Hootie's Nest
NCCAES Parent Newsletter

NCCAE Weekly Parent Updates
January 13, 2025
NCCAE TEACHER OF THE YEAR!
Ms. Meghan Norvell, a dedicated second-grade teacher at North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School (NCCAE), has been named Teacher of the Year. This prestigious recognition highlights her exceptional commitment to fostering a nurturing and supportive learning environment for her students.
In her own words, Ms. Norvell expressed her gratitude for the nomination, stating, “I am honored to be nominated for NCCAE Teacher of the Year, and I am grateful to work alongside such an amazing staff.” She joined NCCAE during the pandemic, a challenging time that prompted her to focus on building strong relationships with her colleagues and students.
Ms. Norvell’s collaborative approach has not only cultivated a sense of camaraderie among her peers but also significantly benefited the students. “By emphasizing shared responsibility and maintaining an open mindset towards change, we have created a unique atmosphere at NCCAE that enhances student outcomes,” she shared.
Her passion for empowering students to embrace leadership roles further enriches her classroom, ensuring that every child feels valued and loved. “I strive for each student who walks through my doors to know they are part of our classroom community, no matter where their journey takes them after NCCAE,” Ms. Norvell added.
Join us in congratulating Ms. Norvell on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your continued support in making our school a wonderful place for learning and growth!
ACCESS TESTING WINDOW
The Access testing window will be from January 20, 2026 through March 6, 2026.
"Access testing," specifically referring to "ACCESS for ELLs," is a standardized assessment used to measure the English language proficiency of students identified as English Language Learners (ELLs) in grades Kindergarten through 12, evaluating their abilities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and is administered annually to monitor their progress in acquiring academic English.
Key points about ACCESS testing:
- Purpose: To monitor the progress of ELLs in acquiring academic English
- Administered by: WIDA Consortium
- Full name: Assessment for English Language Acquisition - ACCESS for ELL
- Who takes it: Students identified as English Language Learners
- What it measures: Proficiency in English language domains like listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- You can visit this website for more information: https://wida.wisc.edu/assess/access
Preparing for Testing
To ensure your child is ready to perform their best, we encourage you to follow these preparation tips:
1. Get Plenty of Rest: A good night's sleep before the testing days is crucial for focus and alertness.
2. Eat a Healthy Breakfast: A nutritious breakfast will provide the energy needed for concentration and stamina during the tests.
3. Encourage and Support: Cheer your child on and remind them to stay calm and focused. Positive encouragement can help alleviate any anxiety they might feel.
Thank you for your support in helping your child prepare for these important assessments. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.
There will also be a Family Information Night for all ML families to explain information regarding Access Testing. Please see the information below for details
SWEATER WEATHER CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Time to announce our winners of the sweater weather contest! Students and staff helped vote on the top sweaters. There were over 50 submitted sweaters that were all very creative. There is a winner from each grade and one overall winner. Congratulations to the following students:
Lucy Klein in CD,
Jenesis President in K,
David Sontay Garcia in 1st,
Ava Williams in 2nd,
Anyely Velasquez Perez in 3rd,
LJ Smallwood in 4th,
Xareny Ayala in 5th.
The overall winner for having a reading theme for meeting our reading goal is Eleanor Fenton in 4th!
Congratulations everyone! All winners will be receiving a Benny Beanstack stuffie.
ACADEMIC MAGNET HONOR SOCIETY DONATES BOOKS!
The Academic Magnet Honor Society hosted a book drive for our library. Ms. Minchener made a wishlist of books that would benefit our library. The Honor Society collected 70 brand new books for our school library. Ms. Smalls-Robinson and Ms. Silverman's class got to celebrate the arrival of the new books.
REVEUR TAKEOVER DAY!
Day of Smiles- Free Dental Care
CCSD SCHOOL CHOICE WINDOW IS NOW OPEN!
The CCSD School Choice application is open and accepting applications for Fall of 2026! The application window is open from now until February 12, 2026, at noon.
