Dolphin Times
What Parents Need to Know Vol. 2 Ed. 25
So Much To Be Thankful For
Good Afternoon Parents!
As we celebrate President's Day today I encourage all of us to focus on the freedoms we have in this country and put into practice the first of our 5G's at Dacusville - GRATITUDE! I am so grateful to be a part of this community, to work with such amazing students and teachers, and to lead a faculty and staff committed to the success of the next generation.
I hope that each of you had a wonderful Valentine's Day yesterday and told your kiddos how much you love them. I encourage each of you with what I said to the students and staff on Friday of last week, "Don't let a holiday centered on love be the only day that you show love to others."
Have an awesome week! Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Travis A. Chapman
Principal
864-397-2800 ext. 2810
Positivity Project Character Strength of the Week - Humility
Each week at Dacusville Elementary we will be focusing on a different topic or character strength. "Humility means you do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves. Humble people have an accurate (not underestimated) sense of their abilities and achievements. They hold the capacity to acknowledge their mistakes and limitations, and are open to advice and new ideas. They do not show off their possessions or accomplishments."
I chose a different video for Humility than what the Positivity Project provided because I believe that the words of Nelson Mandela are so powerful when it comes to explaining humility and the importance of having this characteristic.
Character Card: Humility
Here is the link for the Character Strength Calendar https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XIwG-06dkeRVVih77apSHSPYBy8cvqmR_IOKRkgZvYs/edit?usp=sharing
YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW!
Yearbooks for the 2020-2021 school year are on sale NOW. This is the last week to order your yearbook at the Early Bird price of $25.00. Starting next week the price will go up to $30.
- Early bird sale runs Feb 1-Feb 19 at 25.00 each.
- Regular sale runs Feb 22-March 18 at 30.00 each.
- We will start a waiting list after March 19th.
Yearbooks may be purchased online at myschoolbucks.com
Our Week at a Glance
*** Please remember to wear your masks to school each day.
February 15 - 19: DSO Membership Drive Week (Click the link to join)
Monday:
- President's Day - No school for students or teachers
Tuesday:
- 2nd Grade will begin eating lunch in their classrooms today as we prepare to have the gym open for PE classes starting on February 22nd.
Wednesday:
Thursday:
- Q3 Parent Playbook: Social Emotional Learning Support for Parents (links will be sent out to those who requested). If you would like to request the video please contact Joni Howard @ jonihoward@pickens.k12.sc.us. See flyer below.
Friday:
- Last day to order yearbooks at the early bird cost of $25. You can order using myschoolbucks.com
Want to Help Your Child with Social Emotional Learning?
Mrs. Joni Howard will be sharing strategies on how to support your child's social and emotional learning. This will be a recorded video that will be e-mailed out. If you are interested in receiving this information, please complete the form below. It will be e-mailed out on 2/18 for you to watch at your convenience. Thank you!
Join the Movement! Join DSO!
If you missed the membership link in the Week At A Glance section here it is again:
Asynchronous Remote Learning
Next Friday, February 26th will an asynchronous remote learning day for all students in SDPC. Just wanted to be sure to give everyone a heads-up.
Book Fair is Coming Soon!
Our school's book fair is coming! Our fair will run from March 1-15. This is our only fair this year, as our fair in September was cancelled. This fair will be 100% virtual. The books will be shipped to students at school, and Mrs. Anderson will deliver them to the classrooms when they are here.
Please feel free to browse through the books. Each teacher's name will also be included for students to purchase from their teacher's wish list. We should be getting flyers to go home soon!
Spring Book Fair from Follett (Click this link to browse now. It will open March 1st)
One School, One Book
Family Literacy Night
Run Hard Sign-Ups
Spring Run Hard program at DES! You can go to runhard.org to register. Practices will be each Monday and Friday starting March 15. This will be for 3-5 grades!
- March 1st: School Commitment Deadline
- March 5th: Registration Closes
- March 15th: Week One
- May 15th: 5K Race
Digital Parenting Workshop
2021 Clemson Summer Camps
Please NOTE Our Current Dismissal Times
- 1/2 day classes- 4K morning - 8:00-10:40 a.m.
- Afternoon 4K class will dismiss at 1:40 p.m. Siblings of 4K will dismiss at 1:45 p.m.
- All other car riders will begin dismissing a 1:45 p.m. as well.
- Buses will begin dismissing at 1:45 p.m. as well.
