There's still time to grab your Forest Hills school shirts! The online school store will remain open through August 9.
Whether it's for school spirit days, field trips, or showing off your Forest pride, don't wait—place your order before the store closes! 💙🤍🐾
https://jussports.tuosystems.com/stores/fhe2627
FHE Families,
Welcome to another exciting school year at Forest Hills Elementary! I am honored to welcome both our returning Cougar Cub families and those joining us for the very first time.
Last year, we focused on Growing Together in The Forest. This year, we are ready to take the next step as we Flourish in The Forest! Every new school year brings fresh opportunities to learn, build friendships, discover new talents, and achieve great things. At FHE, we believe that when schools and families work together, our children thrive. We are committed to providing every student with a safe, caring, and engaging environment where they can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our teachers and support staff have spent countless hours preparing for an incredible school year, and we are excited to welcome our Cougar Cubs back for a successful first day of school!
Morning Arrival
Car riders will enter from the car rider side of the building. There are two lanes entering campus that will merge into one lane, as indicated by the newly painted lines on our car loop. Once merged, vehicles should pull alongside the sidewalk so students can safely exit on the right (sidewalk) side of the vehicle.
Please be patient during the first few days of school as many new families are learning our arrival procedures. Your kindness and cooperation help ensure a safe and smooth start for everyone.
School Safety
The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. Upon entering the building, all students will walk through a metal detector supervised by teachers and administrators. This additional safety measure helps ensure that prohibited items do not enter our school and allows us to maintain a secure learning environment for every child.
Visitor Procedures
To help us safely welcome more than 500 Cougar Cubs on the first day, families will not be permitted to walk students to their classrooms. Parents and guardians are welcome to walk their child to the main lobby, but only students and staff will be allowed beyond that point during morning arrival.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we maintain a safe and orderly start to the school day.
Stay Connected
Thank you to everyone who has joined our ClassDojo! This will be one of our primary communication tools throughout the school year, so please be sure to check it regularly for important announcements, reminders, and celebrations.
You can also find school information, calendars, and updates by visiting our website:
https://fhe.colleton.k12.sc.us/o/fhes
First Day Dismissal
Please remember that this Monday and Tuesday, dismissal will begin 15 minutes earlier than our regular schedule. Students will dismiss at 2:00 PM instead of 2:15 PM to help ensure a smooth and efficient dismissal process.
Thank you for partnering with us as we begin another wonderful year at Forest Hills Elementary. We cannot wait to welcome our Cougar Cubs back to The Forest! Together, we will learn, grow, and Flourish in The Forest.
Here's to a PAWSOME 2026–2027 school year! 🐾
Joe Guarino
Principal
Forest Hills Elementary School
The final day of new employee induction began with the Superintendent Breakfast. New employees heard remarks from several speakers, including Colleton County School District Board of Trustees Chairperson Glenn Nixon, Walterboro Mayor James Broderick, Walterboro County Council Chairman Scott Biering, and Superintendent Tripp Aldredge. The Forest Hills Elementary Honors Choir, led by Miss Taylor Fussell, performed several musical selections before breakfast, which was prepared by the Colleton County School District Office of Student Nutrition. After breakfast, new employees visited their home schools with their principals for classroom tours.
The Office of Curriculum and Instruction continued New Staff Induction with a day focused on preparing teachers for a successful school year. Sessions emphasized effective classroom management, establishing classroom routines and procedures, building positive relationships with students, and creating engaging learning environments. The Office of Exceptional Learning provided a brief overview of its programs, services, and support available to teachers and schools. New educators left with practical strategies and resources to help them begin the school year with confidence.
The Office of Teaching and Learning welcomed our newest educators with a day focused on building a strong instructional foundation for the school year. Teachers explored effective teaching and learning practices, classroom management strategies, engaging instructional activities, and beginning-of-the-year procedures designed to create positive learning environments from day one. The Office of Student Support Services also provided an overview of its roles, responsibilities, and the comprehensive support available to schools, students, and families. Throughout the day, participants collaborated with district staff and colleagues while gaining practical tools and resources to support student success.
District staff welcomed new employees for the 2026–2027 school year with a celebratory welcome tunnel. The Band of Blue drumline and staff cheers created a memorable display of district pride. Superintendent Aldredge shared a welcome message and the district’s vision. Throughout the day, new employees rotated through sessions on district culture and success, benefits, and payroll.
Hello Cougar Cub families!
For those interested in ordering school shirts this year, please use the link below. 🐾
https://jussports.tuosystems.com/stores/fhe2627
When placing your order, you won't know your child's teacher yet—and that's perfectly okay! Just be sure to include your child's name on the order form so we can match the order correctly.
Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend! 😃
Inclusive Learning Plans: CCSD teachers, along with Dr. Tiffany Arnold from Math Nation, developed sample lessons, practiced co-teaching strategies, and created a structured communication bridge between resource and core classrooms to ensure targeted, daily support for all students.
Deep Dive into Data: Math teachers dove into the SCDE Regional PLO course, Dipping Into DPSR, focusing specifically on mastering the Data, Probability, and Statistical Reasoning strands for middle schoolers.
Our educators are committed and ready to deliver high-quality instruction and support that empowers every student to succeed.
https://www.colleton.k12.sc.us/o/ccsd/page/back-to-school-resources
Once you are on main page, Click the “+” icon next to any topic to expand and view more details.
What an incredible way to wrap up an amazing summer! Our students finished strong, celebrated their accomplishments, and created memories that will last a lifetime. We are so proud of all they achieved through their hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm throughout the program.
Thank you to our outstanding staff, families, and community partners for making this summer a success. We wish all of our students a safe, fun, and restful remainder of the summer.
Until next year, keep learning, keep growing, and keep reaching for your dreams!
https://beckyroyphotography.smugmug.com/CCSD-Retirement-Banquet-2026
https://beckyroyphotography.smugmug.com/Mrs-Williams-Retirement-Banquet
Teachers of the Year:
BSECC - Tynette Goff
BES - Amy Cook
CES - Ashleigh Cook
FHE - Jeremiah Asendido
HES - Christal Atis
NES - Summer White
CCMS - Leonora Mariano
CCHS - Isaac Agina
TCTC - Chelsea Edens
Rookie Teachers of the Year:
BSECC - Kimberly Davis
CES - George Ritchie
FHE - Sydney Hovenstine
HES - Diane Clarke
CCMS - Abigail Hanna
CCHS - Bryce Smyly
Support Employees of the Year:
BSECC - Taleyah Washington
BES - Domincio Williamson
CES - Cotrina White-Hampton
FHE - Tara O'Bryant
HES - Laverne Thompson
NES - Brandon Williams
CCMS - Charlene Williams
CCHS - Toija Bennett
TCTC - Hannah Hampleton
Buildings & Grounds - Terrance Gadson
District Offices - Maytee Stephens
Informational Technology - Adam Groves
Transportation - Denise Mole
The Teacher of the Year Finalists include:
Leonora Mariano - CCMS
Ashleigh Cook - CES
Isaac Agina - CCHS
The Teacher of the Year and the Support Employee of the Year district winners will be announced at the Convocation to kick off the 2026-2027 school year. Congratulations again to these well-deserved recipients!! Please enjoy the photos from the TOY and SEOY Banquet.
https://beckyroyphotography.smugmug.com/TOY-and-SEOY-Banquet-2026
USC Salkehatchie is offering a free clean energy summer camp for ages 10-14. Use the information on the flyer below to sign up. Limited spots available.
