Paws for News

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones. As we move into 2025, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each of you for a year filled with health, happiness, and success.

We are incredibly excited to welcome our students back for the 2nd semester. The first half of the school year was filled with growth and accomplishments, and we are eager to build on that momentum. This month, we have a variety of exciting events and activities planned, from academic challenges like "10 for the WIN!" to celebrations such as our 2nd Annual Growth Parade, all designed to support and inspire our students.

Car Line Walkers: As students return on January 7, we are adopting new procedures for students who are walkers during car rider pickup that will support the safety of our students, staff, and families. If you choose to park in the front parking lot and have your child walk across to you, please note that we will be calling for these student walkers twice - once at the start of dismissal and then once again as the car line comes to a close. As we began experiencing an increase in car line walkers as well as cars driving the wrong way into the exit driveway (and some very close calls on potential accidents), we are making this adjustment for safety purposes. We always encourage you to join the car rider line; however, if you have a child that has extensive buckling or other needs and prefer to park instead of pulling up around the curve, we want to keep the walker option available to you. We are also asking that all adults remain on the sidewalk and allow staff to direct students across unless otherwise requested. Thank you for your help in keeping our car rider dismissal safe and efficient!

Thank you for your ongoing partnership. We are so grateful to have your support. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you all a fantastic start to the new year!

Megan Hoyt, Principal

Friday January 17 is our Growth Parade which will celebrate the individual growth of ALL of our students! Each child will participate in the parade and celebrate something that he/she has accomplished so far this school year that makes them proud!

We would also LOVE for you to attend the parade on Friday! Please bring your ID to check in and arrive early if you can as we are expecting a great turnout. You are welcome to bring pompoms or signs of your own to cheer our students on! Our only request is that you stay for the entire parade (2 parts, about 20 minutes total) so that all students have the opportunity to shine! Thank you for your support.

• We need your help! Please help us preserve our playground area and new fencing by not allowing your children to play unsupervised. Our fence has already sustained damage in several areas due to climbing, pulling up at the bottom, etc. We are also experiencing graffiti damage.
• Car Rider Pick-Up: Please ensure your car rider pick-up tag is prominently displayed to help us with an efficient and safe dismissal.
• All early dismissals and transportation changes must occur before 1:45 pm.

Third grade is a critical year for our students as they transition from learning to read to reading to learn. We are committed to supporting your child’s reading development and helping them succeed. Below are key details about the Read to Succeed Act and how it impacts third-grade reading expectations.

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Why Third Grade Reading Matters

Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is essential for your child’s academic success. At this stage, students use reading skills to learn other subjects like math, science, and social studies. Developing fluency and comprehension now lays the foundation for future learning and success.

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The Read to Succeed Act

The Read to Succeed Act ensures that all students gain the reading skills necessary for college, career, or military readiness. The law requires that third-grade students who do not demonstrate reading proficiency—scoring Does Not Meet Expectations on the SC Ready reading assessment—be retained for additional support.

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Good Cause Exemptions

Students who qualify for specific Good Cause Exemptions may still be promoted to fourth grade. These exemptions include:

· Limited English proficiency (fewer than two years of English instruction).

· Disabilities requiring alternative assessments or interventions (as outlined in their IEP).

· Receiving reading interventions for two years and previously being retained.

· Demonstrating reading proficiency on an approved alternative assessment.

Please contact your school if you believe your child may qualify for an exemption.

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Summer Reading Camp (SRC)

Students who do not meet the required reading level by the end of third grade will be invited to attend Summer Reading Camp. This program offers intensive, small-group instruction to help students strengthen their reading skills. Successful completion of the camp could lead to promotion to fourth grade.

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How We Support Your Child

We are committed to helping every student become a confident, independent reader through:

· Additional instructional time focused on literacy.

· Small-group and individualized reading interventions.

· Specialized teacher training provided by literacy coaches.

We also monitor progress regularly and communicate results to keep you informed.

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How You Can Help at Home

Your involvement is key to your child’s reading success. Here’s how you can help:

· Read Together Daily: Encourage your child to read aloud and ask questions like, “What happened in the story?” or “Why do you think that happened?”

