Preparation is key: What to know before the first day of school (2024)

Midlands school districts in South Carolina are beginning classes end of July, first week in August

COLUMBIA, S.C. — It's just about time to rise and shine as Midlands schools begin a new school year. By the end of the first week of August, Midlands districts will be back -- which begs the question, parents and guardians, are you ready?

Here's a basic primer of things to know as your kids head out to school.

First day of school

Tuesday, July 30

Lexington Three (Batesburg-Leesville), Superintendent Dr. Ashley Atkinson

Thursday, August 1

Fairfield, Superintendent Dr. Tony L. Hemingway
Kershaw, Superintendent Harrison Goodwin
Lee, Superintendent Bernard McDaniel
Saluda, Superintendent Dr. Harvey Livingston
Sumter, Superintendent Dr. William T Wright, Jr.

Monday, August 5

Tax-free weekend

South Carolina Department of Revenue wants to remind parents and guardians of those headed back to school that the annual tax-free weekend is this Friday through Sunday, August 2-4. Tax-free items range from clothing and shoes, accessories and school supplies, backpacks and computers. Items bought online are also eligible for exemption from the state's 6% sales tax and any applicable local taxes. For a complete list of eligible items that might be on your shopping list, check out dor.sc.gov

Back-to-school events

City of Columbia Parks & Recreation Back-to-School Bash will offer backpacks filled with supplies, while supplies last, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, August 3, at KMB Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center, 2611 Grant St., 29203

Richland County Recreation Commission is hosting back-to-school events to provide free school supplies to local communities. Children must be present at these Back-to-School Bashes and National Nights Out to receive supplies:

Back-to-School Bashes

Friday, August 2: 6-8 p.m. St. Andrews Park, 920 Beatty Rd.
Saturday, August 3: 4-6 p.m. Meadowlake Park, 600 Beckman Rd.
Saturday, August 3: 3-7 p.m. Ridgewood Park Community Center, 805 Crest St.

National Night Out, Tuesday, August 6, all locations 6-8 p.m.

Parklane Adult Activity Center, 7494 Parklane Rd., Columbia
Eastover Park, 1031 Main St., Eastover
New Castle – Trenholm Acres Community Center, 5819 Shakespeare Rd.
Gadsden Park Community Center, 1668 South Goodwin Circle, Gadsden
Pine Grove Community Center, 937 Piney Woods Rd., Columbia

For more information, contact Kevin Crawford at 803 741 7272 Ext. 137 or via email at communications@rcrc.state.sc.us

After school programs

Columbia Parks & Recreation Department is enrolling now for Fall 2024 Back to School Programs at four City of Columbia parks. Programs start Thursday, August 8, and are $40 per week, per child ages 5-12 every week, Monday-Friday, 2-6 p.m.

Programs will be held at the following locations:

Emily Douglas Park (Teen programs grades 6th – 9th), 2500 Wheat Street, 803-733-8531
Heathwood Park, 1800 Abelia Road, 803-733-8446
Sims Park, 2500 Duncan Street, 803-7
Woodland Park, 6500 Olde Knight Parkway, 803-776-1096

For more information, please call the individual facilities or 803-545-3100, or visit columbiasc.gov/parks-recreation

Are you up to date?

Department of Public Health (SCDPH) reminds parents to make sure their children are up-to-date with all required vaccines before the start of the school year. This is for not only the health and wellbeing of your child, but for the health of teachers, childcare workers, and classmates.

Currently, students beginning the 2024-2025 school year must have the following updates in addition to the regular vaccinations:

Fourth graders are required to have two doses of hepatitis A vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least six months.
Ninth graders are now required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine on or after their 10th birthday.
10th graders are now required to have two doses of varicella. A child with a positive history of the disease is considered immune and is exempt from this requirement.
12th graders are now required to have three doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine with at least one dose received on or after the 4th birthday.

For a complete list of requirements, check out the SCDPH website. Requirements are broken down by age -- 4K and younger; and 5K-12th grade.