Forest Hills Elementary

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the Curriculum & Instruction Dept. celebrated Mrs. Tracy McDonald’s retirement! Mrs. McDonald has served Colleton County School District as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and as the Coordinator of Assessment & Accountability. We wish her well after all of her hard work & dedication to the district.

News Release: SPLASH INTO SAFETY SWIM PROGRAM KICKS OFF JUNE 16 Providing drowning prevention and water safety for children in rural areas across Dorchester and Colleton Counties Charleston, SC (May 5, 2025) – In 2023 seven organizations partnered together to launch the Splash into Safety swim program across Colleton and Dorchester Counties. Since starting the program 2 years ago, more than 500 children have been taught drowning prevention and water safety in rural areas across the two counties. We are excited to announce this year’s program will kick off on June 16th in Walterboro and July 7th in St. George. Parents and caregivers can register children ages 5 to 12 years old for the program, which includes daily lessons for 5 days at $5, only $1 per lesson. The partnership united the Summerville Family YMCA, Colleton County Parks & Recreation, Dorchester County Parks & Recreation, Summerville Medical Center, and Dorchester School District 4 with the critical mission to teach children drowning prevention and increase water safety education in our communities. The Splash into Safety program has received numerous awards and accolades, including: • 2024 SC House of Representatives resolution • 2024 Colleton County Council proclamation • 2024 Dorchester County Council proclamation • 2024 Town of Summerville proclamation • 2023 SC Parks & Recreation Association Award for Programming Excellence • 2023 Outstanding Safety Achievement Award from the South Carolina Association of Counties • 2023 SC Healthcare Heroes Award for Community Engagement • 2023 Carolinas Healthcare PR & Marketing Society Golden Tusk Award for Special Events “At the Summerville Family YMCA, we believe a child’s safety in and around water should never be left to chance,” commented Joe Debney, Summerville Family YMCA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Taking part in formal water safety classes reduces the risk of drowning among children and provides both education and awareness. We are proud to offer courses all year at the Summerville Family YMCA, from water safety to swim team skills.” The CDC ranks South Carolina as the 9th highest rate in the U.S. for pediatric drownings. Every year in the U.S. there are an estimated 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings and 8,000 nonfatal drownings. “This is a very serious concern for our community and we are committed to provide families with water safety education to help prevent future drownings,” said Adam Barouh, MD and Pediatric Emergency Department Medical Director at Summerville Medical Center. “Some of the factors include not being able to swim, but also missing or broken fences around water, lack of lifejackets, lack of close supervision, and even prior health problems.” The Splash into Safety program transports a 24 foot long and 3 feet deep portable pool holding 7,000+ gallons of water to the event locations for the duration of the program. Certified swim instructors from the Summerville Family YMCA teach water safety and drowning prevention techniques. Certified life guards monitor the pool at all times. “The Splash into Safety program has taken a combined effort from multiple agencies between Colleton and Dorchester County in order to be able to provide water safety instruction to the youth of both counties,” said Dr. Chris Myers with Colleton County Parks & Recreation. ”Without the cooperation of all involved, this program would not have had the success it had in 2023 or be feasible moving forward. The hope of the program in 2025 remains the same, that through quality water safety instruction we are taking a small step in the right direction to better prepare our youth for the dangers that are associated with water and water activities.” Splash into Safety swim program details Colleton County: • June 16 – 27, 2025 • Location: Colleton County Parks & Recreation, 280 Recreation Lane, Walterboro, SC 29488 • Registration: https://summervilleymca.org/splash-into-safety/ Dorchester County: • July 7 – 18, 2025 • Location: Davis-Bailey Park, 5190 E Jim Bilton Blvd, St George, SC 29477 • Registration: https://summervilleymca.org/splash-into-safety/

The last day of school for Colleton County School District is Friday, May 23, 2025. The early dismissal schedule will be followed. BSECC will dismiss at 10:40 a.m. All elementary schools will dismiss at 11:00 a.m. CCMS will dismiss at 12:15 p.m. CCHS will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. The Colleton County High School Class of 2025 will graduate on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Cougar Stadium. You must present the actual ticket to enter the ceremony.