The application includes 31 choice schools and programs and allows families to apply for up to 5. North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School is one of the choice schools, if you know a family that is interested in applying to attend NCCAE, please share the link to the school choice website below. We have also scheduled the following dates for NCCAE school tours:
January 14 - 3:00-4:00
January 21 - 3:00-4:00
January 28 - 3:00-4:00
February 4 - 3:00-4:00
Learn more at https://schoolchoice.ccsdschools.com/ . You can also contact school choice at: 843-937-6582 or Email: school_choice@charleston.k12.sc.us.
CLASS PICTURES ARE COMING!
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK!
THE NCCAE PTA SPIRIT ROCK IS HERE!
Do you want to celebrate your child’s birthday or a big achievement? Looking for a way to thank a teacher or staff member? Our Spirit Rock is the perfect way to share your message with the entire school community! Booking Link
Before booking, please review the guidelines below. A $20 reservation fee is required and must be paid through this site to confirm your spot.
Painting Schedule:
Painting must be completed between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. the day before your reserved date. Example: If your reservation is for Tuesday, you may begin painting at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Monday reservations should be painted the Friday before. If you cannot paint as scheduled, please try to swap with another family. PTA does not issue refunds, so mark your calendar!
Content Guidelines:
Designs must be positive, respectful, and school-appropriate.
No profanity, offensive language, discriminatory remarks, religious or political messages, or symbols. Messages should be uplifting and nurturing— help North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary SOAR! The Spirit Rock operates on the honor system, so please follow these rules.
What You’ll Need:
Families or groups are responsible for providing their own supplies:
Exterior latex paint for the base coat (1–2 quarts)
Large roller or brush for background coverage
Acrylic or latex paint for lettering/designs
Small brushes or foam sponges for details
Chalk for outlining words before painting
Drop cloths to protect surrounding areas
Important: Spray paint and oil-based paints are not allowed. Only use standard latex or water-based acrylic paints.
Helpful Tips:
You’ll be painting over the previous design, so choose paint that covers well. Only the rock may be painted—no sidewalks, buildings, or other surfaces. Damage to property will result in financial responsibility for repairs. Bring water and a bucket for cleaning brushes (there is no water access on site).Take all trash and supplies home for proper disposal—do not leave paint cans or materials on campus.
PURCHASE YOUR HOUSE SHIRT TODAY!
Purchase a House shirt for your learner TODAY! T-SHIRT LINK
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We need Wednesday Folder Volunteers for 1/15/2026 - Sign up today!
Do you want to volunteer?
Parent volunteer opportunities are quickly opening up! Please consider signing up to help! We NEED YOU! If know you would like to sign up to volunteer, you MUST complete the volunteer application first. Go ahead and complete this form now! Click here and complete this step: District Volunteer Application
If your schedule allows, please take a moment to sign up to volunteer! We are hopeful to have an overwhelming response! We need you!
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Parents you play a critical role in your child's academic success. Ensuring that your child is on time, present and engaged in the classroom not only supports their learning but also fosters essential social skills and a sense of community.
Arrival Times and Punctuality
To maximize each student's educational experience, we kindly remind you that student arrival begins at 7:05 AM, with the tardy bell ringing at 7:25 AM. It is essential that all students are in their seats and ready to learn by this time. Late arrivals disrupt not only the learning process for your child but also for their classmates. Missing class time can significantly impact academic performance and understanding of core subjects.
The Dangers of Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism can lead to gaps in knowledge, lower academic performance, and can even affect long-term educational outcomes. Consistent attendance helps children develop a routine, enhances classroom continuity, and strengthens their learning experience. Let's partner together to make sure our children understand the importance of being present.
