As we transition into March, we want to reflect on the wonderful and busy month of February! Our students engaged in numerous activities, including honoring our Teacher of the Year, the school-wide field trip to see the 5th-grade production of Disney's Finding Nemo Jr, and grand finale for our Kids Heart Challenge. Our fifth grade chameleons did an amazing job in this show and in this newsletter we will share more information about all that our fifth grade did to prepare. All of our chameleons participated in the Kids Heart Challenge on Monday, February 24th, which raised money for the American Heart Association. We are so proud of our student performers and the community spirit shown during the heart challenge!

This month, we encourage everyone to ensure their child is present at school every day. March is packed with excitement, including our upcoming second-grade show and several artist-in-residence experiences, providing unique opportunities for our Chameleons to explore various artforms. I would hate for anyone to miss this exciting month.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to another amazing month ahead!

Warm regards,

Ashley McAlister, Principal

Congratulations to Mrs. Cathy Liebenow, our Music Teacher, for being selected as the 2025 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Liebenow will represent our school throughout the year. Be sure to congratulate her when you see her.

The fifth grade show preparation starts at least ten weeks before the evening show. All of our fifth grade students participate in auditions. They have to learn a monologue, sing, and dance to earn their part of the show. Once students have auditioned they have to sign a contract so they are aware of the expectations for the show and then rehearsals start. Please read how each of the fine arts teachers helps our students prepare for the fifth grade production.

On the stage: Over 20 talented 5th-grade students made waves in auditions and earned roles in Finding Nemo JR! Once rehearsals began in January, these young actors dove into learning lines and lyrics, mastering choreography, and perfecting their blocking. As the theatre teacher, I’ve had the privilege of watching these incredible young performers grow—not just in their roles on stage, but in confidence, teamwork, and creativity. Just like Marlin learns to trust Nemo’s journey, I’ve watched these kids take risks, support each other, and shine in ways that made me incredibly proud. After 5 weeks of dedication, hard work, and fun, our Finding Nemo JR cast took the stage and made a splash, delivering an unforgettable performance!

In the music room: Nemo Jr. made a real splash with audiences young and old. The 5th-grade students enjoyed learning the songs in the ensembles. Every week we would practice their highlighted parts with the piano, learning their different melody lines which were different from the actors. We worked hard at being able to sing while doing the choreography. This was hard for some, but it challenged them to be better performers and work as a group. We were better together!

In the dance room: These 10 dancers worked extremely hard to shine and express their emotions onstage. All of their during-the-day and after-school rehearsals paid off! Weekly, they cooperatively worked together to learn several dance pieces that were in the style of Jazz and Lyrical. During the rehearsals they would listen to the song first and then begin to learn their entrances, formations, spacing, cues, body shapes, and most importantly all of the choreography. It was a lot for them to memorize. Costume changes were quick but they handled it all as professionals. Several dancers were selected for various mini-roles (the barracuda with all his tumbling skills and the dancers that utilized the gigantic mask), and these mini-roles helped to tell the story. The dancers always performed with energy, effort, and technical skills that made Finding Nemo, Jr. a huge success!!!

In the art room: the tech crew learned the ins and outs of set design and created bright and colorful pieces for the stage. They learned how to use paint rollers, primer, and large-scale design skills to create set pieces. Then, they took to the stage and collaborated to efficiently get the set pieces and props on and off stage in the exact positions necessary for the show. They learned how to use spike tape to mark where on the stage each piece needed to go. Finally, they practiced choreography to become the aloof crabs that graced the stage toward the end of the musical. The tech crew was an essential part of making the show bright, colorful, and memorable. They created an undersea world for the actors to perform in and the audience to enjoy.

Be sure to check out the digital program from the show. It has cast information, behind the scene photos, and student interviews. Click on the photo above or the link below to see more.

