IHES- Newsletter
March 13, 2020
Bond 2020: Learn about The ONE Plan
How Much Will the Bond Referendum Cost?
In an effort to keep you informed about our One Plan Bond Referendum on March 31, I want to help you understand the costs of the building plan.
1. The referendum will fund projects totaling $294,800,000 that will be done over five years. These projects include updating safety and security measures, improving the modern learning environment and replacing or building new schools. Every school and area in the district is included in these projects.
2. It will cost a homeowner of a $100,000 house an increase of $106 a year (or $8.83 per month.) The median home value in Rock Hill is $140,500 and there would be an increase of $149 a year (or $12.41 a month.) Business owners would pay an additional $159 a year (or $13.25 a month) based on an assessed property value of $100,000.
3. We will still have renovation and improvement costs if the bond doesn't pass. For many of our buildings, the question becomes one of continuing to patch and fix when it could make more sense to replace them. It is similar to the question of when is it time to repair a car or to replace it. If a car has 200,000 miles on it, at what point does it make sense to continue maintaining it? So many of our 70 year old buildings (such as Sullivan) have served us well. We have to ask ourselves if it is time to build the next set of schools that will serve us for the next 70 years.
4. There will be learning costs for our students if the bond doesn't pass. We are preparing our students for future jobs and opportunities that we can't even name. We have become a knowledge and service driven economy rather than a manufacturing economy. Our children need the best tools and environments possible to prepare for those industries. Voters' decisions will determine if our future graduates have optimal resources to meet the expectations of our local employers. As we discuss the issue of the bond referendum with our friends and neighbors, we need to know what it will cost if it passes. We also need to know the costs to our children if it does not pass. Both are important questions.
Change in Procedure for After School:
As you know, one of the School District's Five Focus Areas is Safety and Security. Along these lines, the District has instituted a new procedure for entering the school after 2:45 p.m. The front door will now be locked at 2:45 p.m. and anyone coming to pick up their child or attend a meeting will need to utilize the doorbell system located to the right of the front door. This adds an extra layer of security to ensure the safety of all of our students. This process will begin when we return to school on Tuesday, February 18th. Please call the school if you have any questions.
PTO News
FUN RUN
The Fun Run will be held on Friday April 17th
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March
16 Spirit Night- Rock Hill Bagel 7am-11am
20 Fun Run Kickoff
26 First Fun Run Collection Day
27 Movie Night
31 Second Fun Run Collection Day
April
2 Third Fun Run Collection Day
6-10 No School- Spring Break
13 No School- E-learning Day
15 4th Fun Run Collection Day
17 FUN RUN
28 Spirit Night- Penn Station
May
7 KidCreate Studio Spirit Night
22 No School (Make up Day)
25 No School- Memorial Day
29 No School (Make up Day)
June
1 Field Day
3 ½ Day- dismiss at 11am
4 ½ Day- dismiss at 11 am LAST DAY
PTO CONTACT INFORMATION:
TEXT REMIND SYSTEM: text: @ihespto2 to 81010
FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/IndiaHookPTO/
EMAIL: indiahookpto@gmail.com
IHES Yearbooks On Sale Now!!!
Order Deadline: March 27th, 2020
Yearbook ID Code: 11108520
ybpay.lifetouch.com
A message From Nurse bosdell
As cold and flu season is upon us, please remember to keep your child home if he has any fever. A fever is defined as 100°F (37.8°C) or higher. Keep your child home from school for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. (The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin.) In addition, if your child has any vomiting or diarrhea, he must also be free of these symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school. Thank you for helping us keep all of the students and staff members healthy!
Summer Challenger Enrichment Program
Rock Hill Schools is committed to providing equal access to educational and employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation, or any other protected trait or characteristic, as may be required by law.
Friendly Reminders
Also, if you are emailing your child's teacher about your child's absence, please include Mrs. Merck (kmerck@rhmail.org) and Mrs. Wright (gwright@rhmail.org) in the email as well.
e-Learning Days
Volunteer Information
IHES is so fortunate to have wonderful parents willing to volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering, please be sure to follow the application process outlined below.
All volunteers must go through the application process to get an ID card and to be an approved volunteer. Name on volunteer card and state issued id should match.
https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/1188
Safety and Security / Volunteer Application
Rock Hill Schools is committed to providing equal access to educational and employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation, or any other protected trait or characteristic, as may be required by law.
Social Media
Challenger Information
What is Challenger?