Afternoon 4K Dismissal Changes
Families that are picking up a 4K and an older sibling will continue to pull into the first lane next to the sidewalk. Families that are ONLY picking up a 4K child will pull into the second lane. Both lanes need to start at the crosswalk, so if you are the first car in the line pull all the way up to the cones on the crosswalk. After all 4K are loaded, cones will be removed for a safe and efficient dismissal.
Please share these directions with anyone that will picking up your child. Thank you for the help in this change! 😊
Reading For Education Fundraiser
I want to personally thank all of the families who have already participated in our SchoolStore fundraiser! We are on our way to reaching our goal, but we need everyone’s help to make sure our teachers get the essential tools they need to help our students succeed.
If your family hasn’t participated, there’s still time!
This safe and easy fundraiser is 100% online so there is no face-to-face selling, collecting money, or delivering products. Participation only takes 12 minutes and your child will win fun and exciting prizes. Every student will receive a prize, just for participating. More prizes will be rewarded when goals are reached.
Please help now. It really will make a difference.
Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000002306 to show our valued teachers your support.
PS: Family participation is the key to our success, and we are counting on you!
Covid-19 Testing Times and Locations
COVID19 TESTING SITES
***DHEC has moved there testing site from Kimberley Memorial Library to the J.B. Owens Sports Complex in Easley. Wed-Fri 10a-4p. They are working on expanding the hours.***
Pickens County Health Department –
Mondays and Fridays (Check before going to make sure testing is open)
9:30am – 3:30pm
NO COST | FREE TESTING
No appt needed; No physician’s order needed
Results take 48-72 hours
Prisma – Baptist Easley Hospital
Monday-Friday
9:00am – 2:00pm
No appointment needed; Physician order needed
May do a virtual visit at https://www.prismahealth.org/Virtual-Visit/ or get an order from personal physician
Results take 48-72 hours
AFC Urgent Care
Does testing at their offices with a visit.
Their charge is for an office visit and test.
Results take 48-72 hours. Sometimes longer.
AnMed Cannon Hospital
Advertises testing on their website
Results take minimum of 5 days or longer. (per report from several employees)
Doctor’s Care
Advertises testing on their website
Rapid results. Log in online
Follow Us On Social Media
FREE Meals for All Students
Remote Learning Weeks:
For information on how to get free meals during Remote Learning, click the link below.
Free Meals During Remote Learning
For all the full information from SDPC regarding Bus Delivery Times by areas and much more please click the following link: Free Meals for Students .
PCVA NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Birthday Celebrations and Outside Food
In addition, we will not be able to allow visitors right now to attend lunch with their child for birthdays or any other lunch days due to limits/restrictions on outside visitors. Thank you for your understanding.
PCVA Website
Positivity at DES
We are so excited to be beginning our 3rd year of the Positivity Project (P2) at Dacusville Elementary. P2 focuses on empowering America’s youth to build positive relationships by recognizing character strengths within themselves and others. To learn more about P2 you can read the following Parent Information Letter.
Finally, we are thrilled to announce the newest feature of the Positivity Project, P2 for Families! This web resource provides support for you to discuss the importance of character and relationships within your own family. Go to the follow website https://posproject.org/p2-for-families/ , click your child's grade band below, then the character strength you are interested in and when prompted enter the password: P2. Here you will find descriptions of the character strengths, videos and thoughtful questions to discuss with your child. We are so grateful to come along beside you and help to shape the wonderful people our students are becoming. Thank you for all you do to help your student succeed, and allowing us to be a part of it.
Joni Howard
DES School Counselor
#KeepLovingKason - Book Donations
Title 1 Important Information
Parent & Family Engagement Policy DRAFT: The purpose of this document is to describe how parental involvement requirements of the ESSA legislation will be carried out. This is meant to be jointly developed. Please give suggestions and feedback on the document by completing the “suggestions” survey in the link.
School-Parent Compact DRAFT: The purpose of this document is to clearly identify responsibilities of parents, staff and community members in student achievement. This is meant to be developed jointly. Please give suggestions and feedback on the document by completing the “suggestions: survey in the link.
Title 1 Newsletter: (3 pages) This newsletter includes important Title 1 details and information. You can keep this for your records.
DSO Board for 2020-2021
- President - Tammy Gregg
- Vice president - Mandy Bush Roach
- Secretary - Melissa Hazel
- Treasurer - Jill Landers
- Funds Development - Jade Burgess
- General Board Members - Luke Raxter & Mary Jones
Meals for Virtual Students
Virtual Academy Students:
Each week an order form is emailed out on Friday for meals to be picked up on Mondays between 9-1 for Pickens County Virtual Academy student meals. If you would like to order meals for your student, please click on the link to place your order.
