Harbison Herald

February 6, 2025 ~ A Title One School

4K & K REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY

5K Registration and 4K Applications go live on February 10, 2025! Learn the full details about documentation needed at www.lexrich5.org/kindergarte n.

4K Notes:

Your child must be 4 on or before September 1 to apply for the 4K program.

4-Year-Old Kindergarten applications will be available February 10, 2025 at your child’s zoned elementary school.

5K Notes:

Only NEW Kindergarten students for the 2025-2026 School Year need to register.

Kindergarten registration will be available online February 10, 2025

* In-person registration may be available at zoned elementary schools.

** Students who are currently in the 4-year-old kindergarten program and in PowerSchool should not complete the new student process, as current students will automatically roll into 5-year-old kindergarten at the end of the school year. Parents will be prompted to update their information in FinalForms over the summer.

HEALTH ROOM NEWS

Cold and Flu Season is Here

We are starting to see an increase in the influenza virus in our school and community. We would like to be as proactive as possible in the spread of Influenza as we can.

The influenza virus is spread from person to person by droplet contact such as sneezing and coughing. Please reinforce with your child the importance of hand hygiene. Hand washing is the most effective way to help stop the spread of germs. Covering your mouth and nose when sneezing is a second preventative measure. Some symptoms to look out for include nausea, generalized body aches, fever, chills, sore throat, and fatigue. If you suspect your child may have an illness that can be spread to others, has a fever (100 or greater), please keep them home and contact your child's doctor. In order for your child to return to school, they will need to remain fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

Please contact the school nurse, Carrie Zier with any questions you may have.

LAKE MURRAY POLAR PLUNGE

We are excited to announce that Harbison West is partnering with Special Olympics South Carolina to participate in the Lake Murray Polar Plunge.

During the month of January, we will compete in Grade Level Wars to see which grade level can raise the most money. Harbison West will receive 50% of the proceeds to use towards books for Exceptional Students’ Week and other inclusive activities. Please be sure to check your student’s weekly communication folder to learn more about the upcoming festivities.

If you use the QR code, please make sure to put your child’s grade level in the comment section so your donation will count towards the Grade Level Wars.

*NEW* 2025-2026 Lexington-Richland District 5 Calendar

WAS YOUR STUDENT ABSENT?

Per our student/parent handbook: A written note, medical excuse or electronic excuse form must be submitted for each absence.

Save time and gas by submitting your excuses online using this link - Online Excuse Form. You can upload medical excuses on this form, so no need to make a special trip to school. A link to this form is also at the bottom of each school letter and at the top of our website homepage.

If you prefer, medical excuses may also be faxed to the school at 803-476-3820.

UPCOMING EVENTS

February Events

February 7th

PTO Sweetheart Dance 6pm-7:30pm (more details below in PTO News section)

February 11th

PTO/SIC Meeting at 7:30am

February 12th

Interims Go Home (3rd-5th grade)

February 14th

Teacher Workday/Student Holiday

NO SCHOOL for students

February 17th

eLearning Day for students & staff (weather makeup for Sept 30th)

All schools & offices CLOSED

February 21

Black History Program at 1:30pm

PTO NEWS

Sweetheart Dance:

Tickets for our Sweetheart Dance are now on sale!!!

All tickets MUST be purchase online through this link.

https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/sweetheart-dance--2025

This is for all HWES students and their families.

Please purchase tickets under ONE student name.

Hope to see you there!

Questions hwespto@hwespto.org

STAFF MEMBER OF THE WEEK

January 24, 2025

For staff member of the week, I am nominating Jennifer Wahrmund. She has done an amazing job in her new role of Gifted and Talent Lead Teacher/Coach. She has been extremely supportive to 4th and 5th grade teachers in creating and helping implement enrichment clusters. Jennifer has also done a wonderful job helping create SEM activities for our classrooms. I am so thankful to have her guidance and help with this new endeavor.