SCETV announces Community Forum on Education Tour

First in-person and livestreamed event to kick off on Oct. 24 in Florence County

South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) announced it will launch the Community Forum on Education Tour at Southside Middle School in Effingham on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend in-person to engage in the discussion titled “The “Cellular” Level: On Cell Phone Policies, Student Behavior and Parent Teacher Engagement.” Additionally, the event will be livestreamed on SCETV’s social media platforms.

The forum series is designed to foster productive conversations among education policymakers, educators, families and communities. With the goal of bridging gaps and amplifying South Carolina voices, the tour provides a unique opportunity for everyone invested in education to come together for open, solution-oriented discussions.

Each forum’s format is designed for maximum impact with the first half dedicated to critical components for student success During the first event, students from Florence School District One will discuss cell phone policies with a panel of local education leaders who include:

• Dr. Richard O’Malley, Superintendent of Florence One Schools
• Sherry East, President of the South Carolina Education Association
• Victoria Williams-Cooper, Principal of Darlington Middle School

The second half of each forum will focus on community input. Attendees are invited to share their experiences, ideas and solutions to help improve education in South Carolina. This segment is an invaluable opportunity for parents, teachers, students and community leaders to engage directly, ask questions and collaboratively explore ways to enhance educational outcomes.

Dr. Rénard Harris, host of SC Public Radio’s Teachable Moments, will serve as emcee and guide these lively and thoughtful discussions, ensuring a welcoming and engaging environment for all participants.

All tour stops will be livestreamed on SCETV’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Follow SCETV on social media for updates on panelist announcements, event dates and topics for future forums.

“SCETV is deeply committed to fostering meaningful dialogue within our communities, especially when it comes to the education of our children. The Community Forum on Education Tour is a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to come together, share their perspectives and collaboratively seek solutions to the challenges facing our education system. We believe that by bringing these voices together in the community, we can make a significant impact on the future of education in South Carolina.” –SCETV President and CEO Adrienne Fairwell

“Our goal with the Community Forum on Education Tour is to create an inclusive platform where every voice matters. By focusing on critical issues like cell phone policies, student behavior and parent-teacher engagement, and by encouraging community members to share their experiences and ideas, we aim to inspire actionable change and enhance educational outcomes for all students in South Carolina.”–SCETV Chief Learning Officer Dr. Salandra Bowman

“Meaningful community engagement is so important for our school district and districts across the country. We appreciate SCETV hosting the Community Forum on Education Tour to start conversations within our local communities about the important issues facing educators and families. I encourage members of the Florence community to be part of the event at Southside Middle School.” –Florence One Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard O’Malley

• SCETV announces the Community Forum on Education Tour, starting with the inaugural event at Southside Middle School in Effingham on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.
• This forum series is designed to foster productive conversations among education policymakers, educators, families and communities.
• The first half of the event focuses on critical components for student success with a panel of local education leaders. The second half is dedicated to community input.
• Dr. Rénard Harris, host of South Carolina Public Radio’s Teachable Moments, will serve as emcee.

About South Carolina ETV and Public Radio

South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) is the state’s public educational broadcasting network. SCETV amplifies South Carolina voices, provides educational experiences and strengthens communities, while working toward creating a stronger, more connected and informed South Carolina. In addition to airing local programs, such as Carolina Classrooms, Making It Grow, and This Week in South Carolina, SCETV also presents multiple programs to regional and national audiences, including By The River, After Action, Reconnecting Roots, Reel South, Somewhere South, Yoga in Practice, Downing of a Flag and How She Rolls. In addition, SC Public Radio produces the national radio production, Chamber Music from Spoleto Festival USA.