Our 5th graders had an incredible virtual workshop with Broadway stars Jared Bradshaw and Lindsay Northern! With over a decade on Broadway and now performing in Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!, they shared their expertise and coached our young performers as they prepare for their upcoming show, Finding Nemo JR

It was an unforgettable experience filled with inspiration, tips, and a whole lot of fun! A huge thank you to Jared and Lindsay for bringing a bit of Broadway to our students! 🌟

As a part of HHA's College and Career Ready plans we would love to build a database of the careers/occupations represented by our families. Please complete the Google form linked below for Ms. Knight, our School Counselor. She would like to schedule career visits and opportunities for students to explore South Carolina's 16 career clusters throughout the year.

If you have a family member or friend with an exciting career/occupation (especially anything arts-related) we would love to have that information as well. Please email Ms. Knight at knightb@bcsdschools.net and share their contact information.

Our next Reading Round-up session will be on Friday, March 14 at 10:30 A.M. This is an early dismissal day so consider planning on coming to school a little bit earlier that day so you can join the session before picking up your child at 11:15. We will meet in the computer lab on the front hallway. Each session includes tips on phonics and phonemic awareness skills, as well as vocabulary and comprehension strategies. I will have another Reading Round-up session on Thursday, March 27, right before the STEAM Night at 5:00. I try to make each session a little bit different so those who attend more than once will still learn something new and discover a few ways to help their children become successful readers. Hope to see you at one or both of these sessions.

Kids Heart Challenge was a huge success this year! We raised over $18,700 for the American Heart Association. Students had a great day jumping rope during the Kids Heart Challenge Finale. Students practiced their jumping skills in their PE class while learning the importance of staying fit while having a healthy heart. Thank you so much to everyone who came and cheered on our Chameleons.

Please have your child wear tennis shoes every Monday and on their PE day so they can safely participate in the activity. It is also helpful for students to wear layers on PE so that they are able to stay comfortable throughout the day with the changing temperature.

Field day will be held on Friday, April 11th and we are looking for some extra helpers if you are available from 7:45-11:30 AM. If you are interested please send Mrs. Pond an email at pondk@bcsdschools.net.

We will be celebrating reading for the whole month of March at HHA! Mark your calendars now for these fun events!

March 3-7: Read Across America Week

March 24-28: BOOK FAIR WEEK! We will be hosting a Literati Book Fair this year! Literati offers access to lots of great books. You can begin shopping on February 24th through the online store! Click on the picture below to access the online store beginning February 24th. It should go directly to our school’s online store, but if it does not, please select our school before you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting our school library!! (Store link just in case: https://literati.com/store/?school=01837fc2-f4ec-2326-7bb3-8bf0f4083337)

If you have friends that are interested in joining the Howe Hall AIMS family please direct them to our website or click on the photo above to find our application!

We have received an update on the chameleon structure from Mr. Doster! As you can see from the picture the legs are starting to take shape. We are so excited to see this piece of art work start to come to life.

Hello, parents! The i-Ready Diagnostic Assessment is scheduled for the week of March 31-April 4. Preparing for the i-Ready Diagnostic test at home can help students feel confident and perform their best. As a parent, there are several strategies you can use to help your child prepare. Here are some practical tips:

1. Encourage a Growth Mindset

• Remind your child that the i-Ready Diagnostic is not a “pass or fail” test, but a tool to help understand where they are in their learning and where they can grow.

• Encourage them to do their best but let them know it's okay not to know all the answers.

2. Remind Your Child to Take Their Time

• Let your child know that taking their time is okay—rushing through the test can lead to mistakes.

3. Review Key Ways to Be Their Best

• Math: Remind your child to use scratch paper to work out problems.

• Reading: Encourage them to read everything before selecting their answer.

4. Charge the ChromeBook and Pack Headphones

5. Get Plenty of Sleep the Night Before

Our final iReady diagnostic will take place the week of March 31st – April 4th. We ask when possible please refrain from scheduling routine doctor or dental appointments for your child during the days of testing.

Help your child not become stressed about this test! Please encourage students to do their best! The goal of the iReady spring diagnostic is for students to show how much they have learned and grown this school year!

We will follow the schedule below for testing.

