UPCOMING TRAINING
UPCOMING TRAINING
August 28
10-11AM
Virtual
We understand the challenges and opportunities that come with stepping into a principal role, and this training is designed to provide you with practical tools, strategies, and resources to help you succeed in your new position.
September 4
4-5PM
Virtual
September 25
4-5PM
Virtual
Everything You Want to Know about the Riley Award
Curious about how to apply for the Dick and Tunky Riley Award for SIC Excellence? In one hour, we’ll walk you through the application process, share helpful tips, and highlight what makes a strong submission. You’ll also hear about the inspiring work of past winners and how they make an impact in their schools and communities. Whether you’re thinking about applying or just want to learn more, this session is a great place to start!
Designed just for SIC Chairs, this training is all about helping you lead your Council effectively and with confidence. We’ll share practical tips for planning and running productive meetings, activating your SIC through committees, and recruiting members. You’ll also learn about state-requirements and guidelines, keeping your SIC on track throughout the year, and understand what is expected of you and your SIC. Whether you’re brand new or looking to sharpen your leadership skills, this session has what you need to succeed.
SICs Basics
August 21
6-7PM
Virtual
Whether you are brand new to your School Improvement Council or just need a quick refresher, this one-hour session is a great place to start. We’ll review the key features of the SIC Handbook and go over the essentials of being an SIC member: how SICs got started, how members are chosen, what’s required, and what support is available from SC-SIC. We’ll also walk through the key responsibilities of SICs and their members, so you can feel confident and ready to contribute.
Building on the Basics
Ready to take your SIC knowledge to the next level? This training is designed for members who have already completed SIC Basics and are looking to dig a little deeper. We’ll explore important topics like how to recruit and keep great SIC members, the working relationship between principal and SIC chair, what your bylaws should include, and real-world examples of successful SIC projects from across South Carolina. There’s plenty of time for questions and discussion, so bring your ideas and challenges. We’re here to learn from each other!
**SIC Basics is not a required prerequisite for this course, but it is highly recommended.
August 28
4-5PM
Virtual
SICs Elections
September 30
6-7PM
Virtual
Need help navigating your SIC elections? This session breaks down everything you need to know about planning and holding successful, state-compliant SIC elections. We’ll cover timelines, tips for encouraging participation, and the differences between parent, teacher, and student elections. Whether you are organizing your first election or just need a refresher, this training will help you feel confident and prepared for a smooth election process.
October 9
6-7PM
Virtual
August 26
6-7PM
Virtual
September 11
4-5PM
Virtual
SICs for New Principals
October 18
10-11AM
Virtual
November 6
6-7PM
Virtual
September 23
6-7PM
Virtual
October 23
6-7PM
Virtual
SICs Chairs
“The Basics” Training
“The Basics” for Effective School Improvement Councils
This 60-minute training, based on the SC-SIC’s Handbook, “The Basics,” is designed primarily for newly elected and appointed SIC members and is also an ideal refresher course for longer-serving SIC members. The training provides an overview of SIC legislative mandates and history, the elections and appointment process, SIC membership requirements, SC-SIC support and resources, and explains the primary roles and responsibilities of local SICs and their members.
Cost: free
Minimum/Maximum Number of Attendees
Ideally district level training; all schools in district invited; attendance open statewide. Individual school level training may be held if conducted by SC-SIC certified district personnel or by SC-SIC staff for Palmetto Priority Schools.
Contact/Trainer
SC-SIC district personnel or SC-SIC staff can both be contacted to schedule training.
Email: sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Phone: 800-868-2232
Equipment Requirements
Laptop, projector and Wi-Fi; host provides copies of handout.
Advanced Training
Once you have completed “The Basics” training, browse other training opportunities that SC-SIC has to offer below.
SIC Leadership
This 60-minute training offers helpful tips to SIC Chairs, principals and veteran SIC members in planning and running productive SIC meetings, as well as insights into activating SICs and committees to perform vital work for their schools. Trainees will be given guidance in developing meeting agendas, keeping effective minutes, bylaws creation, meeting announcement guidelines, as well steps to identify and recruit SIC committee members and candidates for election or appointment to their SIC.
