The Bobcat Blaze
March 12, 2021
Principal's Message
Happy Friday Bobcat Families!
I hope you all had a great week! It's been a joyous week as more educators became eligible to receive vaccinations this week. Thank you for your flexibility as the district closed schools and offices today to allow for vaccinations to occur for those who chose to receive.
Yearbook order forms were due on Friday, March 12th but you are welcome to send those back with your students on Monday. We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday for our first 5 days of in-person learning!
March 29th will be Spring picture day with Strawbridge. We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity. The photos will not make it into our traditional yearbook but will still be available to families for purchase. More information on how this will be handled for virtual and e-learning students will come closer to the date.
The weather forecast calls for sun this weekend! Please take time to enjoy your friends and family safely during this unexpected long weekend.
Principal's Message: https://cloud.swivl.com/v/26f531a4d2445d8ee92e0865303db852
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
March
- ..........................................Free Covid-19 (details below)
- ..........................................National Nutrition Month (see details in the Wellness Watch section below)
..........................................National Women's History Month
..........................................March of Dimes Fundraiser
March 1st-15th
- ..........................................Follett Book e-Fair
March 12th
..........................................Yearbook order forms are due
- ...........................................Grupo de Juego en Linea de ThriveRichland
- ...........................................Deadline for Dance and Theatre Audition Submissions (details below)
March 29th
- ...........................................Spring Picture Day
Restart Strong
The newsletter provided below will gives an overview/update on the district’s transition to Phase 3 of the Restart Strong Reopening of Schools Plan. Click the link to get the most up-to-date information about the Phase 3 plan.
Follett Book e-Fair
Instead of an in-person Book Fair this year, we are hosting an online book fair that is OPEN NOW - Friday March 15th! Families can order books online and have them delivered to the school (no shipping cost). Kids can also create wish lists (here is a link to show you how https://www.wevideo.com/view/2078100665) to send out to other family members. Click the image above and use the code: 4E1L3 to access A.C. Moore's e-fair.
Grupo de Juego en Linea de ThriveRichland
Familias de Richland One con niños de 0-4 años, unase a nosotros para grupos de juego en linea. Cantaremos, bailaremos y leeremos un cuento!
Get Your Yearbook Ordered Now!
Click on the documents below to place an order for the 20-21 yearbook. The deadline to place an order is March 12th.
Dance and Theatre Audition Submissions
Gifted & Talented Artistic Dance and Theatre Program Auditions
RICHLAND ONE is one of the few districts in our state that offers Gifted & Talented Artistic Dance and Theatre programs in all of our middle and high schools.
The purpose of the dance and theatre education process in Richland School District One is to provide students with a rigorous and balanced approach to learning through critical thinking and creative problem solving. This process involves a discipline based approach with experiences in the production, appreciation, and knowledge of dance and theatre. Experience is gained through an understanding of the developments in history and culture, the development of judgements about dance and theatre, and the practical applications of dance and theatre practices.
The process for audition for the different this year. Normally, Hand dance and theater teachers come here to audition the 5th graders; however, they are now asking the students to record themselves and submit the recordings electronically. Please see the attached documents for audition requirements.
Free COVID-19 Testing Sites for March
DHEC-RRT - Pardon and Parole (Old Building)
Dates and Times for February
Open Daily: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Further Information:
- Report to the intersection of Greene St. and Heidt St.
- Appointment Needed: No
- Referral Needed: No
- Pediatric Testing Available: Yes
- Saliva testing- Do not eat, drink, or smoke for 30 minutes prior to testing.
Address: 2204 Lee St, Columbia, SC 29205
Contact Details and Pre-Registration: https://rrtesting.app/devine
DHEC-Tour Health - DHEC Parking Lot
Dates and Times for March
Open weekdays: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Further Information
- Appointment Needed: No
- Referral Needed: No
- Pediatric Testing Available: Yes
Address: 2600 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201
Contact Details: https://www.tourhealth.com/
Customer Service Number: 866-416-6341
CVS Health - Benedict College
Dates and Times for March
Open Monday-Saturday: 8:30-5:00
Further Information
- Appointment Needed: No
- Referral Needed: No
- Pediatric Testing Available: Yes - All ages
Address :1903 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, South Carolina 29204, United States
SCHOOL NEWS
A Bobcat Spotlight...Women's History Month
Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” National Women’s History Month was later established in 1987 after Congress designated March as Women's History Month, establishing the proclamation as a way to commemorate and encourage the study, observance and celebration of the role women have in American history.
