Whittenberg Connect

Friday, January 17: Boosterthon Fun Run

Monday, January 20: MLK Holiday/No School

Monday, January 27: PTA Bingo Night

Friday, January 31: Uniform Free Day & January Birthday Club

We encourage parents to get involved and cheer on the runners during the Fun Run, January 17th. Let’s make this a memorable and successful event for our school!

Are you looking for a way to get involved? We are in need of passionate volunteers to participate in our reading program. This is your chance to help students improve their reading skills and foster a love of reading! To sign up, scan the QR code. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Sherlen at sherlen98@gmail.com

Lost and Found is located by the cafeteria. Now that the weather is colder, the coats and hats are starting to pile up. Please remind your child to check the lost and found for any items that have not made their way home. All lost and found items from before Thanksgiving break will be donated on Friday, January 17th.

The deadline to apply is January 31st for students who will be four years old on or before September 1, 2023.

How to Apply:

There are two ways parents can complete the application for their child. They can visit the Parent section of this website and set up a Backpack account. Once it’s set up, open the Backpack account, look for “Enroll A Student,” and follow the instructions.

For families that do not have internet access, the application can be completed at each school. Parents are urged to bring all the required documents when they visit the school. Children do not have to live in the school attendance area to apply at that location.

The following documents are required for online or face-to-face registration:

• Photo ID from any state or country
• Two current “proof of residency” documents (all must contain property address). These can be a combination of:
• Current bills – i.e. electric, gas, water, cable
• Current mortgage statement or current signed lease agreement with landlord’s name and phone number
• Child’s Birth Certificate
• Signed Certificate of Immunization, Conditional Certificate of Immunization, or Religious Exemption Certificate (Religious Exemption Certificate provided by Health Department)

Please note: completing the application does not guarantee enrollment in Greenville County Schools 4K program. Parents will be notified of application status by March 1, 2025.

For more information, please email 4K@greenville.k12.sc.us or call 864-452-0437.

Join us at our next PTA General Membership meeting for a fun night of bingo and prizes! Monday January 27 from 5:30-7:30PM in the A.J. Whittenberg Cafeteria.

Mark your calendars! Our Spring carnival, Robot Ruckus, will be on March 28, 2025. We are so excited to be hosting Robot Ruckus again this school year! If you would like to help volunteer, please reach out to the PTA via the website or email allie.munafo@gmail.com.

I hope you had a restful and joyful holiday season with your loved ones. The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on past accomplishments, celebrate growth, and set meaningful goals for the future—both in school and beyond. We encourage our students to dream big, stay curious, and continue developing a growth mindset. One way parents can support this at home is by having conversations about personal goals. These discussions can help students learn the value of setting goals, persevering through challenges, and celebrating progress, no matter how small.

We look forward to continuing the work of serving our students and families as we move into the new year. As always, thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to a wonderful second half of the school year!

Mr. Brice

For the month of January, we will be focusing on the character trait of Excellence. The character trait of excellence means striving to do your best in all areas, whether it’s academics, friendships, behavior, or activities. It involves showing dedication, putting in effort, and taking pride in your work while continuously seeking to improve.

To highlight the trait of excellence, we will be reading the book The Boy Who Became King by Anthony Curcio. The Boy Who Became King is the true story of LeBron James, one of the greatest basketball players ever! It’s about a young boy who grew up with his loving mom in a tough situation. With the help of a kind coach and his family, LeBron learned to play basketball and worked really hard to follow his dreams. Even though life wasn’t easy, LeBron never gave up. He became a superstar and now helps other people who are going through hard times, just like he and his mom once did. Read to find out how Lebron James showed excellence throughout his career.

Homelink Activity:

Lebron James continues to inspire others and give back. What can your family do to give back to our community? Discuss this question as a family and draw a picture of what you will do to give back! Turn your drawing into your teacher for 5 house points!

The A.J. Whittenberg Elementary PTA is thrilled to announce the kickoff of our Corporate Sponsorship Campaign! This initiative directly supports programs and events that enrich our students' educational experience, such as classroom grants, student field trips, and our Robot Ruckus community carnival.

Here’s how you can help:

• Be a Sponsor: We love supporting and celebrating our school community businesses! If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please see the Corporate Sponsorship Form for details.
• Share the Sponsorship Form: Spread the word by sharing the Corporate Sponsorship Form with friends, family, or businesses who may be interested.
• Distribute Flyers: Share our sponsorship flyer and link while shopping at a local store or eating at your favorite restaurant.
• Submit Business Contacts: Do you know a business that might be interested? Share their contact information at vpfundraising.ajwpta@gmail.com, and we’ll take it from there!

Corporate sponsors receive fantastic opportunities for recognition within our school and the wider community. With your help, we can partner with local businesses to make a big difference in the lives of our students.

Thank you for helping us grow our school community’s impact! For more information, contact Jessica Blake, VP of Fundraising, at vpfundraising.ajwpta@gmail.com.

Parents are invited to attend the Parent Academy, a comprehensive workshop designed to support families in navigating the special education process. This event, sponsored by our district, offers a valuable opportunity to connect with other parents and explore essential topics, including:

• An overview of special education

• The evaluation process

• The roles of parents and students in the IEP process

• Understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP)

• Answers to your questions

• Information about available resources

To register, CLICK HERE!

We encourage all parents to participate in this informative session to enhance their understanding and access the tools needed to support their child's educational journey.

Congratulations to Ms. Misty Natskakula, A.J. Whittenberg's 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. We are thankful for you and your dedication to our school!

Ms. Natskakula has been in the education field for 19 years. Over those 19 years, she has served as a teacher in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In addition to being a teacher, Ms. Natskakula has worked in Greenville County as a Title I Facilitator and OnTrack Coordinator. Ms. Natskakula received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education & Special Education (K-6) with a Minor in Elementary Spanish from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. She received a Master’s in Instructional Technology at North Carolina State University.

Ms. Natskakula spends most of her time with her son and dog, playing outside, cheering for Clemson, and spending time with friends and family. She loves sports and has coached volleyball, basketball, and cheerleading.

“Teaching is not my job, it is my calling. There is no greater achievement than watching a child’s face light up when they put words on a page together to make a sentence for the first time or achieve a personal goal. I strongly believe that EVERY child deserves the opportunity to be given the tools to prepare them for their future. This begins in elementary school, through fostering each student with a passion for learning and a desire to reach their goals.”

Due to a legislative action by the South Carolina General Assembly, the South Carolina State Board of Education passed a new cell phone policy for school districts across the state, which goes into effect after Winter Break. School districts must adopt this policy pertaining to personal electronic devices. At their December meeting, the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees approved an updated policy to comply with the state requirement.

While Greenville County Schools had updated our policy last year and this is not significantly different, we want to make sure you are aware of the most notable updates in order to comply with the state, which includes that student cell phones and personal electronic devices must be stored in backpacks, lockers, or in a location directed by school; this includes smartwatches, earbuds, and all other personal electronic devices and accessories.

Details about the updated policy can be reviewed on the district’s website. Please reach out to Mr. Brice with any questions by contacting the front office.

Our AJW Swap Shop is in need of cold weather items. Bring your gently used long sleeved collar shirts, sweaters/outer layers, and pants! Please be sure they follow our uniform guidelines. Thank you!

Email: cbrice@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/ajw/
Location: 420 Westfield Street, Greenville, S.C. 29601, USA
Phone: 864-452-0500