FEBRUARY 4, 2025

NCCAE will celebrate Black History Month February 1st through February 28th. Please make sure to ask your learner about all the wonderful information and activities they will experience in the month of February as we celebrate!

Click here to read the article!

(FUN FACT: Caleb Avery Smith is the son of Niki Smith, NCCAE Parent Advocate)

As we celebrate Black History Month, we would like to take a moment to shine a spotlight on one of our dedicated custodial staff members, Mr. Gordon Daniels. His commitment to our school and the community embodies the spirit of service and excellence that we hold dear at NCCAE.

Mr. Daniels graduated from Lake Arthur High School in Lake Arthur, Louisiana. Following his education, he proudly served in the United States Navy, where he developed qualities of discipline, teamwork, and leadership that have shaped his career.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Daniels is an active member of Morris Brown AME Church. He serves on the Usher Board and is a valued member of the Men's Choir, contributing to the spiritual life of his community and fostering a sense of fellowship among its members.

Family is at the heart of Mr. Daniels’ life. He is married to his lovely wife, Angie Daniels, and together they have two daughters: Danielle (Leonard) Wiggins and Ayauana (Antonio) Greene. Mr. Daniels is also a proud grandfather to six grandchildren, whom he enjoys spoiling and traveling with. His family brings him immense joy and inspiration.

What drives Mr. Daniels in his role at NCCAE? He shares, “Helping people and making a difference in people's lives, no matter how big or small,” is what motivates him each day. His unwavering dedication to ensuring a clean and welcoming environment for our students and staff reflects his commitment to making a positive impact.

As we honor the contributions of individuals like Mr. Gordon Daniels during Black History Month, let us recognize the vital roles that all members of our community play in shaping a brighter future for our children. Thank you, Mr. Daniels, for your service and dedication to both our school and the community!

This week, we join schools across the nation in celebrating National School Counselor’s Week! This special occasion acknowledges the vital role that school counselors play in the lives of students, helping them navigate their academic journeys, emotional challenges, and future career paths. Our school counselor, Ms. Meghan Krikorian, embodies this mission, and we are thrilled to highlight her dedication and passion for supporting our students.

Ms. Krikorian shares that her journey into school counseling stems from her lifelong passion for mental health, especially in adolescents. “I realized throughout my education that the best place to reach kids is in a school setting,” she explains. “Sometimes there are barriers to coming to after-school mental health support, but students will always be attending a school!” What she loves most about being a school counselor is the opportunity to build relationships with everyone in the building. She is proud to say that her office is viewed as a safe space for students and staff alike, where they can come to talk freely whenever they need support.

At NCCAE, Ms. Krikorian is dedicated to ensuring that all students receive the guidance they need. She conducts monthly classroom guidance lessons that cover a variety of topics, focusing on the three pillars of school counseling: Academics, Social/Emotional Learning, and College/Career Readiness. “If students require additional support in a specific pillar, I am able to create small groups to expand on their learning in that area,” she notes. Furthermore, she integrates mentoring programs, character trait education, and classroom social-emotional learning through initiatives like Second Step to reinforce these crucial themes.

Ms. Krikorian emphasizes the importance of ongoing communication between students and their families. “I would encourage students and families to continue to have conversations in order to succeed!” she says. “Rapport and trust are the foundation of any relationship, and without a strong relationship, students often will not want to open up.” By fostering open conversations, families can help their children express their feelings and navigate their emotions more effectively. “Keep talking, keep connecting, and keep growing together!” she encourages.

With a heart full of gratitude, Ms. Krikorian expresses, “This is my absolute dream job, and I am so lucky to work at NCCAE. I love all my students, coworkers, and fellow counselors in the district!” Her enthusiasm and commitment shine through in all that she does, making a positive impact on our school community.

As we celebrate National School Counselor’s Week, let us take a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions of Ms. Meghan Krikorian. Thank you for your dedication to our students and for being a guiding light in their lives!

We are excited to introduce our new Cafeteria Manager, Ms. Jamilla Dickerson, who has joined our school community! With a passion for nutrition and a commitment to supporting our students, Ms. Dickerson brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our cafeteria.

Ms. Dickerson completed two years at The Art Institute Culinary Arts Program, where she honed her skills and developed a deep appreciation for the culinary arts. Her educational background provides her with a solid foundation to create nutritious and delicious meals for our students.

In addition to her culinary expertise, Ms. Dickerson is a talented artist. In her spare time, she loves to paint on canvas, finding solace and creativity in her artwork. “Painting is my safe space!” she shares, emphasizing the importance of creativity and self-expression.

Family is also a central part of Ms. Dickerson’s life. She comes from a large and loving family, with 9 aunts, 5 uncles, and 25 cousins! This close-knit background has instilled in her the values of support and collaboration, which she carries into her professional life.

