Congratulations to all of our spellers who competed Tuesday night to represent Dorchester School District Four in the SpellBound! Regional Spelling Bee. Top honors went to 2nd Runner-Up Saige Smith of Clay Hill Elementary, 1st Runner-Up Maya Gadson of Woodland Middle, and Champion Myai Poland, a 7th grader from Woodland Middle, who will represent DD4 at the regional competition on March 10.

Thank you to our judges Ms. Stephanie Grossie, Dr. April Sanders, and Dr. Michelle Sweatman; recorder Mrs. Jill Spearman; pronouncer Mrs. Kim Chassereau; and the spelling bee team Mrs. Tricia Delice, Mrs. Latorsha Bryant, Mrs. Cate August, Mrs. Renay Haton, Mrs. Kimberly Hartzog, and Mrs. Natalie Pandora for making this event possible. We appreciate everyone who came out to support these outstanding students.
8 months ago, DD4 Communications
Group photo of elementary and middle school students standing in two rows indoors beneath a black, gold, and yellow balloon arch with bee decorations, each holding spelling bee trophies or awards, with a table in front displaying certificates and programs during the Dorchester School District Four spelling bee event.
Alt text: Three student spelling bee finalists stand indoors between black, gold, and yellow balloon columns with bee decorations, each holding trophies and awards, recognizing the champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up from Dorchester School District Four.
Five adult spelling bee officials sit side by side behind a yellow table labeled “What Can a Speller Ask?” inside a meeting room, framed by black, gold, and yellow balloon arches with bee decorations, serving as judges, recorder, and pronouncer for the Dorchester School District Four spelling bee.
The spelling bee champion, a middle school student from Woodland Middle School, stands indoors holding a large trophy beside an adult staff member, following the Dorchester School District Four spelling bee.
Dorchester School District Four will operate on a regular schedule tomorrow. All schools and offices will be open. Families and staff are encouraged to dress warmly for cold morning temperatures.
8 months ago, DD4 Communications
inclement weather update. blue text. district logo.
Beginning January 6, routine bus updates will be shared through the DD4 app using notifications only. We will no longer send routine bus updates by text message. This change helps ensure families who do not ride the bus are not receiving bus texts and protects text messaging for urgent and emergency district communications.

Families who need bus information are encouraged to download the DD4 app to continue receiving updates and manage notification preferences in one place. The app is available on the Google Play Store and the App Store by searching “Dorchester School District 4.” The app icon features the district logo.

Thank you for your support and partnership.
8 months ago, DD4 Communications
Dorchester School District Four logo centered over a row of yellow school buses parked in a lot, with the words “Communication Update” displayed across the bottom of the image.
The January Parent Newsletter is now available. https://tinyurl.com/3y4v8n84
8 months ago, DD4 Communications
Green Dorchester School District Four graphic announcing the January Parent Newsletter, with the district logo at the top, the word “Newsletter” centered, and a smartphone mockup below displaying a parent-focused article about helping children succeed in school.
Dorchester School District Four has been monitoring winter weather conditions throughout the weekend in coordination with Dorchester County Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and neighboring districts. Based on the latest forecasts, DD4 will operate on a normal schedule Monday, December 15. With cold temperatures and wind chills expected overnight, families are encouraged to ensure students are dressed warmly for morning travel.
9 months ago, DD4 Communications
weather update letters in blue district logo, stormy background image

Dorchester School District Four, Select Health of South Carolina, A Second Chance Resource Center, and Bundles of Joy invite families to Christmas at DD4 TOMORROW, Saturday, December 13 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Woodland High School.

Toys, bikes, food, coats, games, music, family portraits, socks, winter hats, and more will be available while supplies last.

For information, contact Tamara Smalls Rolack at 843.563.5956.

