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The Wolves' Den
Parent Edition April 21, 2024 -Sem.2 Qtr. 4 Issue 3
Welcome to the Academy for Success
We are glad that you are here!! If you were with us during the first semester, welcome back! If you are a new student, we look forward to working with you and your family!
Welcome to the WOLVES' Den where our students are Working On Learning a Variety of Essential Skills! We look forward to working with each family to provide a supportive safety net for our students. Each week, we will send out a newsletter to share updates for The Academy.
Every Wednesday, unless noted by the district, will be a late start day. Classes will begin at 9:20am. Students can arrive on campus at 8:50am. If your child is a bus rider, their bus will allow an hour later than the normal school days. We will dismiss at the same time, 3:25pm.
At dismissal, car riders and drivers will not be dismissed until our buses have loaded and are leaving campus. This will prevent parents from driving around the buses during loading and exiting campus. As a reminder, all student drivers MUST complete and submit a copy of their Aliveat25 completion certificate. If they drive on campus without an AFS parking permit, their car is subjected to be towed at the owner's expense.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Brand @ pbrand@lexrich5.org or Mr. Paul @ jpaul@lexrich5.org or (803) 575-5300.
Gavin's Law
Gavin's Law (H.3583) is legislation that makes sexual extortion, the act of blackmailing someone using sexually explicit images or videos, a felony offense and an aggravated felony if the victim is a minor, vulnerable adult, or if the victim suffers bodily injury or death directly related to the crime.
The bill reads in part, "Local school districts shall collaborate with the State Department of Education, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Attorney General’s office, as appropriate, to implement a policy to educate and notify students of the provisions of this act which includes adequate notice to students, parents or guardians, the public, and school personnel of the change in law. The State Department of Education must file a report as to the status of the adoption and implementation of the education policies under this act to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, annually by July first of each year."
In November 2023, the School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties Board of Trustees approved new Board Policy JICFB, “Gavin’s Law Implementation.” Families may find additional information regarding Gavin’s Law on School District Five’s website.
Be Pro Be Proud SC
Be Pro Be Proud SC trailer made a pit stop at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies for our The Wolfpack. It gave our students an opportunity to see and test out through virtual reality some of the high-paying skilled and technical positions available in the workforce.
The semi trailer is loaded with hands-on simulators of a variety of skilled trades including welding, truck driving, heavy equipment operation, diesel technician, and lineman.
Be Pro Be Proud SC is a workforce development project designed to close the skills-gap in South Carolina. The program takes a unique, targeted approach to remove the stigma from “blue-collar” jobs with the goal of educating students and the public on the appeal and the importance of these jobs for our economy. Special shout-out to Mrs. Jacobs who was able to organize and facilitate the field study opportunity for students at AFS and the Center for Advanced Technical Studies.
Parent Support
Teacher Appreciation is approaching! It is recognized May 6-10, 2024. Being that we do not have a PTA, several faith based organizations and community partners provide tokens of appreciation throughout the week. This is where I need your support. If you are able to donate an hour of time to allow our teacher to have a duty free lunch, it would be greatly appreciated. Please see the sign up form for dates and times. THANK YOU in advance.
Clothing with hoods are not allowed to be worn during the school day.
Our students are getting acclimated to the learning environment at AFS. We know that it is an adjustment, but this is where we need your support.
- We have several students who are still wearing hoodies/jackets with hoods. As a reminder, we do not allow students to wear these items during the school day. If they want to keep the outerwear on for the entire day, it needs to be a white, gray, navy blue, or black jacket or sweatshirt without a hood.
- We have some students who are displaying challenging behavior by being disrespect to their teachers and walking out of class. Please speak with your student and tell them that we are here to support them. If they are having difficulties in class, please have your student email or speak with administration, our counselor, social worker, or psychologist on how to work through their challenges.
Seat Time Recovery
If you have questions about your child's absences, please email your child's teacher or call Mrs. Davenport, our attendance secretary at 803-575-5300.
Tutoring Opportunities
As we continue to provide intentional academic support, AFS is sponsoring tutoring on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00. Mrs. Chapman, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Gibson, and Ms. Oxner-West have committed to supporting your child, whether high school or middle school, with academic coaching in ALL content areas. Parents will need to provide transportation and pick up their student at 5:00. I am asking you to be here by 4:45, so that our teachers can leave as soon as your child's session is complete.
