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.
4 months 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. 🎃
4 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.
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!
4 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.”
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! 🦅👏
4 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! 🐬👏
4 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.
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.
4 months 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.
4 months 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.
4 months 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.
4 months 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.
We stopped by Woodland Middle School last Thursday for their Quarter 1 Awards Day and PBIS Cash Out! 🐺

Students were recognized for highest averages, most improved, honor roll, and the Wolf Pride Award, which honors four students from each grade level for outstanding character. After the ceremony, students cashed in their Pride Tickets for prizes earned through good behavior, participation, and academic success.

Parents joined in to celebrate the achievements—great job, Wolves! 👏
4 months ago, DD4 Communications
Gold medals with blue and green ribbons are displayed neatly on a blue tablecloth, ready to be awarded during Woodland Middle School’s Quarter 1 Awards Day.
A close-up of the Woodland Middle School “Wolf Pride Award” trophy featuring a paw print design sits on a blue table surrounded by medals.
A smiling student holds a “Most Improved” certificate in English Language Arts during Woodland Middle School’s Quarter 1 Awards Day ceremony.
Three students smile and laugh while holding stacks of yellow PBIS Pride Tickets during the Woodland Middle School PBIS Cash Out event.
A student wearing a blue hoodie and gold medal smiles proudly after receiving recognition at Woodland Middle School’s Quarter 1 Awards Day.
A student proudly holds a “Highest Average in Science” certificate while smiling during Woodland Middle School’s Quarter 1 Awards ceremony.
A teacher places a gold medal around a student’s neck during the Woodland Middle School Quarter 1 Awards Day celebration.
A student wearing a green shirt smiles while holding the Woodland Middle School Wolf Pride Award trophy and gold medal.
A student in a black hoodie stands proudly in the gym holding the Woodland Middle School Wolf Pride Award trophy.
A student wearing a pink sweater and glasses smiles while holding the Woodland Middle School Wolf Pride Award trophy and medal.
This is a message from Dorchester School District Four. The Youth Soccer games scheduled for this evening have been postponed due to weather conditions. A new date will be announced soon, and parents will be notified once the schedule is finalized. Thank you for your understanding.
4 months ago, DD4 Communications
In our Classrooms:
Fourth graders at Clay Hill Elementary took learning to new heights with a special visit from American Airlines flight attendant Tei Hurst! Based in Dayton, Ohio, Ms. Hurst shared her experiences working on regional flights and explained how the concepts of energy and motion helped the Wright Brothers achieve flight in 1903.

It was an exciting and inspiring way to launch Mrs. Tayler Bell’s new science unit on forms of energy! ✈️
4 months ago, DD4 Communications
A group of fourth-grade students from Clay Hill Elementary stand together smiling inside their classroom with American Airlines flight attendant Tei Hurst. Ms. Hurst is centered behind the group, wearing her navy uniform and pink scarf. The classroom walls display colorful numbers, student work, and a large screen that reads “Hi There” with a boarding pass graphic.
American Airlines flight attendant Tei Hurst sits on a stool at the front of a classroom, holding her lanyard and ID badge while speaking to attentive fourth-grade students. The students are seated and listening closely, with one raising a hand to ask a question. The classroom is decorated with educational posters and a world map.
Tei Hurst, dressed in her flight attendant uniform, reads aloud to a Clay Hill Elementary fourth grader seated nearby. The student listens intently while other classmates look on. The classroom background includes bright decorations, educational charts, and a screen showing an image of an airplane window view.

Dorchester School District Four celebrated students with satisfactory attendance before the break, recognizing those who missed fewer than two days of school during the first quarter. These students were treated to a short cotton candy party as a fun reward for their dedication to showing up and staying engaged.

We’re proud of their commitment and encourage all students to keep up the great attendance! Let’s see even more faces at the next celebration!

4 months ago, DD4 Communications
A group of middle school students gathers around a table filled with bags of pink and blue cotton candy. A teacher assists as students excitedly choose their treats during the attendance celebration.
A group of students poses outdoors, smiling and holding bags of cotton candy. Some students are eating their treats while others make peace signs, celebrating their good attendance.
Young elementary students sit in a gym bleacher row, each holding a small bag of cotton candy. Some children are eating, while others smile and chat with friends during the reward event.
Three elementary students sit together on a yellow playground bench, enjoying pink and blue cotton candy under the sunlight. Each child holds a plastic bag of candy, smiling and relaxed.
In our Classrooms: Woodland High School held their annual College Application Day on Friday, giving seniors hands-on support as they navigated the college admissions process. Students spent time in the library completing applications and taking one more step toward their futures.

