Dorchester School District Four

October’s Growing Readers Storytime was filled with smiles and creativity! Our young readers enjoyed It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond. While listening to the story, families explored the emotions of each pumpkin and practiced making inferences.

Afterward, students created their own pumpkin faces showing different emotions and took home a copy of the book along with fun at-home activities.

Next month’s storytime will feature There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey! during the week of November 17, 2025. Registration will open soon!

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Close-up of the book It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond on a wooden table.

Parent and child smiling at a library table, holding a pumpkin craft decorated with gems and shapes; snacks and a juice pouch sit nearby.

Parent and child smiling, holding a pumpkin craft with black cutout shapes and colorful decorations in a school library.

Parent and child sitting at a library table, smiling while showing their pumpkin craft with green and black shapes.

Child focused on cutting black paper for a pumpkin craft while supplies, snacks, and glue sit on the table.

Parent assisting a child with gluing shapes onto a yellow pumpkin cutout.

Child eating a snack beside their parent, who is cutting black paper for a pumpkin craft.

Parent and child working together at a table, gluing a black triangle shape onto a yellow pumpkin craft in a classroom library setting.

Parent and child working together at a table with paper, glue, and snacks while crafting pumpkins.

🍎 Neighbor Choice Mobile Pantry – Food Distribution Event 🍞

The Lowcountry Food Bank will host a Mobile Pantry at Woodland Middle School on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 2–4 PM.

📍 Location: 4044 US–HWY 78, Dorchester, SC 29437
🕑 Time: 2:00–4:00 PM
💲 Cost: FREE – Please bring your own bags.

Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Spread the word and help nourish our neighbors! ❤️

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Flyer announcing the Lowcountry Food Bank’s Neighbor Choice Mobile Pantry Food Distribution on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 2–4 PM at Woodland Middle School, 4044 US Highway 78, Dorchester, SC 29437. The event is free, food is first-come, first-served, and participants are asked to bring their own bags. The flyer encourages neighbors to share information about no-cost food assistance and features the Buddy Box and Lowcountry Food Bank logos.

This past Saturday, Mr. Karim Johnson, Director of Student Transportation for Dorchester School District Four, represented our district at the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Conference, speaking on McKinney-Vento Transportation. We are proud of him for representing DD4 with excellence!

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

A presentation slide titled “State of the Industry and McKinney-Vento” is projected on a large screen. The slide lists speakers including Rosalyn Vann-Jackson (OK), Keith Kaup (TX), Dawnnett Wright (WA), and Karim Johnson (SC). A yellow school bus image appears beside the text, and attendees are seated in the audience below.

Four panelists sit on stage during a conference session with blue lighting and a beige curtain backdrop. Mr. Karim Johnson from Dorchester School District Four is speaking into a microphone while the other three panelists listen.

The same four panelists are seated on stage, engaging in a professional discussion. Mr. Karim Johnson, holding a microphone, speaks to the audience about McKinney-Vento Transportation.

Mr. Karim Johnson, Director of Student Transportation for Dorchester School District Four, speaks confidently on stage into a microphone during the National Association for Pupil Transportation conference. A lanyard with multiple badges identifies him as a featured speaker.

Monday night, November 10, all DD4 Youth Soccer teams will take the field at Woodland High School!

This year features an 8-team playoff for 3rd–5th grade, with all games kicking off Monday. (Bracket below)
For 1st and 2nd grade, this will be the final game of the season.

The full schedule and playoff bracket are posted below. Come out and cheer on our student-athletes as they continue another great season of DD4 Youth Soccer!

📍 Location: Woodland High School
📅 Date: Monday, November 10
🕕 Kickoff: 6:00 p.m.

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

A schedule graphic for DD4 Youth Soccer games on November 10 at Woodland High School. The schedule lists 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. game times across five fields labeled Baseball, Softball, and Football. Team names include Maroon Sideliners, Light Blue Goal Diggers, Purple Falcons, White Dolphins, Silver Defenders, Navy Playmakers, Red Titans, and others. A map at the bottom shows the Woodland High School campus with labeled parking and fields numbered 1 through 5 for baseball, football, and softball.

