Chiropractic Care in Charleston, SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston County School Board voted against a new curriculum Tuesday night.

The new curriculum has raised concerns among staff and parents in the district. EL Education is a nonprofit that partners with local school districts and currently serves around 440,000 students nationwide. It focuses on education through a lens of equity and inclusion and social emotional learning.

The final resolution included adding the adoption process of EL Education over the next three months.

The motion failed 6-3 with the superintendent saying what was being asked would have been impossible to implement in that timeline.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the school board also elected a new chair for a third time since the November election in a specially called meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Board members voted on a chair and vice chair ahead of the regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting.

Charleston County School Board re-elected Pam McKinney as board chair and Leah Whatley as vice chair once again after Ed Kelley held the position for about a week. After a potential violation of the Freedom of Information Act week during the meeting in which Kelley was elected, he called for the election to be redone and then promptly nominated McKinney for the chairmanship.

The only significant change was the Whatley’s appointment of the board member in charge of the Strategic Education Committee. It was chaired by Carol Tempel but Whatley appointed Carlotte Bailey to the position. The move came after Tempel voted with the bloc of board members opposed to the chairmanships of McKinney and Whatley including Courtney Waters, Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson and Daron Calhoun, II.

Tuesday’s meeting comes after last-minute changes to the agenda last week were not properly updated on the publicly posted agenda in the hallway outside of the meeting room. While the online agenda was updated in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act that requires agenda items be published 24 hours in advance of a meeting, the printed agenda was never updated. Board members and the district’s legal team determined it’s up for interpretation as to whether or not the FOIA was violated.

Last week a special meeting was called to elect a new board chair after Daron Calhoun, II was sworn in, triggering the new election per board and state policy. However, the current chairperson at the time, Pam McKinney, added an agenda item for the special meeting that would have postponed the rule requiring new chair elections late in the week preceding the meeting. While that item was added to the digital agenda, it was not added to the paper copy outside.

The board approved McKinney’s motion. However, after legal counsel, it had to be altered to only postpone the vice-chair election since state law requires an election for the chair, but not the vice chair when a new person is added to the board and the trustees can’t subvert state law.

Ed Kelley was elected board chair in a split 5-4 decision. Notably, Kelley voted against himself in that election.

Because of the potential FOIA violation, last week’s regular board meeting was ended directly after public comments and no action was taken on any of the agenda items.

In a letter to board members, Kelley wrote, “I fully recognize this is uncomfortable and embarrassing for us, but I do believe there is nothing more important than complete public transparency in all we do.”

Last year the district, under a different board, ran into a similar issue with agendas being altered last minute that garnered the attention of Attorney General Alan Wilson.

Board members also looked at the calendar for the 2023-2024 school year.

According to the district website, the board is expected to approve an academic calendar survey between two options. The major difference between the two is when the week of spring break will be. If approved, the survey is scheduled to be open Wednesday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 26.

According to the board agenda, 70 employees completed a survey about the calendar already.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Dreamscape Companies today announced that its boutique Charleston-based hotel, The Palmetto, is approaching completion and officially slated to open its doors in March 2023. Situated in the heart of Charleston's historic French Quarter, the property signifies the company's first foray into the thriving southern market.

Originally acquired in 2021, The Palmetto has been reimagined to provide a deeply authentic Charleston experience that is particular to the place in which it resides - mere steps from the city's finest restaurants and bars - and reflective of the charming eccentricities artfully layered into southern hospitality.

"The Palmetto is a truly special property in Charleston that we hope will be a local institution for many years to come." said Scott Broder, President of Dreamscape Hospitality. "We expect its effortless style, prime location, and impeccable service to resonate with Charleston locals and tourists alike."

Located at 194 East Bay Street, The Palmetto has been imbued with a warm and deeply empathetic design that speaks to an effortless level of luxury steeped in comfort and inherently found in residential-inspired spaces. The meticulously curated decor further enhances this ambiance and references the city at every turn through the use of historic black and white party pictures and classic antiques reinvented through custom upholstery depicting iconic Low Country destinations. The cumulative result is a singular guest experience that seamlessly embraces the warmth and sophistication inherently found in genuine southern hospitality without becoming uptight to create a sensation akin to coming home when residing at the property.

Situated in the heart of the city's French Quarter historic district and visible from both Bay and Cumberland Streets, the 45-room hotel places guests within arms-reach of live music and Lowcountry fare with High Cotton, an award-winning restaurant, and Slightly North of Broad, a celebrated eatery, located just next door. A major boon for guests, the locally beloved eatery Slightly North of Broad is slated to debut a special partnership with the property for guests upon opening. Due to its idyllic location, contextual design and warm ambience, The Palmetto is poised to become a touchpoint for the local community and robust tourism scene and will introduce a robust calendar of imaginative activations and partnerships upon opening that is reflective of Dreamscape's unwavering commitment to curating authentic lifestyle experiences at each of its properties. Leading multinational hospitality firm Aimbridge Hospitality will be managing the anticipated property.

