[caption id="attachment_33228" align="aligncenter" width="645"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/RES8970.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-33228"><img class="size-full wp-image-33228" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/RES8970.jpg" alt="Children from throughout Beaufort County started school on Aug. 17, and many of them got some help to kick off the year with new school supplies. Here, about a dozen volunteers help fill new back to school backpacks with all kinds of school supplies donated by area businesses, individuals and a few gated communities during Operation Back Pack recently at United Way office on Ribaut Road. “We’re filling 600 back packs destined for eight schools in Beaufort and Jasper counties,” said Jaime Dailey-Vergara of the United Way. “We’re working through school counselors to assist in identifying students in need not currently being served by any other agencies.” Photo by Bob Sofaly." width="645" height="400"></a> Children from throughout Beaufort County started school on Aug. 17, and many of them got some help to kick off the year with new school supplies. Here, about a dozen volunteers help fill new back to school backpacks with all kinds of school supplies donated by area businesses, individuals and a few gated communities during Operation Back Pack recently at United Way office on Ribaut Road. “We’re filling 600 back packs destined for eight schools in Beaufort and Jasper counties,” said Jaime Dailey-Vergara of the United Way. “We’re working through school counselors to assist in identifying students in need not currently being served by any other agencies.” Photo by Bob Sofaly.[/caption]

<b>Six district schools&nbsp;</b><b>earn arts grants</b>

Six Beaufort County schools have earned nearly $67,000 in grants to enhance arts education in their classrooms, the South Carolina Arts Commission has announced.

Only one South Carolina school district – Richland District 1 in Columbia – had more 2017 grant winners than Beaufort County.

“Arts education enriches the lives of our students and our community members, too,” said Superintendent Jeff Moss. “The fact that six schools earned grants this year demonstrates our district’s commitment.”

The six grant-winning schools in Beaufort County were:

• Beaufort Middle ($12,458, ninth award) will use its grant funds to support a joint musical theater production with Mossy Oaks Elementary students; artists in residence; classroom supplies for arts integration; and a partnership project with feeder elementary schools.

• H.E. McCracken Middle ($12,294) will use its grant funds to develop a room called “Howlywood” in the school’s “Genius Village,” a performing arts lab where students will rehearse classic plays, develop original screenplays and create dance choreography.&nbsp;

• Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts ($9,466, 15th award) will use its award to provide professional development for teachers; classroom supplies for arts integration; and support for lesson planning.

• Lady’s Island Elementary ($10,088, seventh award) will use its grant funds to provide professional development for teachers; artists in residence; student field trips to dance/theater performances and art galleries; professional development for teachers; artists in residence; and quarterly family nights for students and parents.

• Lady’s Island Middle ($11,209, fourth award) will use its grant funds to support artists in residence; new band instruments; teacher professional development; and student field trips to museums in Charleston and Savannah.

• Mossy Oaks Elementary ($11,275, second award) will use its grant funds to support theater productions, including one musical in collaboration with Beaufort Middle School students; artists in residence, classroom supplies for arts integration; and student field trips to arts-related events.

&nbsp;The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment statewide. Created by the General Assembly in 1967, the commission works to increase public participation in the arts through arts education, community arts development and artist development.&nbsp;

<b>School buses are&nbsp;</b><b>focus of new TV show</b>

The Beaufort County School District’s Auxiliary Services division and its school bus transportation system will highlight the next “Our Schools” television program, which is airing on the County Channel.

Appearing with Superintendent Jeff Moss will be Gregory McCord, chief auxiliary services officer; Lakinsha Swinton, director of Student Services; James Morrall, director of Prevention and Outreach, Hopeful Horizons; Maria McClure, director of transportation); Tori Mitchell, safety supervisor; and Arlene Blue, bus driver.

“Our Schools” is a partnership between the school district and the County Channel.

The new edition of “Our Schools” will air four times weekly: at 11:30 a.m. Mondays, 9 p.m. Tuesdays, 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and 12:30 p.m. Saturdays.&nbsp; The broadcast will air on local cable networks: Comcast’s channel 2, Hargray’s channels 9 and 113, and Spectrum channel 63.&nbsp; The show also will air at those times on the County Channel’s website at this link: www.bcgov.net/departments/community-services/county-channel/index.php &nbsp; &nbsp;

In addition, the show will be archived and can be watched any time at the same link.