🎉 August Birthday Celebrations at HAES! 🎉 A huge thank you to Piggy Pies Bakery for helping us celebrate our August birthdays in style! 🧁🎂 We are so grateful for each of these amazing staff members who make HAES such a special place every day: • Linda Tyler – Cafeteria Manager • Toyia Mathis – PreK Teacher • Alicia Nobles – 1st Grade Assistant / Bus Driver • Christy Deal – Media Specialist • Heather Tilley – EC Teacher / Teacher of the Year • Scotty Baldwin – Head Custodian • Jessica Ferrebee – 3rd Grade Teacher • Corey Kissam – 4th Grade Math Teacher • Taylor Kissam – 6th Grade ELA Teacher • Lori Brinkley – 4th/5th Grade Math Teacher • Sharon Zickafoose – 4th/5th Grade ELA Teacher We hope your special day was as sweet as you are! ❤️🖤 #HAESFamily #BirthdayCelebrations

🎉 August Birthday Celebrations at HAES! 🎉 A huge thank you to Piggy Pies Bakery for helping us celebrate our August birthdays in style! 🧁🎂 We are so grateful for each of these amazing staff members who make HAES such a special place every day: • Linda Tyler – Cafeteria Manager • Toyia Mathis – PreK Teacher • Alicia Nobles – 1st Grade Assistant / Bus Driver • Christy Deal – Media Specialist • Heather Tilley – EC Teacher / Teacher of the Year • Scotty Baldwin – Head Custodian • Jessica Ferrebee – 3rd Grade Teacher • Corey Kissam – 4th Grade Math Teacher • Taylor Kissam – 6th Grade ELA Teacher • Lori Brinkley – 4th/5th Grade Math Teacher • Sharon Zickafoose – 4th/5th Grade ELA Teacher We hope your special day was as sweet as you are! ❤️🖤 #HAESFamily #BirthdayCelebrations

🎉 August Birthday Celebrations at HAES! 🎉 A huge thank you to Piggy Pies Bakery for helping us celebrate our August birthdays in style! 🧁🎂 We are so grateful for each of these amazing staff members who make HAES such a special place every day: • Linda Tyler – Cafeteria Manager • Toyia Mathis – PreK Teacher • Alicia Nobles – 1st Grade Assistant / Bus Driver • Christy Deal – Media Specialist • Heather Tilley – EC Teacher / Teacher of the Year • Scotty Baldwin – Head Custodian • Jessica Ferrebee – 3rd Grade Teacher • Corey Kissam – 4th Grade Math Teacher • Taylor Kissam – 6th Grade ELA Teacher • Lori Brinkley – 4th/5th Grade Math Teacher • Sharon Zickafoose – 4th/5th Grade ELA Teacher We hope your special day was as sweet as you are! ❤️🖤 #HAESFamily #BirthdayCelebrations

All schools will be CLOSED on Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day.

📣 Weekly Announcements from Dr. Hill 📣 Week of August 31, 2025 Hello Panther Families! Here are your updates for the week: 1️⃣ Labor Day Holiday – No school on Monday, Sept. 1st. We’ll see everyone back on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd at regular time. 2️⃣ 6th Grade Soccer Tryouts – Tuesday, Sept. 2nd at ECJSH. Students must have a completed physical before trying out. A bus will be available, but please send a signed note if your child will attend. ⚽️ 3️⃣ 3rd Grade Beginning-of-Grade Test – Thursday, Sept. 4th. This is a state test, so please make sure all 3rd graders arrive on time. ✏️ 4️⃣ Kidsight Vision Screenings – Coming Sept. 25th! Thanks to the Lions Club of Lake Waccamaw, students can receive a free eye exam on campus. Consent forms will go home this week—return them if you’d like your child to participate. 👓 5️⃣ Morning Drop-Off & Afternoon Pickup – Thank you for helping keep things smooth and safe! Parents, please do not block Giles Byrd Road. Use the dirt road behind the school to loop around. 🚗 Our SRO, Deputy Williams, will be on site to assist. 6️⃣ Transportation Changes – Must be made in writing to the office before 2:00 PM. Please note: No Remind messages or phone calls will be accepted. 📝 7️⃣ Fall Picture Day – Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Sept. 30th! 📸 More details will be coming home soon. ✨ Thank you for making our first week so memorable! I am honored and blessed to see your children every day, and I look forward to a great school year together. 💚🐾 One Team, One Voice – HAES Panthers ROAR! 🐾💚 — Dr. Hill

