The Bobcat Blaze
February 26, 2021
Principal's Message
I can't believe we have already completed Week 2 of four days of in-person instruction! We have some fun events coming up next week for Read Across America Week. Please see that information in this week's Blaze as well as from your child's homeroom teacher. Interim grade reports will go out on March 2nd. Our next (and last) Flex Wednesday will occur on March 3rd. Finally, you should have received information from Superintendent Dr. Witherspoon that all elementary school students will return for 5 days of in-person learning beginning Monday, March 8th.
We had some sprinkles of sunshine this week that I for one sincerely needed and enjoyed! I hope you all had an opportunity to soak up the sun as well. The forecast says we are in for a beautiful weekend. Please take some time to step away, unplug, and enjoy the beautiful weather safely with family and friends.
We cannot wait to see you back in Bobcat Country on Monday March 1st!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Principal's Message: https://cloud.swivl.com/v/f05acb45f118e9aa197ba996f46ca329
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
February
February 1st-28th.............Black History Month
- February 26th..................Deadline for 5th Grade Yearbook Ad Forms
March
March 1 - 5........................Read Across America Celebration
March 1st...........................Parent and Family Engagement, Tea With Me, Noon (details below)
March 2nd.........................Interims Go Home
March 3rd.........................Flex Wednesday
March 3rd..........................Parent and Family Engagement, Interactive Read Aloud, Noon (details below)
March 8...........................Elementary Students Report for 5 Days F2F Instruction
March 12th .......................Yearbook order forms are due
March 19th........................Deadline for Dance and Theatre Audition Submissions (details below)
Gifted & Talented Artistic Dance and Theatre Program Auditions
RICHLAND ONE is one of the few districts in our state that offers Gifted & Talented Artistic Dance and Theatre programs in all of our middle and high schools.
The purpose of the dance and theatre education process in Richland School District One is to provide students with a rigorous and balanced approach to learning through critical thinking and creative problem solving. This process involves a discipline based approach with experiences in the production, appreciation, and knowledge of dance and theatre. Experience is gained through an understanding of the developments in history and culture, the development of judgements about dance and theatre, and the practical applications of dance and theatre practices.
The process for audition for the different this year. Normally, Hand dance and theater teachers come here to audition the 5th graders; however, they are now asking the students to record themselves and submit the recordings electronically. Please see the attached documents for audition requirements.
Get Your Yearbook Ordered Now!
Click on the documents below to place an order for the 20-21 yearbook. The deadline to place an order is March 12th.
Fifth Grade Parents:
If you would like to place an ad in the yearbook for your fifth grader, please see the attached flyer for details.
Parent and Family Engagement Opportunities
Click on the flyers below to join the Zoom meeting.
Free COVID-19 Testing Sites for February
DHEC-RRT - Pardon and Parole (Old Building)
Dates and Times for February
Open Daily: 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
- Saliva testing- Do not eat, drink, or smoke for 30 minutes prior to testing.
Address: 2204 Lee St, Columbia, SC 29205
Contact Details and Pre-Registration: https://rrtesting.app/devine
DHEC-Tour Health - DHEC Parking Lot
Dates and Times for February
Open weekdays: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturdays: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Further Information
- Appointment Needed: No
- Referral Needed: No
- Pediatric Testing Available: Yes
Address 2600 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201
Contact Details https://www.tourhealth.com/
SCHOOL NEWS
Read Across America Week
We are so excited to celebrate Read Across America Week all next week! It's one of Mrs. Warren's favorite times of the year! ❤️📚 Hard copies of information should have come home with your students this week. Please review completely for all information and be sure to talk to your kids about participating!
Monday - Reading is a Superpower - wear superhero shirt or cape
Tuesday - Reading is EVERYWHERE - Read My Shirt (wear a shirt that you can read)
Wednesday - #OHSNAP Get Caught Reading - I'm asking students to send me a picture of themselves reading in their favorite spot at home
Thursday - Reading makes us BRIGHT - Wear bright/neon colors - Finger flashlights will be provided for students to read with during silent reading time
Friday - Reading Sparks Imagination - Book character dress-up day
Mrs. Warren also created a Reading Challenge Board of 9 challenges. Studens can complete as many challenges as they like. Every "three-in-a-row" they get (think tic-tac-toe) will be an entry to win a prize (completing the whole board = 8 entries). This will run through March 12, so there are two weeks to complete challenges.
Instead of an in-person Book Fair this year, we are hosting an online book fair that will be open on Monday, March 1 - Friday, March 12. Families can order books online and they will be delivered to the school (no shipping cost). Kids can also create wishlists to send out to other family members.
A Bobcat Spotlight....Black History Month
-Dr. Carter G. Woodson-
“We have a wonderful history behind us. ...If you are unable to demonstrate to the world that you have this record, the world will say to you, 'You are not worthy to enjoy the blessings of democracy or anything else.”
A. C. Moore Continues to Celebrate the Contributions of African-Americans
During A. C. Moore's celebration of Black History Month, each week you and your student had an opportunity to learn more about the contributions African-Americans have had on American culture. The final edition of the February Bobcat Blaze will highlight Influential African-Americans from South Carolina.
