Need to Know
For Immediate Release – January 10, 2025
School District Five announces Board meeting January 13
IRMO – The Lexington-Richland School District Five Board of Trustees will hold a Board meeting on Monday, January 13 at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies.
The Board meeting call to order will take place at 5:00 p.m., followed by Executive Session. A second call to order will take place at 7:00 p.m. To view the agenda for the January 13 Board meeting, please visit the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2ua8cjhm.
The district will live stream the board meeting. Members of the public will be able to see live video of the January 13 meeting by visiting the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/eS34Ap3kyls.
Public participation will be available for those who sign in to speak at the venue before the meeting begins, per the guidelines of Board Policy BEDH. The Board welcomes and encourages public participation. We respectfully ask that you adhere to the procedures provided in board policy BEDH “Public Participation at Meetings”. Your comments should be limited to three minutes and must remain on either the topic noted on your sign-in form or a listed agenda item. Questions asked during public participation will be handled in accordance with board policy BEDH. Those wishing to speak during public participation must present a photo identification and fill out the Public Participation Sign Up Form by 7:00 p.m. listing topics of discussion.
Recordings of Board meetings will continue to be posted on the district’s Board Information tab after the meetings.
WHAT: School District Five Board Meeting
WHEN: Monday, January 13, 2025
WHERE: Center for Advanced Technical Studies
916 Mt. Vernon Church Road
Chapin, SC 29036
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For Immediate Release – November 8, 2024
School District Five to hold Magnet Fairs to showcase offerings
IRMO – Lexington-Richland School District Five will hold the first of two district Magnet Fairs on Thursday, November 21, 2024 giving families in the district an opportunity to explore offerings at several of its high schools and middle schools or explore offerings for grades 6-12. This year the two Magnet Fairs will be separated by grade levels.
The first in-person event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Irmo High School International School for the Arts. It will feature all of the magnet schools and programs available to all middle and high school students. Each will have booths to showcase what their program has to offer. A second Magnet Fair will be held January 16, 2025 at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. It will feature all 8 of the elementary magnet schools and programs.
School District Five Magnet Director Sara Wheeler said, "School District Five has long placed a priority on growing academic programs through magnet and other choice offerings. It’s important to provide our families with top quality choices that help make students successful in school and in future careers. The magnet fairs are a part of our effort to make families in the district aware of opportunities we have available.”
During the events, participants will be able to learn about each magnet school and programs in the district, and talk with representatives from each school.
The district’s magnet programs include: Dutch Fork Elementary School Academy of Environmental Sciences, Harbison West Elementary School Gifted and Talent Development Magnet, Escolares Academy at Harbison West Elementary School, H. E. Corley Elementary School Montessori Magnet and Leadership Magnet, Leaphart Elementary School STEAM Magnet, Nursery Road Elementary School Arts Magnet, Seven Oaks Elementary School Global Magnet , Irmo Middle International Academic Magnet and I AM Escolares Magnet Program, Dutch Fork High School STEM Magnet Program, Irmo High School International School for the Arts, International Baccalaureate Diploma and Career-related Programmes, and the This Is Escolares Academic Magnet Program at Irmo High School, and Spring Hill High School Career Pathways Magnet.
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For Immediate Release – August 9, 2024
School District Five announces 2025 graduation dates
IRMO – Lexington-Richland School District Five will hold its 2025 high school graduation ceremonies Wednesday, May 28, 2025 and Thursday, May 29, 2025 at the Colonial Life Arena.
· Irmo High School: May 28 at 5:00 p.m.
· Spring Hill High School: May 29 at 8:00 a.m.
· Chapin High School: May 29 at 12:00 p.m.
· Dutch Fork High School: May 29 at 4:00 p.m.
Graduation times and dates vary each year. While districts annually submit preferred dates for graduation ceremonies at the Colonial Life Arena, the arena ultimately selects and provides dates and times for several districts based on the arena’s availabilities and processes.
