Harbison Herald

WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENT: The National Weather Service is predicting a wintry mix, including freezing rain, for the northern midlands area on Friday, January 10, 2025, beginning in the afternoon and lasting into the night.

As a result, School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties will operate on an early release schedule on Friday, January 10, 2025. School District Five schools, including the virtual FIVE program, will dismiss as follows:

- All Intermediate Schools release @ 11:40 am

- All Elementary Schools release @ 11:50 am

- Academy for Success releases @ 12:30 pm

- All Middle Schools release @ 12:45 pm

- Spring Hill High School releases @ 12:50 pm

- All Other High Schools release @ 1:05 pm

Students in half-day preschool programs will not meet. Students with morning classes at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies will remain at their home schools for online instruction from their teachers. Afternoon classes at The Center and adult education will not meet.

Lunch will be provided to students at school.

In addition, all afterschool activities and childcare are cancelled on Friday, January 10, 2025. Friday night athletic events are being rescheduled, and the new times will be communicated by the individual coaches.

For any additional delays regarding school bus drop off, parents will be notified by the school district’s automated telephone system.

School District Five will notify families and staff of any additional schedule changes using the district’s automated communications system, the district website, and social media. #LexRich5Schools #ChapinSC #IrmoSC #SCWX

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.

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

January 17th

1st Grade Field Trip

January 20th

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - All schools & offices CLOSED

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.

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.

If you use the QR code, please make sure to put your child’s grade level in the comment section so your donation will count towards the Grade Level Wars.

Welcome back!! We hope you had an enjoyable break.

For the month of January PTO is helping to collect much needed; Facial tissues, Hand sanitizer and Cleaning wipes (these help for messy projects.)

Items can be purchased through our Amazon wish list or from your favorite local store.

Donations can be :
* shipped directly to the school 257 Crossbow Drive, Columbia SC 29212.
* Dropped at the front office.
* Labeled "PTO" and sent into school with your student.

Also BE ON THE LOOK OUT for our upcoming SWEETHEART DANCE!!!

Questions hwespto@hwespto.org

Mrs. Williams is a fantastic teacher who genuinely cares about meeting the educational needs of each of her students. She works tirelessly to ensure that her students are thriving academically. Mrs. Williams also goes out of her way to teach her students to be hard-working, empathetic, respectful and open-minded. She is training her students to not only be community citizens but to be global leaders. Thank you for your hard work Mrs. Williams!

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