· Communicate with Teachers: Stay in touch with your child’s teacher about their progress.

· Use School Resources: We’re here to provide tools and materials to support your child’s reading journey at home.

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By working together, we can make this year a success for your child. If you have questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.

Thank you for partnering with us to make third grade a year of growth and learning!

Did you know that starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, regular attendance is essential for students gaining the academic and social skills they need to thrive? Research shows that when students are chronically absent (missing 10% or more of the school year or 18 days over an entire school year), they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school, and graduate from high school.

• Socially: They are truly missed! Staff and fellow classmates notice when your child is not at school. We take a personal interest in the well-being of our students. We want them here so that they can learn the social skills, along with the academic skills, that lead to productive lives. Practicing those skills begins early.
• Academically: In the typical school day, a student receives between 90 and 120 minutes of language arts instruction, 60-75 minutes of math instruction, and 30-45 minutes of science and social studies instruction. Students miss out on discussion, collaboration with peers, and assistance from their teacher; all of which are so crucial for a deep understanding and application of skills. When they come back the next day, they have a gap in their learning and are not ready to move to the next step with their classmates.

Is there a time you should keep your child at home? Absolutely! When your child is sick, we certainly do not expect him/her to come to school. We also have a full-time nurse on staff. She will be able to help you if you have questions.

Your child will be the most successful when we work together. Please help us by insuring your child attends school regularly, and we will deliver the best possible instruction while he/she is here! Three things to keep in mind:

• Even if the absence is "excused," your child still missed the instruction.
• Even if the absence is "excused," the days count toward "chronic absenteeism".
• Chronic absenteeism is tracked by the state.

Understanding Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy. What's the Difference?

Chronic absenteeism is legally defined as "any students who misses 50% or more of the instructional day for any reason for 10% of the enrollment period." For elementary students, that equates to being absent for 18 days - whether excused or not - during the school year. Again, all absence types contribute to this number - excused, unexcused, suspensions, tardy arrivals, and early dismissals.

Another consideration with absences is whether they meet the threshold of truancy, which then becomes a legal matter. Truancy is defined as "a student between the ages of 6-17 who has accumulated 3 consecutive or a total of 5 or more unexcused/unlawful absences during the academic year. Continued unexcused absences after the truancy intervention process begins may result in referral to family court and/or the involvement of the Department of Social Services."

We understand that circumstances at times can be challenging. If you are in need of some assistance, please reach out. It is our desire to work with you and help you if you are in need. We have access to resources that may be able to provide support for you and your family.

We want and need your child at school each and every day!

Written Excuses for Absence

When your child must be absent, you have a maximum of 3 days to send an excuse. Excuses may be sent to the teacher, or you may click the button below for our convenient online form. Please note that per YSD 1 policy, excuses will no longer be accepted after the 3-days.

January 6

Staff Workday

Asynchronous E-Learning Day for Students

MAP Reading Fluency Window - January 7-31

January 7

10 for the Win! Exact Path challenge begins 🏆

January 9

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (Wear blue in support!) 👮

PTO Meeting at 5 pm in Media Center

January 14

School Board Meeting at 6:30 pm

January 15

Class Pictures 📸

Report Cards go home

January 17

Growth Parade at 1 pm 🎉

January 20

No School - MLK Day

January 21

$1 Pajamas Day

SIC Meeting at 5 pm in Media Center

ACCESS Testing Window - Jan 27-Feb 22

January 27

Field Trip: Multi-Level III Classes to Special Olympics

February is Black History Month

Week of February 3 - National School Counseling Week

Week of February 3 - 4K Parent Conferences and K-4 Read to Succeed Parent Conferences

February 3

No School - Teacher Workday

February 5

World Read Aloud Day 📚

February 6

PTO Meeting at 4:30 pm in Media Center

February 8

YSD1 Job Fair

SC Elementary Honors Choir - Columbia, SC 🎵

February 11

School Board Meeting at 6:30 pm

February 12

Interim Reports

February 13

Sweetheart Dance from 6-7 pm 💕

Gifted & Talented PTO Testing Window - Feb 18-Mar 15

February 18

SIC Meeting at 5 pm in Media Center

Week of February 24-28 - Intersession