From scientists, to politicians, to singers, astronauts and more, the Palmetto State is called "home" by many notable black South Carolinians. Watch the video below to learn more about them and their accomplishments.
Black History Trivia Answers for Week 3
Can you match the inventor with his/her invention?
- 1. Lonnie Johnson: Generated more than $1 billion in sales with his Super Soaker water gun invention, which has consistently been among the world’s top 20 best-selling toys each year since. This person now owns more than 80 patents and has since developed different green technologies.
- 2. Bishop Curry, V: An inventor from Texas, designed a device that is mounted near a child’s car seat, and uses LIDAR sensors to detect the presence of a baby that may be left alone in a car. If a baby is detected a the device uses a thermoelectric cooling device and fan to start blowing cool air on the baby, and it sends a text alert to the owner’s phone. If no one removes the baby after the initial text message, the device sends a text alert with GPS coordinates to the police.
- 3. Dr. Patricia Bath: In 1981, this person invented the surgical tool that made him/her famous: the Laserphaco Probe, which he/she continued to perfect and later patented in 1988. The tool was used during eye surgery to correct cataracts.
- 4. Mark Dean: This inventor worked for IBM as a computer scientist. This person was one of the original inventors of the IBM personal computer and the color PC monitor. This person is also responsible for creating the technology that allows devices, such as keyboards, mice, and printers, to be plugged into a computer and communicate with each other. This inventor also managed the team that created the one-gigahertz processor chip.
- 5. Dr. Charles Drew: In the late 1930s, this person invented a way to process and preserve blood plasma, allowing it to be stored and shipped for blood transfusions. Until then, blood was perishable and not fit for use after about a week. This invention vastly improved the efficiency of blood banks. This inventor was named medical director of the American Red Cross National Blood Donor Service. He/she recruited and organized the collection of thousands of pints of blood donations for American troops. It was the first mass blood-collection program of its kind.
Black History Trivia: Week 4
A.C. Moore's Faculty and Staff Dress-up to Recognize and Honor Notable African-Americans
Black History Month Resources
Attention Bobcat Families:
If any of your contact information has changed (phone number, address, email address, emergency contacts) since the start of the school year please contact database specialist Madolyn Thorpe at madolyn.thorpe@richlandone.org. We need the most accurate information in Powerschool to ensure you receive school communication.
Hello AC Moore Families!
1. Thank you to everyone who has returned the health forms sent home over the past 2 weeks. If you are still working on them, please get them completed and back to me ASAP. I appreciate your cooperation with this very important matter!
2. Thank you to those families who have already signed up for the Kinsa health FLUency program. If you already received your thermometer, please be sure to Activate it. If you missed the last deadline, no worries ...there will be one more shipment this year, but you MUST sign up by March 5th!
Don't hesitate to contact me if you need help registering for the program, linking your account to A.C. Moore, or activating your new thermometer. If you have not received confirmation that your thermometer was successfully ordered, it did not go through.
3. Please do not forget to notify me if your child becomes ill or is exposed to any communicable disease, including Covid-19. It is so important that we keep accurate records for contact tracing and parent notification.
Take care, Everyone!
Jennifer Hurt, School Nurse
803-929-3886 (phone)
803-929-2724 (fax)
Wellness Watch
Alliance for a Healthier Generation Presents: Supporting Health Equity at Home
When it comes to giving children a fair chance to live healthy, successful lives, it can be tough to know where to start. Although solutions for equity must take place in organizations and systems to remove barriers to health that our society has built over time, families can play an important role in advocating for this change. Click on the image above to learn more.
Summer Enrichment Scholarship Program
The Columbia (SC) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., is offering scholarship opportunities for Summer Enrichment Programs. Any elementary, middle, or high school students planning to attend a summer enrichment program or camp is eligible to apply. Please see the attached documents below for details.
Please return all library books so they can be exchanged.
School Improvement Council
Report to the Parents
This report is issued by the AC Moore Elementary School Improvement Council (SIC) in accordance with South Carolina law to share information on the school's progress in meeting various goals and objectives, the work of the SIC, and other accomplishments during the school year.
Information from your 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. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LVTMQYJ
Thanks,
Carrie Smith & Kim Pordes (PTO chairs)
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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.
February 26...............................................Pistachio Day
February 26...............................................Tell a Fairy Tale Day
February 27...............................................International Polar Bear Day
February 27...............................................No Brainer Day
February 27...............................................World Sword Swallowers Day
February 28...............................................Public Sleeping Day
March 1.....................................................World Compliment Day
March 1.....................................................Plan a Solo Vacation Day
March 2.....................................................Old Stuff Day
March 3.....................................................I Want You to be Happy Day
March 4.....................................................March Forth and Do Something Day
March 5.....................................................Learn What Your Name Means Day
March 5.....................................................Cinco de Marcho
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 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.
Registration Information for Pre-Kindergarten Programs
District Resources
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
ThriveRichland is offering families with children from birth to four and opportunity to join an online play group. Click the link below for details on how to sign up your family.
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