The Mallard Compass
Forts Pond Elementary School
September 2019
InTENTional Leading and Learning
Welcome to the 2019-2020 School Year
Fulfilling the Potential of Every Student is the goal of every FPES crew member. We will engage students in learning through innovative instruction and digital resources while empowering each child to design the future.
Please do not hesitate to contact with any concerns, questions, or suggestions you may have.
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
Welcome New Staff to The Pond
Mr. Parker Areheart - 2nd Grade Teacher
Mr. Brett Bennett - Computer Technician
Mrs. Carolyn Cooley - Special Education Teacher
Mrs. Beverly Davis - Housekeeper
Dr. Patricia Deaver - 4th grade Teacher
Ms. Mary Kathryn Hesse - 3rd Grade Teacher
Ms. Judy Frazier - Housekeeper
Ms. Kelly Herman - Special Education Instructional Assistant
Ms. Liz Magee - 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Debra Morris - Food Service Manager
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Rocheleau - Special Education
Mrs. Leigh Toste - Math Coach
Ms. Devin Walker - 1st Grade Teacher
Ms. Rachel Whitlock - Special Education Teacher
Officer Glenn - School Resource Officer
Familiar Faces, New Places
Several of our staff members are in new roles this school year.
Mrs. Jessie Garner - Literacy Coach
Ms. Brittani Gladden - 1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Brenda Latta - Special Education Instructional Assistant
Mrs. Kimberly Wernicki - Special Education Teacher
Communication Between Home and School
Follow us on Twitter @FortsPond.
Like us on Facebook @FPESMallards.
Important Dates for September
September
2 No School - Labor Day
5 Fundraiser Kick Off Assembly
9 After School Program Begins
10 PTO Fundraiser Begins
13 PTO BINGO Night 6:30 P.M.
20 Mallard Mingle 7:00-7:35 A.M.
23 FPES Community Blood Drive 2:00-7:00 P.M.
25 School Staff Collaborative Planning - Students Dismissed at 11:40
27 PTO Fundraiser Ends
All Pro Dads 7:00 A.M.
New Families Orientation 8:00 A.M.
30 Book Fair Begins
Math Curriculum
ESuite Offers:
- An interactive student reference book. If your student has an assignment and forgets to bring the reference book home, you can access it online. In fact, you can have your computer read the reference page to you, and even show you step by step directions.
- Select by unit and lesson
- Home Links and Study Links for each lesson may be printed from home if your child leaves it at school
- Games and practice
- Suggested books to read
- Link to all Everyday Math online games
- Family letter which provides overview of what your child will be learning in the unit, as well as an answer key for Home Links and Study Links.
Your child's teacher will send home your child's username and password to access www.everydaymathonline.com
How to Help Your Child in Math
Here's a fun game to help your child practice math facts. Get an empty egg carton. Inside each cup, write a number from 0 to 11. Now cut out several egg-shaped pieces of paper. On each, write a math problem with a solution from 0 to 11. Have your child solve the problem on each egg, and put it in the cup with the matching answer. For an older child, try writing fractions in the cups and equivalent fractions on the eggs.
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 aloud with your child builds her language and reading skills, no matter how old she is. Begin by reading the book's title and the name of the author. As you read the story, use plenty of expression in your voice and be sure to stop and talk with your child about the plot, the characters and the illustrations. Above all, read stories that you and your child enjoy.
Forts Pond Elementary - A Leader in Me Lighthouse School
What does it mean to be a Leader in Me School?
This means our school follows and teaches the Franklin Covey 7 Habits Program. The program integrates leadership principles into our school culture and curriculum, providing students with practical character and life skills relevant to achieving success today and in the future. The Leader in Me provides our school with the vision and language to lead FPES in a way that addresses all areas of development.
How Can I learn more about the Leader in Me Program?
· Read the book The Leader in Me by Stephen Covey or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, or The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Families by Stephen Covey. We have copies available for check out.
· Visit the parents section of www.leaderinme.org where you will find resources for parents and a fun student game area.
· Or you can ask any teacher, staff member, administrator or student at Forts Pond more about the 7 Habits.
Stay tuned…. We will begin teaching the 7 Habits and want you to be involved. We will keep you informed by sending home parent letters sharing information about each habit!
Safety and Security
Please be prepared to show your picture ID every time you sign out your child. If you visit FPES Campus, you will also be required to have your driver licenses scanned in order to get a visitors pass. All visitors must have a visitor' pass in order to visit the school.
Safety and security of students and staff is always our top priority. Thank you for your understanding.
Orientation for New FPES Families
We will meet in our Parent Resource Center. You will need to bring in your driver's license to get a visitor's pass.
If your child is new to FPES, we would love to see you at this meeting. We will provide an overview of our school and answer any questions.
Friday, Sep 27, 2019, 08:00 AM
Forts Pond Elementary School, Fish Hatchery Road, Pelion, SC, USA
Calendars Coming Soon
There has been a delay in the printing of the calendar. As soon as the Academic Handbook and Calendar are ready, they will be sent home. Thank you for your patience.
Recycle Crayons and Markers
What is Crayola ColorCycle?
Crayola is all about innovative solutions ~ in particular for kids and the environment. ColorCycle is our latest sustainability initiative designed to repurpose Crayola markers.
Can any markers be sent in or just Crayola brand markers?
Crayola ColorCycle will accept all brands of plastic markers, not just Crayola markers. That includes dry erase markers and highlighters! ColorCycle will eliminate placing hundreds of tons of markers into landfills.
