Peek of the Week
Beech Hill Elementary School
Theme: Still Blue for a Reason
- September 23, 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.
Student Supplies Pick-Up Day- September 24 and 25
At the Helm
Move That Bus! No, Really Move It!
Finally, the first day of school arrived and my baby took one small step for man and one giant leap of independence. It was a customary tradition that during the first week of school, my husband would take the time off to help us get ready for a new school year. This was long before text messages, group chats, and Google. Every night was an event in the planning of military proportion, and every morning was like the "rush to the airport" scene from "Home Alone." In our house, we still haven't found Kevin.
So riding the bus was a rite of passage and my daughter, Lilli was always dramatic and hyperbolic in the regular and mundane events of life. I wasn't there, I had already headed to work at school, but my husband's account was crystal. They held hands as they stood on the side of the rode. My husband recalls that one of Lilli's feet could not stand still. The level of excitement and energy could not be contained in the exuberance of a five-year-old. They could hear the bus coming before they could see it. While still holding her father's hand, Lilli's leg went into a tailspin. The roar of the bus got louder as it raced towards them. Occasionally, they heard the screech of brakes making stops for other children and Lilli's excitement was near explosion. They finally saw the bus. It halted. Lilli looked up at her father, took a deep breath, marched toward the bus, and never looked back. The tiny bobble of an afro-puff danced along the window-line until Lilli found a seat. Then and only then, did she give her father a little wave. Her dream had come true.
My husband waited by the side of the road for his daughter. He had already prepared a little snack for her as he knew she would be exhausted. The bus finally arrived and Lilli disembarked from the Big Yella Fella. Her father grabbed her hand and they walked home.
She sat in front of her snack and her father joined her at the table. It was quiet for a moment, as it had been on the journey home; then Lilli spoke, "I don't EVER want the ride the bus again. The bus was squishy, funky, and loud. Tomorrow, I'll ride with Mama."
The next morning, I found a bright-eyed, cooperative and pleasant passenger ready to accompany me to school- as I would for the next six years.
Riding the bus is like "the struggle", real. It is an exercise in resiliency, problem-solving, and collaboration. While it may be squishy, funky, and loud, it can also be exciting, invigorating, and fun. Some of my most interesting conversations with Beacons involve their accounts of discussions or events while riding the school bus. Who would win in a fight between Captain America and Wonder Woman?
Our entry back into civilization (school) has not been without its bumps, twists, and turns in the road. Between learning the difference between Cohort A and Cohort B, no one knows if we're coming or going. We searched for a Beacon for many minutes because her sister was upset that she wasn't on the bus, only to find out that unlike her sister, the older sister was scheduled to stay all day. We are constantly working to respond to revisions, transportation changes, and schedule changes. We apologize for the angst that might have caused you. It's not something we are proud of or want to pursue. We are all adjusting to a new way of life and ever-changing protocols. We want every child to be safe and get to school or home as quickly as possible.
Years later, Lilli would return to bus-riding status as a middle school student. She shared one day early in the school year that riding on the school bus wasn't as awful as she thought. In fact, she seemed to enjoy it. Change is always difficult at first. We struggle with it because of its ability to bring on fear of the uncertain and new. Right now, we are all riding on the Big Yella Fella.
Hybrid Learning Model to Continue for Two More Weeks
September 23, 2020
Our district will continue the school-based hybrid instructional model for an additional two-week cycle starting on October 5th through October 16th.
COVID-19 data metrics for Dorchester County released by DHEC on September 21st show that the county continues to be classified as having “medium recent disease activity” based on an average of incidence rate, trend in incident rate, and percent positive rate.
Following the district disease monitoring plan shared with staff and parents in August, schools will continue to follow the school-based hybrid instructional model continuing on Monday, October 5 for an additional two-week cycle.
The school district will continue to monitor the level of disease activity in our county for any shifts that may occur in the current metrics that would require changes in the learning models in order to protect the health and safety of our students, staff, and community. We will make future announcements as needed.
Please be reminded that any shift in the school-based instructional model does not affect students enrolled in the Virtual Academy. Virtual Academy students will continue to follow their online learning schedules.
The school district encourages families to visit the Back to School web pages at www.ddtwo.org/backtoschool that has information on district instructional including the hybrid model along with other important information on school operations.
PTA Reflections Contest
This Year's Theme is I Matter Because...
The annual Reflections theme is created by a student and selected two years in advance through our annual theme search contest. This year’s theme was submitted by a then 1st grader, Rylee Stier, who drew inspiration from her town being impacted by the CA wildfires of 2018.
With the call for meaningful steps to dismantle structural racism, this theme provides new meaning and an opportunity to engage and elevate the voices of students of color. This is a priority, now more than ever, and National PTA is committed to standing behind our beliefs and mission to make every child’s potential a reality. Watch this special message from National PTA related to this year's theme I Matter Because...
Life in the Fast Lane (Car Rider Rules)
- Beacons in Pre-school (4K) through 2nd grades will use Loop 1.
- Beacons in grades 3-5 will use Loop 2.
- Beacon families with multiple grades, should use the loop assigned to the YOUNGEST child.
Managing Virtual Learning Stress (Tips for Parents)
A Virtual Career Carousel
This year’s Career Carousel will be held virtually on Friday October 9th with our students accessing a library of career videos. To make this possible we need your help if you are able/willing to record a 5-10 minute video showing/describing your career. Please email videos to James Helton at jamhelton@dorchester2.k12.sc.us by Friday, October 2nd so he can compile them in a database for our students. Thank you so much for your participation in this year’s Carousel!
Peek of the Week (Too many cute pictures to picked one!)
Hard at work during hybrid
First Class "First Class"
Seeing Double!
From Your Beacon PTA
As we all know, this school year looks much different than normal! But as we expected, our Beacon families have remained resilient, supportive and focused on our motto, “Blue For a Reason”! When we all work together and remain positive and hopeful for better days to come, our vision becomes clear, and we can SHINE on! We hope you will join our PTA this year, and if you feel compelled to make a donation to the PTA, your generosity will be greatly appreciated. Any amount helps us provide much needed items and experiences for our teachers and students. Thank you for everything you do!
https://beechhill.memberhub.store/shopping/items/61549
Gratefully,
Your PTA Board
Front Yard Fixer Upper
Before
We worried 'bout critters and woes of safety.
After
We hope you can help us with a new decorative gleam.