The Parrots' Nest

The South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY) is a statewide assessment program in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics administered to students in grades 3–8 over a period of three days (two days for ELA and one day for mathematics).

Pontiac Elementary will test on the following dates:

May 18 - ELA

May 19 - ELA

May 20 - Math

The South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) is a statewide assessment in science administered to students in Grades 4 and 6 in a single day. Students in 4th grade will take this assessment on May 25.

SC READY and SCPASS assessments must be administered in-person, at school. There is no option to take these tests from home, because they were not designed to be administered in that manner. Providing a safe environment for in-person testing will be a top priority for our schools and the district, as testing serves a critical role in informing our instructional practices and can be beneficial to students as well. Various programs across the district use SC READY and SCPASS scores, along with other criteria, as part of their selection process. Additionally, students with exceptional scores on SC READY may qualify for Gifted and Talented programs.

While we encourage all of our students to take the assessments we do recognize the unprecedented nature of this school year and that some of our families are uncomfortable having their students come to school to take state-mandated assessments. In a March 29 press release, State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman noted as much, stating “While we encourage all students to participate, we are relying on and empowering families to make the best decision for their child when it comes to end-of-the-year tests. If a family determines that it is unsafe for a student to attend school for the sole purpose of taking a test, we will not penalize them, their teacher, or their school.”

Specific test dates and information about bus transportation for eLearners will be communicated soon. If you have any questions about state assessments please contact our school and ask to speak with our School Testing Coordinator, Mr. Jessie Williams.

Annual Registration is the online process that includes providing proof of residence, verifying student information, and reviewing and completing parent/guardian forms. To prevent delays in scheduling your child’s classes for the coming school year, please complete this process as soon as Annual Registration opens.

Put your favorite teacher on a billboard! Lamar Advertising is accepting submissions April 20 - May 6th if you want to see your fave teacher featured for Teacher Appreciation Week! (Week of May 3rd)

Go to LamarLovesTeachers.com & complete a submission form!

Be Proactive

To be proactive means to take responsibility for your choices and behaviors. Habit 1 emphasizes being responsible for your actions and taking initiative for the things you do. Being proactive means taking charge of your life. That’s why it’s number 1! For young children this habit helps to understand that for each choice they make yields different results. The goal for students is to be able to think about these results before they decide what to do. At home, you can take time to discuss ways that students can take care of themselves, take care of their things, planning ahead and thinking about the right thing to do.

We are asking families to send in items for our staff tailgate on Friday afternoon, May 7th.

Montessori: desserts (individually packaged if possible)

K-2: sodas

3-5: waters

Our yearbook planning committee is hard at working designing a yearbook to commemorate this unprecedented school year. This year, a DIGITAL copy of our yearbook will be provided for free to all Pontiac students. Printed copies will also be available to purchase if you choose. Look for more details next week on pricing and how to order.

Also, tomorrow is the deadline for students to submit covers for the Yearbook Cover Contest. Please see click flyer below for more information.

Please notify Nurse Larck if your child is on quarantine, isolation or a close contact for COVID-19. This applies to our elearning students as well.

Remember to wash your hands, wear a mask, and socially distance.

April 29 - CiCi's Pizza Night 5:00 pm

April 30 - College Colors Day

April 30 - Early Dismissal at 11:30 am

May 3 - Start of Teacher Appreciation Week

May 6 - Virtual PTO Meeting 6:30 pm

May 7 - Early Dismissal at 11:30 am

May 14 - High Five Friday

May 14 - Early Dismissal at 11:30 am

May 18 - SC Ready Testing

May 19 - SC Ready Testing

May 20 - SC Ready Testing

May 21 - Early Dismissal at 11:30 am

May 24 - Military Monday

May 25 - SC Pass Testing for 4th Graders

May 27 - SIC Virtual Meeting 7:45 am

May 28 - College Colors Day

May 28 - Early Dismissal at 11:30 am

May 31 - Memorial Day - No School

June 4 -Early Dismissal at 11:30 am

June 7 - Field Day during Global

June 8 - Field Day during Global

June 9 -Field Day during Global

June 10 - Early Dismissal at 11:30 am

June 11 - Last Day of School

June 11 - Early Dismissal at 11:30 am

Please be sure to follow us on our social media platforms for up to date information as well as a glimpse into our school! We are so excited to welcome your family to our school family!

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