Weekly Hoots

Wise Owls Family 🦉

As we begin the final quarter of the school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for the support, encouragement, and partnership you continue to show our school community. This year has been filled with meaningful learning, growth, and wonderful moments for our students, and we are proud of all they have accomplished so far.

The final quarter is an exciting and important time in the school year. It is an opportunity for our students to build on everything they have learned, stay focused on their goals, and finish the year strong. Our teachers and staff remain committed to challenging, supporting, and inspiring every student each day.

Your partnership at home plays a vital role in helping students succeed. Encouraging your child to give their best effort, maintain good routines, read regularly, and talk about what they are learning at school can make a tremendous difference. When schools and families work together, students thrive.

We are confident that our students will continue to show determination, resilience, and pride in their work during these final weeks. Together, we can make this last quarter a time of strong effort, continued growth, and celebration of all that our students have achieved.

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community and for supporting your child’s journey each day. We look forward to finishing the year strong together.

With pride and appreciation,

Dr. Gantt

Principal at the most Amazing School on Earth!

#FirstThingsFirst!

Our mission is to cultivate a caring community that utilizes a multitude of teaching and learning experiences to prepare children for their next adventure.

1. We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and appreciated.
2. We believe that all children deserve a high quality education.
3. We believe in collaboration and making connections.

Staying Safe

Owning Your Actions

Acting Responsibly

Respecting Everyone & Everything

“South Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law requires that a parent or guardian shall require his child to attend regularly a public or private school or kindergarten of this State which has been approved by the State Board of Education, a member school of the South Carolina Independent Schools and Association, a member school of the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools, or some similar organization, or a parochial, denominational, or church-related school, or other programs which have been approved by the State Board of Education f rom the school year in which the child is five years of age before September first until the child attains his seventeenth birthday or graduates from high school.”

The safety of our students, staff, and families is always our top priority. After reviewing our current arrival and dismissal procedures, and in collaboration with district and local officials, we will be implementing updated traffic patterns beginning on Monday, March 9, 2026.

These adjustments are designed to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion on Gaillard, and most importantly, ensure the safety of every child during dismissal.

Key Updates:

• Traffic Patrol: We now have two patrolmen directing traffic during arrival and dismissal. This is to assist with families entering and exiting our two car rider lines.

• Car Riders:

• [Changes to the front car rider line at the beginning of dismissal]

• We are asking families in the front car rider loop to form two lanes in the front of our car rider pick up line. The two lanes will start at the (orange) cone just in front of the loop. We are making this change to get more cars on campus and off Gaillard Rd for the safety of our families.

• We will have additional staff to help zipper traffic and guide families for when they should move to and from a single lane.

• [Changes to the kindergarten car rider line at the beginning of dismissal]

• We are asking families in the kindergarten loop to stay behind the double (orange) cone until 1:15 p.m. while students are still at recess. After, families will move up to the sign and continue dismissal as normal.

• [Changes to the kindergarten car rider line during arrival]

• With the addition of our patrolman assisting with traffic, we now have access to two lanes to turn in both directions from campus. As a result, we are asking families to utilize the yellow (no parking) area ONLY DURING ARRIVAL to support students who need assistance during morning drop off.

• There are no changes for dismissal or arrival for our students in our Head Start program

• All car riders must enter campus through [designated entrance] and follow the marked route to the drop-off/pick-up lane. Please remain in your vehicle at all times, and pull forward as directed by staff.

• Parking: Visitor parking will be limited during arrival and dismissal windows. If you need to enter the building, please plan accordingly and allow extra time.

We understand that any change to routines can take a little adjustment. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we work together to create the safest possible environment for our children. Staff members will be outside to help guide traffic and answer any questions during the first several days of implementation.

Please take a moment to review these updates with anyone who may transport your child to or from school.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to keeping our school community safe. When we all work together, we make a big difference for our students.

The annual school climate parent survey is now available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal website under Forms. This survey serves multiple purposes. The results of the parent survey will be reported on the 2026 school report card as required by state law. '

Measuring parents’ perception of and involvement in schools provides valuable information to principals and their faculty. The goal is to identify strengths and weaknesses and define opportunities to improve parental involvement at our school and in the state. Additionally, the parent survey provides information to improve school and district performance.

The Parent School Climate Survey is available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal website under Forms and/or an individual QR code will be sent home with your student. The survey will close on March 27th. Your time and effort in completing this survey is greatly appreciated.

March 2nd - 20th: Use the chart below to select one book from each genre. Once you have read the book, record your reading by coloring the rainbow stripe for that genre on the back of this page. Read and color every stripe of the rainbow to win a prize.

March 2nd - 20th: Log into Beanstack to record your reading and earn badges in the Read Across America Week 2026 Bingo Challenge. The chart below provides book suggestions by genre. Students will only need to read one book from each genre. Win a prize for completing Bingo and a chance to visit the book vending machine with a full Bingo card.

A huge thank you to all the Families! Check out the graphic below for today’s character lesson and a new nightly challenge!

👍 Register your student at MyBooster.com to join the fun. Search for “Whitesville Elementary.”

💵 Donate and ✉️ share. We are encouraging every family to share their donation page with 10 people.

🎁 Throughout the week, our class will earn fun rewards based on how much we raise on our classroom tracker. When our class earns a reward, this adds some extra awesomeness to our day. I will keep you updated!

🎉 03/06: Event Day. This is our epic celebration day for Whitesville Wise Owl Fun Run!

