2017-2018 News
JCCE Students Excel at Accelerated Reader
Mrs. Martin's students were challenged to make 100% on 10 Accelerated Readers books between March 2nd and June 2nd. The first student to accomplish this goal was 3rd grader, Cruz Gleason, followed by 5th grader, Gracie Lackford. 4th grader, Zamere Smith, also reached this goal. Their reward was a Star Student Award, their punched Super Reader card, and $5.00 cash. Congratulations to these students! |
National Safe Boating Week Presentation at WWES
On May 17th, Sandy Gresham, Jo Graziano and Chuck Gresham of Thurmond Lake Sail and Power Squadron presented water safety instruction to two third grade classes at Westwood Elementary School in Abbeville. This was a Squadron activity associated with National Safe Boating Week. Sandy started out with how to assist a swimmer in trouble with the 'Reach, Throw, Row, Go' method, illustrating how one could throw anything you have by the water that will float including Styrofoam coolers, PFDs and beach balls. Then Jo took a portion of the classes and let them color and work through the water safety book 'Zippett'. The other portion of the classes stayed with Sandy for PFD instruction. First the students tried on the life jacket they were given, then Sandy explained that you need a PFD that fits, then you had to wear it correctly. Sandy and Chuck gently pulled the shoulder straps of the PFDs to show the students that if the PFD is not firmly worn, it will ride up when the child is in the water. This instruction has become an annual occasion that is very much appreciated by the Westwood teachers visited; Mrs. Stanley and Ms. Jeanes. |
JCCE K5 Graduation
Congratulations to the Kindergarten graduates at JCCE. The students performed four amazing songs. The last song, “Thank You” was a tribute to their family members and teachers thanking them for all they’ve done for them throughout the school year. Mr. Scott ended the ceremony encouraging students to read over the summer, informing them of how proud he is of them and lastly, thanking the parents for trusting us with their student. Ms. Crawford and Ms. Jenkins are so proud of this group of students for their hard work. Look out 1st grade, here they come! |
Westwood Art and Music Teachers Receive Teacher Standards Implementation Grant from SC Arts Commission
Westwood Art and Music Teachers Receive Teacher Standards Implementation Grant from SC Arts Commission. Mrs. Amanda Brown will be receiving Lego Educational Sets to be implemented with her STEAM curriculum. Mrs. Jessica Brown will be receiving four Chrome Book Lap Tops to be used in the music curriculum. left to right: Amanda Brown, Jessica Brown |
LCP Students of the Month - April
Long Can Primary's April Students of the Month for "Honesty". Left to right.: Bottom Row: Emersyn Coleman, Justin Chadwick, Romeo Coleman, Aubree Pike, Kamrie Chrisley, Christen Crawford |
Calhoun Falls Chamber of Commerce Honors JCCE Teacher, Tammy Chappell
Congratulations, Tammy Chappell! You have been selected by the Calhoun Falls Chamber of Commerce as the 2018 Personality of the Year! Click the link below to to see a video of the heartwarming dedication. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1023172534534944&id=100005266218713 |
Attention!
Good Afternoon, Parents! Dixie High School and Cherokee Trail Elementary School were placed on lockdown this morning by the Sheriff’s Department as a safety precaution due to an incident that occurred in the Due West community. This was not a school incident. All faculty and students are safe and the lockdown has now been lifted. We appreciate your support of keeping the safety of our students and staff as our top priority! |
DHES Aquaponics Project
ABBEVILLE — Mrs. Busby’s class at Diamond Hill Elementary School is getting a hands-on experience with an aquaponics project. The aquaponics equipment was delivered to Mrs. Busby’s class in February 2018. The lesson, grow plants in water, with nutrients coming from the fish living in the water, from which clean water is returned to the fish because the plants filtered it. Sound like a cycle, well it is. A wonderful cycle that these children are very excited about. On April 23 2018, as Jenny Mountford, Abbeville County 4-H Agent, and myself entered Mrs. Busby’s class, the first thing I noticed was the teaching style Mrs. Busby has…traditional and hands-on. In the back corner of the room, sits the aquaponics unit, a system that is doing so much more than just sustaining fish and growing lettuce. This aquaponics system is teaching these children about plant and animal life, life cycles, sustainability, environmental changes affecting plants and animals, biology, and so much more. As I listened in during her lesson, I was amazed at the amount of information these students have not only learned, but retained. They answered every question that Mrs. Busby and Jenny Mountford asked. They talked about xylem, transpiration, carnivorous plants, evaporation, nitrogen levels; and the conversation continued about how the fish were helping the plants, and the plants were helping the fish. Did you know fish can drown? Mrs. Busby’s class does. They even know how to keep it from happening by making sure there is enough oxygen in the water and how to provide it. Currently, the class is growing lettuce; however, they are not limited to this plant only. The class is getting ready to change out the lettuce to a different plant. In an aquaponics farm, you get to harvest both the plants and the fish for consumption. These children may or may not realize it right now, but they are not only learning science, they are learning agriculture also. The students were able to taste the “fruits of their labor” or should I say vegetables. They said the lettuce tasted good. One student comically piped up that he prefers ranch on his lettuce; I believe I would tend to agree with that student. However, in all seriousness, an entire salad could be grown from aquaponics and the fish harvested for the main course. A joint effort between Clemson University, Freshwater Coast Community Foundation, and the Abbeville County 4-H has brought this opportunity to Mrs. Busby’s class. The aquaponics equipment was provided by the Freshwater Coast Community Foundation. Clemson University has provided the support for the project. The Abbeville County 4-H program reached out to Diamond Hill Elementary to connect with Emily Busby as a teacher. This partnership has allowed for the traditional classroom education to meet with the 4-H hands-on education to give new opportunities to our Abbeville County youth. Dr. Lance Beecher, Aquaponics, Aquaculture and Fisheries Specialist, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, has been instrumental in helping to get the unit set up and providing help as needed for Mrs. Busby’s class. While there are many high schools around the state that have aquaponics systems, very few middle schools or elementary schools, if any, have that system. This is a very unique opportunity for this 6th grade class. Dr. Beecher is more than happy to assist any school out there to get a program together and offer advice on system design. Another aquaponics unit is being utilized by an organization in Abbeville County, the Due West Robotics First Lego League Team, Narwhal of Ideas. This unit is housed at Erskine College and is maintained by the robotics team. The team is still excited over the lettuce they grew. These are projects that Mrs. Busby’s class and the Narwhal of Ideas robotics team will never forget. These hands-on learning experiences are totally educational, totally interesting, and totally fun; and that is what makes for a great education and learning experience. Credit: Freshwater Coast Community Foundation |
1-10 of 83