Howdy HCA Family! It's weekly update time and we have so much to share! Check it all out at https://5il.co/34ya2
📵 Reminder: Free to Focus Begins Tomorrow! 📵
Starting tomorrow, January 13, 2025, HCA will officially implement our Free to Focus policy. This initiative fosters a phone-free learning environment to help students stay engaged, reduce distractions, and build the critical skills they need for success.
Here’s a few key reminders:
✅ Why it matters: Research shows phone-free schools reduce distractions, improve engagement, and create a more supportive environment for learning and connection. This is also a mandate for all SC public schools.
🟡 Elementary School (4K–5th Grade): Elementary students should not bring personal electronic or communication devices to school. If a device must be brought, a signed parent permission form is required. Upon entering campus in the morning, devices must be powered off and stored in the student’s bookbag, remaining off until the student is picked up in the afternoon. Link to the parent permission form was in your weekly update and is at the bottom of this post.
🔵 Middle School (6th–8th Grade): Middle school students may bring personal electronic and communication devices to school; however, these devices must be powered off and stored in a bookbag or locker at the start of the school day. Devices must remain off until 3:20pm. Students may use personal combination locks on their lockers but are required to inform administration of the lock placement and combination.
⚫️High School (9th–12th Grade): High school students are allowed to bring personal electronic and communication devices to school, but these devices must be powered off and stored in a bookbag or locker upon the start of the school day, and remaining off until 3:20pm. High school students will be allowed to access during their lunch. Students may use personal combination locks on their lockers but are required to inform administration of the lock placement and combination.
📖 Check out the full Free to Focus Family Guide for detailed information, FAQs, and more about this important change: https://5il.co/31hd3
💙 Thank you, families, for supporting this meaningful shift. Together, we’re creating a focused, distraction-free environment that helps our students thrive. We're all in this together!
Elementary Permission Form: https://forms.office.com/r/UuEJFRC56w
🎉 New Year, new chances to get involved at HCA! 🎉
🗓️ We’ve just posted volunteer opportunities for January and February!
👉 Check them out here: https://tinyurl.com/helphca. More spots will be added soon, so stay tuned!
👀 Looking for more details? Visit https://www.hcacs.net/page/village-volunteers for everything you need to know about family service expectations, logging your hours, and how you can serve the larger Aiken community!
💙 We know you’ll miss us tomorrow during our e-learning day...but why not channel that energy into something great?
🎉 Take a moment to plan some volunteer days at HCA and kick off 2025 with a commitment to making a difference! Let’s make this year unforgettable, together.
#WeAreTheVillage
📢 Important Announcement: Full E-Learning Day - Friday, January 10th
❄️ Due to forecasted dangerous road conditions from the cold weather and precipitation moving into our area, Horse Creek Academy will transition to a full e-learning day on Friday, January 10th. The campus will be closed.
Here’s what you need to know:
➡️ Elementary Students: Teachers will send home assignments.
➡️ Middle/High School Students: Check Google Classroom for assignments and updates.
➡️ Campus Closed: All events on Friday are canceled.
➡️ Saturday Events Canceled: This includes basketball practice, attendance recovery, and any spring sports conditioning.
💙 We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize the safety of our students, staff, and families. Stay safe and warm HCA Village! ❄️
🎉 National School Choice Week is Coming! 🎉
Join us as we celebrate the power of school choice and what makes Horse Creek Academy special! 🟡⚪🔵
📅 Monday, Jan 27 - Friday, Jan 31
We're kicking off School Choice Spirit Week with exciting dress-up days each day!
⬇️ Check the photo below for all the fun details and get ready to show your HCA pride!
✨ On Thursday, Jan 30, our cheerleaders, dance team, and band will even be representing HCA at the SC School Choice Rally at the state capitol! 🏛️ Let’s plan to cheer them on as they show the state what makes our school so amazing!
💛 We Want to Hear From You! 💙
Parents, we'd love to know why you chose HCA for your family. Share your testimonial using the form linked below! Your words could even be featured in our upcoming advertisements.
