Updated:  April 22, 2020

Today, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, along with state Superintendent Molly Spearman, announced that all South Carolina schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, due to COVID-19 and its effects on our community, state and world.

For District Five students, this means distance learning will continue through the rest of the calendar year, which is scheduled to end on Monday, June 1.

Updated:  April 5, 2020

We hope our District Five students and families have had a safe and restful Spring Break.  We have some important reminders for you, as we prepare to enter a new week of distance learning in District Five.

Over the past several weeks, as we’ve adjusted to distance learning, teachers have been instructing students based on previously covered material.  Beginning this week, April 6-10, teachers will begin introducing new material to students.  For students in grades 3-12, who have been completing assignments online using district devices, instruction will continue online.  For those students who received learning packets in the past, new material will be distributed this week.

Your schools will be contacting you in the coming days with details on how students will receive this material.

Also, for families who do not have internet access at home, the district is making new WiFi access points available to you.  Beginning this week, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 12:30-2:30 p.m., several District Five school buses will be parked in locations across our district to offer free WiFi access to students.  Students will not be allowed to board the bus, but simply need to park nearby to access the internet.  Those locations include: 

• Poplar Springs Baptist Church, 790 Highway 417, Moore SC 29369
• Lyman Lodge, 200 Lyman Lodge Rd., Lyman SC 29365
• Wellford Baptist Church, 235 Syprhit Rd, Wellford SC 29385
• Tucapau Baptist Church. 4 Chestnut St, Startex SC 29377

Free meal delivery will also continue for students this week on a revised schedule.  Buses will deliver meals on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this week.  While we have decreased the number we are delivering, students will still receive enough meals for the entire week, with one day worth of meals given on Monday, and two days worth of meals being given on both Tuesday and Thursday. Our school sites at Duncan Elementary and Wellford Academy will also offer grab and go meals on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Again, we appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we navigate these difficult times together.  We look forward to seeing all of our students, even if it’s from a distance, when we return to learning on Monday, April 6. tomorrow.  

Updated:  March 27, 2020

Parents and families, we have just finished the second week of our school closure, we want to thank you for your patience, partnership and support during this difficult time.  

Next week, March 30 through April 3, is Spring Break in District Five, and we want to encourage you to rest and relax with your family, but please, still stay safe and maintain social distancing.  There will be no assignments or distance learning activities given over this break.

We will continue our free meal delivery over spring break for students, but our schedule has changed.  Out of concern for our students and staff safety, buses will only deliver meals on Monday, March 30, and Wednesday April 1.  We will still be delivering the same amount of meals for the entire week.  There will be two days worth of meals on Monday, and three days worth of meals on Wednesday.  Breakfast and lunch will still be included.

One final reminder:  our limited school choice deadline in District Five is this coming week, Tuesday, March 31.  We are still accepting applications for school choice, even during the closure.  You can find the applications online, on our website at www.spart5.net.

We will be contacting you at the end of the break to give you more information about distance learning in the weeks to come.  We hope you have a restful and safe spring break!

Updated:  March 22, 2020

Beginning this week, District Five will be making some changes on the number of days we’ll be delivering meals to students.  This impacts both our bus delivery service, and our school sites where grab and go meals have been given.

Beginning Monday March 23, our District Five buses will deliver meals to students on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.  While we are reducing the number of days we deliver, we ARE NOT reducing the amount of meals to students.  Students will receive 1 day’s worth of meals on Monday, two days of meals on Tuesday (for Tuesday and Wednesday) and another two days on Thursday (for Thursday and Friday).  Breakfast and lunch will still be included.   

These same rules will also apply to our school sites at Duncan Elementary and Wellford Academy.  Students can still visit these sites for grab and go meals, but they will only be open on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  Enough meals will be given for the entire week.

Meals are available for all children, age 18 and under, no matter what school they attend.

We appreciate your patience through these changes, as we hope to make things easier on our cafeteria staff and bus drivers, as well as limiting personal contact, and maintaining social distancing through this coronavirus crisis.

We hope these meals continue to provide some comfort and relief for our families during this difficult time.  

Updated:  March 18, 2020

7:00 p.m.

Beginning Friday, March 20, all District Five school and facility offices will be closed to the public.  School and district office administrators and staff will be working remotely.  If parents have questions, call your school or the district office directly.  All messages will be returned during regular office hours.

Bus meal service will continue across the district.

As we've wrapped up the 2nd official day of distance learning, we want to thank our students, parents, and especially teachers and staff for adjusting to this new normal.

For students and families who DO NOT have internet access at home, we have expanded our distrit Wifi network to extend to the front parking lot of every school building.  Those who need to use their district laptop, or another device, to download material or do their school work, can do so in front of any District Five school.  

Our district tech support helpline is answering calls every day, and is available for students and families having problems with their device during district learning.  Again, that number is (864) 949-2050.  Tech support is available from 7:45-11:45 a.m. and 1:00-3:30 p.m. every day, Monday-Friday.  Outside of normal hours, students can leave a message and your call will be returned.

