The Bobcat Blaze
October 9, 2020
Principal's Message
Happy Friday Bobcat Families!
Thank you to the parents and community members who reached out to be part of our School Improvement Council (SIC).
I know there is much buzz this week regarding the announcement regarding changing to Phase 2 in the upcoming weeks. As we prepare, it is imperative that you keep your eyes out for emails, letters, and/or phone blasts from myself or the school district regarding the changes. As always, I will communicate as quickly and thoroughly as possible once information is finalized. As we were for Phase 1, A.C. Moore is in a good place in terms of needs and preparation so please do not fret. We are in this together and as long as we stay positive and put student learning first, anything is possible! Despite the circumstances, I for one am excited about the possibility of being able to meet some of your Bobcats in person very soon!
As we have continued to do remember to uplift, motivate, support, and praise one another as life throws us obstacles. While this time in education is certainly unique, it provides us with such room to DREAM BIG. Love to all..LETS DO THIS..WE ARE A.C. MOORE STRONG!
Principal's Message: https://cloud.swivl.com/v/8806d7ccf41c1ae04e886197d3efe8d2
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
October
- September 15 - October 15.........................................Hispanic Heritage Month
- October 1st-October 31st...........................................Breast Cancer Awareness Month
.............................................................................................National Dropout prevention Month
- October 5th-October 10th ....................................Free COVID-19 Testing, Bluff Road Park
- October 5th-October 11th.....................................Free COVID-19 Testing, 2221 Devine Street
Schedule For Week Of October 12th
Monday
Live E-Learning For All
Tuesday
Live E-Learning For All
Wednesday
Live E-Learning For All
Thursday
Asynchronous Learning For Students (including virtual school students)
School Based PD & Phase 2 Prep for Teachers
Friday
Asynchronous Learning For Students (including virtual school students)
School Based PD & Phase 2 Prep for Teachers
Free COVID-19 Testing Sites
School News
A Message from the Superintendent
October 7, 2020
Dear Richland One Colleagues,
Since our last communication updating you on the Richland One Reopening Schools Plan, we have continued to monitor local health data and consider other relevant information carefully and strategically. Our goal has been to move as quickly as possible to provide a face-to-face option for student learning while still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are pleased to see that mitigation strategies are now recognized by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of the core indicators in making decisions about the return to school. We are also encouraged by the significant improvement in the health ratings for Richland County.
Given this data and information, the district will be moving forward with the following plan:
- Week of October 12: Some Students with Disabilities (SWDs) will begin going to school to receive services. The determination of which students will attend will be based on IEPs (Individualized Education Programs). Parents will be notified if their child is to attend.
- Week of October 19: Students in pre-kindergarten through grade 2 will go to school for in-person instruction one day per week. Parents will be notified by their child's school of the day they will attend.
- Week of October 26: All students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 will return to school, and we will begin Phase 2 (hybrid model) of our reopening plan. This means that all students will attend school two days per week. Parents will be notified by their child's school of the days they are scheduled to attend.
Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16 will be asynchronous learning days for students. No eLearning/virtual classes will be held on those two days to allow teachers time to prepare for the upcoming Phase 2 transitions. Teachers will provide assignments for students so that practice and learning can continue.
Parents who are not comfortable with their child returning to school for face-to-face instruction should await further instructions from the district regarding options that will be available to them. Parents who have signed up for the year-long virtual program and would prefer to change to the in-person model should also await further instructions on how to conduct that process. --Amended 10/9/20
There are many more details embedded in our plans that will be communicated in the coming days. These details include, but are not limited to, the assignment of A or B days, information regarding transportation and information about when students in pre-kindergarten through grade 5 will transition to attending school more than two days per week.
Thank you for your continued support, patience and partnership as we work together to ensure a safe return to school for our students.
Sincerely,
Craig Witherspoon, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Teacher Spotlight...A Bobcat Welcome!
Dana Copeland
Nicole Martz
Lauren Brennan
Dana Copeland
A.C. Moore welcomes 2nd grade teacher, Dana Copeland, to the Bobcat community! She recently moved to South Carolina in August and she is excited for the new school year at A C Moore Elementary! Ms. Copeland received her Bachelor of Science in Pre-K/Primary Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and her Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Florida. Ms. Copeland strongly believes a child does not care how much you know until they know how much you care. In February 2021, she will celebrate her 12th year as an educator. While Ms. Copland has spent most of my career in Florida, she has also had the opportunity to teach in Egypt for 4 years. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, painting, and cooking.
Nicole Martz
A.C. Moore welcomes Nicole Martz to the Bobcat community! Ms. Martz recently moved to South Carolina after residing in Florida. She is entering into her second year in education and will be teaching 3rd grade. Ms. Martz previously taught 3rd grade in Florida after completing her academic studies at Indian River State College . In addition to loving her job as a 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Martz loves to hike in her spare time. Ms. Martz states that she is looking forward to meeting the members of the A.C. Moore family!
Lauren Brennan
A.C. Moore welcomes Lauren Brennan, Speech-Language Pathologist, to the Bobcat community! Mrs. Brennan is a native of Sumter, South Carolina. Mrs. Brennan received her undergraduate training at Columbia College and later received her Masters in Communication Disorders from the University of South Carolina....Go Gamecocks! She is married to her husband, Will, and they two children ages 5 and 18 months. Although this is Ms. Brennan's first year at A.C. Moore, she has been a Speech-Language Pathologist in the school system for 16 years.