In 1995, Karen Staser, founded the National Women's History Museum in Washington, DC to preserve and celebrate the story of Woman. For the last twenty years, the National Women’s History Museum has served as the largest online cultural institution dedicated to US women’s history. The museum's mission is, "To tell the stories of women who transformed our nation. We will do that through a growing state-of-the-art online presence and a future physical museum to educate, inspire, empower, shape the future, and provide a complete view of American history."
To learn more about the National Women's History Museum click here.
Influential Women of the 20th and 21st Centuries
Women have always played an active role in history. In last week's issue of the Blaze we began exploring some of the historical pioneers and contemporary newsmakers that continue to impact the world. This week we continue to recognize and salute a few of the most influential women of the 20th and 21st Centuries.
Betty Friedan
Journalist, activist, and co-founder of the National Organization for Women, Betty Friedan was one of the early leaders of the women’s rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Her 1963 best-selling book, The Feminine Mystique, gave voice to millions of American women’s frustrations with their limited gender roles and helped spark widespread public activism for gender equality.
Malala Yousafzai
As an outspoken proponent for girls’ right to education, Malala was often in danger because of her beliefs. She was shot by the Taliban for her activism, but she was not deterred. With her father, she founded the Malala Fund, an organization that helps to fund education projects internationally, partners with global leaders and local advocates, and pioneers innovative strategies to empower young women. By age seventeen, Yousafzai became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her work. Malala is currently studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama is an American attorney and author who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. She was the first African-American woman to serve in this position. Through her four main initiatives as the First Lady of the United States, she became a role model for women and an advocate for healthy families, service members and their families, higher education, and international adolescent girls education. She initiated Let’s Move! a program aiming to end childhood obesity. Through it, elected officials, business leaders, educators, parents, and faith leaders worked together to provide more nutritious food in schools, bring healthy and affordable food into underserved communities, plant vegetable gardens across America, and provide new opportunities for kids to be more active.
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and Hollywood’s first female black director. She became most famous as a writer, editor, essayist, playwright, and poet. As a civil rights activist, Angelou worked for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. She was also an educator and served as the Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University. In 2000, Angelou was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2010. Angelou was awarded over 50 honorary degrees before her death in 2014.
Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist who is internationally known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action against climate change. Thunberg initially gained notice for her youth and her straightforward speaking manner, both in public and to political leaders and assemblies, in which she criticizes world leaders for their failure to take what she considers sufficient action to address the climate crisis.
Antonia Hernández
According to Antonia Hernández, she “went to law school for one reason: to use the law as a vehicle for social change.” Decades later, she can claim numerous legal victories for the Latinx community in the areas of voting rights, employment, education, and immigration. From legal aid work, to counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee, to head of a major civil rights organization, Hernández has used the law to realize social change at every turn.
Read Across America Week
Friday, March 5th - Reading Sparks Imagination: Favorite Storybook Character
Thank you again for joining us as we celebrated Read Across America Week last week! Photos for our final day of celebration were unavailable for last weeks issue of the Blaze. Check out the pictures of students representing their favorite storybook character.
Reading Challenge
Don't forget to complete the 9 tasks from the Reading Challenge Board. Students can complete as many challenges as they like. Every "three-in-a-row" they get (think tic-tac-toe) will be an entry to win a prize (completing the whole board = 8 entries). The deadline for submitting your student's challenge board is March 12.
Attention Bobcat Families:
If any of your contact information has changed (phone number, address, email address, emergency contacts) since the start of the school year please contact database specialist Madolyn Thorpe at madolyn.thorpe@richlandone.org. We need the most accurate information in Powerschool to ensure you receive school communication.
Hello AC Moore Families!
1. Thank you to everyone who has returned the health forms sent home over the past 2 weeks. If you are still working on them, please get them completed and back to me ASAP. I appreciate your cooperation with this very important matter!
