As we transition into April, we reflect on a very busy March filled with many enriching experiences. We had Artist-in-Residence experiences in many grade levels and have pictures below for you to see all of the learning that has taken place. We had our fabulous second grade show that focused on math. The students did an amazing job. The College of Charleston's Opera performed Goldie B. Locks and the Three Singing Bears. All of our students gave it a thumbs up. I hope they shared it with you. We are getting ready to host field day and would like to remind you that parents are welcome to attend to support our chameleons but siblings are not permitted to join us on this date. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making these events a success!

As we approach Spring Break, we encourage you to take some well-deserved time to relax and recharge. Be sure to check out the Chameleon Chronicle, for the month of April. It contains important end-of-the-year dates and information you won’t want to miss!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Spring Break!

Ashley McAlister, Principal

On Thursday, March 20th our students were entertained by several talented students from the College of Charleston's Opera. The College of Charleston's Children's Opera presented their version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. All of the students enjoyed this performance and gave it a thumbs up.

The Link Up concert at the Gilliard was a hit! It was a kid friendly show, where our 4th graders sang, played their recorders and did some movements. The 4th grade students came prepared and ready to perform. It was an international experience with songs from all over the world! Way to go 4th grade!

Children’s musician, Roger Day, worked with each first grade class to write an original song. Students learned about the writing process, main idea, editing, and revising while writing their songs with Mr. Day. To wrap up the artist in residence experience, each class was a part of Mr. Day’s concert as they performed their songs on the stage. With Mr. Day’s help, students got the opportunity to sing loud, jump high, and Dream BIG!

Our fifth grade students finished their clay portraits. They added glaze and details. Olga will take these masterpieces to fire them and mount them. We will share them with families at the end of the year.

Students explored theme and figurative language with Mrs. Cat while creating mandalas that reflect their personal themes. They used watercolors and pens to craft designs that evoke specific moods, aligning with reading standards. Different types of watercolor techniques were used such as using salt and creating different types of lines to create patterns.

The Kinder Chameleons had the pleasure of working with Engaging Creative Minds (ECM) artist, Jordan Giancursio. She taught each class a different ballet dance. We learned ballet vocabulary as well as the beginning, middle and end of a ballet dance. The ballet dance was integrated with our fairytale unit. We learned about the beginning, middle and end of a fairytale and that there are important elements that work together to create a fairytale! Fairytales begin with ”Once upon a time", they have magic in them, they take place in a forest or a castle, the number three is special, they have good vs not so good and they end with happily ever after! We were able to wow our parents with a performance at the end of the week! We had a great time working with Ms. Jordan!!

You can see the area that is marked off at the front of the building. The concrete was poured today and we are working on a date for the installation in April.

As we gather for family events, we kindly ask that you actively supervise your students at all times. It is imperative to keep all children within your vicinity and to encourage them to maintain appropriate behavior. Please keep your children from running or engaging in disruptive activities, as this could compromise the safety of all attendees. Additionally, we request that children do not play on any structures and adhere to all school rules while on campus during events. Thank you for your cooperation and helping us create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.

This week our third grade classes kicked off their new science unit, Life Cycle of a Plant, with a guest speaker. Mr. Walton shared his knowledge and expertise of all things carnivorous plants! Thank you, Mr. Walton!

Embark on an enchanting journey with a friendly car through Paris's iconic landmarks! Experience the magic of the Eiffel Tower, the grandeur of Notre Dame, and indulge in tasty French treats. A delightful adventure awaits young explorers in the City of Light!

Hannah E. Salters is a passionate educator and author, with a love for traveling that's as vast as her imagination. Her journeys have taken her to the enchanting city of Paris, inspiring her delightful book, Sonny in Paris. Hannah's experiences and knowledge as an educator shine through her writing, making her stories both engaging and educational. Her love for Paris is infectious, captivating the hearts of young readers and parents alike. With her book, Hannah hopes to transport her readers to the City of Light, sparking their curiosity and inspiring future adventurers.

Each grade level will have a visit with Ms. Salters who will share her latest story Sonny in Paris and also the creative process she uses to bring her ideas to life. Books are available for purchase directly from the author.

Any books sold prior to the visit will be delivered April 4th and autographed. Please use the link below if interested in purchasing for you child or family.

NIWC (Naval Information Wartime Center) STEM Outreach is coming to share a STEM activity with our students on April 7th and 8th. K-5 students will work with volunteers to build a balloon car. If you would like to assist in the activity please complete the Google form. Ms. Knight will contact you and confirm your date and time.

I want to give a big shout-out to all of you who attended one of my Reading Round-up sessions. I hope that you have been able to use some of the information to help your young readers at home. I have attached some of the materials that were presented during the sessions. If you need further help or have any questions regarding the materials, you may email me at rayburna@bcsdschools.net. The most important thing that you can do to help your child become a successful reader is to make reading a priority in your home. Spend time reading together often. If your child is a beginning reader, spend time listening to him/her read to you every day. Continue to read books aloud as a family. Ask questions about what the story was about and have the children find evidence in the text that supports their answer. Above all, read, read, READ! Thanks again, and happy reading!!!

Math Art with Heart

Lesson Description: Students reviewed place value and composing and decomposing numbers. Then they studied different artists that created artwork with Hearts. Finally, the students were given a number between 10 and 20 and created an artistic representation of the number using a large heart to represent the tens place and small hearts to represent the ones place.

Mexican Folk Art: Yarn Painting

Lesson Description: Students studied different works of art from Mexico and discovered the reasons and meanings behind why the indigenous people created their artwork. Then, they created a piece of artwork in the Huichol style.

Social Studies Standards

3.4.1.PR Investigate the cultural characteristics of places and regions around the world.