In addition to incredible restaurants, guests at The Palmetto are also steps from an abundance of desirable shopping, impressive galleries and stunning parks, all of which make the French Quarter the perfect destination for experiential tourism. The hotel's proximity to bustling Downtown, as well as the riverfront and Market and King Streets ensures the walkability of the location as well as a wealth of activities suitable for day and night. When venturing beyond The Palmetto's prime location guests can enjoy other hallmarks of the Charleston peninsula, including its vibrant waterways and candy-colored facades dotting 90 miles of coastline.

This is a part of The Post and Courier’s Q&A series throughout Black History Month highlighting Black musicians in Charleston. We feature local Black creatives throughout the year, but wanted to profile some of these Lowcountry talents during February.

Ashley Hale grew up singing at her church’s choir and has also been a part of theatrical productions.

Q: When did you start performing music in Charleston?

A: My very first time performing in Charleston was as a little girl. At the time the Charleston church music scene was major, and church choirs were the big trend. My church at at time, Greater New Zion IAME Church (now, the Voice of Hope Church and Worship Center), had a choir called The Y.A.Y Choir, where my grandmother Patricia A. Smith was the chorister and my mother, Avis Washington, was one of the lead singers. This choir was about 125 people strong, and it’s where I got my very first taste at performing as a child.

Q: How has your church/gospel upbringing shaped your music?

A: Being in church introduced me to a musical foundation that I still hold on to even ’til this day. Church is where I learned the difference in cultures and dynamics through music. I was introduced to quartet, Christian contemporary, country, opera, jazz, traditional gospel and more through the eyes of the church.

My mother loved music, and even though she was a devout Christian who upheld strict moral values, she was also instrumental in bringing diversity to our lives through music, a part of my foundation in R&B and soul music. My mother showed us movies like “The Sound of Music,” and “The Five Heartbeats,” (loosely based on the lives of The Temptations, James Brown and Sam Cooke, among others), and documentaries on Otis Redding, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Al Green, so that we would learn the stories behind the music.

Q: Not only are you a singer but a theatrical performer. Can you talk about the similarities and differences between those two roles?

A: Being a singer comes easy for me, because it’s easy to reach deep in my soul from a place within to articulate my sentiments or feelings through song. However, when it comes to performing as an actor, that is an art that takes extra time, study and preparation to learn the character.

My mission on this earth is to make a difference in the lives of people I encounter, whether it be through song, a play, a conversation or even just a friendly salutation.

Q: What is upcoming for you?

A: Currently, I am working on music that will be released this summer. I’m also working as a life coach in my business, Confidential Conversations, where our goal is to assist people in progressing emotionally past trauma to conquer life and its challenges. I am also birthing this year my new business venture, Melodic Vibrations, where I will provide vocal coaching and artist development.

This is a part of The Post and Courier’s Q&A series throughout Black History Month highlighting Black musicians in Charleston. We feature local Black creatives throughout the year, but wanted to profile some of these Lowcountry talents during February.

Joral George Simmons, known by stage name Kaizër or sometimes Kai the Czar, is a Charleston rapper.

Q: When did you become a rapper?

A: My struggles with love while trying to make general chivalrous displays to women found me broken and wanting comfort and understanding. I found a medium to share these thoughts: poetry. I started writing around the age of 12, all just self-indulgent drool but a pathway to me at 18 finding my second passion: rap music.

Discovering Wu Tang and Outkast — a perfect display of the intersections of hip-hop music and to this day the vein to the art form I bleed — was integral.

At first I didn’t have a good grasp on recording equipment or even understanding how to record. I met Black Dave (Dave Curry, producer and artist) I want to say at the age of 20 or 21, and that fast-tracked my success.

... I always had a passion for anime, and I remember reading “Yu-Gi-Oh!” one day. There was a character named Kaiser, which means king or emperor in German, but in the book it was the title of the best person. Some how I identified with that and came up with the better name Kaizër. Kai The Czar is just sometimes the nickname.

Q: Where do you find inspiration?

A: I like to believe life is the biggest inspiration to art. We all find ourselves just wanting to find a sense of comfort, and my process is searching for that for myself and hoping I can share what’s left.

Q: Where do you perform around Charleston?

A: I’ve performed at Music Farm, The Purple Buffalo, John King, The Royal American, Pour House, Tin Roof. You name it, I’ve performed or been there. I want to say and imagine all these places in later years have been more hospitable to rap music as a whole, but I think generally speaking (most of) the venues downtown still have a reluctance toward rap music.

Q: What’s coming up?

A: I’ve got a couple shows I’m planning for the year. I’ve been really wanting to concentrate more on presentation and packaging, understanding marketing as a tool more. I believe I’ll have an album out before the end of the year.

I’ve been working a lot with Mechanical River for this next project, so I’m excited to see what it brings musically.

College of Charleston faculty and staff support the College’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in a variety of ways. One of those ways is through the College’s REACH Program.

Established in 2010, the REACH Program is a four-year, fully inclusive certificate program for students with mild intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Students in the REACH Program participate in all activities offered by the College, with individualized support from peer tutors, mentors, staff and faculty.

