• Thursday, May 31, Beaufort Academy 1st-4th graders will host Lady’s Island Elementary for a Cup Stacking meet, 12:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 1, TIDEWATCH Water Play Day at Riverview Charter School, 3:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 1, Field Day for Beaufort Academy 1st-4th graders beginning at 9 a.m. PreK-3, PreK-4, and Kindergarten students will host Nursery Rhyme Theater at 8 a.m.; these students will take a field trip to the Kazoo Factory at 9:30 a.m. Also, BA will host a Sunset Celebration for Major Donors to the Unrestricted Annual Fund. It’s the last day of school for all seniors.
• Monday, June 4, Riverview Charter School Field Day (rain date 6/5).
• Monday, June 4, Beaufort Academy PreK–4th grade student report cards go home. Final exams begin for 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students.
• June 4-5, Beaufort Academy 8th grade community service project at Hunting Island.
• Tuesday, June 5, 1st Grade Celebration of Learning at Riverview, 5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 6, Beaufort Academy Kindergarten graduation, 11 a.m. Last day of school for PreK–11th grade.
• Wednesday, June 6, Riverview Charter School Kindergarten End of Year Program, 5:30 p.m.

Thank you for 100 percent college acceptance
Beaufort Academy would like to thank Mr. Sheldon Clark for 10 years at Beaufort Academy. During Mr. Clark’s time as BA’s College Advisor, 100 percent of graduates of the classes of 2003 – 2012 were accepted directly into four-year colleges and universities all over the country. These 224 BA grads not only went on to attend college in 16 different states, most of which went to their first choice, but were also offered more than $12.5 million in scholarships.

Way to go Ms. Douglas
Ms. Smith, principal of Robert Smalls Middle, honored Ms. Sarah Douglas at a luncheon held in her honor for volunteering every day in the media center during the 2011–2012 school year.

Super shadows
A celebration was held on Friday, May 25, at Robert Smalls Middle for students who shadowed the media specialist, Rhonda Doherty, for one period every other day during the 2011–2012 school year. Denise Smith, the principal, presented each student with an autographed copy of The Tiger Princes written by teen author Sarah Renee who resides in Mt. Pleasant. Eleven students participated in the program this year.

Young Picassos
Broad River Elementary School recently held their annual 2011-2012 Art Showcase.  With the help of their art teacher, Erin West, students from Kindergarten through 5th grade exhibited artwork in the gallery during the show. This year’s theme was “Inspiration” as the young Broad River artist were inspired by the paintings, sketches, mosaics and sculptures of famous artist like Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso. More than 300 pieces of artwork were on display. In addition to the school exhibit, 30 students had their work selected to be on display during the Gullah Festival.

Murder mystery at school
There’s an outline of a dead body on a patio of a luxurious beach house. Somewhere around it are a couple fingerprints, fragments of thread and strands of hair. Four people have a motive to kill the extremely rich victim and it was up to Broad River Elementary students to solve the murder case of “Who Killed Felix?” under the direction of Master Teacher Jason Osborne. The students had just five days to find the clues, analyze them at 14 laboratory stations and draw their conclusions. A team from an educational institution in California created the learning game with the assistance of real forensic specialists as part of an education program to stimulate children’s interest in science.

Riverview Portfolio Night
Thursday, May 31, Parents are invited to Riverview Charter School‘s Portfolio Night. A portfolio is a collection of student work that displays knowledge, creativity, concepts, interests and achievement over time.  On Portfolio Night, students will present their learning to their families!  Organizing and maintaining the multi-media portfolio is a yearlong process and a collaborative effort between the student, classroom teacher and specialists.

Pat Girard earns Shutterbug books
Imagine Literacy Coach Pat Girard was surprised during her literacy meeting by special visitors. Laura Eggers, accompanied by Mrs. Constance Goodwine-Lewis, came in bearing balloons a certificate and more importantly a check for a grant from the Northern Beaufort County Public Education Foundation. Mrs. Girard’s grant money will be used to purchase Shutterbug Books, which are informational text for emergent and early readers. “So often teachers want to use nonfiction books with the younger students but can’t find appropriate books for them to read and understand. These books have the features we want our children to work with and understand.” These books will be a wonderful addition to the literacy program at Broad River Elementary School.

The Nightingale
Tuesday, May 22, Mrs. Goethie-Bacon’s third grade class at Lady’s Island Elementary and Theatre Instructor Lynda K. McLain presented “The Nightingale” to a full auditorium. In Chinese and Japanese costume the children told the story of a plain bird whose song captured the hearts of the Chinese Emperor and his imperial court until a bejeweled mechanical bird arrived from the Japanese Ambassador. This Hans Christian Andersen story is one of many that have entered the hearts of children throughout the years. Of all his 156 stories and tales, children are most familiar with “Thumbelina”, “The Ugly Duckling”, “The Litter Mermaid” and “The Princess and the Pea.”

Broadway for Lady’s Island Elementary
D’Arts Alive! and Annual Desert Theatre was performed at Lady’s Island Elementary School May 29. This year’s theme was Broadway Hits, featuring performances by Lady’s Island students.  The Show Choir performed songs from the Broadway hit musical Wicked. Drumming students performed “The Circle of Life” from The Lion King; and guitar students performed “Edelweiss” from the Sound of Music with the Strings group. Dance performances were accompanied by selections from The Sound of Music, Annie, Mary Poppins, and Newsies. Fourth Grade FUN-E CLOWNS performed a skit called “Night at the Library.”