We are excited to celebrate the rich history, achievements, and contributions of African Americans at our Black History Month Program! This year’s theme, "African Americans and Labor," honors the hard work, dedication, and impact Black leaders have made throughout history.
Get ready for a powerful and uplifting event as our students, staff, and special guests come together to celebrate, learn, and be inspired.
#BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth #GMSProud #Inspiration #AfricanAmericansAndLabor #SDPC #Team74
📢 Leadership Announcement! 📢
We are excited to announce that Mr. Nate Roper has been named the next principal of Gettys Middle School, effective July 1, 2025! 🎉
Mr. Roper currently serves as the principal of Dacusville Middle School and has an extensive leadership background in SDPC, including previous roles as an assistant principal and associate principal at Gettys Middle and also as an assistant principal at Easley High.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Roper as he prepares to return to the GMS family!
Please see the link below for more information:
https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/2034485
Today, we celebrate the incredible men and women who ensure our students travel safely to and from school each day. It's SC Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and we want to say THANK YOU to our SDPC bus drivers and assistants!
To truly capture the impact of our drivers, we spent time riding along on routes and speaking with two of our dedicated drivers—experiencing firsthand the joy, care, and commitment they bring to their work.
🎥 Watch our special tribute video here: https://youtu.be/omM_SDLXcM0
Our teacher librarian, Mrs. Brady, is so incredibly grateful to ALL who made our Book Fair so wonderful!!! Thank you to all who helped our students purchase books and items, our volunteers who helped operate the Fair, and Mrs. Stone for being a fabulous co-host. Thank you for making our Book Fair amazing and creating memories that will last a lifetime! So far we have sold $9408.07 to help our school earn books and materials for our library!!!! This is AMAZING!
Want more Book Fair? No problem! Keep the party going at our Book Fair online. All book purchases over $25 ship free and every purchase benefits our school! https://www.scholastic.com/bf/gettys
#ScholasticBookFairs
*Shop thousands of items, including Book Fair exclusives, new releases, value packs, and more
*Get orders shipped home FREE on book-only orders over $25*
Don't forget to get your tickets for Mary Poppins Jr.!! We are so excited to support our students and staff who have worked so hard on this production. This is a perfect way to enjoy a show and celebrate Gettys Greatness!!
This week, we celebrate the amazing work of our school counselors who play a vital role in the lives of our students.
Their dedication to fostering a supportive and safe environment allows our students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. From providing guidance on college and career paths to offering a listening ear during tough times, our counselors are here to help every step of the way.
We are thankful for the best at GMS!!!
This past weekend we finalized results from our All-Region/All-State Band Competition. This year we have record numbers placed! One student placed for All-State and 14 students placed in All-Region! Full list is on the graphic attached! Please make sure to congratulate these students as you see them!!
We are thrilled to introduce the speakers for our Black History Month Program at Gettys Middle School on February 20, 2025!
This year’s theme, "African Americans and Labor," honors the incredible contributions of African American workers throughout history, from resilience in the face of adversity to groundbreaking entrepreneurship and collective action.
Join us as our distinguished speakers share their knowledge, experiences, and inspiration! Stay tuned for more details on their powerful messages.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🖤✊🏽 #BHM2025 #AfricanAmericansAndLabor #GettysMiddleSchool #BlackHistoryMonth #SPC #Team74
Next week is our Scholastic Book Fair and we are having a SPIRIT WEEK to celebrate reading! We look forward to seeing everyone show off their school spirit!!
This week, our ML students will be participating in ACCESS testing! This important assessment is designed to measure English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for our multilingual learners.
Good luck to all our students—we believe in you! Let’s show how much we’ve learned and shine bright!
#SuccessStartsHere #ACCESSTesting #YouGotThis #SDPC
Registration for Spring Sports at Easley Parks and Recreation ends January 31st. Please see the flyer for information. Recreational sports are wonderful ways to help students have an active lifestyle that is FUN!!
