News Summary
Laurens District 55 High School is hosting its Freshman Academy Orientation on July 21. This event aims to help incoming freshmen transition from middle school to high school by providing essential skills and introducing academic schedules. Parents are welcome to attend as students tour the campus and learn about extracurricular opportunities. Simultaneously, the school district navigates challenges, including the termination of the LEARNS Grant and a recent incident involving a former teacher, highlighting the need for community support in education.
Laurens, SC – Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS) is set to host the 2025-2026 Freshman Academy Orientation on Monday, July 21, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This event marks a significant step for incoming freshmen as they prepare to transition from middle school to high school.
The orientation aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment for students entering their high school careers. During this session, freshmen will be introduced to essential skills that will support their academic success and personal development throughout their high school years and beyond.
One of the highlights of the orientation includes the distribution of class schedules, allowing students to get a preview of their upcoming academic year. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to tour the campus, learn about various extracurricular opportunities, and meet staff members who will play a crucial role in assisting them during their transition.
Parents are encouraged to accompany their freshmen throughout the event to actively engage in the transition process. Check-in for participants is scheduled between 9:00 and 9:30 AM, ensuring that everyone is accounted for before the program begins.
For further inquiries, parents can contact the school’s 9th Grade Principal, Mrs. Melissa Entrekin, via email at mbentrekin@laurens55.org or by calling the school at (864) 682-3151.
On the day of the orientation, the weather forecast predicts sunny to partly cloudy conditions, with temperatures reaching a high of 94°F and a low of 72°F, paired with light and variable winds, making for a pleasant day for families attending.
In other educational updates within Laurens County School District 55, a notable change has occurred with the termination of the Laurens Educators Achieving Results to Net Success (LEARNS) Grant, effective February 18. This grant had been instrumental in supporting initiatives focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion but has faced cancellation as a result of state budget cuts.
The LEARNS grant was initially awarded in 2023 for a total of $13.5 million over three years, designed to enhance various educational programs within the district. The district plans to contest the termination, arguing against the classification of the grant as a DEI initiative. The district has expressed its intentions to appeal the decision within a 30-day timeframe.
Additionally, Congresswoman Sheri Biggs has commented on the termination, highlighting that the grant was applied for under the Biden Administration prior to her election, indicating complex political dynamics surrounding educational funding.
In a separate incident involving school safety, a former LDHS teacher, Miranda Burton Stone, has been arrested on charges linked to inappropriate behavior in the classroom. Reports indicate that she allegedly permitted students to use nicotine and THC products during class. The allegations were initially made on February 28, leading to an investigation by school authorities and the eventual termination of her employment on March 4.
Subsequently, Stone was charged with four counts, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor and unlawfully placing a child at risk, as well as providing tobacco to minors. She was arrested on March 11 and booked into the Laurens County jail. This incident raises concerns over student safety and the responsibilities of educators within the school environment.
As Laurens District 55 High School prepares for the upcoming academic year, both the orientation for freshmen and the school district’s ongoing challenges underscore the dynamic nature of educational governance and the vital role of community engagement in supporting student success.
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Additional Resources
- Laurens High School Freshman Academy
- Laurens District 55 Grant Termination
- Former Teacher Arrested
- Wikipedia: Education in South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON
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