Our 100 Distinguished Men Read event, Family Dance Night sponsored by PTO, field studies to McEntire Joint National Guard Base, and relaunch of our school's PBIS initiative are still the talk of the town! Getting back to some level of normalcy following the impact of the pandemic has been greatly welcome.

We are officially in a new month filled with new opportunities and new starts. At the Hill, we are going into the 4th quarter with a 4TH QUARTER MENTALITY! This means that we are going to give it our all in everything we do to ensure we make it to the finish line successfully. Regardless of what has happened in quarters 1-3, we are ALL IN! #WatchUsSoar Parents and guardians we ask that you continue supporting us by maintaining open communication with your child's teachers, helping your child(ren) remain accountable for academic and behavior expectations, positively affirming your child(ren) as we strive to foster good social-emotional wellbeing, seeking opportunities to volunteer and ensuring daily, on-time attendance with minimal early dismissals. Also, Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon’s Book Club Challenge is back. He has a new challenge for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Our Eagles are ready to SOAR TO THE TOP to win the challenge this year. Watch Dr. Witherspoon’s announcement at https://youtu.be/KaTIyZaK_lg and Chairwoman Cheryl Harris' announcement at https://youtu.be/PERDXwJhR8I.

Please be reminded it takes each of us to ensure all stakeholders remain safe while inside and outside the school building. I ask that you adhere to the following reminders. More details about our procedures can be found in the Parent Student Handbook that was distributed at the beginning of the school year which is also included as a downloadable file at the bottom of this newsletter.

1. Car riders are to be dropped off in the car loop 7:00am-7:30am. Enter and exit cars on the passenger side under the awning for student and staff safety.

2. Refrain from dropping off at the end of Eagle Road and in the parking lot at the front of the school. This is to ensure proper supervision of students and to prevent cars from interfering with other vehicles who have right of way.

3. Park and come into the school to sign in your child(ren) when tardy starting 7:30am.

4. Make a right turn when exiting campus from the car rider line.

5. Use the entrance on Grammar Road to come onto campus when needing to park or come to the front of the school.

6. Parents and guardians who wish to observe in the classroom must have a prearranged date/time with an administrator and be accompanied by someone from the administrative team. Please note this does not negate our open-door policy.

7. All visitors must check in at the front office.

As always, we cannot do what we do without the support of parents and community. We encourage you to stay connected by visiting our school website and interacting with our school page on Class Dojo, Facebook, and Twitter. Reviewing your child's grades on Parent Portal continues to be an expectation so you can monitor their growth and consult with your child's teacher to address any declines before the end of the grading period. Volunteering in your child's classroom or around the school is always encouraged. Volunteers must undergo a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) background check and a Department of Social Services (DSS) Child Abuse Registry check at https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NTcyOmVuLVVT.

If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions please contact me at the school at 803-783-5545.

• Tuesday, Wednesday 14th - Wear Sports Attire: We're Ready to Tackle 4th Quarter!
• Wednesday, March 15th - Spring Picture Day
• Thursday, March 16th - Report Cards go home
• Friday, March 17th - St. Patrick's Day (wear your green)
• Monday, March 20th - Early Release for students/Parent Conferences
• Monday, March 20th - Tuesday, March 28th - State Practice Tests (gr. 2-5)
• Friday, March 24th - 100 Women Read event

Below is a list of the actual state tests for students in grades 3-5 in May. Please plan ahead to ensure your child(ren) are not absent on these dates:

Writing - May 2

Reading - May 3

Math - May 9

Science - May 11 (grade 4 only)