The last day of school for Colleton County School District is Friday, May 23, 2025. The early dismissal schedule will be followed. BSECC will dismiss at 10:40 a.m. All elementary schools will dismiss at 11:00 a.m. CCMS will dismiss at 12:15 p.m. CCHS will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. The Colleton County High School Class of 2025 will graduate on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Cougar Stadium. You must present the actual ticket to enter the ceremony.

On Thursday, May 15,2025, this awesome group of CCSD staff held a Registration Day from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm @ the CCSD Board Room. These smiling faces worked diligently to assist parents to register their Pre-K, Kindergarten, or other children for the 2025-2026 school year.

From Mrs. Meagan McMillan (BES 4th Grade Teacher): I wanted to share some information with you about an upcoming event at Bells Elementary School that I think would be great to share with the public. In celebration of our current novel study on the Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies, our fourth graders will be hosting their very own lemonade war at the Bells Elementary School bus ramp on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. The boys and girls will be using the business strategies that they have learned in the novel to compete to see who can raise the most money selling lemonade. All proceeds will go to supporting a large project at our local animal shelter. We would love for you to come out either Tuesday, May 20th or Wednesday, May 21st to support this great cause and to share some positivity within our community regarding the great things that are happening within our school district. Students will be selling lemonade from 9:00 to 11:00 on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Have a great day!

Colleton County School District Highlights – May 13, 2025 On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the Colleton County School District School Board held its Committee of the Whole meeting at 5:00 p.m. at the District Office. A highlight of the evening was the recognition of outstanding staff and students, showcasing the excellence and dedication within our schools. The evening began with warm greetings from the BES Princess & Pearls and the Young Men's Club, who graciously served as greeters. Above & Beyond Staff Recognition – May Honorees We proudly recognized the following staff members for going above and beyond in their commitment to our students and community: Diamond Berry – BES Melanie Gonzalez – BSECC Joyce Ramirez – CES Merilyn Williams – FHE Jeanne Jarmon – NES Charlene Williams – CCMS Lydia Culler – CCHS Karen Jenkins – TCTC Brandon Williams – CAS/Impact Congratulations to these dedicated professionals for their hard work and positive impact! Celebrating Dual Graduates Superintendent Jessica Williams honored our Colleton County High School and USC-Salkehatchie Dual Enrollment graduates. We commend the following students for their exceptional academic achievement: Grace Lynn Breland Jada Christian MacKayla Lei Connelly Allen Johnathan-Pierce Herndon Nora Sarah Holmes Taylen Lilly Lyons Madison Ja’kell Elizabeth Murray Sean Josue Nunez Laynie Carolina Sanders Chace Montgomery Sherrod Islene Atzury Silva Gutierrez Shannon Nicole Smoak Willis Allen Stivender Your hard work and dedication inspire us all—congratulations! Culinary Excellence at the Rice Festival A special shout-out to Chef Williams and his talented students who participated in the Rice Festival’s Annual Rice Cook-Off. Seniors Rocco Vera and Hayden Chaplin took home first place with their delicious red rice recipe, earning a $500 cash prize and a trophy. Well done, chefs!

On May 13, 2025, seniors from the Colleton County High School Class of 2025 returned to their former elementary schools to be honored for their accomplishments. Each school celebrated the visiting graduates with heartfelt recognition—hallway walks, speeches, poems, food, and small gifts. These moments not only spotlighted the seniors' achievements but also served to inspire the younger students to pursue their own academic goals. It was a meaningful way to celebrate success and foster motivation across generations. https://youtu.be/tJeucF5sSE0?feature=shared BES https://youtube.com/shorts/nW06FbeDyeE?feature=share CES https://youtube.com/shorts/py1m9EPWdZk?feature=share NSE https://youtube.com/shorts/YYU9HYj0G50?feature=share NES https://youtube.com/shorts/-9GiXdYzrkU?feature=share HES https://www.facebook.com/reel/799087048522456/?s=fb_shorts_tab&stack_idx=0 HES

