Pontiac School News

Parents,

Please see the attached flyer to find out how you can support this Pontiac student leader! She learned about a need in our community and wants to help others! This is our goal at Pontiac - to develop and embrace student leadership!

Won't you consider helping Maya with this service project?

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

Another agenda item our School Improvement Council has worked on is improving our practices and procedures to ensure all students are valued and honored. This has included reconsidering our edible treats in school, particularly birthday treats. Please read a draft of a recent revision that the SIC has voted to approve. Please note - below is a DRAFT. We will have a 2nd reading and welcome additional stakeholder input on this DRAFT at our January 25th meeting. Our meetings begin at 7:45am and your input is appreciated. If approved, this practice will go into effect in August 2018. Thank you for your consideration on a very important practice in our school. The revision is:

As parents know, dietary restrictions are becoming more common, particularly those allergies that are related to peanut butter. It is our intent, through such a practice, to honor all students and include everyone when celebrating birthdays rather than excluding them as a result of their dietary restrictions. By refraining from allowing edible treats at Pontiac, we allow for inclusive practices to evolve around our school and honor all students. Again, this is a DRAFT and all stakeholder input is welcomed. Please join us on January 25 if you have suggestions for the school to consider around this practice.

January 18~ K-2 Student Showcase 6:00-7pm

January 19~End of Second Nine Weeks

January 19~ 1/2 Day for Students/Dismissal 11:30

January 25~ Report Cards Issued

January 26~College Colors Day

January 26~Choice Application Online Ends

January 29~Military Monday

February 1~ Box Top Collection Begins

February 2~100th Day of School

Visit our Website: http://cmsweb1.richland2.org/PE/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pontiacelementary

Follow our Blog: http://pontiacpress.blogspot.com/

Twitter @PontiacElem Phone 803-699-2700

Address

500 Spears Creek Church Rd.

Elgin, SC 29045

Principal Dr. Katie Barber

Assistant Principals Mrs. Jennifer Gillespie and Mr. Taurean Robinson