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For Immediate Release – November 20, 2024
School District Five hosts January 11 Hiring Event
IRMO–Lexington-Richland School District Five will host its annual Hiring Event on Saturday, January 11 to give educators and support staff seeking employment in the district an opportunity to talk one-on-one with district personnel and administrators.
The in-person event will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Irmo Middle School. Candidates are encouraged to register before the event by visiting www.lexrich5.org/d5careers.
Vacancies for the upcoming school year will vary and contracts for the 2025-2026 school year may be issued the day of the event to qualified candidates. To submit an application directly to School District Five for consideration before the event, visit www.lexrich5.org/apply.
“School District Five is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining the best possible quality candidates,” said School District Five Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Tamara Turner. “This event offers a unique opportunity to bring together highly effective educators and support staff with school and district leaders who share the same passion to love and grow our students and their career.”
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For Immediate Release – December 17, 2024
School District Five to implement new cell phone policy in January
In May 2024, the South Carolina Legislature passed Proviso 1.103, entitled Anti-Bullying/School Safety. As a part of this Proviso, to receive state funds allocated for State Aid to Classrooms, all school districts in South Carolina shall implement a policy by January 1, 2025, that prohibits access to personal electronic communication devices by students during the instructional day. For purposes of this Proviso, a personal electronic communication device is considered to be a device not authorized for classroom use by a student, utilized to access the internet, wi-fi, or cellular telephone signals.
On October 28, 2024, School District Five of Lexington-Richland Counties Board of Trustees approved the adoption of Policy JICJ - Personal Electronic Device During the School Day. This Policy states that no personal wireless communication device or device accessory connected to a wireless communication device will be used from the morning tardy bell until afternoon dismissal, which is the conclusion of the instructional day.
However, as with many policies, exceptions are made under specific circumstances. Exceptions are made for emergency situations as determined by the school district; and for students that require personal electronic devices for purposes of their individualized education program (IEP), Medical Plan, or 504 Plan. This Policy does not apply to school buses, field trips, or athletic events.
Parents are asked to remind their child(ren) that the expectation for all students is that personal electronic devices and their accessories are to be silenced and stored away from the morning tardy bell until afternoon dismissal, during the change of classes, and during the lunch period. If the student is seen with a device or device accessory that violates Board Policy JICJ, the student will be asked to silence and store the device away.
In the rare instance when a student refuses to comply, the student will be subject to progressive discipline as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct Handbook under “Refusal to Obey” (1.270 or 2.270). Any student who uses a personal electronic device to record and/or distribute inappropriate or disruptive content of other students while on school grounds is subject to disciplinary actions.
It is the District’s hope that parents/guardians will partner with their students’ schools to ensure that all students are aware of the expectations in the District Policy and State Law (effective January 1, 2025). Schools will continue to reiterate these changes via newsletters, websites, and social media.
For Immediate Release – February 29, 2024
School District Five expanding mentoring program
IRMO – Lexington-Richland School District Five is expanding its current mentoring program and is inviting community members to come help love and grow our students.
Adults are asked to mentor one student for one hour a week at the student’s school to help develop their social and emotional well-being.
Mentors play a significant role in establishing a connection with their mentee, providing advice and guidance, lending support, listening and serving. Examples of what mentoring looks like:
· Reading a book with your mentee
· Helping with homework
· Eating lunch with your mentee
· Being a listening ear and/or having a positive conversation
All community mentors will complete a Mentor Application which includes a SLED background check. The application typically takes about 1 week to process from the time the district receives the application. Approved mentors will be contacted by the district to schedule a brief in person training with Student Services Officer Jason Pollock.
“Mentoring, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter,” Student Services Officer Jason Pollock said. “We know that when there’s a trusted adult in a young person’s life, it pretty much improves everything, academically and socially.”
Visit www.lexrich5.org/mentor to learn more about the Mentorship program
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