St. James Elementary Dolphin Post
October 14, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES
October 14th- Salvation Army Food Drive Begins
October 17th-18th- CogAT Testing (2nd Grade)
October 19th-20th- Iowa Testing (2nd Grade)
October 20th- Big Air Spirit Night
October 24th- Red Ribbon Week (Wear Red)
October 24th-25th- CogAT Testing( Referred 3rd & 4th Graders)
October 28th- Last Day for the Salvation Army Food Drive
October 31st-Nov. 1st- Vision Screening (South Strand Lions Club)
November 8th- Election Day/ No School
November 10th- Fall Picture Retakes
November 11th- Veterans Day Assembly
Principal's Message
Welcome to another exciting school year! Our school-wide theme for the 2022-2023 school year is: “Perseverance: Stay the Course". The theme will serve as a reminder that our commitment to addressing the social and emotional needs of our school family is crucial to Supporting the Journey to Excellence. I look forward to building and maintaining a strong, positive relationship with each of you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to help to ensure your child’s academic, social, or emotional well-being.
I encourage your involvement and support because you are your child's first and most important teacher and advocate. I invite you to maintain contact with your child's teacher on a regular basis and be supportive of the school-wide activities here at St. James Elementary through your attendance and volunteer efforts. Please consider joining St. James Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association and School Improvement Council. You are an integral part of our SJE story. I welcome your input, and I sincerely appreciate your continued support.
Felisa McDavid,
Principal
SAFETY IS ALWAYS FIRST AT SJE
SMOKE FREE ZONE
SPIRIT DAY
💙The first Friday of each month is Spirit Day💛
On Spirit Day, we wear our school colors!!! The class in each grade with the best participation wins a spirit prize! Get your spirit wear and be ready! 💙🐬💛
Spirit Night @ Big Air
🧡Big Air Spirit night is this month! Join us on 10/20 at Big Air. They will donate 50% back to us for every one and two hour jump passes sold when you mention “St. James Elementary”.
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK NOW!
https://www.balfour.com/south-carolina/myrtle-beach/st-james-elementary-school
The price will change to $45 after 1/31/23, but order now so you don’t forget!
🚨🚨🚨🚨We will have a small amount left to sell after the price change. We will NOT have extras!!!! Please do not wait! 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Change IN Transportation Reminder!
Parties/Celebrations School Policy Reminder
St. James Elementary School has two classroom parties/celebrations during the school year: one before winter break and one at the end of the year.
We do not have classroom celebrations on Valentine's Day, Halloween or any other Holidays.
We can not allow celebration cakes, cupcakes, flowers, etc. for individual or group rewards or celebrations.
No costumes or treat bags are allowed at school on October 30 or 31.
Students may bring valentines on February 14 to exchange with classmates but may not bring candy, cookies, cupcakes, treat bags, etc. Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Morning DROP OFF & Afternoon PICK UP Procedures
CAR RIDER PROCEDURES
It is so important that our children are ready to exit the car quickly and safely when and where it stops. When this does not happen, the flow of traffic is disrupted and the cars behind you are not prepared to stop. This can cause an accident. If you must get out of your car for any reason or your child is not prepared to exit the car at the stop, you must pull forward to the sidewalk area in front of the playground. Also, remember that it is most safe for the children to exit the car on the right side. Children walking in front of or behind cars is a huge safety concern. We are working as hard as possible to get all of the children out of the cars and into the building before the 7:40 am tardy bell rings. Our teachers on duty need to be in the building so they can prepare to provide instruction to our children. We will begin marking your child tardy after the bell rings. Please be considerate and safe to the cars behind you and follow all car rider procedures. We begin welcoming car riders at 6:45 am and the tardy bell rings at 7:40 am.
AM Car Rider Procedures
• Staff report to duty at 6:45 a.m. You can begin dropping children off at this time (6:45 am). Teachers will line the sidewalks while others are strategically located throughout the building to keep our children safe.
• Please pull all the way forward to the first adult on duty. We encourage you to pull as far forward as possible in order to get as much traffic off the road as possible.
• The teacher on duty will monitor the children as they exit the car and walk down the sidewalk into the school. **Not everyone will get the drop-off spot closest to the door, but all children will be safely monitored into the building. With each child exiting the car during each round, the flow of traffic is uninterrupted and can move at a faster pace.
