Mrs. Alexander’s K4 class is using Heggerty Phonemic Awareness lessons to practice hearing, blending, breaking apart, and changing sounds in words.
These quick, interactive lessons get our youngest Bulldogs listening, moving, responding, and building the foundation they need to become strong readers and spellers.
Small sounds. BIG reading growth
Following 13 years of leadership, Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck will conclude his service at the end of the 2026–2027 school year. With advance planning, the Board of Trustees is beginning the search process now to support a thoughtful and seamless transition.
The search will be guided by our Innovate ’28 Strategic Plan and shaped by input from the people who know and care about SDPC — our students, employees, families, and Pickens County community.
🗣️ Your voice matters.
The Board of Trustees, in partnership with the South Carolina School Boards Association, is gathering community input to help identify the qualities, experience, and leadership priorities that should guide the search for SDPC’s next superintendent.
The first opportunity to share your input:
📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
📍 Liberty High School (124 Red Devil Drive, Liberty, SC 29657)
⏰ 6:00 PM
Additional opportunities for community input will be announced as the search progresses.
Learn more about the superintendent search and how you can participate: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/3112602
#SDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
Mark your calendars, SDPC! There will be no school for students on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the long weekend!
For additional important dates throughout the school year, visit the SDPC District Calendar.
District leaders, Board of Trustees members, community partners, educators, and special guests gathered to celebrate this exciting investment in our youngest learners. The event featured a performance by Sweet Potato Pie Kids, remarks from district leaders and project partners, and concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Liberty Primary School, where our Pre-K students helped officially open the doors to their new learning environment. Guests then toured the newly completed immersive classrooms, experiencing firsthand how these thoughtfully designed spaces will spark curiosity, creativity, and discovery.
Designed around learning through exploration, play, and hands-on experiences, the SDPC Academy for Early Learners encourages students to ask questions, solve problems, and build foundational skills in engaging, meaningful ways.
Last year, one immersive classroom opened at each of our four hub schools: Six Mile Elementary, Hagood Elementary, East End Elementary, and Liberty Primary. This summer, the remaining classrooms were completed at each site, creating a fully immersive Academy experience for every Pre-K student as they walk through our doors next week.
The SDPC Experience begins here. We can't wait to welcome our newest learners into classrooms designed for wonder, exploration, and endless possibilities.
To find out more about the Academy for Early Learners, visit our webpage: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/preschool-programs
#SDPCAcademyForEarlyLearners #ExperienceSDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
For 75 years, the School District of Pickens County has been more than a collection of schools - it has been a place where students discover their passions, build lasting relationships, and create memories that shape their futures.
Throughout this anniversary year, we’ve celebrated the people, places, and programs that have made SDPC special by sharing stories from across our schools and community.
Now, those stories come together in one place.
📖 "75 Years of Impact: Past. Present. Potential." is a commemorative magazine that celebrates the legacy we’ve built and the Experience SDPC that continues to make our district unique.
Inside, you’ll find the moments, milestones, and voices that reflect who we are - and the commitment that continues to guide us as we engage students today and empower them for tomorrow.
👉 Explore the magazine: https://www.flipsnack.com/BFD76799E8C/75-years-of-impact-sdpc-2026
#75YearsOfImpact #ExperienceSDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
If your student will be riding the bus to or from school, please take a moment to complete the 📝 SDPC Transportation Form to ensure they are scheduled for 🚌 pickup and drop-off before August 1.
🔗 Find the form linked here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/transportation
If your student will be riding the bus to or from school, please take a moment to complete the 📝 SDPC Transportation Form to ensure they are scheduled for 🚌 pickup and drop-off before August 4th!
🔗 Find the form linked here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/transportation
Please remember to pay your K5 - 5th grade student’s $25 technology fee through MySchoolBucks. This fee helps support the technology and digital resources our Bulldogs use throughout the school year.
You can make your payment here:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=00GLC10TP2O2VR1_ZZ6BOMBENB3J3U4
Thank you for helping us keep our Bulldogs connected, learning, and ready for success
We’ve got great news for SDPC families!
Thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all students will receive FREE breakfast and lunch every day during the 2026-2027 school year - no forms, no fees, no hassle! 🙌
✅ No need to submit a meal application
✅ Every student is automatically eligible
✅ Healthy meals = focused minds + strong bodies
This program ensures that every child has access to nutritious meals to fuel learning and success. It’s one more way we’re supporting our students - together!
Questions? Visit www.sdpcnutrition.com or contact Jenaffer Stevenson, Director of Student Nutrition Services:
📧 jenafferstevenson@pickens.k12.sc.us | 📞 864-397-1166
#SDPCNutrition #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
📚 The first day of school for SDPC students is Tuesday, August 4! We can't wait to welcome everyone back for an amazing year of learning.