Procedure for Absences
We understand that sometimes students may be unable to attend school due to illness or other legitimate reasons. In these cases, it is crucial that the school office receives a valid excuse within three days of the student's return. This excuse should be in the form of a doctor’s note or a written note from a parent or guardian containing the following:
- The student's name
- The teacher's name
- The dates of absence
- A specific reason for the absence
- A signature of a parent or guardian
Please note that excuses sent via email will not be accepted unless they are scanned copies of the signed excuse.
We greatly appreciate your support in ensuring your child's regular attendance. Together, we can help our students thrive academically and socially. Thank you for your commitment to your child's education and for partnering with us to create a successful learning environment.
Visit the following link for more information on the affects that chronic absenteeism has on student success. Attendance Information
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Time for Tots will be at Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner at 10 a.m. for ages 2-5 to learn about birds and make a craft at the Interpretive Center.
Charleston County Library Events:
- Baby Storytime will be at 9:30 a.m. at Mount Pleasant Library for babies ages 1 and under.
- Toddler Storytime will be at 10 a.m. at the West Ashley Library for ages 2-3.
- Baby Storytime will be at 10 a.m. at Baxter-Patrick Library on James Island for ages 2 and under.
- Baby Storytime will be at 10 a.m. at Bees Ferry Library in West Ashley for ages 2 and under.
- Literacy Playtime will be from 10-11 a.m. at the John L. Dart Library in Charleston
- Toddler Storytime will be at 10 a.m. at the Wando Library in Mount Pleasant for ages 2-3
- Family Storytime will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Dorchester Road Library in North Charleston.
- Family Storytime will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Library in Hollywood
- Toddler Storytime at Hurd/St. Andrew's Library in West Ashley will be at 10:30 a.m. with songs, movement and a story followed by playtime for ages 2-3.
- Preschool Storytime will be at 2 p.m. at the Main Library for ages 3-5.
Lowcountry Stargazers Amateur Astronomers Group will hold Astronomy Wednesdays in the Park at Brittlebank Park in downtown Charleston at 7 p.m. with telescopes set up to look at the sky with group members at this free weekly event.
Thursday, Jan. 15
Homeschool History Day will discuss sharecropping at 10 a.m. at The Charleston Museum. Register here.
Storytime will be held at the Hanahan Library at 10:30 a.m. for kids 5 and under.
Charleston County Library events:
- Baby Storytime will be at 9:30 a.m. at Mount Pleasant Library for babies under 1 years old
- Family Storytime will be at 10 a.m. at Johns Island Library
- Family Storytime will be at 10 a.m. at the Village Library in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant
- Preschool Storytime will be at 10 a.m. at Baxter-Patrick Library on James Island for kids ages 3-5
- Preschool Storytime will be at 10 a.m. at Wando Library in Mount Pleasant for ages 3-5.
- Toddler Storytime will be at 10 a.m. at Bees Ferry Library in West Ashley for ages 2-3
- Toddler Storytime will be at 10 a.m. at the Keith Summey Library in North Charleston for ages 2-3
- Family Storytime will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Library in Hollywood
- Toddler Storytime will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Mount Pleasant Library off Mathis Ferry Road for ages 1-3.
- Baby Storytime will be at 10:30 a.m. at Hurd Library in West Ashley for ages 2 and under
- Family Storytime will be at 11 a.m. at John's Island Library on Johns Island
- Game Show Thursday BINGO will be from 2:20-4 p.m. at the Bees Ferry Library in West Ashley for those in grades 6-12.
- Stories & STEM will be from 3-4 p.m. at Baxter-Patrick Library on James Island for kids in grades 1-5.
- Teen Thursdays will be from 3-5 p.m. at the John L. Dart Library in Charleston.
SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT AND SUPPORT NCCAE!
Here are various ways you can support NCCAE!
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
January 19 MLK Day - No School
January 20 ACCESS Testing Window Opens
January 23 Q2 Awards Ceremony
January 26 100th Day of School
January 28 Class Picture Day
North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School
Location: 5200 Lackawanna Blvd, North Charleston, SC, USA
Phone: (843)529-2831