• Once your child has exited the car, continue with the flow of traffic. Please do not get out of your car. **Please pull off to the side only if your child cannot exit the car without your assistance.
• Please have your child exit the car from the right side. Children walking in front of, behind, and in between cars is a serious safety concern.
• All car riders must utilize the drop-off loop. Parents are not permitted to exit the car or to walk students to the door.
**Remember, all visitors MUST report to the front of the office to enter the building. No one will be permitted into the building from any side entrances. Thank you for helping us keep your children safe. We look forward to a continued happy, safe, and successful school year!!
**Remember, the tardy bell rings at 7:40 am. If your child is not in the building at 7:40 am, he/she will be marked tardy. Your child can be marked tardy even if you drive through the gate after the bell has rung. Instruction begins at 7:40 am, please be on time.
PM Car Rider Procedures
Due to transition of students at the end of the day we ask that parents do not sign students out after 2:10 PM.
**Please practice buckling and unbuckling the seatbelt. During afternoon dismissal if you need to buckle your child, please pull over to the wide paved section in front of the playground to buckle.
Information from the desk of the School Nurse
Reminders:
1. Parents are responsible for self-screening your children for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to coming to school. Students should stay home for a minimum of 5 days from the date symptoms begin if they have tested positive or from the date they test positive without any symptoms. Please send positive test results to nkearney@horrycountyschools.net If doing at-home testing and a positive result is found please email the At-Home testing form WITH a picture of the positive test to nkearney@horrycountyschools.net Students should stay home if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19 (see attached DHEC guidance sheet for symptoms). HCS will follow DHEC & CDC guidance for exclusion of students for COVID-19 or any other illness. The most recent data, guidance, resources, & FAQs for parents can be found on the DHEC website below:
https://scdhec.gov/covid19/schools-childcare-centers-covid-19
https://www.horrycountyschools.net/Page/16621
At-Home Rapid COVID-19 Test Result Form
P.O. Box 260005 • 335 Four Mile Road • Conway, SC 29528-6005 • (843) 488-6700 • Fax (843) 488-6722 www.horrycountyschools.net At-Home Rapid COVID-19 Test Result Form
2. Please call or email the school nurse prior to a parent bringing in any prescription or over the counter medications to ensure compliance with the HCS medication policy. HCS medication forms are required for the school nurse to administer any medications. The medication policy & forms can be obtained from the school nurse or the HCS Student Health Services website below:
https://www.horrycountyschools.net/Page/997
3. Children may have cough drops at school with a parent note. *Please note a new or worsening cough is a symptom of COVID-19 & requires school exclusion.
4. Please send a complete change of clothes to school or keep in your child's book bag if you have a child in kindergarten or child development in case of an accident. Please make sure the change of clothes is appropriate for the season.
5. Please send, fax, or email a copy of your child's current immunization record to the school nurse if your child is new to this school or district. If your child attended the CD program last year, then we may need an updated immunization record for kindergarten. The school nurse will be reviewing records & contacting parents for non-compliant immunization records.
5. The school nurse will call the parent if your child presents with the following condition(s):
Symptoms of COVID-19, fever greater than 100 degrees, more than 1 episode of vomiting, more than 2 episodes of diarrhea, any head injury, injury with any pain/swelling/deformity, live lice, or other serious conditions that warrant immediate parent notification.
6. The school nurse may send a note home to the parent to notify you of a visit that does not require immediate notification.
7. The school nurse will NOT notify the parent of every child's visit to the health office, such as minor injuries or illnesses that are resolved.
Thank you,
Jessica Osteen, BSN, RN
School Nurse
St. James Elementary School
Phone: (843) 215-6011
Vision Screening- South Strand Lions Club
South Strand Lions Club has graciously committed to conduct vision screenings for our Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third grade students again this year on October 31 and November 1. Vision screenings are recommended for these age groups by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). South Strand Lions Club will conduct the vision screenings using a WelchAllyn Spot Vision Screener device. Please visit the Horry County Schools website to find more information regarding health screenings and recommendations under Student Health Services.
If you do not wish for your child to participate in the screenings, an opt-out form must be completed and returned to the School Nurse. If the opt-out form is not received, the child will participate in the screenings. The link to the opt-out form can be found here:
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the School Nurse.
