James Brown, Barnwell, SC. (1993-2006). A singer and musician, he is an originator of funk music. He became the "Godfather of Soul" and was known as "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business."
Happy Presidents' Day! Hope you all are enjoying your break!
Lucille Simmons Whipper, Charleston, SC. (1928) Civil Rights pioneer, elected to state and local offices including the State House of Representatives, as first black woman from Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester area. Part of US-17 is named for her.
Althea Gibson, Sumter, SC. (1927-2003) The first African American woman to win world championships in tennis at Wimbledon, the French Open, the Australian Championship, and the US National Championship (US Open).
Happy School Resource Officer Day! Thank you for all you do Officer Alexander!
Eartha Kitt, Orangeburg, SC. (1927-2008) Entertainer with a star on Hollywood Boulevard. She had difficulty getting jobs due to her refusal to perform for segregated audiences. She went on to become famous for her role as Catwoman on TV's Batman and recording of "Santa Baby."
DATE REMINDERS:
Friday, 2/16/24: Early Dismissal for Students (visit our website for early dismissal times, https://www.chester.k12.sc.us/page/arrival-and-dismissal-bell-times)
Monday, 2/19/24: CCSD CLOSED for President's Day Holiday
Spring Intersession will occur 2/20 - 2/23.
Matthew Perry, Jr., Columbia, SC. (1921-2011) The first African American federal judge in South Carolina.
Dizzy Gillespie, Cheraw, SC. (1917-1993) Taught himself to play the trumpet at 12, and began recording at 20. His unique style played a major role in the rise of bebop and modern jazz.
Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates, Fountain Inn, SC. (1907-1998). He lost his leg as a child laborer in a cotton mill. He became a successful tap dancer, a Broadway star and made over 20 appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show. A bronze statue of him stands in his hometown of Fountain Inn.
Septima Poinsette Clark, Charleston, SC. (1898-1987). Queen Mother of the Civil Rights Movement, she helped establish citizenship schools across the south so blacks could learn to read and vote. Martin Luther King, Jr. asked her to join him to receive his Nobel Pease Prize.
Mary McLeod Bethune, Mayesville, SC. (1875-1955). She founded Bethune-Cookman University and the National Council for Negro Women. She served as Special Advisor on Minority Affairs under President Franklin Roosevelt. Her statue stands in Washington, D.C.
Charlotta Spears Bass, Sumter, SC. (1874-1969). She was a newspaper publisher and a civil rights activist who became the first African American woman to run for national office as Vice President of the United States in 1952.
Dr. Matilda Arabelle Evans, Aiken, SC. (1872-1935). She became the first African American woman licensed as a physician in South Carolina.
Happy National School Counselors Week!! Join us as we celebrate our school counselors by thanking a counselor this week!!
Happy Groundhog Day! Are we in for six more weeks of winter??
Anna DeCosta Banks, Charleston, SC. (1869-1930). She was a private nurse with the Ladies' Benevolent Society in Charleston and a pioneer for students during her long career at the Hospital and Training School for Nurses in Charleston. A wing of MUSC Health is named for her.
Notable African American South Carolinians:
Robert Smalls, Beaufort, SC. (1839-1915). Mr. Smalls hijacked a Confederate steamship, sailed to Union safety, became a captain in the U.S. Navy and a representative in the U.S. Congress.
Join us as we celebrate African American History! We will highlight South Carolinians with notable accomplishments all month long.
ATTENTION: Chester County School District is operating on a normal schedule today. Schools are not dismissing early. Only afterschool activities have been canceled due to the weather.
In the event of any schedule changes or cancelations, the District will send out notifications directly to parents via email, text, and phone calls.
We apologize for any confusion caused by any news outlets that have reported otherwise.
