Gertie S. Ford for D9 Constituent School Board

St. John’s High Stff welcomes new and returning Teachers with game challenges and lots of fun:

So, we gathered to say thank you to Mrs. Renea Bligen for 25+ years of dedicated service to the St. John’s District 09 Constituent School Board and its Constituents. D09 Board: Rev Gertie Ford; Chair, Dr. Karen Simmons-Palmer, Ms. Pat Clíne, and Mr. Leon Green (Smith & Fine absent), during our regular meeting. Others in attendance were St. John’s High Principal; Mr. Joyner, former Board member Ms. Cheryl Glover and Ms. D., along with District 8 Board of Trustees Member who over sees Constituent Dictricts 9 & 23; Mrs. Darlene Roberson. Mrs. Bligen along with her husband and sister expressed heartfelt words of gratitude and appreciation. Special thanks to Mr. J. Ford for assisting Grubstux Catering, LLC with set up and decor.

L to R: Denny, Mack, Mack, Grant, Rev. Gertie Ford; D9 Chair, Dr. Gallien, Roberson, Lexy, Tempel, George.

CCSD Media Release

Jason L. Drayton; Interim Principal
Baptist Hill Middle/High School
Office of Communications
________________________
Eric Gallien, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Anita W. Huggins, M.Ed.
Deputy Superintendent
Vanessa L. Denney, M.Ed.
Interim Executive Director of Communications

Jason Drayton to lead Baptist Hill Middle/High for 2023-2024 school year.

Charleston, SC – Charleston County School District (CCSD) is excited to announce and welcome Jason Drayton as interim principal at Baptist Hill Middle/High School. Drayton joins Baptist Hill from Wando where he has served as an assistant principal for the last 11 years.
Drayton began his career as a high school Career Technology and Education (CTE) teacher at Wando in 2002. A natural leader, Drayton’s role at the school continued to expand over the next ten years. Originally teaching Digital Input Technologies and Business Computer Applications, Drayton also began serving as a B-Team and varsity assistant football coach, varsity football academic coach, and the school’s soccer and lacrosse game manager a short time after.
In 2010, he shifted into an assistant administrative position, supporting the implementation and supervision of the school’s “Fast Pass” tardy procedures and the school’s student concern specialists. The following year, he participated in an administrative internship before moving into an assistant principal position in 2012 full-time. Over the last decade, Drayton has been instrumental in developing programs and fostering initiatives to support the many students and families of Wando High School. In addition to creating the school’s C.U.R.L.S. (Culturally Unmatched Resilient Legacy Students) program to develop African American leaders of tomorrow, Drayton also led Wando’s Dreamweavers initiative designed to assist families in need. He organized the school’s Golden Warrior Award, a school-wide positive reinforcement program, and assisted in organizing the school’s first HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) fair.
75 Calhoun Street ● Charleston, SC 29401 ● tel. (843) 937-6303 ● fax. (843) 937-6307 ● www.ccsdschools.com

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Jason to Baptist Hill Middle/High School,” said Dr. Sherry Eppelsheimer, Associate Superintendent of High Schools. “I know undoubtedly with his leadership, passion, and drive that he will create outstanding opportunities for the students of Baptist Hill and continue building relationships and partnerships in support of students and families.”
Drayton earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Morris Brown College and a Master of Education in Secondary Educational Leadership from Charleston Southern University. Drayton holds South Carolina Secondary Principal, Professional Business Educational, and Supervisor credentials and is trained in both Flip Flippen’s Capturing Kids’ Hearts and Leadership Blueprint programs. He also participated in CCSD’s Principals for Tomorrow program and the State Department of Education’s Developing Aspiring Principals program. A motivated and student-driven leader, Drayton is excited to join the Baptist Hill community and serve its families, students, and community members.
For more information, contact the Office of Communications at (843) 937-6303.

The Chew and Chat with Ms. Latrice Smalls, the Interim Principal at Edith L. Frierson Montessori School was held August 2, 2023 at 4 to 6 PM. It was a very small yet intimate setting that welcomed the Constituents and afforded them an opportunity to lend their voice as to what they want to see at their school and from their Principal.

Thank you Ms. Smalls for making yourself available, and WELCOME to the St. John's District 09 Family!

St. John's District 09 Constituent School Board will honor Retired Board Memmber, Mrs. Renea Bligen, of 25 years+ of service on August 15, 2023 at 5:30 PM at St. John's High School during their Regulard Board Meeting. Congratulations Mrs. Bligen and we thak you for your commitment and dedication to the Constituents of the John's and Wadmalaw Island Communities.

Announcements for D9 Schools

Upcoming Events: Save the Dates!!

Save the Dates: Back to School Supplies and Community Events.

Save the Dates!!!

ATTENTION Constituents of John’s Island, and more importantly those of St. John’s High School, we need your support, Monday, July 17th @ 3:00 PM at 75 Calhoun Street. “Show Up-Sign Up-Speak Up.”

The project located at the John’s Island Park, to address needed improvements to the existing baseball and softball fields to support St. John’s High school is Phase I of the project that was approved by the Board of Trustees in February 2023.

This work includes upgrades and irrigation on the existing fields, construction of dugouts and batting cages, improvements to the press box and restrooms, replacement of lighting, and installation of scoreboards.

Approximately 50% of the work was going to be done in Phase I, but during the Audit and Finance Meeting, Mr. Hamer stated that the work will require stormwater retention improvements. However, once more, St. John’s and it’s Constituents is put on the delayed list. According to Hamer and Barowry, FCO funding must be used in the given year (FY24 here), therefore, CCSD will not be prepared to fexecute Phase I fully because of the stormwater retention improvements, pushing St. John’s needed improvements to FY25 for Phase II of the project completion.

Rev. Gertie Smalls-Ford, MS; Chairperson
St. John’s District D9 Constituent School Board

Attended the press conference at CCSD: Mr. Eric Gallion, the newly appointed Superintendent.

Mt Zion Elementary Graduation

Thanks to District 8’s Bnoard of Trustees Member, Ms Darlene Dunmeyer Roberson, for providing the flyers of the CCSD Summer snack locations.

Congratulations to all 2023 Graduates! Special congratulations to my D9 Grads and my Alum D23 Graduates. Please celebrate with CCSD Scholars and Families. CONGRATULATIONS 🎉

St. John’s High School’s Athletics Banquet

Congratulations to St John’s High School Tack and Field: Regional Champions. They head to Whale Branch, Saturday for Lower State Championship. Eyes are focused on a young lady, K’Layah Maxwell, a first time Shot Put standout who took first place in Regionals. Best of grace and favor for the mighty Islanders!

Way to go!

Field Day at Springfield!

Awards Night for the Jr. Celtics and JR. Islanders Basketball Team🎉🎊🙏🏽 Hats of to the Players, CCPR Coach D. Campbell, Volunteer Coaches T. Brown, and the season winners, first time Head Coach of the Jr Celtics; Kiva Sanders, Asst. Coach Keya Odom, and Offensive Coach K’Layah Maxwell. Great support and hats off to the parents. 🏀👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎉🎊🏀

I am honored to continue serving the D9 Constituent School Board as the newly elected Chair
Rev. Gertie S Ford, MS
Chairperson 12/06/2022

And OT, PT, ST! 💕💕💕

Please spread the word…