👉 Share your testimonial here: https://forms.office.com/r/my31fMZ02M
Thanks for being part of the HCA Village—together, we make our school a truly special place! 💪✨
#WeAreTheVillage #SchoolChoiceWeek
🎉 Celebrating Excellence at HCA! 🎉
🏆 We were thrilled to honor our new 2025 Staff and Teachers of the Year at our first annual HCA Holiday Staff Gala on December 20th at Houndslake Country Club! Please join us in congratulating these incredible individuals for their dedication, passion, and impact on our students and community:
⭐ Staff of the Year: Kristin Trowell
⭐ First-Year Teacher of the Year: Maya Rodriguez
⭐ Elementary Teacher of the Year: Brittany Winn
⭐ Middle School Teacher of the Year: Karen Nelson
⭐ High School Teacher of the Year: Elizabeth Anderson
Your hard work and unwavering commitment to the HCA mission and vision really do inspire us all! Thank you for making HCA a Village where students thrive and dreams come true. 💙✨ #WeAreTheVillage #HCAExcellence
🎉 Happy New Year from Horse Creek Academy! 🎉
⏰ The wait is over—Open Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is officially OPEN! Start the year off right by applying for your spot in the HCA Village at www.hcacs.net/o/hca/page/enrollment
📅 Key Dates:
Open Enrollment Period: January 1 - January 31, 2025
Lottery Date: February 6, 2025 at 6pm
💙 At HCA, we believe in teaching the whole child through small class sizes, personalized learning, and a community dedicated to flexibility, service, and connection. From 4K to 12th grade, your child will thrive in an environment built for success.
✨ Start your application today and take the first step toward an incredible school experience!
🌟 Ready to Join the Village? Open Enrollment is Almost Here! 🌟
⏰ Horse Creek Academy’s Open Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is just around the corner! From January 1st-31st, we’re accepting applications for 4K through 12th grade. Now is your chance to join the HCA family and experience the difference that small class sizes and a student-focused approach can make.
👋 At HCA, we’re committed to teaching the whole child through our pillars of flexibility, service, and connection. Our mission is to empower students to achieve their full potential while fostering a love for learning in a supportive and inclusive environment.
👩🏫 Why Choose HCA?
-Small Class Sizes: Your child won’t just be another number. At HCA, we prioritize individualized attention and personalized learning.
-Innovative Programs: From arts to STEM, athletics to community service, our students have opportunities to explore their interests and develop new skills.
-We Are the Village: At HCA, families and educators work together to create a community where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
📅 Important Dates:
-Open Enrollment Period: January 1 - January 31, 2025
-Lottery Date: February 6, 2025
✨ Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child the gift of an exceptional education! Learn more about our lottery process and how to apply by visiting www.hcacs.net/o/hca/page/enrollment
📣 Spaces are limited, so apply during Open Enrollment for your chance at a spot in the HCA Village!
👋 Have a great Winter Break Week, everyone!
☃️ We wish you a joyful and relaxing holiday season. Enjoy your time off, and we look forward to welcoming you back to HCA in 2025!
🤩 We're almost there! Have you started your Winter Break countdown yet?
⏰ Don't forget...tomorrow is a half day!
🎁✨ Holiday Magic is Here! ❄️🎄
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our amazing HCA staff and our supportive local partners, over 50 students will experience a little extra holiday magic this break! 🥰
Inspired by the heartwarming tradition of angel tree programs, we introduced "Adopt a Snowflake" to provide additional support to our students in need. And wow, did our Village show up! ❤️ #WeAreTheVillage
🌸 HCA's reINVENT Conference is back! 🌸
✨ Join us on 1/25 for delicious brunch, inspiring sessions, and unforgettable connections await! 🍳☕
🌟 Seats are filling up—don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience!
👉 Register now: https://square.link/u/RjCBb4yh
👀 Session Topics include:
Collective Leadership, Parent Engagement, Sensory Integration, Behavior Systems, Social Emotional Learning, Culture/Climate, and more!
👕 A Huge Thank You to Carolina Screenprint – Our Go-To for All Things HCA! 👕
💝 We’re thrilled to spotlight Carolina Screenprint, a valued Village Partner who plays a key role in making Horse Creek Academy look its best! From the fabulous shirts and hoodies in our school store to the amazing banners in our gym—and soon-to-be on our sports fields—Carolina Screenprint helps us showcase our HCA pride in style.
⭐️ Their craftsmanship and attention to detail ensure that everything they create is top-notch, and we are so grateful for their continued support and partnership.
👚 If you’re looking for high-quality custom apparel, banners, or promotional items, Carolina Screenprint is the place to go! Whether for your business, school, or team, they’ll bring your vision to life with professionalism and care.