A black and white playoff bracket graphic titled “DD4 Youth Soccer Playoff (3rd–5th).” The bracket shows eight teams competing: Purple Falcons vs. White Dolphins, Red Titans vs. Yellow Seagulls, Maroon Goal Getters vs. Orange Mighty Kickers, and Silver Defenders vs. Navy Playmakers. The chart outlines matchups for the Playoff round on November 10, Semi-Finals on November 17, and the Championship on November 20.

Students in Mrs. Rhode’s 8th-grade science class at Woodland Middle School took learning to the next level by growing and harvesting their own lettuce through hydroponics! After weeks of monitoring light, water, and growth, students were finally able to enjoy the results of their hands-on experiment. Fresh, classroom-grown greens!

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Two students sit at lab tables tasting fresh lettuce grown in class. On the left, a student wearing glasses and a black sweatshirt with a print design looks down at a small salad bowl. On the right, a student in a navy track jacket smiles while taking a big bite of lettuce using a fork.

Three students at science lab tables sample lettuce grown from their hydroponic project. Each holds a small plate of greens. The students are smiling and appear to enjoy their tasting activity, with notebooks and folders on the tables nearby.

Three students sit at separate lab tables, each holding or examining pieces of lettuce from their hydroponic garden. One student wears a pink jacket, another in a red hoodie holds up a leaf with a grin, and another sits in a wheelchair smiling with her lettuce.

Three students pose with plates of lettuce at their desks. One makes a funny face with lettuce in his mouth, another gives a thumbs up, and the third bites into a large leaf. The caption on the slide reads, “Finally, we got to enjoy on November 3, 2025.”

A tall vertical hydroponic tower stands beside a classroom window under purple artificial light. The caption explains that students monitored the artificial light and water systems to ensure proper growth.

Two close-up photos of the hydroponic tower show young lettuce plants sprouting from seed pods under purple grow lights.

A presentation slide titled “8th Grade Hydroponics Garden” includes text describing the project timeline and two photos of the hydroponic tower. The tower glows with purple light and holds multiple small seedlings in growth pods.

WMES is giving back this season through two special community drives!
They’re collecting non-perishable food items for Dorchester Village residents and new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0–13. Donations can be dropped off at WMES from 8 AM–3:30 PM, Monday–Friday.
Let’s spread kindness and joy together!

¡WMES está retribuyendo esta temporada con dos campañas comunitarias especiales!
Están recolectando alimentos no perecederos para los residentes de Dorchester Village y juguetes nuevos sin envolver para niños de 0 a 13 años. Las donaciones pueden entregarse en WMES de lunes a viernes, de 8 a. m. a 3:30 p. m.
¡Compartamos juntos la bondad y la alegría!

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Two bilingual flyers promoting WMES community drives. The first announces a Thanksgiving Food Drive for Dorchester Village residents, listing grade-specific donation items such as boxed grains, canned fruits, soups, and vegetables, with drop-off details and collection dates (Nov 3–18). The second flyer promotes a Toys for Tots Drive hosted by WMES and the Rosenwald School, inviting donations of unwrapped toys for children ages 0–13. It includes drop-off locations, operating hours, and collection dates (Nov 6–Dec 10).

Dos folletos bilingües que promueven campañas comunitarias de WMES. El primero anuncia una campaña de alimentos para los residentes de Dorchester Village, con artículos específicos por grado escolar como granos en caja, frutas, sopas y verduras enlatadas, además de los detalles para dejar las donaciones y las fechas de recolección (del 3 al 18 de noviembre). El segundo folleto promueve una campaña de juguetes en conjunto con la escuela Rosenwald, invitando a donar juguetes nuevos y sin envolver para niños de 0 a 13 años. Incluye los lugares de entrega, horarios y fechas de recolección (del 6 de noviembre al 10 de diciembre).

Mrs. Griffith’s kindergarten students at Williams Memorial Elementary are building early reading and writing skills through their CKLA lesson on short vowel sounds! Students practiced sounding out and writing simple words like van, hog, hat, and fan while connecting letters to their matching pictures.

