Dear Wise Owls Family,

As we move forward in the school year, I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of something truly important—learning should be fun!

At WES, we strive to create an environment where curiosity, creativity, and excitement for learning flourish. Every day, our students have the opportunity to explore new ideas, build friendships, and grow in ways that will shape their future. While we value academic progress, we also believe that joy and enthusiasm are key ingredients in a meaningful education.

Please take a moment to remind your child that school is not just about tests and homework—it’s about discovering new things, asking questions, and embracing challenges with a positive mindset. Encourage them to enjoy the process, celebrate their efforts, and find joy in both successes and mistakes, as every experience is a step toward growth.

Thank you for your partnership in making our school a place where learning is an adventure! If you ever have any questions or ideas on how we can continue to make learning engaging for all students, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you all a wonderful season of learning and fun!

B. Gantt

#AllforONE!

Our mission is to cultivate a caring community that utilizes a multitude of teaching and learning experiences to prepare children for their next adventure.

1. We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and appreciated.
2. We believe that all children deserve a high quality education.
3. We believe in collaboration and making connections.

Staying Safe

Owning Your Actions

Acting Responsibly

Respecting Everyone & Everything

“South Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law requires that a parent or guardian shall require his child to attend regularly a public or private school or kindergarten of this State which has been approved by the State Board of Education, a member school of the South Carolina Independent Schools and Association, a member school of the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools, or some similar organization, or a parochial, denominational, or church-related school, or other programs which have been approved by the State Board of Education f rom the school year in which the child is five years of age before September first until the child attains his seventeenth birthday or graduates from high school.”

Please also submit any medical or additional excuses to the front office. We process our attendance forms once per week so you may not immediately see that the note has been accepted.

Friday, February 14th

Staff Development Day

Monday, February 17th

President's Day (School & Offices Closed)

Monday, February 24th

Monday Morning Parliament

Thursday, February 27th

Boosterthon Kick-Off

Location: Field beside Kindergarten carline

Headstart, CERDEP, SPED: 10:00am - 10:25am

K & 1st: 10:30am - 11:20am

2nd & 3rd: 11:30 - 12:20pm

4th & 5th: 12:30pm - 1:20pm *COLOR RUN

*The grade level with the highest amount raised will also have a COLOR FINALE LAP!

... to our School Counselors: Mrs. Elmore and Ms. Gard. We are appreciative for all the work they do to make our school better!

An ode to our Counselors

Guiding hearts and steady hands,

You light the way with care unplanned.

Through trials, tears, and dreams untold,

You help young souls be brave and bold.

A patient ear, a knowing glance,

You give each child a fighting chance.

With wisdom deep and kindness true,

The world is brighter thanks to you.

School counselors, strong and wise,

You lift up hope, you spark new skies.

For all you do, both seen and not,

You shape the future—heart and thought.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, gather 'round!

Step right up, because it’s official! Berkeley County School District (BCSD) is strutting its stuff as South Carolina's school district with the second-highest starting teacher salary!

Are you ready to make a positive difference in the lives of our young stars? It’s time to find your home in vibrant Berkeley County!

But wait! Not interested in teaching? Fear not! Our school and district administrators are on the lookout for talented individuals ready to step into the spotlight in a dazzling array of roles!

From teacher assistants to custodians, clerical staff, maintenance wizards, bus drivers, food service heroes, and IT professionals—there’s a place for everyone in this grand spectacle of education!

So don’t miss out, folks! Join the team and make your mark in Berkeley County!

EVENT INFO

Big Top Hiring Event
Saturday, February 22
9:30 - 11 a.m.
Stratford High School
951 Crowfield Blvd, Goose Creek

REGISTER NOW

The ACCESS for ML students testing window opens January 21 and closes March 7. Students will be tested at various times throughout that window. Families can reach out to Ms. Gallagher for more specific dates and times for their individual children.

If there is a change of transportation, a note with a parent/guardian's signature MUST be provided. Any student that tells staff that his or her parent/guardian told them to go home by another means will not be honored. For the safety of our students, a change in transportation must be submitted in writing to the student's teacher AND to the Front Office.

To ensure that our students remain safe while off-campus, we are asking families to purchase a WES School Spirit Shirt. Students will be able to wear their School Spirit Shirt on all of their Field Studies which has our 2024-25 AllforONE! logo and our school's contact information (on the front of the shirt). Also, 100% of the proceeds will go back in our field trip budget to ensure that we can keep costs down for families.

Shirts cost $10

Order your shirt using the link below

*shirts will come white with the blue logo or blue with the white logo

Show your school spirit and support our students by grabbing your WES Car Magnet! Every purchase helps fund exciting programs and activities, enriching your child's school experience. Plus, you are showcasing your WES pride in your community. Join us in making a difference—buy now and roll with school pride!

Car Magnets cost $10.

Thursday, April 10th - Spring Fling (a part of STEAM Night)

Friday, May 23rd - 5th Grade Celebration

Box Tops is ALL DIGITAL and is still one of the easiest ways to earn money for your school on things you already buy! It’s easy: Simply download the app, select Whitesville Elementary and start scanning your receipts today. As a BONUS, connect your Walmart account in the app and earn automatically without scanning

Breakfast and lunch will be served on every day. If your student wants to eat breakfast at school, they should arrive to school between 6:50 a.m. - 7:18 a.m. Breakfast will no longer be served after 7:45 a.m.

• Our school's website is found at https://www.bcsdschools.net/o/wes
• WES Facebook page is Whitesville Elementary School Wise Owls
• The Weekly Hoots newsletter will be emailed & texted to families every Sunday evening. Please be sure to have your updated information in PowerSchool.
• Our PTO's website is wiseowlspto.com.
• Our PTO's Facebook page is Whitesville Wise Owls PTO.
• Schoology: Teachers will update their grades weekly.
• Rooms: Our two-way form of communication at WES. Every teacher at WES will use Rooms as a tool for communication.