FMHS Info Swarm
8/21/20
Message From The Principal
We are getting closer. The start of the 2020-2021 school year is just 10 days away.
There is a lot going on at Fort Mill High School right now. Counselors have been busy making final adjustments to schedules and preparing to help families work through any problems during conflict resolution. Administrators have been preparing the building for the return of students and teachers in a new socially distanced world. And teachers have begun moving back into their classrooms in advance of next week's official start.
Though I'm sure there will be challenges as we reopen for face-to-face learning and launch an entirely new platform with the FMVA, we are eager for the opportunity to get back to the important work of educating the children of our community. Thank you in advance for your support and patience as we work through issues together. While it may look and feel different this year, our goal remains to provide each student with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to be a lifelong learner and a responsible productive citizen. We look forward to partnering with you to achieve this goal together.
Together We Swarm!
Gales Scroggs
FMHS 2020-2021 Face-to-Face Bell Schedule
2019 FMHS Marching Band performance of The Hollow Crown
Lunch Schedules
This year Fort Mill High School will operate on a 3 lunch schedule. We have labeled these lunches as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd to avoid any confusion with A/B distinctions. Please see the assigned hallways and times below.
Main Building:
1st Lunch: B-200, B-300, F and G Halls
2nd Lunch: B-100 and C-100
3rd Lunch: E-Hall, D-Wing, C-200, and R-204
R-Wing:
1st Lunch: R-100 and R-300
2nd Lunch: R-400
3rd Lunch: PE and E-Hall (Fine Arts Freshman Courses)
9th Grade Transition
As a resource to parents, we will hold a virtual freshmen parent meeting a week from tomorrow on Thursday, August 27th at 6:00 pm (link to be distributed later). I hope that you will join me as I outline important information for Freshman families. It will be a great introduction to high school for first-time high school parents and will share some new information about changes for this year for returning parents.
FMVA Textbook Pick-Up
Face-Coverings
- The Fort Mill School District will require the use of face coverings for students and staff. The district will provide face coverings for any student who cannot provide their own. Appropriate face coverings include cloth face coverings, neck gaiters, face shields, and masks. Designs on face coverings should not be disruptive to the educational process and should follow the dress code policy restricting logos and clothing that promotes alcohol, drugs, tobacco, racism, hate, gang affiliation, nudity, violence, and profanity.
- Students may remove face coverings during lunch, while eating and seated at an appropriate social distance. Students may also remove face coverings during physical education classes, while socially distanced and engaged in athletic activity at the direction of their instructor.
- Please be aware that we will take the enforcement of this policy very seriously. If a student is found not wearing a face-covering--outside of the noted exceptions mentioned above--while on school grounds, they will immediately be offered a mask. If the student refuses to wear a face covering, it may be addressed as a disciplinary matter (specifically "defiance of school authority" per the code of conduct). The most important part of this policy is that they are following the directions of the adults in the building.
- Please know that we do not wish to discipline any students over such an easily avoidable decision. Please talk with your child and stress the importance of wearing a face covering.
Social Distancing Measures
We would like to share some updates with families regarding changes as a result of social distancing/health & safety procedures.
Please note the following changes regarding the upcoming school year:
- 3 Lunches--We will transition to 3 lunches this fall to accommodate socially distanced seating in the main commons and R Wing commons during lunch. This will allow us to greatly reduce the number of students eating at one time, which follows guidelines for reducing the risk of exposure.
- No Entry into the Building Prior to 8:10 am--Because we lack the physical space to socially distance all students in the commons before school begins, students will be denied entry into the building until 8:10 am each day. At 8:10 am, we will open the building and students will report directly to their first block class. Students drivers and car riders should plan to arrive between 8:10 am and 8:40 am each school day. Please stress this arrival window to your child, as it is vital to ensure proper supervision and social distancing.
- No Drop Off of Outside Food--High schools will no longer accept outside food deliveries during the day. If your child forgets their lunch, we will make special arrangements with the cafeteria manager to ensure they are fed, but we cannot accept food deliveries during the day--even those hand delivered by parents. Food from delivery services (e.g. Door Dash, Grub Hub, etc.) is also not permissible.
- Hand-Sanitizing Stations--Hand sanitizer dispensers will be provided in each classroom and readily available throughout all buildings.
- Visitors--In an effort to protect the health and safety of our community, we will greatly restrict the number of visitors allowed on campus to minimize the total number of people on-site. No outside guests will be allowed to visit the classroom or during lunchtime. All efforts will be made to keep necessary visitors to a minimum, including the use of virtual or telephone meetings with families and guests. In cases where face-to-face parent meetings on-site with school staff are deemed necessary and appropriate, parents must follow social-distancing guidelines and wear face coverings.
- Athletic and Co-Curricular Activities--Fort Mill High School will follow the South Carolina High School League’s phased re-entry plan for athletics and follow all district Operational Health and Safety Protocols for extra-curricular activities.
- Clubs and Student Organizations--Clubs and student organizations will not be permitted to meet in person before or after school during the 1st semester. They may meet virtually. Face-to-face gatherings away from the building are also not permissible during the first semester.
- Field Trips--For the upcoming school year, in-person field trips have been suspended to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Back to School Resources for Parents
2019 students collaborating in the Learning Commons
Important Links
Faculty & Staff Directory—This link will take you to a directory of teacher and staff email contacts.
Parent Portal – This is the window for students and families to access our online gradebook system. If you need a login or assistance please contact your child’s counselor.
Athletic Information –This website has links to schedules for all our athletic teams, forms, and booster club information.
FMHS Fees—This link will take you to the page where you can pay fees for the 2020-2021 school year.
Voluntary Student Accident Insurance--This link will take you to information regarding voluntary student accident insurance.
Important Dates
Below you will find a list of important dates over the next two weeks. These include school events and home athletic, arts, and extracurricular events.
August 24th Teachers Return
August 27th Virtual Freshman Parent Meeting @ 6:00 pm
August 31st First Day of School (A Day)
September 1st First Day of School (B Day)
Fort Mill High School
Email: scroggsg@fortmillschools.org
Website: http://fmhs.fortmillschools.org/
Location: 215 N Highway 21 Bypass
Phone: 803-548-1900
Twitter: @FMHSnews