The Crocodilian

Dear HEC Families,

As we approach our Winter Holiday Break, I want to take a moment to wish each of you a very happy and restful holiday season. This time of year offers us a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect, and enjoy the moments that matter most—time spent with family, friends, and loved ones.

Over the break, we encourage you to keep the spirit of learning alive in simple, meaningful ways. Reading together, playing math or board games, cooking, journaling, or exploring nature are all wonderful ways to nurture curiosity and reinforce skills—without feeling like “school.” These moments not only support learning but also create lasting memories.

We also encourage families to be mindful of technology use and make space for creativity, exploration, conversation, and play. Childhood is a special time, and these experiences help children grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are grateful for our HEC community and the trust you place in us each day. We look forward to welcoming our students back refreshed and ready to learn as we begin our second semester on Monday, January 5th.

Wishing you peace, joy, and a safe and happy holiday break.

Warmly,
Melanie Harris

Friday, December 19th - Student holiday, Teacher work day

December 22 - January 1st - Winter Break, No School ❄️

Friday, January 2nd - Student holiday, Teacher work day

Monday, January 5th - Students return!

For the future:

January 28th - School Magnet Choice applications close at 12pm

iReady Math Diagnostic – January 5–9

During the first week back in January, students will take the iReady Math Diagnostic. This classroom-based assessment helps us track student progress, identify areas for targeted instruction, and inform additional programs and services. Please encourage your student to do their best and work hard—their effort helps us understand how to support their growth in math.

Parents, We Need Your Input!

We value your voice and would love your feedback! Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey to help us better understand your family’s needs, identify resources that matter most to you, and schedule activities at times that work best for our families.

Your input will directly support stronger family engagement opportunities and help us continue supporting every child’s success.

Survey closes January 13, 2026 — thank you for partnering with us!

Click here for the parent Interest Survey

Thank you to 2nd Grade Teacher Mrs. Hope Lights for organizing the annual HEC sock drive! The donated socks benefit women and children in shelters and foster care in our community. We appreciate your generous spirit Mrs. Lights!

Click here to sign into Linq Connect

South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis has named Andrea McKnight of H.E. Corley Elementary School as the December Educator of the Month for the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program, an initiative Treasurer Loftis established to expand the number of educators teaching personal finance education across the state!

Way to go Mrs. McKnight! We are so proud to have you here at H.E.C!!

Field Trips are a key component to our magnet program here at HECES. Field trips are a great deal of work to arrange. Parents, we cannot do this without you! We have to have guidelines in place that ensure the safety of our kids. The following are expectations for all volunteer chaperones:

1. A volunteer form and chaperone form must be completed, submitted, and approved. Please click on the link to start this process: HEC Volunteer application. Application(s) need to be submitted no later than 2 weeks prior to the field trip. Return the completed Volunteer Application with a front and back photocopy of state issued ID for processing. Once approved, the volunteer form is good for 3 years.

2. Upon approval, the teacher will contact you to let you know the details of the trip. Not all parents are needed for every trip, so if you are not asked to go on a certain trip, you may be asked to go to the next one.

3. All chaperones MUST ride the bus to and from the field trip. This is to ensure the safety of our students and adhere to the adult/student ratio set by D5 policies.

4. As an additional safety measure and to ensure the educational integrity of the field experiences, parents, family members, and friends are not allowed to meet any student at the field trip venue.

5. Chaperones are expected to be on time, monitor, and engage with the students while on the trip. PLEASE limit cell phone use and dress for the trip. Please stay with your group and do not send your child to another group or class just because they are family or friends.

6. No siblings will be allowed to accompany parents on a field trip.

7. Please do not send spending money with your child, unless the teacher has specified that they will need spending money. Please refrain from buying snacks/trinkets/items for any student.

8. All students must adhere to the district cell phone policy as outlined by the Code Of Conduct.