As Berkeley County School District prepares to welcome back students on August 13, we have prepared a quick reference guide to help navigate the start of the new school year.
Back-to-School Basics
Communication
Mobile app: Berkeley County School District encourages all parents and community members to download the Berkeley County School District mobile app for the latest news and information. Users of the app are allowed to set their feed preferences for schools and athletic programs.
Rooms: Rooms is the District's only approved 2-way communication platform. It is housed in the Berkeley County School District mobile app. Guardians and students using app are encouraged to switch on notifications. Rooms invites for guardians not already connected occur weekly. Additional information can always been found at bcsdschools.net/rooms. Learn more.
Mass notifications: In addition to the BCSD mobile app and Rooms, the District and its schools utilize a mass notification platform that allows for automated calls, text messages and email. This communication is key for timely sharing of information.
Nursing Services
Immunizations: Each year the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) provides the South Carolina Immunization Requirements for Childcare and School. Immunization requirements are regularly updated; some changes have been made to the 2025-2026 school year for students in the following grades:
Seventh through 12th grades: one dose of Tdap vaccine on or after the 10th birthday.
11th grade: two doses of varicella. A child with a positive history of the disease is considered immune and is exempt from this requirement.
Fifth grade: two doses of hepatitis A vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least six months.
Children in childcare must be up to date on the following shots based on their age:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
DTap (whooping cough, tetanus)
Polio
Pneumococcal (pneumonia)
Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib)
MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella)
Varicella (chickenpox)
Learn more about immunizations for 2025-2026.
Safety and Security
Quick facts: For safety plans and drill policies, click HERE.
Reporting safety concerns: See something? Say something! BCSD has an anonymous tip reporting tool. Learn more.
School Meals
Community Eligibility Provision: Berkeley County School District will again participate in the Community Eligibility Provision for the 2025-2026 school year.
The program is a federally-funded initiative that provides students breakfast and lunch at no cost. Established in 2010, the CEP utilizes multiple data sets like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) applications to identify qualifying communities/schools. There are 32 schools that will offer all students breakfast and lunch at no cost – see full list HERE.
BCSD schools not listed will continue to offer free and reduced-price lunches to students whose families apply and demonstrate financial need under the National School Lunch Program. Learn more.
Breakfast/Lunch Menus: Meals, foods and beverages sold or served at schools meet state and federal requirements based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines. All meals, foods and beverages are prepared and served by qualified child nutrition professionals. Learn more.
Transportation
Delays/routes: Bus routes and times are located on PowerSchool. Also, BCSD will communicate bus delays through Rooms, and that file will sync with the transportation data in PowerSchool.
Tag program: BCSD now utilizes a tag program/system for the release of bus riders in pre-k through fifth grade.
Red tag: Means “Stop”; the student (pre-K through second grade) cannot be released unless a parent or guardian is present.
Yellow tag: Means “Caution”; the student (pre-K through second grade) can be released with a sibling that is in third grade or above.
Green tag: Means “Go”; every student with a green tag is cleared to be released off the bus.
If a parent or guardian is not present for students with red tags, students will return to the school.
Student release forms are available for parents who choose to allow PK-2nd students off the bus without a parent/guardian present. Learn more.