9 months ago, DD4 Communications
Holiday flyer featuring logos for A Second Chance Resource Center, Select Health of South Carolina, and Bundles of Joy. Large red script reads Christmas at DD4. Event details show Saturday, December 13 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Woodland High School, 4128 Highway 78 in Dorchester. Listed resources include toys, bikes, food, coats, games, music, family portraits, socks, winter hats, and more. A note states all items are available on a first come first served basis. Contact information for Tamara Smalls Rolack appears at the bottom. The flyer is decorated with candy canes, ornaments, snowflakes, greenery, and wrapped gifts.
Dorchester School District Four, Select Health of South Carolina, A Second Chance Resource Center, and Bundles of Joy invite families to Christmas at DD4 on Saturday, December 13 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Woodland High School.

Toys, bikes, food, coats, games, music, family portraits, socks, winter hats, and more will be available while supplies last.

For information, contact Tamara Smalls Rolack at 843.563.5956.
9 months ago, DD4 Communications
Holiday flyer featuring logos for A Second Chance Resource Center, Select Health of South Carolina, and Bundles of Joy. Large red script reads Christmas at DD4. Event details show Saturday, December 13 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Woodland High School, 4128 Highway 78 in Dorchester. Listed resources include toys, bikes, food, coats, games, music, family portraits, socks, winter hats, and more. A note states all items are available on a first come first served basis. Contact information for Tamara Smalls Rolack appears at the bottom. The flyer is decorated with candy canes, ornaments, snowflakes, greenery, and wrapped gifts.
Dorchester School District Four, Select Health of South Carolina, and A Second Chance Resource Center invite families to join us for Christmas in DD4 on Saturday, December 13 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Woodland High School. The event will feature toys, bikes, food, coats, games, music, family portraits, and a variety of winter essentials. All resources will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. For more information, please contact Tamara Smalls Rolack at 843.563.5956.
10 months ago, DD4 Communications
Flyer titled Christmas in DD4 with holiday decorations including candy canes, ornaments, gold bells, wrapped gifts, and snowflakes. Logos for Dorchester School District Four, Select Health of South Carolina, and A Second Chance Resource Center appear at the top. Event details list Saturday, December 13, 11 AM to 2 PM at Woodland High School, 4128 Highway 78 in Dorchester. The flyer advertises toys, bikes, food, coats, games, music, family portraits, socks, winter hats, and other resources, distributed on a first come first serve basis. Contact information for Tamara Smalls Rolack is included at the bottom.
Dorchester School District Four, Select Health of South Carolina, and A Second Chance Resource Center invite families to join us for Christmas in DD4 on Saturday, December 13 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Woodland High School. The event will feature toys, bikes, food, coats, games, music, family portraits, and a variety of winter essentials. All resources will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. For more information, please contact Tamara Smalls Rolack at 843.563.5956.
10 months ago, DD4 Communications
Flyer titled Christmas in DD4 with holiday decorations including candy canes, ornaments, gold bells, wrapped gifts, and snowflakes. Logos for Dorchester School District Four, Select Health of South Carolina, and A Second Chance Resource Center appear at the top. Event details list Saturday, December 13, 11 AM to 2 PM at Woodland High School, 4128 Highway 78 in Dorchester. The flyer advertises toys, bikes, food, coats, games, music, family portraits, socks, winter hats, and other resources, distributed on a first come first serve basis. Contact information for Tamara Smalls Rolack is included at the bottom.
In Mrs. Pafford’s math class at Harleyville Elementary, students rotated through engaging learning stations to strengthen their understanding of division and fractions. Each station offered a unique challenge from small group instruction and independent practice to digital learning and hands-on activities, helping students build confidence, problem-solving skills, and a deeper love for math.
10 months ago, DD4 Communications
A student wearing a colorful sweater reads and completes a math workbook activity while seated at a table.
Mrs. Pafford leads a small group at a round table, holding up a whiteboard with a math equation as students follow along.
A student in a black T-shirt types on a Chromebook, concentrating on an online math activity.
A student in a lavender fleece jacket threads red yarn through a yellow pegboard as part of a hands-on math activity.
Yesterday, our Assistant Principals took part in a district-wide school swap as part of Dorchester School District Four’s Assistant Principal Development Program. Each AP spent the day at a different school, gaining valuable insight into new environments, leadership styles, and age groups. The group came together for lunch at the District Office to reflect, share experiences, and discuss lessons learned, turning a single day into a powerful opportunity for growth and collaboration.
10 months ago, DD4 Communications
Mrs. Hartzog, Ms. Mims and Mrs. Busby pose in front of a brightly painted mural featuring a landscape scene. All three smile warmly at the camera.
Mr. Wolfgang and Mrs. Butler stand in front of a school wall featuring a colorful circular emblem. They smile at the camera, both wearing professional attire and lanyards.
Mr. Charpia and Mrs. Trigiani stand side by side in a cafeteria, smiling warmly at the camera. Both wear ID badges and casual professional attire.
Mrs. Bryant and Mr. White pose in an office, smiling together. Mr. White wears a pinstriped suit, and Mrs. Bryant wears a red vest over a navy shirt.
Due to weather and schedule conflicts, youth soccer will not be played this week. Games will continue on Monday, November 17th with a slightly adjusted bracket and game schedule.

