Volume 12 Issue 9 May 2, 2008

Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday that we were beginning this school year! We have five full weeks of school left—our kindergarten, first, and second graders are in the middle of MAP testing. On May 6, our first and second graders will participate in the district’s end-of-the-year writing assessment. Beginning May 13, students in grades 3-5 will be involved in PACT testing. PACT testing will continue through May 22. We have so many things to accomplish and we feel that time is moving too quickly! During these testing dates, please encourage your child to go to bed early, eat a good breakfast, and come to school excited to show off all that he or she has learned! We are so proud of our children and know that they will do well.

As we come to the end of the year, we are always faced with mixed feelings—excitement about the new beginning in August, but sad about those who are leaving us to move on to a new chapter in their lives. Our fifth grade students are so excited about going to the middle school, but at the same time, they realize that one small chapter of the book is closing because they will not be returning to Seaside as a student. This year, Miss Cote, our assistant principal is retiring. She has been an educator for thirty-four years, with the last nine years being at Seaside. We will truly miss her as she begins that new chapter in her book. Mrs. Carol Sewell is also retiring. Mrs. Sewell has also been with us for nine years and has a total of 30 years of successful teaching. Mrs. Shirley Lawing, one of our cafeteria ladies and resident artist, is retiring after 40+ years of service. We appreciate the 104 years of combined service that these ladies have provided to students, not only at Seaside, but in the other schools that they have served. They will be missed!

We want to take this opportunity to thank you, the parents and students for your support this year. You continually rise to the challenge. Our students have shown growth in all academic areas this year. Our parents have been there to support us in every undertaking—from academics to community service projects. Thank you for making our home at Seaside Elementary a great neighborhood school! Have a safe summer! We will see you in August!

May and June Calendars April 28-May 16: MAP testing—grades K-2 May 3: Blessing of the Inlet—the chorus performs at 2:10 PM on the steps of the church May 5: Ripley’s Aquarium--Peloquin May 6: PACT Writing—grades 1 and 2 May 6: Sandwich and Salad Luncheon—sponsored by 4^th and 5^th grade parents May 7: Tryouts for 5^th grade talent show (5^th graders only) May 9: Interims Issued May 9: Registration Packages Due for 2008-09 school year May 13: PACT ELA –grades 3-5 May 14: PACT ELA—grades 3-5 May 15: PACT Math—grades 3-5 May 17: Pelicans Baseball Game—Tom Gardner Night May 19: Surfside Beach / Library—Hanna / Owens May 20: Surfside Beach / Library—Jones / L. Taylor May 21: Leap n Bounce—Peloquin May 22: Surfside Beach / Library—Buck/ Huggins May 20: PACT Science—grades 3-5 May 21: PACT Social Studies—grades 3-5 May 22: Field Testing PACT May 23: Early Dismissal: ONE HOUR EARLY

Calendar continued May 26: NO SCHOOL—MEMORIAL DAY! May 28: Field Day—grades 3-5 May 29: Field Day—grades Pre K-2 May 29: 5^th graders to SJMS May 29: Parent Meeting at SJMS for rising 6^th grade students May 30: Career Day (4^th and 5^th grade students) May 30: Birthday Celebration (May, June and July birthdays) May 30: 5^th grade celebration 6:00 PM-9:00 PM June 3: Kindergarten program (8:15) and kindergarten assembly June 4: Academic Assemblies: 8:00—1^st and 2^nd; 9:00—3-5 June 5: 2 ½ hour early dismissal (12:00 noon) June 6: 2 ½ hour early dismissal (12:00 noon) Dates to put on your calendar August 19: Kindergarten Parent Night 6:00 PM (MPR) August 21: Open House 4:00-6:00 (All students and parents) August 25: First day of the 2008-09 school year School Hours: 7:40 AM-2:40 PM Non-Discrimination Statement Horry County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, immigrant status, English-speaking status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or S.C. law in its programs or activities. You may call 843-488-6700 or contact Horry County Schools at 1605 Horry Street, Conway, S.C. 29527.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Danielle Jeanjaquet for being selected as the April Student of the Month. Danielle will receive a savings bond from Crescent Bank.

Lost and Found

The small corridor beside Miss Cote’s office is overflowing with items that are unclaimed. If you know your child is missing something, please stop by to “claim your prize”. All items remaining at the end of the year will be donated to a local charity.

Collecting Old Shoes for Recycling

We continue to collect old athletic shoes for recycling. As of this printing, we have collected 104 pairs of shoes. If you have old athletic shoes around your house, instead of throwing them away, please bring them to Seaside and allow us to recycle them.

RELAY FOR LIFE

Thank you for your support with our Relay for Life basketball game. It was a night of great fun and fellowship. We raised over $1,000.00 for the American Cancer Society. The South Strand Relay for Life night is May 30. The rally will be held at the former Air Force Base. You may still purchase luminaries in memory or honor of someone that you know who has battled or is battling cancer. This year, luminaries can be purchase in honor of caretakers. Luminaries are $10.00 each and all the money raised will go towards cancer research through the American Cancer Society.

Annual Clean Up Day at Seaside

Wow! What a beautiful campus! Thank you to all the parents, students, teachers, and community businesses that supported this project. The new shrubbery, mulch, plants, and bird feeder have added so much to the beauty of our campus.

Registration for Returning Students

Packets will be sent home on May 2 for students who will be returning to Seaside. Please make sure that you complete and return these packets by May 9. Registration is not complete if you do not return all requested information. Supply lists for the 2008-2009 school year will be sent home the last week of school. You will also be able to find this information on our website.

Registration for the 2008-2009 School Year

It’s time to start thinking about the next school year for our rising four and five year olds. Registration for the child development program, kindergarten, or new first graders will be held daily from 8:30 AM-2:00 PM. To register for child development, children must be four (4) on or before September 1. To register for kindergarten, children must be five (5) on or before September 1. Please bring the following items with you when you come to register: proof of residency, your child’s social security card, immunization record, and birth certificate. Visit our website at www.hcs.k12.sc.us/elem/sse for more information.

SC Healthy Connections

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is now accepting applications for a new health insurance program for children called SC Healthy Connections Kids. This free program will provide health care benefits to uninsured children ages 1-18 whose family income falls at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level ($42,000 annually for a family of four). If you are interested in finding out more information about this program, you may pick up the information from Mrs. Blackmon, our school nurse, you may call your local Medicaid offices, call 1-877-552-4642, or email forms@scdhhs.gov .

Final Chorus Performance of the Year

The fourth and fifth grade chorus will sing at the “Blessing of the Inlet” on Saturday, May 3 at 2:10 PM. Chorus members are asked to meet Mrs. VanSciver at 1:40 PM on the inlet side of the church. Hope to see you there!

Horry County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, immigrant status, English-speaking status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal or SC law in its programs or activities. For more information, you may contact 488-6700 or contact Horry County Schools at 1605 Horry Street, Conway, SC 29527.