Dear Stono Park Families,

As spring arrives, we’re entering an important part of the school year—end-of-year testing season! This is a time when our students have the opportunity to show what they’ve learned and celebrate their academic progress. We want to work together as a school community to ensure every child feels confident, supported, and ready to shine.

Our testing window begins soon, and we want to keep you in the loop:

Kindergarten through fifth grade will participate in iReady Testing between April 1–April 4.

Grades 3–5 will participate in state standardized assessments, SCReady, between May 1 and May 15.

How You Can Help at Home

Your support makes a big difference in how prepared and comfortable students feel. Here are a few simple ways you can help:

• Establish Routines: Ensure your child gets a full night of sleep and is on time for school to start each day with a healthy breakfast. Consistent routines help reduce stress.

• Stay Positive: Encourage your child to do their best but remind them that these tests are just one way we measure learning.

• Keep Calm: Avoid scheduling appointments during testing days when possible, and help your child arrive at school on time. Testing will begin promptly each day.

• Talk It Out: Ask your child how they’re feeling about testing. Listen, encourage, and remind them that effort is what matters most.

Teachers are continuing to review skills, provide practice opportunities, and support students with strategies for reading comprehension, math problem-solving, and test-taking techniques. We’re also focused on keeping learning joyful and meaningful.

Wellness Matters

We know that testing can bring stress, so we’re taking care of students’ emotional well-being, too. Our teachers are incorporating brain breaks, mindfulness, and movement to keep spirits high and minds sharp.

We’re In This Together

Please reach out to your child’s teacher or our school guidance counselor if you have any questions or concerns about testing. We’re here to support every student and family.

Let’s finish this school year strong—together!

Other news

On another note, I will be taking a few days to rest prior to my official maternity leave. Ashley Dorsey, and experienced CCSD principal, was welcomed by the Stono Park family on March 31.

Here is Ms. Dorsey’s bio: Ms. Dorsey graduated from Clemson University in 2004 with a degree in education and spent two years in Charlotte, NC before relocating to Charleston. While in Charleston, Ms. Dorsey has taught fourth and fifth grade at Sullivan's Island Elementary School, served as the assistant principal at Stiles Point Elementary School on James Island for four years, and served as a principal in Mount Pleasant at Laurel Hill Primary School and James B. Edwards Elementary School for 8 years. This year marks her 21st year in education. Ms. Dorsey lives in West Ashley with her two beautiful daughters who are in 6th and 4th grade.

As we wrap up the 24-25 school year, she looks forward to getting to know you and your students and is excited to celebrate all their hard work during this 4th quarter. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Ms. Dorsey via email, phone, or in person at the school. Her email is ashley_dorsey@charleston.k12.sc.us.

I am saddened that I did not get to say a proper goodbye to each scholar, but I plan to do so via video. I wish you all a successful remainder of the school year, and I am looking forward to seeing many of you again in August!

Warm regards,

Principal Richards & The Stono Park Team!

4/1 & 4/2- 3rd-5th- iReady testing

4/3-4/4- K-2nd-iReady testing

4/3- CD Field Trip to Bowling

4/7- 1st Grade Field Trip to Folly Beach

4/8- 4th Grade Field Trip to Folly Beach

4/9- Literacy Around the World 5pm-6:30pm

4/11- Early Release Day- Dismissal 1:30pm

4/11- Walk to School Day

4/11- Career Day

4/14-4/21- Spring Break

4/22- 3rd-5th Field Day

4/23- Kindergarten Field Trip to Folly Beach

4/24- CD-2nd Field Day- DUNK TANK DAY (parents feel free to join us)

4/24- 5th Grade Field Trip to Kiawah

4/25- 1st & 2nd Grade Field Trip to Gaillard

4/25- CD Field Trip to Library

4/25- Kindergarten & 5th Grade Cap & Gown Pictures

Congratulations to Carissa Carr! She was named one of Charleston County School's Top 5 Teachers of the Year! Stono Park Elementary is so lucky to have you! 🐬

We are inviting families to bring one dish to share that represents your heritage or a tradition in your family. You are welcome to bring the dish with you the night of the event. We will put all the dishes in the cafe for an international tasting starting at 6pm.