Information from the desk of the School Guidance Counselors
Report Bullying:
Bullying is an unwanted, intentional, aggressive behavior that may be physical, verbal, or nonverbal. There is an imbalance of power between the parties and the behavior is repeated over time. We have included a link for parents and students to use if they need to make a bullying report. The report will go to Mrs. Lester. There is also a bullying report form on HCS website. Please don't hesitate to contact the school counselors or an administrator with your concerns. https://forms.gle/3ffGJCrSvngX2TAv6
Backpack Buddies Program:
We are happy to inform you that St. James Elementary will participate in the Backpack Buddies program this year for families that are in need and can benefit from the support of the program. Backpack Buddies supplies nutritious, child-friendly, self-serve, nonperishable food designed to be put in a backpack and eaten by the child over the weekend. The food is offered to your child at no cost. The identities of the students who participate will be kept confidential. The food will be delivered to the school each week and the food will be placed in your child’s backpack. Please email Mrs. Lester at alester@horrycountyschools.net with your child’s name and teacher if you are interested in participating in the program.
Counseling Services
• Short term individual counseling
• Small group counseling
• Classroom guidance lessons
• Crisis intervention
• Consultation with parents and teachers
• Coordination with outside agencies and therapists
• Referrals for community services
Information from the desk of the DATA QUALITY CLERK : ATTENDANCE /REGISTAR
Things to remember:
A student is considered truant:
- After three (3) consecutive all-day absences, or five (5) cumulative all-day absences which are not excused by a medical doctor's written statement, proof of bereavement, or principal's approval; or,
- After an elementary school student has accumulated ten (10) or more unexcused tardy or early release (Note: Tardiness in middle and high schools is considered a disciplinary issue.)
Excused Absences
- An absence is considered excused if a valid medical doctor's written note (with the date & time the student was seen) is provided within 3 school days after the absence. Online Medical visits with medical notes and/or screenshots that contain the student's name, date of birth, and results of the online visit (prescription, number of days out before the student's return to school, etc.)
- An absence for bereavement, due to a death in the student's immediate family, may be excused if an obituary or program of service verifying the death is provided to the attendance clerk within 3 school days after the student returns to school.
- An absence for a nationally recognized religious holiday of the student's faith may be excused if a request is made in writing to the principal and written approval is received prior to the absence.
- A parent may request approval of an absence for a hardship, in writing, utilizing the Request for Approval form. This form may be obtained from the school's attendance office. The form must be completed and submitted prior to the absence (if the parent has prior knowledge), or within 3 days following the absence.
When my child is absent from school, I will notify the attendance office via email and by providing medical, judicial, obituary documentation upon his/her return. NKearney@horrycontyschools.net.
Therapy Notes
If a parent chooses to use a provider other than what is offered through Horry County Schools, we respectfully ask that the services be provided outside of the school day so that it will not interfere with his/her academic success. We realize that some appointments cannot be made outside of the school day; therefore, if it is absolutely necessary to remove your child from school for the therapy appointments, we strongly recommend that the days/times during the school week are alternated from week-to-week so your student is not missing large amounts of time in one particular class. Please understand that we want to work collaboratively with you to provide service for your child; however, South Carolina’s attendance requirements and truancy guidelines will be enforced. Please also understand that at no time will we excuse siblings who do not have a therapy appointment. If a student misses the same instructional time for 3 consecutive days/weeks, the therapy notes will be unexcused.
Data Quality at SJE - Facebook page for information & updates.
St. James Elementary PTA
We will have (2) in person special meetings.
Visit our Facebook page @ St.. James Elementary PTA to get details and updates!
• Create a free and secure account to manage payments for school events/activities trips, technology fees and allows you to see student fines, etc.
Registration/Registro Dental Escolar Please call with any questions at 843-663-8304.
SJE Mission Statement
Supporting the Journey to Excellence
The mission of St. James Elementary School, a richly diverse community of learners committed to a tradition of academic and personal excellence, is to ensure that our children are fully prepared to be productive participants in a constantly changing world through personalized, progressive learning which develops self-motivation, high expectations, life skills and the lifelong pursuit of learning.
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Horry County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, immigrant status, English-speaking status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or S.C. law in its programs or activities. For questions regarding the nondiscrimination policies call 843-488-6700, or write Horry County Schools, 335 Four Mile Rd., Conway, SC 29526
Website: https://www.horrycountyschools.net/St_James_Elementary
Location: 9711 Saint James Road, Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
Phone: 843-650-8220
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjameselementaryhcs