Several of our faculty attended the SCASA i3 Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC. This conference invites administrators from different district across the state to learn about leadership skills and new techniques! We attend this conference annually, so that our district can continue to be efficient and innovative. This year, the keynote speaker was the legendary NBA player, Grant Hill. Our district was recognized for decreasing the number of students scoring "Does Not Meet" on the state assessment.
Get ready to level up on July 26, 2025 at our Annual Back to School Bash! This year we are making the Allendale Comeback, and we are ready for the games to begin! We invite members of the community to come out to the Tiger Stadium from 9-11 AM to receive free school supplies for their registered students. We will also have free games, food, and music to enjoy. Please come out to join the fun and get ready for next school year!
Students get ready for Summer CERDEP Spirit Week! Starting next Monday, June 23rd, students can elect to dress down according to our schedule and theme. We want to promote reading and learning in a fun, engaging way! Please be advised students are required to wear hard bottom shoes everyday and that no nightgowns are allowed. Students can only wear bottoms that are shorts or pants. Thank you for your cooperation and we can't wait to see you show your spirit!
We wrapped up the second day of our District Staff Retreat with team-building activities that challenged staff to communicate creatively—skills that will support their work with both teachers and students. A balloon challenge illustrated the need to stay afloat amid the unpredictability of school environments. These activities not only strengthened our skills but also deepened our connections.
It was refreshing for someone to take a genuine interest in the future of Allendale. Mr. Sellers spoke with administrators and staff about specific issues we face in our district. We hope with his advice and our work, we can improve our attendance and increase our performance. We hope that with continued collaboration from our local partners, that we will find a solution that will unite the community of Allendale and help our students reach their full potential.
On the second day of our District Staff Retreat, we were grateful to have the Honorable Bakari Sellers speak during a moderating Q&A session. "We do not understand the inherent value of education, especially higher education," Sellers said when speaking on the importance of trade schools and community colleges. He spoke about the "power of trades", adding that students from rural areas who pursue trades like welding or electrician work can earn six figures post graduation. He encouraged us to allow our students to explore other avenues to becoming successful even if they are untraditional, we must utilize the resources we have.
What an exciting first day of our annual District Staff Retreat! We spent the day doing team building activities and preparing for next year. We appreciate Dr. Brian Cartiff and Mrs. Sarah Schumacher Gams, of SC TEACHER, for coming to help us complete a data dig on our staff surveys. We also played a fun game of charades where each person had to depict a characteristic of a leader.
Let's welcome our newest addition, Mrs. Tiffany McNeely, to the Tiger Family! Mrs. McNeely will be serving as our Director of Federal Programs. She has extensive experience and a diverse skill set that we know will help drive our district towards transformation! We are excited to have her in our district and look forward to a successful year!
Join our Tiger family today! We are looking to hire for multiple teaching positions at each of our schools! We are also seeking a Media Specialist to serve our district. We offer a warm environment with potential to grow within our district! If interested, please scan the QR code or apply using this link: https://www.applitrack.com/acs/onlineapp/
We are pleased to announce that the Honorable Bakari Sellers will join us at our District Staff Retreat tomorrow, June 11th. The event will be held at the USC Salkehatchie Atrium, and Mr. Sellers will be present from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.
During his visit, Mr. Sellers will host a Q&A session with our district leaders. We are deeply grateful for his participation and look forward to welcoming him.
We are thrilled to announce that our entire district has completed Mindset Training! During the training, we completed a series of hands-on, group activities and had several thoughtful conversations regarding how we could reduce violence and promote peace. The purpose of this training was to get on one accord across our schools and district office, so that we can have consistent protocols next year when our students return. We are looking forward to seeing how this training will help our district move in harmony as one!
Our first annual End of the Year Gala was an elegant evening to remember! We appreciate everyone who came out to celebrate the conclusion of the school year. After countless hours and relentless efforts throughout the school year, everyone deserved a night to unwind and rejoice. We are so grateful for our incredible team here at ACSD, each of you are appreciated beyond measure!
Superintendent Dr. Cave thanked Mrs. Julie Nipaz for her incredible run as our 2024-2025 District Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Nipaz was has a selfless nature and unwavering spirit, towards both students and faculty alike. After much anticipation, it was revealed that our new District Teacher of the Year is Dr. Samose Mays, of Allendale-Fairfax Middle School. During his acceptance speech, his gratitude was evident as he thanked his colleagues and wife. We are so proud of the work you have done thus far and cannot wait to see how you will lead our district in 2025-2026. We also want to acknowledge Mrs. Simone Roper-Jackson (AFES) and Mrs. Danielle Williams (AFHS) for being chosen as Teacher of the Year at their respective schools.
During the gala, we honored some of our staff for their dedication and contributions. After more than 40 years in our district, Mrs. Leath is retiring from her role as Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School Principal. In her tribute, Mrs. Polite described Mrs. Leath as a principal who serves her student and encourages her employees. Adding that Mrs. Leath was punctual yet playful. Mrs. Angela Grant, our Chief Financial Officer, also retired after nearly 25 years in our district. When giving her speech, Lashanda Jackson described Mrs. Grant as a mentor who is focused, poised, and knowledgable. Mrs. Gloria Fields, of AFES, also retired after more than 20 years of service. She is known for her pleasant personality and creative mind. Last but not least, we also recognized Rudolph Bell for his retirement. Mr. Bell was a History teacher at our high school who touched the lives of many of our students. Without each of you, our district would not be as strong as it is today. Your presence will be missed and we wish you the best in your future endeavors!
On yesterday evening we held our First Annual End of Year Gala for staff and teachers. During the night, staff enjoyed delicious food and heartfelt fellowship. We were able to connect while sharing songs, dances, and laughs. The event was not only beautiful, but also a meaningful way to spend time with each other before closing out the school year.
Good morning Allendale County Community of Learners, please be reminded that today is an early release day and the schedule is as follows:
AFES: 12:30
AFMS/AFHS 1:16
Please arrange for early transportation for your child. It has been a great year and a pleasure to serve your family. I personally thank you for your support this school year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on August 4th. Take care of my scholars and I love you all!!
Have a safe and wonderful summer!!
Dr. Vallerie Cave
Superintendent
Thank you to everyone who participated or attended our 2025 Commencement Services. Despite the trials we faced, we all showed up to support our Seniors on their big day and that is something to rejoice! It is important that our scholars feel celebrated and loved while walking across the stage. We appreciate all of you who helped us make this a special day for the Class of 2025!
Thank you to our wonderful AFMHS Chorus and Choral Director, Hiram E.M. Davis, for entertaining us during our graduation ceremony. They sung a joyful rendition of Lovely Day during the ceremony to keep spirits high! Their performances helped us celebrate this momentous occasion.
The air was filled with excitement as our Senior Graduates marched towards their diplomas and futures. Followed by our administrative staff and beloved teachers, they felt the support of our entire district. This is a day that we all long for, and we could not be more proud of each our graduates. While we may miss your presence in our schools, we know that you have a mark to make in our society.
Congratulations again to our Valedictorian, Jaylen Outing, and Salutatorian, Ariana Priester, who spoke at the beginning of the program. Their speeches were impactful reminders of the journeys they endured to earn these honors. Everyone listened with pride and admiration, knowing that both these scholars juggled schoolwork with sports to reach this accomplishment. Our Superintendent, Dr. Vallerie Cave, is amazed by your strength, brilliance, and commitment. We cannot wait to see what great things you will achieve next!