Ms. Siceloff, FPES STEM teacher, is the contact for this program.
Run Hard
We are excited to be starting our ninth season of Run Hard at Forts Pond Elementary for students in grades 2-5. Run Hard is an 8-week program that will prepare participants for a 5K race by utilizing our character-based concepts to teach running, healthy lifestyle, and decision-making skills.
Regardless of your athletic bound or current fitness level, Run Hard will live out the motto: “build up, don’t teardown.”
If you are interested in joining, you can register online at https://runhard.org/. Under team locations, click on Lexington 1 - White Knoll Division, then click on +Register, and fill out the form and payment information. The cost is $90 per runner. Registration closes on September 6th. Late registration will not be accepted.
Practices will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45-3:45 at Forts Pond Elementary.
Date Information
August 20
Registration Opens
August 16
School Commitment Deadline
September 6
Registration Closes
September 16
Week One
November 9
5K Race begins @ 8 am
Preparing Staff and Students for Weather Conditions
As required by the state, staff and students participate in a fire drill every month. We participate in two earthquake drills and two tornado drills during the school year. These drills are scheduled in the both in the fall and spring.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division provides information to the public on how to prepare for different types of disasters. You can visit their website at https://www.scemd.org/prepare/ for more information.
News From Food Services
Would you like to make online payments to your child's meal account? Go to www.k12paymentcenter.com.
Charges:
Students cannot charge more than $10.
Students with outstanding balances cannot purchase special sale items.
If students have a negative $10 meal balance, an alternate meal will be served.
Costs:
Breakfast: Free to all FPES students
Lunch: $3.00
Counselors Corner
The counselor for grades Kindergarten - 2nd grade is Mrs. Cindy Hill (right) and for 3rd grade - 5th grade is Mrs. Gina Mahoney (left). We will be visiting each classroom every three weeks with various topics like bullying, getting along with others, and career skills.
Small group counseling will begin in October. Parent permission is required for students to participate in these small groups. Some topics may include divorce/ separation, friendship, self-esteem, and grief or loss. We also meet with students individually based on referrals.
If you have concerns or would like your child to meet with a counselor, please call one of us:
Mrs. Hill 821-2510 Grades 5k, 1st, 2nd
Mrs. Mahoney 821-2598 Grades 3rd, 4th, 5th
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.
Service projects boost connection and community
When you and your child volunteer in the community together, he gets quality time with you and learns the joy of helping others. Great projects to do with kids include collecting canned goods for a food pantry, or asking neighbors and friends for gently-used books and donating them to a homeless shelter or hospital. You and your child might also spend some time visiting someone who is housebound.
Help your child be a good sport, on and off the field
Sports and sportsmanship should go hand in hand. But sometimes, kids feel they can break the rules as long as they win the game. Learning to win without gloating and lose without complaining will help your child on the field and in the classroom. Ask your child if she abides by the rules of the game, plays fair and follows the coach's directions. Remind her that good sports share in the responsibilities of the team.
Help your child stop clowning around in class
A sense of humor is great. But not if it causes disruptions in class. If your child has been playing the class clown, work with the teacher to identify when the behavior started, what might have triggered it and how to handle it. Talk to your child, too. Help him understand that there are times when acting clever or silly is disrespectful. Be clear about behaviors that are not allowed, and suggest things he might do instead.
PTO NEWS
2018-2019 PTO Officers
Ashley Leaphart President
Stacy Wren Vice President
Cassie Blanton Treasurer
Shannon Mengedoht Secretary
Our fall fundraiser begins September 10 and ends September 27. Details will be coming home closer to the date.
September 13 @6:30
PTO BINGO Night
BINGO is free to everyone. There will be Chi-fil-A, snacks, and drinks available for purchase. First come, first serve. PTO accepts cash and debit cards.
Follow FPES PTO on Facebook Forts Pond Elementary PTO
You may contact the PTO by email. fortspondpto@gmail.com
Mallard Mingle
September 20 at 7:00 A.M. - 7:35 A.M.
Please join us with your child/children at our Mallard Mingle 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 Mrs. Hill at chill@lexington1.net or Mrs. Mahoney at gmahoney@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.
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
Title I Parent Engagement
If you are unable to attend, but have suggestions, please email or call Michelle Smith.
(803)821-2500
Helping Parents Help Their Child
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.
Create a routine that gets your family ready for school
The start of a new school year is exciting, but it often means families must make a few adjustments. This year, decide on some basics for your school-year routine. Set a regular homework time. Create a chart of your child's daily tasks that he can use as a reminder until they become habits. Post a calendar and have everyone write down their activities. Then review it each week with your child and plan ahead.
A Glance at October Dates
4 Leader in Me Parent Lighthouse Meeting 8:30 A.M.
Title I Meeting - Annual Meeting of Title I Parents 9:00 A.M.
11 Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School for Students18 End of First Nine Weeks
PTO Fall Carnival 6:30 - 8:00 P.M.
25 Report Cards Issued
30 School Staff Collaborative Planning - Students Dismissed at 11:40
Community Events
FPES Red Cross Community Blood Drive
September 23, 2019
2:00-7:00 P.M.
If you would like to make an appointment to give blood, use the following link to register.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=fpesI
Mrs. Linda Wehrmann in the front office is the contact.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month
Honorary Mascots from Toy Story 4
Explore Infinity and Beyond at the Pelion Library! Don’t have a card yet?
Get your ticket to adventures with Woody and his friends with your new Library Card.
Sign-up is September 1-30, 2019 at any Lexington County Library
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.