The Bobcat Blaze
October 16, 2020
Principal's Message
Greetings Bobcat Families,
What a week it has been! Thank you so much for your continued patience as the district and schools plan for Phase 2. I know there has been a ton of communication changes within the last week. By now you should have received the most latest update on Phase 2. We are officially moving forward with Phase 2 per the Restart Strong due to the risk changing to Medium last weekend. Therefore students will either phase in or enroll/continue with the virtual school program. Information pertaining to cohort assignments were sent out via email but can also be found in this newsletter and on our school website. If you have any questions regarding hybrid mode please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's homeroom teacher or email myself or Mrs. Evering. I cannot wait to start having Bobcats in the building once again very soon!
Have a safe, restful weekend!
Principal's Message: https://cloud.swivl.com/v/65e52663c631ab42ed385fda37b0fcd5
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
October
- October 1st-October 31st.......................................Breast Cancer Awareness Month
..........................................................................................National Dropout Prevention Month
...........................................................................................National Principals' Month
- October 18th, 19th, 21st, 25th..........................Free COVID-19 Testing, 2221 Devine Street
- October 19th-24th.............................................Free COVID-19 Testing, Bluff Road Park
- October 26th..........................................Pre-K - 2nd Grades begin Phase 2 of Restart Strong
November
- November 2nd...............................Professional Development Day (No School For Students)
- November 3rd................................Election Day (No School For Students)
- November 4th................................3rd-12th Grades begin Phase 2 (Asynchronous)
- November 5th................................3rd-12th Grades begin Face-to-Face Phase 2
Free COVID-19 Testing Sites
School News
A Message from the Superintendent (10-13-2020)
October 13, 2020
Dear Richland One Colleagues,
Last week we introduced an opt-in hybrid option for parents. Almost immediately thereafter, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) released updated data that deemed Richland County to be at the Medium risk level for COVID-19. Per our original plan, a transition to Phase 2 (Hybrid) follows the designation of the district to Medium risk. Therefore, we are delighted to announce that we are now able to move fully to the Hybrid phase with a staggered start. This means we will abandon the opt-in process that was announced last week. Parents of students who are in the Phase-In Model and want them to remain in the Phase-In Model do not need to complete any forms for their children to transition to Phase 2.
Beginning Monday, October 26, students in pre-kindergarten through grade 2 will return for face-to-face instruction on an AA/BB model as outlined in our Reopening of Schools Guide. Schools will communicate the A or B cohort assignments of students and other pertinent information to parents.
Beginning Wednesday, November 4, students in grades 3-12 will begin the hybrid phase with Wednesday, November 4, 2020 as a flex day (small group instruction, office hours, etc.). Students in Cohort B will report to schools on Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6. Students in Cohort A will report to school on Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10.
Schools will send additional information to parents, including A and B day assignments and other details about the transition to Phase 2. Information also will be posted on the Restart Strong landing page on our website (www.richlandone.org/restartstrong) under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Thank you again for your patience and understanding during this transition. As we have stated numerous times since we first shared our Reopening of Schools Plan, we will continue to monitor and adjust our plan based on science and circumstances.
Sincerely,
Craig Witherspoon, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Restart Plans for A.C. Moore
Teacher Spotlight...Bobcat Hashie Award
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Did You Know...
The Numbers
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. It is estimated that in 2020, approximately 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.
For women in the United States, the following estimates exist for 2020:
- 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer
- 48,530 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer
- 42,170 women will die from breast cancer
Additionally:
- 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
- On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.
Source: National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
What We Can Do
-Donate-
Even though the above statistics paint a bleak picture for the health of many women, there is hope for a cure! Survival rates are continuing to rise and women are living longer after beating the disease. There are over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. In order to keep the this trend moving in a positive direction, it’s necessary for healthcare providers and scientist to be able to advance their understanding of the disease through research.
2020 marks the 30th birthday of Walk for Life! For many years, supporters been walking and running the downtown streets of Capital City for Prisma Health Breast Center in Columbia, South Carolina. The event has now moved to a virtual Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 5K + 10K this fall. We can continue to lace up and get moving in our own neighborhoods or nearby parks—all while continuing your support of patients and families faced with breast cancer. Please consider becoming a participant. Read more about this year's Virtual Event.
-Recognize-
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month you can also show your support by recognizing a family member or friend that has been affected by breast cancer. Please submit a photo and a brief message of support and/or remembrance for your loved one. Your submission can be sent to andrea.whetstone@richlandone.org. All submissions are due by Friday, October 23rd.
Join Us in Celebrating National Walk to School Day!
Each fall, A.C. Moore participates with other school across the nation by celebrating National Walk to School Day. National Walk to School Day recognizes and celebrates the value of a healthy and safe community by walking or rolling to school. Although October 7th was the official Walk to School Day for 2020, we have chosen to participate in Walk Bike Scavenger Hunt Bingo promoted by the City of Columbia's Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).
