The Parrots' Nest

Dear Parents,

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure that your child gets the best possible educational experiences given our current state of affairs. We have gotten several calls from you all expressing your frustration with the MAP testing platform and the questions that were asked. MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive test. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This type of assessment challenges top performers without overwhelming students whose skills are below grade level. Schools all over SC were mandated to administer this type of assessment within the first 10 days of school by our General Assembly in an effort to do a statewide self-check on the educational status of our students following the sudden school closure caused by COVID-19. Please understand that the scores derived from this test during the Fall administration will not negatively reflect on your child, it will only be used to help our excellent teaching staff differentiate their instruction to meet your child's academic needs. Thank you again and please stay safe!

My contact information is below should you have any specific questions about MAP testing or any of the norm referenced testing that our students take.

Educationally Yours,

Mr. Williams

TEAM PONTIAC

jwilliams@richland2.org (Email)

803-699-2700 ext. 81002 (Office)

803-834-0064 (Mobile)

Pontiac SIC held our first 2020-2021 school year meeting this morning. We were excited to have approximately 15 people in attendance. We recorded the meeting this morning and have linked it here if you would like to go back and watch. You are also welcome to view our agenda from the meeting this morning here.

We begin each year with nominating and electing officers to serve a two year term. Please click here to access the Google form that will be used to nominate parents to the elected positions of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. Nominations will close on September 30, 2020.

We hope that you can join us in our next virtual meeting on October 15th from 7:45am-8:30am.

Parents,

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be assessed a non-refundable $20 technology insurance fee to cover the cost of device repairs.

The technology fee plan provides 100% repair cost coverage for the first instance of accidental damage to the student’s school-assigned computing device. The plan also covers the cost of device replacement in the event of theft, provided a police report is filed. The cost of repeat instances of device damage will be assessed according to the full cost of repair.

The deadline to pay the $20 technology insurance fee is October 15th for students who are currently enrolled. Students who enrolled after September 16th will have 30 days after the first day of enrollment in Richland School District Two to pay the $20 insurance fee.

Any family experiencing financial hardships can request a reduction or waiver of the technology insurance fee to Dr. Barber, our school principal, prior to the due date. After 30 days, the technology insurance fee will be removed from students' fees and 100% of damage costs, even in cases of accidental damage as well as a first occurrence, will be the responsibility of parents/guardians.

The 2020–2021 Student/Parent Handbook is available on the district’s website at

www.richland2.org/studenthandbook or by clicking the link below. If you are not able to access the online version, please request a printed copy by calling the Communications Office at 803-738-3306 or sending an email to info@richland2.org. Please be sure to provide your name and mailing address.

Students are expected to attend "live" class sessions using Google Meet. Attendance is taken daily, just as it is when we are in the brick and mortar setting. Students who attend "live" class sessions will be coded as present. If a student does not attend a "live" class session, he/she will be coded as absent.

When a student is not able to attend a "live" class session, he/she should watch the recorded lesson and submit the Daily Participation Assignment (DPA). The student's absence will then be changed to present. The student will also be responsible for completing and submitting any make-up work.

Teachers explained this DPA in detail during our Back to School virtual sessions. If you need further explanation about this process, please ask your child's teacher.

If your child does not attend elearning classes on a specific date, please be sure to email an excuse to our attendance secretary, Mrs. Janice Watson at jawatson@richland2.org.

It’s very important that families who qualify for free and reduced price meals apply for this status as soon as possible. To find out more about the process please click here to read the parent letter that answers a lot of questions including who qualifies for free or reduced-price meals. The quickest and easiest way to submit an application for free or reduced-price meals is to use the online application. Click the link here to start the application.

As a reminder, families have to apply every year. That means students who attended schools in Richland Two in 2019-2020 and received free/reduced price meals MUST complete a new application for eligibility of extended benefits each school year. If you do not reapply, all meal prices will automatically change to full price.

If you do not have access to the online application form, you can submit a paper form. To turn in a paper application, you may

• FAX your completed application to 803-419-5839 OR
• RETURN your completed application to your child's school cafe manager OR
• MAIL your application to Richland School District Two Food & Nutrition Services, 124 Risdon Way, Columbia, SC 29223.

Website: https://www.richland2.org/pe/
Location: 500 Spears Creek Church Road, Elgin, SC, USA
Phone: 803 699-2700
Facebook: facebook.com/Pontiac
Twitter: @Pontiac

September 25 - College Colors Day

September 28 - Military Monday

October 1 - PTO Meeting 6:30 pm (Link will be provided for this virtual meeting)

October 9 - No School

October 15 - SIC Meeting 7:45 am (Link will be provided for this virtual meeting)