Visual Art Standards:

Benchmark VA.CR NM.1 I can combine several elements of art to express ideas.

Benchmark VA.C NL.7 I can show art concepts among arts disciplines, other content areas, and related careers

1st grade Measurement and Dance Math Infusion.

They worked so hard on using non-standard Dance items to measure their shapes and movements.

5th grade Geosphere Science and Dance Infusion

The dancers were so creative as they designed choreography to represent both their cause and effect!

Students in 2nd grade had a math and music infusion lesson. Students were in teams and had a tray with pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. Students had to count the different coins by their amount as they played musical scales on the xylophone. Students had to write down and add their amounts on dry-erase boards. After counting each type of coin, they combined coins to make “bigger amounts,” so they took five pennies and added them to their pile of nickels. The students did a wonderful job!

🎯ACCURACY🎯 as both athletes and mathematicians was the name of the game today in 5th grade! Students worked together to solve division problems that involved a 2 digit divisor, relying on place value strategies and their understanding of the relationship between multiplication and division. With every right answer, teams earned an opportunity to earn points on the target. Students had a container of different balls they could use to hit their target. At the end of each work session, the team with the highest number of points earned (which was not always the group with the most questions answered...) won. What a fun way to prepare for an upcoming unit assessment!

Field day will be held on Friday, April 11th and we are looking for some extra helpers if you are available from 8:00-11:30 AM. If you are interested please send Mrs. Pond an email at pondk@bcsdschools.net. All students should wear their Better Together t-shirt and tennis shoes. We are excited to allow parents to attend and have fun with their children but kindly ask you to refrain from bringing siblings. Our activities are designed for elementary school-age students, and it is a safety concern for siblings and those not familiar with the events to participate. Thank you for your support!

We have seen an increase in students wearing crocs, Uggs, slides, etc. on Mondays as well as their regular PE days. We have also seen an increase in injuries while students are wearing these shoes for PE. Tennis shoes should be worn every Monday and your child's second PE day. The students are starting to get ready for Field Day and tennis shoes are the safest shoes to wear for PE.

In this theatre infusion lesson, students explored the fundamentals of script analysis. They learned how to break down a script by identifying key elements such as character, objective, and obstacle. Through annotation and scoring, they examined how vivid words enhance imagery and emotion in a story. To apply their learning, students wrote their own endings to a story, using strong vocabulary and creative thinking.

ELA.AOR.3: Evaluate how an author’s choice of point of view or perspective shapes style and meaning within and across literary texts.

ELA.C.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective techniques.

T.CR NL.1

I can identify basic story elements in simple stories, plays and scripts

Thank you all so much for your support during our Literati Book Fair! Our book fair sold

more $10,300 in books and writing materials (after taxes!). So far, our library has already acquired more than $1,300 in hardback books that our students will be able to check out very soon. Check out this picture of the book profit we’ve already received:

Additionally, the library will be ordering an additional $2,300 in library-quality books to enhance our library collection for our students and teachers. We are so excited about the amazing book profits we have received, all thanks to the incredible support of our HHA families!! We appreciate you and can’t wait to share the awesome new books our library has been able to get this spring, because of the book fair. Happy Reading, Chameleons!

STEAM Night at Howe Hall AIMS was an exciting event where students had the opportunity to explore and integrate the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts. Throughout the evening, participants engaged in hands-on activities that sparked their creativity and curiosity. From building innovative structures to coding interactive projects, students collaborated and showcased their talents, making learning both fun and enriching. It was a night filled with inspiration, teamwork, and the joy of discovery!

One piece of artwork from each school in Berkeley County is chosen to be displayed at the Berkeley County School District Boardroom for one year. This year, our first grader Colette Thomas’s “Dancers”, was chosen to represent Howe Hall AIMS.

One piece of artwork from each school in Berkeley County is chosen to be displayed at the Berkeley County Courthouse for one year. This year, our fifth grader Ava Wenrich’s Self-Portrait was chosen to represent Howe Hall AIMS.

Katie Mulligan’s “Boykin Spaniel and Azaleas” won 3rd place in the Home Telecom contest!

Both Evelyn Osborn’s “Bald Eagle” and Noelle Irimescu’s “Monarch in Spring” won Honorable Mentions in the South Eastern Wildlife Exposition Poster Contest!

✨🎭 BCSD Theatre Showcase 2025 🎭✨ What an incredible weekend for AIMS Players as they attended the BCSD Theatre Showcase! We kicked things off on Friday with engaging workshops with the students of HE Bonner Elementary, where our students explored and collaborated, through storytelling, tableau, Hip Hop Shakespeare, and Commedia dell'Arte, and improvisation games. Then, we had the privilege of working with Mr. Thomas Keating from Charleston Southern University, who shared his expertise and insightful feedback with our talented students. But the real showstopper? Saturday’s performance of Fairytale Café! Our performers delighted the audience with their original monologues. It was a HIT! A huge bravo to all the students, teachers, and supporters who made this weekend such a success. Theatre is alive and thriving in BCSD, and we can’t wait to see what’s next! 🎭✨

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.

April is here, taking us even closer to the end of our school year. What a year we have had! We hope that you have marked your calendar for our Family Social Night on May 2nd. We will be hosting a fun night for all of our Chameleons and their families at the Goose Creek Central Creek Park.

Teacher appreciation week will be at the end of this month. We have a Wicked time planned for our staff! If you would like to help, please reach out to us. We will also be accepting donations to help cover this week of much deserved fun. Please check out this newsletter for more information.

If you are interested in joining the 2025-2026 PTA Board or committees, there is still time! We’d love to have you. As always, if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns, please reach out to us.

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.