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The Parrots' Nest

December 10, 2020

The Parrots'NestDecember 10, 2020

A Message from Mrs. Savage - Assistant Principal

Hello Pontiac Families,


We have just completed another change in learning model at Pontiac. We currently have approximately 52% of our students learning in community classrooms and about 48% learning in a virtual setting. We continue to make safety a priority for those students who are with us in the building. If you have any questions regarding our safety procedures or precautions please let me know. Also, if you would like to change your child’s learning model please complete the Learning Model Change Form and return it by January 21st.


Student work completion is this year’s Wildly Important Goal. Please help support this goal by communicating with your child’s teacher, signing up for the Guardian Report in Google Classroom, and checking on your child’s assignments. Remember, just because they hit submit doesn’t guarantee that they completed the assignment to the best of their ability.


Next week is our monthly SIC meeting. We’ll meet virtually on Thursday, December, 17th at 7:45 am. The google meet link is https://meet.google.com/cdj-qnpr-pxe?authuser=0. We’ll take a closer look at our learning model data and begin to talk about our 50 Readers in 50 States initiative. We hope to see you all there!


Thank you all for the support that you continue to provide for our students at Pontiac!
Is your student an elearner? Watch this VIDEO!
This video provides a detailed description of how our elearning checkout curbside system works! We want to get books in your child's hands!

A Message about our Crossing Guard

Mr. John Gray is our traffic guard that helps us with car riders each morning and afternoon.

Our generous PTO is providing a small gift of appreciation to him. COVID makes it difficult. Technology helps us provide our parents with a means to say THANK YOU to him for keeping our children safe each day! Simply click on this LINK: https://flipgrid.com/74f2c0ff


Record a video. We will provide him with the link to watch each video. Encourage your child to join you in saying THANK YOU!

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A Message from our School Principal, Dr. Katie Barber:

What I realize is that you, as parents, often decide within a matter of seconds whether to skim, respond to, or put aside the newsletter we create each week.


What if our newsletters were as much about a call to action as they are about disseminating information? Read on for three simple ways to shift our newsletter paradigm from simply informing families to engaging you in our school efforts?


  1. Did you know that our School Improvement Council is launching a reading initiative in January to engage our community?


50 Readers from 50 States! Literacy + Geography = WIN WIN!


Complete this form if you have a friend or family member from another state that is

willing to read to our students on our news show!


2. Join our SIC and PTO meetings, virtually! This year, as a result of COVID, we have held all of our parent meetings using Google Meet. We have had so much more success with parent participation using this format! Please consider joining us at our next monthly meetings!


3. Participate in our monthly family community nights! This month, we are excited that MOD Pizza is welcoming Pontiac and giving us a portion of the receipt sales from 11am -10pm on December 17! Please consider joining us for this spirit night to support our school!


Thank you for your engagement in our school family! Our Community and Family Action Team is on a mission to continue to seek ways to get our families more involved. Stay tuned for recognition of a PARENT OF THE MONTH coming soon! We appreciate each of you for your continued support!

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Health Room: IMPORTANT REMINDER

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


While gaiters are permitted, we encourage the use of facemasks. Please make sure gaiters and masks are properly fitted so that they stay on your childs face.


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

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State Museum Opportunity!

Each month the South Carolina State Museum holds a FREE virtual program called “Crafty Jammies” where they make a craft, read a story, and meet a storybook character before bedtime!


It's FUN and FREE! A win win for everyone!


FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/134944868153669/

Webpage: http://scmuseum.org/calendar/virtual-crafty-jammies-night/

For further questions, please contact Laura Kane: Laura.Kane@scmuseum.org

IS YOUR CHILD AN ELEARNER? It's time for SPRING PHOTOS
Use this link to sign up to schedule your child's CONTACTLESS photos and choose a package. Spring Photos for our elearners is scheduled for January 7 beginning at 3pm

REMINDER: Message from Assistant Principal Mr. Williams

Parents,

Thank you for practicing safety and ensuring that you send your children in good health and with the necessary protective gear such as the mask. I want to reiterate to parents that bring their children to school that we must follow certain procedures in order to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Please pay close attention to the procedures below.


  • In the mornings, please follow the blue line the entire length of the car rider line. I know at times there may appear that no one else is coming, but often times there is someone who has followed the blue line and is on the way back. When you do not follow the blue line and cut in the line or turn around at unauthorized spots along the way, you disrupt the flow of the line or potentially could cause an accident.


  • Please do not turn around in the parking lot by the cafeteria. Teachers exit their cars in that location to go into the building, and therefore, we do not want to turn that into a part of the car rider line for this safety reason.


  • Please do not turn around by the loading dock. Delivery trucks come there and as stated before you will disrupt the flow of the car rider line and potentially could cause an accident.


  • If an administrator or faculty member on duty waves you forward, please follow their directives. This ensures we can get all students into the building quickly and safely.


  • Remember your child is watching you and they follow your example, please set a good one by following the car rider line procedures. Thank you!

Morning Drop Off Procedures
Please watch this video for reminders of our morning drop off procedures.
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RICHLAND TWO AND RICHLAND LIBRARY PARTNER TO GIVE STUDENTS LIBRARY CARDS

Richland Library and Richland Two have partnered to provide a library card for every student in the district. This project is part of the nationwide initiative: Leaders Library Card Challenge.



  • Teachers who live in Richland County and/or work in a Richland County school can apply for a free Education card. Contact Richland Library to learn more.


  • For any questions about the ConnectED program and these library accounts, contact Richland Library by phone: 803.799.9084 or by email: Ask a Librarian.
PARENT ELEARNING SUPPORT SITE
This website is designed for parents to help them with the technology tools used for eLearning in Richland School District Two. We invite you to bookmark this page for easier access to the tutorials.

Upcoming Dates

December 11 - Early Dismissal 11:30 am

December 14 - Military Monday

December 17 - Virtual SIC Meeting 7:45 am

December 17 - MOD Pizza Day 11:00 am until 10:00 pm

December 18 - College Colors Day

December 18 - Covey Clubs 8:30 am

December 18 - Early Dismissal 11:30 am

December 21 and 22: District desginated elearning instructional days

December 23 - Winter Break Begins

January 4 - Students Return

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Pontiac Information

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