Back to School: Sumter District -- Alice Drive Elementary, Alice Drive Middle, Bates, Cherryvale, Chestnut Oaks, Crestwood, Crosswell Drive, Ebenezer, Furman

The first day of school for students in kindergarten through grade 12 is Tuesday, Aug. 17. Monday, Aug. 23, is the first day for prekindergarten students.
Sumter School District will begin the 2021-22 school year with face-to-face instruction five days a week. Our academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of our students remain at the forefront of our response to reopening schools safely. Face coverings are optional for students and employees. Visitors are not required to wear masks. Please note, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends that everyone wears a mask inside, regardless of vaccination. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 data in our community and adjust our protocols as needed.
The use of face coverings by students and staff on school buses and within school facilities remains a recommendation of state and federal public health officials. Although face coverings on school buses are no longer mandatory, Proviso 1.108 does not prevent districts from encouraging the wearing of face coverings in these settings.
All face masks must adhere to the Sumter School District Dress Code. No inappropriate symbols, pictures, language or messages can be displayed.
For more information and a complete calendar for the 2021-22 school year, visit our website at www.sumterschools.net, which includes links to all of the schools. Information is also distributed through the Sumter School District Facebook page and Twitter account.
Alice Drive Elementary School
Principal: Suzanna Foley
Phone: (803) 775-0857/Fax: (803) 775-7580
School day: 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
http://ade.sumterschools.net
Student orientation will be held Friday, Aug. 13, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. for kindergarten through fifth grade according to the following schedule: Prekindergarten, 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 2-3 p.m; kindergarten and first-grade students, 1:30 p.m.; second- and third-grade students, 2 p.m.; and fourth- and fifth-grade students, 2:30 p.m. Class rosters will be posted in the hallways and by the classrooms. Students and parents will report to the child’s assigned classroom to meet with the teacher. Tables will be set up in the cafeteria to join the PTA, register for PERK, order school shirts or pick up other information. Additional parking will be available at Westminster Presbyterian Church across the street from the school.
The first day of school for kindergarten through fifth-grade students is Tuesday, Aug. 17. The first day of school for prekindergarten students is Monday, Aug. 23.
Dropoff/pickup procedures: All first- through fifth-grade students should be dropped off and picked up at the circular drive on Alice Drive. Prekindergarten and kindergarten students should be dropped off and picked up at the circular drive on Miller Road. Parents who need to park to enter the school building are asked to park in the parking lots in front of the school. The parking lot at Westminster Presbyterian Church may also be used if additional parking is needed. For safety reasons, parents are asked not to drop off a child on Reynolds Road, at the sidewalk to the left of the main entrance or behind the school. Please do not park in the staff parking lot behind the cafeteria. We ask that all parents and students utilize our sidewalks at all times and do not walk through the traffic flow.
Alice Drive Middle School
Principal: Jeannie M. Pressley
Phone: (803) 775-0821/ Fax: (803) 778-2929
School day: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
http://adm.sumterschools.net
Alice Drive Middle School, a nationally accredited STEM school, will hold its official first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 17. Tuesday/Wednesday will be designated as “Re-Engage” Camp. Students will receive their schedules, take ID pictures, review school-wide behavior expectations/procedures, tour the building, update Chromebooks and explore STEM through a variety of problem-based learning activities. Information will be sent home with dates for open house.
Dropoff/pickup procedures: Parents who bring children to school should enter campus using gate one off University Drive by making a right turn only. The earliest students may be dropped off in the mornings is 7:10 a.m. To avoid congestion, parents are asked to make a left turn only when exiting campus out of gate two. Walkers should enter the designated entrance in the gym foyer. In the interest of student safety, please do not drop students off on University Drive, at the front of the school or in the bus loading/unloading area.
Bates Middle School
Principal: TBD
Phone: (803) 775-0711/Fax: (803) 775-0715
School day: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
http://bms.sumterschools.net
The first day of school is Tuesday, Aug. 17. Bates Middle School will host an orientation for eighth-grade students and a mini-camp for sixth- and seventh-grade students as follows: sixth grade, July 28, 8 a.m.–noon; seventh grade, July 29, 8 a.m.–noon; eighth grade, Aug. 13, 1–3 p.m.
No bus transportation will be provided for the mini-camps or orientation.