Important Reminder for Parents and Guardians

We want to ensure the health and well-being of all our students. If your child experiences a medical or hygiene issue while in your care, we kindly ask that you do not send them to school on their own for assistance from our Nurse or teachers. Please note that our school does not have shower facilities, and we may not always have clothing available that fits your child's specific needs. For instance, if your child becomes carsick on the way to school and needs a change of clothes or cleaning up, please accompany them into the school through the front office. Our staff will be happy to assist you in accessing a bathroom for this purpose.

If you are ever unsure whether your child is well enough to attend school after a medical or hygiene issue, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to help! Additionally, you can find guidance on school attendance and health recommendations from the SC Department of Public Health (formerly SC-DHEC) at this link: SC Department of Public Health School Exclusion.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school community healthy and for helping us maintain a comfortable environment for all students!

Clothing Donations Needed!

As you clean out your children’s closets and drawers during the holiday break, we kindly ask you to consider donating any shorts or pants that your child has outgrown. We collect clothing donations to have on hand for students who may become sick or soil their clothing while at school, allowing them to change into something clean while they wait for someone to pick them up.

Currently, we have plenty of shirts and tops, but we are specifically in need of bottoms in boys and girls sizes 5-10. Your generosity will greatly help our students in need!

Thank you for your support and kindness!

Amber Foiles, BSN, RN

Howe Hall AIMS

115 Howe Hall Road

Goose Creek, SC 29445

(843)820-3899

foilesa@bcsdschools.net

If your child needs to pay for lunch, please send the money with the student or add it through My School Bucks https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain.action?clientKey=&requestAction=home. Contact the school if you need assistance. For information about Free and Reduced Lunch Applications please go to https://berkeleynutrition.net/?page=lunchapps.

Can you believe that we are approaching the final months of this school year? We have lots of exciting things coming your way and we cannot wait to share everything with you. There are still several available opportunities to help out at the school and to attend our upcoming events. Please make sure to check out this newsletter and our Facebook page for current and future plans.

Currently, we are still seeking nominations for our 2025-2026 PTA Board and Chairs. In order for the PTA to continue its work, we need the dedication and support of our families. If you are concerned about time commitment, we have opportunities for remote and after hour positions. I encourage you to reach out to us with any questions you may have and to check out the back of this newsletter for more information. We look forward to seeing you at our next Membership meeting on March 27th, at 4:30pm.

Sincerely, Tina Wright, HHA PTA President

We would like to kindly remind you that students are not permitted to bring weapons or toys that resemble weapons to school, even if they are for show and tell or part of a costume for our dress up days. This includes items such as toy guns, swords, water guns, or any other objects that may be perceived as weapons. Our priority is to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all students, and we appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Additionally, please note that plastic knives, regardless of their intended use, should not be included in lunch boxes. We encourage parents to opt for safe and appropriate utensils for their child's meals.

Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us maintain a secure and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone!

In June 2024, the South Carolina Legislature passed Proviso 1.103 in the state budget, requiring school districts to adopt policies that ban student use of personal electronic devices during the school day. The goal is to foster a more focused learning environment and help students develop critical skills. In response, the South Carolina State Board of Education enacted a policy to ban cell phones and other personal devices in public schools, effective January 2025.

To comply with this mandate, the Berkeley County Board of Education adopted Policy JICDB – Student Access to Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices on December 2, 2024. This policy aligns with the state board's model policy prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during the school day.

The Berkeley County School District administration will present an administrative rule to supplement Policy JICDB in January 2025. This rule will outline procedures, compliance expectations, and consequences for violations.

More information from the SC Department of Education available here: https://ed.sc.gov/initiatives/free-to-focus/

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and Fast Facts: https://www.bcsdschools.net/o/bcsd/page/phone

Yearbooks are $30.00. Buy yours today! To purchase online, go to jostensyearbooks.com or check Rooms for more information.

Are you missing a jacket, lunch box, or water bottle? The lost and found is located by the cafeteria, and it is growing daily. Please add your student's name to each item so we can return it to you if it is left in the building.