Woodland High School Spanish teachers Ms. Dionis and Ms. Pernia led engaging projects that brought culture, language, and tradition to life.
In Ms. Dionis’ Spanish 3 class, students researched Hispanic celebrities, learning about their home countries and careers, then answered questions in Spanish about their presentations. Principal Michael White joined in the discussion and even sampled authentic Hispanic cuisine prepared by students.

In Ms. Pernia’s class, students explored Hispanic countries, sharing facts about each nation’s history, culture, famous people, music, and flag. Her students also enjoyed tasting traditional dishes that highlighted the diversity of Hispanic heritage.

It was a meaningful way to close out Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate the many cultures that enrich our schools and community.
29 minutes ago, DD4 Communications
A student proudly displays a colorful trifold poster about Carlos Santana, featuring images of Mexican cuisine, family, and music awards.
A group of high school students and their teacher pose together in a Spanish classroom decorated with cultural posters and alphabet letters.
Two students sit behind their trifold presentation board on Cuba, featuring the Cuban flag, maps, food, and famous people.
A smiling student stands beside a Puerto Rico project board decorated with photos, the flag, and images of Bad Bunny and Puerto Rican dishes.
Two students stand behind a bright yellow and red project board about Shakira and Colombia, featuring pictures of the singer, Colombian food, and symbols.
A male teacher dressed in a sparkling black and silver jacket with a white feather boa samples food while smiling during a classroom celebration.
A large group of students poses with their Hispanic Heritage Month projects on countries including El Salvador, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, surrounded by international flags.
A student and teacher smile while holding a colorful Venezuela project board in front of a digital display reading “Hispanic Heritage Month.”
A student eats from a cup while participating in a classroom celebration, with another student standing beside him enjoying food.
Two students stand beside their Dominican Republic project display featuring information on music, famous people, and traditional clothing.
Happy Columbus Day!
3 days ago, DD4 Communications
Happy Columbus Day October 13, 2025
Get ready for some Halloween fun at Davis Bailey Park! 🎃
Join Dorchester County Parks & Recreation for Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 24, from 5–7 PM!

Enjoy treats, costumes, and fun for the whole family — plus an electric train, food truck, and Sweet Southern Chill!

📍 Davis Bailey Park
5190 E Jim Bilton Blvd, St. George, SC

Come out for a safe, family-friendly evening of fall fun! 👻🍬
4 days ago, DD4 Communications
Colorful Trunk or Treat flyer from Dorchester County Parks & Recreation. The purple and orange design features playful ghosts, candy, and Halloween graphics. Text reads: “Dorchester County Parks and Recreation Trunk or Treat. Davis Bailey Park, 5190 E Jim Bilton Blvd, St. George, SC 29477. Electric Train – Food Truck – Sweet Southern Chill! October 24th, 5–7 PM.”
In Our Classrooms: Woodland High School’s JROTC program, led by Chaplain MAJ (USA Retired) John Logan Jr. and Sergeant (Ret.) Kevin Simpson, took learning outdoors for a student-led PT session on the back lawn. Cadets demonstrated teamwork, discipline, and leadership as they guided their peers through physical training exercises.

