Dear Seaside Families,
It looks like it is going to be a beautiful weekend! Our students are learning and growing on a daily basis. I am so impressed with how hard working and smart our Stingrays are! We are looking forward to our Bingo Night this week sponsored by our PTO. If you can volunteer to help, please see the link below in the PTO section. Please know that if you are coming to the Bingo Night we will have our screening process with the weapons detection systems running. Please do not bring things that are not needed. We have our fall Book Fair coming up. Please be on the look out from your child's teacher on what day your student will be going to the book fair. Please do not forget that students are expected to complete the assignments from the eLearning Day that we had on Monday, September 16, 2024. Please send everything in as soon as possible, but no later than Wednesday, September 25th. The completed assignments will count for attendance on September 16, 2024.
We hope everyone enjoys the beautiful weekend on the Grand Strand. Please be safe this weekend and we are looking forward to seeing our Stingrays back and ready to learn on Monday, September 23, 2024.Andrew Ball Ed.D
Principal
Seaside Elementary
RAYS
R-Respect yourself and others
A-Always do your personal best
Y-You are special and you matter
S-Spread kindness
RAYS
šPlease make sure that you talk to your student about what it means to be a StingRAY! At Seaside Elementary we always are showing respect, always doing our personal best, knowing that they are special and matter, and spreading kindness at all times! š
Horry County Schools Superintendent Search
The Horry County Board of Education is currently conducting a search for a new superintendent to lead Horry County Schools. BWP & Associates, the superintendent search firm contracted by the Board of Education, will host community forums to collect input from students, staff, parents, and Horry County community members. These community forums will be held on September 24, 25, and 26, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. All are encouraged to attend. No RSVP is required. Visit https://www.horrycountyschools.net/superintendentsearch2024 for more information.
An essential step in the process is to identify the characteristics the board will be looking for in our new superintendent. We ask that you please fill out the online survey regarding the Superintendent Search on the school districtās website at https://www.horrycountyschools.net/Page/19358. This survey will be available until September 30, 2024.
****The meeting for the St. James cluster will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at St. James Middle School Auditorium. This will start at 6 P.M.****
Email that went out from Dr. Ingram our Interim Superintendent
Dear HCS Parents and Guardians,
In the wake of the September 4 mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, there has been a national spike in school threats, and Horry County Schools has not been exempt. Several of our schools have been plagued by many rumors of threats and by social media posts perpetuating these rumors throughout the week. School administrators have sent multiple parent messages acknowledging these rumors, and all information has been shared with our local law enforcement partners who are assisting us with the investigations.
The district and law enforcement see the same messages shared repeatedly on social media. Often, a message is edited to replace the school name or additional commentary and then shared again. When students or adults repost messages on social media and donāt report through the appropriate channels, it perpetuates fear and creates additional safety issues. It diverts resources from the school and law enforcement, complicates investigations, and makes it challenging to share accurate information with parents in a timely manner.
Parents can assist HCS and law enforcement by closely monitoring their children's social media accounts to ensure students report concerns directly to the school or law enforcement. If you come across a concerning post on social media, do not repost it ā this can do more harm than good.
Students are reminded of the many appropriate ways to report a school threat, including:
1. Contact law enforcement or call 911.
2. Contact their school principal or another school administrator.
3. Email Horry County Schools at saysomething@horrycountyschools.net (This method will record the email address of the reporter.)
4. Make an anonymous report to the School Crime Tip Line at any time by email or phone:
a. (843) 915-SROS (7767)
b. srotips@horrycounty.org
5. Make an anonymous report by clicking the red security icon on their school-issued devices.
Parents, please take some time this weekend to discuss this matter with your children.
Thank you for your assistance, and we appreciate your partnership in ensuring the safety of our students, staff, and visitors.
Dr. Eddie Ingram,
HCS Interim Superintendent
Horry County Schools Clear Backpack Policy
In an effort to further enhance our safety measures, HCS will be requiring clear backpacks for all students (who choose to carry backpacks) for the 2024-2025 school year.
Clear backpacks have become a common practice in schools across the country as they allow for easy identification of any items being brought onto campus. By implementing this protocol, we are taking proactive steps to create a safe and secure learning environment for our students.
Visit https://www.horrycountyschools.net/clearbackpacks for more specifics and FAQs regarding the clear backpack protocols.
Weapons Detection Scanners
With the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Horry County Schools will use OPENGATE weapon detection scanners to screen all students and guests including all elementary schools. Use the link below to view a brief video.
Clear Backpack Policy
We have noticed that students are putting a lot of stickers all over their clear backpack. This makes it very hard to see through the backpack. Trademark logos can only be so big. Please check your student's backpack to make sure that it can be clearly seen through. Also, please make sure that they are only bringing things that they actually need for school.
To check out more information regarding clear backpacks please visit https://www.horrycountyschools.net/clearbackpacks for more specifics and FAQs regarding the clear backpack protocols.
**We do not want to call and upset you about your student's backpack. However, we must enforce the clear backpack policy. Thank you for your understanding and help with this safety and security policy.**
Clear Backpack Policy
Backpacks must have clear visibility through all dimensions excluding the backpack bottom. We have clear backpacks in our front office. They are free to our students. Please call or stop in and we will gladly give you a free clear backpack that meets the HCS policy.
To check out more information regarding clear backpacks please visit https://www.horrycountyschools.net/clearbackpacks for more specifics and FAQs regarding the clear backpack protocols.
