The Mallard Compass
Forts Pond Elementary School
March 2021
Be InTENTional In All You Do!
FPES Vision and Mission
Vision
Forts Pond Elementary students will become self-directed, collaborative, creative, and caring learners who flourish in the global, competitive 21st century.
Mission
Forts Pond Elementary will Fulfill the Potential of Every Student by:
Collaborating with families and the community
Providing a safe, nurturing environment
Promoting learning through academics and the arts
Inspiring students to find their own greatness
Engaging students in goal setting
Celebrating accomplishments
Developing LEADERS
Traducción
Communication Between Home and School
If you are trying to reach your child's teacher during the school day on days your child is learning at home, please remember the teacher is teaching another group of students at this time. They will return your emails and call as soon as possible.
Follow us on Twitter @FortsPond.
Like us on Facebook @FPESMallards.
Important School Phone Numbers
School Nurse (803) 821-2523
Library (803)821-2514
Pelion Transportation (803)821-1352
School Cafeteria (803)821-2525
Attendance and Records (803)821-2504
Fees (803)821-2502
Important Dates for March and April
March
14 Daylight Saving Time Begins (set your clock forward 1 hour)
15 No School For Staff or Students
31 Spring Pictures
April
5-9 Spring Break
14 Class Pictures/Report Cards Sent Home
Spring Pictures
Face to Face Students
Class pictures will be $12 and can be sent with your child on March 31.
Individual pictures will be sent home in a packet for you to pick the ones you would like to keep and submit payment.
Virtual Students
Virtual students will not have a class picture.
We are working with the photographer to provide time on March 31 for virtual students to come for pictures. We will let you know that time as soon as we know that time.
Reminders
If anyone in your house test positive for COVID-19, do not send your children to school. Even if they do not have symptoms, there is still a mandatory quarantine time that will not allow the children to attend school. If this happens, please contact our school nurse and help us slow the spread of COVID-19
Updates From the Healthroom
If I need to visit the School Nurse or Health Room, what should I do?
- All parent visits to the school nurse will be by appointment only, unless the nurse calls you to pick up your child.
I would like to know how COVID-19 is affecting schools in Lexington One. Where do I find this information?
- We believe that we should keep our internal and external public informed about the impact of COVID-19 on our schools and have created a dashboard which does that. The dashboard, which contains that important information, is updated no later than 12 p.m. each weekday. The student and staff active positive numbers are the number of students and staff with COVID-19. The number of students and staff excluded includes all individuals who exhibited COVID-19-like symptoms or who are on quarantine as close contacts, etc.
What should I do if someone in our household test positive for COVID-19?
- If your child or someone in your household test positive for COVID-19, do NOT send your child to school. Please contact Nurse Fairey at 803-821-2523. She will let you know the process for your child to return to school.
Why Attendance Matters
Check out this video about school attendance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEDQWgvJwHU
As early as elementary school, students who miss just two school days each month are more likely to fall behind in reading, writing and math, even if the absences are excused. While some challenges to a child’s attendance are unavoidable, it’s important to understand the impact of each absence.
A student is chronically absent if he or she misses only two days of school per month (18 days per year). Even one year of chronic absence can cause a child to fall behind academically and decrease a child’s chances of graduating from high school, which can have long-term consequences on their financial independence, physical well-being and mental health.
Parents can prepare their children for a lifetime of success by making regular school attendance a priority and understanding the reasons for their child’s absences. Learn more and find help at http://www.AbsencesAddUp.org.
Counselor's Corner
Check out the lessons your child will receive this month from the school counselors.
Grades 5K, 1, and 2
5K- Friendship Skills Continued / Animal Friends/ Including Others- The Good Birds Club
1st Grade- Listening Skills- My Mouth is A Volcano
2nd Grade- Career Lesson- Career Interests- Things I Like to Do
Grades 3, 4, and 5
3rd Grade- Career Lesson- Qualities for Success
4th Grade- Erin's Law Lesson on Personal Safety
5th Grade- Erin's Law Lesson on Online Safety
On March 19th, Pelion Middle School Counselors will Zoom with our 5th graders to talk to them about making choices for classes in 6th grade. The forms will be sent home with your student on March 19th.