It’s all part of building strong minds, strong bodies, and strong leaders at Woodland High!
5 days ago, DD4 Communications
Woodland High JROTC cadets jog in formation across the back lawn during a student-led PT session.
A group of Woodland High JROTC cadets jog together in step, wearing black Army PT uniforms.
Chaplain MAJ (USA Retired) John Logan Jr. observes cadets during outdoor physical training on the back lawn.
Sergeant (Ret.) Kevin Simpson stands on the field, overseeing cadets during student-led PT at Woodland High.
Cadets stand in small groups between exercises, preparing for the next part of their PT session.
JROTC cadets perform jumping jacks in unison under the morning sun during their student-led workout.
A large group of Woodland High JROTC cadets move in formation during physical training, led by their peers.
Cadets perform arm-raise exercises while instructors observe and encourage from the sidelines.
In Mrs. Gina Sawicki’s 4th grade class at Harleyville Elementary, students were all in during a hands-on science lesson about energy. Through call and response, they broke down how energy cannot be created or destroyed, it just changes form. From note taking to lively discussion, the class stayed locked in and learning together.
6 days ago, DD4 Communications
A student’s notebook open to notes labeled “Conservation of Energy,” describing how energy cannot be created or destroyed and can change form.
Teacher Mrs. Gina Sawicki smiles and gestures energetically during her science lesson on energy, with the class notes projected on the screen behind her.
Students sit at round tables as one raises a hand to answer a question during the energy lesson.
A student seated near the teacher’s desk raises his hand to participate in the discussion, with classroom posters and supplies in the background.
A student writes notes in her notebook while focusing on the science lesson about energy.
A student with braided hair and glasses writes in her notebook while participating in Mrs. Sawicki’s science lesson.
A student with a ponytail listens attentively and holds a pencil during the class discussion.
Two students seated at desks look toward the front of the classroom, listening during the interactive lesson.
A student focuses on writing in his notebook during the energy discussion, surrounded by bookshelves in the background.
A student wearing glasses concentrates while taking notes about how energy changes form during the hands-on science lesson.
In Our Classrooms:
We caught up with Mrs. Davis’ 3rd grade class at Williams Memorial Elementary School as they explored the library! With help from Mrs. Davis and school librarian Mrs. Stephenson, students identified books that matched their reading levels and had a chance to browse the shelves for stories that sparked their interest.
7 days ago, DD4 Communications
A young girl browses through a bookshelf in the school library, holding a book as she decides what to read next. Colorful decorations and rows of books line the background.
A student wearing a purple hoodie looks through a shelf of library books while Mrs. Davis assists other students in the background.
Two students look at picture books together at a library table, smiling as they share their selections.
Mrs. Davis helps a student locate a book that matches his reading level while another student nearby checks his list. Library shelves filled with books surround them.
School librarian Mrs. Stephenson stands at the front of the library holding a “Fly Guy” book, explaining something to students seated nearby.
Two students look at picture books together at a library table, smiling as they share their selections.
A student sits quietly at a library table, reading an illustrated book titled “Baloney” with focus and interest.
A student in a red shirt holds several books against his chest while standing on a colorful reading rug in the library.
A student in a black hoodie with a skeleton face design reads a “Step into Reading” book at a table in the library.
Two smiling students stand side by side in the library, holding a stack of books they’ve selected to check out.
🍂 Fall Break Reminder: Dorchester School District Four schools and offices will be closed October 13–15 for Fall Break. Enjoy the break and we’ll see you back soon!
8 days ago, DD4 Communications
🍂 Fall Break Reminder: Dorchester School District Four schools and offices will be closed October 13–15 for Fall Break. Enjoy the break and we’ll see you back soon!
In Our Classrooms at Clay Hill Elementary School

Music teacher Mr. Mansilla is helping students find the rhythm in both sound and numbers! During a Math + Music Challenge, students used their ears and math skills to group beats into patterns of 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s. The activity combined melody and mathematics, showing how rhythm and counting go hand in hand.

It’s learning that hits all the right notes—fun, creative, and full of energy! 🎵🎶
8 days ago, DD4 Communications
A young girl claps along with the rhythm while holding a pencil during Mr. Mansilla’s Math + Music Challenge. A worksheet sits on the yellow table in front of her.
Music teacher Mr. Mansilla claps to a rhythm at the front of the classroom while students listen and work at their tables.
A student in a pink shirt concentrates on her worksheet, writing answers for the Math + Music Challenge at a green table.
A student wearing a blue dress writes on her Math + Music Challenge worksheet, focused on grouping beats into patterns.
A student with glasses leans over her paper, writing carefully on the Math + Music Challenge worksheet at a yellow table.
Close-up of a child’s hand holding a pencil and marking answers on the Math + Music Challenge worksheet.
Another close-up view of a student writing on a Math + Music Challenge worksheet, focusing on grouping beats.
A small group of students sits around a green table, working on their worksheets and talking through the challenge with a teacher.
Several students gather around a yellow table completing their Math + Music Challenge worksheets as they listen for patterns in the music.
A classroom display screen shows the “Math + Music Challenge” program, instructing students to group beats into 2’s, 3’s, 4’s, and 6’s.
In our classrooms at Harleyville Elementary, 4th-grade teacher Patrice Anderson guided students through a lively compare-and-contrast lesson based on a story about a grandfather asking his grandson to give up his room. Students worked in small groups, weighing the pros and cons from both perspectives and sharing their insights through thoughtful discussion.
9 days ago, DD4 Communications
4th-grade teacher Patrice Anderson stands beside a small group of students working at a table. She observes closely as students write in their notebooks during a compare-and-contrast lesson at Harleyville Elementary School.
A student sitting on the classroom carpet looks up from her notebook while holding a pencil during a group reading discussion activity. Other students around her are engaged with their workbooks.
Two students animatedly discuss their answers while comparing perspectives from a story. One student gestures with a pencil while the other listens intently.
Two students sitting on the floor take notes in their composition books during a small group discussion. They appear focused and engaged in their writing task.
A full group of 4th-grade students sit in a discussion circle on the carpet, each with a notebook open as they share ideas about a story during a compare-and-contrast exercise.
Teacher Patrice Anderson sits at her desk, hands clasped in front of her, watching her students work during a classroom discussion activity at Harleyville Elementary.
📢 Reminder: Dorchester School District Four will operate on a half day schedule on Friday, October 10th. • Elementary dismisses at 11:15 AM • Middle & High Schools dismiss at 12:40 PM
10 days ago, DD4 Communications
Dorchester School District Four flyer announcing a Half Day Schedule on Friday, October 10, 2025. Dismissal times are listed as Elementary at 11:15 AM and Middle & High at 12:40 PM.
On behalf of Dorchester School District Four, we say thank you to our outstanding Academic and Instructional Coaches. Your support, guidance, and leadership play a vital role in student success. We appreciate the energy, expertise, and care you bring to our schools every single day. Happy Academic and Instructional Coaches Day! #DD4 #InstructionalCoaches #AcademicCoaches #ThankYou #DorchesterFour
10 days ago, DD4 Communications
A graphic with a red and orange gradient background from Dorchester School District Four honoring Academic and Instructional Coaches. The text reads: "October 6, 2025 Honoring Academic & Instructional Coaches On behalf of DD4 Schools – Thank you!" The Dorchester School District Four logo appears in both the top right and bottom left corners.
Pizza, bingo, and a whole lot of family fun! Woodland Middle School was packed Wednesday night for DD4’s Pizza & Bingo Night, hosted by our Office of Federal Programs and Student Services. Even with I-95 traffic diverted through St. George after a hazardous spill, our community showed up in a big way!

