The Mallard Compass
Forts Pond Elementary School
January 2022
Be InTENTional In All You Do!
Traducción
,
From Your Principal
It is great to be back after our winter break! I hope each family enjoyed their time off with their children.
Please take the time to read through this month's newsletter. It contains important updates about COVID-19 procedures based on DHEC's new guidance for schools. We are working hard to keep everyone healthy, so we are following high spread procedures at this time.
Here is the link to our school website. https://schools.lexington1.net/FPES
Here is the link to our Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/FPESMallards/
Here is the link to our Twitter Page. https://twitter.com/fortspond?lang=en
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mrs. Michelle Smith, Principal
FPES Vision and Mission
Vision
Forts Pond Elementary students will become self-directed, collaborative, creative, and caring learners who flourish in the global, competitive 21st century.
Mission
Forts Pond Elementary will Fulfill the Potential of Every Student by:
Collaborating with families and the community
Providing a safe, nurturing environment
Promoting learning through academics and the arts
Inspiring students to find their own greatness
Engaging students in goal setting
Celebrating accomplishments
Developing LEADERS
Transportation Changes
ID Needed to Pick Up A Child
To dismiss a student, that individual will need to be on the child's approved contact list provided by the parent/guardian.
Our front office becomes very busy after 2:00 with dismissal of students. It helps our ladies out front if you sign out your child before 2:00. If you wait until after 2:00 there may be a delay in getting your child to the office.
When is my child tardy?
Thank you for taking important steps each morning to have your child to school in time such as leaving a few minutes early or having clothes laid out the evening before can help.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Any adult dropping off a student at 7:40 or after, will need to walk the student into the office and sign them in.
Communication Between Home and School
Kindergarten and first grade send home communication folders every day. Other grade levels send home a green communication folder every Tuesday.
If you have not been receiving emails from the school, you will need to contact the front office to make sure we get that updated for you.
If you are trying to reach your child's teacher during the school day on days your child is learning at home, please remember the teacher is teaching another group of students at this time. They will return your emails and calls as soon as possible.
If you need assistance with your child's technology, please call the district's helpline at (803)821-1201.
Important School Phone Numbers
School Nurse (803) 821-2523
Library (803)821-2514
Pelion Transportation (803)821-1352
School Cafeteria (803)821-2525
Attendance and Records (803)821-2504
Fees (803)821-2502
Forts Pond Family Hub
Here is the link.
Important Dates for January
January
3 Students and Staff Return
13 Half Day for Students Dismiss @11:20/End of 2nd Nine Weeks
14 No School for Students
17 No School for Staff or Students
26 100th Day of School
February
9 Collaborative Planning Dismiss @ 11:20
18 Weather Make Up Day - students and staff will be off this day if not needed for weather make up.
21 No School for Staff and Students
Winter Reading Challenge
The winter reading challenge starts on Tuesday, January 11th. Students have until Friday, February 11 to complete their reading challenge goals. We will announce a grand prize winner for each of these categories on Thursday, February 17.
K-1
2-3
4-5
Updates From the Healthroom
All parent visits to the school nurse will be by appointment only, unless the nurse calls you to pick up your child.
Medications
School nurses are not allowed to keep more than a 30-day supply of medication at school at any time.
We ask that whenever possible, you (parent/guardian) give your child his/her medications at home — before or after school. However, when medications must be given at school during the school day, we ask that you:
● Make an appointment to bring those medications to school with our school nurse, Sharon Fairey. You can reach her at (803) 821-2523. If you do not make an appointment, Mrs. Fairey may not be able to meet with you at the time you come in.
● Bring your student’s medication in its original container. It cannot be expired and must be accompanied by a completed medication permission form. Here is the direct link to the form.
What do I do if my child gets sick over a weekend or overnight?
If your child is sick, please do not send them to school.
It is important that we continue to monitor and contact trace for COVID.
Here is what we need to know:
1) If your student tests positive for COVID
2) If your student is identified as a close or household contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID
If your student receives a positive test result for COVID-19 infection or is identified as a close or household contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19, complete the Google form HERE to notify the school.
Someone will then be in contact with you regarding a return to school date.
Please contact Sharon Fairey, FPES school nurse, at 803-821-2523 or by email at sfairey@lexington1.net if you have any questions.
