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!
7 days 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!
7 days 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).
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).
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.

9 days 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.
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.”
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. 🐬🍂
9 days 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!
10 days 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
10 days ago, DD4 Communications
Graphic for Dorchester School District Four announcing the release of the Parent and Family Engagement Newsletter. The image shows a smartphone displaying the newsletter’s cover titled “Helping Children Learn,” featuring a smiling parent and child and education-themed graphics. The DD4 district logo appears above the phone with text reading “Newsletter – Parent & Family Engagement Newsletter is now available.” The background is light gray.
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!
10 days 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.
🍎 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! ❤️
10 days 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.
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!
10 days 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!
10 days 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!

12 days ago, DD4 Communications
🕑 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! #FallBack #DD4Reminder #DaylightSavingTime
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.
12 days ago, DD4 Communications
A beige graphic reads “Celebrating Native American Heritage Month” in bold red and black letters. The design includes colorful tribal patterns in red, blue, gold, and orange along both sides and two dreamcatchers hanging from the top. The Dorchester School District Four logo appears in the bottom left corner.
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. 🎃
13 days 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.
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!
14 days 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.”
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! 🦅👏
14 days 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! 🐬👏
14 days 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.
The DD4 Youth Soccer games that were cancelled on Tuesday night due to weather have been rescheduled for Monday, November 3rd.

The games scheduled for November 4th will go on as scheduled.
15 days ago, DD4 Communications
A youth soccer schedule and field map for Dorchester School District Four (DD4) dated November 3. The top half lists game times and matchups for five fields at Woodland High School, grouped by grade divisions (1st/2nd and 3rd–5th). Each field is labeled with team colors, mascots, and coaches’ names. The schedule includes rescheduled games from October 28 and shows matches starting at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The bottom half shows an aerial map of the Woodland High School athletic complex. Parking is marked at the top near the school building, with labeled fields for SOFTBALL (Field 5), BASEBALL (Fields 1 and 2), and FOOTBALL (Fields 3 and 4) situated around the campus. Highway 78 runs along the bottom edge of the image.
Dorchester School District Four joined Woodland High School students and staff last Thursday afternoon for their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. Students filled the track wearing pink to show support and raise awareness for those affected by breast cancer.

The walk served as a time to remember those we’ve lost, encourage those still fighting, and remind survivors that they are not alone. The event was organized by the Woodland FCCLA, FBLA, Nursing students, and JROTC, who worked together to promote courage, hope, and unity throughout the school community.
15 days ago, DD4 Communications
Students walk the Woodland High School track holding a large pink banner that reads “Hope,” “Never Stop,” “Together We Fight,” and “You Are Not Alone.” The banner features silhouettes of women and pink ribbons as students smile and participate in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
A large group of Woodland High School students, some in pink shirts and others in JROTC uniforms, gather on the track holding a pink banner with encouraging words like “Hope,” “Courage,” and “Survivor.” The group smiles and poses together under the bright sun.
Woodland High School JROTC cadets and students stand side by side on the track wearing pink and camouflage. They smile and strike confident poses, showing unity and support during the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
Three Woodland High School staff members dressed in pink smile together for a photo during the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. They stand in front of a brick school building on a sunny day.
A Woodland High School staff member in a gray suit jacket, pink shirt, and patterned tie smiles as he walks along the track during the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
A Woodland High School staff member in a light pink polo shirt and sunglasses smiles as he walks with students on the track during the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
A Woodland High School staff member in a bright pink shirt smiles warmly while walking the track surrounded by students during the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
Woodland High School students dressed in pink walk the track together, smiling and holding small pink flags during the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
A wide view of Woodland High School’s football field shows a large group of students walking around the track, many wearing pink, during the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
Woodland High School students walk in groups along the track, many wearing pink ribbons and casual fall clothing, participating in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
In Our Schools: In Ms. Floyd’s class at Clay Hill Elementary, students explored “Sound Riddles” to learn how letters and sounds work together in words! Using mirrors to observe how their mouths move when making sounds, students practiced writing and identifying the letter C for the /k/ sound while decoding and creating new words.
15 days ago, DD4 Communications
Ms. Floyd stands at the front of her classroom speaking to students during a literacy lesson. The classroom is decorated with colorful posters and learning materials.
A young student smiles while using a small mirror to observe how their mouth moves when practicing letter sounds during a phonics activity.
A student holds up a circular mirror and looks closely at their reflection while practicing how to form the /k/ sound for the letter C.
A student in a red and black shirt examines their mouth movement in a small mirror during a sound recognition activity.
A student in a blue shirt uses a handheld mirror to observe how their lips and tongue move while making different letter sounds.
A student in a green and gray jacket holds a small mirror and studies how their mouth moves while saying the /k/ sound during class.
A student in a pink shirt smiles as she looks into a mirror, practicing how to form a letter sound during the “Sound Riddles” phonics lesson.
A student in a white shirt holds a mirror and looks toward the camera during a literacy lesson focused on sound recognition.
A student wearing a striped red and white shirt looks attentively toward the teacher during the phonics activity, with a stuffed animal on the desk nearby.
A classroom smartboard displays a slide titled “Sound Riddles” with an image of a mouth and a speech bubble, part of a literacy lesson on how letters and sounds work together.
Dorchester School District Four joined educators from across the state for the 58th Annual SCATA Fall Conference! 🎬
Our Federal Programs and Title I team learned, connected, and shared ideas to ensure every student receives a fair, high-quality education.
16 days ago, DD4 Communications
DD4 administrators and educators stand in a circle holding hands at a conference table, participating in a hands-on collaboration activity at the SCATA Fall Conference.
DD4 administrators pose in front of large illuminated “SCATA” letters with red, black, and gold balloons behind them.