Our 360 Academy Program will meet in-person at our new location, 510 South Pendleton Street, Easley SC, unless otherwise noted or communicated. See the schedule for first semester at https://canva.link/hvwy3jzewgkzub9.
The PCVA High School and 360 Academy teachers are thrilled to welcome you to the new school year! We invite you and your student to join us for our Meet the Teacher Event on Monday, August 3.
📍 Event Details
Date: Monday, August 3
Location: Gettys Middle School (Main Office Entrance)
Address: 510 South Pendleton Street, Easley, SC
🕒 Schedules by Program
360 Academy (Grades 6–8)
New Student Sessions: Choose one: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM OR 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Returning Students: Drop in anytime between 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Chromebook Pick-Up: Chromebooks will be distributed on-site to students who have paid their tech fee or any outstanding damage fines by Monday at 8:00 AM (payable via MySchoolBucks or at your child's home middle school).
PCVA High School (Grades 9–12)
Drop-in Hours: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Please arrive between 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM)
Attendance: While optional for high schoolers, we strongly encourage you to stop by! It’s a great opportunity to meet your teachers and learn about course expectations.
Chromebook Pick-Up: High school Chromebooks must be picked up from your student’s home high school by the end of the day on Monday, August 3.
📋 Important Info & FAQs
When do courses start? You may notice email notifications as courses are added to your student’s VirtualSC account. Students do not need to start coursework until Tuesday, August 4. We will go over course details during Monday's event!
VirtualSC Grade Level Display: If your student’s grade level appears incorrect in VirtualSC, don't worry—VirtualSC updates grade levels automatically during August. If it still looks incorrect by September 1, please let us know and we will submit a support ticket.
Teacher Office Hours & Phone Calls: Teachers are available for phone calls between 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM (outside these hours, they are in meetings and preparing lessons).
Fostering Student Independence: To help students build confidence and strong communication skills, we encourage students to take the lead in contacting their teachers with questions! High school students can send messages anytime through GeniusSIS/VirtualSC, and teachers typically reply by the next school day.
We are looking forward to a fantastic school year and can't wait to see you on Monday! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out—we are here to help.
Warm regards,
Lori Gwinn
SDPC Director of Virtual Programs
📍 Event Details
Date: Monday, August 3
Location: Gettys Middle School (Main Office Entrance)
Address: 510 South Pendleton Street, Easley, SC
🕒 Schedules by Program
360 Academy (Grades 6–8)
New Student Sessions: Choose one: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM OR 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Returning Students: Drop in anytime between 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Chromebook Pick-Up: Chromebooks will be distributed on-site to students who have paid their tech fee or any outstanding damage fines by Monday at 8:00 AM (payable via MySchoolBucks or at your child's home middle school).
PCVA High School (Grades 9–12)
Drop-in Hours: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Please arrive between 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM)
Attendance: While optional for high schoolers, we strongly encourage you to stop by! It’s a great opportunity to meet your teachers and learn about course expectations.
Chromebook Pick-Up: High school Chromebooks must be picked up from your student’s home high school by the end of the day on Monday, August 3.
📋 Important Info & FAQs
When do courses start? You may notice email notifications as courses are added to your student’s VirtualSC account. Students do not need to start coursework until Tuesday, August 4. We will go over course details during Monday's event!
VirtualSC Grade Level Display: If your student’s grade level appears incorrect in VirtualSC, don't worry—VirtualSC updates grade levels automatically during August. If it still looks incorrect by September 1, please let us know and we will submit a support ticket.
Teacher Office Hours & Phone Calls: Teachers are available for phone calls between 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM (outside these hours, they are in meetings and preparing lessons).
Fostering Student Independence: To help students build confidence and strong communication skills, we encourage students to take the lead in contacting their teachers with questions! High school students can send messages anytime through GeniusSIS/VirtualSC, and teachers typically reply by the next school day.
We are looking forward to a fantastic school year and can't wait to see you on Monday! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out—we are here to help.
Warm regards,
Lori Gwinn
SDPC Director of Virtual Programs
🎉 75 YEARS OF IMPACT 🎉
For 75 years, the School District of Pickens County has been more than a collection of schools - it has been a place where students discover their passions, build lasting relationships, and create memories that shape their futures.
Throughout this anniversary year, we’ve celebrated the people, places, and programs that have made SDPC special by sharing stories from across our schools and community.
Now, those stories come together in one place.
📖 "75 Years of Impact: Past. Present. Potential." is a commemorative magazine that celebrates the legacy we’ve built and the Experience SDPC that continues to make our district unique.
Inside, you’ll find the moments, milestones, and voices that reflect who we are - and the commitment that continues to guide us as we engage students today and empower them for tomorrow.
