Hello, this is Penny Rogers at Washington Center.  It looks as though spring is trying to break through these days, and I am sure everyone is looking forward to Spring Break later this month.   Please mark your calendars for March 30-April 3 for students to be out, but note that we will be using April 6 as a school day to make up for one of the snow days we missed.

We had great news this week in that we have been notified that Diquaris   Johnson, one of Anita Davis’ students,   has been selected by Upstate Parents Magazine as one of the upstate’s  outstanding fifth graders.   His picture will be featured in the April edition of the magazine.  Congratulations to Diquaris.

PTA met this week and they asked that I encourage everyone to register for the April 25 Walk and Roll that will be held at Brookwood Church.    Registration forms will be sent home next week with students, and they need those back  before Spring Break if at all possible. 

I hope many of you parents are planning to join us for the PTA session  with Don Clardy on the 18^th of this month.   Mr. Clardy is a local attorney and he will share important information related to caring for children with special needs as they grow up, specifically guardianship matters, Able accounts and special needs trusts.  Lunch will be provided at no charge, and we appreciate Mr. Clardy’s taking his time to meet with us.

We have had several guests again this week.  A group from Leadership Greenville came on Wednesday, and today we have seven Clemson education students with us.   Both at the main campus and at Hollis Dr. Seuss week has been celebrated with books and  costumes, and this morning Sara Collins student came over to march through out halls wearing their Dr. Seuss costumes.  At Hollis they culminated the week with a Green Eggs and  Ham parent breakfast this morning.    Also today, students had another session with Law Enforcement folks, and we continue to be grateful to the people who are coming to work with our students to help them develop a greater sense of trust in police. 

Next week students from Riverside High School will be here to work with students who will be attending this year’s Special Olympics event at Furman.  These teenagers do a great job and we are glad they are willing to spend a day with us.  Once more, if you have not applied for Free and Reduced meals for your student, please do so as the count will be taken in the next couple of weeks. 

Before I close out I want to send many thanks to the staff, family  members and friends who contributed to our yearbook fund.  We think we are in good shape in terms of having the books printed and providing one at no charge for each of our families.  I am really looking forward to seeing the finished product. 

Enjoy the weekend and we will look forward to seeing everyone back here on Monday.