The Mallard Compass
Forts Pond Elementary School
November 2020
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 November and December
November
3 Election Day - Schools Closed
4 End of 1st Nine Weeks
12 Report Cards
24 Make-Up Pictures
25-27 Thanksgiving Break
Congratulations
Mrs. Siceloff has been as one of the winners for the SC Farm to School giveaway to celebrate National Farm to School Month! She will receive one book each month until September 2021 from SC Ag in the Class Book of the Month program. Thank you for your dedicated work to agriculture and education!
Second Semester Survey
You will receive a survey for each child. If you have not received a survey, please contact Michelle Smith, Stephanie Taylor, or Jason Lehmann at (803)821-2500.
Reminders from Teachers
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.
Attendance Matters
Did you know?
Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance.
A missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn.
Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in the first month go on to miss nearly a month of school.
Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back.
When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.
So far this year, we have had 1405 absences and 914 tardies. This is 540 more absences than we had last year at this time. We hope to bring that number down with some incentives we are offering students!
Your Attendance Matters!!!
In order to avoid your child being reported truant please be sure to turn in a written medical or parent excuse for each absence.
Flyer Preview - English
Flyer Preview - Spanish
Online Shopping Link
Fall Reading Challenge for Face to Face Students
Students will have four weeks to complete 10 reading challenges. The reading challenge form will be sent home on Monday, November 2nd.
Classes that have 100% participation will be entered into a drawing for $100.00 to use towards recess equipment. There will be one winning class for K-2 grades and one winning class for 3-5 grades.
All forms must be returned to the teacher no later than Tuesday, December 1st. The winning classes will be announced on the morning news show Thursday, December 3rd. Here is a link to the form in case your child's form is misplaced.
Fall Reading Challenge for LOOLA Students
Monday, November 2nd kicks off our Fall Reading Challenge!
Students will have four weeks to complete 10 reading challenges. Students who complete 10 challenges and return their signed forms to Shaney Stewart, the School Librarian, no later than Friday, December 4th will be entered into a drawing. There will be one winner for participants in grades K-2 and one winner participants in grades 3-5.
The winners will be announced on Monday, December 7th. The prize will be a gift certificate for Eudora Farms that includes one car admission and one bucket of feed for the animals.
Forms can be returned on Friday, December 4th during the LOOLA pick up time, turned into the front office anytime before December 4th or you can email a copy of the form with a parent's name in at least 10 boxes showing at least 10 challenges were completed to
4K Ready
Counselors' Corner
November 16-20 is National Career Development Week. We will incorporate interesting career videos into the FPES Morning News Show.
November classroom counseling lessons will focus on the topic of Social and Emotional learning.
Our 5K students are participating in a new program each week called Second Steps. It is an evidence-based program that supports students in skills for learning, empathy, emotion management, and problem solving. They love the puppet friends Puppy and Snail! There are fun activities that support the lesson in your child’s folder. Please check out those activities and if you could send them back in, that would be great!
1st graders will learn about A Bug and a Wish, which gives them a way to handle conflict using the words “It bugs me when… I wish that you would…”
2nd graders will talk about attract and repel using magnets, but also how there are behaviors that attract and repel.
In 3rd grade, the social and emotional lesson is about rock and clay problems where students learn the difference between the two types of problems and how to cope with rock problems.
In 4th grade, students will learn about what to do with worries with the book Wilma Jean, the Worry Machine.
In 5th grade, students will learn more about the way they handle conflict by identifying their conflict animal. Ask your 5th grader the name of his/her conflict animal: turtle, owl, bear, or shark
As always, if your child needs to see a counselor for any reason, please feel free to call Gina Mahoney at 821-2598
How to Help Your Child in Math and Science
Scientists are skilled observers. Play a game with your child to develop her observation skills. Have her describe the front of a building she knows well without looking at it. Ask her to be as detailed as she can, and write down what she says. Then take a trip to look at the building and compare her memory to the reality. Play often with different buildings, and your child will learn to notice and remember details.
Money management teaches valuable lessons
Learning to manage money teaches kids math skills. They also learn school success skills like responsibility, patience and how to set priorities. If your child gets an allowance, help him distinguish between his "needs" and his "wants." He should pay for any needs he's responsible for first. Then, he can save the rest of his money toward the cost of his wants. Give him a notebook to track his savings.
Math terms match up in a memory game
Product. Quotient. When children learn math, they also need to learn a whole new vocabulary. To make learning math words fun, play Math Concentration. Here's how: Write each term on an index card, and write its definition on another index card. Deal out five or six pairs of index cards face down, then have your child turn over two cards at a time. The goal is to make a match by turning over a term and its definition.
How to Help Your Child in Reading, Writing and Social Studies
Many kids use flash cards to study math facts. But flash cards are also a great tool for learning new reading or science vocabulary words, as well as names, events and dates in social studies. Studying the cards and saying the words or facts on them out loud helps your child memorize the material. Then, when you use the cards to quiz him, recalling the information helps reinforce it in his mind.
