Mount Holly Roundup 9/20/19
Mount Holly Elementary School Mustangs
Mount Holly Elementary School
Principal Message
Yesterday, we celebrated our first Terrific Kid Ceremony of the year. The character word for this month was THOUGHTFULNESS.
Congratulations to our September Terrific Kids who are very THOUGHTFUL:
K-5
Craven/Jeter - Emma Doster
Mercer - McKenlee Honeycutt
Sims - Olivia Simon
1st
Andrews - Kinsleigh Rougier
Dickson - Siana Jackson
Long - Alex Hovestadt
2nd
Campbell - Phoenix Lingerfelt
Lipe - Amelia Bowman
Jordan - Donnell Weekley
McConneaughey - Breigh Swanger
Urquhart - Arie McCoy
3rd
Adams - Caroline Cox
Fair - Julia Challenger
Settle - Lauren Parker
4th
Chase - Ava McDaniel
Janicke - Nijavion Thompson
Madsen - Kylan Hall-Boone
Stager - Tyler Upchurch
Tomlin - Marcus Brown
5th
Bowen - Prestin Fox
Gasparello - Isiah Elkins
Spicer - Karl “KJ” Burg
Varnadore - Presley Jackson
Next week, we will have our first Scholastic Book Fair of the school year. Please see details below.
I hope you have a good weekend! If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Jacqueline G. Jones
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR - NEXT WEEK
Message from Mrs. Katherine Holder
Families can set up eWallets for their students so they don't need to send money to school and can order online to have books sent to their home or to family farther away. This is a great way for family and friends who want to participate but can't be in person. Also, we (the school) gets a much greater percentage of money back for online orders. They can start ordering today and we will earn scholastic dollars for the library!
There will be no checkouts next week due to the Book Fair. I will allow students to tour the book fair during their library time and we will be making lists, both personal and what they'd like to see in the library, as well.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, September 24th and 25th when I have afternoon meetings, the PTO has graciously agreed to cover the book fair for me-so it will be open a bit after school. I will be open late on Thursday, September 26, 2019 (until 5:30 p.m.) so that those who would rather shop in the afternoon have time.
On Green Day (Friday) Ms. Nichols has fabulously agreed to take my last three classes so that I can serve the families visiting for Grandparents' Day. I know that will be a busy day.
Remind students that I will be open during the Fall Festival and that family members (around the world) that can't be here in person are more than welcome to shop our online fair!
Thanks for your support of our Book Fair and our school!
Mount Holly Elementary School’s Little Free Library
Did you know that Mount Holly Elementary School is the site of a Little Free Library?
- What is a Little Free Library?
A Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange. Mount Holly’s Little Free Library is a small wooden box of books located at the front of the school, where the car rider line begins. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share, adults and children alike.
There is an understanding among Little Free Library users that real people are sharing their favorite books with their community.
- How can I donate books to the Little Free Library?
- Can anyone give or take books from Mount Holly’s Little Free Library? Do I have to return the exact book I take?
Anyone may contribute or take books. The more the merrier! If you take a book (or two) from the Little Free Library, you do not need to return that exact book. However, in order to keep the Little Library full of good choices for the school-wide community, the next time you swing by the Little Library bring a few books to share. Little Library book exchanges function on the honor system; everyone contributes to ensure there are always
quality books inside. This way, we all win!
Please allow your child to bring gently used books throughout the year to donate to Mount Holly’s Little Free Library. Your child will get the opportunity to leave the book donation in the Little Library and then take a book of their choosing from the Little Library.
We are also encouraging adults to utilize Mount Holly’s Little Library by leaving an adult-book selection and taking an adult book of choice.
SAFETY and SECURITY
School Security Officers in Rock Hill Schools (SSO)
Superintendent Dr. Bill Cook has placed a priority on safety and security in our schools. As our district continues to evolve its safety and security program, we are excited to announce that we have contracted with Allied Universal Security to add a School Security Officer (SSO) to each of our 17 elementary schools and the Central Child Development Center. During the past school year, district administration held a series of safety and security-focused events to listen to parent and community feedback about safety needs in our schools. It became clear through the meetings that having an armed security officer on campus at our elementary schools was a priority. We are grateful to our Board of Trustees for supporting this effort through the district’s budget this year.
By the end of September all elementary schools will be staffed by a trained security officer. Much like School Resource Officers (SROs), the School Safety Officers serving our elementary schools will form relationships with students, employees and families to further ensure our campuses are safe and secure learning environments. The addition of the SSO on your child’s school campus does not replace the School Resource Officer who has previously been assigned to provide coverage from the nearest middle or high school campus. Each school will provide opportunities for the SSO to work alongside the guidance counselor to spend time in classrooms to acclimate students to the SSO, discuss the role of the SSO, and how the SSO is a part of the school community.
