Fork Shoals eNews

A rich heritage of cultivating world-class learners!

Volume 13, Issue 24 January 19, 2025

Approaches to Learning

Teachers will send our IB Program Approaches to Learning feedback home on Wednesday of this week. A letter will be attached explaining more about these forms and what they mean. We want to share how students are progressing in the Approaches to Learning with our IB Program. Please take the time to review it with your child. Contact your child's teacher if you have any questions. A graphic with more information about the Approaches to Learning is below.

Class Pictures--January 21st

Class photos will be taken on Tuesday, January 21st. See the info below about ordering. The info image below also links to the ordering site.

Click on the picture to access the RSVP link.

Kids Heart Challenge in PE Classes

Dear Families,

Our Fork Shoals Kids Heart Challenge program is here! Over the next few weeks our students will be focusing on the importance of heart and vascular health. We need your help to accomplish our goal of having every student and family learn Hands-Only CPR and the warning signs of a stroke.

Please visit the website below to register your student for the Kids Heart Challenge. Our goal is to have all students registered online - We need your help to get there! Plus, you can help our school earn new PE equipment!

Here is the website to register:

−Sign Up Here: http://www2.heart.org/goto/ForkShoals

−Complete Finn’s Mission: Watch a 2-minute video to know Hands-Only CPR, spot the warning signs of a stroke, and more.

RSVP by clicking on the Graphic

PTA Page

Our PTA page on our website has forms to join PTA, volunteer sign up, Friends of Fork Shoals, and more!

Attendance

We have had questions about the district message that went out in Parent Backpack in regards to Chronic Absenteeism. Page 6 of the student handbook has a section about truancy with the information about compulsory attendance law for students to be in school at least 170 of the 180 day school year. Three consecutive unexused absences and five total unexcused absences are considered truant. In addition, the section gives further details that a parent may provide up to 10 parent notes excusing a student’s absence. However, in order for any subsequent absence related to an illness to be lawful it must be supported by a physician statement/medical note. Chronic absenteeism is missing beyond 10 days regardless of excused or unexcused absences.

Truancy (page 6 in Handbook)

Although the state requires students to only attend 170 of the 180-day school year, parents and students should be aware that SC Code of Regulations-Chapter 43-274 stipulates that a child ages 6 to 17 year is considered truant when the child has three consecutive unlawful absences or a total of five unlawful absences. For purposes of this section (truancy and compulsory attendance), a parent may provide up to 10 parent notes excusing a student’s absence, 5 parent notes in a 90-day course, and 3 parent notes in a 45-day course. However, in order for any subsequent absence related to an illness to be lawful it must be supported by a physician statement/medical note.

Visitors/Volunteers (p. 18)

VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS MUST WEAR A VISITOR’S BADGE AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN THE BUILDING. Every person must sign in with a Photo ID in the front office upon arrival and sign out upon leaving. Everyone will need to be cleared as a Volunteer I or II status. See our website for details of how to apply. Arrangements must be made in advance with the principal and/or teacher before visiting or observing in a classroom. Parents may not visit on our playground during recess time. This is a time that requires the teacher's undivided attention on the students. If there is a special need to observe a child's social activity, it must be arranged with the teacher and/or the principal.

Visitors are encouraged to leave backpacks and other large bags in their cars when visiting. For safety purposes, bags are subject to search if brought on campus. Staff may ask to see inside bags.