
The SC Education Policy Fellowship Program is accepting applications for the 2013-14 class through July 15, 2013. Cick this link to visit the SC-EPFP page to learn more about this intensive ten-month professional development program focused on education policy, leadership and networking.
SC-EPFP is open to professionals in all areas of expertise – not only those working in education – who are committed to strengthening education in South Carolina.


SC-SIC Board of Trustees member Fred S. Washington, Jr. (left) is congratulated by Technical College of the Lowcountry President Dr. Thomas Leitzel (right) as this year’s recipient of TCL’s Presidential Medallion for his long-time commitment to the Beaufort County community, children and education. Washington, a member of the SC-SIC Board since2008, is the past chair of the Beaufort County Board of Education and served as Director of the Beaufort County Department of Social Services for 27 years. Among his numerous other community activities, he also served on the TCL Area Commission for 15 years. Washington received the Presidential Medallion at the college’s commencement exercises May 10 at Parris Island.
Richland Northeast High SIC named winner of the 2013 SC-SIC Riley Award for School Improvement Council Excellence

Richland Northeast High SIC: (L to R) SC-SIC Executive Director Cassie Barber; RNE SIC Secretary Suzanne O’Dell; Dowling Riley, Ted Riley, Charlie Riley; RNE Principal Sabrina Suber; RNE SIC Chair Machael Peterson; RNE SIC Student Member Michaela Peterson;
SC-SIC Associate Director Tom Hudson
Click here to see pictures of the Honorable Mention SICs: Beck Academy Middle SIC, Greenville (Greenville County Schools); Brushy Creek Elementary SIC, Taylors (Greenville County Schools); Eagle Nest Elementary SIC, North Charleston (Dorchester School District 2); North Augusta High SIC, North Augusta (Aiken County Public School District); Richland Northeast High SIC, Columbia (Richland School District 2)

Access the General session and Break-out session presentations from the 2013 Annual SIC Meeting by clicking the PowerPoint icon to the left
View photos from the 2013 Annual SIC Meeting... were YOU caught on camera?
The SIC Report to the Parents is due to be distributed to the community by April 30 and due to be uploaded to the SC-SIC Member Network by June 1. Click here for instructions on how to upload your Report.
Please Contact SC-SIC if you have questions or require assistance.
The latest "Council News" is here! Click to read Volume 34, Edition 2 of the new issue.
MAY 9, 2013: The VERY LATEST Clips and Quips, Vol 5 Issue 9 is here! Click for info on South Carolina State House updates, the SC Education Policy Fellowship Program and more!
South Carolina schools have character!
The Character Education Partnership has named 29 schools and districts to its roster of National Schools of Character (NSOC). Each school or district is recognized for its commitment to character education and for fostering a positive environment for social and academic learning. Making the final cut are 3 S.C. schools: Burgess Elementary School, Myrtle Beach, (Horry County Schools); Doby's Mill Elementary School, Lugoff, (Kershaw County School District); and Round Top Elementary School, Blythewood, (Richland School District Two).
SC-SIC is proud to have these three outstanding schools' SICs as former finalists and a winner of the Dick and Tunky Riley Award for School Improvement Council Excellence!
http://www.character.org/schools-of-character/national-schools-of-character-overview/national-schools-of-character/

Palmetto Character Council Announces 2013 South Carolina State Schools of Character
Three Schools Recognized for Excellence in Character Education
Fifteen states have named 50 schools and districts State Schools of Character for 2013, three of them from South Carolina. South Carolina was among the 30 states that participated in the State Schools of Character program administered by the Character Education Partnership (CEP). Being named a State School of Character is a preliminary step to being recognized as a National School of Character by CEP. Each year, Palmetto Character Council selects schools and districts that demonstrate, through a rigorous evaluation process, that their focus on character development has had a true positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. Selected schools are then named State Schools of Character and forwarded to CEP for consideration for national recognition as National Schools of Character. The South Carolina State Schools of Character for 2013 are:
Mt. Gallant Elementary School in Rock Hill (Rock Hill School District)
Round Top Elementary School in Blythewood (Richland School District Two)
Wren Elementary School in Piedmont (Anderson School District One)
The South Carolina State Schools of Character honorable mention recipients are:
Saint Joseph’s Catholic School in Columbia, SC
Oakview Elementary School in Simpsonville (Greenville County Schools)
Delmae Heights Elementary School in Florence (Florence School District One).
For more information about State and National Schools of Character and how schools can improve through high-quality character education, visit www.character.org or contact palmettoccsc@gmail.com.

SAVE THE DATE! PRO-Parents presentation:
Back to School with ADD
presented by: Chris Dendy
September 20, 2013
Glen Forest School, West Columbia, SC
For information, call 800-759-4776


Revealing Resources:
Inside and Outside the Family
The Counselor Education Program of the College of Education at USC is happy to offer a course that blends positive psychology, respect for the uniqueness of self and others, and a resource orientation to help children and families in psychological or relational distress. A resource orientation can offer a different perspective, guidance and support, or an ability to instill hope that change is possible. A resource approach is also vital for professionals because without new ideas we could find ourselves stuck in unproductive impasses.
Click here to download the Revealing Resources brochure, agenda and registration form.


Honor your SIC members' service!
Distinctive SIC Lapel Pins
$1.25 each, free shipping


This SIC marketing tool is available
AT NO COST
to School Improvement Councils.


Thanks to Rep. Nathan Ballentine for being chief sponsor
– and SC House and Senate for concurrence –
of a resolution honoring SC-SIC and all state SICs for 35 years of valued service to our state’s public schools.
L-R: SC-SIC Executive Director Cassie Barber,
S.C. House Rep. Nathan Ballentine,
SC-SIC Associate Director Tom Hudson

FREE BOOK RESOURCES!
“Engaging All Families – Creating a Positive School Culture by Putting Research into Practice.” -Steve Constantino
"Building Better Schools by Engaging Support Staff"
-Sam Bartlett and Vie Herlocker
While supplies last, we are offering one free copy per SIC upon request.

Engaging Parents in Schools and Student Learning
Does your school district see parents as part of the solution, or part of the problem?
The answer to that question turns out to be a key to effective parent and family engagement, says Karen L. Mapp, a lecturer on education at Harvard's Graduate School of Education and presenter in Education Week's recent webinar "Engaging Parents in Schools and Student Learning." An archive copy is available at http://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=lobby.jsp&eventid=466717&sessionid=1&key=D8AFC3DA2EA7E11F2AD6DF152493D0A9&eventuserid=65362360