Dropoff/pickup procedures: All cars picking up and dropping off students should enter the drive from Scotkins Court and exit on Bailey Street. Students are not to be dropped off or picked up on Bailey Street. Parents are not permitted to park in the front of the building to pick up students 3–3:30 p.m. This blocks traffic during peak times.
Cherryvale Elementary School
Principal: Pamela D. Rhodes
Phone: (803) 494-8200/Fax: (803) 494-8233
School day: 7:20 a.m.-2:10 p.m.
http://ces.sumterschools.net
On Thursday, Aug. 12, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Cherryvale Elementary School will hold Meet the Teacher and Orientation. During this session, parents will receive back-to-school information, review policies and procedures and meet staff members. An open house will be held on Thursday, Sept. 2, from 6 to 7 p.m. More information for the events will be placed on Cherryvale Elementary School’s website and social media pages.
Chromebook distribution for new students in prekindergarten-fifth grade will take place on Aug. 12 during the Meet the Teacher and Orientation event and on Aug. 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the media center.
Student uniforms at Cherryvale will continue to be mandatory. Students must wear pants, skirts or shorts that are navy blue or khaki. They must also wear collared shirts, blouses or sweaters that are white, light blue or navy. They can wear Cherryvale T-shirts and sweatshirts at any time. These garments are available to purchase and order online from various local retailers.
must arrive before 7:15 a.m. Breakfast and lunch meals are free for all students.
Tuesday, Aug. 17, is the first day of school for students in grades K-5. Monday, Aug. 23, is the first day for prekindergarten students.
Dropoff/pickup procedures for students who are car riders will remain the same when we return for the 2021-22 school year. During morning hours, parents must drop off car riders at the front entrance of the building. During afternoon hours, they must pick up students at the back of the building. The school building opens daily at 6:50 a.m.
Cherryvale Elementary is a Southern Regional Education Board school, an Arts in Basic Curriculum Site School and a Make a Way Hustle University school. Parents and students will receive more information regarding these initiatives at a later date. Components of these initiatives will be embedded into the core curriculum.
Chestnut Oaks Middle School
Principal: Jenaii Edwards
Phone: (803) 775-7272 /Fax: (803) 775-7601
School day: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
http://coms.sumterschools.net
The first day of school is Aug. 17. The instructional day is 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Chestnut Oaks Middle School orientation for all students and parents will be held Friday, Aug. 13. All orientations will begin promptly in the gym as follows: sixth, 8:30–10 a.m.; and seventh and eighth, 10–11:30 a.m. Parents will receive pertinent information such as schedules, bus routes, meet the teacher, etc.
A parent-teacher conference night will be held Thursday, Sept. 16, 3:30-6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium. Parents will also be able to pick up interims at the conference.
Dropoff/pickup procedures: Car riders should be picked up and dropped off on the circular driveway at the front of the school on Oswego Road. Students are not to be picked up or dropped off in the bus port area. Students are expected to use a school district-issued Chromebook to engage in learning activities and completion of assignments. Students new to Sumter School District will be issued a district Chromebook from Chestnut Oaks during orientation or the first week of school.
Chestnut Oaks is a uniform school, and all students will be expected to comply with the school uniform policy posted on the school’s website.
Crestwood High School
Principal: Dr. Shirley Gamble
Phone: (803) 469-6200/Fax: (803) 469-7678
School day: 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
http://chs.sumterschools.net/
Crestwood High School will host its orientation session for all parents and students to tour the building Wednesday, Aug. 11, based on the following schedule: freshmen and all newly enrolled students, 5:45-6:30 p.m.; sophomores, 6:15-7 p.m.; and juniors and seniors, 6:45-7:30 p.m.
Parking will be available in the parking lots located in front of the school, fine arts center and gymnasium.
Student schedules and a newsletter were both mailed on Aug. 4. Additionally, students and parents may access schedules via student and/or parent portal. Schedule confirmations will be conducted on campus or via Google Meet Aug. 9-12. Please visit the school website or call CHS Guidance Office to schedule your appointment time. Courses will be changed by appointment if there is a legitimate need such as: 1) scheduled for a class in which credit has been received, 2) not scheduled for eight classes, 3) course(s) required for graduation are needed, and 4) failed a course and prerequisite is required. Schedules will be reviewed 8 a.m.-4 p.m. based on the following schedule: Monday, Aug. 9 – Senior Confirmation Day; Tuesday, Aug. 10 – Junior Confirmation Day; Wednesday, Aug. 11 – Sophomore Confirmation Day; and Thursday, Aug. 12 – Freshman Confirmation Day.
