up to 4.5" X 6.5"
PROHIBITED BAGS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
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Purses - larger than a clutch
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Camera cases
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Briefcases
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Backpacks
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Cinch bags
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Tinted/printed pattern plastic bags
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Diaper bags
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Mesh bags
Please note the following:
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A gallon-sized “ziploc-style” bag meets the clear bag requirement.
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Folding chairs and blankets are allowed, but are subject to be searched.
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Diapers & other baby supplies may be carried into the stadium but must be in a clear bag.
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Items requiring refrigeration (medicine, infant formula/milk) are allowed in a small soft-side cooler. Coolers will be searched in the bag check area.
TSE “Challenge to be Great” Scholarship Fund
Keowee Falls Cliffs Residents Outreach to partner with school
Tamassee-Salem Elementary School, with the support of Keowee Falls Cliffs Residents Outreach, Inc. (CRO), is starting a scholarship fund for the 2022 Tamassee-Salem Elementary School 5th grade class. The purpose of this scholarship is to challenge students to believe that with hard work and determination, they can reach greatness. Upon graduation, each eligible student will receive a $1000 scholarship to attend the two- or four-year post-secondary school of their choice. An important component of this initiative is the mentoring students will receive from the TSE Challenge to be Great Committee. Members of the committee will meet with students at the completion of each semester to discuss their academic progress, the growth of the scholarship fund and the importance of education. Keowee Falls CRO has partnered with Tamassee-Salem Elementary since 2009, providing gap funding for technology, intervention materials, and other needs within the school. The initiative was announced at the TSE 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony on May 26th, 2022.
Mr. Bobby Norizsan, principal of Tamassee-Salem Elementary said, “We believe in the potential of all of our students, and believe all great rewards take great effort and perseverance. As an educator, and a parent of a college student, I am incredibly grateful for the support of Keowee Falls CRO and can’t wait to see how this commitment helps positively impact TSE’s 2029 graduates of Walhalla High School.”
Ms. Louise Hughes, a representative from Keowee Falls CRO, said, “We are excited about the potential impact of this investment for local children. The prospect of this scholarship and the discussions with the Committee will be key for many students who will now be challenged to believe that they can, and should plan to not only graduate but to pursue higher education.
Students and families will receive complete eligibility criteria.
The newsletter linked below has important information for next school year concerning student attendance, meals, dress code, and concerns about vaping in our schools. It also includes a link to registration dates for next year and information on summer meals. We encourage all of our families to read through the information provided.
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit to Families
Assistance of up to $50 a month to those who qualify
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households (up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands).
Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
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Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
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Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
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Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
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Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 a
t or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
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Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
There are three ways for eligible households to apply:
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Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
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Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
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Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with copies of documents showing proof of eligibility to: Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY 40742