Staff and students joined in by wearing college gear to promote higher education and school spirit! Special thanks to Mr. Montegomery from TRIO, Kenneth Shuler, Shaketta Reed and Cameraon Keib, Trident Tech, Kenyatta Grimmage, College of Charleston, and Onyx Barksdale, USC Salkehatchie.
4 months ago, DD4 Communications
A student with short braids works on a laptop at a library table during College Application Day, with papers and other laptops on the table and bookshelves in the background.
A staff member wearing glasses, a maroon blazer, and a name badge stands at a service counter, smiling in a school office area.
A woman in a green blazer hands a brochure to a seated student who smiles while using a laptop at a round library table.
A student in a green camouflage hoodie leans over a laptop, concentrating at a library table while groups of students work at nearby tables.
Ms. Thompson, in a red Newberry College shirt sits beside a student and points at a laptop screen as they review application materials together.
A student in a gray sweater smiles while working on a laptop in the library, with papers and a water bottle on the table and a presentation screen in the distance.
A staff member in a maroon polo bends to assist a student in a white hoodie who is viewing a laptop at a round table in the library.
Two students sit side by side at a rectangular library table, each typing on a laptop, with papers, a phone, and a large tumbler on the table and bookshelves behind them.
A student with long dreadlocks types on a laptop at a library table, with a drink bottle, flyers, and other students working in the background.
A student with bright red hair in a cream headband and lavender fleece works on a laptop at a library table, with a large pink water bottle nearby.
Calling all little learners ages 2–4! Join Dorchester School District Four for a fun-filled 45-minute reading adventure as we enjoy It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff. After the story, children and their caregivers will dive into a hands-on craft and enjoy a tasty snack together.

Sessions will be held at:
• Harleyville Elementary – Tuesday, October 28
• Clay Hill Elementary – Wednesday, October 29
• Williams Memorial Elementary – Friday, October 31

Each session runs from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM.
Register by scanning the QR code or contact Mrs. Chaquilla Green at cjgreen@dd4.k12.sc.us
.
4 months ago, DD4 Communications
Flyer with fall leaves border promoting Dorchester School District Four’s early childhood reading event for ages 2–4. The event features a reading of It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff, followed by a hands-on craft and snack. Dates listed are October 28 at Harleyville Elementary, October 29 at Clay Hill Elementary, and October 31 at Williams Memorial Elementary. Sessions run from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM. The flyer includes a QR code for registration, DD4 logo at the top center, and an image of the book cover showing a smiling pumpkin with a mouse beside it. Contact information for Chaquilla Green, Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator, is provided with phone numbers and email address cjgreen@dd4.k12.sc.us .
Today we celebrate our Assessment & Accountability Department—a team dedicated to ensuring accuracy, integrity, and excellence in student data and performance reporting across Dorchester School District Four.

Under the leadership of Director Shelissa Bowman and Coordinator Elixzina Breadmon, this department plays a vital role in supporting instruction, guiding data-driven decisions, and ensuring that every assessment reflects the hard work of our students and educators.

Thank you, Mrs. Bowman and Ms. Breadmon, for your attention to detail, your commitment to fairness, and your unwavering support of our schools and staff. Your work truly makes a difference in the success of every student in DD4!
4 months ago, DD4 Communications
A blue and white graphic reads, “Honoring Assessment & Accountability. On behalf of DD4 Schools, Thank You!” The date “October 25, 2025” appears on the left, and the Dorchester School District Four logo is shown in the corners. The design celebrates the district’s Assessment and Accountability Department.
Attention DD4 Parents! Dorchester School District Four is inviting parents to join the next cohort of the Parent Leadership Partners Program. This six-session series will empower you to take an active leadership role in your child’s education and connect with other parents in the community.

The first session begins Monday, November 3 at Woodland High School. Registration is free but limited to the first 15 parents. Sign up by Friday, October 31, 2025.

