News for the New Year
at South Elementary School of Communications
January 2021
EMPOWERING STUDENTS THROUGH COMMUNICATIONS & LIFELONG LEARNING
At South Elementary School, we are a learning community nurturing a culture to provide students the skills necessary to be active, productive, and responsible citizens while empowering students through communications.
Green Stoplight: In-Person Learning-Starts Tuesday, January 5th
Green Stoplight: All students are in session on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Students return to school on Tuesday, January 5th.
Even though students are not in the building on Wednesdays, teachers use this day as a student focused day by collaborating with grade level teachers across the district to provide consistent lesson plans. In addition, they collaborate with school staff on student data, interventions, and programming for academic and social emotional learning. Professional development is implemented to stay current on best practices and programs to effectively implement in the classrooms. Custodial staff also utilize Wednesdays for extra cleaning.
More details on Wednesday lunch opportunities and attendance questions for Wednesday can be found below in the newsletter.
The District Back to School plan can be found on the website, msdofmartinsville.org then click Back to School on the homepage.
2 HOUR DELAY DAYS
(YMCA-Breakfast is offered)
Doors open at 10:25AM. School starts at 10:40AM. Walkers/Car riders should not arrive prior to 10:25AM.
SCHOOL DELAYS AND CANCELATIONS
If the district must cancel, delay, or release students early due to the possibility of inclement weather, we would like to make you aware of our procedures and communication plan.
- Weather decisions are made by our team who monitor closely through both technology as well as by driving actual roads throughout the district.
- When determining a delay, early dismissal, or cancellation of school, countywide weather conditions are reviewed. In addition, we utilize the National Weather Service website @ www.nws.noaa.gov/om/cold/wind_chill.shtml as well as a private product called Weather Sentry.
Communication
Before school, every effort will be made to have a decision by 5:30 AM and communicated to you and your family in the following ways:
- Staff/ parents will be notified through an all-call using School Messenger. (Telephone numbers are generated from our Skyward database. At your convenience, please check Skyward to ensure your telephone # is up-to-date for this academic year.)
- Communication will be added to the district’s website and social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MSD of Martinsville
- Communication will be sent to the following radio and TV stations: WCBK, WISH 8, WRTV-6, WTHR-13, Fox-59.
Early Dismissal
As weather conditions in our area can change quickly, an early dismissal may be necessary. We will make a decision concerning dismissal as early as possible, next, call parents through School Messenger, and finally, communicate information through our website, social media, and local media.
We encourage you as a family to develop a weather plan. For example, if parents or guardians work, where should your child go if there is an early dismissal or a two-hour delay? Please be mindful that weather prediction is just that, a prediction. We will drive roads, use science, and apply common sense before making any decisions. Please also keep in mind that our school service area spans many miles and while in your area it may just be flurries, we could very easily have icing conditions in another. We hope this information is helpful as we work together planning for inclement weather events.
IS YOUR CONTACT INFO UP-TO-DATE? SCHOOL MESSENGER TELEPHONE SYSTEM
Safety First
MARK YOUR CALENDAR WITH IMPORTANT DATES
January 5: Students return to school
January 5-February 2: Online Yearbook sales
January 7: Report Cards
January 11: Virtual PTO meeting
January 11: Club/Candid Pictures
January 18: No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 21: If You Give A Child A Book-WRTV & Scripps & Howard Foundation book distribution
January 22 : Spelling Bee
February 1: Virtual PTO Meeting
February 10: Midterms Posted
February 15: No School
GOOD LUCK TO OUR SOUTH 4TH GRADE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM!
4th Grade Boys Basketball
South
Tristen Andersen, Zavery Vaught, Oliver Ray, Daylen Scott, Brody Stroud, Jayden Pinkerton, and Kayden Barwick.
All Games to be played at
Bell Intermediate Academy Main Gym
January 9th: 9:00am Green vs South
January 9th:10:00am Artesians vs South
January 16th: 10:00am Artesians vs South
January 23rd: 8:00am South vs Poston
January 30th: 9:00am Poston vs South
February 6th: 8:00am South vs Smith
Recommendation from the Morgan County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health Red County guidance, all extra-curricular and co-curricular activities will include only participants, parents/guardians and support school personnel in attendance . In addition, while at events, the same household members must social distance from non-household members, and a friendly reminder that masks are required at all times on all MSD of Martinsville properties.
Families, we know this is a challenge. Thank you for your resolve and patience as we work together to get through this crazy year.
WIFI ACCESS POINTS
WIFI ACCESS POINTS
The district has added outdoor access points to each school (and the Central Education Center) to provide WIFI for district devices.
With the increase of digital learning due to COVID, our focus is to deliver consistency for those unable to have internet services at home.
