Roof Repair in Daniel Island, SC

County meets state average and above on test scores

The South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee recently released the 2024 SC School Report Cards, offering insights into student progress and academic achievement across the state.

Notably, Philip Simmons High School and Daniel Island School earned an Excellent rating, placing them among only seven schools in the Berkeley County School District to receive this top mark.

BCSD Superintendent Anthony Dixon highlighted the county’s accomplishments in a recent school board meeting.

“Our students’ achievement in English language arts has reached their highest levels since 2018,” Dixon said, adding that no schools in the district were rated as Unsatisfactory this year – a milestone he credits to dedicated staff and high academic standards.

The 2024 report card showed BCSD students scoring around the state average in key academic areas. Approximately 52% of BCSD students met or exceeded expectations on the SC READY English test, compared to 54% of students statewide. In math, 35% of BCSD students met or exceeded expectations, compared to the state’s 43%.

Nineteen BCSD schools received Good and Excellent ratings, with PSHS and DIS among those earning the Excellent mark.

PSHS, under Principal Chris Buchholz, has maintained an Excellent rating throughout his tenure.

“Over the past four years, we have focused on fostering consistent growth at our school and enhancing our support systems for students,” he said. “It is truly impressive to maintain this streak!”

He credited the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports team, which provides targeted interventions for students, as well as an athletic study hall program, which he said helps maintain high academic standards for the 75% of students who participate in sports.

“We maintain high expectations for our students, and they consistently rise to meet these challenges,” Buchholz said. “Our teachers have also dedicated themselves to collaborating in professional learning communities to plan effectively, solve problems, and set high expectations for student growth. This accomplishment speaks volumes about our dedicated students and teachers, especially as the expectations and metrics evolve over time.”

Daniel Island School has also maintained an Excellent rating for several consecutive years, Principal Laura Blanchard said.

“The excellence we experience is the result of consistent effort from all involved,” she said.

This year, 18 DIS students achieved perfect scores on their SC READY tests, a testament to the school’s expectations and targeted support.

Blanchard highlighted DIS’s approach of weekly Professional Learning Communities, where staff reviewed student progress and adjusted their teaching strategies. The school also utilized teams from the Individual Education Program, the 504 Plan, and MTSS to address specific student needs.

“Our students rise to the challenge, and the support we receive from parents strengthens our efforts,” she said. “This collaborative commitment to learning is the foundation of our success.”

Superintendent Dixon thanked all BCSD staff, parents, and students for their dedication to growth and improvement, and said, “Together, we’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.”

Here are the developments before the various City of Charleston boards and committees this week, as well as results, if any, from the prior week’s items specific to Daniel Island and the Cainhoy area.

More detailed agendas and results can be found at charleston-sc.gov/agendacenter.

UPCOMING: TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Nov. 21: Sportsman Island Dr. – Townhomes Subdivision Preliminary plat of proposed subdivision on .58 acres, located at 123 Sportsman Island Dr. in Cainhoy TMS: B2710002064 Owner: Benjamin Stein. Applicant: Barrier Island SC. LLC. Contact: Andrew Bajoczky, andy@barrierislandeng.com.

Nov. 21: Restore at Point Hope – Proposed new development on 36.87 acres, located on 1236 Clements Ferry Rd., in Cainhoy. TMS B2620000028 Owner: The Berry Company Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Domonic Jones, jones.d@tandh.com.

Nov. 21: Daniel Island Club Lodge – Proposed new private facility on 3.5 acres, located at 604 Island Park Dr., in Daniel Island. TMS: B2710000001. Owner: Daniel Island Golf Club LLC. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Bryce Lemon, lemon.b@tandh.com.

Nov. 21: Lifestyle Communities at Point Hope – Proposed new utilities to serve as a mixed-use site, located on 27.9 acres, at 1260 Clements Ferry Rd., in Cainhoy. TMS: B2620000028. Owner: Lifestyle Communities. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Dominic Jones, jones.d@tandh.com.

UPCOMING: BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS – SITE DESIGN

No items pertaining to Daniel Island or Cainhoy from last week.

RESULTS: TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Nov. 14: Alliance Apartments Ph.1 – Proposed new multifamily housing development on 23.9 acres, located at 1111 Kentucky Derby Lane in Cainhoy. TMS: B2620000028 Owner: Seven Sticks LLC Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. Contact: Hannah Wilken, wilken@seamonwhiteside.com. Results: Open pending delivery of Stormwater and Zoning comments.

