Parents,

Have you ever wondered exactly what your child will learn in English Language Arts and Mathematics? In educational terms, state standards are learning goals for what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade level. Through standards based instruction in the classroom, teachers are able to assess and grade students based on mastery of content knowledge in each subject area. The South Carolina State Standards were designed to equip students with 21st century skills such as critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration. Research has shown these are the skills necessary as students prepare for college and careers after graduation. State standards enable parents to participate more actively in parent/teacher conferences. Also, having knowledge of the academic standards helps parents understand more about what their child is learning and what they can do at each grade level. To access a parent friendly version of the state standards, please visit http://www.scfriendlystandards.org. In addition, the website provides learning activities to reinforce learning as well as book titles that are age appropriate. Your child’s education requires a partnership between home and school. Parents are a huge part of children’s success in school. We thank you for your continued support as we complete the second half of the 2016-2017 school year.

Important Dates

2/16 SIC Meeting 7:45am

2/17 Early dismissal @ 11:30am

2/23 Schoolwide Literacy Night 6pm

February Lunch Menu

https://goo.gl/57xKt8

Dear Parents,

Richland County is experiencing a rise in seasonal influenza (flu) cases. Flu is different from the common cold. It can cause fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and vomiting. Flu can be very serious in some people with chronic health conditions, young children, pregnant women, or elderly persons.

Flu spreads between people when those sick with the flu cough, sneeze, or even talk. The flu virus can be spread to people up to six feet away. Flu can also spread when people touch their faces or eyes after touching something that a sick person has touched.

Please do not send your child to school if they have a fever. Early symptoms of the flu include a cough or sore throat with a fever greater than 100 degrees F. Children need to remain at home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the benefit of fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Other ways to prevent spreading the flu:

· Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and dry hands with a paper towel.

· Place paper towels for use next to all sinks instead of cloth hand towels.

· Keep your children home from school if they have a cough or sore throat and a temperature greater than 100 degrees F.

· Cough or sneeze into a tissue, or into your upper sleeve or elbow, rather than your hands

· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

More information about the flu is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and DHEC websites:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

http://www.dhec.sc.gov/flu/

If you think that your child has an illness that can be spread to others, please keep him or her home from school or childcare. Contact your health care provider or clinic.

The School and Childcare Exclusion List was updated January 31, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

When should sick children stay home from school or childcare?

If your child feels too sick to go to school or childcare, or has one of the illnesses on this form, please keep your child home.

Does my child need to stay home when the child just has a cold?

Most children with mild colds who have no fever and who feel well enough to go to school or childcare do not need to stay home. Most colds spread in the 1-3 days before children show symptoms such as a runny nose or minor cough.

Does my child need to be out of school or childcare if the child has pinkeye?

It is helpful to think of pinkeye like the common cold. It can be spread to others, but it usually clears up without medicine. The best way to keep a child from spreading pinkeye is to encourage good hand washing. If your child has pinkeye and a fever or severe eye pain, take him or her to see a doctor.

How long will my child need to stay home if the child is sick?

The inside of this brochure explains how long children should stay home after they become sick with certain illnesses.

When would my child have to stay out of school or childcare if the child was not sick?

Sometimes children will also have to stay home from school or childcare if they are exposed to some diseases that are preventable by vaccines. Your school, childcare center or local health department will discuss the amount of time with you.

If my child was excluded, what does my child need to come back to school or childcare?

The list inside this brochure shows whether a medical note or parent note is required for your child to return to school or childcare after being absent for an illness.

What illness might keep my child from participating in other activities?

Children with illnesses spread by close contact, like lice, scabies, shingles, staph or strep skin infections may not be allowed to participate in some sports or physical education (PE) activities. Children with mononucleosis (Mono) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) may be told not to participate in PE or sports in order to avoid injuries. Children with diarrhea should not participate in water activities like swimming, splash pads, or water tables until two weeks after diarrhea stops.