The purpose of this website is to keep you up to date with all that is going on at Brennen Elementary School and to keep you informed about all the ways you can get involved in the Parent Teacher Organization.
From Principal Shea
Dear Brennen Parents and Guardians,
Where did the summer go? I certainly hope all of you took advantage of the family time this summer. We are looking forward to what will be a new and exciting year for all at Brennen. I look forward to working with your family to continue Brennen Elementary’s success.
Please make sure you have completed the Returning Student Verification through PowerSchool. If you need assistance with your PowerSchool login and password, please contact Ms. Wilson 803.738.7208. Make sure you sign up for the PTO Brennen Blast email newsletter by going to www.brennenpto.org. You may also follow PTO news on Twitter @BrennenElemPTO, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brennenelementarypto, or through Instagram at @brennenbulldogs.
When your family arrives back to Brennen this year, you will notice some new faces. We have welcomed many new staff members that I would like to introduce to you.
- Brandon Geer- Assistant Principal
- Kathryn Spence-Guidance Counselor
- Emily Milford-Music Teacher
- Amber Coulter- Drama Teacher
- Rhoda Jane Bowers- First Grade Teacher
- Jennifer Mulling- Deaf Ed Teacher
- Lauren Robinson- School Nurse
- Kelli Geter-ID Moderate Teacher
Students School Supply Drop Off for First through Fifth grade will be August 16 th in our front car rider lane from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM and 5:00-6:00 PM. Please have all your supplies bagged together and write your child’s name/grade/teacher on the front of the bag. PTO volunteers will be receiving the supplies from families’ cars and delivering to your child’s classroom. If you ordered supplies from School Toolbox and had them delivered to the school, they will be in your child’s classroom by the first day of school. New Brennen Families for 1st -5th grade will be receiving an email from your child’s teacher before drop off day to welcome you to Brennen and provide you a Brennen Parent contact that will assist you in scheduling a time Tuesday, August 17 to show your family your child’s new classroom. All Kindergartners will be receiving communication from their teacher and doing a separate supply drop off date and time. This is optional but want all of our new students to feel comfortable and confident walking to their rooms on the first day of school!
The First Day of School is Wednesday, August 18th. Our doors open daily at 7:00 AM for students. Any student who arrives after 7:30 AM will be considered tardy and a parent/guardian MUST sign them in with Ms. Wilson, our database clerk. Her office has been relocated to the right once you enter the second set of double doors. Her direct line is (803)738-7208 if you have any questions regarding attendance. Dismissal will begin at 2:30 PM each day. There will be NO early dismissal after 1:45. All dismissals prior to 1:45 will be handled in Ms. Wilson’s office.
We have attached a map that details our Front and Side Car Pools that are in operation each morning and afternoon during arrival and dismissal. Please let your child’s teacher know if they will be front or side riders for the year. We will distribute car rider tags during dismissal for the first week of school for those families who didn’t receive one at supply drop off. Our new car rider tags will NEED to be displayed on the review mirror during pick up each afternoon. This will help speed up car rider line.
In addition, the back gate to Datura Road will be open each morning at 7:15 AM and again for dismissal. The gate will be locked during the day.
Walkers will be dismissed similar to last school year. Ms. Wilson will walk students across Devereaux Road to be signed out. If your child intends to be a walker this year, click here to complete the Walk Home Permission Form. Your child is not allowed to walk without this completed form. Parents will not be allowed to park their car and designated walker spot.
**Richland School District One students and staff are required to wear masks at school. This will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, as recommended by public health officials. Parents and visitors will be allowed in the front office to drop off things forgotten at home or for any other urgent matters. Our district will keep us updated as new guidance is available.
I am looking forward to having all new and veteran parents and guardians at Brennen. I am confident we will have a great year with all of your help. Remember it takes a village to educate our students. If there is anything I can do to help you and/or your child, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Mark Shea
From the Presidents
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year at Brennen Elementary! We are excited to be the Presidents of the Parent Teacher Organization this year and look forward to working with you so we can continue to serve our amazing teachers, students, and administrators.
Our teachers and administrators went above and beyond last year, leading our children through unprecedented times. They are excited and ready to start a new year, and we need to support them with the educational materials, resources, and supplies they need. By joining the PTO and being supportive of our efforts, you are making this possible. PTO funds were recently used to install two new Pre-K and Kindergarten playgrounds that were very much needed. This year will still look different, and there is still uncertainty in terms of volunteers inside the school building, special events, and fundraising, which means will need your involvement, flexibility, and creative thinking more than ever before.
The best way to stay in touch is by signing up for our email newsletters. You can do so by using the sign-up form at the bottom of this page. Our PTO website, Facebook page, and Twitter as well as Brennen’s Instagram will also feature information about our efforts and activities throughout the year. Please feel free to reach out to us or board members at any time. We cannot wait to work with you to make this a wonderful year for our children and teachers!
Marianna Cartin and Katie Atkinson
2021-2021 PTO Presidents
Join the PTO
We encourage all parents and teachers to join the Brennen PTO. All contributions go toward funding extra items for the school to make it a better place for your children.
Become a Business Sponsor
Brennen’s business sponsors offer a way for Brennen parents and local community members to support the school through their businesses. With more than 850 children, numerous committed parents and many dedicated teachers and staff, we truly value and need your financial support.