The evening started with helpful info for families about attendance, truancy, PowerSchool, and district resources. After that, it was all about the games! Families played bingo for prizes (the gift cards went fast) and then enjoyed pizza, chips, and cookies together.

A special thank you to our volunteer servers for helping make the night a huge success. What an incredible evening of learning, family time, and community spirit in DD4!
13 days ago, DD4 Communications
A young boy in glasses studies his bingo card closely while holding a bean marker, with a phone and bag of beans on the table.
A young girl with braided hair and beads smiles brightly at the camera while holding beans for bingo, seated at a black table.
A smiling girl proudly holds up her prize, a gift card, while wearing a light blue shirt and colorful beaded bracelets.
A man helps a young boy check his bingo card, with other children sitting nearby at the same table.
A boy wearing a white jacket focuses on his bingo card, with beans scattered on the table, as his family sits beside him.
A man leans in close to help a young boy place beans on his bingo card, surrounded by other families playing.
A father and son concentrate on filling out their bingo cards together at a small gray table.
A group of children sit around a long black table playing bingo, one boy in the center looking toward the caller.
A man in a teal shirt and Miami Dolphins hat sits with a girl and woman as they look over their bingo cards together.
A man in a blue shirt and camo hat helps a little boy mark his bingo card, while other players sit at the same white table.
Today, October 2, 2025, Dorchester School District Four celebrates our outstanding school custodians. They keep our schools clean, safe, and welcoming every day. Your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. We appreciate you and thank you for making a difference in our schools!
14 days ago, DD4 Communications
Graphic with text honoring school custodians on October 2, 2025, on behalf of DD4 Schools, prominently featuring the words "Thank you!" in large letters. The design includes blue and white color blocks with logos for Dorchester School District Four.

Dorchester School District Four families,
The October Newsletters are now available on our district website.

You can view them here: https://tinyurl.com/49x72f68

15 days ago, DD4 Communications
Newsletter titled “Helping Students Learn – Middle School, October 2025, Dorchester School District Four.” The main article on the left is titled “Spending time learning in nature supports success in school” with a photo of a smiling middle school boy in a green and yellow jacket outdoors. The article lists activities such as photo scavenger hunts, making maps, identifying wildlife, writing poetry, and using the sun to make a sundial. Below it is a green box titled “Talk about student responsibilities,” encouraging families to help children fulfill duties, be self-reliant, and persist with goals. On the right side, shorter articles include: “Promote active thinking” with a photo of a girl. “Encourage reading ahead” about preparing before class. “Offer tips for clear writing” encouraging focus on topic, organization, word choice, and mechanics. The footer lists sources, credits, and copyright for The Parent Institute.
Parents, please expect school bus delays this afternoon.

As of 1:00 p.m., I-95 southbound at the St. George interchange (mile marker 77) is closed due to a hazardous material spill. Traffic is being rerouted along Highways 15 and 78, which may cause significant delays in our area.

