The Mallard Compass
Forts Pond Elementary School
January 2020
InTENTional Leading and Learning
Traducción
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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
Important Dates for January
13 Reports Cards
16 PTO BINGO Night 6:30 P.M.
17 Mallard Mingle 7:00 A.M.
20 No School - Martin Luther King's Day
21 Lexington One Board Meeting 7:00 A.M.
24 LIM Parent Lighthouse/Title I/SIC Meeting 8:30 A.M.
31 All Pro Dads 7:00 A.M.
Calendar Changes
February 17th will now be a regular school day not a weather make-up day. This day will be used to make up for missing September 5th for Hurricane Dorian.
Please make note on your school calendar.
Congratulations!
The 1st Grade Team received a grant from Target that will decrease the cost of their field trip!
The following students have been invited to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum: Pathway to STEM.
Breanna Fallaw, Lindsey King, Kalen Ulmer, and Evan White
Habit Leaders of December - Begin with the End in Mind
Kindergarten
Sophia Montes-Otero
Mason Ruffner
Kaylynn Renard
David Cevallos
Grade 1
Sophia Knight
Steven Gonzalez-Garcia
Erin Powell
Kenya Preciado
Brentley Cox
Grade 2
Zoe Rosendo-Tenorio
Ella Jackson
Madilyn Matthews
Jonathon Walker
Grade 3
Madison Kyzer
Evan White
Addison Paulk
Grade 4
Kayce Bird
Karissa Hunt -Philips
Cody West
Savanna Padgett
Grade 5
Isaac Skipper
Aaron Jarreau
Shavon Noel
Karly Koerner
FPES Students and Staff are Practicing Habit 4
Habit 4 - Think Win Win
Think Win Win means everyone can win. Instead of thinking about YOU and ME, Think Win Win considers BOTH OF US. Think about a solution that will benefit everyone involved. It's easy to be selfish sometimes and to look out for what will make you happy. Think Win Win isn't about giving up what you want to make someone else happy; it's about making each side happy. It's different than the word compromise. In a compromise each person gives in a little. Think Win Win is all about taking two ideas and working together to come up with a third one that's better than each idea on its own.
Sometimes competition can happen. Unfortunately, not everyone can officially win the game. You can make everyone feel like winners though. If you win, congratulate the other team on playing a good game. Compliment them on their effort, and tell them you can't wait to play with them again. If your team doesn't win, be happy for those who did. Tell them they did a good job. Maybe ask another player to help you with your skills before the rematch. Also, try to switch teams up each time you play at recess. That way, everyone gets a chance to play with everyone.
HOW CAN I THINK WIN WIN IN MY LIFE?
- Be cooperative - Have an open-minded attitude instead of a "my way or the highway" outlook.
- Be considerate - Think about what other people want, not just what you want.
- Be a good problem solver - Find ways to make both sides happy by choosing a third option.
WHAT BOOKS CAN HELP ME LEARN MORE ABOUT THINK WIN WIN?
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The Very Clumsy Beetle by Eric Carle
Let's Be Enemies by Janice May Udry
The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss
Dragon Stew by Tom McGowen
The Checker Players by Alan Venable
Start the New Year off with Good Attendance
What are the reasons for making good attendance a priority?
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
- Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
- Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
- Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. What parents does not want their child to feel good about themselves? NONE! Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
What can parents do?
- Set a regular bed time and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.
- Introduce your child to her teachers and classmates before school starts to help her transition.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
Checking Your Child's Grades
You may access your child’s grades at any time using PowerSchool.
If you would like your child’s PowerSchool login please, come to the school between 7:30 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. with your ID. You will receive the login information at that time.
How to Help Your Child in Math
Play Math War Using A Deck of Cards
Using either a deck of playing cards or a deck you've made out of index cards, play "war" to practice facts. Split the cards between the two players. Turn over the top two cards – you can either add, subtract (keeping positive answers), or multiply the two cards to see who wins. The winner takes all 4 cards, and you play again just like the traditional card game of war. Whoever has the most cards at the end wins!
How to Help Your Child in Reading and Writing
Encourage your child's participation when you read aloud
Research shows that children who read at home with their parents do better in school. To make sure your child is an active part of the process, let her choose reading materials that interest her. Take turns reading aloud, and stop from time to time to discuss the reading. Ask your child for her reactions to the plot and the characters. Where does she think the story is going? Would she do what the main character did?