Thank you for helping keep our school safe and healthy.
Safety Procedures to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Procedures are in place to maintain the safety of our students, staff, and parents.
Parents may walk their child/children to the entrance of the school but we ask that you do not enter the building past the front office.
Children will have time throughout the day to clean their hands.
We will be practicing social distancing in the classroom.
The students are in the family model of learning. When they transition to another classroom, like related arts, they remain seated with the same group of students as their classroom seating chart.
Since we are in the family-style model, we will be eating lunch in our classrooms. We will be unable to accommodate having guests come to school to each lunch with their child or visit the classroom.
All rooms are equipped with hand sanitizer installed on the walls and individual pumps. We ask that everyone use our school-provided hand sanitizer.
Classrooms are sanitized daily after students and staff leave the building.
Math Curriculum
Ready Classroom Mathematics is a robust mathematics program that will help your student become a strong, independent mathematical thinker. The program uses a different approach to math instruction than many of us had as kids. It focuses on learning through problem solving and student-to-student conversations about mathematical thinking (called discourse). Your student’s teacher uses a set of learning routines each day that help students engage in discourse as they develop a conceptual understanding of mathematics. The routines also ensure that your student develops the problem-solving skills needed to become an independent and confident mathematical thinker.
How to Help Your Child in Math
Grocery store ads offer real math value
Those grocery store ads that appear in your mailbox each week are great for helping your child practice math skills. Look through the ads with your child and have him cut out pictures of foods he likes along with their prices. Now help him create and solve word problems using the pictures. "Joey bought one pound of bananas for 60 cents. How much would two pounds of bananas cost?"
English Language Arts Curriculum
Lexington One uses Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Teaching Reading Writing curriculum.
The link below will provide you access to South Carolina State Standards for ELA and Math.
How to Help Your Child in Reading and Writing
Reading brings the world to your home
Sometimes a pretend trip can be just as fun as a real one. You and your child can "visit" Italy, Argentina, Thailand or anywhere else…by way of the public library and the internet. Choose a country and ask each family member to gather information about it. Then plan a dinner of dishes from that country (check out a cookbook from the library) and discuss the interesting facts each of you has learned from your reading.
Encourage reading, one chapter at a time
Get your child excited about the idea of reading by introducing her to the pleasures of chapter books. Find a book you think she will enjoy. It could be a classic or a new book recommended by the librarian. Have your child read (or you read to her) just one chapter a night. Then talk about the story. Ask your child to predict what will happen next. If she enjoys the book, see if it has a sequel and read that one, too!
Leader in Me Habit 4 - Think Win Win
Habit 4 - Think Win Win
Think Win Win means everyone can win. Instead of thinking about YOU and ME, Think Win Win considers BOTH OF US. Think about a solution that will benefit everyone involved. It's easy to be selfish sometimes and to look out for what will make you happy. Think Win Win isn't about giving up what you want to make someone else happy; it's about making each side happy. It's different than the word compromise. In a compromise each person gives in a little. Think Win Win is all about taking two ideas and working together to come up with a third one that's better than each idea on its own.
Sometimes competition can happen. Unfortunately, not everyone can officially win the game. You can make everyone feel like winners though. If you win, congratulate the other team on playing a good game. Compliment them on their effort, and tell them you can't wait to play with them again. If your team doesn't win, be happy for those who did. Tell them they did a good job. Maybe ask another player to help you with your skills before the rematch. Also, try to switch teams up each time you play at recess. That way, everyone gets a chance to play with everyone.
HOW CAN I THINK WIN WIN IN MY LIFE?
- Be cooperative - Have an open-minded attitude instead of a "my way or the highway" outlook.
- Be considerate - Think about what other people want, not just what you want.
- Be a good problem solver - Find ways to make both sides happy by choosing a third option.
WHAT BOOKS CAN HELP ME LEARN MORE ABOUT THINK WIN WIN?
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The Very Clumsy Beetle by Eric Carle
Let's Be Enemies by Janice May Udry
The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss
Dragon Stew by Tom McGowen
The Checker Players by Alan Venable
Dr. Little's Where We Stand Wednesday
The Infographic below is an easy to understand one-page flyer to explain the new isolation and quarantine guidance.