Nov. 14: Towne at Cooper River – Clements Ferry Medical – Proposed medical office building with parking on 3.8 acres, located at 250 Silo Acres Dr., in Cainhoy. TMS: B2710001035. Owner: Thorn Baccich Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, LLC. Contact: Spencer Plowden, splowden@seamonwhiteside.com. Results: No return/ paperwork comments.

Nov. 14: Extra Room Clements Ferry – Proposed new four-story storage facility on 2.44 acres, located on 2274 Clements Ferry Rd., in Cainhoy. TMS B2670000148 Owner: Extra Room Clements Ferry LLC Applicant: Earthsource Engineering Contact: Noah Nelson, nelsonn@earthsourceeng.com. Results: Revise and return.

RESULTS: BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS – SITE DESIGN

No items pertaining to Daniel Island or Cainhoy from last week.

By:

Provided by S.C. Department of Environmental Services

Recycling just got easier in South Carolina with the introduction of the Recycle Here SC mobile phone app.

The app – developed through a partnership between the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), PalmettoPride, and the S.C. Beverage Association – will consolidate information for South Carolina residents on what, where, and how to recycle different items at different locations across the state.

“While our web-based tool that provides recycling information has been extremely successful, this new app – which is one of the first of its kind nationwide – will make access to recycling information more convenient, reduce confusion, and lessen contamination of recyclable materials,” said Myra Reece, SCDES interim director, in a statement. "This app will also support South Carolina’s efforts to achieve a goal of recycling 50% of the state’s municipal solid waste by 2030.”

Confusion about what items can and can’t be recycled paired with contamination, which is placing items that can’t be recycled into a recycling bin, are the biggest challenges faced by recycling programs throughout the nation.

"With the launch of the Recycle Here SC app, we're equipping South Carolinians with a powerful tool to make recycling more accessible and efficient," said Lt. Governor Pamela S. Evette in the release. "Since much of the litter in our communities consists of items that could have been recycled, this initiative will also play a key role in reducing litter across our state.”

The Recycle Here SC app lists all the recycling programs in the state and allows residents to:

• Search for recycling locations and programs within their counties;

• Filter locations based on items needing to be recycled;

• Search and sign up for notifications about special collection events (such as household hazardous waste take-back days, paper shredding days, and electronic collection events);

• Learn about recycling, composting, litter prevention, and waste reduction programs led by SCDES and PalmettoPride; and

• Find out how to properly dispose of other material.

The Recycle Here SC app is meant to complement pre-existing mobile apps that some counties already have in place, as it focuses on information for the state instead of the county level. For the counties that don’t have a recycling app, this new product puts the information right at their residents’ fingertips.

“It’s essential for residents to understand that local recycling programs can vary considerably on which items they’re able to collect,” Reece said. “Municipalities nationwide are facing increased costs for their recycling programs, often due to high contamination rates. Having the right items in the right bin increases the value of the recyclables, lowers processing costs, and provides clean raw material to manufacturers for making new products.”

Anyone without the ability to use a mobile phone app can continue to refer to SCDES’s Where to Recycle web page for a list of county and city recycling locations throughout the state, available at des.sc.gov/recycleheresc.

Funding for the Recycle Here SC app was provided through the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant offered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and awarded to SCDES. PalmettoPride and the S.C. Beverage Association also provided funding and support.

Learn more about SCDES’s role with supporting successful recycling programs through South Carolina at des.sc.gov/recycling.

This Veterans Day, the Lowcountry will come alive with patriotic pride through parades, concerts, and tributes honoring those who served.

Here’s a guide to the many ways you can honor the nation’s heroes.

Palmetto Freedom Fest: On Nov. 10, the third annual Palmetto Freedom Fest at Credit One Stadium will feature country artists Chris Janson and Tyler Rich, along with gourmet food stations, bourbon tastings, and a live painting by Joe Everson.

The event benefits Folds of Honor, which provides scholarships for families of fallen or critically wounded service members. Attendees can expect inspiring stories from speakers, including a Gold Star widow and a Charleston firefighter.

“This is Daniel Island’s best party for a purpose,” said organizer Eric Timko. For tickets, visit PalmettoFreedomFest.org.

