Normalcy Returns to Laurens County as Schools Prepare to Reopen
LAURENS, SC – The sun is shining brightly over Laurens County today, with delightful temperatures reaching up to 81°F, making it a beautiful day to kick off what is anticipated to be a fantastic return to school for students in Laurens County School District 56 (LCSD56). After weeks of dealing with the aftermath of a recent storm, the district is ready to welcome students back on October 14.
Challenges Faced
While the district’s buildings remain mostly intact, the storm dealt a significant blow to other resources. According to Superintendent Dr. David O’Shields, “We had a tree bend a fence at the playground. It’ll be an aesthetic fix, but the biggest hit to the district was losing our food. I’ll bet we had to throw away nearly $200,000 worth of food.” It’s a staggering loss, but the community has rallied to support each other during this trying time.
Cindy Jacobs, Public Information Officer, has been diligently working alongside the District Safety Officer, Joey Avery, to ensure that everything is back on track. “All of our buildings are fine. We have a couple of roof leaks, a few trees are down, but none of them hit the buildings,” Jacobs shared. The maintenance team has been proactive, checking schools for leaks and making necessary repairs to ensure a safe environment.
Community Support and Resilience
Even though football games had to be canceled or rescheduled, practice continues. Dr. O’Shields noted that these gatherings have provided an excellent opportunity for coaches to check in with students. “It’s a good way to get the kids to the school so coaches can check on them. Some were hit very hard and were among the last to get power back, so we were able to assist some of those families with food,” he explained.
Clinton High School quickly turned into a hub for support, preparing hot meals for families who could stop by. “We started delivering the food because they couldn’t get to us,” Jacobs added. The Outreach Team went above and beyond, traveling to every apartment complex and neighborhood within the district to ensure no one was left behind.
Learning From Experience
As students prepare to return on Monday, Dr. O’Shields is optimistic about turning this difficult experience into a learning opportunity. “We’ll likely do a post-reflection assignment to talk about things. We’re lucky and fortunate, but looking at the most recent statistics, South Carolina has had the second-largest loss of life next to North Carolina,” he pointed out. These heartfelt conversations could provide a therapeutic outlet for students as they reflect on their experiences.
Excitement in the Air
School has always served as a second home for many students, and the anticipation is palpable among both kids and teachers alike. “Our teachers are already coming in to check on things even when they don’t have to. I know we’re all looking forward to resuming some sense of normalcy,” Dr. O’Shields said with a warm smile.
The excitement for seeing friends and reconnecting with teachers is an essential part of what makes the school community so special. With clear skies and gentle winds from the southwest, it seems that the weather is equally ready to welcome back students into the school year with open arms. As October 14 approaches, the Laurens community stands ready to embrace the challenges ahead while celebrating their collective strength and resilience.