Meet Betty Garrison, a dedicated member of the Pickens County School Board who has served for 8 years and is now beginning a 3rd term representing District 5. With a 37-year career in education as a teacher, guidance counselor, and principal at Easley High School, as well as a rewarding post-retirement role at the Pickens County Adult Learning Center, Mrs. Garrison brings unmatched experience and passion to the board.
From visiting schools to supporting staff and students, Mrs. Garrison stays actively connected to the community while championing initiatives like facility improvements and academic programs that prepare students for career and college readiness. Inspired by her own high school experiences and leaders like Richard H. Gettys, Mrs. Garrison is motivated by the belief that education is an investment in the future.
When not serving on the board, Mrs. Garrison enjoys traveling, supporting Rotary Club initiatives, and promoting literacy through Preschool Pages programs. Her message to the community:
“Continue to strive for excellence, be flexible, and embrace lifelong learning.”
We are so grateful for Mrs. Garrison’s dedication and leadership as they help shape a bright future for SDPC students! #SDPC #Team74 #SchoolBoardRecognitionMonth
Meet Karla Kelley, a passionate and dedicated member of the Pickens County School Board since 2018. Inspired by the amazing teachers who shaped the lives of her three Easley High School graduates, Karla’s service is fueled by a commitment to being student-focused, teacher-inspired, and parent-determined.
With a background as an involved mother and Executive Vice President of a facility services company, Karla brings a wealth of experience to her role, from understanding parent perspectives to managing facility needs and budgets. Her sister’s journey as an educator and administrator has also given her valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of education.
Karla’s favorite part of serving on the board? Seeing students walk across the graduation stage ready for a bright future and celebrating the incredible work of the teachers who made it possible. She’s deeply invested in the district’s vision, “Innovate ’28,” with dreams of uniting community, college, and career opportunities under one roof.
Beyond her role on the board, Karla enjoys running, hot yoga, and spending time with her dogs, Tate and Sparky. Her wisdom, humor, and favorite lessons—from Legally Blonde to the Bible—motivate her to make a difference, one student at a time.
To our staff, Karla says: “You are amazing and making a difference!” To students: “Try new things and remember—we are rooting for you!” And to families: “Even on the hardest days, you are appreciated. Don’t give up!”
#SDPC #Team74
Mrs. Brady, our teacher librarian, was awarded a $500 grant from the SC Council on the Holocaust to purchase nonfiction books for our school library. Please see the press release about this wonderful opportunity and generous gift. Several students have already checked out some of the new titles.
DADS: You are invited to join other Easley area elementary and middle school dads and kids for a program of fatherhood and family topics. You'll take away some great tips and resources to help you be the best dad or father figure you can be and strengthen your relationship with your kids at the same time.
All families in SDPC are invited to attend the Strengthening Families Program hosted at West End Elementary School. Please see the flyer for details. This is a wonderful way to connect and grow as a family.
SDPC will operate on a two-hour delay on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, due to the danger of ice on secondary roads. No buses will travel on icy roads. High school students should check Schoology for adjusted schedules. Details:: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/196018
Scholastic Book Fair coming February 3-7!!!
📱 Revised Personal Electronic Device Policy: Beginning January 2025 📱
Under a new South Carolina policy, schools are required to limit students' access to cell phones and other personal devices during the school day. The School District of Pickens County has adopted a revised Personal Electronic Device Policy to comply with state law (Budget Proviso 1.103).
✔️Devices must be silenced and stored in lockers, backpacks, or other designated areas throughout the instructional time.
✔️Devices include but are not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and gaming devices.
We encourage parents to discuss this policy with their children and support its implementation when we return in January. Thank you for partnering with us as we implement this required policy.
Please visit this site for detailed information [www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/sdpc-cell-phone-policy].
We look forward to seeing holiday cheer with our Holly Jolly Spirit Week!!
