MISCELLANEOUS

EVENTS

There will be a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group of Beaufort County meeting at 5:30 p.m. today at Hilton Head Island Elementary School. Enter the school through the Wilborn Road Entrance (use the yellow doors). Details: Denise Friday, 843-342-4213

OTHER

Child Evangelism Fellowship is a nonprofit organization that works with local churches and public schools. The group seeks to expand its program in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties by starting more Good News Clubs for children in elementary school grades K-5. Details: Mary Jane Battista, 843-707-7498, maryjane@cef-sc.org

BLUFFTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

EVENTS

Jeans Day is Friday. Students can pay $1 and staff members $3 to depart from uniform requirements and wear blue jeans.

Bridge Singers go out to the community Tuesday.*

Fire-safety Jeopardy will be Thursday.

Papa John's Spirit Day is Dec. 20.

HELPING HANDS

CAPA will be visiting to discuss positive behavior. Parents are asked to follow up with students on what they have learned.

BLUFFTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

EVENTS

The band concert is at 6 p.m. today in the gym.

The spaghetti dinner fundraiser is at 6:30 p.m. today. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. Money raised goes to the student meal benefit fund to assist students with financial hardship.

A Girl Strong Informational Meeting is from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the gym.

Dress Down Shirt Day is Friday.

HELPING HANDS

Teachers are trying to increase individual classroom libraries. Donations of books, magazines or books on tape are being accepted. Send donations to your child's ELA teacher or Leslie Natoli, literacy coach.

The art classes are planning some papier mache projects and are seeking donations of old newspapers.

OTHER

Parents are encouraged to complete the Needs Assessment Survey, available at http://blm.beaufort.k12.sc.us/ and www.beaufort.k12.sc.us

Students can get assistance on homework and tutoring in the ACES program and in the open computer lab. ACES is held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and the computer lab is open the same time on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Winter MAP dates continue through Dec. 16 for reading and math. Spring MAP testing will be from March 26 to April 30 for reading, ELA, math and science.

Students with a talent in visual arts, dance, drama, vocal music or instrumental music can apply for GT identification. Registrations are accepted online at http:// tinyurl.com/cixvgoe or by phone at 843-322-5424. Application deadline is Wednesday.

H.E. McCRACKEN MIDDLE SCHOOL

OTHER

MAP testing for reading and math continues through Friday.

HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

EVENTS

Moms In Touch Prayer is from 8-9 a.m. today.

Chick-fil-A Spirit Night is from 5-8 p.m. today.

The middle school chorus will perform for the Hilton Head Power Squadron's Christmas party at 7:45 p.m. today at Indigo Run Golf Club.

The fifth-grade chorus will perform for the Chamber of Commerce Christmas luncheon Tuesday.

The Lower School Christmas Music Program is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the gymnasium

Moms At Prayer is from 8-9 a.m. Thursday.

FCA meets at 7 a.m. Thursday in the cafeteria

HELPING HANDS

Fellowship of Christian Athletes is sponsoring a food drive to help stock the shelves at The Deep Well Project. Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off any time during school hours. The deadline for donations is today.

Fourth-grade students will visit the Hawthorne Inn and provide Christmas music, crafts and snacks for residents Friday.

OTHER

Parents and family are welcome at chapel every Thursday in the gym: lower school chapel, 8:45 a.m.; upper school chapel, 11 a.m.; middle school chapel, 11:45 a.m.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

EVENTS

The school's chorus concert is at 6:30 p.m. today in the red auditorium.

The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group will meet at 5:30 p.m. today.

ENRICHMENT

An actor portraying Ben Franklin came to each fourth-grade classroom Dec. 2. He told students of Franklin's role in the American Revolutionary War and how important freedom was to the patriots.

First-grade students had the opportunity to learn about community workers. Visitors talked about critter management, the loggerhead turtle program, recycling, the library and the fire station.

