The Mallard Compass
Forts Pond Elementary School
May 2022
Be InTENTional In All You Do!
Traducción
,
From Your Principal
We were so excited to see so many families at field day last week. Don't forget on Thursday we are hosting a STEM night for families. The fun begins at 6:00 P.M. While you are there please check out the lost and found collection to claim any missing coats, jackets, and other items.
Here is the link to our school website. https://schools.lexington1.net/FPES
Here is the link to our Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/FPESMallards/
Here is the link to our Twitter Page. https://twitter.com/fortspond?lang=en
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mrs. Michelle Smith, Principal
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
Communication Between Home and School
Kindergarten and first grade send home communication folders every day. Other grade levels send home a green communication folder every Tuesday.
If you have not been receiving emails from the school, you will need to contact the front office to make sure we get that updated for you.
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 calls as soon as possible.
If you need assistance with your child's technology, please call the district's helpline at (803)821-1201.
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
May
3 Fundraiser Kona Ice Party for those who sold 15 or more items
5 STEM Night 6:00 P.M.
Grades 3, 4, & 5 SC READY Field Testing
6 3rd Grade Field Trip
School Lunch Hero Day - Wear Super Hero Shirt
9 Title I Planning Meeting @ 9:30 A.M.
10 Grade 3 SC READY ELA Testing Day 1
11 Grade 3 SC READY ELA Testing Day 2
12 Grade 3 SC READY Math Testing
16 Grades 4&5 SC READY ELA Testing Day 1
17 Grades 4&5 SC READY ELA Testing Day 2
18 Grade 4&5 SC READY Math Testing
All Library Books Due
19 Grade 4 SC READY Science Testing
20 Yearbooks Delivered to Classrooms
Spring Reading Challenge Ends
23 Extra Yearbooks On Sale (First come first serve)
24 2nd Grade Field Trip
26 4th Grade Field Trip
27 5th Grade Field Trip
30 No School
June
1 Half Day for Students
5th Grade End of Year Promotion Ceremony with Families @ 9:00A.M. (formerly called graduation)
2 Half Day and Last Day for Students
Spring Reading Challenge
Spring Reading Challenge
We kicked off our Spring Reading Challenge on Monday, April 18th. Completed reading challenges must be returned no later than Friday, May 20th for a chance to win a prize. We will have three grand prize winners. They will each receive admission to Eudora Farms Safari Park for one vehicle and one bucket of feed. We will also have a winner from each homeroom to pick a prize from the Prize Patrol Cart. Winners will be announced on Monday, May 23. Happy Reading!
2021-2022 FPES Yearbooks
If you did not get a chance to preorder a school yearbook, we will have a limited number of extra softcover yearbooks for sale for $25.00 starting on Monday, May 23. Preordered yearbooks will be distributed on Friday, May 20.
Math Curriculum
Ready Classroom Mathematics is a robust mathematics program that will help your student become a strong, independent mathematical thinker. The program uses a different approach to math instruction than many of us had as kids. It focuses on learning through problem solving and student-to-student conversations about mathematical thinking (called discourse). Your student’s teacher uses a set of learning routines each day that help students engage in discourse as they develop a conceptual understanding of mathematics. The routines also ensure that your student develops the problem-solving skills needed to become an independent and confident mathematical thinker.
How to Help Your Child in Math
You can help your child learn math even if you do not remember any of the math you took in school. For a start, ask questions about your student's math work, such as "How did you arrive at that answer?" or "Look at this page of problems. Do you see a pattern?" Then make an effort to involve your child often in practical math at home, such as measuring. Making sure your child has a study routine that includes daily math practice will also add up to better math skills.
English Language Arts Curriculum
Lexington One uses Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Teaching Reading Writing curriculum.
The link below will provide you access to South Carolina State Standards for ELA and Math.
How to Help Your Child in Reading and Writing
Use your child's imagination to encourage writing
Many kids think of writing as work. But they love storytelling. Encourage your child to write by providing story starters that make writing fun. You might have your child imagine interviewing a famous book character. What questions would your student ask? What answers might the character give? Or, the next time your child asks, "What if …," say "Write down what you think might happen." The wilder your child's imagination, the better the story.
Encourage your child to participate during read aloud time
Research shows that children who read at home with their families do better in school. Give your child an active role in the process. Let your student choose reading materials of interest. Then take turns reading aloud, and stop from time to time to discuss what you're reading. What does your child think about the plot and the characters? Where might the story be going? Would your child do what the main character did?
News From Our School Counselors
Check out our May Classroom Counseling lessons:
Our 5K students will continue to finish up their SEL lessons in Second Steps with our counselors each week. The evidence-based program supports students in skills for learning, empathy, emotions, and problem solving. Please continue to look for the activities in your child’s folder that comes home each week.
Our 1st graders and 2nd graders have enjoyed friendship groups and feelings groups and problem solving lessons with Mrs. Hill.
3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade students are getting ready for State Testing in May. They are finishing up small groups with Mrs. Mahoney.
Our Counseling Advisory Council will meet at the end of May. Please return the parent survey going home in the coming weeks.
Thanks for your support for our Counseling Program! We look forward to working with your child/ children every year!
Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Mahoney
Leader in Me
Habit 7 Sharpen The Saw
Take a minute to watch this video with your child about Sharpen the Saw.
https://www.leaderinme.com/resources/sharpen-the-saw
Think about it. Do we ever do this to ourselves in other situations?
When we work to build family traditions together, we show we are valuing the needs of individuals and families. Renewing our family in each of these areas is where family bonding, identity, fulfillment, and happiness are found. Many of these renewal times come when we are giving time to the Big Rocks we learned about in Habit 3: regular one on one-time, regular meals together, regular family time, family rituals, and traditions.
Think back to Habit 2 when your family created your coat of arms. What did you put in each of the four quadrants? Think back to why you chose to add what you did. Was there at least one item that was something you could do with your physical body? One that was emotional or to do with love? Anything about learning? What about spiritual? These are the four basic needs families and individuals need.
Updates from the Health Room
All parent visits to the school nurse will be by appointment only, unless the nurse calls you to pick up your child.
Medications
School nurses are not allowed to keep more than a 30-day supply of medication at school at any time.
We ask that whenever possible, you (parent/guardian) give your child his/her medications at home — before or after school. However, when medications must be given at school during the school day, we ask that you:
● Make an appointment to bring those medications to school with our school nurse, Sharon Fairey. You can reach her at (803) 821-2523. If you do not make an appointment, Mrs. Fairey may not be able to meet with you at the time you come in.
● Bring your student’s medication in its original container. It cannot be expired and must be accompanied by a completed medication permission form. Here is the direct link to the form.
What do I do if my child gets sick over a weekend or overnight?
If your child is sick, please do not send them to school.
If your student receives a positive test result for COVID-19 infection or is identified as a close or household contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19, complete the Google form HERE to notify the school.
Someone will then be in contact with you regarding a return to school date.
Please contact Sharon Fairey, FPES school nurse, at 803-821-2523 or by email at sfairey@lexington1.net if you have any questions.
Thank you for helping keep our school safe and healthy.
Special Occassion Treats
FPES Family Hub Resource
Here is the link.
Family Engagement Tips
Raising children is complicated and sharing ideas is a great way to make it easier. Each month the newsletter will include ideas for helping parents with home life.
Model the way to good character
When it comes to teaching character and values, your example is the most powerful teacher of all. Ask yourself, "If my child could watch my behavior all day, what lessons would it teach?" Set high standards for your own behavior as well as your child's. Talk with your child often about the values that are important to you. Some families make values a point of family pride. "In our family, we tell the truth."
Treat mistakes as steps toward learning
To succeed in school, students must develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. But as they learn to solve problems independently, they are sure to make mistakes. Help your child see mistakes as opportunities to learn, rather than as failures. When your student makes an error, discuss it. Talk about ways your child can avoid it in the future. Emphasize that people get smarter when they learn from mistakes.
Title I Parent Engagement
Our next Title I Planning Meeting will be on May 9 at 10:30 A.M. The meeting will be held in our office conference room. At this meeting, we will review our current Title I Plan and continue planning for 2022-2023.
On November 19, 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 in September. These documents have been reviewed at both Title I Meetings.
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.
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 or Kasci Padgett.
Michelle Smith, FPES Principal
(803)821-2500
Kasci Padgett, FPES Parent Liaison
(803)821-2552
4 & 5 Year Old Kindergarten Registration
If you have a child who will be 4 on or before September 1, it is time to register for 4 year old kindergarten. Go this page and there is a link for the registration form.
You will need the following documents:
- Child’s official birth certificate with parents’ name listed (not wallet or short certificate)
- Completed South Carolina Certificate of Immunization
- Current utility bill/statement showing parent’s name and home address within the district for proof of residency
Parent’s South Carolina driver’s license or other state or federal photo identification
If you are unable to produce any of the documents listed above or complete enrollment online, please contact your child’s zoned school or the Office of Student Services at 803-821-1029 to discuss alternative documentation that may be acceptable.
If your child currently attends a 4-year-old kindergarten program in Lexington District One, you do not need to complete this online enrollment process for 5 year old kindergarten.
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.
All you need is your phone! Download the Box Tops app, shop as you normally would, then use the app to scan your store receipt within 14 days of purchase. The app will identify Box Tops products on your receipt and automatically credit your school’s earnings online.
Here is a video to show you how to give credit to Forts Pond Elementary.
You can even have other family members and friends give their credit to FPES!
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!
Transportation Changes
ID Needed to Pick Up Child
To dismiss a student, that individual will need to be on the child's approved contact list provided by the parent/guardian. We will not release a student to someone who is not on their approved list unless we have written permission from the parent/guardian.
Our front office becomes very busy after 2:00 with dismissal of students. It helps our ladies out front if you sign out your child before 2:00. If you wait until after 2:00 there may be a delay in getting your child to the office.
When is my child considered tardy to school?
Thank you for taking important steps each morning to have your child to school in time such as leaving a few minutes early or having clothes laid out the evening before can help.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Any adult dropping off a student at 7:40 or after, will need to walk the student into the office and sign them in.
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
Lexington County School District One’s Nondiscrimination Statement
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 whom to contact and how to contact them, please go to our website at