What led Ms. Dickerson to this career path? Her experience as a Retail Manager at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital opened her eyes to the importance of nutrition in supporting and developing our youth. “I helped feed children that were trying to get better with their health,” she reflects. Now, in her role at CCSD, Ms. Dickerson is excited to help healthy kids stay healthy and to continue educating them about nutrition.

We are thrilled to have Ms. Jamilla Dickerson on board and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our cafeteria and our students' lives. Please join us in welcoming her to NCCAE!

Happy February! This is a busy month for us in the Hootie library. February is Library Lovers’ Month and Black History Month. Here are just a few things that are happening:

Tissue Box Story box competition

• The due date has been extended till Wednesday February 5th! Decorate a tissue box about a character from a book. Winning boxes will win prizes from the Book Fair.

For the Love of Reading Book Fair

February 10-14, 2025

• Go to the book fair website to set up an ewallet and to get more information.

• Would love some volunteers to help make the book fair run smoothly.

• Profit from the book fair sales will go towards reading incentives, new library books and materials, and towards a special author visit in March.

• The book fair will be coin free and orders will be rounded to the nearest dollar. The difference will be donated to Share the Fair. Share the Fair funds help purchase items for our students in need. Students will receive stickers and have a chance of winning a book for rounding up. We will have a lollipop pull for $1 donation. It will have students show kindness by donating to Share the Fair while also having a chance to win items from the book fair.

Black History Trivia

• The National Theme for Black History Month this year is African Americans and Labor.

• This month we will have trivia questions about various African Americans that have made an impact through the work that they do.

• Questions will be announced on the news show and students will have till the end of the day to respond to the trivia question. Students will be increasing their research skills by using databases: Pebble Go Biographies and Pebble Go Next to read about the different African Americans highlighted this month.

• Students with correct answers will receive 1 house point and be entered into a drawing for a prize.

• This week students are learning about: George Washington Carver, Lonnie Johnson, Lewis Latimer, Garrett Morgan and Ernest Everett Just.

As we move further into the cold and flu season, Nurse Wilcox would like to remind us all of the importance of maintaining good hygiene practices to help keep our students and staff healthy.

Currently, we are witnessing an increase in flu cases, along with some reported instances of COVID. In light of this, it is essential to reinforce healthy habits both at home and at school. One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness is through proper handwashing. Our school nurse emphasizes that washing hands with soap and water is far superior to using hand sanitizer. Please encourage your children to wash their hands with soap and water, especially before eating. This simple practice can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

At NCCAE, we are committed to promoting these healthy habits. We are actively reinforcing handwashing among students and have instructed our teachers to encourage handwashing after contact with high-touch areas in the school, such as door handles and handrails. Your support in reminding children of these practices at home will further strengthen our efforts.

In addition, teachers have been asked to keep an eye on student attendance and report any instances where more than five children are absent from class due to fever, cough, and/or sore throat. If a classroom meets this criteria, it will be eligible for additional infection control cleaning to ensure a safe environment for all.

Thank you for your continued cooperation in keeping our school community healthy. Together, we can help minimize the spread of illness and ensure that our students have a safe and productive learning experience. Stay healthy!

First grade students recently participated in a unit of study on outer space and the solar system that integrated the arts into learning. Engaging Creative Minds (ECM) teacher, Ms. Nina Jamison, spent the week of January 27th-31st leading lessons about planets, the moon, our sun, and constellations in the night sky.

Students engaged in lessons that included movement, dance, and acting to learn about our solar system and Earth. A HUGE shout out goes to Ms. Jamison for merging arts and science into first grade classrooms!

Enjoy the pictures here!

These artists were selected as January's Artists of the month! Stay tuned for February's Artists of the Month, they will be announced the first week of March! Way to go!

Summer STEAM Institute - Link to register

What is the location of the 2025 Summer STEAM Institute?

Summer STEAM Institute will be at TWO locations this summer!

Mt. Pleasant Academy, 605 Center St, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 and

North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary, 5200 Lackawanna Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29405

What are the dates of camp?

June 9 - July 25, 2025 (no camp June 30-July 4)

Please take a moment to read the Quarter 3 Fine Arts Department Newsletter and check out all the wonderful things happening in the arts!

Are you in need of after school care? Kaleidoscope After School program is still open and enrolling new students! If you would like information or to register your student you can reach out to Ms. Kat Norsworthy: kathryn_norsworthy@charleston.k12.sc.us or you can register online anytime by clicking this link: Kaleidoscope Registration. We are also now accepting SC Vouchers through DSS to help with childcare costs. To apply for vouchers please click this link: SC Voucher.

The Access testing window will be from January 21, 2025 through March 7, 2025.

"Access testing," specifically referring to "ACCESS for ELLs," is a standardized assessment used to measure the English language proficiency of students identified as English Language Learners (ELLs) in grades Kindergarten through 12, evaluating their abilities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and is administered annually to monitor their progress in acquiring academic English.

