Pontiac School News

January 25, 2018

Barber Bulletin

New Year’s Resolution: Family Mission Statements

Pontiac encourages each of our families to keep the Leader in Me conversation going by creating a Family Mission Statement. Our Pontiac leaders are very familiar with mission statements as each classroom has created their own mission statement. We will walk you through small steps for the next few months to help families through this journey. Having a family mission statement creates a bond between parents and children as they support each other and help each other grow. Your family’s sense of unity and purpose strengthens when every member knows that everyone is truly committed to each other’s success and growth. Creating a mission statement based on Habit 2 of the 7 Habits—Begin With the End in Mind—and the principles of commitment, purpose, and vision is as easy as counting to three! Start talking at the dinner table about the goals you have as a family. What do you hope to achieve together during this calendar year? Stay tuned next month to begin developing a Family Mission Statement!

NEWS FROM THE NURSE

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Flu season is among us and we are diligently working to prevent the flu from spreading throughout the school. In the event your child does have the flu, please contact the school nurse and your child’s teacher to notify them. Illnesses like colds and flu are spread from person to person via respiratory droplets. These droplets are spread by coughing, sneezing or by touching objects or people with contaminated hands. Do not send students to school until they are symptom free and fever free without the use of medicines for at least 24 hours.

The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

· Fever* or feeling feverish/chills *It is important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

· Cough

· Sore throat

· Runny or stuffy nose

· Muscle or body aches

· Headaches

· Fatigue (tiredness)

· Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Tips to share with your Children to keep them Healthy

1. Cover their mouth and nose when sneezing.

2. Keep their hands away from their eyes, nose, and mouth.

3. Clean their hands often

4. Remind them not to share cups, water bottles, or eating utensils.

5. Children should stay home when they are sick. They should also stay home (with or without fever) if they have symptoms which are obvious of illness, i.e. recent vomiting, cough, malaise, congestion. Sometimes it is difficult to decide in the morning whether a child is well enough to attend school. Call the school if you are in doubt

School Nurse Contact info: Jennifer Larck, RNjlarck@richland2.org (803)699-2700, Ext. 81011

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Cooking Contest

Parents,

The Richland Two Future Chefs Competition is March 14th from 4pm - 7pm. The event is for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. If your child is interested in submitting a recipe, have them pick up an application in our cafeteria. The theme this year is Healthy Asian Fusion. Recipes are due Friday, February 23rd.

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Help Needed

Volunteers are needed for the Daddy/Daughter "Enchanted Forest" Dance on Friday, February 9, 2018. Sign up to volunteer on the following sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YPp-TZORlzYfVyBvlMuY3R4_dfHEhdxBBsepJZAcQIw/edit?usp=sharing

Questions about volunteering? Contact Lisa Rayner lrayner@richland2.org

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

State law requires students in kindergarten through 12th grade to attend school a minimum of 170 of the school year 180 days to receive credit for the academic year.

Student can be absent for no more than 10 days per school year.
A note from a parent/guardian or certified medical practitioner must be submitted to the school immediately or within 5 days upon the return of the student. Failure to provide notes within 5 day time frame may result in an absence being considered as unverified.
Student with 10 or more absences must be approved by the school principal.
Student with 10 or more absences may result in non-promotion or noncredit in each course or grade.
At the high school level, attendance requirements are set for each course.

Verified Absence

Illness if attendance would endanger his/her health or the health of others.
- If student has an illness that causes him/her to be absent 5 or more days, you may make a request to apply for homebound instruction. You must have the proper form submitted from a medical practitioner.
Illness or death in the immediate family
A recognized religious holiday of the student’s faith
Medical or dental appointments; court appearances
Student’s participation in approved school-related activity
Class suspensions
An absence will only be counted as verified if a note (medical or parent) is turned in within 5 days of the absence

Unverified Absence

Absent from school without the knowledge of parent/guardian
Absent and does not meet the conditions listed above for verified absence

Procedures & Consequences

Parent/guardian will be notified of an accumulation of absences.
Parent/guardian will be notified when an Attendance Intervention Plan needs to be completed to determine how to improve future attendance.
A student is considered truant when he/she has 3 consecutive unverified absences or a total 5 unverified absences.
If truant, a petition may be sent to the Richland County Family Court where the parent and/or student may be placed on a court order.

https://www.richland2.org/Departments/Instructional-Support-Services/Learning-Support-Services/Attendance-Information