East Aiken
School of the Arts
December 2015/
January 2016
Principal’s Message
The saying, “Time flies when you’re
having fun” is true because we are
halfway through the school year! It
seems just like yesterday that we were
gearing up for the school year. We are
halfway through the second quarter and
the first semester. Time moves quickly
at East Aiken School of the Arts where
we are surrounded with great excitement
and activity this time of the year. As we
approach the end of the first semester,
please take time to discuss the
importance of appropriate school
behavior, homework, studying, and taskcompletion with your child. Starting now
through spring, you will see tremendous
growth in your child both academically
and socially. Your continued support in
your child’s education will only heighten
this natural development and growth.
As our winter break quickly approaches,
I would like to take this opportunity to
wish each of you the very best the
season has to bring. May your holiday
season be filled with laughter, joy, and
happiness. Enjoy the winter break!
As always, thank you for your support as
we continue to “Strive for Academic
Excellence through the Arts!”
Our Character Assembly for December
will be held on Wednesday, December
2nd at 8:00 a.m. We will introduce the
character trait of compassion. You don’t
want to miss this amazing performance
by our very talented students!
Our Character Assembly for January
will be held on Friday, January 8th at
1:30 p.m. We will introduce the
character trait of diligence.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Mallory Walp, first
grade teacher, for being selected East
Aiken School of the Arts’ Distinguished
Teacher of Reading 2015-16. We are so
proud of you!
Reading is My Ticket to Anywhere
This year we are taking a reading
adventure around the world! Our school
reading goal for the 2015-2016 school
year is 23,129 books. On Friday,
November 13, we had our reading
celebration for October. In October, our
students read 3,815 books. This is
fantastic! During our reading
celebration, students visited Mt. Everest
and created tape art of Mt. Everest! It
was a great celebration of reading!
Keep reading and remember: Reading is
Amazing!
School Make-Up Day
Monday, January 4, 2016, has been
designated as the make-up day for
October 6th. School will be in session
this day.
PTO
All families are encouraged to join PTO
for $2.00. Our December PTO meeting
will be held on Tuesday, December 15th
at 3:00 p.m. in the Media Center. We
encourage all parents to take an active
role in our fabulous PTO. The 2nd annual
PTO Paws (Clemson) vs. Claws (USC)
Change Drive was a huge success. We
raised $ 2,639.45 for the East Aiken
School of the Arts’ Christmas Angel Tree.
Way to go East Aiken! We are all
WINNERS when we give and help others!
Winter ArtsFest
Our Winter ArtsFest will be held on
Thursday, December 17th at 7:00 p.m. at
Cedar Creek Church on Banks Mill Road.
Part 1 of Winter ArtsFest will feature our
after school arts programs including
orchestra, guitar, dance, and all boys’
Striving for Academic Excellence through the Arts
choir, No Boundaries. Part 2 will be the
premiere of A Party in a Pear Tree
featuring our 3rd-5th grade chorus, dance
club, theatre club, and dance company.
It is going to be awesome!
Spirit Day
Our next spirit day, ‘Twas the Night
Before Christmas, will be on Friday,
December 18th. Students may wear their
pajamas to school as we get ready for
Winter Break. Tennis shoes must be
worn. Students should not wear
bedroom shoes for safety reasons.
Winter Break
Winter Break will be Monday, December
21st through Sunday, January 3rd. School
will reopen on Monday, January 4th. We
hope you have a wonderful and restful
winter break! See you in the new year!
Yearbook Orders
Order your yearbook for $25.00.
Checks should be made out to East Aiken
PTO. Orders will be accepted through
January 30, 2016.
2
21
25
29
Report Cards
2nd Semester After School Arts
Program Begins
Lost & Found Donated
Purpose and Direction
The purpose of East Aiken School of the
Arts is to:
Accommodate differences,
Reveal a passion for learning,
Teach appreciation, and
Stimulate creativity.
Direction: At East Aiken School of the
Arts, we strive for academic excellence
through the arts.
District Purpose
The mission of the Aiken County Public
School District is to create in students a
passion for learning and achievement
that will serve them as they compete
and contribute in a global society.
In Aiken County, we build for a better
tomorrow, one child at a time.
December Dates
Early Release Dismiss 12:15
Character Assembly 8:00 a.m.
17
Winter Arts Fest 7:00 p.m.
18
After School Arts Performance
8:45 a.m.
Spirit Day: ‘Twas the Night Before
Christmas
Lost & Found Donated
21-31 No School – Winter Break
January Dates
School Board Recognition Month
1
No School – Winter Break
4
Return to School
8
Character Assembly 1:30 p.m.
12
End of 1st Semester
After School Arts Program Open
House 6:00 p.m.
15 No School (Teacher Workday)
18
No School – M.L. King, Jr. Day
Striving for Academic Excellence through the Arts