• Wise Owls Tag - awarded to all students every year at the first Tag of Honor Celebration (new students will receive their Wise Owl Tags at their first Tags of Honor).

• Outstanding Attendance Tag - awarded to students who have perfect attendance for the quarter.

• Most Growth Tag - awarded to all students who have shown improvement in one area, such as grades, behavior, or attendance, without showing a decrease in another area.

• Reading Goal Tag - awarded to all students who have met their reading iReady goal for the number of lessons completed for the quarter (with > 75%)

• Math Goal Tag - awarded to all students who have met their math iReady goal for the number of lessons completed for the quarter (with > 75%)

• Achievement Awards:

• Kindergarten through 2nd: Students who score all 3s/4s in every measurable subject area, and Students who score 4s in every measurable subject area

• 3rd - 5th: Students who score all As/Bs and Students who score all As

• Special Areas Tags: awarded in the related arts classes for students who have shown aWESome participation and engagement. Each related arts teacher will select 2 students in each Homeroom.

Our goal for our Tags of Honor Celebration is to acknowledge our students’ achievements and hard work throughout the quarter. Our students will earn Brag Tags that they will keep at school until the end of the year.

Our goal for our Tags of Honor Celebration is to acknowledge our students’ achievements and hard work throughout the quarter. Our students will earn Brag Tags that they will keep at school until the end of the year.

Students do not attend school

107 E Main St, Moncks Corner, SC 29461

All meetings will be held in the Boardroom of the Berkeley County Education Center at 107 E. Main Street in Moncks Corner, except as noted. Also, meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m. (Executive Session) with Regular Session scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

WATCH LIVE: www.bcsdschools.net/live

AGENDAS & MINUTES: https://go.boarddocs.com/sc/berkeley/Board.nsf/Public

We will not send home Thursday Folders, instead Folders & Report Cards/Progress Reports will be sent home on Friday.

We are excited to showcase careers to our Wise Owls

Students in grades 3 through 5 will take the Spring (and final) iReady Reading diagnostic of the school year.

Students in grades 3 through 5 will take the Spring (and final) iReady Math diagnostic of the school year.

The purpose of our Monday Morning Parliament is to come together as ONE school and to share celebrations, reminders, and to showcase how aWESome we really are! #FirstThingFirst

107 E Main St, Moncks Corner, SC 29461

All meetings will be held in the Boardroom of the Berkeley County Education Center at 107 E. Main Street in Moncks Corner, except as noted. Also, meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m. (Executive Session) with Regular Session scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

WATCH LIVE: www.bcsdschools.net/live

AGENDAS & MINUTES: https://go.boarddocs.com/sc/berkeley/Board.nsf/Public

Show your school spirit and support our students by grabbing your WES Car Magnet! Every purchase helps fund exciting programs and activities, enriching your child's school experience. Plus, you are showcasing your WES pride in your community. Join us in making a difference—buy now and roll with school pride!

Car Magnets cost $5.

Friday, May 26th - 5th Grade End of Year Celebration

VantageSpeech.com

843-790-4093

Vantage Speech is a licensed speech-language therapy company located in Moncks Corner, Summerville, and Port Royal, South Carolina. We provide Clinic & home-based comprehensive speech and language evaluations, therapy, and consultations. Vantage Speech was founded to provide in-depth personalized services while building quality relationships with clients and their families. Services are throughout the greater area of Charleston & Beaufort, which includes Berkeley, Dorchester, Charleston, Beaufort & Jasper counties.

yourscagent.com

843-879-0349

Sarah's agency, Sarah Modesitt State Farm, offers a range of insurance products including auto, home, business, life, and health insurance. They also provide quality financial services to assist customers in protecting what matters most to them throughout their lives. Sarah and her team are dedicated to genuinely educating their customers about their insurance needs and ensuring they feel protected.

GCGROUP.COM

843-970-1970

Since 2013, The Gasperic & Collins Group (Formerly The Gasperic Group) has been a top-producing realty in Charleston and its surrounding South Carolina communities. For us, client bonds matter more than anything. That means working with us means you’ll always be informed, supported, and heard.

charlestonswaglab.com

843-771-6080

We are a full service advertising specialties company offering a wide range of promotional items to promote your company.

We can assist your marketing objectives with these quality programs:

• Corporate recognition programs
• Premiums and Incentives Sales
• Trade Show Programs
• Safety Programs
• Service Awards
• Employee Recognition

• Product Introductions
• Business Gifts
• Sport Tournaments
• Company Outings
• Thank you programs
• E-Commerce Services: online stores and fulfillment services

Students at WES will receive school breakfast and school lunch at no cost to the student during 2025-26 school year, under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The Community Eligibility Provision is a federally funded initiative, which serves schools with high percentages of students from low-income families. The program was established in 2010 and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

If a negative balance exists on a student's account from previous school years, the balance will need to be paid in full.

Breakfast and lunch will be served on every day. If your student wants to eat breakfast at school, they should arrive to school between 6:50 a.m. - 7:18 a.m. Breakfast will no longer be served after 7:45 a.m.

• Our school's website is found at https://www.bcsdschools.net/o/wes
• WES Facebook page is Whitesville Elementary School Wise Owls
• The Weekly Hoots newsletter will be emailed & texted to families every Sunday evening. Please be sure to have your updated information in PowerSchool.
• Our PTO's website is wiseowlspto.com.
• Our PTO's Facebook page is Whitesville Wise Owls PTO.
• Schoology: Teachers will update their grades weekly.
• Rooms: Our two-way form of communication at WES. Every teacher at WES will use Rooms as a tool for communication.