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Dear Red Devil Families,

Welcome back, and Happy New Year! As we step into 2026 together, I want to thank you for the continued trust you place in our school each day. After the busy and joyful holiday season, it is wonderful to see our hallways full again with smiling faces, laughter, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The start of a new year always brings fresh opportunities for learning, growth, and connection. Our staff remains deeply committed to supporting each child academically, socially, and emotionally. We truly believe that the partnership between home and school is one of the most powerful tools we have to help students succeed, and we are grateful to work alongside such supportive families.

As part of that partnership, Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on January 15th from 3:30–6:00 p.m. These conferences are an important opportunity to connect, celebrate progress, and discuss goals for the remainder of the school year. Open communication helps ensure that we are all working together with the same shared focus...your child’s success and well-being.

Thank you for being such an essential part of our school community. We look forward to a wonderful year ahead filled with learning, growth, and meaningful moments.

Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and successful 2026.

With appreciation,

Ms. Amber Galloway
Principal, St. Clairsville Elementary

St. Clairsville Elementary would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to American Legion Post 159 and Thoburn Church for their incredible generosity this holiday season.

Because of their kindness and commitment to our community, we are able to make the holidays a little brighter for the families we serve. Their donations help us spread much-needed cheer, warmth, and hope during this special time of year.

We are truly grateful for their continued support and for the meaningful impact they make on our students and their families.

Warmest thanks from all of us at St. Clairsville Elementary.

We're excited to share that St. Clairsville School District has partnered with Hello Hero to provide on campus wellness support for all students.

Who is Hello Hero?
Hello Hero is a trusted team of licensed wellness professionals who have supported over 15,000
students nationwide since 2017. They provide students with skills and support to thrive both in and out
of the classroom.

What Services Are Available?
• Wellness Circles: Small group sessions focused on building confidence, managing stress,
developing healthy friendships, and learning coping strategies. Delivered on campus during the school day.
• Individualized Sessions: One-on-one support designed around each child's unique needs.
• Family Support: Resources and services available for the whole family, delivered virtually to fit your schedule.
• Family AdCom: Your dedicated Advocate & Companion who coordinates care, answers
questions, and keeps you informed every step of the way.

Get Started Today:
Please submit the consent to contact form so Hello Hero can connect with your family:
Submit online: https://hellohero.typeform.com/to/SwcHp59I

Once submitted, a Hello Hero team member will reach out to answer your questions and discuss how
they can support your family.

Questions?
We're thrilled about this partnership and the opportunity to support every student's wellness and
success!

The safety of our students is always our top priority. After listening carefully to concerns from our school community and evaluating our current procedures, we are excited to share updates to our drop-off and pick-up process designed to improve traffic flow and, most importantly, dismiss students to their families on the same side of the street as the school.

These new procedures will begin on Monday, January 12.

What’s Changing:

• All student drop-off will take place in the new gravel lot, operating in a similar manner to our middle school and high school.

• Students will enter the building from the backside of the school, helping keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.

• At dismissal, families may park in the new gravel lot and line up to pick up students, again similar to procedures used at the middle and high school.

• The small gravel lot near the football field will no longer be used for school operations.

Main Paved Lot (Across the Street):

The paved lot across the street will now be used for:

• Visitors

• Early dismissals

• Late arrivals

• Preschool families

Please note: Anyone choosing to park in this lot does so without the assistance of a crossing guard.

Preschool Families:

There will be no change for preschool families. Preschool students will continue to be walked to the flagpole door and picked up in the same manner as before.

Crossing Guards & Supervision:

Our crossing guards will no longer be stationed in their previous locations. Instead, they will be assisting with the safe and smooth operation of the new gravel lot. Additionally, beginning Monday, we will have extra staff on duty to ensure all students arrive and dismiss safely as we transition to this new system.

We are truly grateful for the feedback and concerns shared by our families. This new lot is an exciting step forward, and we appreciate your partnership as we work together to improve safety for everyone. As with any new process, we kindly ask for a little grace and patience as we learn and adjust together.

A drop-off and pick-up video will be sent via email and text soon to help walk families through the new procedures visually.

Thank you for your continued support and trust. Our shared commitment to student safety makes our school community strong.

As we look ahead to February, I wanted to share a quick reminder about our upcoming Valentine’s classroom celebrations. These moments are always special for our students and focus on kindness, friendship, and community.

• Preschool celebrations will take place on February 12

• Grades K–4 celebrations will take place on February 13

If your child plans to bring Valentines to share, please remember that, per our school handbook, all items that may accompany a valentine must be a small pencil or novelty item. To help ensure the safety and inclusion of all students, candy and food items are not permitted.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and for helping us make these celebrations enjoyable, safe, and meaningful for every child. We truly appreciate your partnership and support as we create positive experiences for our students.

January 15 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-6:00

January 19 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr Day

January 29 - Music Makers Parent Meeting - 5:30 in the cafeteria

February 12 - Valentine's Day Party for Preschool

February 13 - Valentine's Celebration for grades K-4

Students in Mrs. Shallcross’s third-grade class recently took part in a truly meaningful experience centered on kindness and giving. The boys and girls selected children from the Angel Tree and met one evening at Walmart to shop for gifts for those children.

This hands-on experience allowed students to see the joy that comes from helping others and giving from the heart. Mrs. Shallcross creates opportunities like this to teach empathy, generosity, and the importance of community lessons that will stay with these students far beyond the classroom walls.

Students in Mrs. Stitt's class earned money by following the pillars of the Character Counts program . They bough hats and gloves for students that may need them at our elementary school.