FMHS Info Swarm
8/14/20
Message From The Principal
If you are new to our school, let me be the first to say, “Welcome!” and if you are returning, let me enthusiastically say, “Welcome home!”
While school may look different this year, as we respond to the challenges presented by COVID-19, our focus remains on the students. Whether or not they report to our campus for instruction or participate in online learning, their education and their high school experience matter to the teachers, counselors, support staff, and administrators of our school.
Neither masks nor social distancing can take away the shared experiences and connection that unites us as one Fort Mill Family. Together we make Fort Mill High School a special place, one which boasts a rich history of academic, artistic, athletic, and extracurricular achievement. Together we exceed the academic expectations of the state and nation as our students pursue rigorous coursework preparing them for whatever comes next: college or a career. Together we form a network of positive, supportive relationships that help students to reach their full academic and social potential. And together…we swarm!
Despite all of the uncertainty and challenges ahead, we are thrilled that our students will be back, and I am thrilled to be their principal. Since March of last school year, I have eagerly looked forward to the return of our students to the building and the life they bring to our campus. Their teachers and I have missed them very much, and we can’t wait to return to the important work of educating Yellow Jackets.
We look forward to connecting and collaborating with families to support each student’s academic development. While we want students to grow, become independent, and master self-advocacy, we still believe that parents are vitally important to student success. To each parent, I encourage you to take an active role in your child’s education by talking with them daily about their classes, friends, and involvement at our school. When concerns arise, I encourage you to reach out directly to our teachers, counselors, and administrators to partner with us to help your child.
Our school is a very special place, and it is our people--the students, teachers, families, and community members that comprise the Yellow Jacket Universe--that make it special.
Together We Swarm!
Gales Scroggs
Virtual 9th Grade Orientation
- 9th Grade Textbook Distribution - August 20-21 (by appointment via link below)
- Yellow Jacket Universe Virtual Tour - August 19th at 6:00 pm
- Virtual Freshman Parent Meeting - August 27th at 6:00 pm via Zoom
Freshmen students will have an opportunity to stop by the school to pick up textbooks for fall semester core classes on Thursday, August 20th or Friday, August 21st. Click this link, Freshmen Textbook Distribution, to sign up for a time slot. We will practice social distancing and only allow a small group of students in the building at a time. Please make sure your student wears a face covering when in the building. Guidance counselors and the 9th Grade Administrator will also be on hand to greet students and help with supervision. Freshmen will also receive a special Class of 2024 t-shirt.
The Fort Mill High Student Council has been working hard this summer to create an alternative means to allow our freshmen students a chance to tour our buildings before the start of school. Families of FMHS freshmen will receive a separate email on Wednesday, August 19th with a link to the Yellow Jacket Universe Virtual Tour document. Students and families can use this document to ‘tour’ the campus and get acquainted with several ‘Friendly Faces’ they will see around campus.
We will also host a virtual meeting specifically for the families of our incoming freshmen students on Thursday, August 27th at 6:00 pm. At this time, the principal will share important information concerning the transition to high school and the upcoming school year with 9th-grade parents. Additional virtual resources, such as the Student Handbook, the FMHS Bell Schedule, etc., will also be made available to families.
The FMHS faculty and staff are very excited to welcome you all into, or back to, the Fort Mill Family!
Face-Coverings
- The Fort Mill School District will require the use of face coverings for students and staff. The district will provide face coverings for any student who cannot provide their own. Appropriate face coverings include cloth face coverings, neck gaiters, face shields, and masks. Designs on face coverings should not be disruptive to the educational process and should follow the dress code policy restricting logos and clothing that promotes alcohol, drugs, tobacco, racism, hate, gang affiliation, nudity, violence, and profanity.
- Students may remove face coverings during lunch, while eating and seated at an appropriate social distance. Students may also remove face coverings during physical education classes, while socially distanced and engaged in athletic activity at the direction of their instructor.
- Please be aware that we will take the enforcement of this policy very seriously. If a student is found not wearing a face-covering--outside of the noted exceptions mentioned above--while on school grounds, they will immediately be offered a mask. If the student refuses to wear a face covering, it may be addressed as a disciplinary matter (specifically "defiance of school authority" per the code of conduct). The most important part of this policy is that they are following the directions of the adults in the building.
- Please know that we do not wish to discipline any students over such an easily avoidable decision. Please talk with your child and stress the importance of wearing a face covering.
Social Distancing Measures
We would like to share some updates with families regarding changes as a result of social distancing/health & safety procedures.
Please note the following changes regarding the upcoming school year:
- 3 Lunches--We will transition to 3 lunches this fall to accommodate socially distanced seating in the main commons and R Wing commons during lunch. This will allow us to greatly reduce the number of students eating at one time, which follows guidelines for reducing the risk of exposure.
- No Entry into the Building Prior to 8:10 am--Because we lack the physical space to socially distance all students in the commons before school begins, students will be denied entry into the building until 8:10 am each day. At 8:10 am, we will open the building and students will report directly to their first block class. Students drivers and car riders should plan to arrive between 8:10 am and 8:40 am each school day. Please stress this arrival window to your child, as it is vital to ensure proper supervision and social distancing.
- No Drop Off of Outside Food--High schools will no longer accept outside food deliveries during the day. If your child forgets their lunch, we will make special arrangements with the cafeteria manager to ensure they are fed, but we cannot accept food deliveries during the day--even those hand delivered by parents. Food from delivery services (e.g. Door Dash, Grub Hub, etc.) is also not permissible.
- Hand-Sanitizing Stations--Hand sanitizer dispensers will be provided in each classroom and readily available throughout all buildings.
- Visitors--In an effort to protect the health and safety of our community, we will greatly restrict the number of visitors allowed on campus to minimize the total number of people on-site. No outside guests will be allowed to visit the classroom or during lunchtime. All efforts will be made to keep necessary visitors to a minimum, including the use of virtual or telephone meetings with families and guests. In cases were face-to-face parent meetings on-site with school staff are deemed necessary and appropriate, parents must follow social-distancing guidelines and wear face coverings.
- Athletic and Co-Curricular Activities--Fort Mill High School will follow the South Carolina High School League’s phased re-entry plan for athletics and follow all district Operational Health and Safety Protocols for extra-curricular activities.
- Clubs and Student Organizations--Clubs and student organizations will not be permitted to meet in person before or after school during the 1st semester. They may meet virtually. Face-to-face gatherings away from the building are also not permissible during the first semester.
- Field Trips--For the upcoming school year, in-person field trips have been suspended to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Back to School Resources for Parents
Important Links
Faculty & Staff Directory—This link will take you to a directory of teacher and staff email contacts.
Parent Portal – This is the window for students and families to access our online gradebook system. If you need a login or assistance please contact your child’s counselor.
Athletic Information –This website has links to schedules for all our athletic teams, forms, and booster club information.
Important Dates
Below you will find a list of important dates over the next two weeks. These include school events and home athletic, arts, and extracurricular events.
August 19th Schedules released in PowerSchool @ 4:00 pm
August 20th & 21st Freshman Textbook Distribution
August 24th Teachers Return
August 27th Virtual Freshman Parent Meeting @ 6:00 pm via Zoom
August 31st First Day of School (A Day)
September 1st First Day of School (B Day)
Fort Mill High School
Email: scroggsg@fortmillschools.org
Website: http://fmhs.fortmillschools.org/
Location: 215 N Highway 21 Bypass
Phone: 803-548-1900
Twitter: @FMHSnews