The Panther Press: SHES Updates
St. Helena Elementary School: A Proud Title 1 School
A Leader in Me School: Empowering students to lead, achieve, succeed!
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
On behalf of our entire staff, let me begin by expressing that we are so excited to be starting school on September 8th! This is year five of my journey here at St. Helena Elementary and yes, this opening is different than in previous years but the excitement of the first day of school remains. We know that teachers and students (and parents) are looking forward to engaging in learning and interacting with friends. Learning will most certainly look different this year as we are all starting virtually. Currently, we are constructing classes for both learning formats: 1. Virtually (those who chose virtual-only instruction) 2. In-person (those who choose in-person instruction once allowable by the District). Once placement is finalized, you will receive updated information. Regardless of learning format, all our teachers will ensure standards-based instruction that allows for differentiation.
At this time, your child is being scheduled appropriately with teachers who will provide instruction in the format that you have selected during registration, virtual or on-campus. There are some instances where your teacher might change once, we return face to face. We must make sure all classes are balanced and therefore changes might be necessary. It is our intent that our classroom rosters will remain intact as much as they can for the duration of the school year with changes in placement throughout the year occurring only in instances in which parents opt to modify their original choice selection of virtual to on-campus learning or from on-campus to virtual. This would relate to instances in which a change is elected by the parent during the school year. Simply said, if your child has been registered as a ‘virtual’ student, he will be rostered with a ‘virtual’ teacher – or if you have selected ‘on-campus’, they will be assigned to an ‘on-campus’ teacher. If you do not change your selection of learning format during the school year, our plan is that they will remain with the same teacher throughout. However, due to the large number of virtual students some face to face teachers may start out with virtual students as well and then if you choose for your child to remain virtual they may be transferred to virtual only teacher once the district decides we are returning face to face. I know it may seem confusing but rest assured we will make sure that your child is receiving quality instruction regardless of the format.
Leading and Learning Together,
Dr. Mack
LEAP Week:
As a reminder, staff members will be calling today and tomorrow to set up individual appointment times for your child to come in and complete their Math and Reading MAP assessments next week. The person that calls may or may not be your child’s teacher next year. This week is optional for teachers so only a select group of teachers are working. We are utilizing the staff that is working to contact all families. Each child will be offered at least 2 time slots. We are asking for parents/family members to drop students off and then return at the end of the 2-hour time slot. Parents you will bring your child to do the door and a staff member will be at the door to check them in and take them to their classroom or a classroom where they will be tested. We are so excited to offer this opportunity and hope that you will allow your child to participate. The data that is obtained from the MAP tests will help the teacher in learning how to best help each of their students. If you do not get a call that means we could not reach you or the telephone number that we have is no longer valid. If you would like for your child to come, please call the school and we can assist with getting your child signed up.
Free Lunch During Virtual Learning
Healthy FREE meals will be provided every school day during virtual learning to the students of St. Helena Elementary! Please click the link and sign up today. A meal card will be provided to students who have signed up to receive meals. The meal card MUST be presented at the bus stop when picking up meals. Please complete as soon as possible.
Device PickUp: Kindergarten-Second Grade
We are excited to announce our K-2 device roll out for next week:
Tuesday, August 25th: 9:00-11:30 am and 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Wednesday, August 26th:9:00-11:30 am and 2:00pm-6:00 pm
Parents you can pay your $20 technology fee online before you arrive to pick up your child's device!!! Please see the link below. When you create your profile, they will ask you for a student ID number. Please put your telephone number in that box. Before completing the transaction please put the student’s first and last name in the notes section. As a reminder your child must be registered through our online registration system (formerly Info Snap) to receive their device.
If you are a 3rd-5th grade parent and cannot make it today between 2:00 pm -6:00 pm you can come next week on the days above that we are doing our K-2 rollout.
Online Payment:
https://osp.osmsinc.com/beaufortsc/
·
Who is My Child's Teacher?
I know you are anxious to know who your child’s teacher is. We will mail out letters to each family from your child’s teacher on August 31st. Please make sure that we have your correct mailing address so that you can receive your letter before our Virtual Open House (see info below).
Registration
For our scheduling purposes it is vital that we have everyone registered as soon as possible so that we can appropriately schedule our students based on your selection for face to face or virtual instruction. Please reach out to Ms. Griffith for assistance. You can email her at carmen.bultron-griffith@beaufort.k12.sc.us or call her at 843-838-0300 to set up an appointment if you need help with registration.
Proof of Residency (POR)
The district has changed the requirements for POR this year. Everyone must submit 1 of the following: Real Estate Tax Bill, Signed Lease Agreement, Military Housing Letter, or Section 8 Letter AND 1 of the following: Utility Bill, Phone Bill (landline), Cable Bill, Current Car Insurance declaration, Current Home or Renters insurance declaration or Vehicle Registration. Special circumstances will need to be reviewed and consulted upon with our data specialist, Ms. Carmen Griffith (carmen.bultron-griffith@beaufort.k12.sc.us).
Parent Portal Information
Please make sure that you have access to your child's grades. PowerSchool's Parent Portal provides real-time access for parents to their child's grades, attendance, assignments, and more. PowerSchool login information can be obtained from Ms. Griffith our data specialist.
Stay connected with SHES
Email: tara.mack@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Website: http://shes.beaufortschools.net/
Location: 1025 Sea Island Parkway, Saint Helena Island, SC, USA
Phone: 843-838-0300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StHelenaElementary/
Twitter: @SHESPanthers
Virtual Open House: Thursday, September 3rd
Virtual Open House: Thursday, September 3rd
We are so excited to get to see and meet our new students. However, this year it will look a little different. Our open house will be virtual. You will receive a zoom invite for your grade level’s meeting time. Don’t worry if you cannot make that time it will be recorded, and we will post the links on our website and you can watch it later. During the zoom you can expect to hear from the administrative team, meet the grade level team, hear grade level expectations, and a time for questions and answers.
Grade Level Virtual Open House Zoom Times:
Pre-K
3:00 pm
Kindergarten
3:30 pm
First Grade
4:00 pm
Second Grade
4:30 pm
AMES
5:00 pm
Third Grade
5:00 pm
Fourth Grade
5:30 pm
Fifth Grade
6:00 pm