Cost: free
Minimum/Maximum Number of Attendees
Ideally district level training; all schools in district invited; attendance open statewide.
Contact/Trainer
SC-SIC staff can be contacted to schedule training.
Email: sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Phone: 800-868-2232
Equipment Requirements
Laptop, projector and Wi-Fi; host provides copies of handout.
SIC Training
Effective, Ethical Advocacy with Elected Officials
This 60-minute training, ideal for those SIC members who have completed SIC Basics training, provides insights, tools and strategies for SIC members to be effective advocates for their schools, districts and public education. Trainees will be exposed to a variety of approaches and resources to mobilize community support through advocacy with their local and statewide elected officials, and will receive guidance in the proper methods of advocating in accordance with SIC guidelines and those of the S.C. Ethics Commission.
Cost: free
Minimum/Maximum Number of Attendees
Ideally district level training; all schools in district invited; attendance open statewide.
Contact/Trainer
SC-SIC staff can be contacted to schedule training.
Email: sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Phone: 800-868-2232
Equipment Requirements
Laptop, projector and Wi-Fi; host provides copies of handout.
Conversation for SIC Goal Setting
Designed for individual SICs. This session, which typically lasts for two hours, provides structured dialogue to assist SIC members and school administrators to develop a specific set of goals uniquely tailored to their school’s needs. Goals will be based on issues identified through facilitated discussion and tied to the school’s strategic plan. In this session, SIC members will gain understanding of the strategic plan, discuss strengths and challenges of their school, identify 3 – 5 specific goals and begin developing strategies for SIC action; all with aim of assisting the school—and it’s administration, teachers and students—in meeting and exceeding the targets set for continuous improvement.
Cost: free
Minimum/Maximum Number of Attendees
Ideally, school-level training for one School Improvement Council at a time.
Contact/Trainer
SC-SIC staff can be contacted to schedule training.
Email: sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Phone: 800-868-2232
Equipment Requirements
Laptop, projector and Wi-Fi.
Communicating with the Greater School Community
This hour-long workshop touches on the importance of clear and frequent communication with parents, teachers and the greater school community. It outlines the development of consistent messages, the role of a communications plan and its various components, utilizing multi-media communication efforts, and the philosophy of effective two-way communications.
Cost: free
Minimum/Maximum Number of Attendees
25-100
Contact/Trainer
SC-SIC staff can be contacted to schedule training.
Email: sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Phone: 800-868-2232
Equipment Requirements
Laptop, projector and Wi-Fi.
Crafting the SIC Report to the Parents
This 45 minute long workshop outlines the steps and components of effective Reports to the Parents. As School Improvement Councils are mandated by law to issue these Reports by April 30th of each year, SIC members and principals should take steps to make them as informative and user-friendly as possible. The session will provide an overview of content, use of statistics, graphic design, printing, and distribution.
Cost: free
Minimum/Maximum Number of Attendees
20-75
Contact/Trainer
SC-SIC staff can be contacted to schedule training.
Email: sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Phone: 800-868-2232
Equipment Requirements
Laptop, projector and Wi-Fi.
Applying for the SC-SIC Riley Award for SIC Excellence
This 45 minute long workshop examines effective strategies in applying for the SC-SIC's annual Dick and Tunky Riley Award for SIC Excellence. Named in honor of the former governor and his late wife, the Award recognizes SICs that have effectively and programmatically supported civic engagement in public education. The workshop will highlight application procedures, helpful tips and case studies of former Riley Award winners.
Cost: free
Minimum/Maximum Number of Attendees
20-75
Contact/Trainer
SC-SIC staff can be contacted to schedule training.
Email: sic@mailbox.sc.edu
Phone: 800-868-2232
Equipment Requirements
Laptop, projector and Wi-Fi.
Online Trainings
For School Improvement Councils and members who wish to quickly refresh their operational knowledge of SICs, the SC-SIC has developed three 20-minute online training videos. These videos can be viewed individually or as part of a local SIC meeting, and cover information from the Handbook. Click the YouTube embedded links to the right to view each segment.
The Basics of Organizing an SIC
Local SIC Duties
The Basics of Operating an SIC