I hope that all of our families are doing well and getting ready for Spring. I'm sure all of our students are looking forward to Spring Break (April 2 - April 6). As you are aware, there has been a lot going on at PKMS with our Tiny Home School Project as well as preparing for our Literacy/STEAM Night on 3/21. We hope to see all of our families here at PKMS from 6-8PM.

As we approach the spring, I encourage all of our families to review our student handbook located in the school agenda. You may also click here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0qcXh5Z3bUVblMtRWFscXhVV3M/view) to view as well. We want to make sure all of our students refresh themselves with our policies and procedures.

Thank you again for all you do for PKMS!!!

Grey Young, Principal

School Counselors are available to talk with any student about anything anytime! Parents are also welcome to call or email us about their student. We know there are more concerns regarding mental health in our society and our students are no exception. There are school and community resources available that we can refer you to. Our role as school counselors allow us the opportunity to help bridge the gap between your student and the resources available to him or her. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us to help.

Ms. Carol Eaker (last names A-K): eakerc@fortmillschools.org

Ms. Caryn Scroggs (last names L-Z): scroggsc@fortmillschools.org

Counseling Connection:
(from KidsMatter, 2018)

Today's children face many pressures from external and internal sources, for example:

· Stress in schools - There is a lot of pressure on students today to perform at school, and there seem to be even more pressures within the peer group. The increase in the amount of homework students receive, fear of failure, worrying about fitting in, self-identity, and bullying are some of the more common reasons for stress in schools.

· Stress in the family - There are many issues within a family unit that can cause stress in children, for example, parental separation, remarriage (blended family), financial problems, poverty, parental stress, coping with parents who have a mental illness and, commonly, unreasonably high family expectations being placed on children.

· Media stress and environmental dangers - Some children can become worried about things they hear and see on the news or by a generalised fear of strangers, burglars and street violence. Social media use also plays a large role in contributing to stress for students.

How can parents help their kids cope with stress?
It is important for parents to teach kids to recognise and express their emotions, and to use healthy ways to cope with the stress they experience.

Parents can:

· regularly spend calm and relaxing time with their children

· listen to their children and encourage them to talk about their feelings and worries

· provide a safe and nurturing family environment

· encourage physical activity and healthy eating habits

· use positive encouragement and rewards instead of punitive measures

· avoid being critical and negative towards their children

· show active interest in their children's activities and hobbies and participate when possible

· demonstrate active interest in their children’s school progress and support them with their learning and homework

· monitor their children's access to media and ensure they are aware of safe online practices

· support their children if they are exposed to bullying

· manage their own stress and be a positive role model

· avoid over-scheduling children and allow them free time to play, read, listen to music or just 'veg–out’

· help build children's sense of self-worth by recognizing their achievements and avoid placing unrealistic expectations on them

Below you will find information about the 2018 summer math camps and summer STEAM camp that the Fort Mill School District Curriculum Department will offer this summer. Registration for the camp is now open.

Please note, we are unable to accept payments for the camp until May 1st, 2018. We ask that you register your child for the camps they are interested in attending using the links to the forms below. Once the payment system is open, we will communicate to parents so that they are able to make payments and finalize registration.

SUMMER MATH CAMPS

Location: Pleasant Knoll Middle School

Dates: June 11-14 and/or July 16-19

Hours: 8:00 am – 12:00 noon (Monday – Thursday)

This camp is for rising 4th – rising 9th graders. The camp cost is $140.00 per week.

More Information on Summer Math Camps

Link to Registration Form:Summer Math Camp

SUMMER STEAM CAMP

Location: Orchard Park Elementary School

Dates: July 16-19

Hours: 8:00 am – 12:00 noon (Monday – Thursday)

The camp is for rising 4th – rising 8th graders. The cost of the camp is $100.00 per week.

More Information on Summer STEAM Camps

Link to Registration Form: : Summer STEAM Camp

Please be sure to complete the registration with an accurate, up-to-date email address. We will use this to communicate with parents about the camps. Once the payment system is available (May 1st), we will send a reminder to all registered with further directions on how to pay and finalize camp registration.

Should you have any questions please contact Chad Allen, STEM Coordinator, at: allenc@fortmillschools.org

This is a karaoke event that students can pay to attend during related arts time. Students will pay $1 to attend, $3 to sing a song, and concessions will also be sold. All of the proceeds from the event and concessions will be donated to JDRF.

ATTENTION: 6th GRADE STUDENTS AND PARENTS

Please make an appointment for your child to update their Tdap vaccination before next school year. ALL seventh graders will be REQIIRED to get the Tdap vaccine to protect them against whooping cough (pertussis). One (1) dose of Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) administered on or after the 7th birthday will be required for all seventh graders. It is strongly recommended that adolescents who have not yet received a dose of Tdap vaccine be immunized in advance of this requirement. Students who are not up to date with their Tdap vaccination may not be allowed to attend school. For more information, please visit www.scdhec.gov/scimmunize

Please send a copy of the immunization record to the school nurse once they receive the updated vaccination.

PKMS PTO needs your Box Tops! Now through May 1st, homeroom classes in each grade are competing for an especially sweet treat, so please be sure to clip and submit those Box Tops--ask your extended family, colleagues, etc. to collect them for us too!

It's hard to believe that our very first year at PKMS is quickly coming to a close. As we approach the end of the year it is now time to seek nominations/volunteers for election to the 2018-2019 PKMS PTO Board. Please complete the survey in the following link if you would like nominate either yourself or another parent for next year's PTO Board. We will reach out to all nominees to verify their willingness to run for election.

As a reminder, parents of current 5th graders/rising 6th graders who will attend PKMS next fall are eligible to run for the PTO Board.

If you have any questions/concerns about either the nomination process or the duties/responsibilities of PTO Board positions, please email us at pleasantknollmiddlepto@gmail.com.

Thank you!

PKMS PTO

Email: zeppelink@fortmillschools.org
Website: http://pkms.fortmillschools.org/
Location: 2320 Pleasant Road, Fort Mill, SC, United States
Phone: 803-835-3770
Facebook: facebook.com/PKMSKnighthawks/
Twitter: @PK_Knighthawks