ATEC shows improvement on national tests

The Applied Technology Education Campus (ATEC) showed improvement in several national career and technical education performance standards for 2013, according to results released by the S.C. Department of Education.

Sharing the gift of language

Midway Elementary School (MES) has been offering free Rosetta Stone English classes to members of Hispanic families. The program currently has 10 participants, according to MES Media Specialist Benjamin Higgins.

Camden native is new KCSD professional development director

The Kershaw County Board of School Trustees voted recently to hire Camden native Steve Abbott as the district's new professional development director. Abbott replaces John Gardner, who recently retired.

Karen Bullard named KCSD Principal of the Year

Lugoff-Elgin Middle School (L-EMS) Principal Karen Bullard is the Kershaw County School District's (KCSD) Principal of the Year. A panel of school and district administrators voted to select her for the honor. Bullard began serving as L-EMS' principal in 2010 after serving as Camden High School's assistant principal. She and her husband are originally from Whiteville, N.C., and have two college-age daughters.

School board, KCC discuss economic development campus

Members of Kershaw County Council attended the Kershaw County Board of School Trustees meeting Tuesday evening to hear a presentation on a possible joint economic development campus here. Others attending the meeting included representatives from Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC), the city of Camden, the towns of Bethune and Elgin, Kershaw County Committee of 100, Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce, KershawHealth, Santee Lynches Council of Governments, the Kershaw County Vocational Education Foundation and Santee-Wateree Rural Transit Authority.

Read Across America declared a success, no more, no less

The 17th annual Read Across America event took place Feb. 28 with volunteers converging on all Kershaw County elementary schools to read the works of Dr. Seuss to students in honor of his birthday. Seuss, whose real name was Theodore Seuss Geisel, was born March 2, 1904, but since that date fell on Sunday this year, the event was moved to Feb. 28, a Friday. A creation of the National Education Association, the event is held nationwide.

Blaney Elementary participates in Jump Rope for the Heart

Last Friday, Blaney Elementary School (BES) students learned about heart health and physical activity at Jump Rope for the Heart. Students rotated through 11 stations where they exercised, played games and learned about eating healthy. BES school nurse Kim Allen wanted to show students that exercise can be fun. Jump Rope for the Heart is a community service project that teaches students the importance of exercising and eating healthy. Through Jump Rope for the Heart, BES students exceeded their goal of $1000 in raising money for the American Heart Association.

Friday to be regular KCSD school day

Due to recent inclement weather, Friday will be a regular school day for Kershaw County School District (KCSD) students. The 2013-14 KCSD calendar approved in December of 2012 originally indicated that Friday would be a professional development day for teachers unless needed as an inclement weather make up day.

KC Robotics Team wins state championship

Kershaw County can boast about another championship team.

Board hears West Wateree Phase 2 options

At Tuesday's meeting of the Kershaw County Board of School Trustees, Kershaw County School District (KCSD) Executive Director for Operations Billy Smith presented a PowerPoint which offered an overview of maps and information regarding Facilities Equalization Plan Phase 2 options in the West Wateree area; Smith had similarly presented overviews regarding the Camden area at the Jan. 21 board meeting and regarding the North Central area at the Feb. 4 board meeting.

Feature photo: Jump around

Junior Leadership Kershaw County accepting applications

The Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center is accepting applications for the 2014-15 Junior Leadership Kershaw County class for rising juniors and seniors who attend a Kershaw County high school.

Miss South Carolina 2012 to speak at FCA rally

Lugoff-Elgin High School's (L-EHS) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will host its second FCA rally Monday, March 3 in the L-EHS auditorium from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Miss South Carolina 2012 Ali Rogers and University of South Carolina Football Chaplain Adrian Despres will speak at the event. The praise band Fuse of Friendship Baptist will perform at the rally.

Aberdeen Catery offers culinary arts scholarship

Aberdeen Catery is offering a $500 scholarship for Kershaw County School District high school seniors interested in pursuing a career in culinary arts.

KCSD schools, offices closed Friday

Due to continued wintry weather conditions, all Kershaw County School District schools and offices will be closed on Friday, Feb. 14. All after school extracurricular activities, meetings and programs as well as adult education classes originally scheduled for tomorrow are also cancelled.

Local students participate in anti-bullying training

Third, fourth and fifth graders from Jackson, Pine Tree Hill (PTH) and Camden Elementary Schools participated in anti-bullying training last week. The group Community Matters from California sent training representatives to PTH, Wateree and Lugoff Elementary Schools and Camden and Lugoff Middle Schools to share the evidence-based program with designated "safe school ambassadors."

A special day for Kershaw County’s Special Olympics

By HALEY ATKINSON