News from the Creek

Wow! What an amazing start to the 2026-27 school year. Our teachers and students have really settled into the new year and our halls and classrooms have been filled with smiles, laughs, hugs and excitement. From new friends to mascot rallies - August has been truly amazing!

As we turn the corner into September, we are excited to share with you some fun opportunities happening at The Creek!

The Chandler Creek Elementary School Improvement Council (SIC/TIP) is an advisory council to the principal that is focused on school improvement issues. It is made up of representatives of parents, teachers, and community members. The SIC/TIP meets monthly (usually the last Wednesday of each month, 8:30-9:30) during the school year.

Chandler Creek parent representatives are nominated and elected by their fellow CCES parents. Any parent/guardian of at least one child enrolled in Chandler Creek is eligible to place his/her own name or the name of another parent in nomination. Parent representatives are elected to a term of two years. If a parent has a child enrolled in the 5th grade at CCES for the current school year and will not have any child enrolled the following year, that parent is elected to a term of one year only.

A representative of the SIC/TIP will contact all individuals whose names are submitted into nomination prior to the election to confirm acceptance of the nomination. You can submit your nomination to the SIC/TIP representative Trena Alexander (english), Karina Smith (spanish) by email or return this linked form to your child’s teacher by September 16, 2026.

Nomination forms must be received no later than September 16, 2026

Welcome back! Mrs. Kauffman and Mrs. James are so excited to start a new year with our Champion Readers in our school library!

Just a few library reminders for the new school year:

• Treat books with care

• Return books on time

• Keep your books in your bookbag when not reading them

Chromebook Reminders:

• NO STICKERS on Chromebooks

• Charge each night

• Wash hands before using Chromebook

• No eating or drinking while using Chromebook

Parent Reminders:

• Grades K5 and 2-5 visit the library every other week. First Grade students visit the library every week.

• Read with your child every day

• We would love to have you volunteer with our library! Look for more info later about how to sign up to help in our library and book fair!

• Help your child remember to return their library books on time

If you have any questions, please let us know. We look forward to a great year!

Each month, our school counselors, Mrs. Holtzclaw & Mrs. Hooker, will share helpful tips, resources, and strategies to support students’ social, emotional, and academic growth in a special newsletter addition called Counseling at the Creek!

This feature is designed to keep families informed, provide valuable insights, and strengthen the connection between school and home. Be sure to check it out each month!

👉 Click here to read this month’s Counseling at the Creek

Special Education Parent Academy ~ Learning Opportunities for Families Receiving Special Education Services:

GCS will be hosting Parent Academy workshops for families of students receiving special education services! English and Spanish flyers are attached. We hope you are able to take advantage of these valuable learning opportunities.

Links: English Flyer | Spanish Flyer

Empathy is the ability to be aware of, understand, and be sensitive to another person’s feelings. Instead of focusing how these feelings impact ourselves, empathy motivates us to focus on others and respond with care and compassion.

Why Focus on Empathy?

• Empathy builds positive classroom culture.
• Empathy strengthens community.
• Empathy prepares your students to be leaders in their community.

Empathy In Action:

• Take a different perspective.
• Put aside judgment.
• Communicate that you understand.

For the 2026–2027 school year, the Security and Academic departments are co-hosting a four-part webinar series on student technology use and safety.

• September 8, 2026 - Protecting Your Child Online: The Newest School & State Safety Guidelines

• October 26, 2026 - Beyond the Screen: A Parent's Guide to Video Games & Online Safety

• January 25, 2027 - Behind the Screen: Helping Your Child Navigate Social Media Safely

• March 15, 2027 - AI in the Classroom& At Home: Friend, Foe or Future?

See the Flyer for more information and registration details.

We are excited to welcome parents to join their student for lunch in the cafeteria after Labor Day. The cost of an adult lunch for the 2026-27 school year is $5.50. Visiting adults can pay by cash or check - or by depositing money into your child's lunch account using MySchoolBucks (ahead of time). Unfortunately, our cafeteria is not able to accept Apple Pay or credit/debit cards.

As a reminder, district policy prohibits restaurant / fast food being brought into the cafeteria.

Please be sure to contact your child’s teacher if you wish to join us for lunch.

In an effort to maximize academic instruction, limit electronic device distractions, and to provide consistency and clarity for parents and students, there are cell phone and electronic devices expectations for students at all levels. In elementary schools, students are prohibited from utilizing personal electronic devices (cell phones, smart watches, etc.) during the school day, which is 7:45am to 2:15pm.

Students at Chandler Creek are expected to keep all cell phones and smart watches powered off and in their bookbags from the time they enter the school building until dismissal.

For additional details, please refer to the GCSD Cell Phone Policy.

9/1 ~ 7:15am - Chorus Auditions

9/2 ~ 7:15am - Chorus Auditions

9/4 ~ College Colors Day / CCES Spirit Day

9/4 ~ Peer Mentor Applications (4th & 5th) Due to Holtzclaw

9/4 ~ 7:15am - CHIME Auditions

9/4 ~ 8:30am - PTA Volunteer Breakfast

9/7 ~ Labor Day Holiday - All GCS Schools and Offices Closed

9/9 ~ CCES Chorus begins

9/11 ~ Kona Ice ($3)

9/11 ~ 7:15am - CHIME meets

9/15 ~ CCES Chorus meets

9/16 ~ PTA Fundraiser Begins - Giving Market

9/16 ~ CCES Chorus meets

9/18 ~ 7:15am - CHIME meets

9/21 ~ Fall Pictures

9/22 ~ CCES Chorus meets

9/23 ~ CCES Chorus meets

9/25 ~ 7:15am - CHIME meets

9/28 ~ CLUB Day at The Creek (2nd - 5th)

9/29 ~ CCES Chorus meets

9/29 ~ Cub Scout Classroom Pop-Ins

9/30 ~ CCES Chorus meets

Website: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/ccreek/
Phone: 864-355-2400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theCCEChampions