Sneak some writing into your child's daily life
Being able to communicate well in writing will help your child succeed in school and in a career. So look for fun ways to help her practice. She may enjoy sending emails or texts to friends and family. You might also write her a letter about a book you've read together and ask her to write back. Challenge your child to rewrite the ending of a movie, and encourage her to express her thoughts and feelings in a journal.
Give reading an artistic dimension
Combining reading and creative activities develops your child's imagination and keeps the reading interesting. Give him some crayons and encourage him to draw pictures of characters or scenes from a favorite story. You can also ask your child to make up songs about stories and books. Ask, "What might the three little pigs sing when the wolf is coming? How would the music sound?"
Supporting Young Readers and Writers At Home
Need ideas to help your young child in the areas of reading and writing? Check out this information from our Literacy Coach, Jessie Garner.
Tips for Online Learning - Parent Norms for Zoom
Parent Norms for Zooms
Be on Time: Help your student be on time to their Zoom meetings.
Suggestion: Set an alarm on your phone, or have your student set a timer on his/her phone.
Work Space: Make sure your student has a place to work away from distractions so they are able to focus on their learning.
Suggestion: Have your student set up a place at a table in the kitchen, or desk in a separate room away from siblings.
Stay Muted Unless Your Student is Participating: Your student will be muted upon entry to their meeting. However, before you talk to your student or someone else in the room, please make sure your student’s Zoom is on mute. The microphones are sensitive and will pick up background noise which can disrupt the teacher and distract other students.
Suggestion: Have your student use headphones/earbuds while they are participating on a teacher Zoom.
Keeping the Focus on the Teacher: Online class meetings are not a time for parents to interact with the teacher. The teacher is working very hard to keep the students engaged and needs to minimize distractions.
Suggestion: If you have questions, you can contact the teacher at a different time when you can have their full attention.
Be Patient When Joining a Zoom Meeting: If you experience issues with getting into the Zoom meeting, don’t worry - this happens sometimes. You may get a screen that tells you that you are waiting on the host to start the meeting. This just means the teacher is letting other students into the meeting and you are waiting on your turn.
Suggestion: If you aren’t able to get into the meeting, retry the steps to connect. If you still can’t get in, you should let the teacher know by sending an email but please understand that the teacher is conducting a lesson and will not be able to respond to you right away.
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.
Parent Engagement Tips
Children value themselves as they are valued. To build the sense of self-worth that supports school success, let your child know you love and accept him. But also make rules and limits clear. Boundaries can expand as your child grows, and he will find security in knowing they are there. Demonstrate respect for your child by allowing him to have a say in making decisions that affect the entire family.
Show your child how you learn from mistakes
Mistakes can be great teachers. To help your child learn from her mistakes, set an example. If you lose your temper, or forget to do something you should have done, be honest and say, "I messed up." Then talk about what you could have done differently. Make amends if you can. Your child will learn that you take responsibility for your mistakes, and that will make it easier for her to do the same thing.
Make it clear that schoolwork is worth the effort
Parents know that getting their children to do their best on schoolwork is often a tough task. To motivate your child, treat school as her job. Set time aside to talk about it (and listen!) every day. Help your child see that her effort affects her results. For example, ask, "Do you think this is a grade you deserve? Why or why not?" Then discuss things she did that worked, and what she could do differently.
Title I Parent Engagement
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.
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.
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/
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.
Exciting News From Food Services
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, all Lexington County School District One students can receive free breakfast and lunch. The United States Department of Agriculture approved Lexington District One’s free food program for all students until the end of the school year.
Would you like to make online payments to your child's meal account? Go to www.k12paymentcenter.com.
Take Home Meals for Students
If you would like for your student to bring home meals for the days they are learning at home, please read the information below.
Now that all grades are grade levels have returned to 4 days a week, the take home meals for Friday will include 1 breakfast and 1 lunch. Meals will be delivered to students' classrooms, so they can bring the meals home.
Here is the order form for Track A and Track B students. Take Home Meal Order Form .
The district’s Online Learning Academy students can also 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 (Carolina Springs Middle, Forts Pond Elementary, Gilbert Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, White Knoll Elementary). 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
Our fall fundraiser will begin on November 9. The fundraiser catalog will include items like cookie dough, wrapping paper, cups, candles, and kitchen items.
Orders can be placed online or on the order form. Face to Face students will bring home their order packets on November 9. There will be extra copies of the order packet in the front office for LOOLA families who would like to take orders using the catalog and order form instead of taking online orders.
All order forms are due back by Monday, November 23.
Our tentative pick up date is December 9. Closer to this date, we will be able to confirm date and time of pick up.
Prize information will be sent home with fundraiser packets.
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.