**We do not want to call and upset you about your student's backpack. However, we must enforce the clear backpack policy. Thank you for your understanding and help with this safety and security policy.**
Clear Backpack Policy
Colored transparent backpacks are not allowed. Only fully clear backpacks are permitted.
To check out more information regarding clear backpacks please visit https://www.horrycountyschools.net/clearbackpacks for more specifics and FAQs regarding the clear backpack protocols.
**We do not want to call and upset you about your student's backpack. However, we must enforce the clear backpack policy. Thank you for your understanding and help with this safety and security policy.**
September 25-PTO Bingo Night in the Gym Pizza 5-5:30 Bingo starts at 5:30. Questions? Please email ssepto@horrycountyschools.net
September 27th-October 4th Fall Book Fair
October 3- Fall Picture Day
Oct. 7-Oct. 11 PTO Family Picnic Week
10/7-1st Grade 10:40-11:10
10/8- CD/K 10:20-10:50
10/9-2nd Grade 12:00-12:30
10/10-3rd Grade 11:10-11:40
10/11- 4th Grade 12:50-1:20
October 14-Schools Closed/Possible Make-up Day
October 15-Schools Closed/Possible Make-Day
October 23- End of the first 9 weeks
October 28- Boosterthon Fundraiser Starts
October 30- Report Cards issued
November 5- No School Election Day
November 6- Boosterthon Event Day
Volunteer for Bingo Night!
Calling all helpers! We still need volunteers for Family BINGO Night. Please consider helping to make this night a success for the children and their families!
https://signup.com/mobileweb/2.0/vspot.html?activitykey=3182558026#choose_jobs_page
Breakfast and Lunch Free for ALL Students
All students in Horry County Schools will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 24-25 school year as part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. Click here for more information.
When coming to eat lunch with your child
We love having parents coming to eat with their child. Please sit with your child only at the tables that have been put out for parents.Please make sure to not travel anywhere else but to the lunch room and back down to the office. Parents are not allowed to walk around with or without their student around the building unsupervised.Thank you for your attention to this!
Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
Our doors open for our students at 7 A.M.
- For safety purposes no parents are allowed to walk their student to their classroom.
- Please make sure to always have your driver's license on you to present to the front office staff if you are bringing in or picking up your student.
- Breakfast begins at 7 A.M. and ends at 7:35 A.M.
- Tardy bell rings at 7:40 A.M. (Please make sure you are on time.) Our car rider line is empty from 7-7:25. Everything starts to pick up right at the last 15 minutes.
- Dismissal is at 2:40. If you are picking up in the car rider line, please have your car rider tag on your dash board the entire time or you will be asked to park and come to the front office.
Attendance Matters!
Research shows that consistent attendance is a critical piece of student success. Absences with doctor notes (medical, eye, dentist) will be marked as medically excused. If absent due to death in the family an obituary or memorial information is needed to excuse for bereavement.
If any of the following occur Horry County Schools requires an attendance meeting to implement an AIP (Attendance Intervention Plan):
- 3 consecutive unexcused absences
- 5 accumulative unexcused absences
- 10 unexcused tardy/early sign-outs
Did you know...? Why Daily Attendance Matters:
Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.
Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.
Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibilityāessential skills for success in life.
Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.
Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.
Message from Nurse Hopkins
Please reach out to Nurse Megan Hopkins if your child has any medical issues that the school may need to know (severe allergies, asthma, diabetes, seizures, etc.) If you need to reach her please call the school at 843-650-3490 or by email at MHopkins002@horrycountyschools.net. It is imperative that we know about any medical issues so that we are able to keep your child safe at all times.Please make sure that your child's shot records are up to date.
Message from Nurse Hopkins
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Horry County Schools (HCS) performs student mass health screenings in selected grade levels. As recommended by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), these screenings include vision, hearing, dental, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure screenings. Health screenings play an important role in the health and health education of our children and help to identify students who may need a referral for medical/professional evaluations. HCS health professionals do NOT perform medical evaluations. If a referral is necessary based on the screening findings, the school nurse will send information home with the student. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to schedule the appropriate medical appointment.
All health screening information is maintained in the school nurseās office and may only be shared with the childās parent or guardian.
Parents may opt out of student health screenings by sending the attached Student Health Screenings Opt-out form to your childās school nurse. Opt-out forms must be completed each school year. Additional information regarding health screenings can be found on our website at https://www.horrycountyschools.net/healthscreenings.
Car Rider
We have posted this on our Facebook page and I will always have this video on our Stingray Review. Please use the link to watch this video on how to go around the car rider loop and read important information below. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X2G-tnvNXbGSTFs13NOt3c32wOqI9ZJm/view?usp=drivesdk
Bus Office Information
Seaside Elementary is in the St. James Area cluster. If you have any questions about your student's bus or route please contact the St. James Area Bus Office at 843-650-1937. Please click on the HCS Transportation Page Bus Rules and Guidelines to help you with bus transportation information.
Please check your child's backpack!
Please check your child's backpack for inappropriate items, personal electronic devices, toys, stuffed animals, Pokemon cards, sports cards, plush toys etc. We do not want your child losing their personal items. We are not responsible for any lost items. We do not want any items coming to school that may cause a safety issue or cause your child to get into trouble for. Please only have your child bring school related materials. We thank you in advance for doing this! We really appreciate it!
Horry County Schools 2024-25 School Calendar!
The 2024-2025 School calendar is now available online!
Visit www.horrycountyschools.net/hcscalendar to view or download the pdf calendar.