HELPING HANDS

The school is collecting canned goods for The Deep Well Project. Donation boxes are at the front entrance. The class that collects the most will get a pizza party.

Volunteers are needed to assist in teaching foundational math concepts and skills and to play Everyday Math Games with students in grades 1-5. Details: Mrs. Kecmer, 843-342-4236

OTHER

MAP testing is through Dec. 16.

There will be no school from Dec. 19 through Jan. 2. Classes resume Jan. 3.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS

EVENTS

There will be a "Sing-A-Long" for students, teachers and parents in the gym at 9:30 a.m. Friday.

The School Impovement Council meets monthly in the media center. Meetings are at 4:15 p.m. Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 8, April 26 and May 10. Meetings are open to the public.

HELPING HANDS

The school continues to collect canned goods for The Deep Well Project.

The school is in need of winter jackets for girls and boys. New or gently used coats can be dropped off at the school office. The school is also in need of large socks, size 8 girls pants and tennis shoes.

OTHER

MAP testing is through Friday.

The Strength Team is partnering with Odyssey Health Club and the Hilton Head Humane Society for "Presents for Pets." Details: Jackie Wheeler, 843-342-4108

HILTON HEAD ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL

ACHIEVEMENTS

Carolanne O'Fee was named to the Principal's Honor Roll. Her name was initially omitted from the original honor roll list.

EVENTS

Athletic Booster Club Meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. today in the media center.

The Holiday Choir Concert and Fundraiser will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Visual and Performing Arts Center.

The second annual Parent University will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 21, beginning with orientation in the Visual & Performing Arts Center at the high school. All parents, grandparents, and caregivers of students of all ages are invited to attend these free workshops. Registration will be from 8-9 a.m. with a concurrent resource fair and refreshments. The resource fair will include area agencies and organizations that can provide valuable services and information to families. Pre-registration is encouraged by emailing hhh@beaufort.k12.sc.us and will be limited to 350 registrants. Applications are available at all Hilton Head Island Cluster Schools or by contacting Dianne Morgan at 843-689-4811.

The choir's holiday concert will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Visual and Performing Arts Center. There will be a fundraiser for the families of the three students who were in the recent car accident. The fundraiser will be held at 7 p.m. in the art gallery in the VPAC.

SIC meets at 6 p.m. Thursday in the media center.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL

EVENTS

The school's holiday concert will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the school. The concert and jazz bands will perform at 6 p.m; the drama performance will be at 6:40 p.m. in the auditorium; the concert and sixth-grade chorus will perform in the auditorium at 7:10 p.m.

The PTA-sponsored Reflections Art Program will be on display in the front hallway by the guidance department and the gym. Winners will be announced at the Evening of the Arts on Thursday.

Eighth-graders can enroll in the Beaufort County School District's virtual-learning keyboarding course. Go to tinyurl.com/bcsdvs and register by Jan. 6. Information: Contact Carmela Larkby in the guidance office.

HELPING HANDS

Turn in your Box Tops for Education at any time during the school year to your homeroom teacher or the main office. The school receives 10 cents for each box top turned in.

HILTON HEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL

ACHIEVEMENTS

Students honored with the November value award for Citizenship are: junior kindergartners Rollin Crose and Bella Johnson; kindergartners Cooper Baroni and Alex Zhu; first-graders Liam Cole and Jackson Kidd; second-graders Wyatt Haroutunian, Ava Edri, Ashlyn Parsick, Kaylee Zhu, Stella Pampucha, John Kidd and Abi Mendoza; third-graders Samantha Marotta, Faith Bejar, Thomas Milbourn and Ella Tomita; fourth-graders Stone McDonald, Jaden Kidd, Savannah Rose Toomer, Susan Brooks and Felipe Mendoza

MAY RIVER MONTESSORI

EVENTS

The elementary Christmas program will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Baptist Church; the primary program will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Bluffton High School; toddler programs will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday at the school.

The first- and second-grade elementary choir will entertain at noon today at Berkeley Hall.

