Dear Panthers,
We hope you all had time to rest, rejuvenate, and spend quality time with your loved ones over the course of the summer break. It is with extreme excitement and eager anticipation that we near the official start of the 2021-2022 school year. Our administrators have poured their hearts into preparing for the new school year over the summer and we can't wait to open our doors for students on August 16th (when we welcome back 1st through 12th grade students) and August 23rd (when our 4K and 5K students officially start school).
We understand that many of you are nervous and anxious about how the new school year will look in the face of rising COVID-19 numbers across the country. We want to assure you that just like we conquered and met such challenges with determination during the 2020-2021 school year, we are fully prepared to persevere through any difficulties that inevitably will arise this year. We remain deeply committed to providing safe, healthy learning environments for all of our Panthers and to our Lexington Three mission of “preparing students for the future...now.” This includes a comprehensive approach to helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by continuing to provide a personalized learning experience that grows each child to his/her full potential. Not even a worldwide pandemic can deter us from these goals.
The future is certainly bright in Lexington School District Three. Last year, we completed major renovations to Batesburg-Leesville Primary School and are currently slated to begin additional construction projects at Batesburg-Leesville Primary, Batesburg-Leesville Elementary and Batesburg-Leesville High Schools very soon following a successful bond referendum in November 2020. Lexington Three is also embarking on its next educational cycle after receiving a full five-year accreditation by COGNIA at the end of the last school year. Insights from the COGNIA review team included a supportive and collaborative culture within and among the community and schools, a strong innovative, creative, and inclusive learning culture, and ongoing attention to resource management to provide all students with experiences that ensure success and life-long learning. Zero standards were rated as needing improvement and the district received a higher than average network score on the index of education quality. All of this is evidence of the success and innovation that has become the theme of our great school district.
Thank you for your support of our schools and the children we serve. I consider it a privilege and an honor to serve as Superintendent of Lexington County School District Three and look forward to partnering with you for the success of our students.
With Panther Pride,
Ashley Atkinson