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
10 months ago, DD4 Communications
A schedule and field map for Dorchester District Four Youth Soccer games on November 17 at Woodland High School. The chart lists game times, fields, and team matchups for both 1st/2nd and 3rd–5th grade divisions. Each field is labeled by sport complex: baseball, softball, and football. A color-coded map at the bottom shows field numbers and locations—Fields 1 and 2 by the baseball field near Highway 78, Field 5 at the softball field, and Fields 3 and 4 at the football stadium. Parking is marked near the high school. A side panel lists coaches and team names for each school (CHES, HES, WMES, CHES, and WMES).
A single-elimination playoff bracket titled “DD4 Youth Soccer Playoff (3rd–5th).” The semi-final games are set for November 17, with the championship on November 20. The top bracket shows C3 Purple Falcons versus H5 Red Titans; the bottom bracket shows W4 Maroon Goal Getters versus W9 Navy Playmakers. Empty boxes are reserved for winners advancing to the championship and for the final champion.
The National Weather Service is forecasting near-record cold early next week.

Forecast:
• Monday Night–Tuesday Morning: Lows in the mid to upper 20s inland, near freezing along the coast.
• Tuesday Morning: Wind chills in the upper teens to mid-20s.
• Tuesday Night–Wednesday Morning: Another freeze possible.

Reminders:
Bus riders should dress in warm layers, coats, and gloves.

Youth Soccer:
Monday night’s DD4 Youth Soccer games remain on schedule. We’ll notify families if conditions change.

All DD4 schools and offices are expected to operate on a normal schedule. Updates will be shared through the DD4 App, text, email, callouts, website, and social media.

Stay safe and warm.
10 months ago, DD4 Communications
A weather announcement graphic from Dorchester School District Four. The background shows cloudy skies with the words “Important Announcement” at the top, followed by a gray banner labeled “Weather,” and large bold blue text reading “UPDATE.” The Dorchester School District Four circular logo is centered below the word “UPDATE,” and “Dorchester School District Four” is written in script across the bottom.
In Our Classrooms:
Rain and chilly weather couldn’t stop Harleyville Elementary’s annual Pumpkin Run! 🎃👟

On Tuesday morning, students showed incredible determination as they put their endurance training to the test. While most grades ran their laps inside the gym, the 5th graders were able to head outdoors when the rain cleared.