Design Challenge #1 in Ms. Baker's art class- In small groups, these 4th grade student artists worked together to create an image formed by three randomly drawn word cards. GRID-TIME-FALL

🌟 Welcome Back, Panthers! 🌟 We are so excited to begin the 2025-2026 School Year at Hallsboro Artesia Elementary School! I feel beyond blessed to continue leading this amazing school as we make great strides in academic growth together. 🐾 At HAES, we ROAR every day: 💛 Respect 💚 Own 💛 Achieve 💚 Reflect Let’s make this our best year yet! 💫 📢 First Day Reminders for Parents ✅ Parents may walk students in on the first day only. ✅ Doors open at 7:40 AM ⏰. ✅ Instruction begins promptly at 8:15 AM. ✅ PreK & Kindergarten – Remember, you may walk your child in on their staggered first day. Thank you for helping us start strong! 💪 🚌 Transportation Update We know the first few days can be a little confusing—thank you for your patience! 💙 🚫 The Here Comes the Bus app is not yet working as we transition information from last year. 🚗 Please be patient at drop-off & pick-up. 📌 Afternoon transportation must be confirmed daily—please keep your child’s teacher updated. ⚠️ All transportation changes must be made in person before 2:00 PM. We cannot accept changes over the phone for student safety. 📲 Stay Connected with REMIND! The Remind App is the fastest and most effective way to get school updates. 🐾 Please sign up to stay informed and connected throughout the year. Don’t miss important announcements! 🚀 Exciting News: Opportunity Culture at HAES This year, HAES is proud to join the Opportunity Culture Model! This means additional teachers will be in classrooms providing more support for your child’s learning needs. 📘✏️ We are thrilled to begin this new journey to ensure every child grows and succeeds. 🌟 💛 A Special Thank You 💛 Lastly, I want to sincerely thank every family that attended our Open House. Each year runs smoother as we work through schedules and rosters, and this year was no exception. I was truly amazed by the support—🍿 popcorn, 📸 photographs, 😂 laughs, and 🤗 hugs filled the building. I wholeheartedly believe this year is going to be a wonderful one. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart—I look forward to an amazing school year here at HAES! 🐾💚

🌟 Welcome Back, Panthers! 🌟
We are so excited to begin the 2025-2026 School Year at Hallsboro Artesia Elementary School! I feel beyond blessed to continue leading this amazing school as we make great strides in academic growth together. 🐾

At HAES, we ROAR every day:
💛 Respect
💚 Own
💛 Achieve
💚 Reflect

Let’s make this our best year yet! 💫

📢 First Day Reminders for Parents
✅ Parents may walk students in on the first day only.
✅ Doors open at 7:40 AM ⏰.
✅ Instruction begins promptly at 8:15 AM.
✅ PreK & Kindergarten – Remember, you may walk your child in on their staggered first day.

Thank you for helping us start strong! 💪

🚌 Transportation Update
We know the first few days can be a little confusing—thank you for your patience! 💙

🚫 The Here Comes the Bus app is not yet working as we transition information from last year.
🚗 Please be patient at drop-off & pick-up.
📌 Afternoon transportation must be confirmed daily—please keep your child’s teacher updated.
⚠️ All transportation changes must be made in person before 2:00 PM. We cannot accept changes over the phone for student safety.

📲 Stay Connected with REMIND!
The Remind App is the fastest and most effective way to get school updates. 🐾 Please sign up to stay informed and connected throughout the year. Don’t miss important announcements!

