Pontiac School News
May 30, 2019
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL PRINCIPAL:
The summer is a wonderful time for children to read what they most enjoy, to learn new things, and to have fun!
This week, Richland Public Library visited our media center and shared with our students about their summer reading program. Please ask your students about this program and how they can participate!
Summer reading is an important way to prevent kids from losing too much ground over the summer — research shows that summer reading can make a significant difference in a student's overall academic achievement, particularly when she begins a new school year in the fall.
As a parent, there are a number of things you can do to encourage your child to read and to develop strong reading and writing skills over the summer. I have compiled a list of summer reading tips to help children avoid the “summer slide”.
Make time for reading
During the busy summer months, it can be hard for you and your child to find a chance to read. Set aside a quiet time each day for reading, and remember to include "reading time" when planning summer activities.
Keep different kinds of reading materials at home
To stimulate reading at home, keep reading materials throughout the house, including high interest magazines. Keep some fun things on hand too, like word games or puzzles. This will increase your child's access to books and printed material, providing more opportunities to practice reading.
Beat boredom with books
Help your child find books that he/she finds interesting — especially on rainy days! These might include non-fiction books, fun fact books, arts and crafts books, hands-on activity, or cookbooks with kid-friendly recipes.
Read aloud every day
Try to find time each day to read aloud to your children — even the older ones. Reading aloud benefits children, particularly those who are struggling readers. Read aloud in different places, from the porch to the park. And don't be afraid to use silly voices and act out the story!
Encourage your child to learn new words
Introduce your child to new words every day. Talk about what these words mean and how they are used.
Write away
Keep writing materials handy such as pencils, paper, and crayons so that your child can practice writing. Encourage her to write letters or post cards to friends and relatives over the summer, to keep a journal, make a summer scrapbook, or to write stories and poems. Ask your child to help you when making shopping lists or copying a recipe.
Help your child get a library card
Getting your child her own library card will make her feel special, and will motivate him/her to use her library card to check out books or other items.
Visit the library frequently and look for summer reading programs
Libraries can be magical places during the summer, and they often have summer reading programs, book clubs, and events for kids like puppet shows or storyteller presentations. They also may provide age-appropriate summer reading lists. Check the library calendar for special events throughout the summer.
Help your child select books at the right level
A good way to decide whether your child is reading books at the right reading level is to have her read a from a page in the book that she has chosen (any page but the first page). If he/she is reading smoothly and understands what he/she is reading, the book is probably at a good level.
Allow your child to choose what he reads
Allow your child to choose her own reading material, including popular fiction, magazines, and comic books. Summer is a time when children can discover the joys of reading, and they will be more motivated if they are reading something they enjoy.
Find magazines that interest your child
Magazines are a great way for kids to practice reading, to learn new things, and to develop their vocabulary. You may be able to find your child's favorite magazine at the public library, or you can get a subscription at your home.
Be a reading role model
Make sure your child sees you reading. Seeing that reading is an important part of your life will help children understand that reading can be an important part of theirs.
Keep it fun
Don't set rules about reading for a certain amount of time or reading a minimum number of pages, and don't make reading a punishment — keep it fun so that it's something that your child wants to keep doing!
Talk about what your child is reading
Talk about the books you and your child have read together — what you liked, what you didn't like, or who your favorite character was. Ask your child to tell you about what she is reading.
Connect books to summer activities and travel
Read books related to your summer activities and trips. For example, you might read a book about dinosaurs after visiting a natural history museum, or a story about sand castles while at the beach. Helping your child connect books with her own experiences will build her vocabulary and will make her experiences more meaningful. Older children may also enjoy helping you research your summer plans at the library or on the Internet.
By encouraging your children to engage in summer reading activities, you will help them find lots of fun ways to use reading throughout the summer while keeping their reading skills in good shape!
Ice Pops for Box Tops
Cafeteria News
Parents,
All school lunch debt needs to be cleared before the school year ends. Avoid the rush and send or bring your payments in this week!
Health Room News
This is a reminder that all medications must be picked up from school health rooms by noon Thursday, June 6, 2019. Medications are not kept in the health room over the summer. Please pick up all over-the-counter and prescription medications (inhalers, Epi-pens, other prescription medications) from the health room by Thursday, June 6th at 12 noon. Any medications left after 12 noon will be destroyed.
2019-2020
Returning Annual Registration
Step 1:
Log into your Parent Portal account, www.parents.richland2.org
Scroll down to the bottom LEFT hand side and look for the
click on it.
The process is not completed until you have SUBMITTED the Annual Registration.
Step 2:
ALL POR’S MUST BE WITHIN 30 DAYS.
If your address has not changed, turn in one proof of residency.
If your address has changed, PLEASE turn in three proofs of residency,they must be current, within 30 days of the present date.
Family’s Living with Families you have to complete the Affidavits every year, 3 proofs of residency from the homeowner & 3 proofs of residency from the parent.
Step 3:
Make sure your student’s name and teacher’s name is on the Proof of Residency.
** These two things must be completed in order for your child to be placed on a classroom roster.
LUNCH APPLICATIONS:
free and reduced application have to be done every year.
Yearbooks
RCSD Summer Camps
IMPORTANT DATES THIS MONTH
June 3 - Fifth Grade Recognition at 6:00 pm at Spring Valley High School
June 5 - Half Day - Dismissal at 11:30 am
June 6 - Half Day - Dismissal at 11:30 am
June 6 - Last Day of School
For More Information About Activities in Richland Two
About Us
Visit our Website: http://cmsweb1.richland2.org/PE/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pontiacelementary
Follow our Blog: http://pontiacpress.blogspot.com/
Twitter @PontiacElem Phone 803-699-2700
Address
500 Spears Creek Church Rd.
Elgin, SC 29045
Principal Dr. Katie Barber
Assistant Principals Mrs. DeAnna Savage and Mr. Jessie Williams
Phone: 8036992700