Leadership Spotlight...Assistant Administrator
Wendee Evering
I consider myself very fortunate and am extremely honored to serve as Assistant Administrator here at A.C. Moore Elementary School. It is truly a rewarding experience to work daily with such a vibrant community of students, parents, educators, and stakeholders. As my late, sweet grandmother would often say – “I am wonderfully blessed.” However, I believe we are blessed to be a blessing to others, and I can think of no greater blessing than to love and educate our children.
I have been an educator for over twenty years. I earned my Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching Early Childhood Education, and Master of Education in Educational Administration Degrees from the University of South Carolina. I spent the first fifteen years of my career in the classroom, primarily teaching first-grade. In addition, I have worked as a Lead Certified Interventionist and ALERT (Gifted and Talented) teacher. My experiences have continuously reinforced my love for education and belief that all children are capable learners who should be given every opportunity to grow and reach their full potential.
I am also married and the immensely proud mother of two wonderful boys. I enjoy traveling and doing my best to create fun-filled memorable moments with family and friends. I am very humbled to have the opportunity to help cultivate the fertile minds of our precious children and immeasurably grateful to see the rewards of my labor - educated minds in full bloom, providing gifts to the world that last a lifetime and beyond.
Join Us in Celebrating National Walk to School Day!
Each fall, A.C. Moore participates with other school across the nation by celebrating National Walk to School Day. National Walk to School Day recognizes and celebrates the value of a healthy and safe community by walking or rolling to school. Although October 7th was the official Walk to School Day for 2020, we have chosen to participate in Walk Bike Scavenger Hunt Bingo promoted by the City of Columbia's Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).
During the month October families are being challenged to take a walk or ride their bike in their community to complete the scavenger hunt! Families will check off each box when an item is found. After all of the boxes have been checked, the family should a take a picture of themselves with their finished bingo card. Photos that are submitted to BPAC by October 30th will be entered into a drawing for a prize.
Hispanic Heritage Month...
A Celebration of ESOL Families at A.C. Moore
Get to know more about a few families that call A.C. Moore home! They are proud of their Latino origin and they keep their traditions by celebrating some of their national holidays, and cultural traditions.
A special A.C. Moore thank you to these Bobcats for sharing their families with us!
A Special Thank You
It is our hope that you have had a chance to experience and learn something new during our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! The Bobcats of A.C. Moore are proud of the diversity of it's student body and value the contributions and culture that our Latino families bring to our school and community. Please take the time to celebrate with us by viewing the attached video of our Hispanic Heritage Celebrations over the years.
A special thank you to Ms. Jaimes and Ms. Granados for providing our Bobcats with so many wonderful opportunities to experience Hispanic culture. A.C. Moore Loves You!
How Well do you Know...
The Flags of Spanish Speaking Countries?
How well did you and your Bobcat student know last week's flags? The answers are below.
Week Four Answers
Notes from the Nurse
Just a couple of important reminders:
Hello Bobcat families!
- Please don't forget to send in your child's Confidential Health Questionnaire on his/her first day back to campus (if you have not already done so). Let me know if you need another copy!
- If your child has asthma, allergies, seizures, or any other condition that requires rescue medication, please have it ready to deliver to school on his/her first day back to campus. You may download the medication order here.
- Please, please, please be sure everyone in your household (6 months old and up) gets an annual flu shot. This is the single best way to prevent the flu. It takes about 2 weeks for antibodies to develop and provide protection, so it is definitely not too early!
Please contact Nurse Hurt with any questions or concerns.
Phone: 803-929-3886
Prisma Health Offering Flu Shots in October
Prisma Health is offering free flu shots throughout Richland County and surrounding areas. The flu shot is available for anyone six months and older and will be administered by drive-through at designate locations in the midlands or you can visit the first floor lobby of Prisma Health, Nine Medical Park, every Wednesday and Thursday in October, 3–6 p.m. to receive a flu vaccine.
Face masks or shields will be required at both drive-up and in-building locations, along with temperature checks. Anyone with a fever will not be allowed a flu shot vaccine. Consent forms are required and available at each site. Children under the age of 16 require a parent/guardian signature. Flu shots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For additional information and locations in our area, click the link below.
ACCESS Freely!
I message from the public library...
If students/families do not already have library cards, they can apply online now and access all the library resources! See the attached flyers for additional information.
A Message from 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. We will hold virtual PTO meetings on Wednesday evenings this year.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LVTMQYJ
Thanks,
Carrie Smith & Kim Pordes (PTO chairs)
acmbobcatspto@gmail.com
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
Student Lunch Services
Please be advised that breakfast and lunch are being provided to students during the school week. The Student Nutrition Services Meal Delivery Program will delivery your student's meals for the entire week every Monday along the attached route. Please click the link below for your pick-up location and time.
Student Nutrition Services Meal Delivery Program Delivery Routes
Tech Tips
For Parents...
Need an additional resource to support your student academically? Try Learnzillion.com
- access to learning videos on math, ELA, and more
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.
For Teachers...
Did you know...
--parents and students can insert recordings into Class Notebook.
- This feature can be used for assignments, give directions, and to provide additional assistance for better engagement with lesson materials, etc.
- Students can also use the feature to record themselves reading poems, words with long/short vowels, projects, etc.
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.
October 10th ......................................Handbag Day
October 11th ......................................It's My Party Day
October 12th .....................................Old Farmers Day
October 13th .....................................International Skeptics Day
............................................................Ada Lovelace Day
October 15th .....................................I Love Lucy Day
October 16th .....................................Dictionary 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 e-learner engaged in e-learning activities and assignments and 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 Resources and Updates
Grade Level Content Area Standards
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