Harbison Herald

Our lost and found is overflowing with coats!

Please visit LOST & FOUND to view items that may belong to your student. Call the front office to retrieve an item. Please provide the item number, child's name & child's teacher. Items will be sent home within 48 hours.

*Items MUST be claimed by Friday, December 20th or they will be donated.

The Lexington-Richland School District Five Board of Trustees approved the 2025-2026 Year-Round Modified Academic Calendar during its meeting on Monday, December 9.

The calendar has school beginning for students on August 7, 2025 and ending on May 22, 2026. The district will observe Fall Break again during the 2025-2026 school year. October 10, 2025 will be staff development and teacher work day, while schools and offices will be closed on October 13, 2025.

Other notable calendar features include:

• Thanksgiving Break: November 26-28, 2025
• Winter Break: December 22-January 1, 2026
• Spring Break: April 6- 10, 2026

Half days will be reserved for the last three days of the 2025-2026 school year. Half days for students include May 20, May 21 and May 22, 2026 (the last day of school for students). Possible severe weather make-up days are also included in the calendar that was approved by the Board.

To view the school year calendar, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yc7mva75

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 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

End of 2nd nine weeks

January 14

PTO/SIC Meeting at 7:30am

January 15

4K Field Trip

January 16th

Early Release Day at 11:40am for 4K-5th grade (3K DOES NOT attend)

Report Cards Go Home

District Five Elementary Magnet Fair at the Center 5pm-6:30pm

Use this link to complete the magnet & choice application.

All applications close at NOON on Wednesday, January 29th.

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. Whitney for staff member of the Week!

Ms. Whitney is a very special part of our Hero student nutrition staff. She goes above and beyond her duties as manager. She's an amazing friend and colleague whom I have the pleasure of working with everyday. Ms. Whitney is the heart of the kitchen. She is kind, caring and passionate about her love for the students and staff. Ms. Whitney shows her love in her cooking and those special treats she makes for staff and students. Thank you for being who you are and making our staff and students feel special each and every day.

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