Veterans Day 5K Fun Run: Get your sweat on at this casual, untimed 5K fun run in Hampton Park on Nov. 9. Participants can walk or run to show their support for veterans, while making donations in honor of their veteran they want to commemorate. Named veterans will be honored with a 4x6 flag. Proceeds will support the Food Pantry at the VA Medical Center and veterans with PTSD. Sign up at bit.ly/48wEJGd

Daniel Island Exchange Club Events: The Daniel Island Exchange Club is honoring veterans with two special events. On Nov. 4 at 8:30 a.m., 120 American flags will line the entrance of the Daniel Island Club. Additionally, the annual Veterans Day Dinner and Military Appreciation Gala will take place on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m., benefiting Project ZERO, an initiative to reduce Lowcountry homeless veterans to zero.

Former Exchange Club president Joe Delpino said, “In 2019, we found out there were 119 homeless veterans in the Lowcountry and 450 across South Carolina. Our goal was to make those numbers drop to zero. This year’s Veterans Dinner will continue supporting that initiative.”

School celebrations: Students on Daniel Island and Clements Ferry are gearing up to join in this year’s Veterans Day celebrations.

Philip Simmons Elementary will host a breakfast and performance for students and their veteran family members, on Nov. 11. Philip Simmons Middle School students will also attend.

Daniel Island School will present student artwork and poetry readings to students’ family veterans on Nov. 8. During the assembly, the middle school chorus will perform, and local speaker Admiral Dan Cloyd will share stories of service.

Assistant Principal Lori Grizzle said, “We hold this event annually to foster a sense of gratitude and appreciation among our students and families. It’s a chance to bring our community together, many of whom are veterans, to educate our young people about the values of service and sacrifice.”

Say goodbye to orange traffic cones and hello to four lanes of open road.

The much-anticipated Clements Ferry Road Widening Phase 2 is officially complete – ahead of schedule and under budget.

The project, which has been in the works since December 2020, was initially slated for completion by Nov. 30 but wrapped up on Oct. 11, nearly two months early.

The $75 million project, part of Berkeley County’s One Cent Sales Tax program, expanded Clements Ferry Road by adding two lanes along a 4.5-mile stretch from Jack Primus Road to SC Highway 41. Improvements also included a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists and a raised planted median to enhance road safety.

Berkeley County Councilman Josh Whitley praised the project as a significant milestone for the area.

“We’re very proud of this project,” Whitley said. “At the end of my third term, I ran for county council to widen Clements Ferry Road and now this signifies the completion of both phases. It’s really a tremendous thing to end my career knowing that we’ve got that road widened for the 25,000 cars that come down Clements Ferry Road every day.”

Celebrating the completion of another One Cent Sales Tax project, Whitley thanked the constituents involved. “Banks Construction and our Berkeley County engineering team forged a successful partnership to get this crucial work done earlier than anticipated and with cost savings to the taxpayers. Clements Ferry Road will now be a much safer corridor for years to come.”

According to county public information officer Jenna-Ley Walls, “The total cost of Phase 2 was $75 million, with construction being $45 million, which was about $2 million under budget.”

Phase 2 builds upon the success of Phase 1, completed in August 2019, which widened Clements Ferry Road from I-526 to Jack Primus Road. Together, the two phases have transformed nearly nine miles of the Cainhoy peninsula, for commuters, school buses, emergency vehicles, and pedestrians walking along the corridor.

“I love celebrating a completion because I know all the hard work that goes into doing them,” Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said on the day of completion.

“I remember when Phase 1 finished, I got more positive phone calls from residents on Daniel Island and Clements Ferry than ever about the impact on quality of life,” Cribb said. “Thirty minutes a day to a person is significant. It’s getting to the ball game on time, getting home for dinner on time, and more time for family, so getting this done is a big deal.”

Residents who have dealt with construction delays and traffic congestion over the years were relieved by the early completion.

Sander van Es, a Nelliefield resident, said, “It’s been a lot with all the traffic and road work going on, and I drive up and down here everyday with the kids. Normally it would take about 35 minutes to drive anywhere with construction going on, but it should be cut down to 15 minutes now.”

Brad Williams, a Beresford Hall resident who travels Clements Ferry Road daily for work, noticed the improvement as soon as the traffic cones were removed.

“You can travel the full length of Clements Ferry from 526 to the Wando River Marina in approximately 10 minutes now,” Williams said. “Traffic is so much better and 526 is more easily accessible to all Clements Ferry residents and visitors. I’m excited to live here and see the area continue to improve.”