Over the years, more than 400 faculty and staff members have partnered with REACH, attending trainings and meeting individually with students in the REACH program throughout the semester. Their contributions to these students’ lives are recognized every year through the annual REACH Program Awards.

These awards celebrate individuals who have worked to increase the level of inclusive education and services for students with intellectual disabilities on campus, thereby supporting the College’s core value of creating and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community.

“Through their actions, these award recipients show that they value and respect the unique perspectives, backgrounds and experiences of the students in the REACH Program,” says Edie Cusack ’90, the program’s executive director.

Congratulations and a huge thank you to the following faculty and staff who received awards for the last academic year:

Adam Jordan, Department of Teacher EducationEdie Cusack’s Director’s Award This award recognizes an individual whose work has increased awareness of inclusion in post-secondary education at the College of Charleston and in the community.

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized for the Edie Cusack Director’s Award, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to work with someone as innovative and tenacious as Edie,” says Jordan, associate chair of the Department of Teacher Education, and associate professor and program director of the special education program. “Truth be told, this award belongs to my students in the bachelor’s program in special education, because it is their sustained commitment to inclusivity and equity that makes my receiving this award possible. Our campus is better when we embrace the reality that diversity of all sorts makes us all better. I appreciate the brilliant individuals in the REACH Program who help me to be better every day.”

Jennifer Cavalli and Brooke Permenter ’06, Honors College William Farrior III & Brian Porterfield Collaborators Award This award recognizes an individual who has worked collaboratively with the REACH Program to uphold the values and ideals of an inclusive post-secondary education.

“Even as we weathered the worst of the pandemic, the partnership between the REACH and the Honors Engaged programs remained strong and stable for our connected students,” says Permenter, director of student engagement and faculty fellow in the Honors College. “Each year, the students show us that they all seek two things in common in their pursuit of higher education: community and belonging. Collaborating with REACH is a great way to foster both for students across our programs.“

“It is a privilege to partner with the REACH Program. It is one of our most successful partnerships with regard to our goal of sustained community engagement,” agrees Cavalli, associate director of student engagement and Honors faculty fellow. “Our students who serve as mentors consistently remain with REACH long after their first year and, more often than not, cite the experience as one of the most fulfilling and memorable of their time at the College. This is a testament to the strength of the leadership and students in the REACH Program.”

Jeremy Clement, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management Professor of the Year Award This award recognizes an individual who has upheld the values of the REACH Program by implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices while providing students with an inclusive post-secondary education.

“I am really honored to have received this award,” says Clement, senior instructor and internship coordinator in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management and director of the Schottland Scholars Program. “Our CofC REACH Program is an incredible team of passionate professionals working to integrate an important group into our community. My REACH students are often some of the most engaged in the classroom and several have even gone on to successful jobs in our local industry. It’s really been my pleasure to work with these students over the years. I’m happy to be able to support the College’s effort to integrate all kinds of students into our classrooms and our community.”

This is a part of The Post and Courier’s Q&A series throughout Black History Month highlighting Black musicians in Charleston. We feature local Black creatives throughout the year, but wanted to profile some of these Lowcountry talents during February.

Joral George Simmons, known by stage name Kaizër or sometimes Kai the Czar, is a Charleston rapper.

Q: When did you become a rapper?

A: My struggles with love while trying to make general chivalrous displays to women found me broken and wanting comfort and understanding. I found a medium to share these thoughts: poetry. I started writing around the age of 12, all just self-indulgent drool but a pathway to me at 18 finding my second passion: rap music.

Discovering Wu Tang and Outkast — a perfect display of the intersections of hip-hop music and to this day the vein to the art form I bleed — was integral.

At first I didn’t have a good grasp on recording equipment or even understanding how to record. I met Black Dave (Dave Curry, producer and artist) I want to say at the age of 20 or 21, and that fast-tracked my success.

... I always had a passion for anime, and I remember reading “Yu-Gi-Oh!” one day. There was a character named Kaiser, which means king or emperor in German, but in the book it was the title of the best person. Some how I identified with that and came up with the better name Kaizër. Kai The Czar is just sometimes the nickname.

Q: Where do you find inspiration?

A: I like to believe life is the biggest inspiration to art. We all find ourselves just wanting to find a sense of comfort, and my process is searching for that for myself and hoping I can share what’s left.

Q: Where do you perform around Charleston?

A: I’ve performed at Music Farm, The Purple Buffalo, John King, The Royal American, Pour House, Tin Roof. You name it, I’ve performed or been there. I want to say and imagine all these places in later years have been more hospitable to rap music as a whole, but I think generally speaking (most of) the venues downtown still have a reluctance toward rap music.

Q: What’s coming up?

A: I’ve got a couple shows I’m planning for the year. I’ve been really wanting to concentrate more on presentation and packaging, understanding marketing as a tool more. I believe I’ll have an album out before the end of the year.

I’ve been working a lot with Mechanical River for this next project, so I’m excited to see what it brings musically.