November 17, 2020

Virtual school has certainly been an adventure. Here is some of the recent news just for you...

Meals have been available for virtual students since the beginning of school. There are pick up points across the county. You can go to any of them. Find more information here.

November 23, 24 and 25th you will be able to come by and pick up a packet of all your students' 2nd quarter printed materials. It will be in the bus loop from 8:00-1:30 on tables for self serve.

December 3rd is picture day. Please come between 8:00 -11:30 am. These pictures will go in the yearbook so we encourage you to participate.

All virtual students in grade K-2 will be asked to come to school to do winter testing. A virtual teacher will be contacting you to schedule that in early December. 3rd grade students who fall under the Read to Succeed plan will also need to test at school.

December 1 a plan will be released by the district to plan for next semester. If you are interested in your child returning to school, be on the look out because the window will only be one week long. A lot of planning goes in to staffing and scheduling.

When making decisions I would like to share what school looks like. First of all, our children are happy and feel safe. They are enjoying smaller class sizes. We are not sure how much longer that will last, but it's been one positive. Our students and teachers wear masks. Students have been very resilient. Horry County Schools is in the process of installing plexiglass barriers around student desks and at small group tables so we can get a little closer in the classrooms. Our custodians clean throughout the day. We have two sanitizing wands used in all classrooms daily. Teachers clean the small group tables and chairs with disinfectant wipes between groups. Students eat lunch in their classrooms and really like it. The point is that we are providing a safe environment.

For those of you committed to virtual school for the remainder of the year, it is very important that your students continue to be online for a minimum of 150 minutes weekly to get attendance credit. More than that, encourage your children to read. Read to your children. Expect your students to get on Google Meet so they are connected socially.

Our counselors would like to see how much interest there is for counseling groups with students and parents. Please share feedback with them here in this survey. You can also visit their page at Pee Dee Counseling and Family Support

The link below is a short cut to recent Covid 19 data for our area if you would like to keep up.

I know it is difficult to be separated from the school community. Please reach out to use with any questions or concerns you have and we will do our best to assist you.

Blessings and Good Health,

Chris Plowman

Principal

PS- On a happy note, we will be able to offer your children the opportunity to visit the Christmas Shop online at the Penguin Patch! The gift of giving is such a great experience for children.

The vision of Pee Dee Elementary is to be a school where respectful relationships and a growth mindset allow us to Encourage, Educate and Empower Every One Every day.