👉 Explore the magazine: https://www.flipsnack.com/BFD76799E8C/75-years-of-impact-sdpc-2026
#75YearsOfImpact #ExperienceSDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
For 75 years, the School District of Pickens County has been more than a collection of schools - it has been a place where students discover their passions, build lasting relationships, and create memories that shape their futures.
Throughout this anniversary year, we’ve celebrated the people, places, and programs that have made SDPC special by sharing stories from across our schools and community.
Now, those stories come together in one place.
📖 "75 Years of Impact: Past. Present. Potential." is a commemorative magazine that celebrates the legacy we’ve built and the Experience SDPC that continues to make our district unique.
Inside, you’ll find the moments, milestones, and voices that reflect who we are - and the commitment that continues to guide us as we engage students today and empower them for tomorrow.
👉 Explore the magazine: https://www.flipsnack.com/BFD76799E8C/75-years-of-impact-sdpc-2026
#75YearsOfImpact #ExperienceSDPC #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
🚌 SDPC Families – Does your child need bus transportation this school year?
If your student will be riding the bus to or from school, please take a moment to complete the 📝 SDPC Transportation Form to ensure they are scheduled for 🚌 pickup and drop-off before August 1.
🔗 Find the form linked here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/transportation
If your student will be riding the bus to or from school, please take a moment to complete the 📝 SDPC Transportation Form to ensure they are scheduled for 🚌 pickup and drop-off before August 1.
🔗 Find the form linked here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/transportation
🚌 SDPC Families – Does your child need bus transportation this school year?
If your student will be riding the bus to or from school, please take a moment to complete the 📝 SDPC Transportation Form to ensure they are scheduled for 🚌 pickup and drop-off before August 4th!
🔗 Find the form linked here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/transportation
If your student will be riding the bus to or from school, please take a moment to complete the 📝 SDPC Transportation Form to ensure they are scheduled for 🚌 pickup and drop-off before August 4th!
🔗 Find the form linked here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/transportation
🥞 FREE Meals for All Students This Year! 🍎
We’ve got great news for SDPC families!
Thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all students will receive FREE breakfast and lunch every day during the 2026-2027 school year - no forms, no fees, no hassle! 🙌
✅ No need to submit a meal application
✅ Every student is automatically eligible
✅ Healthy meals = focused minds + strong bodies
This program ensures that every child has access to nutritious meals to fuel learning and success. It’s one more way we’re supporting our students - together!
Questions? Visit www.sdpcnutrition.com or contact Jenaffer Stevenson, Director of Student Nutrition Services:
📧 jenafferstevenson@pickens.k12.sc.us | 📞 864-397-1166
#SDPCNutrition #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
We’ve got great news for SDPC families!
Thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all students will receive FREE breakfast and lunch every day during the 2026-2027 school year - no forms, no fees, no hassle! 🙌
✅ No need to submit a meal application
✅ Every student is automatically eligible
✅ Healthy meals = focused minds + strong bodies
This program ensures that every child has access to nutritious meals to fuel learning and success. It’s one more way we’re supporting our students - together!
Questions? Visit www.sdpcnutrition.com or contact Jenaffer Stevenson, Director of Student Nutrition Services:
📧 jenafferstevenson@pickens.k12.sc.us | 📞 864-397-1166
#SDPCNutrition #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow
📚 The first day of school for SDPC students is Tuesday, August 4! We can't wait to welcome everyone back for an amazing year of learning.
Please note: Students in our 4K and 5K programs have a staggered start to help ensure a successful transition to school.
🍎 4K Families: Your child's school will contact you to schedule:
• An assessment appointment on August 4 or 5
• A half-day orientation on August 6 or 7
• Full-day classes begin Monday, August 10
🍎 5K Families: Your child's school will contact you to schedule:
• An assessment appointment on August 4, 5, or 6
• Full-day classes begin Friday, August 7
We look forward to seeing our students soon! 💙
🍎 Still looking for the right Pre-K option for your 4-year-old this fall? We have a few openings remaining!
Give your child a great start with the SDPC Academy for Early Learners — a FREE 4K program designed to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students for kindergarten and beyond.
Through hands-on learning in immersive environments, students explore, create, problem-solve, and grow while developing important early literacy, social, and emotional skills.
🚌 FREE transportation is available to all Pre-K students!
Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child an engaging learning experience that sets the stage for future success!
🔗 Register for 4K today: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/four-year-old-kindergarten
📩 Questions? Contact the Academy for Early Learners at aelreg@pickens.k12.sc.us or 864-397-1000.
Give your child a great start with the SDPC Academy for Early Learners — a FREE 4K program designed to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students for kindergarten and beyond.
Through hands-on learning in immersive environments, students explore, create, problem-solve, and grow while developing important early literacy, social, and emotional skills.
🚌 FREE transportation is available to all Pre-K students!
Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child an engaging learning experience that sets the stage for future success!
