Greenville County Schools will resume hosting book fairs starting in January 2025.District spokesman Tim Waller released the following statement about the decision:”After thoroughly reviewing options and working with multiple vendors, the District determined a process for book fairs that balances the opportunity to promote literacy with students, involve parents, and fundraise for schools while also complying with SC Regulation 43-170 and maintaining a manageable process for staff.”Vendors must sign a form acknowledging they have reviewed and will comply with SC Regulation 43-170 and will provide schools with a list of books that may be in the book fair at least four weeks in advance. Media specialists will review and vet the books, and the list will be shared with parents and guardians ahead of time for review. Students will need a signed permission form to attend the book fair. Multiple book vendors have already agreed to the process, and we anticipate additional vendors will be added.”Previous coverage:Greenville County Schools will not host in-person book fairs this school year. District spokesman Tim Waller released the following statement about the pause: “First, we recognize the value in school-sponsored book fairs as a way to promote reading with students while also engaging parents and the community in support of literacy. Additionally, book fairs provide a fundraising opportunity for schools that have a positive impact on students and the community. “Effective August 1, 2024, South Carolina’s State Board of Education passed SC Regulation 43-170, which outlines new requirements for how instructional materials provided by schools or made available to students in school are selected. As a result, Greenville County Schools finds it necessary to pause all book fairs for this school year while it works with vendors to find a solution that ensures compliance and avoids a circumstance that may place employees in jeopardy of violating provisions of the regulation. The logistics of book fairs involve large containers of books and other material being delivered to schools, set out, packed up, picked up, restocked, and sent to the next school on a short turnaround time. It is not possible for school personnel to vet all book fair content after it arrives, nor can vendors provide accurate content information far enough in advance for it to be vetted through the District prior to the start of fall book fairs.”The District’s Academics team is actively working with schools and individual book fair vendors to explore ways to continue offering book fairs in the future. During the time needed to ensure full compliance with the new regulation, there are alternatives, such as book clubs and online book fairs, for schools to consider. We will share more information once we have evaluated those other options for this year. “Greenville County Schools understands the importance of book fairs as a way to promote reading while also raising funds for the schools. Please know that the District is committed to finding alternative solutions in the future that comply with Regulation 43-170 and allow us to continue engaging parents and the community in support of literacy within our schools and at home.”
Greenville County Schools will resume hosting book fairs starting in January 2025.
District spokesman Tim Waller released the following statement about the decision:
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“After thoroughly reviewing options and working with multiple vendors, the District determined a process for book fairs that balances the opportunity to promote literacy with students, involve parents, and fundraise for schools while also complying with SC Regulation 43-170 and maintaining a manageable process for staff.
“Vendors must sign a form acknowledging they have reviewed and will comply with SC Regulation 43-170 and will provide schools with a list of books that may be in the book fair at least four weeks in advance. Media specialists will review and vet the books, and the list will be shared with parents and guardians ahead of time for review. Students will need a signed permission form to attend the book fair. Multiple book vendors have already agreed to the process, and we anticipate additional vendors will be added.”
Previous coverage:
Greenville County Schools will not host in-person book fairs this school year.
District spokesman Tim Waller released the following statement about the pause:
“First, we recognize the value in school-sponsored book fairs as a way to promote reading with students while also engaging parents and the community in support of literacy. Additionally, book fairs provide a fundraising opportunity for schools that have a positive impact on students and the community.
“Effective August 1, 2024, South Carolina’s State Board of Education passed SC Regulation 43-170, which outlines new requirements for how instructional materials provided by schools or made available to students in school are selected. As a result, Greenville County Schools finds it necessary to pause all book fairs for this school year while it works with vendors to find a solution that ensures compliance and avoids a circumstance that may place employees in jeopardy of violating provisions of the regulation. The logistics of book fairs involve large containers of books and other material being delivered to schools, set out, packed up, picked up, restocked, and sent to the next school on a short turnaround time. It is not possible for school personnel to vet all book fair content after it arrives, nor can vendors provide accurate content information far enough in advance for it to be vetted through the District prior to the start of fall book fairs.
“The District’s Academics team is actively working with schools and individual book fair vendors to explore ways to continue offering book fairs in the future. During the time needed to ensure full compliance with the new regulation, there are alternatives, such as book clubs and online book fairs, for schools to consider. We will share more information once we have evaluated those other options for this year.
“Greenville County Schools understands the importance of book fairs as a way to promote reading while also raising funds for the schools. Please know that the District is committed to finding alternative solutions in the future that comply with Regulation 43-170 and allow us to continue engaging parents and the community in support of literacy within our schools and at home.”
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