Dolphin Weekly Waves

From the Principal

We will take spring pictures Tuesday and Wednesday, March 26 and 27 (schedule to the right).

Spring Break begins this Friday and continues the next week - April 1-5. We hope everyone has a restful break!

Have a wonderful week!

Angie Garrison, Ed.D.

Principal

Our very own third grader, Saelor Tucker, is being hailed as a hero by the Easley Police Department after calling 911 when she discovered her mother experiencing a medical emergency at their home. Saelor’s quick-thinking helped save her mother’s life when she called for help on the evening of February 11, 2024. During the call, she remained composed while communicating with dispatch and helped to calm her siblings that were also within the home until first responders arrived. Her fearless actions are nothing short of heroic and we are so proud!

Thank you Easley Police Department for hosting this special award presentation complete with cookies for all! Also, a special thank you to our Principal, Dr. Garrison, SRO Holcombe, Saelor’s teacher Ms. Cao, and her classmates for making cards and a poster to present to her as well. She is definitely our “Everday Hero.”

So proud of our West End Honors Choir and our wonderful leader, Mrs. Bowden! They sounded amazing in the elementary district choral festival at Rock Springs church last week.

We only have 40 yearbooks left for purchase! These will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Get your order in quickly, because once these books are sold, we will not be ordering more! If you have questions about yearbook orders, please contact Ms. Day at ashbieday@pickens.k12.sc.us.

Mrs. Chapman will be hosting an outdoor story time (weather permitting) this week with our preschoolers (ages 0-4) and their caregivers on Wednesday at 11am. Join us!

Be sure to add these dates and times to your calendar:

• Wednesday, March 27- Read with Me Preschool Storytime

• Thursday, March 28- March Distinguished Dolphins Celebration (invite only)

• Tuesday, April 16- Virtual Parent Session Topic: End of Year Testing Tips and More!

• Friday, April 26- April Distinguished Dolphins Celebration (invite only)

• Thursday, May 2- Honors Choir and West End Singers Concert at Trinity Point Church

• Monday, May 13- Spring Title 1 Planning Team Meeting 4:00pm

• Monday, May 13- Spring Musical (Grades K-2nd) at Easley High School

• Thursday, May 16- Rising K5 Night 5:00pm

Week 5- This week is our final week of learning about our super reader strength- courage. Having courage means you will tell the truth regardless of the consequences. Honesty is always the best policy. We challenge you to always be courageous enough to be honest, no matter what.

January 11 - The process for applying for K3 and K4 preschool and registering new K5 students (new to SDPC) opens Thursday, January 11.

A few notes:

• Students currently enrolled in an SDPC K3 or K4 program do not need to apply for K4 or K5 - you will automatically roll up in our system. See letters to current K3/K4 parents below.
• Please see the attachments below for program information and new application process (new students) for K3 and K4 programs.
• Application information for K3 and K4 is also available at this link.
• Kindergarten (K5) students who will be new to SDPC/West End for the 2024-25 school year (have not attended a district K4 program) should visit this link for K5 registration information.
  

This is a lot of information! We are available to answer any questions. Please be sure to contact us at 864-397-2500 for assistance.

If your child is absent, please remember to send in parent notes, doctor/dentist notes, etc. so that attendance can be coded correctly in PowerSchool. You can also complete the Google form at the link below with details for the absence. A message is sent to our Data Entry Clerk via email including that information as a note for the absence(s).

Each month, you have the opportunity to honor a teacher of your choosing as the "West End Teacher of the Month!" Simply complete this form telling us why the teacher you chose is deserving. You may nominate as many times as you wish. Thank you for supporting our teachers and recognizing the hard work they put in to teaching your child each day. 😍

West End families, we value your opinion on school related matters! Please use the Google form below to give us input, feedback, new ideas, or ask a question! We appreciate your time and how you make West End better! This form will be opened all school year long!

Tech fees for all students in grades K5-5th are due. They are $25 per student. Tech fees are required each year, and cover accidental damages to the device during the school day and at home. Each teacher decides when the device is needed for at home use, but will not be allowed to send it home with your child until the tech fee is paid. Our administrative team has begun contacting families that have not paid. Please reach out to us if you have questions about this.

• MySchoolBucks - Sign up for a MySchoolBucks account for online payments for tech fees, field trip fees, t-shirt sales, etc.

• All students K5-5 will be assigned a device for classroom and home use. Before sending the device home, a $25 Tech it Home user fee to cover accidental damage to the device, charging device, and carrying case should be paid. More information about the Tech It Home Fee.
• Schoology is a learning platform that allows parents to communicate with teachers, stay on top of student assignments, and monitor student progress (grades 3-5). Access Codes will come home soon. Please let us know if you need help getting connected.
• Securly is a powerful tool designed to help parents monitor and set limits on their child's school-issued device. Please let us know if we can help with the program.

Did you know that:

1. Pickens County has a highly successful adult education program which year after year is among the state’s most effective programs in a number of categories,
2. The Learning Center served over 500 residents of Pickens County during the last school year by offering GED preparation, high school diploma completion, workplace literacy, ESL and civics instruction, parenting classes, career preparation, and assessments for SC Works,
3. The Learning Center had 78 graduates last school year and a combined 339 graduates in the last four school years which includes the “Covid years,” and
4. The Learning Center partners with Tri County Tech to offer the IBEST program in healthcare, manufacturing, and College 101. Students can be concurrently enrolled seeking to complete a GED or high school diploma while earning college credit and workplace-recognized credentials – all at no cost to the student?

Interested? Contact SDPC Adult Education at 864-397-3800 or visit the Learning Center website .

Be sure to follow West End on Facebook!

West End Website

Twitter- @westendelem

Instagram- @westendelem

Phone (864)397-2500

Dr. Angie Garrison, Principal Email: angiegarrison@pickens.k12.sc.us