Student handbooks, which include school and district expectations, will be distributed on the first day of school. Parents are respectfully requested to review the handbooks with their children. The first day of school for students is Tuesday, Aug. 17.
Dropoff and pickup procedures: Parents who drive their children to school should arrive no later than 8:35 a.m.; the building will open at 7:30 a.m.; the pick-up time is no later than 4:15 p.m.
Students are required to arrive at the designated parking lot no later than 8:30 a.m. Student drivers must complete the school driver safety course, the ALIVE AT 25 training and complete the application before driving privileges will be granted. Permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking permits may be purchased at school; mail-in registration fees do not include parking permits.
Crosswell Drive Elementary School
Principal: Dr. Shawn P. Hagerty
Phone: (803) 775-0679/Fax: (803) 778-2857
School day: 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
http://cdes.sumterschools.net
www.facebook.com/CrosswellDriveElementary
Crosswell Drive Elementary's instructional day will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m., and dismissal procedures will begin at 2 p.m. daily. Breakfast will be served from 6:50 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. each morning.
Dropoff/pickup procedures: Dropoff time for car riders will begin at 6:50 a.m. Car riders should be dropped off and picked up from designated dropoff and pickup areas only. No front entrance dropoffs or pickups are allowed during on-time arrival and dismissal procedures. Please refer to the Parent/Student Handbook for further information.
Parents and students may drop in several times during the week of Aug. 9 for orientation. Information packets about the school, policies, procedures and classroom assignments will be provided. In addition, teachers will be available during the following times: Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1-4 p.m.; Wednesday, Aug. 11, 8–11 a.m.; and Thursday, Aug. 12, 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
Parents are welcome to call or drop in before the week of orientation for school-related information only between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. All student supplies (except book bags) will be provided throughout the school year. For up-to-date information, please like our Facebook page or contact the school directly.
Ebenezer Middle School
Principal: Marlene De Wit
Phone: (803) 469-8571/Fax: (803) 469-8575
School day: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
http://ems.sumterschools.net
Tuesday, Aug. 17, is the first day of school. Orientation for parents and students who are new to Ebenezer will be held Thursday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m.
Students will continue to wear uniforms this year. The uniform policy can be found on our website, or a copy can be picked up from the school.
If a student plans to ride the bus in the afternoon, he or she should ride the bus to school in the morning to be familiar with the driver and the bus number.
Dropoff/pickup procedures: The parent dropoff and pickup area is at the north end of the building. Please do not block the bus loading/unloading zone; pull into one of the parking spaces to pick up and drop off your student. Dropoffs can be made from 7:40–8:25 a.m. Students who are p.m. car riders should be picked up by 3:45 p.m. or they should ride the bus home.
Furman Middle School
Principal: Michael Riggins
Phone: (803) 481-8519/Fax: (803) 481-8923
School day: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
http://fms.sumterschools.net
www.facebook.com/fmsIndians
Orientation for sixth through eighth grades will be held Friday, Aug. 13, according to the following schedule: sixth-grade orientation/camp, 8-9:30 a.m.; seventh-grade orientation will be held at 9:30 a.m.; eighth-grade orientation will be held at 10:30 a.m. Parents and students will report to the gym to pick up student schedules and may then report to the student’s homeroom. PTSA membership dues will be accepted, and Furman T-shirts may be purchased at this time.
School uniforms will be waived this year due to the low availability; however, students are required to follow the Board of Trustees' policy on the student dress code. This policy can be found on the district’s website or on Furman’s Facebook page.
The first day of school for students is Tuesday, Aug. 17. Homeroom assignments will be located on the walls in the hallway and outside of the classrooms. Staff members will be available to assist students with finding their homerooms. Also on the first day of school, all students who plan to ride their assigned bus should ride the bus in the morning so the bus driver will know the students, and the students will become familiar with their bus number and driver.
Dropoff/pickup procedures: Students who arrive by car should be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. at the student dropoff area located in the fenced area beside the school. (Please see our Facebook page for directions and map). Students may be dropped off at the main office entrance after 8:30 a.m. Students may be picked up in the afternoon in the fenced area beside the school at 3:30 p.m. Parents must pick students up no later than 4 p.m. As a safety measure, all parents, students and smaller children are asked to remain in their vehicles while waiting to pick up students.