👏 Thank you, Carolina Screenprint, for being such an integral part of the HCA family and helping us represent our Village so well! Learn more about Carolina Screenprint at https://carolinascreenprint.com/
➡️ Interested in becoming a Village Partner or learning more about how your business can support HCA? Email Sarah Morris at smorris@hcacs.net
🌐 Gratitude to Breezeline – Empowering Our Village with Connectivity! 🌐
💻 We’re delighted to highlight Breezeline, another one of our esteemed Village Partners, for their unwavering support of Horse Creek Academy!
📡 Breezeline’s dedication extends beyond their services; their partnership with HCA significantly enhances our educational environment, ensuring our students and staff have the resources they need to thrive in today’s digital age.
💙 Thank you, Breezeline, for being a vital part of our Village and for your continuous support in enriching our community. Together, we are building a brighter future! Learn more about Breezeline's digital services at https://www.breezeline.com/near-me/south-carolina/aiken
➡️ Interested in becoming a Village Partner or learning more about how your business can support HCA? Email Sarah Morris at smorris@hcacs.net
🐜 Thank You to Aiken Pest Control – A True Village Partner! 🐜
❤️ A huge shoutout to Aiken Pest Control, one of our amazing Village Partners, for their ongoing support of Horse Creek Academy! Your dedication to our school helps us create a safe, welcoming, and pest-free 😉 environment for all of our students, staff, and families.
🦟 If you’re looking for reliable help with pest control or termite prevention in South Carolina, Aiken Pest Control is the place to go! Their professionalism and commitment to excellence extend beyond their business and into the community they serve so well.
👏 Thank you, Aiken Pest Control, for being such an incredible part of the HCA Village. We couldn’t do what we do without partners like you! Check them out at https://www.aikenpest.com/
➡️ Interested in becoming a Village Partner or learning more about how your business can support HCA? Email Sarah Morris at smorris@hcacs.net
🌟 Village Partner Spotlight: SRP Federal Credit Union! 🌟
💙 We’re kicking off our Village Partner Spotlight Series with a HUGE thank you to our Platinum Partner, SRP Federal Credit Union! Your incredible support makes a difference in our Village every single day, and we are so grateful to have you as part of the HCA family.
💚 SRP Federal Credit Union goes above and beyond by not only partnering with HCA but also giving our community a unique way to support our school. Did you know you can get an HCA SRP Visa Debit Card?
💳 Every time you use your card, SRP donates money back to Horse Creek Academy, helping us fund important programs and initiatives for our students.
💪 Whether it’s through this amazing program or their ongoing commitment to our school, SRP is helping us build a stronger Village for all of our students, staff, and families.
👏 Thank you, SRP, for being such a vital part of the HCA community. Your generosity and dedication inspire us every day!
💳 Ready to get your HCA Debit Card? Learn more at https://srpfcu.org/bank/visa-debit-cards/high-school-affinity-debit-cards/
➡️ Interested in becoming a Village Partner or learning more about how your business can support HCA? Email Sarah Morris at smorris@hcacs.net
🎁 Holiday Shopping Made Easy at The Village Shoppe!
👀 Looking for thoughtful gifts, stocking up on HCA spirit wear, or simply treating yourself? The Village Shoppe has you covered! From cozy hoodies and stylish shirts to stadium chairs, socks, jewelry, and more—there’s something for everyone on your list.
🛍️ And don’t forget, we’re also featuring special local vendors each week! This week, T&M Laser Crafts has some stunning items perfect for gifting. Even better, their creations are 50% off this week (excluding personalized orders). ✨
🛒 Visit us before Winter Break to shop 'til you drop while supporting our school and local small businesses! Our shop is open everyday during normal school hours, just check in to the Main Office!
❄️ Get ready to spread some holiday cheer—it's time to dust off those ugly sweaters and wrap yourself up like the gift you truly are!
🗓️ Next week marks HCA's Annual Winter Spirit Week, and we can't wait to see your festive flair!
🎉 Congratulations to Matthew Gordon! 🎉
🌟 We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Gordon as our newest board member, elected in the HCA Board Special Election! His dedication and passion for our mission will surely make an incredible impact.
💙 A heartfelt thank you to all our amazing nominees for their commitment to serving our HCA community. Together, We Are the Village!
🌹Today, our ENTIRE elementary school (over 700 students!) enjoyed an enchanting morning watching Beauty and the Beast Jr. performed by our talented Village Players!
✨ Huge thanks to the incredible director, Joyce Culp, for creating such a spellbinding production! It was truly a day to remember.
📸 Check out this wonderful photo of our HUGE elementary crowd with Mrs. Culp! 💛👏
