Community Connection

At Stono Park

Principal's Corner

Hello Families!


“I am grateful to have been loved, and to be loved now and to be able to

love. Because love liberates.”

~Maya Angleou


Welcome to February! As our scholars are probably getting excited about

Valentine’s (as in the treats :o) ), we are excited about the learning continuing

to take place this month. We would like to connect with all of our families

about the curriculums we have been using at Stono Park, and how it is has

directly impacted the success of our students. We are holding a very

important State of the School meeting 3 times on next Wednesday

(February 8). Parents are invited to attend in-person immediately after

arrival (8:30 a.m.), via Zoom at 12:30 p.m., or in-person afterschool at 4:30

p.m. We will share the Zoom link as we get closer to the date. This

meeting is not to be confused with the Acceleration Schools Community

Meetings taking place on this evening, February 2 nd; again, on February 7

and on February 9. Stono Park staff will be in attendance at Burke HS,

however, we encourage our parents to attend which ever session works

best for your schedule. While the community meetings still provide an

opportunity to learn about the work that we are doing, the conversation will

not center only on Stono Park.


We urge you to attend the State of the School meeting not only to learn

about our school’s progress, but to learn about possible changes that could

significantly impact your child’s education.


If you cannot attend, we encourage you to reach out for a direct

conversation with Principal Richards.


Warm regards,


Mrs. Richards & The Stono Park Team

Upcoming Events at Stono Park Elementary

Upcoming Events at Stono Park Elementary

2/1- First Day of Black History Month

2/2- 100th Day of School

2/2- Acceleration School Parent & Community Mtg. at Burke High 6pm

2/3- Camouflage Day

2/3- Early Release Day - Dismissal at 1:30pm

2/6- 3rd Grade Field Trip to Aquarium

2/7-2/10- 2nd Grade- Charleston Stage Workshop - Very Hungry Caterpillar

2/7- Acceleration School Parent & Community Mtg. at North Charleston Elementary 6pm

2/9- Acceleration School Parent & Community Mtg. at Hunley Park Elementary 6pm

2/13- CD & K Field Trip to the Gaillard

2/17- Early Release Day Dismissal at 1:30pm

2/20- No School- President's Day

2/22- Black History Performance & PTA Mtg at 6pm - Free Fresh Produce!

2/22- 5th Grade Parent Mtg at 7pm

2/24-The Singing Scientist Assembly - In School Performance

2/27- PTA Donut Fundraiser Starts

2/28 -5th Grade Field Trip to the Gaillard

3/6-3/10- Book Fair

3/8- Family Literacy Night at 6pm

*Window for ACCESS for English Language Learners testing 1/23/3/10*

Upcoming Events at Stono Park Elementary

Congratulations to Stono Park Elementary Teacher of the Year, Ms. Adewale!

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Save the Date Stono Park

Family Literacy & Science Night

Wednesday, March 8th

6pm-7pm


Look out for clues for the super fun theme we have planned! You do NOT want to miss this event!

Check out what our Stono Park Scholars are learning about in ELA 3rd quarter!

CD- The first four weeks will be spent studying clothes and the rest of the quarter will focus on exercise.


Kindergarten- Trees Are Alive- They will be learning all about the following trees: Palmetto, Sugar Maple, Lemon, Apple, and Sweetgum. (Scholars will become experts about trees and even get to make lemonade, make applesauce, eat pancakes with maple syrup, learn about sweetgrass baskets and go on a walking field trip in the neighborhood to see the Sweetgum trees.)


1st Grade- Birds' Amazing Bodies (Scholars will become experts about birds and even get to dissect owl pellets!)


2nd Grade- The Secret World of Pollination (Scholars will become experts in the process of pollination and get to visit Bee City!)


3rd Grade- Exploring a Literary Classic (Scholars will get to read the classic tale of Peter Pan and learn about the author and historical context. They will write a book review and revise a scene.)


4th Grade- The American Revolution (Scholars will have to decide if they support the Patriots or the Loyalists!)


5th Grade- Athlete Leaders of Social Change (Scholars will learn about Jackie Robinson and how many athletes have become effective leaders of social change.)

Click here for information on Free Tax Assistance

Area residents can receive free help with their taxes at several Charleston County Public Library branches through a project coordinated with S.C. Thrive, VITA, and AARP. Call 800-726-8774 for SC Thrive to schedule an appointment.

February's Character Trait is INTEGRITY

Nina A Story of Nina Simone
Check out this Good Digital Parenting Series

In this series, viewers will be shown how to start a conversation with their kids about online safety and how to be a good digital role model themselves.

Nurse's Note

Nurse's Note

February is here and it is an important month for health. Take some time to check your first aid kit and medicine supply at home. Do you have common over the counter medicines for headache, stomachache, cold and cough and your prescriptions ready? Flu, covid, strep and respiratory and ear infections are still common. Please assess your child before they come to school. If fever or severe sore throat, cough or ear pain is present, stay home and see the doctor. Free covid and flu testing is available at several locations listed on the CCSD website.


Feb. is Dental Health month. Please make sure that your child is brushing each morning and at bedtime. Three times a day is actually best. Children eat two meals and sometimes three at school, so a brushing is needed as soon as they get home in the afternoon to brush away the germs and plaque. The dental van is finding a large number of cavities, so brush those teeth and drink water for the best prevention. Dental care posters are in the clinic with reminders to drink water. See your dentist twice a year.


Feb. is also Heart Health month. Some important tips for caring for your heart are getting 8-10 hours of sleep. Sleep is the only time that your heart can slow and take a rest. Eat your six servings of fruits and vegetables. Get healthy exercise daily. Take a walk, ride a bike, dance, play sports or play in the par.k Fun activity and exercise posters are in the clinic .Your heart is a muscle and needs to exercise. See your doctor once a year for a well child and adult check up to make sure that your heart is healthy!


