Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School

Our lucky 5th graders participated in a residency with artist, Laura Rich. They incorporated African drumming, movement, and aspects of storytelling into a school performance on Friday.

This week, 1D took a field trip with Ms. Villarreal’s 1st grade class from Ladson Elementary through the Holy City Child non-profit. They visited the Lowcountry Senior Center on James Island, and after getting to know some senior volunteers, painted terra-cotta pots, planted succulents, and made cards for senior citizens in area assisted living facilities. It was a great day building new friendships and doing something for others!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=584574549050258&id=371973260310389

Another hit at the Lowcountry Senior Center!

Thank you everybody who made this heartwarming event possible for students at Ladson Elementary School and Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School

Read about it: https://holycitychildren.org/kids-seniors-learn-create-and-share-love-together/

We are full of joy for these wonderful teachers and soon to be growing families! Best wishes from ARCAE to Baby Bergen, Baby Schwartz, and Baby Bramble!

ATTENTION: February 13 is the last day that you can buy a yearbook recognition ad for your student! You can make the ad yourself online by following the link below, which will walk you through the process! Upload photos and add your own message! Ads are sold as 1/8 page, 1/4 page, 1/2 page, or full page. Don't forget to get one for YOUR Unicorn!
https://www.jostens.com/
Just put in our school's name and create a user if you haven't already. You can also purchase the yearbook this way for $30! We order a limited amount, so make sure that your name is on the list!

Our students in our 4 Special Needs classes had a wonderful time this past week in a Puppet Residency with Becky Becker and her Box of Puppets. This collaboration was supported by Jeff Jordan, our drama teacher, and Laura Rittle, our music teacher. The students worked on listening skills, following directions, movement, verbalizing and vocalizing, and social interaction. They had a great time, and learned skills to use in our May performance!

More photos from the 5th grade residency with Bricks For Kids. Here is 5B!

This week 5th grade was in a STEAM-focused residency with Bricks for Kids. The students learned a lot about motion and the design process. Students worked cooperatively to design and build motorized devices, such as cars, helicopters and amusement rides. This was an ECM residency that would not have been possible without the support of PTA and our school community. So Thank You to all who support the ARTS for helping provide our students with such a unique and educational experience!

Musically decorated day at ARCAE was a "hit"!

REMINDER! The ECM marathon is this Saturday and they still need volunteers for: bag check downtown from 5:00-7:30am, helping direct participants to shuttles in North Charleston from 10:00am-2:00pm, and we have a few aid stations that still need a couple people. Thanks!

Happy International #VolunteerDay

We need your help! You can support Arts Integrated educational opportunities by volunteering at our largest fundraiser of the year, O2 Fitness Clubs Charleston Marathon®! The tenth annual race is Saturday, January 11th and opportunities vary from Expo set-up to information booth assistance to aid stations 👉 click here https://charlestonmarathon.com/volunteer to sign up today!

Remember, our deadline for ads is soon! Please follow the link to get your ad today!
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1010324/Ashley-River-Creative-Arts-Elementary-School/

"Musically Decorated Day" is Wednesday, January 8th. Students can wear clothes decorated with music notes or rock bands, or can even dress up as their favorite musician (as long it is under the CCSD dress code). Our students have earned this special day sponsored by Ms Rittle for collecting over $750 in box top money for the year so far!

Santa made a very special visit to ARCAE today and said that everybody was definitely on the nice list!

Happy Retirement to Mrs. Marilyn Davis! Thank you for your 18 years of love and service to our school and our students!

Expanded Learning Kaleidoscope

The families of Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School Kaleidoscope program participated in their annual Gifts of Love. By donating gifts during the month of December they were able to help 6 families in need. Bringing joy to a total of 16 kids this winter break! Wonderful job everyone. Happy Holidays 🎁❤️🎄

Humane Education Youth University at Charleston Animal Society

HUGE thank you to Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School for donating over 400$ along with TONS of food, toys, treats, and other items. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity. An additional thank you goes out to Mrs. Trott's class for helping organize the Santa Paws drive and Beresford Realty, LLC for their additional donations and assistance. We are overwhelmed with your kindness and the animals can't thank you enough. Check out the photos below to see how kind and compassionate this school is!

2019 Winter Performance: Holidays Around the World

It was Grinch day in K1 and K2!

Be on the lookout for these wonderful elves today!

Loading up supplies that ARCAE donated to the Charleston Animal Society along with a whopping $405.00 for Santa Paws!

Greetings ARCA parents! Mrs. O'Keefe and I would love your help with collecting art materials for some upcoming projects 🙂

Bergen's kiddos can bring newspaper, cereal boxes (or crackers, cookies, etc.), random items from your junk drawer for a "Louise Nevelson" inspired assemblage sculpture. I am attaching a picture....

O'Keefe's students may donate toilet paper and paper towel rolls.

Thank you!
Mrs. Bergen

Engaging Creative Minds

Here’s more information about volunteering for the Charleston Marathon to benefit Engaging Creative Minds. When signing up, enter Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary in the group affiliation box!

Check out ECM's very own Andrew McGlaughon and Alicia Elizabeth Modoor on WCBD News 2 chatting about how you can help us out at our largest annual fundraiser - O2 Fitness Clubs Charleston Marathon® coming up Saturday, January 11, 2020!