🚀 Exciting News: Opportunity Culture at HAES
This year, HAES is proud to join the Opportunity Culture Model! This means additional teachers will be in classrooms providing more support for your child’s learning needs. 📘✏️

We are thrilled to begin this new journey to ensure every child grows and succeeds. 🌟

💛 A Special Thank You 💛
Lastly, I want to sincerely thank every family that attended our Open House. Each year runs smoother as we work through schedules and rosters, and this year was no exception. I was truly amazed by the support—🍿 popcorn, 📸 photographs, 😂 laughs, and 🤗 hugs filled the building.

I wholeheartedly believe this year is going to be a wonderful one. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart—I look forward to an amazing school year here at HAES! 🐾💚

❤️🖤 Thank you to everyone who joined us for Open House at HAES last night! ❤️🖤 We loved seeing our students and families come together to kick off an exciting new school year. We can’t wait to see you all Monday morning—let’s make it a great year together! 🐾📚

🎒❤️🐾 Thank You, Pastor Russell Honeycutt & The Church at Northwood! 🐾🖤🎒 Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary School would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Pastor Russell Honeycutt and The Church at Northwood for their generous donation of backpacks. Your kindness and support mean so much to our students and families. Because of your generosity, our Panthers are starting the school year prepared and ready to succeed! We are truly grateful for your partnership and the difference you are making in our community. 🐾❤️🖤 #PantherPride #CommunitySupport #GratefulHearts

Thank you, Mr. Thompson, Assistant Superintendent of Columbus County Schools, for personally delivering a special gift to our TOY, Mrs. Heather Tilley! 🎁👏 We are so proud of Mrs. Tilley, our amazing Special Education teacher here at HAES! 🐾❤️🖤 #HAES #PantherPride #ColumbusCountySchools #TeacherOfTheYear #SpecialEducation

📚✨ HAES Open House ✨📚

We’re excited to welcome all our Panther families back to campus! 🐾
Join us on Wednesday, August 21 from 4:30–6:30 pm to:
✏️ Meet your teachers
📓 Tour classrooms
🤝 Connect with friends & staff

Let’s kick off the school year together—see you there! 💛🖤

#HAES #PantherPride #BackToSchool #OpenHouse

Attendance Policy Update

School attendance and class participation are an integral part of academic achievement and the teaching-learning process. Regular attendance develops patterns of behavior essential to professional and personal success in life. Regular attendance by every student is mandatory: the State of North Carolina requires that every child in the State between the ages of seven (or younger if enrolled) and 16 years of age attend school.

No more than five school days per semester will be excused based on parent notes. Future absences due to personal illness, injury, or medical/dental appointments, will require a healthcare practitioner's statement to be excused.
Students may lose athletic eligibility for not following the attendance policy.

Grades K-8
Students who are chronically absent (excused, unexcused or suspended for more than 10% of the days enrolled) are at risk of not mastering the content standards. Students may be referred for academic and/or attendance interventions within a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS). Grade retention will be considered due to a lack of mastery as a result of chronic absenteeism.

Grades 9-12
High school students who are chronically absent (excused unexcused or suspended for more than l0% of the days enrolled) are at risk of not mastering the content standards. Students may be referred for academic and/or attendance interventions within a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS). Students who miss more than ten days (unexcused) per course will be subject to an attendance-based failure (FF).

Cell Phone Policy Update

All classes in grades K-12 in the district will be a phone-free space to help optimize teaching and learning. Phones will not be allowed at any time during the school day, including lunch periods. This update reflects requirements as signed into law by HB 959.

High School students must store their devices and device accessories in Yondr Pouches as directed by the district. Students in grades K-8 must power off and keep devices and accessories in their bookbags during the instructional day. Provisions will be made for students that use cellphones for medical purposes.
Columbus County Schools may forbid student possession of devices and device accessories on school property.

Please note that Columbus County Schools will not be responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged devices.