Contact your child's school counselor if you have any questions or concerns about your child.
Cindy Hill grades 5k- 2nd 821-2510
Gina Mahoney 3rd-5th 821-2598
How to Help Your Child in Math and Science
Your child's feelings about math can affect his performance in it. He'll likely do better on a math assignment if he's calm and confident than if he's nervous or upset about it. To promote a positive math mindset, remind your child that effort makes math smarts grow. Let him know that figuring out challenging problems is rewarding and fun. If he's jittery, remind him that he knows more than he thinks.
How to Help Your Child in Reading, Writing and Social Studies
Here's a way to add variety to your bedtime reading routine and learn a bit more about your child. Sometimes, instead of reading a book, challenge him to make up the "tallest of tall tales." It can start with "Once upon a time," and friends and school activities can be part of the plot, but then his imagination should take over. Storytelling gives your child experience in constructing a narrative.
FPES Technology Help Hub
This document provides students and parents with tutorials in using a variety of online applications including Google Classroom, Google Slides, Jamboard, etc...
Title I Project Specialist/Parent Liaison
Please contact Kasci Padgett, Title I Project Specialist and Parent Liaison if you need assistance finding resources to help your child at home. Our Title I Parent Resource Center is full of resources. You can email Mrs. Padgett at kpadgett@lexington1.net or call (803)821-2552.
Literacy Coach Video
Parent Engagement Tips
Put your child in charge of some regular self-care tasks
Sometimes, all it takes to make your child more responsible is a change in attitude. Each month, think about all the things you do for your child. Then choose one thing you can teach her to do for herself. Spend some time coaching her in the skills she needs in order to do the task. Give her a chance to practice, then make the task her responsibility. Let her know how proud you are of all she can do!
Set your child up for better behavior
Many children test their limits in little ways: by playing computer games during homework time, passing notes at school or hanging out with troublemakers. To provide a foundation for better behavior, stay connected to your child. Tell stories, take walks, read aloud. Help him practice making good choices. And extend privileges gradually. Your child will learn he gets more freedoms the better he behaves.
Show your love by setting limits
You'd never let your child play with fire or jump off a bridge. Setting limits is one of a parent's most important jobs. Limits also help children develop the discipline needed to focus and follow directions in school. When setting a limit, talk to your child about it. Tell her why it is important. Ask for her cooperation. Then set consequences for breaking the limit. Once you've established the limit, enforce it every time.
Mistakes aren't the end of the world. They are the beginning of learning
Everyone makes mistakes. But when mistakes are viewed negatively, kids learn to fear failure. This makes them less likely to take positive risks or finish things they don't think they can do perfectly. When your child makes a mistake, stay calm and help him see what he can learn from it. Try to focus the majority of your attention on the things your child does right and not on what he does wrong.
Title I Parent Engagement
Our next Title I Meeting will be on April 12 at 3:00 P.M. The meeting will be held through Zoom. A link to the meeting will be emailed to parents. At this meeting, we will review our current Title I Plan and beginning planning for 2021-2022.
On September 18 at 9:00 A.M, our Title I Planning Committee met. Here is a link to the agenda and the presentation for that meeting.
On January 28 at 11:00 A.M. our Title I Planning Committee met. Here is a link to the agenda and the presentation for that meeting.
A copy of all the Title I documents below were sent home in Communication Folders on Tuesday, September 8 for Cohort A and on Wednesday, September 9 for Cohort B. These documents have bee reviewed at both Title I Meetings.
After reviewing these documents, we invite you to share any suggestions or concerns you may have that will help us improve our family engagement policy.
