The Mallard Navigator
Forts Pond Elementary School
January 2019
Important Dates for January
January
7 Students Return to School
14 Mallard Moms at 7:00 A.M. in Learning Commons
17 FPES Blood Drive 2:00 - 7:00 in Gym and PTO BINGO Night 6:30 P.M.
18 End of 2nd Nine Weeks
21 No School
25 All Pro Dads at 7:00 A.M. in Learning Commons
29 Report Cards Issued
30 Collaborative Planning Dismiss at 11:40
Congratulations!
Brooke Stalnaker attended the Trotting Round the Tree horse show in Clemson on December 1st and 2nd. She came home with two 1st place ribbons which she won in western classes and 3rd and 5th place ribbons in the English classes.
Mr. Shealy's 5th grade class just celebrated 20 days of perfect attendance!
Mrs. Burnett received the Target Field Trip Grant to help 1st grade families with the cost of their field trip.
Ms. Siceloff received the W. P. Rawl School to Garden Mini-Grant.
Hour of Code
If you would like to know about coding, you may go to the link below.
Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy
Unfortunately, we do not have any extra time within our schedule to add time to lunch.
The times for instruction which are required by Lexington One School Board and compliant with state regulations are listed below.
All elementary schools are required to provide 405 minutes of instruction time per day.
120 minutes of ELA instruction
70 minutes of Math instruction
40 minutes of Science instruction
40 minutes of Social Studies instruction
60 minutes for related art subjects (For PE students are scheduled for 60 minutes)
20 minutes for recess
20 minutes for lunch
25 minutes for Lead Time and Breakfast
This is a total of 395 minutes. This leaves 10 minutes a day for transition time to and from recess, lunch, and related arts.
If you would like additional information about this, please do not hesitate to call Michelle Smith, principal at 821-2500.
Lego Drive
We are collecting any old LEGOs that you no longer want or use to add to our supply for use at school for workshops/classes. Please bring any that you would like to donate to our drive and give to Judy Moore, Parent Liaison.
Clean out those old ones and help us at the same time! It is a WIN-WIN!!
Thanks for your support!
Yearbooks
Yearbook ID Code: 11855319
Deadlines
January 31 if paying by check or cash
February 28 if ordering online
Leaders of the Month
Grade 4k - Elijah McLendon and Kierra Jackson
Grade 5K - Alaina Brockington, Rossie Hall, Robert Fabian, Celeste Miles, Mac Dunbar, Arian Skipper, Josie Jeffcoat, and Eli Prince
Grade 1 - Jaxson Stevens, Makayla Autrey, Fayth Gordon, Emmanuel Jimenez-Rodriguez, Mack Webb, Payton Kirby, Giavanie Bartlett, and Aaron Shisler
Grade 2 - Nicholas Miles, Aimar Crispin-Leon, Hayden Hall, Kenslee Wise, Bryley Jeffcoat, Isaiah McLendon, Kensley Godfrey, and Masyn Wingard
Grade 3 - Kimberly Tomas-Morales, Bentley Towery, Jassiel Crispin Leon, Maddison Derby,
Brooke Meador, Brea Worthy, Aidan McGinniss, Abigale Dolezel, Adrianne Perza, and Ellanore Cooke
Grade 4 - Ray Ann Berry, Blane Meador, Luke Johnson, Eli Rawls , Allyssa York, Willow Baker,
Jade Voyles, Jacob Osborn, Johnny Fulmer
Grade 5 - Drew White, Brieanna McCarter, Mary Beth Isenhower, Breanna Harris, Mason Williams, Jaylyn Hoffman, Chandler Frickling, DeMilo Russell, Hunter Rawl, and Victoria Borges
Relay For Life Shirt Sales
Many of you have asked if you could purchase the Relay for Life shirts our staff wears. These will go on sale January 16 through January 25. Order forms will be sent home.
Cash or check is due when placing the order. Turn all money into the front office.
Make checks payable to FPES.
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO RELAY FOR LIFE
Long Sleeves $15
Important Date Changes
January 18 is now a half day. Students will be dismissed at 11:40 and lunch will be served.
Reports Cards for 2nd Nine weeks will be issued on January 29 instead of January 11.
February 18, March 15, and April 22 will be regular school days. Theses days were originally weather make up days.
June 5 is the last day for students and will be a half day with students dismissed at 11:40.
Bottle Caps
Start the New Year Off with Good Attendance
What are the reasons for making good attendance a priority?
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
- Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
- Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
- Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. What parents does not want their child to feel good about themselves? NONE! Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
What can parents do?
- Set a regular bed time and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.
- Introduce your child to her teachers and classmates before school starts to help her transition.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
Counselor Corner
Our classroom lessons this month will be:
Grade 5k - Teddy Bear Friends and friendship skills
Grade 1 - Bug and A Wish to work on conflict resolution
Grade 3 - Attractors and Repellers and Friendship Skills
Grades 3-5 - Coping Skill Stations
Small Groups for grades 1 and 3 will begin soon.
Contact your child's school counselor if you have any questions or concerns about your child.
Cindy Hill grades 4k- 821-2510
Gina Mahoney 3rd-5th 821-2598
Daily Parent Engagement Tips
Check out FPES Daily Parent Engagement Tips on our school website. Below you can see two examples of tips that were on our website this week.
Emphasize progress, not perfection
Some children can be very hard on themselves. They feel like failures if they aren't the "best." To ward off this perfectionism, set reasonable goals for your child and relax about normal mistakes. And don't brush off her self-criticism. Instead, discuss it. Remind her that no one can be perfect. Point out her strengths, and teach her to use affirmative self-talk, such as "I'm proud of how hard I tried."
Improve poor study habits in 15 minutes a day
Often, children with poor study habits don't change their habits because they don't believe that a little extra effort can go a long way. To convince your child, try having him study one subject for 15 minutes longer than usual each day. He might use the time to work on difficult math problems or make up a sample test, for example. Then watch how this small extra effort affects his grades in that subject.
Leader in Me Habit 4
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
Leader in Me Habit 5
Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
LISTEN BEFORE YOU TALK
I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their viewpoints. I listen to others without interrupting. I am confident in voicing my ideas. I look people in the eyes when talking.
HOW CAN I SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND IN MY LIFE?
· Listen with your eyes, ears, and heart. -Try to make eye contact when someone is talking to show them that you're paying attention. Use your ears to hear what they have to say and how they feel. Lastly, use your heart to empathize with them and care about what they are sharing with you.
· Repeat back what you hear. -To make sure you really understand, repeat what the other person said.
WHAT BOOKS CAN HELP ME LEARN ABOUT SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND?
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Veronica Knows Best by Nancy Robinson
PTO NEWS
January 17 BINGO Night at 6:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. Chick-Fil-A will be available for purchase.
If you are interested in serving on the dance committee for the upcoming dances, please text 803-917-5107 or email fortspondpto@gmail.com
Lost and Found
If you would like to see if your child has any items in the lost and found, please come to the front office. You will be given a visitor's badge so you can look for lost items in lost and found.
Mallard Moms
January 14 at 7:00 A.M. - 7:35 A.M.
Please join us with your child/children at our Mallard Moms meeting. We invite any mom, grandmother, aunt, or any other significant female in your child's life to come with your child/children for a light breakfast and a themed discussion and activity together. Although short in length, the time is special and will make your child's day start with pride.
For further information, please contact Judy Moore at 821-2552, or email jvmoore@lexington1.net.
All Pro Dads
This is an open invitation to dads, grandfathers, uncles, or any other significant male who may be part of your child's life. Come enjoy a light breakfast and enjoy some "special moment" time as we strive to grow in the time we spend with our children.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. McDermet at 821-2500. You may also reach him by email at mmcdermet@lexington1.net.
Title I Parent Engagement
We would like to extend a special invitation to any parents who are new to FPES. Your feedback is important and this small group setting will allow us to answer any questions you may have about Forts Pond.
If you plan to attend, please contact Mrs. Judy Moore by calling or emailing.
(803)821-2552
If you are unable to attend, but have suggestions, please email or call Michelle Smith.
(803)821-2500
A Glance at February Dates
1 LIM Parent Lighthouse Meeting at 8:30 A.M. in Parent Resource Center
School Improvement Council Meeting at 9:00 A.M. in Parent Resource Center
2 Legos and Leaders 10:00-11:30 A.M. in Learning Commons
4-8 School Counselor Week
7 4k, 5k, and 1st grade registration for 2019-2020 school year 7:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
PTO Dance for grades 3-5 6:30 - 8:00 P.M.
