Shoeboxes for Soldiers

Each year in honor of our local Veterans on Veteran’s Day, students at CES work hard to send filled shoeboxes to an active duty unit that is serving overseas. These gift boxes from home bring hope and excitement to our military men and women. It is our desire to send as many shoeboxes as possible.

Please consider sending in some of the following items to help your child’s classroom fill their shoeboxes! These will be presented at our Veteran’s Day program on November 12^th at 9am.

Thank You for supporting our troops!!

Red Ribbon Week

Every October, Camden Elementary celebrates Red Ribbon Week.  We learn why it is important to make healthy choices and stand together against bullying and drugs.

Monday-      “RED”y to be Drug Free (wear red)

Tuesday-      Live Like a Star……Drug Free (dress like a movie star)

Wednesday- Give Drugs the Boot! (wear boots)

Thursday-    From Head to Toe, Drug Free! (wear crazy socks and crazy hair)

Friday-         Our School Chooses to Be Drug and Bully Free! (wear CES t shirt)

Parents'/Guardians' Rights Notification: 2018-19 School Year

Parents/Guardians in the Kershaw County School District have the right to learn about the following qualifications of their child's teacher: state licensure requirements for the grade level and content areas taught, the current licensing status of your child's teacher, and baccalaureate/graduate certification/degree. You may also request the qualifications of an instructional paraprofessional who serves your student in a Title I program or if your school operates a schoolwide Title I program. Parents/Guardians may request this information from the principal by calling 803-425-8960 or by sending a letter of request to Principal Carol Przybyla at carol.przybyla@kcsdschools.net.

Congratulations, Ms. Sullivan!

We are proud to announce that 1st Grade teacher and CES teacher of the year Katie Sullivan has been named a District Honor Roll Teacher.  Only five teachers were selected for this honor from among the schools’ teachers of the year.  This means that Ms. Sullivan was a finalist for the KCSD Teacher of the Year! We are so proud of Ms. Sullivan's accomplishment!!

Notes from  Nurse Rhonda

Fever Policy: Please keep children at home with a temperature of 100.0 accompanied by symptoms (cough, diarrhea, vomiting). Your child may return to school when he/she is fever free without medications for 24 hours.

Vomiting Policy: Please keep children at home if they have vomited 2 or more times during the previous 24 hours. Your child may return to school when he/she has not vomited in 24 hours.

Please let the school know if your doctor has diagnosed your child with the flu.  If you have any questions/concern, please contact me.

Thank You, Golf Tournament Sponsors!

We would like to thank everyone for another very successful golf tournament. A special thanks to all our 2018 sponsors!

* Sponsor of both the Golf Tournament and the Spring Carnival

DAP Grant

Our Artists-in-Residence are made possible through our Distinguished Arts Planning (DAP) Grant from the SC  Dept. of Education.  If you are interested in being a part of the planning committee for 2018-2019 DAP, please email Mrs. McDonald at Aregina.mcdonald@kcsdschools.net.  The next grant application is due in April.

Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers to help out around the school during various activities.  If you have any time to offer, we can use help monitoring the cafeteria during staff luncheons, reading with children read, and helping with field day. Also, this coming May, we will have our Spring Carnival and can always use volunteers for that.  As always, thank you so much for the support that you offer to our school!

Important Reminders

Change of Transportation - If your child will be going home from school in a different manner or someone different will be picking them up early from school, we need to have that information IN WRITING.  We have to have that written verification if ever a question were to arise.  You may send it in with your child in the morning, or if transportation changes mid-day, you may call and let us know and then we will need a fax or email to verify the change.

TARDIES - We have recently seen an increase in the number of tardies and this concerns teachers who are beginning morning work at 7:35.  Our school day starts at 7:30.  We have been allowing a 5 minute grace period before children must sign in tardy in the front office.  This also includes students who are dropped off at the Fair Street gate.  I have asked the crossing guard to lock the back gate at 7:35 and to please direct parents to the front of the building.

The Who, When, and Why of Retests

There have been some questions about retests and we felt we needed to provide clarification.  Our school policy is that students may retake tests, which are the major grades, if they have a D (69%) or lower.  Before a student may retake a test, teachers must either reteach or review the material.  This will normally occur a few days after all students have tested, and it has been graded.  Retests are usually given during the enrichment block or a time that will not interrupt instruction.  Quizzes and classwork assignments (minor grades) are not retaken.  The purpose of retests is not to get a better grade, but to ensure the student understands the material.  If a student receives a D or F, it means that there are some things they do not understand, which is why we require teachers to reteach or review before retests.  Each grade will determine how retests will be counted in the student’s grade average.

Our Fall Fundraiser Has Begun!

Background Checks for Chaperones and Volunteers

Last year, the district implemented a new background check system.  It is called BIB and the cost to the individual is $16.95, which is significantly cheaper than the SLED checks that used to be required.  The application process is online and payment is also made online.  This check is required for all Level II volunteers, however, if you have a current SLED check you do not need the BIB check until your SLED check expires.  Some of the benefits of the BIB background check is that not only is it cheaper, but it conducts a nationwide search.  BIB will send the approved applicant a letter and identification card and will notify the school and the parent when the background check expires. For more information check out the district website.  The link to the application is https://www.kcsdschools.net/volunteer.

School Safety!

Just a few safety reminders; all parents and other visitors must come by the front office to get a visitor’s pass.  All outside doors are kept locked during the school day, so visitors must enter through the front door.  Visitors are not permitted to go the classroom after 7:30.  We will be happy to send a note to the teacher or deliver any items you wish to drop off.  The last reminder involves after school dismissal.  Parents who are walking up to get their children must line up on the sidewalk to the left of the front door.  Staff are there with radios to call your child.  Please do not come up to or into the building unless you are signing in to get a visitor’s pass.

Afternoon Dismissal

Afternoon dismissal in the front of the school is moving along, better and better each day.  The name tag that you place in the window of the car is so helpful. For walk-up parents, please remember to stand clear of the front entryway and stay in line until your child exits the building.  Children need a clear pathway to their car, so the teachers on duty can watch them and so the children do not have to step off the sidewalk to reach their car.  There are a lot of moving parts to make dismissal safe and smooth.  We thank you for your cooperation!

We Have an App for That!

KCSD App Available!!