SPCAS Trojan News
May 2021
Principal's Pen
Please see the dates below.
Monday, May 3 - Friday, May 7 - Teacher Appreciation Week (Please take a moment and thank your child's teacher for all they do for our students and our school. They are TRUE HEROES!!!)
Monday, May 17 - SIC/PTO Meeting @ 6pm via Zoom
Thursday, May 27 - Virtual Career Fair
Friday, May 28 & Monday, May 31 - NO SCHOOL for students and staff
For our children,
Dr. Barnes
We Salute our Teachers Monday, May 3 - Friday, May 7! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!!
PTO News
The SPCAS PTO has partnered with Rock Hill's Nailed It DIY Studio to raise funds for our school! Order a Take & Make Kit during the week of May 4-7 and a portion of your purchase proceeds will go directly back to SPCAS! Please include SPCAS in the comment section at checkout.
Click here to order: Take and Make | Nailed It® DIY Studio Rock Hill
We ❤ SPCAS Teachers & Staff!
If you'd like to make a monetary donation to help the SPCAS PTO show teachers and staff how much we appreciate them in May, please do so via Paypal at paypal.me/SunsetParkPTO.
Outdoor Classroom Beautification Update
With the help of students, families, teachers, staff, and community members, we were able to bring our outdoor classroom back to life. Now our teachers and students have a place to go and extend their learning experiences while enjoying the beautiful outdoor space. Thank you to EVERYONE that participated and/or donated to this project. We could not have done it without your support.
Mrs. Johnson, PTO President
Guidance
I can’t believe it’s already May. This has been an exciting school year thus far! During classroom guidance, we will cover self-concept/self-esteem and career. Likewise, in grades 3-5 we will discuss test taking skills & anxiety since our 3rd-5th grade students will start taking the SC READY and/or SCPASS Test at the end of the month. Please note, standardized tests such as these can sometimes create stress for students, which impacts how well they do. Therefore, during classroom guidance, students will participate in lessons to help get their minds ready for the testing challenge. If you notice your child more worried or anxious, please direct him/her to me so that I can provide tools and strategies that can also be practiced at home. Some strategies will include: breathing and calming techniques, ways to create healthy study habits and ways to help build confidence & visualize success. Moreover, our 5th grade classes will have the opportunity to discuss the elementary to middle school transition process. Excitingly, our 5th graders will also be provided the opportunity to meet with one of our Rock Hill School District middle school counselors to discuss the transition process as well. As you know, transitions can be difficult for everyone; however, for young people one of the most difficult transitions is the one from elementary to middle school. Although this transition period can cause worries, there are many ways that parents can help students during this time. Here are a few tips:
- Listen and validate your child's feelings about the change
- Let your child know you care about them with extra hugs/nice notes and support
- Visit your child's new school together
- Help your child feel prepared in every way he/she can (school supplies, school clothes, healthy breakfast, etc.)
- Explain the rules/procedures of school and how things will work
- Role play going to school and what things may be like
- Allow your child to possibly sign-up for an extra-curricular activity in order to make friends and feel like he/she belongs
Lastly, this serves as a reminder that SPCAS will be having our Virtual Career Day for grades K-5 on Thursday, May 27, 2021. We have already started gathering career videos & resources. However, we are still accepting short videos of parents and/or community members sharing their selected career choices. Therefore, if you or someone you know is still interested in participating in this event, please contact me to express your interest and to learn more about our upcoming event. Please see attached flyer for further information. As always, please know that I am available should you wish to speak with me regarding your child’s needs at Sunset Park. Have a Marvelous May!
~Ms. Woods
Please see information about our Virtual Career Day attached and how you can help!
Physical Education
Each day that weather permits we are getting outside for physical activity and games. Overnight spring temperatures tend to cause quite a bit of dew during the morning so I would like to suggest that students wear sneakers (tennis shoes) and socks on PE days. I am seeing quite a few of the lovely colorful Crocs which are cool to wear but tend to be a bit slippery on the morning dew.
Classes in all grade levels are learning and/or practicing activities for our 2021 Field Day which we are in the process of planning for the month of June. Unfortunately due to our Covid-19 guidelines our field day this year will just be students and staff at Sunset Park. Sadly, we will not have our cheering families, fans, and volunteers but we are hopeful for a strong return for all of you in the next school year. Please stay tuned for more information on Field Day as we move forward in our planning. In other news, fifth graders continue to push through Fitnessgram activities as time permits.
I hope you will all find time to go outside to play in this beautiful weather we are having. Time to be active is time to become healthy for all of us. #GoFindSomeFun
~Mrs. Bundy
Media Center
Spring has officially arrived! The month of May is an excellent opportunity to either catch up on your reading or start planning for summer reading. Some reading challenge ideas for this month might focus on flowers, trees, gardening, plants, bird watching and other outdoor activities. Now may also be the time to start reading about a place you would like to visit this summer.
In observance of Teacher Appreciation Week this month, students might find it interesting to know some of their teachers’ favorite books they read as a child. Try asking them and you might be surprised!
Also, remember the online book resources are available for students, such as Epic, Sora by Overdrive, Tumblebooks via DISCUS, and Hoopla via the York County Library. All these resources have some wonderful eBooks, audio books,storybooks, and chapter books for your reading pleasure. Happy Reading!
~Mrs. Gray