The Bobcat Blaze
November 6, 2020
Principal's Message
Greetings Bobcat Families,
My Principal heart was so happy on Thursday and Friday to have half of our 3rd - 5th grade students back in the building for in-person instruction! Our family finally feels whole once more. Thank you to all the students for the excitement they brought as they entered each day. I truly believe they were as happy to be back as we were to have them back.
Parents, please remember to complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey by November 13th. The link can be found within today's newsletter. Additionally, we ask that parents be mindful of our dismissal procedures. We begin dismissal at 2:25 to have all students dismissed by 2:30. If your student is walking home from school independently, please let their homeroom teacher know this so they can supply you with our Consent Form. If we have not received communication from you that your child is to walk home independently, they will not be allowed to do so, and you will have to come pick them up. This is for the safety of all students and we appreciate your understanding! For those of you who walk to the school or park your car to pick up your student, please stand inside the gate on the paw prints and wait for walkers to be dismissed. Please do not stand on the outside of the gate or sit on the mosaic bench area near the fountain to wait for students as it crowds our dismissal areas and prevents social distancing.
Finally, parent-teacher conferences will be held virtually this year on November 12th. Please be on the look out for more information about this from your child's homeroom teacher. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend! We can't wait to have a full week of school with all grade level cohorts next week! #gobobcats
Principal's Message: https://cloud.swivl.com/v/0d2330fd34535a94462c5fcdd9360d87
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
November
- November 8th-14th........................Free COVID-19 Testing (details for sites are below)
- November 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th.....CogAT Testing for Second Graders in Cohort A
- November 11th..............................Report Cards Issued
- November 12th..............................Parent Teacher Conferences
- November 12th and 13th..............CogAT Testing for Second Graders in Cohort B
- November 25th-27th.....................Thanksgiving Break (Schools & District offices are Closed)
December
- December 4th............................Professional Development Day (Early release for students)
- December 21st-January 1st.....Winter Break
Free COVID-19 Testing Sites
DHEC - Pardon and Parole (Old Building)
Dates and Times
Sunday, November 8th: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday, November 9th: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, November 11th: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Further Information:
- Report to the intersection of Greene St. and Heidt St.
- Appointment Needed: No
- Referral Needed: No
- Pediatric Testing Available: Yes
Address: 2204 Lee St, Columbia, SC 29205
Contact Details: https://scdhec.gov/GetTested
DHEC-Genetworx - Bluff Road Park
Dates and Times
Mondays - Saturdays, 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Further Information:
- Appointment Needed: No
- Referral Needed: No
- Pediatric Testing Available: Yes - All ages
Address: 148 Careswell Dr, Columbia, SC 29209
Contact Details: https://genetworx.com/covid-19/
Prisma Health - Pardon and Parole (Old Building)
Dates and Times
Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Further Information:
- Report to the intersection of Greene St. and Heidt St.
- Appointment Needed: No
- Referral Needed: No
- Pediatric Testing Available: Yes
Address: 2204 Lee St, Columbia, SC 29205
District News
Parents, students and staff can now get up-to-date information about COVID-19 cases in the district through Richland One’s new online tracking dashboard.
A link to the dashboard, which will be updated daily, is posted on the Restart Strong page on the district’s website www.richlandone.org/restartstrong. In addition to listing the number of positive and quarantined COVID-19 cases among Richland One students and staff, the dashboard includes the number of cases at each district school and administrative building. It also shows daily, weekly and year-to-date summaries of the number of positive COVID-19 cases.
“Richland One’s goal in creating the COVID-19 dashboard is to provide the most accurate and current information possible to our community,” said Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon. “Having the same data allows us all to work together to better protect our students and staff.”
COVID-19 data is compiled daily by the district’s Nursing Services office and Accountability, Assessment, Research and Evaluation department. The information shown on Richland One’s dashboard may differ from the reports from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), which are updated on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Media inquiries should be directed to the Richland One Office of Communications.
School News
Impact Aid Program Survey Form
The attached link to the Impact Aid survey is very important for the schools in Richland School District One. It allows our district to obtain financial assistance based on the number of students who are federally connected in one of the following areas:
- Student resides on federal property, Indian land, or in low-rent housing.
- Student's parent or guardian works for the federal government or on federal property.
- Student's parent or guardian is in the military.
Please follow the IMPACT AID SURVEY LINK to complete survey form. Be sure to sign, date, and return to your child's homeroom teacher no later than November 11, 2020. Please complete one survey form for each student within your family. An example of a completed form is below for your review.
Flocabulary 101 - Webinar for Parents and Caregivers
Flocabulary is a learning program for all grades that uses educational hip-hop music to engage students in learning. The 30-minute Flocabulary 101 Webinar will provide a general overview of the program and tips on how parents can support their student's learning at home using this resource. Interested parents and caregivers must complete the registration form to receive a meeting link. Two 30-minute webinars will be held on Monday, November 16, 2020.
Flocabulary 101 - Webinar for Parents and Caregivers
Monday, November 16, 2020
- 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
- 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
***REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON 11/13/2020**
**Attendees will receive a link to the session via email 24 hours prior to the session**
CogAT Testing for 2nd Graders
All second-grade students will be assessed with the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). The assessment will be administered to:
- Cohort B on November 5th, 6th, 12th, and 13th
- Cohort A on November 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th.
Student Spotlight...Welcome Back, Bobcats!
Ms. Martz's 3rd Graders
Ms. Whetstone's 2nd Grade PE Class
Ms. Frick's Bobcats
Ms. Hollowell's Bobcats
Ms. Gowan's Bobcats
Ms. Gallo's Class Took to the Polls!
Did You Know This About...Our Kindergarten Teachers?