So far we have received 126 Family Engagement Policy returned from families with a signature. We did not receive any recommendations for improvement. Please continue to share suggestions.
The links below will give you digital access to all these documents.
FPES Parents Right to Know - English
FPES Parents Right to Know - Spanish
Parents and Family Engagement Policy - English
Parents and Family Engagement Policy - Spanish
Parent and Family Engagement Policy Highlights - English
Parent and Family Engagement Policy Highlights - Spanish
Family and School Compact - English
Family and School Compact - Spanish
If you were unable to attend, but have suggestions, please email or call Michelle Smith.
(803)821-2500
District Launches Virtual Calming Room
The Virtual Calming Room is a place for students, families and staff to find strategies for managing emotions and feelings in positive ways while building resilience.
Sometimes, life gets challenging and overwhelming. We can feel stressed with life’s events, both big and small.
The virtual space provides resources and tools to help you find ways to manage life, explore new problem-solving opportunities and develop coping skills. Enjoy and take some time for yourself.
https://sites.google.com/lexington1.net/lexington1virtualcalmingroom/
Leader in Me
Habit 6 - Synergize
Synergy is achieved through two or more people working together to create a better solution than either would have thought of alone. It’s not your way or my way, but a better way.
Think of 1+ 1 = 3 (or more).
How is this possible? Well, 1 person + another person = 2 ideas+ many, many more that neither of them would have thought of alone.
It’s taking good ideas and making them better by working together, looking for a third alternative. Synergy is a great tool for families.
While learning about Habit 6, the students will:
- Express and present information and ideas clearly in oral, visual, and written forms.
- Use their own unique talents and abilities to the fullest; value others’ talents and abilities.
- Cultivate the ability to inspire, motivate, and draw out the best in others.
- Communicate and work as a team in a multicultural and interdependent world.
- Show initiative.
Expect your child to use words and phrases like synergy, working together, 1 + 1 = 3(or more), and “better idea than we could come up with alone” in their conversations. You can encourage your child by using some of these words at home.
Check out this video to see how Synergy is used in real life. https://www.leaderinme.com/resources/habit-6-synergy
Yearbooks on Sale Now!
2020-2021 FPES School Yearbooks
FPES School Yearbooks are now on sale. The deadline to place an order is March 31st, 2021.
Softcover-$22.00
Softcover with name-$27.00
Hardcover-$27.00.
Hardcover with name-$32.00
You can pay by check or cash. Please make checks payable to Forts Pond Elementary School.
Order online at www.strawbridge.net
Online Code-FMYB108936
Safety and Security
Please be prepared to show your picture ID every time you sign out your child. Also if you send someone else to sign out your child, they must be listed on the child's record giving us permission to allow the person to pick up your child. We will also need their drivers license.
At this time, we only welcome visitors in the front office. Thank you for understanding as we work to keep students and staff healthy and safe.
All students must be dropped off in the car rider lane closest to the building. Please do not drop students off at the flagpole. It is not a safe or supervised drop off area.
News From Food Services
- A household may apply for benefits at any time during the school year.
- Children of parents who become unemployed may become eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
- A single application will be accepted for all children in the household attending schools in the same district.
- Household members do not have to be U.S. citizens for children to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
- Including a child in foster care on a household application increases the household’s size and thus may help the foster family’s non-foster children qualify for free or reduced-price meals, without affecting the eligibility of the child in foster care.
If you need assistance with the application, please contact Kristina Sox at (803)-821-2502.
Take Home Meals for Virtual Students
The district’s Online Learning Academy students will continue to receive free meals. Parents of Online Learning Academy students must complete their form by 6 p.m. each Tuesday when it closes. The link reopens each Friday at 1 p.m for the following week’s meals. You can find that form here. Online Learning Students Meal Order Form
The district’s Online Learning Academy families can pick up meals each Friday between 11 A.M. and 1 P.M. at any one of the district’s five designated drive-through locations. See the flyer below for locations. Online Learning Academy parents must show their student’s school identification card to pick up meals.