Some of the responsibilities for each officer include:
- Serve as a first responder to emergency incidents on school property. Coordinate with and assist law enforcement or other first responders upon their arrival.
- Patrol assigned buildings, parking lots, and grounds for illegal or suspicious activity or behavior, or dangerous situations, and respond appropriately within the authorities granted by law and District policy.
- Confront trespassers and unauthorized visitors to determine why they’re on campus and to prevent unlawful entry to campus.
- Check exterior and interior doors to ensure all doors are secured (lock and closed) and all door locks and card readers are operational and functioning properly.
- In coordination with school officials, assist with traffic control, traffic and pedestrian management, and parking before, during, and after school hours.
- Operate security systems, including video surveillance systems and two-way radios, to maximize security coverage and protection of the campus, and the peaceful conduct of school business.
- Document and report any evidence of criminal activity.
In the weeks ahead, school principals will provide opportunities for parents to meet the School Security Officer serving in your school. Should you have any questions or concerns about this program, please contact Director of Safety and Security Michael Johnson at 803-981-1176.
SSO for Mount Holly Elementary....Mr. Derrick Crawford
Meet Mr. Crawford
My name is Derrick Crawford and I am the School Security Officer at Mount Holly Elementary School in Rock Hill, SC. With over 10 years in the private security/law enforcement industry, I’ve learned great tactics and self-awareness. I was born and raised in Rock Hill, South Carolina, along with five sisters and one brother. I am the youngest of my siblings. I played three years of varsity football at Rock Hill High School and graduated with the class of 2000. I also played 7 years of adult minor league football before stepping down in 2012. I’m now the head football coach of Ramah Juco Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina. My beautiful wife and I are the proud parents of four children. I have a big heart and love helping my community.
SAVE the DATE - Coffee with Crawford
Meet & Greet Mr. Crawford
Also, Friday, September 27, 2019, Mr. Crawford will be in the cafeteria during your child's lunch for the Grandparents' Luncheon meeting and greeting parents and grandparents.
These are great opportunities for ALL Mustang Parents and Community to meet Mr. Crawford and get to know him better!
SPOTLIGHT ON SECOND GRADE
Mrs. Heather Urquhart's Class
Mrs. Urquhart’s Second Graders are getting familiar with Reading Workshop Approach!
Mrs. Heather Urquhart's Class
In Math, students are practicing Number Sense using the Promethean Board.
Ms. Erica Jordan's Class
Ms. Erica Jordan's Class
Mrs. Sondra Campbell's Class
Students working on a Place Value Problematic Task.
Mrs. Sondra Campbell's Class
Students playing a math fluency game.
Mrs. Stephanie Lipe's Class
Mrs. Stephanie Lipe's Class
Grandparents' Luncheon - Next Friday, September 27 - Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 24th
SEPTEMBER IS ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH
EVERY DAY COUNTS
This year as a school and district we will be closely monitoring staff and student attendance. We will be looking at absenteeism and tardies. Our goal is to ensure that every staff and student attend school regularly.
Here are a few statistics:
- Students who are likely to need additional support due to poor attendance are those who missed 10% of the previous school year as well as those who are headed off-track in the current year.
- If a student is just 10 minutes late to school each day, this adds up to missing more than 33 hours of class time.
- Teachers are considered chronically absent if they miss more than 10 days of school - or the equivalent of two weeks of classes-a year.
We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. The School Leadership Team has begun working on an Attendance Incentive Program that will promote attending school regularly and a comprehensive approach that includes outreach to families. We will be providing more details of the incentive program in the upcoming weeks.
We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to improve staff and student attendance!
CANVAS 101 - HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
FALL FESTIVAL IS NEXT WEEKEND - 9/28/19
Now taking orders - School Spirit Wear Apparel
Deadline to submit order is September 30, 2019
A special thanks to Sharon Sistar for her hard work and designing for this year. Order forms were sent home this past Wednesday.
They make great Holiday gifts as well.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
- 23rd - 30th – (Monday – Friday) – Scholastic Book Fair
- 23rd - 26th - (Monday-Thursday) - 4th Grade Swimming Field Study
- 25th - (7:00-8:00 a.m.) - Coffee with Crawford in Library
- 26th - (7:00-8:00 a.m.) - Coffee with Crawford in Library
- 27th – (Friday) – Grandparents' Luncheon
- 28th – (Saturday) – Fall Festival (10:00am - 1:00pm)