Aiken County public schools start Monday. Are you ready for the first day of school?

Aug. 13—Students with Aiken County Public School District start back to school Aug. 15, and students can expect some changes.

Cellphone policy

Over the summer the Aiken County Board of Education revised its cellphone policy for students. In agenda notes from the July 12 meeting, where the board members approved the second reading of the policy change, it says the school board finds that using personal communication devices during the school day can have a harmful effect on test security, classroom instruction, student punctuality, personal student privacy, the ability of school officials to maintain discipline generally and maintaining order during times of emergency.

"This policy is intended to set forth the specific circumstances under which a student may bring and personally possess a paging device, cellphone, and/or other electronic communication device onto school grounds and to establish the consequences for violations," the agenda states.

With this policy, high school and middle school students are allowed to have a personal communication device, which includes a cellphone, paging device, tablet, iPad and smartwatch, on the school grounds as long as it is not being used unless authorized by a teacher or other classroom supervisor for academic purposes, according to the policy. However, high schools can set certain areas, such as cafeterias and common areas, where cellphone usage is allowed for reasons other than academics, according to the policy.

Devices can be used during school bus rides to and from school unless prohibited by the bus driver for safety reasons, according to the agenda. Cellphones are allowed at school events during non-school hours, according to the agenda.

The first violation of this policy, with no related offense, will result in the device being taken away for the rest of the day and a warning being issued. A second violation, with no related offense, will result in the loss of the privilege for 10 schools days and another warning. A third violation will result in the loss of the privilege for the remainder of the year and at least one day of suspension, either in-school or out of school.

Change in meal prices

This school year will also an increase school meal prices by 25 cents for the 2022-23 school year.

The Aiken County Board of Education approved the increase during its meeting on June 14. According to agenda notes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture states schools are required to charge students a price for paid meals that is "equal to the difference between free meal reimbursement and paid meal reimbursement."

The agenda notes state that over the past two years students have avoided meal fees due to COVID related federal funding, and those programs ended June 30. By using the paid lunch equity tool created by the USDA and information specifically related to Aiken, an increase of 37 cents was calculated.

Because of an increase in operating costs and inflation, the school district recommended and the school board approved the 25-cent increase.

"The increase would split the difference between the minimum required increase and the PLE result," according to the agenda notes.

The school board also approved a 10-cent increase for extra milk, according to the agenda notes.

The new prices are as follows: lunch for elementary schools will be $2.85, lunch for middle and high schools will be $3, breakfast will be $2 and extra milk will be 60 cents.

Students will continue to eat free at the 20 community eligibility provision schools, which include J.D. Lever Elementary School, East Aiken School of the Arts, Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School, North Aiken Elementary School, Aiken Elementary School, Schofield Middle School, Mossy Creek Elementary School, Clearwater Elementary School, Gloverville Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Warrenville Elementary School, Graniteville Elementary School, Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School, Busbee Elementary School, Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School, A.L. Corbett Middle School, Wagener-Salley High School, Ridge Spring-Monetta High School, Greendale Elementary School and Redcliffe Elementary School.

The last meal price increase the school district did was an increase of 15 cents for the 2018-19 school year.

School calendar

The Aiken County Board of Education approved the 2022-23 academic calendar in February. Jeanie Glover, chief officer of instruction, said that while the school year will have the required 180 days for students, but there is a weeklong fall break from Oct. 17-21.

The full calendar has students returning on Monday, Aug. 15, the fall break will be Oct. 17-21, and Thanksgiving break would be Wednesday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 25.

Christmas break would be Dec. 19, 2022, through Jan. 3, 2023, for students. In February, there would be a weather make-up day on Friday, Feb. 17, and President's Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 20.

Spring break would be April 3-7, 2023. The last day of school would be Thursday, June 8, for students and Friday, June 9, 2023 for teachers. Graduation would be June 7, 8 and 9.

Bus routes

The school district said that while the bus routes change every year based on attendance zones and riders, no unusual changes are expected. The increase in fuel costs also will not affect the bus routes due to the fuel being paid for by the state, the district said.

Vaccines

With the COVID-19 vaccine now available to young children, Monica Mazzell, the supervisor of nursing/health services for the Aiken County public school district, said immunization requirements for school attendance are set by S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

"Students are not required to get the COVID vaccine," Mazzell said. "We encourage parents to discuss all matters concerning their child's health, including COVID vaccination, with their medical provider."

School drop-off

The start of school also means more traffic on the road as parents and guardians drop off their students at school.

Dr. Corey Murphy, chief officer of operations and student services, asked for everyone to be patient during the first few days of school.

"Many parents opt to drive their students to schools during the first few days, so the lines may be longer," Murphy said. "Please plan to arrive early enough to accommodate the potential increase."