Challenger is an after-school enrichment program for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. The program is housed at each of the district's elementary schools. The Challenger enrichment program is separate from the regular school day. Challenger is an optional, self-supporting, academic program. The Challenger program operates daily during the school year from 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Enrollment for Challenger is on a full-time basis during the school year. Enrollment is based on the expectation that students are able to actively participate in the program and meaningfully benefit from being with other children. Registration forms must be turned in to the Site Director for their review. Site Directors are available 3:30-6:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. At the time of your application submission, the director will provide you with a start date. The daily schedule includes homework and snack time, healthy activities and Challenger curriculum.
Sick Child Policy
Please see the below information about our school exclusion policy for sick children.
https://www.scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/Library/CR-010752.pdf#page=2
Please contact the school if you have any questions.
Nurse Bosdell
803-985-1617
Board Approves School Calendars
At the December 17, 2018, Board of Trustees business meeting, the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school district calendars were approved. In the event SC State Law is changed to allow an adjustment to the school start date, district administration may request a change to this calendar. However, in being considerate of all involved, should it become an option to adjust the start date district officials will be mindful of the timing and the amount of flexibility allowed.
Download the 2019-2020 calendar.
Pirate PE Updates
Lunch Menu
Erin's Law
Erin’s Law and Comprehensive Health Education:
Section 59-32-20 (B) of the South Carolina Code of Laws
York 3 – Rock Hill School District Overview and Implementation
Dear Parent/Guardian:
The South Carolina Legislature passed legislation in 2014 known as Erin’s Law. This law requires that South Carolina school districts extend their current mandated educational programs regarding personal safety, abuse education and prevention curriculum to students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades. The goal of the law is to teach children to avoid situations that may lead to abuse and to report any instances of abuse they may have endured.
The intent of the law is to give students skills in knowing how to stay safe from sexual assault and how to report any incidents of sexual assault. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss all health safety topics with their children. Specific to Erin’s Law, The Committee for Children and Darkness to Light (D2L) provides excellent resources for parents and families. Links to these resources are included here:
http://www.cfchildren.org/families/sexual-abuse-prevention http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dlCljOkGcISE/b.6035035/k.8258/Prevent_Child_Sexual_Abuse.htm#.Vrj3SE_ wtaQ
Providing abuse education in schools is not a new initiative. Mandates under the Health Education Act and Internet Safety Education Curriculum require instruction beginning in sixth grade. Erin’s Law simply extends this education into grades pre-kindergarten through twelve. Some sample topics in elementary school include: Self-Esteem and Personal Power, Fitting In and Acceptance, Grooming and Boundaries, Staying Safe in the Virtual World; S.A.F.E.: It’s Ok to Tell.
Our district guidance counselors, health teachers, and physical education teachers, under the leadership of our Lead Clinical Nurse and Associate Superintendent for Planning and Programs, worked together to select developmentally appropriate curriculum that will give our students the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves. Your child’s school guidance counselor will present age appropriate lessons Pre-K – 5.
Parents are welcome to view the instructional materials at Safer, Smarter Kids. https://safersmarterkids.org/.
Luanne Kokolis, Associate Superintendent for Planning and Programs
Important Weather Information
Friday Lunch Visits
We will have tables set up on the stage in the cafeteria for families to eat while they visit. Parents may also come have lunch on their child's birthday.
Rock Hill School District Wellness Policy
As a wellness focused school we are thrilled that our school board has approved a wellness policy. Some of the most important points of the policy are listed below.
• Candy and food will not be used as a reward for students.
• Children will have access to water during the day to stay hydrated.
• Special classroom snacks will follow the healthy snacks guidelines. Please see our website for more information about what is allowed.
• Non-food birthday recognition items are allowed if you would like to provide a treat on your child’s birthday. (Cupcakes, cookies, cakes, etc. will not be allowed.)
• Any outside snacks provided to children during school will follow our district wellness guidelines and be in sealed labeled containers with nutritional information clearly labeled. (Pizza does not meet healthy guidelines.)
• Physical activity (P.E. and Recess) cannot be withheld from a student.
• Physical activity cannot be used as a form of punishment
• All fundraisers must follow the guidelines stated in the district wellness policy.
• Valentine’s Day parties will offer a one-day exemption from wellness policy, however, all food must be clearly labeled with ingredients and nutritional information
• No home-baked items can be served to children.
• At India Hook, you may choose to bring lunch for your child occasionally on Fridays or their actual birthday. Please understand that food cannot be shared with other children.