Jasper

JASPER WEATHER

Current Conditions:
Partly Cloudy, 82 F

Forecast:
Fri - Clear. High: 93 Low: 71
Sat - Mostly Sunny. High: 94 Low: 74

Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather

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WE ARE NOT QUITTERS EITHER!!!

   "We are not quitters." Those were the words of Ty'Sheoma Bethea, an eighth grader at J. V. Martin Middle School in Dillon.  She said them in a letter to President Barack Obama asking that help be directed to her school, and by inference, all neglected poor rural schools like those in the Corridor of Shame.

   She was sitting next to First Lady Michelle when the President spoke to Congress to tell how he planned to reshape the nation, including the educational system.  He spoke of her and Congress stood and applauded as Michelle gave her several warm hugs.

   The President noted that her words reflects the American people's spirit of determination to overcome the nation's current difficulties.  Obama cited the conditions in the Corridor as "unacceptable."

   Ty'Sheoma has spoken for all of us, including students, parents, and staff, when she said, "We are not quitters."  Let us work together for the academic improvement we have dreamed of.  Can we do it?  Yes, we can.  Yes, we will.  We are not quitters either.

   The Jasper County schools are very prominent in the Corridor of Shame documentary but have made some great strides in spite of inequitable funding.  There are new schools and improved technology. 

   No, President Obama, Jasper County Schools are not quitters either. 

EVERY DAY, A NEW DAY...A NEW WAY 

   The JCSD Public Information Office has again been honored. A photograph of a spectacular sunrise over a new school was seen as a visualization of the district's slogan, "A New Day... A New Way..."

DISTRICT ADDRESS
Jasper County School District
Dr. Delacy W. Sanford, Superintendent
10942 North Jacob Smart Boulevard
Post Office Box 848
Ridgeland, South Carolina 29936
Phone (843) 717-1100
Fax (843) 717-1199

PASS TESTING SCORES

   The Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) has been administered to our students in grades 3 through 8. The writing portion of the test was completed in March.

   Students in grades 4 and 7 took both the science and social studies test while students in grades 3, 5, 6 and 8 were tested in either science or social studies as randomly selected by the state. 

   The District is now waiting for results.

ALL STUDENTS NOW IN UNIFORM

   All schools, all grades, all students in Jasper County School District are now wearing uniforms.  No changes were made as to colors for the upcoming year

   Cargo pants and T-shirts are not permitted.  Shirts must be collared.  There are a few changes in the Student Dress Code, but the uniforms remain as previously announced.

   Pre-K through 5 students wear either a Royal Blue or White shirt, polo or collared. Pants, shorts, skirts and skorts may be either Khaki or Dark Blue.

    Middle School students at Hardeeville, grades 6 through 8, wear either a Dark Green or Gold shirt, polo or collared. Students at Ridgeland Middle School,grades 6 through 8, wear either Black or Gold shirt, polo or collared. Pants, shorts, skirts and skorts may be either Khaki or Black.

   High School students at Hardeeville, grades 9 through 12, wear either an Orange or Gray shirt, polo or collared. Students at Ridgeland High School, grades 9 through 12, wear either Red or Gray shirt, polo or collared. Pants, shorts, skirts and skorts may be either Khaki or Black.

    No logo allowed except that Hurricane or Jaguar school symbols are permitted, not required.   Cargo pants and T-shirts  are not permitted.

      To view shirt colors, click here. 

RESOLVE TO ACHIEVE

   Let us all resolve to live our district's "Vision Statement" to the utmost.

   "The Jasper County School District aspires to become the pride of the community where all students are empowered to excel to high academic standards guided by highly qualified professionals and dedicated citizens." 

JASPER'S SCHOOLS STRIKE GOLD

   Both Hardeeville and Ridgeland High School, in their first year of existence, were recognized by the State for their outstanding academic performance. They will receive Palmetto Gold Awards for their growth index according to standards established by the legislature and the state's Education Oversight Committee.

   They were honored for their excellent academic performance and progress in narrowing the achievement gap.

   The 2008 School Report Card displayed Excellent growth patterns in testing and the two Jasper high schools had a combined graduation rate of 93.2%, among the highest in the state.

SCHOOLS ATTACK OBESITY

   A study of third, fifth and eighth graders has resulted in findings that a third of the students were considered to be obese.  According to studies, South Carolina has the fifth highest obesity rate in the country, and our adolescents are seventh highest in the U.S. 

   Eat Smart Move More South Carolina Lowcountry, two dozen health, social, and educational groups, are anxious to help the JCSD with this health epidemic.  They presented the JCSD Board with a new BMI study on Jasper students on February 9.  Both the 2007 and 2008 studies can be seen at links below.

   ESMM has followed up with its second School Wellness Conference 2009 with a number of nationally recognized fitness experts to provide the latest innovations.  Many of Jasper's physical education teachers, nurses, music teachers and social workers attended the February 16 meeting.

2007 Report

2008 Report

PARENTS... BE THERE...

   The Jasper Schools are asking parents to become their child's favorite teacher. Be There is a multimedia program that invites parent involvement. Research shows that small increases in parent/student connections will have a increase in the student's success rate.