🔗 Register for 4K today: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/four-year-old-kindergarten
📩 Questions? Contact the Academy for Early Learners at aelreg@pickens.k12.sc.us or 864-397-1000.
Students,
Prepare yourselves now! No personal devices can be in the student's possession during state testing or PCVA final exams. These must be POWERED OFF. Students will turn them in to the testing administrator until they are dismissed from the test sites. There are office phones available for students to call home if they need a ride. Parents will have contact information for the site's testing coordinator on test day in case there is a need to get information to a student. The best plan is to plan ahead. Discuss pick-up times and other information prior to leaving home that morning.
These personal devices not permitted during testing include phones of any kind, anything that includes a camera, blue tooth devices, headphones not wired, smart glasses, smart watches, etc.
Start planning today how you can feel comfortable being separated from your devices during testing. We realize this separation anxiety can be real, but it is required by state testing regulations. Practice now. Give parents your phones and other electronics for a few hours each day. You'll be OK. Soon, you may find out just how little you really need them.
The one device you must have, though, is your district-issued Chromebook! Your charger is a good recommendation too. These tests won't push down to personal computers.
Thank you for practicing time away from every alert, ping, text, Snap, DM, or story! You're not really missing anything!
Prepare yourselves now! No personal devices can be in the student's possession during state testing or PCVA final exams. These must be POWERED OFF. Students will turn them in to the testing administrator until they are dismissed from the test sites. There are office phones available for students to call home if they need a ride. Parents will have contact information for the site's testing coordinator on test day in case there is a need to get information to a student. The best plan is to plan ahead. Discuss pick-up times and other information prior to leaving home that morning.
These personal devices not permitted during testing include phones of any kind, anything that includes a camera, blue tooth devices, headphones not wired, smart glasses, smart watches, etc.
Start planning today how you can feel comfortable being separated from your devices during testing. We realize this separation anxiety can be real, but it is required by state testing regulations. Practice now. Give parents your phones and other electronics for a few hours each day. You'll be OK. Soon, you may find out just how little you really need them.
The one device you must have, though, is your district-issued Chromebook! Your charger is a good recommendation too. These tests won't push down to personal computers.
Thank you for practicing time away from every alert, ping, text, Snap, DM, or story! You're not really missing anything!
Are you interested in joining our Middle School Hybrid Virtual/In-Person Learning Program in the School District of Pickens County? Apply today. Applications are open through May 15. https://bit.ly/360APP2627
Is there a PCVA or 360 Academy teacher who has gone an extra mile or two for you? If so, use Valentine's Day as an opportunity to send a quick message of appreciation. Or, post a comment on our social media!
I-Ready testing is coming up!
Tuesday, 11/18, at GMS and PMS w/DMS
Thursday, 11/20, at RCE and LMS
See your advisor or your teacher for more information! We are looking forward to seeing the amazing growth our students will show since we started this school year in August. Teachers will share more information and reminders in Advisory sessions next week. Anyone who is absent from testing will need to contact your advisor on Friday, 11/21.
360 Academy is accepting applications for new students for Semester 2 with a January 6 start date. Apply now or read more information at https://bit.ly/3WOW9Zt .
The AWS outage is impacting some of the applications and programs we use for 360 Academy and Pickens County Virtual Academy. You may find these to be temporary issues. Wait 10-15 minutes and try again. You may also find it helpful to directly access websites.
https://launchpad.classlink.com/pickens
https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/schoology
https://virtualsc.org
This is not a Pickens County issue, so you do not need to submit an Incident IQ or notify your teachers. They are having some of your same difficulties this morning. Keep trying, though. We've found some systems are up and others are not at times.
https://launchpad.classlink.com/pickens
https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/schoology
https://virtualsc.org
This is not a Pickens County issue, so you do not need to submit an Incident IQ or notify your teachers. They are having some of your same difficulties this morning. Keep trying, though. We've found some systems are up and others are not at times.
Students in 360 Academy have extra opportunities to learn through experiences. We hope each student has the opportunity to participate in at least one of our fall field trips!
We're looking forward to our trip to the library on Friday, September 26. Return your permission forms to advisors as soon as possible! See your Schoology group for more information.
It's almost time to begin thinking about school supplies for next year. Primarily, virtual students need their Chromebooks, their chargers, and their Tech It Home Fees paid by July 24. Other than that, our students have shared some items that make their lives easier as virtual students: a wireless or wired mouse, headphones/earbuds, notebooks and paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, index cards, post it notes, an external monitor/portable monitor, and printer. Those last two are extras but nice to have if all of your coursework is virtual.
Testing begins this week for students in Pickens County Virtual Academy and 360 Academy of Careers and Innovation. Check your courses and messages from your teachers for important information about your testing dates, times, and locations.
PCVA High School Exams are just around the corner. Check in your child's course and communication from the teacher for more important information about testing.