Grab a group of friends and support the Arts in our local schools! You can hand out waters to runners, help out at aid stations, or hand out medals. Groups that provide 20 or more volunteers can get a stipend. WOOHOO!

Tacky Holiday Sweater Day at ARCAE!

Please check Lost and Found. There are tons of jackets, hats, headbands, and other items. There is an additional bin (not pictured) that is full. All items left at dismissal on Friday, December 20 will be washed and donated.

Bravo! Our Strings students, under the direction of Mrs. Menick, performed their Winter Concert for the school today. There is another performance tonight at 6:30.

Engaging Creative Minds is one of our biggest supporters of the arts in our classrooms. They provide artists in residence for our students to participate in, as well as resources and training sessions for our teachers. Their annual fundraiser, the Charleston Marathon, will be held on January 11, 2020.

Registration for the Youth Marathon is free.

Adults can also register to run the Shrimp & Grits 5K, half marathon, and marathon.

If you prefer not to run or walk, you can help by volunteering by typing our school name under group affiliation.

Prizes are awarded for the three most spirited and participative schools.

Be on the lookout for more details in tomorrow’s Friday Folder!

Parent volunteers are needed to help with morning car line.

If you are interested or have questions, please email Mrs. Smith at [email protected]

Thank you!

Today we held our 5th Grade Spelling Bee. We are so proud of all of our spellers who gave their best effort. Congratulations to Gabe Williams, who will represent Ashley River at the district spelling bee!

Engaging Creative Minds

Happy International #VolunteerDay

We need your help! You can support Arts Integrated educational opportunities by volunteering at our largest fundraiser of the year, O2 Fitness Clubs Charleston Marathon®! The tenth annual race is Saturday, January 11th and opportunities vary from Expo set-up to information booth assistance to aid stations 👉 click here https://charlestonmarathon.com/volunteer to sign up today!

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year, Dr. Amy Bramble!

Dr. Bramble teaches 5th Grade Math and Science. This is her 8th year at Ashley River. She earned her BS in Elementary Education from Central Connecticut State University, MS in Special Education from Central Connecticut State University, and Ed.D in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix.

Mrs. Conner, Principal of ARCAE, states that “Dr. Amy Bramble is a true go-getter. She works tirelessly to help her students succeed and works hard to make positive changes every day.”

We are proud to have her represent our school! Way to go, Dr. Bramble!

St. Andrews Fire Department

Yesterday Fire Marshal Captain Berkel and Engine 304 participated in "Touch a Truck Career Fair" at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School! Over 130 children enjoyed seeing trucks from different occupations. Captain Berkel gave a fire safety speech and the crew from Engine 304 got to answer questions from children and show them their apparatus. Thank you for having us!

Our kindergarten, first, and second grade classes experienced “Touch a Truck” today!

Here’s a glance at what’s happening at Ashley River next week!

Spirit Day was a blast! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🦃 See you all on Monday, December 2.

For the past two weeks, children in ARCAE’s Expanded Learning Kaleidoscope program have been bringing in non-perishable items. They brought in over 738 items. Two Kindergarten classes, Ms. Laban’s and Ms. Beaudrot's class, had an art sell and raised money to buy perishable items. Together we were able to serve 8 families in our school, as well as send a lot of green beans to the Lowcountry Food Bank. This was all possible because of families working together to help one another.

2nd graders had an amazing residency week with Kristy Bishop. Students learned about using natural materials (indigo plant, madder root, onion skins) to dye fabric. They also made so many science connections and explored color mixing while experimenting with after baths. 2nd graders also got to check out Kristy's weaving loom!

Last week, the Dirty Birds from Academic Magnet High School came to ARCAE to perform for our first grade classes. Students enjoyed hearing traditional African songs and exploring the instruments.

Mrs. Beaudrot and Mrs. Laban’s classes partnered up with Expanded Learning Kaleidoscope at ARCAE to raise money for families in need at Thanksgiving. Kindergarteners studied artist Paul Cezanne and created still life paintings. Family and friends purchased the art and helped the students raise about $400. We are so thankful for your support!

Engaging Creative Minds

Looking for something FUN to do this weekend with your kiddo that could also score you a FREE WEEK at our national award-winning summer camp?!?

Here's how to WIN a spot at Summer STEAM Institute® 2020:

1. Create a Cool Creature using any of the materials listed
◦ tape/glue
◦ recycled materials (paper, cardboard, aluminum foil, etc.)
◦ paint/markers
◦ scissors

2. Post a photo or video of your Cool Creature on social media (if you are under 18, have your parent or guardian post it for you!)

3. Tag Engaging Creative Minds in your post (Facebook/Instagram @EngagingCreativeMinds Twitter @ECMCharleston)

4. Use the hashtag #ECMCreatureChallenge

Anyone that posts their Cool Creature, tags ECM & uses the hashtag #ECMCreatureChallenge by midnight on November 18th will be entered into a drawing to WIN A FREE WEEK of camp at Summer STEAM Institute® 2020!

Please visit our website for more information and contest rules.

Our first grade had their African Art Celebration with stations in the cafeteria. Students created Masai necklaces, Fugulan hats, and a collage of African animals. They also made a little bank to collect money to benefit first grade’s annual philanthropy, Heifer International.