Learn more and register using the QR code on the flyer, by clicking here https://tinyurl.com/ep8th7k3, or contact Mrs. Green at cjgreen@dd4.k12.sc.us
4 months ago, DD4 Communications
Flyer titled “Attention DD4 Parents! Discover the Parent Leadership Partners Program.” The flyer explains that Dorchester School District Four is offering a six-week program beginning November 3, 2025, at Woodland High School to help parents strengthen leadership roles in their children’s education. Benefits include learning to advocate effectively, finding support resources, and connecting with a parent community. Registration is free and limited to 15 participants. The deadline is October 31, 2025. Contact Mrs. Green at cjgreen@dd4.k12.sc.us for details. The flyer features two circular photos—one of a smiling Black family and another of a white family reading a book together—and a DD4 logo in the top right corner.
In Our Schools:
Students at Williams Memorial Elementary had an inspiring author visit from Gina Casazza, founder of EmpowerLit – Literacy & Beyond and author of You Really, Truly Do Belong.

What began as one children’s book about belonging has grown into a national movement helping kids build confidence through reading and storytelling. After learning that 1 in 3 children feels like they don’t belong and only 30% read at grade level, Gina created EmpowerLit to change that.

Through her visit, students were reminded that they matter, their voices have power, and their stories belong in the world.
4 months ago, DD4 Communications
Author Gina Casazza stands at the front of a classroom, wearing a bright pink dress and holding a tablet. She gestures with open arms while speaking to a group of elementary students. Behind her, a large screen displays the words “Come along,” and the classroom is decorated with fall leaves and a Pete the Cat poster.
Several young students sit close together on the floor, looking toward the front of the room. A girl with long braids and gold beads gazes forward, appearing thoughtful and engaged.
A young student with short dreadlocks looks upward attentively while listening to the author’s presentation. Other students and bright classroom colors appear slightly blurred in the background.
A young boy in a red-striped shirt sits cross-legged on the floor, resting his chin on his hand as he listens to the author’s story. Other students sit nearby, facing forward toward the speaker.
A group of diverse elementary students sit quietly on the floor, watching the speaker at the front of the room. Their expressions show focus and curiosity.
A young boy with short brown hair looks toward the front of the room with a focused expression. Around him, other students sit closely together and watch the presentation.
A group of elementary students sit on the floor of a library, listening attentively. One student with braided hair and colorful beads raises her hand to answer a question. Bookshelves and chairs line the background.

Get ready for another exciting week of DD4 Youth Soccer! ⚽ Games kick off Tuesday, October 28, at Woodland High School. Check out the full schedule below for team matchups, times, and field locations. Come out and cheer on our young athletes!

4 months ago, DD4 Communications
A flyer titled “DD4 Youth Soccer” shows the October 28 game schedule at Woodland High School. It lists five fields—Baseball Fields 1 and 2, Football Fields 3 and 4, and Softball Field 5—with games for grades 1st–2nd and 3rd–5th starting at 6:00 and 7:00 PM. Each field lists color-coded teams like Light Blue, Gold Diggers, Dark Gray, Hawks, Royal Blue, Jaguars, Navy, Playmakers, and others. The flyer includes a team and coach reference chart for CHES, HES, WMES, and WMS, and a labeled campus map showing parking and field locations near Highway 78.
In our Classrooms: In Mrs. Washington’s class at Clay Hill Elementary, students explored the distributive property of multiplication! Through hands-on examples and active participation, students learned how to break apart multiplication problems into smaller, easier parts, making math both engaging and fun.
4 months ago, DD4 Communications
Mrs. Washington uses hand gestures to explain the distributive property of multiplication to her class as students follow along.
A laptop displays a colorful slide about the distributive property of multiplication, showing an example problem broken into smaller parts using visuals and numbers.
A student raises her hand eagerly to answer a question while another student watches attentively during a math lesson on multiplication.
Mrs. Washington smiles as she interacts with her students during a math discussion on the distributive property of multiplication.
A student with red braids raises her hand confidently to participate in a classroom discussion about multiplication while another student listens beside her.
A student in a light green shirt listens attentively during the math lesson, with a workbook open on the desk.
Students actively participate during class—one raising her hand while another uses her fingers to explain a math problem.