Break writing tasks down into easy steps
Your child likes math. But ask him to write and he freezes up. Many students have trouble putting their thoughts on paper. When your child has a report to write, help him start early. Have him make a list of everything he knows about the topic. Ask him to tell you what he'd like to say. When he writes a draft, have him put it aside for a day, then reread it and think about what he can do to make it better.
Counselors Corner
Welcome back to the New Year 2020!
Mrs. Mahoney has been busy visiting classrooms to teach lessons and working with students one on one.
This month and next month we will begin talking about safety and begin Erin's Law lessons.
As always, feel free to contact your child's school counselor with any questions or concerns about your child. We will be glad to help in any way we can!
5K, 1st, and 2nd graders- Mrs. Hill - 803-821-2510
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders- Mrs. Mahoney - 803-821-2598
Coca Cola Bottle Caps
Yearbooks
FPES School Yearbooks
FPES School Yearbooks go on sale December 3. Order forms will be sent home on Tuesday, December 3. The deadline to place an order is February 28.
The cost is $20.00. If you would like to add the student's name on the cover, the cost is $25.00. You can pay by check or cash.
Please make checks payable to Forts Pond Elementary School.
If you would like to pay with a debit/credit card, you can order the school yearbook online. Order online at www.strawbridge.net and use Online Code YB108936.
Daily Parent Engagement Tips
Emphasize progress, not perfection
Some children can be very hard on themselves. They feel like failures if they aren't the "best." To ward off this perfectionism, set reasonable goals for your child and relax about normal mistakes. And don't brush off her self-criticism. Instead, discuss it. Remind her that no one can be perfect. Point out her strengths, and teach her to use affirmative self-talk, such as "I'm proud of how hard I tried."
Improve poor study habits in 15 minutes a day
Often, children with poor study habits don't change their habits because they don't believe that a little extra effort can go a long way. To convince your child, try having him study one subject for 15 minutes longer than usual each day. He might use the time to work on difficult math problems or make up a sample test, for example. Then watch how this small extra effort affects his grades in that subject.
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ashley Leaphart at Fortspondpto@gmail.com.
Mallard Mingle
January 17 at 7:00 A.M. - 7:35 A.M.
Please join us with your child/children at our Mallard Mingle meeting. We invite any mom, grandmother, aunt, or any other significant female in your child's life to come with your child/children for a light breakfast and a themed discussion and activity together. Although short in length, the time is special and will make your child's day start with pride.
For further information, please contact Mrs. Hill at chill@lexington1.net or Mrs. Mahoney at gmahoney@lexington1.net
All Pro Dads
January 31 at 7:00 A.M. - 7:35 A.M.
This is an open invitation to dads, grandfathers, uncles, or any other significant male who may be part of your child's life. Come enjoy a light breakfast and enjoy some "special moment" time as we strive to grow in the time we spend with our children.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. McDermet at 821-2500. You may also reach him by email at mmcdermet@lexington1.net.
Title I Parent Engagement
If you are unable to attend, but have suggestions, please email or call Michelle Smith.
(803)821-2500
News From Food Services
Would you like to make online payments to your child's meal account? Go to www.k12paymentcenter.com.
Charges:
Students cannot charge more than $10.
Students with outstanding balances cannot purchase special sale items.
If students have a negative $10 meal balance, an alternate meal will be served.
Costs
Breakfast: Free to all FPES students
Lunch: $3.00
A Glance at February Dates
4 District Board Meeting 7:30 P.M.
13 5K and 1st Grade Music Performance 6:30 P.M.
14 No School for Students
17 All staff and students report to school
20 Spring Pictures - Class and Individual Poses
PTO Skate Night 6:00-8:00
21 Mallard Mingle 7:00 A.M.
28 All Pro Dads 7:30 A.M.
PTO NEWS
Join PTO for BINGO Night on Thursday, January 16. The cafeteria will open at 6:30.
Free to play for FPES families.
Concessions will be available for purchase.
The mother/son event scheduled for January 31st is reschedule for a later date. This event will take place in March.
We would like to thank all of the Santa Shop volunteers. Thanks to your help, the children loved shopping for their families and friends.
Follow FPES PTO on Facebook Forts Pond Elementary PTO
You may contact the PTO by email. fortspondpto@gmail.com
Thank You Radius Church
Box Tops
Once you download the app, you will have to register.
You may also continue to send in the old box tops.
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
Revised 09-04-2018
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 who to contact and how to contact them, please go to our website at http://www.lexington1.net/contact-us.