Sumter, SC (WLTX) - The Sumter School District is getting ready for the first day of school, and with that comes big changes for the 2018-2019 school year.
Back in April, the Sumter School Board of Trustees voted to consolidate four schools. Their reasoning was to create new educational opportunities for children in rural schools.
That means Mayewood Middle School is moving to R.E. Davis Elementary to form R.E. Davis K-8 College Preparatory Academy. According to the district "this initiative will place an emphasis on AVID, Core Knowledge, NMSI, and Leader in Me." Those programs are focused on college readiness.
F.J. DeLaine Elementary is combining with Cherryvale Elementary to form a STEAM school.
They are hoping for a smooth transition for the new students. According to district spokeswoman Shelly Galloway:
"We are sensitive to the needs of our students as they transition to a new school. All teachers have been trained in Leader in Me, and transition is a component of this training. In addition to orientations, administrators plan to meet with all of the students on the first day to further acclimate them to the school environment. It is important to note that the teachers also went to the consolidated schools. The same team of teachers will teach the students, they will just be on a different campus."
When it comes to bus routes, the district says the routes will remain the same, but drop off locations will change.
The new Cherryvale Elementary School hosted their "Back to School" orientation on Thursday evening, while R.E. Davis College Prepatory School will host their orientation on Friday, August 17, from 5-6:30 p.m.
More back to school information can be found on the Sumter School District site here.