During the month October families are being challenged to take a walk or ride their bike in their community to complete the scavenger hunt! Families will check off each box when an item is found. After all of the boxes have been checked, the family should a take a picture of themselves with their finished bingo card. Photos that are submitted to BPAC by October 30th will be entered into a drawing for a prize.
Notes from the Nurse
Important reminders:
Hello Bobcat families!
- Please don't forget to send in your child's Confidential Health Questionnaire on his/her first day back to campus (if you have not already done so). Let me know if you need another copy!
- If your child has asthma, allergies, seizures, or any other condition that requires rescue medication, please have it ready to deliver to school on his/her first day back to campus. You may download the medication order here.
- Please, please, please be sure everyone in your household (6 months old and up) gets an annual flu shot. This is the single best way to prevent the flu. It takes about 2 weeks for antibodies to develop and provide protection, so it is definitely not too early!
Please contact Nurse Hurt with any questions or concerns.
Phone: 803-929-3886
Prisma Health Offering Flu Shots in October
Prisma Health is offering free flu shots throughout Richland County and surrounding areas. The flu shot is available for anyone six months and older and will be administered by drive-through at designate locations in the midlands or you can visit the first floor lobby of Prisma Health, Nine Medical Park, every Wednesday and Thursday in October, 3–6 p.m. to receive a flu vaccine.
Face masks or shields will be required at both drive-up and in-building locations, along with temperature checks. Anyone with a fever will not be allowed a flu shot vaccine. Consent forms are required and available at each site. Children under the age of 16 require a parent/guardian signature. Flu shots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For additional information and locations in our area, click the link below.
ACCESS Freely!
A message from the public library...
If students/families do not already have library cards, they can apply online now and access all the library resources! See the attached flyers for additional information.
A Message from PTO
To stay up-to-date on PTO happenings, please click the link below to register for the Bobcat e-Blast! If you are currently receiving the Bobcat e-Blasts, you will still need to complete the form and provide your information. We will hold virtual PTO meetings on Wednesday evenings this year.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LVTMQYJ
Thanks,
Carrie Smith & Kim Pordes (PTO chairs)
acmbobcatspto@gmail.com
ThriveRichland
ThriveRichland is a birth to four initiative established by Richland County School District One with the overall goal of increasing the percentage of children entering kindergarten ready to learn. The three major focus areas of ThriveRichland are:
High quality professional development and support for early childhood professionals
Comprehensive family wellness and engagement
Development of a plan for an early learning lab school within Richland One
Student Lunch Services
Please be advised that breakfast and lunch are being provided to students during the school week. The Student Nutrition Services Meal Delivery Program will delivery your student's meals for the entire week every Monday along the attached route. Please click the link below for your pick-up location and time.
Student Nutrition Services Meal Delivery Program Delivery Routes
Tech Tips
For Parents...
Richland One IT Help Desk
You can get remote assistance by calling the IT Help Desk Monday - Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM at 803-231-7436.
For Teachers...
Need some ideas for incentives to use with distance learning?
PBIS Rewards has got you covered! You can use these incentive ideas to keep your students engaged and make the most of your time in the virtual classroom. Check these ideas you can implement into your e-learning classroom. Visit PBIS Rewards for incentives you can use during distance learning,
Mark Your Calendars for...
Funny, Random, & Weird Holidays
Did you participate in a wacky holiday last week? Don't forget to send a picture of your family's celebration to Mrs. Whetstone at andrea.whetstone@richlandone.org. Here are a few weird holidays for your family to think about this week.
October 17th ...........................................................Sweetest Day
October 17th ...................................Wear Something Gaudy Day
October 18th ..........................................Chocolate Cupcake Day
October 19th ........National Clean Out Your Virtual Desktop Day
October 20th ............................................International Sloth Day
October 21st ...........................................Count your Buttons Day
October 22nd ........................................................Caps Lock Day
October 23rd ..................................................................Mole Day
We Want to See Your Bobcat Student MAKING TRACKS!
We would love to share in your student's success by seeing them in action! Submit a photo of your e-learner engaged in e-learning activities and assignments and your student's picture can be featured in an upcoming issue of the Bobcat Blaze! Submit your photos to Mrs. Whetstone at andrea.whetstone@richlandone.org.
Parent and Family Engagement
Joy of Parenting Workshop
Please join us for a Joy of Parenting Workshop. Parents and caretakers are invited to meet virtually via TEAMS on Tuesday October 27th. Click the flyer below to register.
District Resources and Updates
Connect with Us
Website: www.richlandone.org/Domain/26
Location: 333 Etiwan Avenue, Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: (803) 343-2910
Facebook: www.facebook.com/acmooreelementary
Twitter: @ACMooreBobcats