Hoofbeat News
Springfield Elementary School
Dates To Remember
- 19th & 20th, Kindergarten Registration
- 20th, Rodeo Night
- 25th, Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night, 5-8pm
- 30th - May 4th, Bus Driver Appreciation Week
A Message From Our Principal
Dear Springfield Elementary School Families,
Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope that everyone had a safe and relaxing week! Our staff has been planning and are ready for a great and exciting last few weeks of school. Thank you to everyone for making our 4th annual “One School, One Book” with Adventures of a South Pole Pig an engaging opportunity of reading for our students. We hope that you enjoyed the book and the time reading together as a family!
Last month a few of our teachers and I had the opportunity to attend a professional development led by Dr. Tammy Pawloski from Francis Marion University. She covered several topics including child and brain development. I want to take this opportunity to share a few points that Dr. Pawloski covered in her discussion.
The discussion on brain development and growth was very interesting. Birth to five years old is very critical in brain development and growth. She shared that the brain grows through experiences and especially through language exposure and interaction. The more a child is exposed to language and interacted with in the first few years of life the more the brain will have more opportunities to develop.
An obstacle that has gotten in the way of language development and interaction is the rise of screen time children have and the use of mobile devices. The study she shared recommended that children ages 3-5 should be limited to 1 hour of screen time daily and limited to 2 hours a day for children aged 6-12 years.
Sleep is also imperative to brain development for children. Connections are made while children sleep. Dr. Pawloski shared recommendations for the amount of sleep school aged children should get. It was recommended that a five year old get close to 11 hours of sleep a night, an eight year old should get 10.5 hours of sleep a night, and a 10 year old should get 10 hours of sleep a night. The amount of sleep required slowly goes down as the age goes up. She also mentioned that sleep provides time of calm and quiet which children need to allow the brain to make connections.
As parents, we all have the right to decide how much screen time or sleep our children get. As I navigate these parenting waters as well, I find information like this helpful to make decisions for my own children. I hope you find this information helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks for your continued support for your child’s education and Springfield Elementary!
Peter Olinger
Foundation For Fort Mill Schools
The Foundation for Fort Mill Schools is an essential resource connecting students, teachers and the community in the Fort Mill School District. The Foundation promotes academic excellence through direct financial support of projects, activities, educational assistance and professional development. To date, over $50,000 in Innovative Classroom Projects, Professional Development, and Technology opportunities have been funded and over $70,000 has been awarded in college scholarships. Through Charitable Events (TEC Dowling Memorial Golf Tournament and the Chili Cookoff), and Community Partnerships, the Foundation funds Grants, Scholarships, and the Classroom Ready initiative which provides students and teachers with much-needed supplies.
In short, this is an organization that has a direct, positive impact on our Fort Mill School District Students, Parents, and Staff.
PTA Board Member Nominations
Our PTA is made up of caring parents who want to contribute back to our children’s school life making it a positive experience. Attached is a link for board member nominations for next year. You can nominate yourself! Also, we would like your opinion on PTA vs PTO. Please consider making a difference!
Please click on the following link:
Counselor's Corner
In June of 2014, Section 59-32-20(B) of the South Carolina Code of Laws was amended to include age appropriate instruction in sexual abuse and assault awareness for all students in Pre-K through 12th grades as part of the Comprehensive Health Education Standards. Governor Nikki Haley signed into effect Section 59-32-30(G) of the law, otherwise known as Erin’s Law.
Although it has always been a South Carolina Guidance and Counseling standard, Erin’s Law now mandates that all schools provide age appropriate instruction in sexual abuse awareness and prevention yearly. The purpose of the required instruction is to empower children to trust their feelings, recognize and report child sexual abuse, and advocate for their needs.
To meet the requirements of Erin’s Law, I will facilitate lessons during the months of March and April to educate students on safe touches and unsafe touches; safe secrets and unsafe secrets; and how to tell a trusted adult right away. If you would like more information about Erin’s Law please visit http://erinslaw.org/.
We will also be focusing on careers during the end of April and the beginning of May. These lessons will explore students’ interests and skills and expose them to many career options.
Notes from the Nurse
Please start being on the lookout for information from the Health Room to come home the beginning of May. This will be information if your child has a medical condition that requires medication or accommodations in the health room or from the nurse. It is best to set those appointments with the doctor for summer now.
Also, remember that medication in the health room CANNOT be sent home with your student. You will need to pick it up the medication by May 24.
Thank you!
Nurse Moore
Rodeo Night
Rodeo Night April 20th 5-8pm will include Kona Ice, Roman’s All Star Café, and 100MainBBQ. Some activities include a Selfie Station, Rock Climbing Wall, Petting Zoo, Caricature Artist, Face Painting, Bake Sale, Bull Riding and more!
Ticket sales start after Spring Break!
State Testing
May 1, 2, & 3- Third Grade
May 7, 8, 14, & 16th- Fourth Grade
May 9, 10, 15, & 16th- Fifth grade
Look for a more detailed letter to come home with your child.
Book Fair
Related Arts Messages
Media Messages:
Spring into Reading! The weather is warming up for some great books~ Please mark your calendar for the following upcoming bookfair dates sponsored by the pta!!
Friday, April 27th: Book Fair Preview/ Wish List Day
Monday, April 30th- Friday, May 4th: Book Fair Sales Dates
The library continues to collect starburst candy, 24, 100 piece puzzles, used and new hard or paperback books that are collecting dust at your house! And greeting cards (new or used!!)
Thanks again for all your support! Until next time, happy reading!
Technology:
The end of the year is in view. This last quarter is always the fastest. We will spend most of our time in second through fifth grades researching and creating slide presentations on countries. We will be looking at basic information and hope to share what we learn with Kindergarten and first grade as well as other classes in their respective grade level. Kindergarten and First grade will be creating slides and other documents through the end of year.
P.E.
In the world of PE, we have been in our final phase of fitness testing for grades 3-5. We are so proud of all of our students who have tried their best and so many students have beaten their personal best scores! Way to go!
Field Day will be on May 17th (K-2) and 18th (3-5) this year. We will be looking for parent volunteers to help out at each station and to walk with classes around the field. This is always SUCH a fun and great year end celebration for the students! This year, we have put a theme to our field day. Our theme will be “The Olympics.” Each class will represent a country, there will be a parade of nations, and even a torch lighting ceremony to kick off the event. We are getting so excited! Please be on the lookout on how to sign up to volunteer, it will be a lot of fun!
Sign up to help with K-2 Field Day:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4aa5ab23a6fd0-sesfield
Sign up to help with 3-5 Field Day:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4aa5ab23a6fd0-sesfield1
Music:
KIDS ROCK!
First Grade music program
Presented Friday, April 20th
6:00pm on SES stage
PTA Information
The PTA would like to remind the Springfield Elementary School Community that Teacher and Staff Appreciation week will be May 7 - 11 this year. Be on the lookout for information from your room parent regarding details, including information on collecting gift cards.
Springfield Elementary School
Website: sfes.fortmillschools.org
Phone: (803) 548-8150
Twitter: @SESColts