HELPING HANDS

May River Montessori will be collecting can goods for the children to deliver to local food bank before Christmas holidays.

OTHER

School tours are available with information about the 2 year (toddler) to fifth-grade programs. To schedule a tour, call 843-757-2312.

MICHAEL C. RILEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

ACHIEVEMENTS

Carter Mayer, November Student of the Month, and Joshua Yeddulayyagari, December Student of the Month, were honored at the Rotary Breakfast meeting Nov. 30. The Singing Eagles Choir held a holiday performance at the Rotary Club of Bluffton breakfast.

EVENTS

The PTO will meet at 5 p.m. today.

The school's winter music assembly will be Tuesday. The Singing Eagles Choir and Dance Club will be featured. After performances throughout the day for students, the groups will perform at 6:30 p.m. for parents. The Singing Eagles Choir also will give holiday performances Wednesday at the Rotary Club of Bluffton and at several area nursing homes.

MAP testing continues through Friday.

The school's bowling team will participate in the Special Olympics Region 8 Bowling Tournament at 10 a.m. Friday at Main Street Lanes on Hilton Head Island. Eleven students from Ms. Westby's special-needs class have been practicing for several weeks for the event.

HELPING HANDS

The Girl Scouts are collecting clean coats for those in need. There are collection boxes in the school.

OKATIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

EVENTS

The school's scholastic book fair will be through Friday. Students are encouraged to enjoy the art of reading and purchase holiday gifts. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The school's fourth-graders will participate in a Chick-fil-A night from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday. Students are raising money for the Young Astronauts.

The school's winter extravaganza starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first-grade students will sing songs frm their winter repertoire. Students will see a shortened performance during the school day.

OTHER

There will be no school from Dec. 19 through Jan. 2. Classes resume Jan. 3.

RED CEDAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

EVENTS

MAP testing continues the month.

Mid-Year Showcase; Honors Choir, dance ensembles, RCE Theater and Art Club will perform or display their art projects at a mid-year showcase starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

HELPING HANDS

Parents are invited to come help prepare vegetables and cook stew Thursday for a sale Friday. The stew will be sold for $5 a gallon.

SEA PINES MONTESSORI ACADEMY

EVENTS

The Lower School Christmas Concert will at 9 a.m. and the Upper School Christmas Concert at 11 a.m. Friday.

HELPING HANDS

The school is collecting holiday food for The Deep Well Project. Go to www.spma.com for requested food items.

The art department is accepting clean recylables.

The Wish-mas tree is up in the atrium. Consider making a donation for a classroom.

OTHER

Student lunch orders from Bess' Deli are due in the front office by 10 a.m. Friday for the following week.

Campus tours are available at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Details: Shannon Alford, 843-785-2534

Classroom Christmas Projects will be on display in the atrium beginning Monday.

ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

EVENTS

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration is at 10 a.m. today in the multipurpose building. There will also be a presentation by the Stardust Orchestra at 1:45 p.m.

The schoolwide geography bee will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the multipurpose building.

The next bank in school Squirrels Saver Club will be from 7:45-8:25 a.m. Wednesday in the school lobby.

The next school mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the church.

The school's Advent Concert will be at 6 p.m. Thursday in the multipurpose building.

The Family School Association will host its annual Breakfast with Santa on Friday. Students will share breakfast with their classmates and enjoy a visit by Santa and have their pictures taken with him as well.

HELPING HANDS

Students will be collecting canned goods on Thursday and Friday to give to St. Francis Church to help the needy this Christmas season.

OTHER

The Beta Club is taking orders for Candy Cane Grams to be delivered Wednesday or Thursday. For $1 students can send a holiday candy cane greeting to anyone at the school. Orders will be taken in the office through today. Money raised benefits school service projects.

To submit items for "Class Notes," send them to The Island Packet, P.O. Box 5727, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938. Fax to 706-3070 or e-mail classnotes@islandpacket.com.