11-15 Bus Driver Appreciation Week
Mallard Moms 7:00 A.M. in Learning Commons
15 No School for Students
18 Regular School Day - Not a weather make-up day
22 All Pro Dads 7:00 A.M. in Learning Commons
25-March 1 Read Across America Week
Math Update
Want to know how to help your child become a strong mathematician?
Help our school meet our math fluency goal for the year by studying facts with your child.
5K--addition & subtraction within 5
1st--addition & subtraction within 10
2nd--addition & subtraction within 20
3rd--multiplication & division up to 10 x 10
4th & 5th--Students are expected to be fluent with basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. They are expected to apply these skills to solve more complex problems.
ELA Academic Information
When we look back on our childhood, many of us have fond memories of being read to, of snuggling up and enjoying a favorite story with the people who love us. And it's not so much the story that we remember, but the feeling of love and security that it gave us.
It turns out that reading aloud, a time-honored tradition in so many families, is actually a wonderful way of helping children to reach their full potential.
Reading aloud to your child:
- Builds motivation, curiosity and memory
- Helps children cope during times of stress or anxiety
- Takes children to places and times they have never been - enlarging and enhancing their worlds
- Creates a positive association with books and reading
Do you need resources to be able to read aloud to your child? If so contact Judy Moore, our Title I Parent Liaison. She will be glad to help you get these resources. You may reach her by email at jvmoore@lexington1.net or by phone at 821-2552.
Reading with Boys
At FPES our data team studied last year's SC Ready ELA scores. We found that 43% of our girls in grades 3-5 scored met or exceeds in ELA while only 28% of our boys in these same grades scored met or exceeds.
There has been a lot of talk about boys and reading. Why don’t boys like to read? What can we do to encourage them to read? What is the difference in learning for boys and girls?
Here are some tips for encouraging boys to read.
1. Make Reading Active
Boys thrive on activity. Provide opportunities for boys to “act out” what they have read. For younger children, after reading a book, create puppets and put on a puppet show. For older boys, create a Readers Theater script. Have boys act out parts of the book.
2. Provide plenty of informational/nonfiction texts
Choose books based on interests. If a child is going through a truck phase, borrow books from the library about different kinds of trucks. Provide boys with nonfiction subscription magazines. There are some great ones out there: Animal Baby (National Wildlife Federation), National Geographic for Little Kids, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Ranger Rick, National Geographic for Kids.
3. Provide Male Reading Role Models
This is probably one of the most important tips! Have dad or another male read to your son every night and. They enjoy the time together and this gives them the opportunity to read gross, silly, fun books that mom might not necessarily read with her son. Equally important is for boys to see men in their lives reading themselves.
4. Graphic Novels are Boy Friendly
Boys tend to be visual learners. Therefore, graphic novels/books are excellent for boys. These are typically books that have been written in comic book form, but are not comic books (like your traditional Marvel comics). You can also find Phonic Comics by Innovative Kids. They are written on various levels for your emergent reader all the way to your independent reader. More publishers are beginning to see the need for graphic novels and are translating known stories into graphic novels for all levels of readers.
5. Make Literacy Hands-On
For the preschool age child, put pudding or flour on a cookie sheet and allow him to practice writing his name in the pudding. This is a great pre-literacy activity. For older boys, allow them to practice writing their spelling words in pudding. When they are done, they can eat the pudding!
Box Tops
Here is how Box Tops work.
Buy the products + Clip the Box Tops + Send Box Tops to school = $$$$$
Community Events
Come Join us for the Pelion High School Varsity Baseball Team Yard Sale
Proceeds benefit the Pelion High Baseball Team
When: Saturday, February 2, 2019 from 7A.M.-12P.M.
Where: Pelion High School Gymnasium
510 Main St Pelion, SC
Yard Sale Tables are $20 each...Vendor tables are $20. Prepaid only. Please contact Jessica Holland (821-2010), Lisa Shumpert (821-2164) or Dana Boozer (821-2058) to rent a table, or stop by the front office of Pelion High School. Tables are first come first serve and must be paid in full to secure your spot!
We will also have a silent auction, baked goods sale, concessions, and 50/50 raffle (you will not need to be present to win!)
If you have items to donate, or can donate to our bake sale, please contact Lisa or Jessica. We will start taking item donations in January and will collect baked good donations on Friday, February 1st!
Thank you for your support! Go Panthers!!!
Lexington County School District One’s Nondiscrimination Statement
Revised 09-04-2018
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 who to contact and how to contact them, please go to our website at http://www.lexington1.net/contact-us.