Pontiac School News
September 19, 2019
A message from our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Savage:
Hello Pontiac families! As we near the end of the first month of the 2019-2020 school year, we’re beginning to get back into routine. While summer is filled with spontaneous activities and freedom, there’s something to be said for routine.
Routines give children a sense of order and security. They also teach children self-discipline and help to establish good habits. Teachers spend the first month of school focused on teaching and reinforcing routines and procedures in their classrooms. Students who understand the routines of their classroom feel more confident, understand expectations, and are better able to focus on learning.
Routines at home are no less important. A predictable evening routine allows a child to develop responsibility and eliminates power struggles. As you continue to develop your nightly routines, please be sure to include reading together. Reading with your child helps them to develop language and vocabulary skills, increases their ability to concentrate, and helps to encourage imagination. It’s also just a special time to spend together and build a strong relationship.
To assist in building your home library, our fall book fair begins next Monday, September 23rd and continues through Friday, September 27th. Tuesday, September 24th is our annual Reading is Grand event. Grandparents are encouraged to eat lunch with their students and then spend some time shopping together in the book fair.
We look forward to a wonderful year!
RENEW PONTIAC WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Richland County Neighborhood Leaders,
Do you live, work or visit the Pontiac area of Richland County? Are you interested in sharing your vision for the future of this community? If so, we invite you to join us NEXT WEEK for two public input sessions that will allow residents to share their vision for the Pontiac community. These charrette-style sessions will explore topics including housing, business growth, recreation, and area beautification.
Date: September 25 and 26, 2019 (Come to one, come to both!)
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Richland Library Sandhills Auditorium (2nd floor)
763 Fashion Drive Columbia, SC 29223
Refreshments will be provided. Do not miss an opportunity to share your vision for Pontiac! We look forward to seeing you there. For additional information, please see the attached flyer and visit www.renewpontiac.com.
Thank you,
The Neighborhood Improvement Program
Richland County Government
Community Planning & Development Department
Planning Services Division
Book Fair
We are excited to announce the dates of our fall Follett Book Fair. Come shop the week of Monday September 23 - 27th. Students can come to the book fair with a parent at 7:30am each morning. If they have money for the bookfair, their teacher can send them during the school day.
Our Book Fair is part of a reading event that brings to school a wonderful selection of fun, engaging, and affordable books kids want to read. Giving kids access to good books and the opportunity to choose books will motivate them to read more!
And let’s not forget- the Book Fair is a great fundraiser that both parents and kids can enjoy together!
Lunch Room News
2019-2020 Free and Reduced-Price Meal Grace Period Ends Oct. 3
The grace period for Richland Two families who were receiving free/reduced meal benefits at of the end of last school year will end on October 3, 2019.
During the grace period, families returning to Richland Two receive the same benefits as last year until a new application has been submitted and processed. At the end of those 30 days, anyone that has not had a new application submitted and processed will be responsible for paying the full price for school meals. Families new to the district for the 2019–2020 school year pay full price for school meals until an application has been turned in and processed.
Click here to start the free/reduced meal application. While the online application is the quickest way to apply, you can can access a paper form by clicking here. Please note paper applications can take up to 10 business days to process.
News From our SRO, Deputy Proctor
Parents we are off to an awesome and safe start of the school year! I've listed some additional safety tips to help keep us on track.
PARKING
· Please park in the available parking spaces, if the parking space is designated for a school official please be respectful and not park there, even if only for a minute.
· Please do not park along the red curb, this is a fire lane and for emergency vehicles only.
· There are additional parking spaces in the rear of the building, follow the car rider line towards the back and it is mark as additional parking.
· You are not allowed to park on the grass in front of the school. These NO PARKING ZONES are marked with no parking signs.
· For those parents who park in the Kindergarten parking lot, you will have to park your vehicle and walk your child into the building or remain in the car rider line and drop off in the front of the building.
VISITORS
· Parents please understand that you must go through the Ident-a-Kid system in order to enter our building. You will need a state ID or Drivers License to sign in.
CAR RIDER LINE
· During the car rider line please be mindful of cell phone usage-there are little ones walking in the area.
· If your child is a car rider afterschool, please do not park and walk in – follow the car rider line and your child will be waiting in front at a colored cone.
If you have any questions or would like to come in and chat, my office is always open.
Thank you,
Deputy Proctor
OPEN HOUSE
This is a great way to hear more about your child's classroom expectations!
Our Global team is hosting a pizza dinner on Open House Night from 5:00 - 6:00 pm in the cafeteria to benefit Arts Day. Orders are due tomorrow, Friday, September 20!
Please see the attached flyer for details!
In addition to the pizza dinner, our book fair will be open until 7pm.
Finally, please plan to attend one of the two CLASSROOM SESSIONS hosted by your child's teacher.
One session will be held at 5:30pm and another session will be held at 6:05pm. These 30 minute sessions will explain grade level expectations, schoolwide procedures, and other important information!
Good News Club
Attendance Awareness Month
Dear Parents,
I’m excited to announce that September is Attendance Awareness month. What that means is that we are celebrating classrooms with 100% attendance EVERYDAY during the month of September!!
Let me explain what that looks like. Each day that your child's teacher has EVERYONE at school, on time, and no early dismissals their class earns a letter. Each class is trying to spell out the words PERFECT ATTENDANCE!
If the class is able to spell PERFECT ATTENDANCE before September 30th, they will earn a celebration!
It’s so important that your child is in school everyday!
When we make attendance a priority it helps students to achieve better grades, develop health lift habits, avoid dangerous behaviors and have a better chance of graduating from high school.
Just remember, if you’re truly sick, it’s better for you to stay home and get well!
If you have any questions please contact me jawatson@richland2.org
(803-699-2700) ext 81020
PS Don't forget you can email, send in a copy and or faxed me your child's excuse.
Thanks,
Ms. Watson
IMPORTANT DATES THIS MONTH
September 20 - Fall Pictures
September 23 - Book Fair Begins
September 26 - Open House
September 27 - Half Day - Dismissal at 11:30 am
October 16 - Full Day of School - This is a change to the calendar
About Us
Visit our Website: http://cmsweb1.richland2.org/PE/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pontiacelementary
Follow our Blog: http://pontiacpress.blogspot.com/
Twitter @PontiacElem Phone 803-699-2700
Address
500 Spears Creek Church Rd.
Elgin, SC 29045
Principal Dr. Katie Barber
Assistant Principals Mrs. DeAnna Savage and Mr. Jessie Williams
Website: https://www.richland2.org/pe
Location: 500 Spears Creek Church Road, Elgin, SC, USA
Phone: 8036992700
Facebook: facebook.com/pontiacelementary
Twitter: @PontiacElem