To place an order for meals for the week (dates at the top of the form), please click here.
We will provide 5 days of meals (5 breakfasts & 5 Lunches) to be picked up at the home school. If you need to pick up meals at a different location other than your home school, please include this on the order form. Meals will be charged according to the student’s meal status.
SDPC Tech Help Information
The SDPC Tech It Home site has some useful tips for parents and students. This link has some technical tips: Tech It Home Technical Tips
Other Internet Accessibility Options
For families who do not currently have home internet access, SDPC recommends the following options:
School Parking Lots
Students can access school Wi-Fi from all of our school parking lots.
Click here for directions on how to connect to school Wi-Fi. Gates to our parking lots will remain open so that students can park on our properties and access school Wi-Fi. Students will not be allowed to congregate outside their vehicles. Students seen meeting outside their vehicles will be asked to leave.
SDPC Wi-Fi Buses
Buses will be parked at the following locations on school days from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. during remote learning weeks:
- Flat Rock Baptist Church, 115 Slab Bridge Road, Liberty, SC 29657
- Georges Creek Baptist Church, 1991 Saluda Dam Rd, Easley, SC 29640
- Holly Springs Baptist Church, 3450 Table Rock Road, Pickens, SC 29671
- Shoals Creek Baptist Church, 130 Shoals Cree Church Road, Easley, SC 29640
- Mile Creek Baptist Church, 104 Lakeside Dr, Six Mile, SC 29682
Pickens County Public Library
The Pickens County Public Library system operates facilities throughout Pickens County and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Internet Safety
Regards,
John Eby
SDPC Coordinator of Communication
Need Help with Schoology?
Tech News
Please note that all students must pay the Tech It Home Fee. The fee is $20 and that is the cost for all students. It covers loss, theft, and damages. You can pay by cash, check, or online at MySchoolBucks.
More about Tech It Home can be found by clicking on the links below.
Safety Updates
- Foaming hand sanitizer stations in each classroom.
- Sanitizing spray bottles have been purchased along with spray guns that can disinfect surfaces and larger areas like classrooms.
- Water fountains will be closed. The district has purchased hands-free water bottle refilling stations that we are currently awaiting on to arrive and then be installed.
- Posters and other window and floor signage indicating warning symptoms, traffic flow, and social distancing have been printed by the Career and Technology Center and will be installed this week.
- Masks have been purchased for all students in grades 3 -5 and for staff as well as face shields for staff desiring them.
- Digital Thermometers have been purchased (2 per school) to help with screening students and staff.
- Students in elementary school will be placed in cohorts, groups of students like a homeroom, that they will remain in for core academic classes, related arts, lunch and recess. Students will not change classes for academics and or related arts.
- Students will utilize class bathrooms if possible and will be asked to wash hands before and after entering the restroom.
- Gang bathrooms will be used for washing hands prior to and after transitions such as lunch and recess.
- Arrival and Dismissal procedures will be altered to allow for more social distancing. Buses will be operating at less than full capacity and elementary students will be separated out from middle and high school students.
More information can be found in the SDPC Reopening Plan.
School Supplies
After-School Care
- We WILL HAVE ASC during Week 3 for ONLY GRADES 4K - 2nd.
- ASC will be closed to all students during Week 4.
- Cost has basically increased $5 across the board to help with cleaning and operational cost.
- ASC will be held in the cafeteria and pick up will be in the bus loop, but only after 2:45 p.m.
Key Documents:
BIG NEWS! DES is Title 1 for the 2020 - 2021 School Year!
The purpose of Title I, Part A of Public Law 107-110, is to enable schools to provide opportunities for children served to acquire the knowledge and skills contained in the challenging state content standards and to meet the challenging state performance standards developed for all children. This purpose is accomplished by such efforts as:
- providing an enriched and accelerated educational program;
- promoting schoolwide reform through schoolwide programs or through additional services that increase the amount and quality of instructional time;
- significantly upgrading the quality of instruction by providing staff in participating schools with substantial opportunities for professional development; and
- affording parents meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children at home and at school.
For more information on Title 1 please click the link below:
About Us
Email: travischapman@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: http://des.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 200 Cherokee Trail, Easley, SC, USA
Phone: 864-397-2800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DacusvilleElementary
Twitter: @DacusvilleElem
Mr. Josh's Behavior Tip for Parents
Catch Kids Being Good
A longer but more effective approach to teach good behavior is to catch kids doing something right: "You made your bed without being asked — that's terrific!" or "I was watching you play with your sister and you were very patient." These statements will do more to encourage good behavior over the long run than repeated scolding.