On Monday, May 12, 2025, Senator Margie Bright Matthews visited Colleton County Middle School to speak to students about the values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Senator Matthews, who has served as a South Carolina Senator for 10 years, was recently recognized on May 6, 2025, for her unwavering commitment to public service. The Colleton County School District is incredibly proud of Senator Matthews and her achievements. It's always a special occasion when one of our own graduates returns to give back to the community, inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Per FHE Music Teacher Taylor Fussell: "I’m so proud of each of the kids who had a hand in #WHAM!2025! The students in this district are so talented! The artwork that our art teachers submitted blew me away! I was in awe of the creativity from them! For the music side of WHAM! It was amazing to bring together so many talented students from around our district. We had students who ranged kindergarten through 5th grade singing on the stage tonight! The fact that the students only sang together for the first time today and then performed amazed me! They are so talented! I may have had a huge hand in coordinating this performance but it definitely would not have come together without the help of Joelle Glapinski, Anthony Crimely Jr., and Jennifer Robbins Bunton! The three of them are definitely my rocks and I am so blessed to have them as colleagues! The teamwork that we have is amazing! Thank you WHAM - Walterboro History, Arts & Music for inviting the Colleton Elementary Choir to perform at the finale!!" Please enjoy & share these wonderful video clips of the choir. https://youtu.be/qid_3Jd90oo?si=4-p9J2Lr6rVWmB4R https://youtu.be/XA0ckidkgdU?si=eY-c6yn9kkm5GXmT https://youtu.be/a561S5ski0A?si=cWvkMf4-JnKuEwqQ

Today, May 10, 2025, The Colleton County School District participated in the WHAM! Finale. Our students from BSECC, CES, NES , & FHES performed at the Colleton Civic Center. Thank you to everyone that made this event possible. Students from all schools had artwork submitted by their teachers.

As Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, we want to take a moment to say that our appreciation for you doesn’t end here. Each and every day, you make a difference—for our students, their families, and our entire community. You are truly the heartbeat of our district.

Thank you to the wonderful, caring school nurses that support the Colleton County School District & take such good care of our students and staff.

Today is School Communicators Day! I am so proud to support the awesome Colleton County Superintendent Jessica F. Williams!

Due to the threat of inclement weather, we’ve made the decision to move the WHAM! finale to the Colleton Civic Center at 494 Hampton St. tomorrow evening. All programs will go on as planned as well as times, only the venue has changed. Things kickoff at 5 PM.

1890 Explorers’ CAMP Camper’s will explore agriculture through South Carolina State University’s 1890 Extension program areas: 4-H Youth Development, Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource, Family Nutrition and Health, Community and Economic Development and Education, Innovation and Support. Programs will be conducted in the mornings and afternoons will be filled with arts and crafts, games and other interactive fun-filled activities. Campers will be involved in activities such as swimming, farm visits, field days, drones and cooking demonstrations. $25 registration fee Limited spots available. Register >> 1890.info/4jdSpKQ or scan the QR Code. Low Country Region Latosia Gibson, 4-H youth development agent lgibson9@scsu.edu | (803) 943-3538

Colleton County School District Preschool, Kindergarten & New Student Registration 2025–2026 School Year The Colleton County School District will host a registration event for preschool, kindergarten, and new students on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the District Board Room, located at 500 Forest Circle, Walterboro, SC 29488. Please bring the following required documents: Long-form birth certificate Two proofs of residency (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement) Immunization record Parent/guardian photo ID Any relevant custody or legal documentation (if applicable) For more information, please contact the Colleton County School District office. ***Colleton County School District is not affiliated with any public charter schools.***

This week is "NURSE APPRECIATION WEEK! Our school nurses are so thoughtful and caring. Please make sure you "Thank your Nurse" today & everyday!

This week is "NURSE APPRECIATION WEEK! Our school nurses are so thoughtful and caring. Please make sure you "Thank your Nurse" today & everyday!

Greetings, TEAM Colleton. Today is Thoughtful Thursday! We have the most thoughtful teachers working in our schools! You genuinely care about your students & they know it!. We hope you take advantage of today's special treats from our local businesses. Thank you to: Waffle House (located next to Ruby Tuesday), Subway (the one close to Walmart), Hardee's, & Bucky's Seafood.