From group instruction to hands-on writing practice, students worked hard to strengthen their phonics, handwriting, and confidence as young readers.

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Mrs. Griffith leads a whole-group lesson from a rocking chair as students sit on the carpet, looking toward a screen displaying the word “five.”

Kindergarten students sit together on the classroom rug, listening as Mrs. Griffith teaches a reading and writing lesson projected on the board.

Two kindergarten students sit at a round table practicing handwriting with pencils, one with a small stuffed hedgehog nearby.

In Our Classrooms:
Rain and chilly weather couldn’t stop Harleyville Elementary’s annual Pumpkin Run! 🎃👟

On Tuesday morning, students showed incredible determination as they put their endurance training to the test. While most grades ran their laps inside the gym, the 5th graders were able to head outdoors when the rain cleared.

A big shoutout to Physical Education teacher Stephen Jackson for preparing the Dolphins for this fun and spirited event. 🐬🍂

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Physical Education teacher Stephen Jackson, dressed in orange with a matching beanie, gives directions to a group of Harleyville Elementary students gathered in the gym for the Pumpkin Run. Students listen attentively, wearing bright fall colors.

Fifth-grade students run outdoors during Harleyville Elementary’s Pumpkin Run. The ground is damp, and the runners, dressed in cool-weather clothes, sprint across the grass as trees and utility poles line the background.

A young Harleyville Elementary student runs inside the gym with a joyful smile during the Pumpkin Run. Other children can be seen running in the background, and the gym doors and cones mark the running course.

Parents, join Dorchester School District Four and the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for an important Internet Safety Presentation on Tuesday, November 5 at 6 PM.
Learn how to protect your child online and navigate social media safely. Topics include cyberbullying, inappropriate content, online privacy, sextortion, and more.

Register by clicking the link https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/88_hDCe8RqOoRWmsegdQow#/registration or scanning the QR code on the flyer!

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Flyer for Dorchester School District Four promoting an upcoming virtual event titled “Internet Safety Presentation,” hosted by the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The flyer features icons of a smartphone, laptop, and gaming controller. It lists topics such as common apps, setting guidelines, online privacy, inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online enticement, sexting/sextortion, and what to do. It states that parents will gain insight into social media’s positive and negative impacts and learn how to navigate the online world with their children. The presentation, led by Stephanie Hite, M.Ed., will take place virtually on November 5 at 6 PM. A QR code is provided for registration. The flyer ends with the DD4 tagline “Empowering Minds, Shaping Futures.”

The November Newsletter is now available. https://tinyurl.com/35hfn8ab

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Games kick off tonight (Monday, Nov. 3) and continue tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 4) at Woodland High School. ⚽

Check your field assignments and game times before heading out — maps are included to help you find your field quickly. Good luck to all our teams as we close out another great season of youth soccer!

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Schedule and field map for DD4 Youth Soccer games on Monday, November 3, at Woodland High School. Includes game times for each field (Baseball, Football, and Softball), with team matchups listed by grade level. Aerial map highlights parking and fields 1 through 5 across the WHS campus.

Schedule and field map for DD4 Youth Soccer games on Tuesday, November 4, at Woodland High School. Features updated team matchups and field assignments for both early and late games, with a labeled aerial map of the WHS athletic complex showing baseball, football, and softball field locations.

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

In Our Classrooms: Mrs. Frazier’s Chemistry students at Woodland High explored chemical reactions through hands-on experiments. Using the periodic table and real-world lab applications, students learned how elements combine and react — turning theory into discovery!

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Mrs. Frazier, a teacher wearing a white shirt, stands with a group of students gathered around a black lab table. Students discuss their experiment as classroom safety posters and equipment are visible in the background.

A student wearing a black hoodie and lab apron carefully fills a graduated cylinder with water at a science lab sink while focusing on the experiment.

A student with long blonde hair sits on a stool at a lab table, working on a laptop connected to an outlet. Wooden storage cabinets are visible in the background.

A close-up of a hand rinsing a graduated cylinder under running water at a science lab sink. Metal samples and lab materials are arranged on the counter.

