Sandhills School

Congratulations to our Head of School, Erika Senneseth, on being recognized as one of South Carolina’s Top 100 Women! 🎉

Selected from honorees across the state, this award recognizes women who are making an impact through their professional accomplishments, leadership, community service, and mentorship.

Last night, colleagues, friends, family, and members of the Sandhills community gathered to celebrate Erika and the other remarkable women being honored. Sandhills School was proud to sponsor this special event and support a program that recognizes outstanding leadership across South Carolina.

We are grateful for Erika’s vision, dedication, and leadership, and we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition. 💜

We are excited to welcome Mr. Hawthorne to the Sandhills team! 💜

Many of our students already know Coach Hawthorne from his time with the Middle School Bucks basketball program, and we’re thrilled that he’ll now be joining us full-time as our Athletics & Activities Director.

A lifelong athlete and graduate of Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Health Science, Coach Hawthorne has a passion for leadership, teamwork, and helping students grow both on and off the court. During his time at Kennesaw State, he was actively involved in serving his community and developing the skills that make him such a natural fit for this role.

We know our students will be excited to have him on campus every day, and we can’t wait to see the impact he’ll have on our athletics and activities programs.

Please join us in welcoming Coach Hawthorne to Sandhills! 🦌

After 18 years at Sandhills School, Trudy DeFelice is retiring. 💜

Trudy has been a calming presence for students, families, and colleagues alike. She brought creativity, joy, and excitement to her classroom while also serving as a trusted guide students could always count on.

Many of our alumni still remember Trudy’s classroom and the confidence she helped build along the way. For countless students, she was a reassuring voice, a patient teacher, and someone who always looked for the good in every situation.

While we will miss seeing Trudy in the classroom each day, we’re grateful that she will continue to be part of the Sandhills community through our tutoring program next year.

Thank you, Trudy, for helping generations of Sandhills students grow in confidence while always knowing they had someone in their corner. Your impact will be felt for years to come. 🦌💜

After years of changing lives at Sandhills School, Kim Demer is retiring. 💜

Kim's Sandhills journey began as a parent. After seeing firsthand the impact of the Orton-Gillingham approach on her son, she dedicated herself to studying it and eventually joined our faculty to help students like her own.

Anyone who knows Kim knows her bright smile could light up a room. She brought high expectations, unwavering dependability, and a deep belief in every student she taught. More importantly, she spent each day helping students prove to themselves what she already knew they were capable of.

Thank you, Kim, for your dedication, your belief in our students, and the countless lives you've impacted along the way. We wish you all the best in retirement! 🦌💜

📚 Looking for a fun way to kick off summer reading?

Richland County Public Education Partners-RCPEP is hosting the second annual Literacy Leap: Local Author Read & Meet Book Fair on Saturday, May 30, and it sounds like a wonderful opportunity for families with young readers!

Meet local children’s authors, enjoy live read-alouds, discover literacy resources, and build your child’s summer reading library. There will even be book giveaways and a special noon reading by 2023 Miss South Carolina, Jada Samuel. ✨

📍 R2i2 Conference Center
📅 Saturday, May 30
⏰ 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
🎟️ Free and open to the public
🔗 https://donorbox.org/events/907678/steps/choose_tickets

Summer reading starts with finding books kids are excited to open. Happy reading! 💜📖

Literacy Leap Book Fair | RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS (Powered by Donorbox) Join Richland County Public Education Partners (RCPEP) for our second annual Literacy Leap: Local Author Read & Meet Book Fair—a FREE, family-friendly event designed to help parents and caregivers build strong, meaningful home libraries for their children.

Another proud moment for Sandhills School! 💜 We are honored to share that Sandhills received the 2026 Pioneer in Education Award from Richland County Public Education Partners at this year’s Golden Apple Awards! 🍎

This recognition feels especially meaningful during our 50th anniversary year and serves as a reminder that Sandhills has been part of the educational story of the Midlands for generations. We are grateful to Richland County Public Education Partners-RCPEP for this incredible honor and proud to stand alongside so many outstanding educators, organizations, and community leaders making a difference for students across Richland County.

School may be out for the summer, but we’re still thinking about one of our favorite days of the year… the Yearbook Reveal & Signing Party! 📘✍️

Huge congratulations to Ms. Sarvis, the Digital Publishing class, and student editors Anne and Teddy for creating such a meaningful yearbook for our community. This year’s 50th anniversary theme made it feel especially special, reminding all of us that we’re part of Sandhills history in the making. 💜

Let’s hear it for the Class of 2026! 🎓 You’re gonna go far, kids!

Transitions in education can feel overwhelming for families, especially this late in the school year.

At Sandhills School, we understand how important it is to find a school community where students feel supported, known, and successful.

Our admissions team is available this summer for conversations, campus visits, and guidance for families exploring educational options for the 2026-27 school year. 💜

Peace out, Bucks! ✌️ See you in August! 💜