Key points about ACCESS testing:

Purpose: To monitor the progress of ELLs in acquiring academic English

Administered by: WIDA Consortium

Full name: Assessment for English Language Acquisition - ACCESS for ELL

Who takes it: Students identified as English Language Learners

What it measures: Proficiency in English language domains like listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

You can visit this website for more information: https://wida.wisc.edu/assess/access

Preparing for Testing

To ensure your child is ready to perform their best, we encourage you to follow these preparation tips:

1. Get Plenty of Rest: A good night's sleep before the testing days is crucial for focus and alertness.

2. Eat a Healthy Breakfast: A nutritious breakfast will provide the energy needed for concentration and stamina during the tests.

3. Encourage and Support: Cheer your child on and remind them to stay calm and focused. Positive encouragement can help alleviate any anxiety they might feel.

Thank you for your support in helping your child prepare for these important assessments. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.

The CCSD School Choice applications are open! School Choice will be open from January 14 through February 21, 2025. The application includes 31 choice schools and programs and allows families to apply for up to 5.

Learn more at ccsdschools.com/schoolchoice

Call School choice at: 843-937-6582

Email: school_choice@charleston.k12.sc.us

REGISTER FOR A TOUR HERE

Purchase your Hootie Grams today, order deadline February 10, 2025

Purchase Tickets to attend here!

The PTA is actively looking for sponsors for the upcoming Sneaker Ball. If you, your company, or a friend are interested in supporting North Charleston Creative Arts PTA, take a look at the sponsorship packet and connect with Kathleen Stevens at Kathleena87@gmail.com!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

$1000

ROADSIDE BLOOMS

New Balance Sponsor - $100

Volunteer time is from 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Parent volunteer opportunities are quickly opening up! Please consider signing up to help! We NEED YOU! If know you would like to sign up to volunteer, you MUST complete the volunteer application first. Go ahead and complete this form now! Click here and complete this step: District Volunteer Application

If your schedule allows, please take a moment to sign up to volunteer! We are hopeful to have an overwhelming response! We need you!

Wednesday Folder Volunteers

Picture Day volunteer link

Regular school attendance is a crucial factor in a child's academic success. Parents and families must prioritize punctuality and attendance, ensuring that their children arrive at school on time and ready to learn in elementary school. We are asking that parents and guardians make their best effort to ensure their learner gets sufficient rest and arrives at school prepared each day. School starts at 7:05 AM, with the tardy bell ringing at 7:25 AM. Students must be in their seats and ready to learn by this time.

Chronic absenteeism poses a significant challenge, as it can lead to students falling behind in their studies and struggling to catch up with their peers. While it is understandable that children may need to stay home when they are unwell, it is essential that they attend school regularly unless there is a medical reason preventing them from doing so. Truancy and chronic absenteeism are both detrimental to a child's academic progress, with truancy referring to unexcused absences and chronic absenteeism indicating frequent and prolonged absences. To address these issues, the administration will be meeting with parents of habitually late students and conducting truancy conferences with parents of students who are consistently absent. It is crucial for parents to prioritize school attendance and ensure that their children are present and engaged in their education to support their academic achievement.

When a student is absent, the school office must receive a valid excuse in the form of a doctor's/medical excuse or an excuse written by the parent or guardian, within three (3) days after the student returns to school. This excuse must contain: student’s name, teacher’s name, date(s) of absence, specific reason for absence and signature of parent or guardian. Excuses received via email will NOT be accepted, unless it is a scanned excuse that has been written and signed by the parent.

Visit the following link for more information on the affects that chronic absenteeism has on student success. Attendance Information

• Tuesday, Feb. 4

  A ribbon cutting for a new breakfast restaurant Biscuit Belly will be at 118 W. Richardson Ave., Summerville at 10 a.m.

  Library events:

• Storytime at the Goose Creek Library will be at 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. for ages 3-5.

• Kids and teens can learn how to crochet with Emily Enloe at 5 p.m. at the Park Circle Community Building in North Charleston. Registration is $20.

• Kids and teens can learn how to crochet with Emily Enloe at 5 p.m. at the Park Circle Community Building in North Charleston. Registration is $20.

  Wednesday, Feb. 5

  Cooking with Chef Rebecca: Healthy Snacks and Apps for Kids in the Kitchen will be at the Hanahan Library at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3 and older.

  Awendaw Green's Barn Jam will have live music at the Sewee Outpost in Awendaw from 5:30-9 p.m.

  Thursday, Feb. 6

  Storytime Adventures will be at the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry from 10-11 a.m.

  Library events:

  • Storytime at the Hanahan Library will be at 10:30 a.m. for ages 1-5.
  • Storytime at the Moncks Corner Library will be at 10:30 a.m. for ages 5 and under.

  College of Charleston men's basketball team will take on the North Carolina A&T Aggies at TD Arena, 301 Meeting Street, at 6 p.m.

Here are various ways you can support NCCAE!

Location: 5200 Lackawanna Blvd, North Charleston, SC, USA
Phone: (843)529-2831