New detectors, dress policy at Allendale Co. Schools
ALLENDALE COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) – Allendale County Schools are back in the classroom on August 1. There are some changes district leaders want parents and students to know about.
Before walking into school buildings, you’ll pass through new detectors. The detectors will be at almost every school entrance. The system will include wanding all visitors and random students.
“We’ve had problems with vaping. We’ve had problems with the cell phones coming in,” Allendale County Superintendent: Dr. Vallerie Cave said.
Ahead of South Carolina’s 2025 cell phone ban, phones will be confiscated and placed in a lock box if brought to school.
“We’re waiting on the state legislature to actually write the law, but it has always been a practice in Allendale County schools that cell phones were not allowed,” she shared.
If students need to use a phone, they can go to the front office. Unauthorized videos or photos that break rules are banned.
“It is against the law to take a video or a snapshot of anyone and use that against them to do anything that’s for sexual misconduct,” Dr. Cave added. “So we’re gonna make sure that our children are abiding by that.”
The updated dress code allows jackets with hoods, as long as they have a full zipper. Hoodies without zippers are still not allowed.
“Like the sweatshirts that have a hoodie on those are still no go, but they can wear a jacket with a hoodie as long as it’s a full zipper,” she emphasized. “They have to be able to show the uniform shirt at all times.”
Meanwhile, leaders say the district is working on improving literacy and math scores and addressing truancy. New this year: eSports and STEM labs, and an anti-bullying initiative. The district is rebranding with a new motto, “Together we can do this: reunite, rebuild, and redefine.”
One student, Zynahriah Rhodes, a junior, shares how programs like the school’s JROTC has positively impacted her.
“JROTC isn’t just about physical training. We do fun activities and it helps you become a leader. It’s also taught me empathy and that sometimes you have to lose to get better.”
Zynahriah’s experience shows the district’s focus on well-rounded students. Parents can help.
“Make sure they come to school every single day. They can make sure that if there’s homework that needs to be done, they can sure that that gets done. And they can make sure that they talk with their children about respect and making sure that they know to follow the rules when they’re here at school.”
Looking ahead, students will have September 2 off for Labor Day. Fall Break is set for October 7-11.
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