Welcome!

7 months ago

Dr. Jody Penland, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services


Contact information: 

LCSD 55 Administrative Office 

301 Hillcrest Drive  

Laurens, SC   29360 

864-984-3568

jpenland@laurens55.org 

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Immunization, Medication, Illness, Health

7 months ago

Immunization

SC DHEC School Immunization Info for Parents - 2021-2022 (English)

SC DHEC Childcare Immunization Info for Parents - 2021-2022 (English)

SC DHEC Vacunacion De 5K A 12. Grado Informacion Para Padres - 2021-2022 (Spanish)

SC DHEC Vacunacion En Los Centros De Cuidado Infantil Informacion Para Padres - 2021-2022 (Spanish)

Student Medication

All prescription and over-the-counter medications must be registered by the parent/guardian with the school nurse or main office.  Medication may not be transported by students on the school bus. If there is no other way to get the medication to school, a parent/guardian must contact the school nurse to make arrangements.  All medication must be in the original container with original labels and directions for dosage. Any student who is to have prescription medication administered at school must provide a form signed by the prescribing physician and parent/guardian. Any student who is to have non-prescription medication administered at school must provide a form signed by the parent/guardian.  Forms are available here and at the school.  


Chronic Illness

The school nurse should be notified as soon as possible about chronic illnesses.  A chronic illness is defined as sickness of long duration or frequent recurrence that necessitates absence from school. A parent/guardian may obtain a chronic or extended illness verification form to take to their child’s physician.  The form must be renewed each year and signed by the child’s physician verifying a chronic illness.  Chronic illness forms cover only absences due to the illness/disease specified by the student’s physician.  A note from a parent/guardian must be sent to school each time the student is absent due to the chronic illness.  This form does not excuse the student from any assignment missed during absences.  All missed work/assignments should be made up. 



Help Protect the Health of Your Child and Others 

This brochure lists the illnesses for which a child must be kept out of school or childcare. It tells you if your child needs a doctor’s note or medical treatment to come back to school or childcare after certain illnesses. If you have any questions about the School and Childcare Exclusion List, please contact your child’s school, childcare or your local health department.

         

COVID-19 Resources 

Feeling Sick? English    Spanish

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Attendance, Transfers, Withdrawals

7 months ago

Student Attendance is the Law

Entrance Age Requirements – Students registering for 4K must be four years old on or before September 1.  Enrollment in 4K full-day and half-day classes is limited.  All full-day students must be Medicaid eligible or qualify for free or reduced lunch.  Students registering for 5K must be five  years old on or before September 1. Students registering for first grade must be six years old on or before September 1. 

State law requires all children between the ages of five and 17 to attend a public or private school or kindergarten approved by the State Board of Education, the South Carolina Independent Schools Association, or approved by the district for home schooling. A parent/legal guardian whose child or ward is not six years old on or before September 1st of the school year may waive kindergarten attendance for his/her child.

Student attendance is not only the law, it is critical for student success. Consistent school attendance is critical for student achievement.  If students are not present, they cannot benefit from classroom instruction. State attendance laws require student attendance for course credit and grade-level promotion. The district strictly adheres to state laws and regulations governing student attendance.  State regulations require that all students who miss more than half of the instructional day, regardless of the excuse, must be counted towards the chronic absenteeism report. 

ü To be promoted to the next grade or receive credit for high school courses, students may not be absent from school or class for more than ten (10) days for year-long courses or five (5) days for semester courses, unless the absences are excused by a medical doctor’s written statements or principal’s approval.

ü Students are considered truant after three (3) consecutive or five (5) cumulative days of absences, tardies, or early sign-outs, not excused by a medical doctor’s written statement, proof of bereavement, or principal’s approval. (See Student Health Section for information on absences due to chronic illness.)

ü An Attendance Intervention Plan (AIP) will be developed by the school for truant students.  The plan will help to establish goals for regular school attendance and will be monitored to ensure compliance.  Failure to comply with the plan may result in legal proceedings.  