You can check out each school's COVID 19 data using this link - Lexington One COVID Dashboard.
COVID 19 Testing for Students and Staff
We partnered with the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to offer voluntary and free COVID-19 testing to Lexington District One students who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or want to be tested so they may return to school from quarantine early.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, three drive-through testing sites in our school district will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the following locations.
Rosenwald Community Learning Center
420 Hendrix Street
Lexington, SC 29072
Former Gilbert Elementary School (Old Gilbert High School)
314 Main Street
Gilbert, SC 29054
Former Pelion Middle School
758 Magnolia Street
Pelion, SC 29123
We chose these sites to best serve all communities throughout our district, while not causing a disruption to learning.
The clinics give our families the voluntary opportunity to test for free if their student is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or if they want their student to school from quarantine early.
To visit a clinic and get tested, parents/guardians must use the link below to create an account and sign up.
https://rrtesting.app/SCSchools
After you create an account, no appointment is needed. Just drive through and get tested.
Exciting News From Food Services
If your child has to quarantine, you now have the option to receive two 5 day meal kits. If you would like to take advantage of this option, please call our front desk and they will take your information.
Special Occassion Treats
Family Engagement Tips
Raising children is complicated and sharing ideas is a great way to make it easier. Each month the newsletter will include ideas for helping parents with home life.
Tell your child's teacher about concerns or life changes
You and the teacher are a team, working for your child's benefit. Reach out to the teacher if you see a dramatic change in your child's behavior, if grades drop, or if you suspect your child may be telling you things about school that may not be true. The teacher also needs to know if there has been a major change in your family. A serious illness, death, marriage, divorce or new baby can all affect your child's performance in school.
Nurture your child's inner motivation to learn
Successful learners are motivated more by their own curiosity than by any other reward. To promote this kind of "intrinsic motivation," allow your child some independence to explore the things he's learning about. Provide learning challenges he can be successful with. Then, when he completes a task, ask him to evaluate his own efforts. When you offer praise, compliment efforts more than accomplishments.
Support Our School By Shopping at Publix
Here is how you can sign up and participate in just a few steps.
- Enroll in Publix Partners by visiting publix.com/partners and selecting our school.
- Enter your phone number every time you check out at Publix.
- Publix will donate a portion of qualifying purchases to our school!
Publix Partners has contributed $37.7 million to more than 4,600 schools across the Southeast.
Terms and Condition Apply.
All you need is your phone! Download the Box Tops app, shop as you normally would, then use the app to scan your store receipt within 14 days of purchase. The app will identify Box Tops products on your receipt and automatically credit your school’s earnings online.
Here is a video to show you how to give credit to Forts Pond Elementary.
You can even have other family members and friends give their credit to FPES!
Coca-Cola Codes
Please save and let your child turn-in your Coke product bottle caps and carton codes (worth 5-38 cents each) in the container provided in the commons area. You may also enter your codes online at https://us.coca-cola.com/give/. Click on "DONATE TO YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL" and enter "Pelion Middle School". Then sign-in or create an account. It's that easy! Thank you so much for your support. Our teachers and students appreciate it!
Links to Previous Newsletters
Building Plan for FPES Through the Bond Referendum
The community can find the latest information about projects happening around the district as well as here at FPES. All of these are funded by the recently passed bond referendum for Lexington School District One.
FPES will be receiving the following:
- Secure Entrance Upgrades
- Additional Classrooms
- Replacement for Folding Partition in Between Cafeteria and PE Room
- Additional Exterior Lighting in the Front Parking Lot
- Storage and Equipment Building
- Future Ready Classroom Furniture and Equipment
Lexington County School District One’s Nondiscrimination Statement
Lexington County School District One is committed to a policy of
nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all students, parents/legal guardians,
staff, visitors, personnel and community members who participate or seek to
participate in its programs or activities. Therefore, the district does not discriminate
against any individual on the basis of race, religion, sex (including pregnancy,
childbirth or any related medical conditions), color, disability, age, genetic
information, national origin or any other applicable status protected by local, state
or federal law.
The district will use the grievance procedures set forth in policy to process
complaints based on alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments
Act of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age
Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967;
the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of
2008; and Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The district designates specific individuals to handle inquiries or complaints. To
find out whom to contact and how to contact them, please go to our website at