This week, we celebrate our incredible school psychologists and the important role they play in helping students find their path to success!

School psychologists are specially trained educators who support students’ learning, behavior, and emotional well-being. They work with teachers, families, and administrators to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. Whether it’s helping students build confidence, manage stress, set goals, or overcome challenges, our school psychologists are there every step of the way.

Across our district, staff members shared how school psychologists make a difference in helping students.

Check out our poster featuring their words of appreciation and celebration!

Let’s take a moment this week to thank our school psychologists for the care, compassion, and expertise they bring to our schools every day. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom!

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

A colorful illustrated poster celebrating Dorchester School District Four’s school psychologists. The design features a bright outdoor camping scene with green hills, a tent, hiking boots, a campfire, trees, and a sunny sky. A small hiker with a backpack and a dog walks toward a path where three children play near a wooden sign pointing to the library, math, and gym. Speech bubbles around the image contain staff quotes praising school psychologists for creating safe spaces for students, providing calm and support, fostering resilience, promoting mental well-being, and equipping students with lifelong tools. The title at the top reads, “Here are some kind words from staff around DD4 about how amazing our school psychologists are day after day!” in red-orange text.

🕑 Don’t forget!
Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 2:00 AM.

⏰ Set your clocks back one hour before bed Saturday night!

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

November is Native American Heritage Month. We celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Native Americans and the vital role they play in our past, our present, and our future.

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

Harleyville Elementary librarian Nicole Richardson sparked a love for reading with a fun family project! 📚 Families read together, then decorated pumpkins to match their books—turning classic tales and new favorites into creative works of art. 🎃

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

A blue pumpkin painted as the Rainbow Fish, with shiny, colorful fins and a bright yellow mouth. Next to it, a green pumpkin with a Santa hat is decorated as the Grinch.

A lineup of decorated pumpkins on a library shelf, including a green dragon with paper wings and big cartoon eyes, a pink pig with paper ears, and other creative book-themed designs.

A bright yellow pumpkin decorated as Pikachu with paper ears, rosy cheeks, and a happy expression. Other decorated pumpkins and colorful student artwork surround it on the library shelf.

A white pumpkin painted with a large black smile, stitched mouth, and dark eyes resembling Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It sits on a student’s worksheet labeled with the book title.

A blue pumpkin decorated as a storybook character with large white eyes, pink ribbon hair, and a paper astronaut figure taped to the stem. It sits on a table alongside a child’s pumpkin drawing.

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

On Wednesday morning, Clay Hill Elementary celebrated their Quarter 1 Awards! 🏅 Students were recognized for perfect attendance, A/B Honor Roll, and the Principal’s List for earning straight A’s. Congratulations to all our hardworking EAGLES! Keep soaring high! 🦅👏

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

A Clay Hill Elementary student smiles while holding a “Principal’s List” certificate and wearing a medal beside a staff member in a red sweater. The ceremony takes place in the school gym, with purple bleachers and a table of awards in the background.

Four Clay Hill Elementary students stand in front of a staff member, each holding a bright “Perfect Attendance” certificate. They smile proudly in the school gym, with the American flag and purple bleachers behind them.

A Clay Hill Elementary student proudly holds an “A/B Honor Roll” certificate beside a staff member in a red sweater. They stand in front of an American flag and purple bleachers during the school’s awards ceremony.

A Clay Hill Elementary student smiles while holding a colorful “Principal’s List” certificate beside a staff member in a red sweater. The ceremony takes place in the school gym, with purple bleachers and a table decorated with certificates in the background.

On Wednesday, Harleyville Elementary School celebrated their Character Students of the Month! The character word for October was “Responsible,” and these Dolphins showed what it means to lead with integrity, make smart choices, and care for their school community. Way to go, Dolphins! 🐬👏

5 months ago, DD4 Communications

A group of Harleyville Elementary School students smile proudly while holding their “Student of the Month” certificates and plaques. Behind them, the school’s dolphin mascot stands near a display decorated with blue and yellow balloons and a screen showing the word “Responsible.” The celebration takes place in a bright library with bookshelves and blue chairs in the background, honoring students recognized for demonstrating responsibility.