Please note: Students in our 4K and 5K programs have a staggered start to help ensure a successful transition to school.
🍎 4K Families: Your child's school will contact you to schedule:
• An assessment appointment on August 4 or 5
• A half-day orientation on August 6 or 7
• Full-day classes begin Monday, August 10
🍎 5K Families: Your child's school will contact you to schedule:
• An assessment appointment on August 4, 5, or 6
• Full-day classes begin Friday, August 7
We look forward to seeing our students soon! 💙
We have made a few changes to help make registration smoother and shorten your wait time during Meet the Teacher on Thursday, July 30, from 4:00–7:00 PM.
1. BUS TRANSPORTATION
Families who need bus transportation should complete the transportation form in advance. This information will help the transportation office determine bus assignments and provide approximate route times.
Complete the transportation form here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdelqCAol1cNpYzlDrvYSaRtJ5EVgeBGfDjDUfhvM3Jm4y2QQ/viewform?usp=send_form
2. AFTER THE BELL
Families planning to use After the Bell should complete the registration form in advance:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeA_xwQlQn4QSglPORG26obAgotmxXSIgNW7tmOclgZkmehHA/viewform?usp=header
A $95 registration fee must be paid by August 1, 2026. This fee includes the first week of school. Because K4 and K5 students have a delayed start, their fee will include the first full week their child attends.
To pay the registration fee, visit MySchoolBucks and select “AFTER THE BELL REGISTRATION FEE”:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=00GLC10TP2O2VR1_ZZ6B75NPOXUL4CV
After the Bell Options:
2:30–4:00 PM
• Snack
• 30-minute reading or homework block
• $30 per week
• No daily rate available
2:30–6:00 PM
• Snack
• 30-minute reading or homework block
• Outdoor and STEM activities throughout the week
• $60 per week
• No daily rate available
Please note that After the Bell is closed on in-service days, inclement weather days, and half days.
Review the East End Enrichment Program Handbook here:
https://canva.link/j1l5mdug6br0n6p
3. CAR TRANSPORTATION
This year, car tags will be distributed in your child’s classroom. The youngest child in each family will be assigned the family’s car rider number. Please pick up your car tag from your youngest child’s homeroom teacher.
We hope these changes make the wait time at Meet the Teacher much shorter and create a smoother experience for all of our Bulldog families! Thank you for completing the forms and payments in advance.
Give your child a great start with the SDPC Academy for Early Learners — a FREE 4K program designed to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students for kindergarten and beyond.
Through hands-on learning in immersive environments, students explore, create, problem-solve, and grow while developing important early literacy, social, and emotional skills.
🚌 FREE transportation is available to all Pre-K students!
Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child an engaging learning experience that sets the stage for future success!
🔗 Register for 4K today: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/four-year-old-kindergarten
📩 Questions? Contact the Academy for Early Learners at aelreg@pickens.k12.sc.us or 864-397-1000.
Dear East End Families,
We are so excited and so ready to welcome our Bulldogs back into the building!
We wanted to share a few important updates as we prepare for the new school year. About one week before Meet the Teacher, we will send an email with your child’s assigned teacher.
We are having Meet the Teacher on July 30 from 4 pm - 7 pm.
We have also updated our school supply list. You can find the updated list here: Supply List
We are looking forward to a wonderful school year at East End!
School supply lists for the 2026–2027 school year are now available!
Parents and guardians, you can find the supply lists for each grade level using the link below:
📚https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QbnBgJdfwqkXDz1UDd-4IutZ0Jmp_w6iqB31jyEhCdM/edit?usp=sharing
Now is a great time to begin gathering supplies and taking advantage of summer sales. Having the right tools on the first day helps our Bulldogs start the year ready to learn and succeed.
We can't wait to welcome our students back for another year of learning, growing, and achieving together. Thank you for helping us prepare for a successful 2026–2027 school year!
Stars, Stripes, and Student Successes!
The East End Elementary School Improvement Council’s 2025–2026 Report to Parents provides an overview of the school’s progress, priorities, and accomplishments. The report outlines the school’s vision of excelling in academics, encouraging character, embracing community, and seeking success for every student. It highlights key goals such as increasing student achievement, strengthening parent communication and involvement, enhancing the school environment, and expanding community supports. The report also shares student performance data from SC READY assessments, recognizes awards and achievements, and details grants and programs that support early literacy and student learning. Additionally, it emphasizes professional learning for teachers, a wide range of student clubs and activities, and strong community partnerships that contribute to the overall success and growth of East End Elementary. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Oo-nrf1WvOUeLfhL59sHQ-MrKNTwKBtW/view?usp=sharing
