🎵 The Art and Science of Music: An Opportunity for Grades 6–12
Does your student enjoy singing or playing an instrument? Are they interested in songwriting, graphic design, sound and lighting, or working behind the scenes at live events?
The Art and Science of Music offers School District of Pickens County students in grades 6–12 the opportunity to work alongside musicians and entertainment professionals to create original music and help produce a live show!
Presented by the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame, this three-day experience will take place November 19–21, 2026, at Easley High School, concluding with a live performance alongside Hall of Fame musicians.
Students will work in small teams, contributing through music, design, promotion, stage production, and other roles. No audition is required, and students do not have to sing or play an instrument to participate.
Anticipated Schedule:
Thursday, November 19: Evening workshop beginning at approximately 5:00 PM.
Friday, November 20: Full-day workshop, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Participating students will be excused from school to attend.
Saturday, November 21: Final production preparations and a live performance at 7:00 PM. Student arrival time and additional details will be shared with participating families.
Participation Information:
Cost: $35 per student
Students must attend all three days.
Families must provide transportation to and from Easley High School.
Interested in participating?
Complete the Student Workshop Interest Form to receive registration information and additional details.
Please note: Submitting the interest form does not complete registration.
Thank you to everyone who shared their perspectives through the Community Input Survey as the SDPC Board of Trustees searches for the district's next superintendent.
The feedback received will help inform the Board as it considers the leadership qualities, experience, and priorities that are important for SDPC's next leader.
The survey results are now available for the community to review.
🔗 View the results and learn more about the superintendent search: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/3112602
Thank you for being part of this important process and for your continued support of SDPC.
A vision for the future is becoming a reality!
On October 26, 2026, the SDPC Board of Trustees gathered at the Gateway to Innovation construction site for a special dedication recognizing their visionary leadership and commitment to this exciting new chapter in Career and Technical Education.
A plaque installed in the building’s lobby honors the Board for the vision and forward-thinking work that have helped bring Gateway to Innovation to life.
This project represents SDPC’s commitment to Visionary, Future-Focused Innovation and creating meaningful opportunities for students to explore career pathways, discover new interests, and develop skills for future success.
Gateway to Innovation is scheduled to open in January 2027, welcoming school groups during a soft opening in the second semester. A grand opening celebration will follow, giving the community an opportunity to see the new facility firsthand. Be on the lookout for more details!
We’re grateful for the leadership that continues to move our district forward and excited for what Gateway to Innovation will mean for students and our community.
Mark your calendars, SDPC! There will be no school for students Friday, October 9, through Tuesday, October 13. We hope our students and families enjoy the extended break!
📅 View the SDPC District Calendar for additional important dates throughout the school year.
South Carolina House Bill 5073 was signed into law by Governor McMaster and went into effect on July 1st. This law prohibits school districts from establishing grade floors. This means if a student’s grade is below a 50 now, they will keep that grade.
The new law also prohibits students from credit recovery if they are missing any major grade from the initial class. If students do not complete these grades, we cannot offer credit recovery, and they will need to take the course again.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
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
❗ASVAB: September 29th at the Pickens County Career and Technology Center❗
Only 40 spots are available.
Use your SDPC Google Account to sign up today using the QR code or link below!
bit.ly/fall26ASVAB
We are so excited for our first day of school on Tuesday, August 4th!! Pick up a new purple schedule in the Red Zone before 1st period starts at 8:40am. At 11:36am 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will go to Homeroom. 12th grade students will report to the Auditorium.
Please note that we have updated the Flex Expectations this year:
FLEX time is a mandatory instructional period for ALL students. Attendance is required daily from 11:36am-12:09pm. Students with school-approved early dismissal and no scheduled 3rd period class are expected to remain on campus and attend FLEX. Early dismissal privileges begin only after FLEX concludes at 12:09pm.
We can't wait to have all of our Red Devils together again!!
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
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
Get Ready. Get Set. GO Red Devils! Registration will be held on July 23rd, 10am-5pm! Makeup Registration is scheduled for July 27th, 2pm-5pm. See you there!
📚 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! 💙
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.
The Parent ProTech session has been rescheduled for 6pm on Tuesday, March 24th at East Pickens Baptist Church. There will only be one parent session. The updated flyer is attached.
Here's direct link to the updated registration form https://forms.gle/D3tMAFMZfU4MWh7c7
The junior band, conducted by Chris Mitchell (Powdersville Middle School), performed four pieces, while the senior band, led by Joe Gulledge (retired Clover High School director), performed five. A huge thank you to Domino’s of Clemson for donating 50 pizzas to feed nearly 200 students and staff during Monday night’s rehearsal. And special thanks to our SDPC middle and high school band directors for the outstanding preparation that made this high-level performance possible—we’re incredibly proud of our musicians and educators.
Experiences like All County Band reflect SDPC’s strong commitment to fine arts education and the exceptional talent and dedication of our student musicians.
