Peek of the Week
Beech Hill Elementary School
Theme: Still Blue for a Reason
- September 2, 2020 Edition
- Mission Statement: Beech Hill will lead the way to lifelong learning through excellence, leadership and empowerment.
- Vision Statement: All students will meet or exceed academic standards as measured by grade level benchmarks.
Points of Beacon Pride
- #1 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Charleston ~ Niche
- 2019 Ranked 24th of 637 South Carolina Elementary Schools ~ Schooldigger.com
- 2018 National Blue Ribbon School ~ U.S. Department of Education
- 2012 Palmetto's Finest ~ South Carolina Association of School Administrators
Beech Hill Core Values
Because children come first,
Excellence, leadership and empowerment are standard.
All of us are nurtured, guided and supported to become our best.
Creativity, collaboration, passion and purpose drive our direction.
Ownership, scholarship and citizenship chart our course.
Nothing is too difficult, costly or taxing to keep us from reaching our destination.
Sailing with the winds of a growth mindset, Beacons change the world.
Important Dates for September
September 9-Health Conditions Monitoring Plan Announcement (DD2)
September 12- Produce Give Away- Saturday (10:00-12:00)- School Front Loop
September 14- Begin Color Days (Yellow)
Meet the Parents, Meet the Teachers!
You are cordially invited to our "Linked at First Site" nights. Teachers are working to make connections with parents as we begin this adventurous partnership and school year. These sessions will be similar to webinars in format, with part of the presentation being live and interactive.
We are hosting the events over several nights, so parents with many Beacons have a greater chance of catching a live show. If you have a conflict on the scheduled night, don't worry. The presentations will be recorded for your review at a later time. Each session will begin at 6:15 with a welcome from PTA. Teachers will then present details about classes and reserve a little time at the end of the presentation for questions, answers, and ideas.
Please save these dates:
· September 15 --Pre-school, Kindergarten and First Grade
· September 16 --Second and Third Grades
· September 17 --Fourth and Fifth Grades
Produce Give Away Returning to the Beech
- Join us on Saturday, September 12th, from 10:00-12:00 for our Produce Give-Away.
- This give-away has been a success in the past, and we want to continue this community program.
- We will be safe, delivering the packages of produce to each car.
- Join the fun and spread the word!
A Joy That Couldn't Be "Masked"
You know that feeling the night before a holiday or your birthday when you just can't sleep; that was me on Sunday night. At first, I did the Rolodex of "what-ifs" in my head. I visualized the Beacons marching into the building perfectly spaced six feet apart. What if they are nervous? What if the teachers are? What if they are lost? What if the parents are? I ran hundreds of scenarios through my mind as my heart raced with both excitement and anxiety. I, like my colleagues, wanted our children's entry back into the halls of Beech Hill to be positive, perfect, magical. Like a coo-coo, I watched the clock all night. Finally, at 4:00, I could rest no more.
Before I knew it, two hours had raced by, and it was time for me to head out. As I ran out of the door, I realized that I was nervous and a little lost. Oh, after twenty years of coming to Beech Hill, I know the way. But just for a moment, I felt frozen. When our children left on March 13th, we had no idea... Although we had seen many of them in a car line or parade near the end of the school, entry into the building would be different. Even the brief visits with our Beacons who had received devices had not prepared us for this experience, for it came closest to resembling a return to school. So with good reason, I was both nervous and lost.
By the time I arrived at 6:25, the parking lot was full. I guess I wasn't the only one who had had a restless night of excitement. By 6:55, the "welcome back" music was filling the halls, and smiling Beacons were spilling in from multiple entries. Some of them were a little shy and tentative at first, but others were as exuberant as ever. Some were nervous, and some were lost. Regardless of their outward disposition, what came through was sheer delight in returning home. A few Beacons were new to the school; we recognized them immediately. After a big smile from a teacher, words of encouragement, or an offer of help, that frightened look turned into a smile as well.
As we sit on the eve of a brand new year, I am encouraged and excited by the opportunities that await this crew of Beacons. They will face many challenges and will encounter many new adventures. They are ready for those challenges. While their teachers are dedicated, talented, and committed to doing all that they can to make the school year productive, positive, and "magical," please continue to extend mercy, grace, and patience to them. They are doing their best. Technology is rarely perfect; a presentation is going to poop, the software is going to sink, and a lesson will lag. In a classroom full of children, we'd just conduct a "growth mindset" teachable moment and move on. But with an audience of adults, teachers may not be as comfortable. Please give them time and space to problem-solve and adjust to a new way of teaching. In the past few months, we all have been learning how to monitor, adapt, and grow from our experiences. Let us all revisit that sincere, genuine spirit of a child, breathe, and smile.
Let's Practice Being Safe at the Beech
PTA Membership- Please join our crew!
PTA SPIRIT GEAR is HERE!
- New spiritwear is now available online!
- Check out our new design and styles. Plus face masks!
- If your student is doing Virtual academy, please enter VA in the teacher portion.
- Sale ends Monday 9/14/2020.