Parents with questions should email Ashley Summers at asummers@lexington1.net.
Special Occassion Treats
If you would like to provide treats to your child's class, our cafeteria will be able to assist you!
The cafeteria will offer cookies or cupcakes for purchase. These products meet the USDA requirements for Smart Snacks in schools. All treats are individually wrapped and our cafeteria staff will deliver the treats to the classroom.
You must contact our Cafeteria Manager, Debra Morris, at least 3 days in advance. Mrs. Morris will need to place an order for the treats. Please call 803-821-2525.
Cookie Trays - $0.35 per cookie
Cupcake Trays - $0.75 per cupcake
More information can be found here. Special Occasions Treats Order Form
Recycle Crayons, Markers, and Printer Cartridges
Do you have old crayons, markers, or printer cartridges lying around the house?
You can send those items with your child to school, and we will recycle those for you.
Ms. Siceloff, FPES STEM teacher, is the contact for this program.
Box Tops for Education
Once you download the app, you will need to register.
Support Our School By Shopping at Publix
Here is how you can sign up and participate in just a few steps.
- Enroll in Publix Partners by visiting publix.com/partners and selecting our school.
- Enter your phone number every time you check out at Publix.
- Publix will donate a portion of qualifying purchases to our school!
Publix Partners has contributed $37.7 million to more than 4,600 schools across the Southeast.
Terms and Condition Apply.
Coca-Cola Codes
Please save and let your child turn-in your Coke product bottle caps and carton codes (worth 5-38 cents each) in the container provided in the commons area. You may also enter your codes online at https://us.coca-cola.com/give/. Click on "DONATE TO YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL" and enter "Pelion Middle School". Then sign-in or create an account. It's that easy! Thank you so much for your support. Our teachers and students appreciate it!
PTO NEWS
In April you will receive a form to nominate officers for our PTO Board. In May we will hold an election to name new board members.
Please consider serving in this capacity.
2020-2021 PTO Officers
Ashley Leaphart, President
Stacy Wren, Vice President
Cassie Blanton, Treasurer
Shannon Mengedoht, Secretary
Follow FPES PTO on Facebook Forts Pond Elementary PTO
You may contact the PTO by email. fortspondpto@gmail.com
Links to Previous Months Newsletters
Building Plan for FPES Through the Bond Referendum
The community can find the latest information about projects happening around the district as well as here at FPES. All of these are funded by the recently passed bond referendum for Lexington School District One.
FPES will be receiving the following:
- Secure Entrance Upgrades
- Additional Classrooms
- Replacement for Folding Partition in Between Cafeteria and PE Room
- Additional Exterior Lighting in the Front Parking Lot
- Storage and Equipment Building
- Future Ready Classroom Furniture and Equipment
Disclaimer
Please note that due to the public health emergency brought by COVID-19 and the continuing uncertainty regarding the virus’s impact upon district and school operations for the 2020–2021 school year, it may be necessary for the district to alter, amend or otherwise modify the information contained in this document throughout the year.
The district reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the contents of this document, consistent with amendments or revisions to policy or administrative rules, which may be required or occur as a result of changes brought about because of COVID-19. The district will also make reasonable efforts to inform you in a timely manner of any material changes made to any calendar, plan, policy or protocol listed in this document.
Lexington County School District One’s Nondiscrimination Statement
Revised 09-04-2018
Lexington County School District One is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all students, parents/legal guardians, staff, visitors, personnel and community members who participate or seek to participate in its programs or activities. Therefore, the district does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions), color, disability, age, genetic information, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law.
The district will use the grievance procedures set forth in policy to process complaints based on alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; and Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The district designates specific individuals to handle inquiries or complaints. To find out who to contact and how to contact them, please go to our website at http://www.lexington1.net/contact-us.