Families can park in the parking lot of each school and download homework from their teachers, then complete the assignment offline while at home. Or, students will be able to upload assignments once finished.
The district has a total of 20 new access points in the district where families can access the internet in safely lit areas that are monitored by security cameras.
IPAD CARE
Click Here to view a simple video you can share with your children on iPad care.
Thanks for everything you’re doing to support your child’s learning during this difficult time.
ONLINE YEARBOOK SALES
January 5-February 2
Cost $14.00
enter code: 54378R
You can only order your yearbook
online this year.
REPORT CARDS
home on Thursday, January 7th
SPELLING BEE
3rd and 4th Grade
Spelling Bee
PTO
Monday, January 11 @ 7:00PM
NO SCHOOL
January 18th
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
CLUB/CANDID PICTURES
January 11th
Club/Candid pictures will be taken for the yearbookDRESSING APPROPRIATELY
PTO NEWS
Want to get involved?!? Join South Elementary School PTO!!! This year's meetings will be virtual. Click on this link to fill out the “Get Involved Form” and the link for our monthly meeting will be emailed to you each month. Meetings will be the first Monday of the month at 7:00PM. Our Next meeting will be January 11th . All are welcome to attend and encouraged to participate. This year is going to be different and we need lots of ideas to make it a great year! Hope to see you there!!
PTO also has spirit wear available for purchase. There are South Elementary face masks, lanyards and shirts available. Click on the button below to view and/or order spirit wear.
FOOD DRIVE
South Elementary food drive was a success! All items collected went to the Gunner James Burnam Food Pantry. They are thankful for the support and generosity from all who donated. Together we helped make sure that many families in our community won't go without food this holiday season. Thank you to everyone for helping to make this project a success!
Thank you for all your help!
READ TO THE FINAL FOUR
Thousands of Indiana third graders, including South Elementary third graders, are eligible to compete as a school-wide reading team and advance through rounds of competition that mirror the NCAA® tournament.
The bracket-style reading competition is from November through March 2021.
An exciting opportunity to leave a lasting, positive impact as part of the celebration of the NCAA® Final Four® returning to Indianapolis
NEWS ALERT!
South Elementary School of Communications is excited to announce that we have been named the recipient of the “If You Give A Child a Book” Campaign sponsored by WRTV and Scripps Howard Foundation. We appreciate the generosity for our students. Thank you to WRTV and Scripps Howard Foundation for supporting students at South Elementary School of Communications in literacy. Students will be given 4 books each from Scholastic Book Fairs as part of this great opportunity. Stay tuned for this event to unfold this month!
BREAKFAST/LUNCH INFORMATION
Free Breakfast & Lunch
Our MSD Food Service team is excited to announce that the USDA will extend free lunches to students through the end of the 20-21 school year. Please note this includes one meal. Ala carte items or additional meals - standard rates apply. For more information, please visit artiescafe.org.
- Lunch will be served and eaten in the classroom.
STUDENT MEALS FOR ELEARNING WEDNESDAYS
Our MSD Food Service Team is offering breakfast and lunch to students each eLearning Wednesday beginning this week. Instead of picking up meals at school, the food items will be sent home with students each Tuesday. Orders are due each week on Monday by 12 pm.
To order and learn more, please click our link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOM16wdyJOHEJhdgX4BqWdQhAZkSErjFWTQ15Sp-Ifow3NcA/viewform
WEDNESDAY ATTENDANCE FOR ELEARNING
On Wednesdays, student's elearning days, it is important that students login on their device and complete the attendance question of the day to be counted present. Questions will be sent to students no later than 9:00 in the morning and students will have until 9:00 that evening to complete their questions. Teachers will provide specific details on how students will get these questions answered.
CHECKING A STUDENT OUT OF SCHOOL EARLY
VISITORS
FAMILY ACCESS
BOOK RENTAL
Student curricular materials fee balances are now available to view in Family Access. We are offering the following payment options:
Credit/Debit card payments can be made via the Fee Management tab in your Skyward Family Access account through e~Funds For Schools.
Check or money order payments can be placed in the drop box outside of Door 1 at the Central Education Center located at 389 E. Jackson Street, Martinsville.
Check or money order payments can be mailed to the MSD of Martinsville, PO Box 1416, Martinsville, IN 46151.
Students can deliver payment to their school office.
STUDENT DEVICES
A CHANGE IN YOUR CHILD'S DISMISSAL PRODEDURE
STAY CONNECTED: SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING!
Instagram @south_elementary_dolphins
South YouTube South YouTube
Website: https://msdofmartinsville.org/south-elementary/
Location: 500 East Mahalasville Road, Martinsville, IN, USA
Phone: 7653491486
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthElementarySchool
Twitter: @southdolphins1