Harbison Herald

The magnet & choice application for the 2026-2027 school year is open. Visit www.lexrich5.org/choice for more information.

TONIGHT

Elementary Magnet Fair (Grades 4K-5) - January 15th from 5pm-6:30pm at The Center for Advanced Technical Studies

Per our student/parent handbook: A written note, medical excuse or electronic excuse form must be submitted for each absence.

Save time and gas by submitting your excuses online using this link - Online Excuse Form. You can upload medical excuses on this form, so no need to make a special trip to school. A link to this form is also at the top & bottom of each school newsletter and at the top of our website homepage.

If you prefer, medical excuses may also be faxed to the school at 803-476-3820.

January Events

January 16

PTO meeting at 9am

PTO Movie Matinee at 2:45pm (more information under PTO news - MUST register to attend)

January 19

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - No School for students/ALL schools & offices CLOSED

January 22

Celebration of Learning

2nd grade: 8:15am-8:45am

Kindergarten: 9am - 9:30am

1st grade: 9:40am-10:10am

Don't delay & order your yearbook today! Place your order through this link - HWES YEARBOOK.

The PTO will be having a Movie Matinee showing of Zootopia on Friday, January 16th at 2:45pm. Tickets are $5 per person and include a snack. Purchase tickets here by January 15th. No cash will be accepted.

Reading for Education - Year-Long Fundraiser

Hello Parents,

Your child brought home a lanyard a couple weeks ago letting you know about a safe and easy way for our school to raise funds for essential tools our students and teachers need to succeed.

The Reading for Education fundraiser is 100% online so there is NO face-to-face selling, handling money, or delivering products. Your participation will take less than 12 minutes, and there are exciting prizes to make it fun for the students.

Here is all you need to do to participate:

1. Go to https://www.rfe.net/sid.t?0000181596 to sign up.

2. Send form emails inviting family, friends and co-workers to support your child.

3. Return the Lanyard with the Student Prize Code to school for your child to get their fun participation prize.

Your participation will make a difference for our school and teachers!

Thanks,

Harbison West Elementary School PTO

Fifth grade Spanish students in Mrs. Barnaby's class celebrated the New Year by decorating their own plastic fancy cup. They also practiced the tradition of Spain by eating 12 grapes for the first 12 seconds of our new year along with 12 wishes!

My choice for Staff Member of the Week is someone who truly leads with her heart. She cares deeply about her students, and anyone who has had the privilege of being in her class over the years would agree. Her care doesn’t stop at academics—it extends to making every student feel seen, supported, and valued.

What makes her especially remarkable is that the same compassion she shows her students is the compassion she shows her colleagues. When there weren’t enough people to serve on the hospitality committee, she quietly stepped up. When someone does something kind for her, she always finds a thoughtful way to say thank you. And when someone—student or adult—is going through something difficult, she is often the first to notice and the first to bring others together to help.

She makes our school a warmer, more caring place simply by being herself. For all of these reasons, it is an honor to recognize our Staff Member of the Week, Mrs. Caroline Blevins.