Please take a moment and review our car rider procedures. It is so important that our children are ready to exit the car quickly and safely when and where it stops. When this does not happen, the flow of traffic is disrupted and the cars behind you are not prepared to stop. This can cause an accident. If you must get out of your car for any reason or your child is not prepared to exit the car at the stop, you must pull forward to the sidewalk area in front of the playground. Also remember that it is most safe for the children to exit the car on the right side. Children walking in front of or behind cars is a huge safety concern. We are working as hard as possible to get all of the children out of the cars and into the building before the 7:40am tardy bell rings. Our teachers on duty need to be in the building so they can prepare to provide instruction to our children. We will begin marking your child tardy after the bell rings. Please be considerate and safe to the cars behind you and follow all car rider procedures. We begin welcoming car riders at 6:45am and the tardy bell rings at 7:40am.

Due to transition of students at the end of the day we ask that parents do not sign students out after 2:10 PM.

Please make sure that you have your 2021-2021 Car Tags and hung and visible during pick-up. If you don't have your Car Tag you will be sent to the Front Office to sign out your child/children after the car rider line is complete.

**Please practice buckling and unbuckling the seatbelt. During afternoon dismissal if you need to buckle your child, please pull over to the wide paved section in front of the playground to buckle.

Report Bullying:

Bullying is an unwanted, intentional, aggressive behavior that may be physical, verbal, or nonverbal. There is an imbalance of power between the parties and the behavior is repeated over time. We have included a link for parents and students to use if they need to make a bullying report. The report will go to Mrs. Lester. There is also a bullying report form on HCS website. Please don't hesitate to contact the school counselors or an administrator with your concerns. https://forms.gle/3ffGJCrSvngX2TAv6

Backpack Buddies Program:

We are happy to inform you that St. James Elementary will participate in the Backpack Buddies program this year for families that are in need and can benefit from the support of the program. Backpack Buddies supplies nutritious, child-friendly, self-serve, nonperishable food designed to be put in a backpack and eaten by the child over the weekend. The food is offered to your child at no cost. The identities of the students who participate will be kept confidential. The food will be delivered to the school each week and the food will be placed in your child’s backpack. Please email Mrs. Lester at alester@horrycountyschools.net with your child’s name and teacher if you are interested in participating in the program.

Counseling Services

• Short term individual counseling

• Small group counseling

• Classroom guidance lessons

• Crisis intervention

• Consultation with parents and teachers

• Coordination with outside agencies and therapists

• Referrals for community services

Reminders:

1. Parents are responsible for self-screening your children for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to coming to school. Students should stay home if they have tested positive or are showing symptoms of COVID-19 (see attached DHEC guidance sheet for symptoms) or if they have had close contact with a person with COVID-19. HCS will follow DHEC & CDC guidance for exclusion of students for COVID-19 or any other illness. The most recent data, guidance, resources, & FAQs for parents can be found on the DHEC website below:

https://scdhec.gov/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/schools-childcare-centers-covid-19

2. Please call or email the school nurse prior to a parent bringing in any prescription or over the counter medications to ensure compliance with the HCS medication policy. HCS medication forms are required for the school nurse to administer any medications. The medication policy & forms can be obtained from the school nurse or the HCS Student Health Services website below:

https://www.horrycountyschools.net/Page/997

3. Children may have cough drops at school with a parent note. *Please note a new or worsening cough is a symptom of COVID-19 & requires school exclusion.

4. Please send a complete change of clothes to school or keep in your child's book bag if you have a child in kindergarten or child development in case of an accident. Please make sure the change of clothes is appropriate for the season.

5. Please send, fax, or email a copy of your child's current immunization record to the school nurse if your child is new to this school or district. If your child attended the CD program last year, then we may need an updated immunization record for kindergarten. The school nurse will be reviewing records & contacting parents for non-compliant immunization records.

5. The school nurse will call the parent if your child presents with the following condition(s):

Symptoms of COVID-19, fever greater than 100 degrees, more than 1 episode of vomiting, more than 2 episodes of diarrhea, any head injury, injury with any pain/swelling/deformity, live lice, or other serious conditions that warrant immediate parent notification.

6. The school nurse may send a note home to the parent to notify you of a visit that does not require immediate notification.

7. The school nurse will NOT notify the parent of every child's visit to the health office, such as minor injuries or illnesses that are resolved.

I look forward to meeting your child's healthcare needs this school year!