A big shoutout to Physical Education teacher Stephen Jackson for preparing the Dolphins for this fun and spirited event. 🐬🍂
10 months ago, DD4 Communications
Physical Education teacher Stephen Jackson, dressed in orange with a matching beanie, gives directions to a group of Harleyville Elementary students gathered in the gym for the Pumpkin Run. Students listen attentively, wearing bright fall colors.
Fifth-grade students run outdoors during Harleyville Elementary’s Pumpkin Run. The ground is damp, and the runners, dressed in cool-weather clothes, sprint across the grass as trees and utility poles line the background.
A young Harleyville Elementary student runs inside the gym with a joyful smile during the Pumpkin Run. Other children can be seen running in the background, and the gym doors and cones mark the running course.
Harleyville Elementary librarian Nicole Richardson sparked a love for reading with a fun family project! 📚 Families read together, then decorated pumpkins to match their books—turning classic tales and new favorites into creative works of art. 🎃
11 months ago, DD4 Communications
A blue pumpkin painted as the Rainbow Fish, with shiny, colorful fins and a bright yellow mouth. Next to it, a green pumpkin with a Santa hat is decorated as the Grinch.
A lineup of decorated pumpkins on a library shelf, including a green dragon with paper wings and big cartoon eyes, a pink pig with paper ears, and other creative book-themed designs.
A bright yellow pumpkin decorated as Pikachu with paper ears, rosy cheeks, and a happy expression. Other decorated pumpkins and colorful student artwork surround it on the library shelf.
A white pumpkin painted with a large black smile, stitched mouth, and dark eyes resembling Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It sits on a student’s worksheet labeled with the book title.
A blue pumpkin decorated as a storybook character with large white eyes, pink ribbon hair, and a paper astronaut figure taped to the stem. It sits on a table alongside a child’s pumpkin drawing.
On Wednesday, Harleyville Elementary School celebrated their Character Students of the Month! The character word for October was “Responsible,” and these Dolphins showed what it means to lead with integrity, make smart choices, and care for their school community. Way to go, Dolphins! 🐬👏
11 months ago, DD4 Communications
A group of Harleyville Elementary School students smile proudly while holding their “Student of the Month” certificates and plaques. Behind them, the school’s dolphin mascot stands near a display decorated with blue and yellow balloons and a screen showing the word “Responsible.” The celebration takes place in a bright library with bookshelves and blue chairs in the background, honoring students recognized for demonstrating responsibility.
This is a message from Dorchester School District Four. The Youth Soccer games scheduled for this evening have been postponed due to weather conditions. A new date will be announced soon, and parents will be notified once the schedule is finalized. Thank you for your understanding.
11 months ago, DD4 Communications

Dorchester School District Four celebrated students with satisfactory attendance before the break, recognizing those who missed fewer than two days of school during the first quarter. These students were treated to a short cotton candy party as a fun reward for their dedication to showing up and staying engaged.

We’re proud of their commitment and encourage all students to keep up the great attendance! Let’s see even more faces at the next celebration!

11 months ago, DD4 Communications
A group of middle school students gathers around a table filled with bags of pink and blue cotton candy. A teacher assists as students excitedly choose their treats during the attendance celebration.
A group of students poses outdoors, smiling and holding bags of cotton candy. Some students are eating their treats while others make peace signs, celebrating their good attendance.
Young elementary students sit in a gym bleacher row, each holding a small bag of cotton candy. Some children are eating, while others smile and chat with friends during the reward event.
Three elementary students sit together on a yellow playground bench, enjoying pink and blue cotton candy under the sunlight. Each child holds a plastic bag of candy, smiling and relaxed.

Get ready for another exciting week of DD4 Youth Soccer! ⚽ Games kick off Tuesday, October 28, at Woodland High School. Check out the full schedule below for team matchups, times, and field locations. Come out and cheer on our young athletes!

11 months ago, DD4 Communications
A flyer titled “DD4 Youth Soccer” shows the October 28 game schedule at Woodland High School. It lists five fields—Baseball Fields 1 and 2, Football Fields 3 and 4, and Softball Field 5—with games for grades 1st–2nd and 3rd–5th starting at 6:00 and 7:00 PM. Each field lists color-coded teams like Light Blue, Gold Diggers, Dark Gray, Hawks, Royal Blue, Jaguars, Navy, Playmakers, and others. The flyer includes a team and coach reference chart for CHES, HES, WMES, and WMS, and a labeled campus map showing parking and field locations near Highway 78.
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.
11 months 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.