If you have questions about transportation, please contact the Transportation Office at (843) 636-5001.
15 days ago, DD4 Communications
Graphic with the Dorchester School District Four logo in the top left corner. The background is a dark brick wall. Large text reads “Traffic Alert Delay” in red, orange, yellow, and green gradient colors. On the right side, there are three stacked traffic lights showing red, yellow, and green signals.
Route 441 will be 25 minutes late this morning.
15 days ago, Sandra Felder

In our classrooms!

Woodland Middle School kicked off its first club meetings of the year this past Friday! One of the featured clubs is Robotics, where students jumped right in by practicing their engineering skills with snap circuits. Thank you to Mrs. Pamela Rhode for leading this exciting opportunity for our students.

17 days ago, DD4 Communications
A student in a black hoodie works intently with a snap circuits board, connecting components to create an electronic project. Another student in red is seated beside them working on a similar project.
A student in a leopard print shirt follows instructions from a snap circuits manual while assembling a project on their circuit board. Other students in the background are also engaged in building.
A smiling student in a leopard print shirt poses proudly with her snap circuits project in progress, sitting at a classroom desk with materials spread out.
A student in a red hoodie carefully places components onto a snap circuits board while another student beside him works on their project. The snap circuits kit and instruction manual are visible.
A student in a black t-shirt works on a snap circuits board, pointing to a lit-up bulb on the project while following instructions from the manual.
Dear DD4 Community,

We continue to closely monitor Tropical Disturbance 94L.
At this time, Dorchester School District Four will operate on a regular schedule.
Thank you for your flexibility and ongoing support of our students.
18 days ago, DD4 Communications
A weather update announcement graphic from Dorchester School District Four. The background shows a cloudy sky. The text reads: "Important Announcement – Weather Update." The Dorchester School District Four logo is centered below the word "Update," with the district name written underneath.

Dorchester School District Four hosted the Fall Collaborative Networking Session Thursday night at the Dorchester County Career and Technology Center (DCCTC).

This event, coordinated by Mrs. Catherine Yates, Coordinator of Teacher Effectiveness, is one of many designed to equip new educators in DD4 and those new to the profession with the tools, mentorship, and support they need to succeed. Teachers also received valuable resources to support their work in the classroom.

A special thank you to DCCTC for providing the delicious Greek chicken meal and to our speakers from DCCTC, DD4, and outside agencies for sharing their time and expertise.

19 days ago, DD4 Communications
A woman with long braided hair and glasses sits at a table with an orange checkered tablecloth. She is wearing a bright yellow shirt and looking toward the camera with her hands clasped in front of her face, smiling. A laptop and white cups are on the table.
A man with short curly hair and glasses, wearing a light blue shirt, sits at a table with an orange checkered tablecloth. He is smiling and looking down while writing on a piece of paper.
A woman with short hair and glasses, wearing a green jacket, smiles while looking at her laptop. Another person’s arm is visible in the foreground holding papers.
A woman with red hair tied back in a ponytail, wearing a leopard print cardigan, sits at a table with an orange tablecloth. She smiles while holding a fork and eating. Drinks and flowers are visible on the table.
Two women sit side by side at a table. The woman on the left wears glasses and a red patterned blouse, while the woman on the right wears glasses and a yellow shirt. They are focused on something in front of them.
A woman wearing a dark blue blouse stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone. An American flag is visible behind her.
A woman wearing a green and black leaf-patterned dress stands and speaks into a microphone while gesturing with her hand. An American flag is in the background.
A man in a khaki shirt and glasses holds a microphone while speaking. He gestures with one hand. A large screen with a blue background is visible behind him.
A woman wearing glasses and a black polo shirt with the DD4 logo speaks at a podium in front of a projected presentation slide. Seated attendees listen while facing the screen and podium.
A young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a light blue shirt, sits at a table with her chin resting on her clasped hands. She looks forward attentively, listening. A laptop, papers, and a flower arrangement are visible on the table.
Dear DD4 ​Community,

We continue to closely monitor Tropical Disturbance 94L. Governor McMaster has declared a state of emergency as the system could strengthen into a tropical storm or hurricane approaching the Southeast early next week.

Superintendent Beckwith and our principals are prepared, and we will communicate quickly if school schedules need to be adjusted.

Thank you for your flexibility and continued support of our students.
20 days ago, DD4 Communications
A graphic with a cloudy sky background featuring the text “Important Announcement: Weather Update” in bold green and gray letters. The Dorchester School District Four logo is centered at the bottom, along with the district’s name.