2. Thank you to those families who have already signed up for the Kinsa health FLUency program. If you already received your thermometer, please be sure to Activate it. If you missed the last deadline, no worries ...there will be one more shipment this year, but you MUST sign up by March 5th!
Don't hesitate to contact me if you need help registering for the program, linking your account to A.C. Moore, or activating your new thermometer. If you have not received confirmation that your thermometer was successfully ordered, it did not go through.
3. Please do not forget to notify me if your child becomes ill or is exposed to any communicable disease, including Covid-19. It is so important that we keep accurate records for contact tracing and parent notification.
Take care, Everyone!
Jennifer Hurt, School Nurse
803-929-3886 (phone)
803-929-2724 (fax)
Wellness Watch
Alliance for a Healthier Generation +Kohl's Cares Presents: Kohl's Healthy at Home: Recipes
Healthy eating fuels healthy families! In recognition of National Nutrition Month we invite you to commit to focusing on preparing nutritional, family friendly meals with your Bobcat student. Click on the documents below to find simple and fun recipes to keep your family healthy and satisfied! Each recipe is designed to be affordable and made with as few widely-available ingredients as possible.
Take a picture with you and your Bobcat student highlighting your culinary creations! Send your photo to Mrs. Whetstone at andrea.whetstone@richlandone.org.
Summer Enrichment Scholarship Program
The Columbia (SC) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., is offering scholarship opportunities for Summer Enrichment Programs. Any elementary, middle, or high school students planning to attend a summer enrichment program or camp is eligible to apply. Please see the attached documents below for details.
Please return all library books so they can be exchanged.
School Improvement Council
Report to the Parents
This report is issued by the AC Moore Elementary School Improvement Council (SIC) in accordance with South Carolina law to share information on the school's progress in meeting various goals and objectives, the work of the SIC, and other accomplishments during the school year.
Information from your 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. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LVTMQYJ
Thanks,
Carrie Smith & Kim Pordes (PTO chairs)
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Asi usted haya recibido el Bobcat e-Blast en el pasado, por favor complete esta informacion- estamos haciendo una nueva base de datos. Estamos planeando las reuniones del PTO los miercoles en la tarde, al comienzo virtualmente, por eso esten pendiente de los anuncios que haga la Directora Aldridge en el Bobcat Blaze (periodico de la escuela) para mas informacion de la primera reunion.
Gracias, y espero verlos pronto!
Carrie Smith & Kim Pordes ( representantes del PTO)
Tech Tips
For Parents and Teachers...
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.
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.
March 12....................................................Alfred Hitchcock Day
March 13....................................................Jewel Day
March 14....................................................Pi Day
March 15....................................................Napping Day
March 15....................................................Everything You Think is Wrong Day
March 16....................................................Every Thing You Do is Right Day
March 17....................................................Submarine Day
March 18....................................................Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
March 18....................................................Awkward Moments Day
March 19....................................................Let's Laugh 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 Bobcat completing their asynchronous assignments and/or activities 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.
DISTRICT NEWS
Parents, students and staff can now get up-to-date information about COVID-19 cases in the district through Richland One’s new online tracking dashboard.
A link to the dashboard, which will be updated daily, is posted on the Restart Strong page on the district’s website www.richlandone.org/restartstrong. In addition to listing the number of positive and quarantined COVID-19 cases among Richland One students and staff, the dashboard includes the number of cases at each district school and administrative building. It also shows daily, weekly and year-to-date summaries of the number of positive COVID-19 cases.
“Richland One’s goal in creating the COVID-19 dashboard is to provide the most accurate and current information possible to our community,” said Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon. “Having the same data allows us all to work together to better protect our students and staff.”
COVID-19 data is compiled daily by the district’s Nursing Services office and Accountability, Assessment, Research and Evaluation department. The information shown on Richland One’s dashboard may differ from the reports from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), which are updated on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Media inquiries should be directed to the Richland One Office of Communications.
Registration Information for Pre-Kindergarten Programs
District Resources
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
ThriveRichland is offering families with children from birth to four and opportunity to join an online play group. Click the link below for details on how to sign up your family.
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