Ms. Lauryn Schubiger
- Birthday: January 7th
- Favorite Color(s): Black and Pink
- Favorite Sweet Treat: Peanut
- Hobbies: Running, Tennis, Calligraphy
- Shops @: Target
Ms. Georgia Hollowell
- Birthday: July 2nd
- Favorite Color(s): Blue and Pink
- Sweet Treat: Twix and Peanut M&M's
- Hobbies: Baking, Spending time with friends
- Shops @: Target
Wellness Moment
Eat Right, Sleep Tight: Snack Ideas to Fight Fatigue and Rest Better at Night
Sleep and nutrition are closely linked. When short on sleep, our brains and bodies seek out energy to work, learn, and play. But choose wisely!
Learn more about the connection between sleep and nutrition below. Then check out the Healthy Sleep Toolkit for family activities to help everyone reduce stress, boost immunity, and improve well-being by building a healthy sleep routine.
- Fuel up with a filling breakfast, like pizza toast or top-your-own breakfast tacos.
- Avoid caffeine, such as energy drinks, soda, tea or coffee, after lunchtime.
- Avoid heavy meals 1-2 hours before bedtime.
- Stock the pantry with #SmarterSleep snacks; they are the best options for all-day energy and a restful night’s sleep.
- Fruits
- vegetables
- protein
- whole grains
- plenty of water
Notes from the Nurse
Important reminders:
Hello Bobcat families!
- Please don't forget to send in your child's Confidential Health Questionnaire on his/her first day back to campus (if you have not already done so). Let me know if you need another copy!
- If your child has asthma, allergies, seizures, or any other condition that requires rescue medication, please have it ready to deliver to school on his/her first day back to campus. You may download the medication order here.
- Please, please, please be sure everyone in your household (6 months old and up) gets an annual flu shot. This is the single best way to prevent the flu. It takes about 2 weeks for antibodies to develop and provide protection, so it is definitely not too early!
Please contact Nurse Hurt with any questions or concerns.
Phone: 803-929-3886
ACCESS Freely!
A message from the public library...
If students/families do not already have library cards, they can apply online now and access all the library resources! See the attached flyers for additional information.
A Message from PTO
To stay up-to-date on PTO happenings, please click the link below to register for the Bobcat e-Blast! If you are currently receiving the Bobcat e-Blasts, you will still need to complete the form and provide your information. We will hold virtual PTO meetings on Wednesday evenings this year.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LVTMQYJ
Thanks,
Carrie Smith & Kim Pordes (PTO chairs)
acmbobcatspto@gmail.com
Bienvenidos al año escolar 2020-2021 ! Estamos muy emocionados de empezar con el PTO (Junta de padres de la escuela) aunque sea un poco diferente esta vez. Nos encantaria construir las bases de nuestro PTO e incluir todas las familias posibles en nuestras comunicaciones y eventos, entonces por favor usen esta forma para registrarse para recibir el Bobcat e-Blast (periodico del PTO) y asi permanecer enterado de lo que pasa con el PTO.
**Asi usted haya recibido el Bobcat e-Blast en el pasado, por favor complete esta informacion- estamos haciendo una nueva base de datos. Estamos planeando las reuniones del PTO los miercoles en la tarde, al comienzo virtualmente, por eso esten pendiente de los anuncios que haga la Directora Aldridge en el Bobcat Blaze (periodico de la escuela) para mas informacion de la primera reunion.
Gracias, y espero verlos pronto!
Carrie Smith & Kim Pordes ( representantes del PTO)
Tech Tips
For Parents and Teachers...
Richland One IT Help Desk
You can get remote assistance by calling the IT Help Desk Monday - Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM at 803-231-7436.
Mark Your Calendars for...
Funny, Random, & Weird Holidays
Did you participate in a wacky holiday last week? Don't forget to send a picture of your family's celebration to Mrs. Whetstone at andrea.whetstone@richlandone.org. Here are a few weird holidays for your family to think about this week.
November 6th...........................................................................................................Saxophone Day
November 7th................................................................Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
November 8th....................................................................................................Tongue Twister Day
November 9th................................................................................................Chaos Never Dies Day
November 10th ..................................................................................................Forget Me Not Day
..........................................................................................................................Vanilla Cupcake Day
November 11th..............................................................................................................Origami Day
November 12th.......................................................................................................Happy Hour Day
November 13th.................................................................................................World Kindness Day
.............................................................................................................................Sadie Hawkins Day
We Want to See Your Bobcat Student MAKING TRACKS!
We would love to share in your student's success by seeing them in action! Submit a photo of your Bobcat completing their asynchronous assignments and/or activities your student's picture can be featured in an upcoming issue of the Bobcat Blaze! Submit your photos to Mrs. Whetstone at andrea.whetstone@richlandone.org.
District Resources and Information
ThriveRichland
ThriveRichland is a birth to four initiative established by Richland County School District One with the overall goal of increasing the percentage of children entering kindergarten ready to learn. The three major focus areas of ThriveRichland are:
High quality professional development and support for early childhood professionals
Comprehensive family wellness and engagement
Development of a plan for an early learning lab school within Richland One
Student Nutrition Services During Phase 2
Beginning Monday, October 26, students in PK-2nd grade 2 will return to school for face-to-face instruction on an AA/BB model as outlined in the district’s Reopening of Schools Guide. Beginning Wednesday, November 4, students in grades 3-12 will begin the hybrid phase. The brochure attached below will provide you with guidance for meal services as we transition to the hybrid model. Please follow the assigned cohort schedule for your child(ren).
Connect with Us
Website: www.richlandone.org/Domain/26
Location: 333 Etiwan Avenue, Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: (803) 343-2910
Facebook: www.facebook.com/acmooreelementary
Twitter: @ACMooreBobcats