Back To School Dates In The CSRA
Back to school time has arrived, especially for students in Aiken and Edgefield Counties. Summer vacation is rapidly drawing to a close for them.
Thanks to a modified school calendar, students in Aiken and Edgefield Counties have a shorter summer break, but they have longer breaks in the fall and spring than students who still follow a traditional school calendar.
Here’s a list of first day of school dates for students in the CSRA:
July 22:
- Aiken County
- Edgefield County
August 2:
- Lincoln County
August 5:
- Columbia County
- Richmond County (elementary students only)
- Burke County
- McDuffie County
August 6:
- Richmond County K-8, Magnet, Middle and High School Schools
Back To School Information for Columbia County Students
Student registration is done entirely online at www.ccboe.net. You can upload the required documentation like birth certificates, proof of residency, etc.
- School officials recommend being prepared with all proper documentation before beginning the registration process. To prepare documents for uploading, save files and images of documents to your device as a PDF or a JPEG.
- If you don’t have access to a computer, contact your child’s zoned school to arrange a time to go to the school to register.
Columbia County School District Open House Dates and Hours
- Tuesday, July 30: All high schools from 3:00-5:00 pm
- Tuesday, July 30: All middle schools from 5:00-7:00 pm
- Thursday, August 1: All elementary schools from 5:00-7:00 pm
- For all open houses, families with last names beginning with A-K should arrive the first hour. Families with last names beginning with L-Z should arrive in the second hour.
Back to School Information for Richmond County Students
Students new to Richmond County Schools should complete the online registration at www.campus/rcss-k-12.org/ca.
If you prefer to register in-person, you can find the school your child is zoned for and make an appointment. You will need the latest copy of the student’s report card or withdrawal form from the previous school (if applicable); a legal guardian’s photo ID; social security card; proof of residency; official copy of the student’s birth certificate; completed eye, ear, and dental form; completed immunization form; Rising 11th graders-new MCV4 vaccination requirement.
Richmond County School District Open House Dates and Hours
- Thursday, August 1: All elementary, magnet and K-8 schools
- Friday, August 2: All middle and high schools
- For all open houses, the hours will be from noon until 6:00 pm.
Students Who Will Be Attending Belair Middle School
The new Belair Middle School on Harper Franklin Avenue will not be finished in time for the start of the new school year. Belair Middle School will open in a temporary facility until construction on the new building is completed. Students will begin the new school year at the former Langford Middle School at 3019 Walton Way. Updates and important information can be found at rcboe.org/BMSupdates.
Extreme Heat - 6 Tips For Dealing With High Temps In The CSRA
Stay Hydrated
This might be the most obvious of all the tips. It’s important all year round to stay hydrated, but especially so during these hot summer months. While the most recommended amount of water per day is 8 glasses of water a day, if you’re spending more time outside, you will need to increase that amount. Sports drinks can also be helpful for replacing electrolytes that our bodies lose when we sweat.
One way to see if you’re getting enough water is to note your urine color. Dark yellow urine often means you’re not drinking enough.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
It’s recommended to wear lightweight, loose clothing in extreme heat. This can help keep your body cool. And wearing light colors can also help by drawing less heat to you.
Find Shade
When you must be outdoors, find shade when you can. The use of a hat is also helpful to protect your face.
Limit Physical Activity
If you workout or play sports, try to plan those activities for earlier or later in the day when the weather is potentially cooler. Unfortunately, if you work in the heat, it can be harder to accomodate, but if there are ways to do the most strenuous parts of the job earlier in the day, that may help.
Cool Down With Water
Heat escapes through our skin, and if we can keep our skin cooler, it can help when we’re dealing with extreme heat. Wearing a wet shirt if appropriate can help keep you cool. There are also cooling sprays available, or you could simply keep a mister bottle of water to spray on to cool your skin. Cooling towels and cloths are also helpful and can be reused throughout the day.
After exposure to extreme heat, taking a cool shower or bath can help as well… but be sure to cool down slowly.
Putting your hands and feet in cold water can also help quickly cool your body down.
Keep Your Pets Cool Too
Just like humans, pets are at risk for heat-related problems. If your pets are outside, ensure there is plenty of cool water and shade available. For indoor pets, limit outside play and make water readily available.
And if you’re planning to walk your pet, be aware that asphalt, dark pavement, and concrete can get very hot and burn your pet’s feet. You can test the area you’re planning to walk by placing the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can’t hold it there for five seconds, it’s too hot.
And just like with kids, you should never leave your pet in a hot vehicle!