ü To help reduce truancy and tardies, the district has initiated a Student Judiciary Court in cooperation with the solicitor’s office.   


In-District Transfers

Transfers to other schools may be approved for situations that may include, but are not limited to, childcare, parent/guardian work schedule or location, health care, preferred academic offerings, and intent to relocate the primary residence within the school year.  Parent/guardian is responsible for providing transportation for students for elective transfers.  New student transfers may not be approved for schools that are operating at 100% or above capacity.  Contact the administrative office at 864/984-3568 for additional information.

Assignments to Schools 

Students are assigned to schools based on their primary residence address. If you have questions about your attendance area, please call 864-984-3568 for assistance. 


Helpful Links and Resources

Confirming/Documenting Attendance - SCDE - 8/4/20

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Assignments to Schools, Transfers

7 months ago

Assignments to Schools

Students are assigned to schools based on their primary residence address. 

Click here to determine the school(s) for your address. 

If you have questions please call 864-984-3568 for assistance.  

In-District Transfers

Transfers to other schools may be approved for situations that may include, but are not limited to, childcare, parent/guardian work schedule or location, health care, preferred academic offerings, and intent to relocate the primary residence within the school year.  Parent/guardian is responsible for providing transportation for students for elective transfers.  New student transfers may not be approved for schools that are operating at 100% or above capacity. 

 

By Lisa Wilson

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Student Transportation

7 months ago

Student Transportation

LCSD 55 provides school bus transportation to eligible students within the boundaries provided for by federal and state funds and state board of education regulations.  Information about bus transportation for students is available at the time of registration or at any time upon request.  The district operates state-owned buses for transporting students to and from school.  District-owned activity buses are used for athletics, field trips, and other special events.The district adheres to applicable rules and regulations relative to the routing and operation of the transportation system.    

Click here to determine the bus for your address.

Responsible student behavior is extremely important on the bus to ensure the safety of all passengers.  Bus drivers must maintain focus on highway safety.  Video surveillance is used on buses to monitor behavior and may be used as evidence in disciplinary or legal proceedings.  Bus transportation is a privilege that can be suspended or revoked if a student’s behavior violates the discipline code, or creates or contributes to an unsafe condition.  See pages 21-22 for additional information.  See School Bus Rules here.

 Pursuant to state law, the following guidelines are used when establishing bus routes:   

·      Students who live within one and one-half miles of their school will not be provided bus transportation unless the area is deemed to have hazardous walking conditions. 

·      Bus stops are spaced at least two-tenths of one mile apart unless hazardous conditions warrant a stop at a safe point as determined by the district.

·      Students living less than three-tenths of one mile from a main road must meet the bus at an established safe point. 

 There must be someone at the bus stop to receive and to supervise students dropped off on mid-day and special needs routes.  Without the presence of someone to assume responsibility and provide supervision, the student will be returned to school and the parent/guardian will be notified. If the parent/guardian or other emergency contact cannot be located, law enforcement will be notified. In the event of a student injury involving a school bus, the bus transportation director must be notified immediately at 864-682-9117. 

This link will provide you with additional information about student transportation in the district.  


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Laurens County Adult Education

7 months ago

Our goal is simple:

To create learning success stories, one student at a time.  

Adult Education in Laurens County provides an avenue through which students aged 17 and older may earn a GED.

The program operates out of the Laurens County Higher Education Center on Medical Ridge Road in Clinton.  Morning and afternoon classes are available at several convenient locations throughout the district.   

For additional information, contact

Laurens County Adult Education 
Dr. Joseph Makla, Program Director
663 Medical Ridge Road
Clinton, SC   29325
864-938-1524 phone
864-833-3798 fax 

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Homeless Students

7 months ago

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 

The Act, most recently re-authorized December 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), provides for each homeless child and youth to have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youth. 

For help in identifying and assisting families with enrolling homeless children and youth in school, please contact Dr. Jody Penland at 864-984-3568.   

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

National Center for Homeless Education

Student Residency Questionnaire



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