The Hallsboro-Artesia Panthers stepped up to the plate at Opportunity Culture training yesterday and today! ⚾️ We joined teams from across the state for two days of learning and collaboration as we grow together. #StepUpToThePlate #OpportunityCulture #PantherPride

FREE Summer Meals for Kids Ages 1–18! No registration required – just show up and eat! Students do not need to attend the school to be eligible. Meals must be eaten in the cafeteria. Chadbourn Elementary June 17 – July 30 (Monday–Thursday) Closed: July 2–3 Breakfast: 7:30–8:30 AM Lunch: 11:00 AM–12:30 PM Tabor City School June 17 – July 30 (Monday–Thursday) Closed: June 30 – July 7 Breakfast: 7:30–8:30 AM Lunch: 11:00 AM–12:30 PM Acme Delco Elementary June 17 – July 23 (Monday–Thursday) Closed: June 30 – July 7 Breakfast: 7:45–8:30 AM Lunch: 11:30 AM–12:15 PM Open to all children and teens ages 1–18. #SummerMeals #HealthyKids #ColumbusCountySchools

During a recent Board meeting, the Teachers of the Year and Principals of the Year were honored for their outstanding leadership, dedication, and impact on student success. The Board recognized these exceptional educators for their commitment to excellence and their vital role in shaping the future of Columbus County Schools. TOY Nominees Susan Carr Adrienne Carroll Connie Faulk Karen Haley Heather Tilly Tonya Nobles Michele Bolton Darryl Spivey Khadijah Tart Lisa Hamilton Kim Watson Janet Hewett POY Nominees Kelly Beck Shelly Cullipher Leslie Faulk

At a recent board meeting, AR Ammons Poetry Winners were honored: Division I First Place Isabella Holmes Old Dock Elementary School Division I Honorable Mention Ainsley Ward Old Dock Elementary School Division I Honorable Mention Kera Starnes Old Dock Elementary School Division I Honorable Mention Coleman Smart West Columbus School Division I Honorable Mention Lane Tompkins Tabor City School Division I Honorable Mention Adelina Beck Old Dock Elementary Division I Honorable Mention Lisbeth Lemus Old Dock Elementary Division I Honorable Mention Mia Strickland Old Dock Elementary Division I Honorable Mention Kinleigh Butler Old Dock Elementary Division I Honorable Mention Ellorie Ward Old Dock Elementary Division I Second Place Camille Canady Old Dock Elementary School Division I Third Place Colton McKeithan Old Dock Elementary School Division II First Place Anna Marie Bell Hallsboro / Artesia Elementary Division II Honorable Mention Julie Ward Nakina Middle School Division II Honorable Mention Henlee Ward Tabor City School Division II Honorable Mention Brystal Ward Old Dock Elementary Division II Honorable Mention Liam Dyson West Columbus School Division III Honorable Mention Morgan Smith Nakina Middle School Division III Honorable Mention Deacon Whaley Nakina Middle School Division III Honorable Mention Annabelle Wright Nakina Middle School Division III Honorable Mention Elizabeth Valdez Nakina Middle School Division III Honorable Mention Laney McPherson Nakina Middle School Division III Honorable Mention Khadijah Currie East Columbus JR/SR High Division III Third Place Isabella Rivero Nakina Middle School Division IV First Place Landyn Norris South Columbus High Division IV Honorable Mention LilyAnne Long Columbus Career and College Academy Division IV Honorable Mention Tanijia Gerald Columbus Career and College Academy Division IV Honorable Mention Mckenna Ware-Rudnik East Columbus JR/SR High Division IV Honorable Mention Hailey Long South Columbus High Division IV Honorable Mention Melody Gilbert Columbus Career and College Academy Division IV Honorable Mention Cynthia Ward West Columbus High Division IV Honorable Mention Stephen Tatman, Jr. South Columbus High Division IV Honorable Mention Landon Hoopes Columbus Career and College Academy Division IV Honorable Mention Mika Williams South Columbus High Division IV Honorable Mention Morgan Cartrette South Columbus High Division IV Honorable Mention Mckenna Ware-Rudnik East Columbus JR/SR High Division IV Honorable Mention Jennifer Perez South Columbus High Division IV Second Place Aisha Skye Reyes South Columbus High Division IV Third Place Landyn Norris South Columbus High