Dear Howe Hall AIMS Families!
What a fantastic year it has been! We’ve celebrated so many achievements, grown as a community, and embraced new challenges with enthusiasm. From memorable classroom moments to exciting projects and events, your dedication and hard work have truly shined. Thank you to all students, families, and staff for making this year so special. Let’s carry this energy and joy into the next school year!
Now, summer is here—time to relax, recharge, and explore! Whether you’re diving into a new book, discovering nature, or spending time with friends and family, make the most of every sunny day. Remember to stay curious, safe, and active. We can’t wait to hear all about your summer adventures when school starts again!
Thank you for your continued support!
Warm regards,
Ashley McAlister, Principal
Whoop Whoop! Hurray for summer and a much needed break for everyone. But let’s not break too long! Research shows that students who engage in little to no academic activities over the summer can loose approximately 20% of what was gained over the previous school year. We can all agree that we have worked too hard this year for that to happen. Fortunately for us, the Berkeley County Library System has come up with a wonderful reading incentive program. Those who participate in in will continue to learn and practice those skills that they have learned all year long. There are many motivational activities and awards for participants. You can check out the program using the following link. https://berkeleylibrarysc.org/summer-reading/ In addition, our own school library has a wonderful reading incentive program. Check out the section from Mrs. Rodriquez regarding Howe Hall AIMS’ reading calendar and incentive program.
The main thing to know is that if you want to be successful at anything, it requires practice. It doesn’t have to be hard or labor some. You can have a family reading time where parents read aloud to the children. The following quote from Jim Trelease, the author of The Read Aloud Handbook says it all. “People would stand in line for days and pay hundreds of dollars if there were a pill that could do everything for a child that reading aloud does. It expands their interest in books, vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and attention span. Simply put, it’s a free “oral vaccine” for literacy.” So, spend some time with your family this summer reading. It’s a great activity with outstanding benefits. Happy summer reading Howe Hall AIMS!
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