(The dish only needs be a family sized portion as everyone will just be sampling the food.)

Click on the button below to sign up to bring in a dish!

If you are interesting in volunteering for this event with 5th grade on April 30th- Please let Mrs. Smith Stauder, Mrs. Tackitt or Mrs. Alter know! Traci_Alter@charleston.k12.sc.us

If you know anyone interested in touring Stono Park- please share this information!

Math may look different from when you were in school, but we are here to help! The Bridges Family Support Page is a helpful tool to find out not only what your student is learning in math but can help you assist your scholar with their math homework. You can also ask your student's teacher what unit they are currently working on, and the Family Bridges Resource Page explains how to support your student at home.

Always feel free to reach out for fun math games you could do at home to help strength your scholars math skills!

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.

You can always fill out our google form for a parent note as well. https://forms.gle/RVBRyULyitaczNHC6

A student is chronically absent if he or she misses only two days of school per month (18 days per year). Even one year of chronic absence can cause a child to fall behind academically and decrease a child’s chances of graduating from high school, which can have long-term consequences on their financial independence, physical well-being and mental health.

We would love our families to share what they love about Stono Park Elementary on our Stono Park Website. If you would be interested in writing a testimonial for our website, please fill out the google form below!

https://forms.gle/ABVxrxpNmQgSJp3f8

For more information, please contact Mrs. Hew at 843-518-1133 or email her at Vanessa_hew@charleston.k12.sc.us

Spring is here and it is a good time for spring cleaning. and spring tips

Go through medicines and restock what is low in your first aid kit .Throw away expired medicine and restock creams for insect bites, burns and cuts and scrapes. Remember to read labels carefully for the correct dose and check with your doctor for advice. Medicines like Tylenol do not help stomach pain and cough syrup will not help a cough due to asthma, your doctor and pharmacist can work with you to have what you need on hand for your specific concern.

. Speak to your doctor about allergy prevention and assess whether what you are currently using is still working. Remind children to wash their face and hands well after being outside and keep eye wash drops to clear eyes. Pollen causes seasonal allergies, asthma and eczema to flare up. See your allergy specialist for a thorough check, as prescription medicines may be more helpful. Be vigilant in caring for asthma and eczema daily.

Remember to wear shoes appropriate for school. Closed toe athletic shoes that are laced and tied are the shoe of choice to support the feet and ankles when running. playing and participating in PE. Velcro shoes are best for children still working on learning to tie laces. Wearing socks will support and cushion the feet and prevent blisters. Please avoid crocs., as they are wide and allow the foot to slide and often children do not use the back strap. Avoid sandals, as the feet are exposed to rocks, sticks and insect bites. Boots are also not a good choice for active play and PE. We want to stay safe.

Please send an extra set of clothes for your child. It is easy for them to get changed into something that they know fits them well after a bathroom accident, or spill. We have very low supplies of pants in our donation cabinet.

Spring is a great time to see your doctor for a well child checkup to make sure that they are as healthy as possible. Bring up any questions about health concerns. They are there to help monitor growth and development. Have vision checked and review their shot records. Make sure that all is up to date so that you are ready for the next school year. Offices get very crowded in August when everyone hurries to get the needed vaccinations for school. Do it early and make sure that the school has your updated records. Keep a copy at home at all times. If you move, take your record to your new doctor right away. Measles cases are on the rise and the CDC is sending out alerts. Make sure that your child is protected. Remember to monitor temperatures and be alert for signs of illness. We are still seeing flu, strep throat and covid cases. After an illness, please stay home until , severe cough, vomiting or diarrhea have been gone for 24 hours without the need for medicine and symptoms of illness are greatly improved.

Have a healthy and happy Spring season!

Wendy Nichols, RN

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.

Email: Traci_Alter@charleston.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.ccsdschools.com/stonopark
Location: Stono Park Elementary School, Huntley Drive, Charleston, SC, USA
Phone: 843-763-1507