Harbison Herald

NOMINATION DEADLINE IS TOMORROW, DECEMBER 6th.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Tri-District Arts Consortium Summer Program. Middle school students who attend the public schools of Lexington One, Lexington-Richland Five and Richland Two are eligible to participate. This year Tri-DAC celebrates its 40th anniversary of providing students an outstanding and concentrated study in the arts.

To nominate a Lexington-Richland School District Five student click the following link nomination form.

The program is designed for artistically gifted and talented students who are rising sixth through ninth graders in the summer before the 2025-2026 school year. Students may audition in creative writing, dance, music (strings, vocal and wind/percussion), theatre or visual art.

The Summer Program will be held by the Palmetto Center for the Arts on the campus of Richland Northeast High School in Richland District Two June 9 through June 27, 2025 from 9:00 am until 3:15 pm each day, Monday through Friday. The cost for the three weeks is $475.00.

Arts teachers, classroom teachers, administrators and parents may nominate students. Nomination forms for all art areas, along with general information about the Tri-District Arts Consortium are available online in each school district and on the Tri-DAC website at tridac.org.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, December 6, 2024. Applications will be sent to each student nominated. Spaces for qualified students from each district are limited.

Auditions for Strings, Visual Art and Vocal students will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Richland Northeast High School. Auditions for the areas of Band, Creative Writing, Dance, Theatre and Visual Art students will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Richland Northeast High School. There will be no make-up auditions.

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.

We would love to get your feedback! Please complete this short form by Friday, December 13th.

https://forms.gle/fys2NKmgbMsYt7sT7

The public is invited to review proposed textbooks & instructional materials to be used in South Carolina's public schools. Please view this memo from the SC Department of Education for more information.

December 10

PTO/SIC Meeting at 7:30am

December 11

MAP testing (Reading)

1st - 5th grade students - Bring fully charged chromebook

December 12

MAP testing (Math)

1st - 5th grade students - Bring fully charged chromebook

December 16-20

Countdown to Winter Break Spirit Days (see graphic below)

December 20

Holiday Sing-a-long at 1:30pm

December 23 - January 7

Winter Break - All schools & offices CLOSED

*January 7th is a teacher workday - NO SCHOOL for students (office open)

January 8

Students return from Winter Break

We are excited to announce that Harbison West is partnering with Special Olympics South Carolina to participate in the Lake Murray Polar Plunge. We will dive into this fundraising opportunity starting in December with Candy (Polar Pop) Grams, which will be available each week for students to purchase. 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.

The D5 Foundation is hosting a Pampered Chef fundraiser going on now through December 15th (to allow time for holiday shipping). All proceeds will go right back into your schools through snack packs, emergency funds, teacher grants, and student grants. This is a quick and easy way to knock out some of that holiday shopping plus help others in need at the same time.

Happy Holidays!

D5 Foundation Pampered Chef Fundraiser

The students in the Irmo Theater Company at Irmo High School are hosting a Holiday Market on Saturday, December 14th. Scan the QR code or visit the link below to purchase tickets.

Looking for childcare while you shop for the littles? Reserve a 3-hour spot at the Holiday Market at the Irmo Center for the Arts on Saturday, Dec 14. You can enjoy holiday shopping while your child gets 3 hours of fun! Choose from 12-3 pm or 3-6 pm. The price for 3 hours is just $40 for 1 child and $20 more for each additional sibling. Ticket price includes a picture with Santa. Children must be 5 and up as well as potty trained. Childcare from 12-3 pm includes a spaghetti lunch, but please pack a lunch and a snack if your child as dietary restrictions. For 3-6pm childcare (no lunch provided), please provide a snack for your child if they have dietary restrictions. The individual who drops off their child must be the same individual who picks them up. Spaces must be reserved in advance at https://gofan.co/app/school/SC1145_1

Tickets are also sold separately for lunch or a photo with Santa if you do not need childcare:

Lunch with Santa: $15 for an individual ticket. Price includes a spaghetti lunch with salad, and a breadstick. Family tickets for up to 5 people can be purchased for $40 and include a photo session with Santa! Lunch is served 11 am – 3 pm.

Photo with Santa: Pay just $10 if you purchase your ticket in advance. Tickets at the door are $15. There are no assigned time slots.

Have questions? Contact ITCHolidayMarket@gmail.com

UPCOMING FUNDRAISER

Save the date for PARENTS' NIGHT OUT at ALLSTAR GYMNASTICS!

Friday, December 20th from 6pm-9pm.

$15/per child 4k-8th grade.

Snack & juice included, please have dinner before arriving.

This is a drop off event, but there is a viewing area for parents who want to stay.

No pre-registration required.

4046-D Fernandina Road, Columbia SC 29212 (near Costco)

Questions : (803) 561-9682 allstargymcola@gmail.com, or hwespto@hwespto.org

AMAZON WISH LISTS

Are you getting ready to start your holiday shopping? If you are looking for a little something to give your child's teacher and would like some ideas; the PTO has compiled some Amazon wish lists for our staff. Click on the photo below to view the lists.

Questions? hwespto@hwespto.org

I select Ms. Michele for Staff Member of the Week! She goes above and beyond her duties of assistant manager of student nutrition! She works hard to make sure students select choices for a balanced lunch, but also helps them to build their independence and find their voice as they move through the lunch line. Ms. Michele is attentive to the needs of students and is always there to lend a helpful hand to help monitor in the cafeteria. There are some friends who may need extra TLC by the time they get to lunch and she is never too busy to give it to them!

Website: www.lexrich5.org/hwes
Location: 257 Crossbow Drive, Columbia, SC, USA

Phone: (803)476-3800
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HarbisonWestElem

Instagram: @HarbisonWestElem
X: @HarbisonWestEl