Feb. is also the start of pollen in SC. About 90% of our students have seasonal allergies marked on their health card. Please make sure that they are seeing their doctor for the best medicines to prevent the allergy symptoms of sneezing, itchy eyes, sore throat and cough. They can lead to sinus and ear infections and also cause asthma to flare if not prevented with a daily medicine There are several choices for children. Check with your doctor. Consistency is the key. It does not work well unless taken daily to PREVENT the symptoms. Please make sure that you have the medicine you need now, so that everyone can enjoy the return of spring which will be coming soon.


Classes are participating in a handwashing and hygiene activity with glow in the dark germs that show us how many germs are around and how quickly they spread. Practice good hygiene at home and pack an extra set of clothes (pants, shirt and underwear) for spills and other accidents at school. Cover those coughs and sneezes.


Thank you for helping us to be a healthy school. Happy February.



The FDA has now provided an additional expiration extension for the iHealth At Home Covid 19 Test Kits. Most kits will now expire in late April 2023.



Nurse Wendy

Nurse's Note

Dr. Becky Kennedy Good Inside Podcast

Are you not able to attend the Parent Development Workshops but still want some great parenting information. Check out the Dr. Becky Kennedy Podcast Here!
Check out the Bridges Family Support Page

This resource shows you how math looks in a Bridges in Mathematics classroom and how students learn concepts and strategies. Learn ways you can foster your student's math thinking.

CCSD Literacy Support Page for Families

“Supporting Early Literacy at Home: A Parent's Guide” is a series of online, self-paced learning modules designed to provide information for parents and caregivers so that they can support their children’s early literacy development.

Learn More about Conscious Discipline

Stono Park Staff was recently trained in Conscious Discipline which will be implemented into our school this year. If you would like to learn more about it- Click on this link to learn how you can implement these practices into your home.

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Stono Park Elementary School Day- 8:30am - 3:30pm

Students can enter the building starting at 8:05am but are considered tardy after 8:30am. If your student has more than 5 unexcused tardies a conference is held to problem solve getting to school on time. (If bus is tardy then the tardy is excused)


We begin dismissal at 3:25pm. If your student is a car rider please ensure that you are in our car rider line by 3:40pm.


We also offer Kaleidoscope After School Program for our Stono Park Scholars from 3:30pm-6pm daily. Kaleidoscope is open on teacher work days, early release days and 1/2 days of school. You also have the option to register your child for Kaleidoscope and not use them every day if you don't need the service but would still be available to your student on days you might need a late pick up or on those early release/teacher work days!


If your child is absent please make sure an excuse is sent in within 3 days of the student returning back to school. A student is considered Truant if they have missed 3 consecutive days of school without a doctor's excuse or 5 unexcused absences total. Once a student has 3 unexcused absences then a Truancy Warning Letter is sent home. Once a student has 5 unexcused absences a Truancy Conference has to occur with the caregiver.

Healthy Hannah's Healthy Choice Heroes

Healthy Hannah is a cyber super hero who helps her friends make healthy choices by teaching them about nutrition and physical activity while taking them on adventures This micro-series consists of twenty 2 to 3-minute episodes intended for ages K-6.

Mental Health Resources

Check out the resources below. Stono Park also has Mynd Space on Campus if you would like more information, please reach out to our guidance counselor, Crystal Rivers at Crystal_Rivers@charleston.k12.sc.us

Teach your Child Essential Mental Health Skills

The elementary-age videos feature hedgehog characters in imaginative stories to teach key skills in a way that kids will enjoy watching and remember longer. Each video comes with Skill Sheets that summarize and reinforce key ideas.

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Did you Know?

Did you Know?

The Charleston County Public Library loans SC Aquarium passes, Children Museum passes, State Park Passes. All CCSD Students have a library card number so visit Charleston County Public Library (ccpl.org) Look up the Park Pass you are interested in Classic Category and type in the pass you want to loan out and put the pass on hold.


The Charleston County Public Library also has Free Virtual Tutoring with student's library Card. Visit Tutor.com Student Center | Charleston County Public Library (ccpl.org) to take advantage of this free resource.

Did you Know?

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Resources for Home

Program to Support Families with Internet!

To support families with internet service during COVID-19, the FCC has a new

program called Emergency Broadband Benefit. Households with students who receive free or reduced-price school meals, including ALL students in CEP schools, qualify for the program. There are three ways to apply:

  1. Apply online at GetEmergencyBroadband.org
  2. Contact the local broadband provider to learn about their application process (find participating broadband providers here)
  3. Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application.

Mortgage and Housing Assistance: Help for homeowners and renters during the coronavirus national emergency

SC Assistance to Help Homeowners

South Carolina has nearly $145 million to help homeowners with COVID woes. Questions? You can email HomeRescue@schousing.com; or call 803-702-5222 or 833-405-3080, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays or visit: https://www.schousing.com/Home/SC-Homeowner-Rescue

IT Resources for Parents

Click here for Information on the Pandemic EBT

Free Internet Access for K-12 Students

Rent & Utility Assistance

Program to Support Families with Internet!

Food Assistance

Dental Assistance

How can I support you?

My goal is to provide an easy way for you to find community resources, tips & tricks for academic support at home and upcoming events at the school or in our community.
Traci Alter - Parent Advocate

Traci Alter - Parent Advocate

Traci Alter - Parent Advocate
Feel free to reach out for any resources, support or referral for services.
Stono Park Elementary School, Huntley Drive, Charleston, SC, USA Traci_Alter@charleston.k12.sc.us 843-763-1507 ccsdschools.com/stonopark