Congratulations! You made it through the first week of virtual learning for the 2020 - 2021 school year! I hope you and your child feels a little better about getting logged in to classes each day and completing the assignments. Please help your child get in the habit of checking their email regularly as it is the gateway to very important information. Remember, students should start off on the right foot by being on time for each class and practicing good habits for academic success. Start scheduling adequate time to review notes, read ahead and organize upcoming quizzes, projects and tests. Please help us by making sure your student has a quiet, distraction-free learning environment while they are in class. Try to minimize disruptions so they can focus on the teacher's instructions and activities. We appreciate your partnership as we strive to provide a premier learning experience for your child!!

Remember, there will be no school Monday, September 7th. Please enjoy the Labor Day Holiday and be safe!!

In order to meet the individual needs of students, we are required by the SC State Department of Education to administer assessments within the first 10 days of school. Richland Two will use the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test to meet this requirement. We will administer the MAP test from September 9th and September 10th for students in grades 6th - 8th.

Students will be completing their MAP assessments at home. Students should follow these simple steps on the designated testing days.

• STEP 1: Students using School issued Chromebooks should click the kiosk app from the login screen (called NWEA Secure Testing).

Please note: The student should NOT sign in to his/her account on the Chromebook. MAP is on a secure testing server. If the student attempts to open up another app or screen, the MAP test will end.

• STEP 2: The student will need to use credentials (Session Name and Session Password) provided by their teacher to log in.

• STEP 3: Take the MAP Test.

Only your child’s teacher will have access to the testing credentials (Session Name and Session Password) provided to your child to log in to the MAP test. Should you have any questions or need support, please contact your child’s teacher.

Please click here to access our MAP Testing Website for additional information.

Please watch the video below for a visual guide on how to complete the steps outlined above.

Students attendance will be taken each day by teachers. During Phase 1, students will be marked Present or Absent based on their participation in the "Live" instruction sessions. A Daily Participation Assignment (DPA) will be given in each class. Students who attend "live" sessions will complete the DPA as part of their regular class assignment.

When a student is not able to attend a "live" class session, he/she should watch the recorded lesson and/or submit the Daily Participation Assignment (DPA). The student's absence will then be changed to present. The student will also be responsible for completing and submitting any make-up work.

Attendance will be reconciled for the previous week in PowerSchool by 4:00 pm on Mondays.

If a student misses a live instruction class or day due to a medical appointment or other verified parent absence, please email the excuse to our Attendance Secretary, Lorrie Holt at lholt@richland2.org.

We will communicate if there are any changes to this procedure when we move to Phase 2. Ms. Holt is available to answer any attendance questions you may have during Phase 2.

This is a gentle reminder to have your child's yearly physical updated. Be sure to ask for any immunizations that are needed (Tdap 6th/7th graders). Once completed, please make sure that the Dent Health Room as well as the Registrar has the new information. This will be an important part of your child being able to attend class.

You may fax your records to 803.699.2754 ATTN:NURSE, or scan and email it to dvilardi@richland2.org, Subject: Immunization. We greatly appreciate your prompt care and concern with this request.

Nurse Vilardi

We will follow the eLearning Phase 1 Bell Schedule. Please make sure you are on time to each class. 6th grade and 8th grade students will need to return to their 1st period class for intervention daily. 7th grade students will need to return to their 3rd period class for intervention daily.

Make Up textbook distribution will occur later this week. This is for students who did not pick up their textbooks last week or if you had a schedule change and need a new book. A sign up form will come out shortly.

We are also still waiting on some textbooks to be delivered from the State Department of Education. Your teachers will notify the students when they have arrived and we will schedule a pick up time for those books.

If you have any issues with your Chromebook during Phase 1, students will need to take their devices to Longleaf Middle School, Monday - Thursday between the hours of 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. District technology staff will be available to assist individuals.

New students to the district can have devices issued to them on site. Devices will be distributed in the main office at Dent Middle.

Please make sure we have the most updated contact information for you in Parent Portal. Also, follow us on Twitter @dentmiddle and Facebook at The Official Dent Middle School

Dent Middle School is a place where Positive Relationships are evident, Partnerships are maximized, and Academic Excellence is top priority of every student every day!!

Email: dentmiddleschool2721@gmail.com
Location: 2721 Decker Boulevard, Columbia, SC, USA