From Principal Adams
Dear Parents and Guardians:
We are excited to continue engaging our students in this new month. Several important events and activities have been planned to include students showcasing their musical gifts as part of the Lower Richland cluster orchestra concert, displaying athleticism at school and community field day events, and learning about different careers from local businesses. Our Eagles will also engage in discussions with staff from colleges, universities, military branches, and various trades to build upon their excitement for what they want to be when they are older.
Daily, on-time attendance is critical for Eagles so they can experience these events. Most importantly, our Eagles must receive instruction so they are able to successfully prepare for their upcoming grade level and end of year assessments. In the spirit of transparency, I want to share that our chronic absenteeism rate has increased from 17% to 24% since the beginning of the school year. It will take all of us working together to ensure improvement in this area. In the event of an absence, please use the link below to turn in parent notes/excuses at https://forms.office.com/r/CeQi03Ck33
Lastly, the South Carolina State Department of Education (SCDE) is utilizing a Climate Survey for accountability/report cards this year as in the past. The delivery model for the survey is the same as last year, with parents completing the survey in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you do not currently have a Parent Portal account, please contact the front office at 803-783-5545 for assistance with setting up an account. The Climate Survey closes at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023. If you, as a parent/guardian, cannot gain access to the survey in Parent Portal, please click on the following link and complete the form at
If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions please contact me at the school at 803-783-5545.
- Tuesday, April 4th - Lower Richland Cluster Orchestra Concern, 6:00 p.m. at Southeast MS
- Thursday, April 6th - Family Night for Multilingual Families, 5:00 p.m. in the Library
- Saturday, April 8th - HHES Reading Night at Columbia Fireflies Stadium, 6:05 p.m.
- Monday, April 10th - Deadline for online Yearbook sale
- Monday, April 10th-14th - Spring Break
- Friday, April 14th - Parent Climate Survey closes
- Tuesday, April 18th - Interim Reports go home
- Wednesday, April 19th - HHES Career Fair
- Friday, April 21st - HHES Field Day
- Saturday, April 22nd - Lower Richland Alumni Field Day at Lower Richland HS and the Gadsden Farm Festival at Gadsden Park Community Center
- Friday, April 28th - Early Release for Students (Teacher Professional Development Day)
- Saturday, April 29th - Lower Richland Sweet Potato Festival at Hopkins Park and 6th Annual Early Learners Conference at Keenan HS
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)
You are invited to provide input into the type of classroom in which your child is placed as we begin planning for the 2023-2024 school year. If you would like to do so, please send me an email that describes:
- your child’s learning style,
- the type of classroom where you think your child will be most successful, and
- the type of teaching style most suitable for your child
It is helpful for us to know from your perspective if your child needs a very structured environment or a teacher with a higher tolerance for movement and/or noise. If your child is shy, outgoing, anxious, or struggling in a subject – that is information that is important to us also as we work to make the best grouping possible. When we place children into classes, we examine their achievement, ability, and temperament, and then we work to make the best fit with an upcoming teacher. We consider the current teacher’s success with a child, and I review the parent’s input. Please note that you providing the name of a specific teacher will be considered but may not be granted, even if you have some experience with a teacher through an older sibling or a friend’s child. Each child is different, and each teacher/student relationship is different. Further, there is always the possibility that teachers will change positions or grade levels before we return to school.
Many hours and many discussions are put into creating well-balanced homerooms for the upcoming school year. Emails requesting types of teachers and sharing characteristics about your child will be accepted up until the close of business on Friday, May 5, 2023. We will not be able to consider parent input after that date. Once the school year begins, we will not switch classes. Please email your requests directly to me at shannon.adams@richlandone.org. I will keep any information you share confidential. Thank you in advance for your input and partnership!
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Dreambox Challenge
Student with the Highest Number of Lessons Per Class:
Cayson Dotson, Karter Howell, Zayelin Hough, Osiris Louis, Kayla Cobb, Amir Walker, Scarlet Parnell, Nilah Valentine, JaQari McNeal, Javell Moore, Dalila Martinez, Dalyn Gamble, Kayden Scott, Glen Gregg, Bryan Maurice-Perez, Elijah Sterling, Zaheerah Williams, Enrique Morales Roblero, Kesaun Walker, Treshaun Horne, Ricardo Alfonzo Yepez, Jose Jimenez, Jared Kelly, and Jaheim Davis
Grade Level with the Highest Number of Lessons Completed:
Kindergarten
Class Per Grade Level with the Highest Number of Lessons Completed:
Ms. Soan (K), Ms. Scott-Goode (1st), Ms. Castaneda (2nd), Ms. Ogao-Ogao (3rd), Ms. Dela Cruz (4th), and Ms. Bennett-Lee (5th)
- bottled water
- deodorant
- toothbrushes & toothpaste
- combs/brushes
- shampoo/conditioner
- lotion
- sanitary napkins
Richland One families who are financially struggling and/or facing problems with their homes can receive free help. In partnership with the Columbia Branch of the NAACP, the district will hold five free housing clinics during April and May.
Families can get guidance on habitability issues such as mold and broken fixtures, illegal evictions, utility assistance, public benefits and more.
“These clinics provide a plethora of resources that are available in a one-stop shop. Families are able to take care of their basic needs,” said Deborah Boone, Richland One’s McKinney-Vento/Parents and Students Succeed coordinator.
The free housing clinics will be held on the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, April 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Middle School (1231 Bluefield Drive, Columbia, SC 29210)
- Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Crayton Middle School (5000 Clemson Avenue, Columbia, SC 29206)
- Tuesday, April 25 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Dreher High School (3319 Millwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29205)
- Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Hyatt Park Elementary School (4200 North Main Street, Columbia, SC 29203)
- Monday, May 8 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Southeast Middle School (731 Horrell Hill Road, Hopkins, SC 29061)
Click the date and time of your choice to register for a clinic. For more information, contact Deborah Boone at 803-231-6914 or cameish.williams@richlandone.org.