Again, this is an evolving situation, and we appreciate your patience and support during these challenging times.  We will continue to keep you updated as we work together for the good of our students in the days ahead.

Updated:  March 16, 2020

6:00 pm

Distance Learning

Distance learning for all District Five students will officially begin Wednesday, March 18.

If you were unable to pick up student devices or learning materials at your school on Monday, please contact the school directly.  Here is a list of school numbers.  You are able to pick up those materials on Tuesday, March 17.  After Tuesday, all schools will be closed to studetns and teachers, with only limited staff present.  Any families who need learning materials after Tuesday will have to call their school to make arrangements.  

A tech support helpline has also been set up to assist students who have problems with their device during this distance learning time.  Tech support can be reached at 864-949-2050.  The helpline will be open from 7:45-11:45, and 1:00-3:30 pm Monday through Friday.  Outside of those hours, students and families can leave a message, and someone from tech support will return your call.  You can also email techsupport@d5live.net for tech issues.

Again, we appreciate your patience during this difficult time.  We may be closing our school buildings, but we remain available to support our students, staff and families.

Updated:  March 15, 2020

10:30 p.m.

Student Meal Service

Spartanburg District Five is committed to making sure all students receive meals if they need them during the school closure.  Any student, age 18 and under, can show up at two designated sites, and receive breakfast and lunch FOR FREE beginning March 16 through March 27.

Those sites are:

• Duncan Elementary School of the Arts (100 South Danzler Rd, Duncan)
• Wellford Academy of Science and Technology (684 Syphrit Rd, Wellford)

Breakfast will be served from 9:00-11:00 a.m.  Lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

In addition, buses will deliver meals beginning at 9:00 a.m. each day. Routes will operate three hours later than normal schedule, and any student wishing to receive meals should be at their designated neighborhood bus stop to receive a breakfast/lunch bag.  If you do not typically ride the bus, and you have questions about where your bus stop is, visit here: http://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=SSD036WQWBTX4

What Is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus.  It was first discovered in December in the city of Wuhan, China.  The World Health Organization has named it "Coronavirus Disease 2019" (COVID-19) because it is a new coronavirus, not similar to others previously found in humans.  

Symptoms for patients with COVID-19 range from a mild to severe repiratory illness marked by fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.  Read more about COVID-19 symptoms.

The best way to keep people healthy is by stopping the spread of the virus through everyday practices like handwashing and staying home when sick.  Additional preventative measures can be found here.

Who is at risk?

Of the current known cases, children appear to be the least at risk.  Those most at risk are the elderly, those with suppressed immune systems, and adults with certain pre-existing conditions.  More information on COVID-19, such as prevention, treatment, and how it is spread, is available on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

Are There Active Cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina?

Yes, there are currently active cases throughout South Carolina, and Spartanburg County.  You can view the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) page for more information.  The CDC has a helpful tracking resource which lists all known COVID-19 cases in the United States.  It is important to note that of the current known cases, children appear to be the least at risk of contracting COVID-19.  The elderly, those with suppressed immune systems, and adults with pre-existing conditions appear to be most at risk.  Check out this risk assessment from the CDC.

What is District Five Doing Now In Response To The Spread of Coronavirus?

As of Friday, March 13, 2020, ALL OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL (STUDENTS AND STAFF) IS CANCELED, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  This includes field trips, athletic and extracurricular activities, and staff professional development.  In state travel for the next 30 days will go on as scheduled, but will be monitored on a case by case basis, and evaluated by destination.

District Five is asking if any member of a student's household has traveled to an area of outbreak, has come into contact with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus, or is diagnosed themselves with coronavirus, families are urged to report this information to their child's school IMMEDIATELY.  Additionally, District Five is requesting that any student who has a household member who has been recommended for home isolation NOT RETURN TO SCHOOL until the isolation period has ended in their household.

District Five is also following these measures:

• Reviewing the district's emergency response plan
• Enhancing existing cleaning/disinfecting of schools, classrooms, and buses and increasing the frequency of that cleaning
• Reminding all students and staff to limit physical contact, follow respiratory etiquette, and to regularly and thoroughly wash hands
• Communicating that all students and staff that are sick with respiratory illness, and showing any signs of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should STAY HOME and not come to school or work
• Monitoring absenteeism and notifying health officials about large increases in absences
• Monitoring the enrollment of new students and staff and responding accordingly

What can families do now to help prevent the spread of coronavirus?

The partnership with our famlies is a CRITICAL component of our preparation and response to the potential spreading of coronavirus.  Famlies are advised to remain informed and closely follow guidance from the CDC.

The most important role families can play at home is to ensure all members of their household follow these everyday precautions.  Some of these include:

• Stop the spread of germs by washing your hands frequently and thoroughly
• Avoid close contact wtih people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• STAY AT HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw that tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces

If a member of a students' household has traveled to an area of outbreak, has come into contact with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus, or is diagnosed themselves with coronavirus, families are urged to report this information to their child's school immediately.

All students and staff who are experiencing illness---particularly fever, cough or shortness of breath--- are asked to remain at home until their symptoms have cleared.