If your child needs additional academic coaching or make up missing assignments or tests, all of our teachers are offering office hours. Students can stay after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 with their teacher. You will need to email the teacher with a 24 hour notification so that they are prepared. The information needed to contact the teachers is found in the link below.
Please contact Mrs. Brand or Mr. Paul if you have any questions.
Attendance Reminder
Our school day begins at 8:15am for high school and 8:20am for middle school. Students will be marked tardy if they arrive after that time. Students will sign themselves in through the front office.
Students need to be signed out for early dismissal by someone on their approved list. Anyone signing out a student for dismissal must provide a photo ID.
There will be NO early dismissal after 3:10 PM.
Please remember to provide documentation for your student's absences within 3 days of their return. This can be a parent's note or a doctor's excuse. You may upload any excuses to the Google Attendance Form link that's below this message.
Per District Policy, parent notes for illness can only be accepted within the first ten absences. If your student has over ten absences, it must be either pre-approved by the Principal or a doctor's note must be provided in order for the absence to be excused.
Report an Absence, Late Arrival, Early Dismissal
School Issued IDs
Parents and Guardians,
It is very important that your student wear their ID appropriately each school day. If the student does not have an ID, they can purchase a temporary ID for $1. If the student has lost or misplaced their permanent ID, a replacement ID can be purchased for $5.
We are unable to accept checks, debit cards or credit cards. Please send cash with your student to make a purchase of a temporary ID or replacement permanent ID.
1st infraction: Warning and item issued at no cost
2nd infraction: Warning and item issued at no cost
3rd infraction: MBI ($1 fine)
4th-5th infraction: MBI (Lunch Detention and $1 fine)
6th infraction: MBI (Lunch Detention and $1 fine)
7th infraction: Referral (1 hour After School Detention and $1 fine)
8th infraction: Permanent ID issued ($5 charge)
School Health Room Updates
Parents please be mindful of the following important information:
All prescription medication to be given at school needs an order from the
medical provider.
All over the counter medication needs to have a parent consent on file and
medication supplied by the parent.
Students are not allowed to carry medication in book bags unless they
have a signed order to self medicate for diagnosis of diabetes, severe
allergies and asthma. All other medication needs to be kept in the health
room.
Students who need medical accommodations such as use of the elevator,
extra time between classes, or frequent bathroom breaks due to a medical
problem, must have a note from the medical provider given to the nurse.
Only injuries that have occurred in school on the same day will be treated
by the school nurse. Old injuries should be treated at home by parents.
All immunization records that are updated need to be turned into the nurse
as soon as you get a copy. Current immunization requirements for school
can be found on www.dhec.sc.gov/health/vaccinations
Please ensure that your student eats a good breakfast daily and keeps
hydrated, this helps them to have a good healthy day at school!
A Parent's Guide to Emergency Communications
Dress Code
Friendly Procedural Reminders
- Students may enter the building at the main office entrance at 7:50am.
- When dropping your child off, please do not make a U-turn in front of the building. You should drive around the parking lot and drop them off at the main office.
- Student can wear a mask if they choose to do so. If a student needs a mask, they may get one at the front office. Masks should cover both the nose and mouth.
- IDs should be visible around the students' neck.
- The bell will ring at 8:15am for the school day to begin.
- No cell phones should be visible during instruction. Students should not use their phones after 8:20. If they need to make a call, they should receive a pass to the front office.
- 10:10 rule: No student movement during the first and last 10 minutes of the class block..
- No movement during 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th blocks for high school and 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th blocks for middle school.
- Dress code with IDs: Shirts should be tucked in, pants should not sag, and ID required around the students neck at all times. Hoodies are not allowed. Sweatshirts should not have an emblem larger than the size of a quarter.
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday, April 22nd-26th
- 5th period Advisory for DEN TIME
Tuesday, April 23, 2024-Bus Driver Appreciation Day-Show your bus drivers some love with a thank you note/card, gift card, flower, etc.
- Writing Field Test for MS and 10th graders
Wednesday, April 24, 2024-Administrative Professionals Day-Show Mrs. DeYoung and Davenport some love with a thank you note/card, gift card, etc.
- Late Start Day
- Students report at 8:50 and classes being at 9:20
Connect with us!
Email: pbrand@lexrich5.org
Website: https://www.lexrich5.org/afs
Location: 11629 Broad River Road, Chapin, SC 29036, USA
Phone: (803) 575-5300