Preparing to SparkKnowledge!
Pickens Middle 2020-2021
What will school look like?
On August 17th, we will release and host several virtual events which will allow families to get to know their teachers and understand procedures on our campus this year. Please look for the release of this soon.
The biggest number of questions I have received surround mask wearing. With the new state mandate, everyone who enters a SC school will be required to wear a mask. We know that this will be a challenge to many students. We are working through as many options as possible to give students mask breaks throughout the day. Here is what we have in place so far:
1) All of our hallways have "sparks marks" which are six feet apart. These sparks marks can be used whenever students need a mask break. Cohorts will have periodic mask and brain breaks during the day.
2) We are organizing our campus so that students will be able to have a longer lunch than normal with six feet of social distancing so that they may eat and have recess mask-free. Our intention is to give students time outside for recess and sometimes lunch.
3) While most classrooms are not large enough for six feet of social distancing, we are preparing multiple areas where an alternative classroom can be used for six feet distancing and mask-free learning.
4) We will have one mask to provide for all students that need it.
We are asking that mask wearing at our school is just what we do for now. There are benefits to public health from mask wearing and we hope that, as a parent, you will support and encourage this requirement. We will work with students' anxieties surrounding masks, but please know you have a great influence over your students' perception of what this will be like.
Come see us next week!
Let's LEAP ahead!- While we cannot have families in the building, next week (August 10th-14th) we will have the opportunity for students to meet their teacher, see their classroom(s), and pick up a schedule, and chromebook if needed. This will be a process that shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes. We will have parents complete a survey while students are in the building. Please check the schedule below for opportunities next week. Please be aware that all students should bring a mask with them to transition on campus per new guidelines.There will be makeup times to pick-up Chromebooks but not to attend in-person activities.
The Tdap vaccine is required for all rising 7th graders in order to be enrolled. Any student who has not had the Tdap vaccine prior to the beginning of school will be unable to attend. For questions regarding the Tdap vaccine, please contact Nurse Duncan at (864) 397-4107.
Students may visit during anytime within the window provided:
Monday, August 10th- 8th Grade A-K (8 AM-10 AM)
Monday, August 10th- 8th Grade L-Z (1PM- 3 PM)
Tuesday, August 11th- 7th Grade A-K (8 AM- 10 AM
Tuesday, August 11th- 7th Grade L-Z (12 PM- 3 PM)
Wednesday, August 12th- 6th Grade A-K (8 AM-10 AM)
Thursday, August 13th - 6h Grade L-Z (8 AM-10 AM)
Friday, August 14th- PCVA (All grades) 11 AM- 3 PM
The visit will only take students about 15 minutes we will ask parents to wait for them.
The nurse will be available for parents to drop off medications and turn in paperwork including immunizations.
Other LEAP activities for Band students, testing, and meetings will be schedule with individual invitations.
Online Registration Process
The Parent Agreement for technology is now part of the Registration Gateway; however, please click the "Tech It Home" link to review the policy. Also, if your student is in need of a wifi hotspot, please print the user hotspot agreement found in the "Tech It Home" link.
If you complete the four links below, you can simply pick up your schedule on the week of August 10th and visit the classrooms. Please be aware that everything will have to be resolved online. All payments may be made through My School Bucks. The district has absorbed the processing fee for payments made there. Let us know if we can help.
When you come to campus, bring an extra box of pencils or other basics for students in need.
PTO and School Improvement Council
This Year will be Memorable!
As of now, all yearbook payments must be made through the Jostens' site and will not be processed on campus.
Pickens Middle Athletics
Football- Any 7th or 8th grade student wanting to tryout and/or play should contact Head Football Coach, Gary Roberson (garyroberson@pickens.k12.sc.us).
Volleyball- Any 7th or 8th grade student wanting to tryout and/or play should contact Head Volleyball Coach, Mellie Crumpton (coachcrumpton@gmail.com).
Students interested in running cross-country, girls golf, and girls tennis should contact Pickens High School at (864) 397-3600.
All participants must have a completed sports physical dated after April 1, 2020 in order to play.
SPARK NATION!
Students who are not on any of our Sparks' athletic teams are still a vital part of SPARK NATION! We want our entire student body to show lots of school spirit and support all facets of school life. Please visit our team store at the link below to order gear for the upcoming school year. Get your team gear at the Pickens Middle Spiritwear 2020 My Team Shop from August 2nd to August 12th!
From Sparks of Knowledge Grow Flames of Success
Email: jamesking@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: pms.pickens.k12.sc.us
Location: 140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC 29671
Phone: (864) 397-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickensms/?scrlybrkr=c2440279