Local districts in SC still looking for students not heard from since schools shut down

ROCK HILL, S.C. — More than 10,000 students in South Carolina were not heard from again after schools shut down in March. Their teachers didn’t hear from them, and they never turned in any work. Some districts did everything they could to contact them, and some even sent deputies to their doors.

In Rock Hill, 803 students were listed as non-responsive in late May. Teachers used phone calls, emails, and social media to track them down. Some still haven’t been reached. The district did not have the latest numbers on Friday but said those numbers are much lower now.

During a news conference this week on reopening schools, state Sen. Katrina Shealy, of Lexington County, expressed outrage at the numbers of students who were never heard from.

"That's 10,000 children. That's not just a number. Those are children! Those are like your children," she said.

Shealy expressed concern not only for the lack of education of these students, but the potential for neglect, abuse and malnutrition as well.

Gov. Henry McMaster caused a stir by saying that students should be given the opportunity to go back to school for a full five-day week. Most districts don’t plan to do that, but one concern is that many students left at home would not do their work.

In late May, Channel 9 reported that deputies were going door to door looking for about 70 middle and high school students in Chester County that teachers couldn’t reach. The sheriff’s department said all but five of those students were eventually located. At least two had moved away.

The South Carolina Department of Education reported several reasons for why so many students couldn't be reached. Here's that list:

• Students knew the grades they received could not harm them.
• Internet connectivity issues.
• Contact information no longer correct.
• Lack of parent interest/support.
• Student and parent work schedules.
• The student moved or was staying with a relative.
• Language barrier.

Plans for virtual school in August won’t look like what students were doing in the spring. Attendance will be taken, classes will be held at specific times and teachers will communicate with students daily.

Lancaster schools said Friday that they had about 260 students they still couldn’t reach as of a few weeks ago. As far as where these students will go in the fall, principals, teachers and parents will meet, and they’ll have to take each student case by case to figure out where to place them.

Chester Co. deputies check on dozens of students not heard from since schools closed Chester Co. deputies check on dozens of students not heard from since schools closed

Cox Media Group