Camden Elementary School
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Parent Requests for 2019-2020
We are busy planning for next school year already! In the past we have had enrichment classes in both first and second grade. The status of those classes is questionable at this time, but if we decide to schedule those classes and your child is selected to be placed in one of them, we will contact you to let you know. Also, if possible, we will look at once again having advanced math classes in third through fifth grade. As always, our primary concern is making sure we meet the needs of all students in the most effective ways possible.
While we again will not be accepting teacher requests by name, for either the teacher you would or would not like your child to have, we will accept information regarding your child’s strengths and needs, as well as characteristics of the teacher and/or classroom environment that you feel will help your child succeed. If a teacher’s name is noted in your written communication, your request will not be considered.
We are very proud of our teaching staff at Camden Elementary and we know that, just like the students, teachers have different strengths. The administrators, guidance counselors and classroom teachers will work together to place children where we feel that they will be most successful. Your input is valued as we work through this process. Please submit this information to Carol Przybyla, principal of CES, no later than Friday, May 17th, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to call her at 425-8960, ext. 4400.
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Camden Colts Fun Run &
13th Annual Golf Tournament
Camden Elementary School is excited to host our annual golf tournament on March 14th as well as a Camden Colts Fun Run fundraiser on March 29th! To increase the excitement and school spirit of the fun run, we’re hoping to provide each student with a FREE custom t-shirt to wear the day of the fun run event, at no cost to our students.
In order to make this happen, we need your help! We are partnering with local businesses and families to help sponsor our shirts. We are also teaming up with the golf tournament to offer you the opportunity to sponsor both events at a discount. If your business or family would like to sponsor our fun run t-shirts and/or golf tournament, please see the order form (available at ces.kcsdschools.net) for pricing and details. These bundles offer you an opportunity to support two great events that raise money for Camden Elementary School. You can also choose to sponsor one or the other – please mark in the memo line which one you are sponsoring when you send your payment.
When you sponsor the fun run T-shirt, your logo or name will be displayed on the back of the shirt worn by 500 students year-round, providing continuous exposure for your business or proudly displaying your family’s support of our school. You will need to send the payment and form by February 8th. Please send logos by email in one of the following formats: .ai, .eps, .ps, .indd, .pdf or .cdr. Please do not send files ending in .jpg, .gif, .tif, .psd, and .bmp. Send them to mmsloan14@gmail.com by Fri., 2/8.
When you sponsor the golf tournament, a sign made by students with your family or business name will be displayed at the tournament and your name or business will be listed on a banner hung at the school. You may continue to send in money to sponsor the golf tournament throughout the month of February.
If you are interested, please send the form and payment to Camden Elementary School at the address below – REMEMBER WE’VE MOVED! If you have any questions, please contact Shelly or Sara at the email addresses below. Thank you so much for supporting our school!
Camden Elementary School
416 Laurens Street
Camden, SC 29020Shelly Sloan - mmsloan14@gmail.com
Sara Graham - sara@grahamrealtyinc.com
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Drop Off and Dismissal Tips
Parents have done a great job of moving through the car line and following the instructions of the staff on duty. We know that there are some potholes in the driveway and we are working to get them filled. The Camden Police are allowing both right and left turns into the driveway and that seems to be working well. We have also found that allowing drivers to exit both right and left onto Laurens is also working well. Please be sure to pull all the way to the end of the covered walkway when dropping off or picking up children. Most importantly, for the safety of staff and children, please move SLOWLY through the line and STAY OFF YOUR CELL PHONE! We will continue to work to streamline the carline. Please let us know if you see any other problems that we need to be aware of.
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New Sign-In Procedure
If you’ve been to the front office, you have seen the new security measures that we have in our building. In order to enter the building you need to press the intercom buzzer to the right of the front door. The office staff will ask to help what they can help you with and then buzz you into the office foyer. The sign-in computer is now located in the foyer and the new software system will ask for your ID each time you visit. After completing sign-in you will then be buzzed into the front office. It may take you a little bit longer at first to enter the building, but the security it provides us is well worth the extra time.
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Three Walker Routes Are Successful!
The three walker routes for students that we have established have been very successful. We are still working on Route 1 that leads to Lyttleton. Once we get the drive repairs taken care of we will have a line drawn along the side to let drivers know it is a walkway. We will also be extending the sidewalk so that it doesn’t end in a pine straw bed. Route 2 to the big tree on Laurens has the largest group of walkers, so we have two staff members escorting this group. Route 3 takes children to the bus driveway from which they walk to the light on Broad. If you don’t want your child walking to the corner on their own, please meet them at the drive. If you would like your child to walk, we need to have you complete the walker permission form. Escorting staff have a list of students and will not take any students with them that are not on the list.
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Technology Text from Mrs. West
Please make sure your child is following the Care & Use Guidelines for Chromebooks when using their devices at home.
- Food and/or drinks will not be consumed near the Chromebook.
- The Chromebook will not be left unattended.
- Students will ensure Chromebooks are resting securely on a safe surface.
- Personalization of the Chromebook or case is prohibited.
- Chromebooks will always be carried when they are completely closed.
- Be careful to not place pressure and weight on the Chromebook screen.
- Students will press the Chromebook against their chest and cross their arms in an “X” fashion when mobile.
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Watch D.O.G.S.
CES is excited to begin a brand new Watch D.O.G.S program this school year.
WATCH D.O.G.S. ® (Dads Of Great Students) is a family and community engagement educational initiative with two primary goals: 1) To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. 2) To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
WATCH D.O.G.S.® began in 1998 in a single school in Springdale, Arkansas and has since grown into a nationally recognized program that has brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of “in school” volunteer time and having a tremendously positive impact on the educational process.
Program Benefits
- Students gain positive male role models.
- Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears.
- The presence of a father or father figure will provide an additional deterrent to bullying, enhance a sense of security in the building, and will help to create an environment conducive to learning.
- Fathers get a glimpse of their students’ everyday world and learn about the increasingly complex challenges and decisions today’s youth are facing. As a result, they can learn to relate better to their student and hopefully connect with them.
- Fathers gain a greater awareness of the positive impact they can have on their student’s life in three critical areas including: academic performance, self-esteem, social behavior.
- Due to budget shortfalls and cutbacks, often teachers are presented with larger classrooms each year. The WatchDOGS volunteers provide real and important help for the teachers and the students.
Who are WatchDOGS (Dads Of Great Students)?
WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. ® school. During the day, WatchDOGS may read and work on flash cards with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own students, but other students as well. Many school principals have reported that the mere presence of a WatchDOG dramatically reduces reports of bullying. On the day of their participation, WatchDOGS are given a brief review of their involvement and they wear an official WATCH D.O.G.S. ® t-shirt with a disposable ‘Dog Tag’ identifying them as WatchDOGS.
Program Recognition
The WATCH D.O.G.S.® program has been recognized by the United States Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has been involved in the U.S. Department of Education’s P.F.I.E. (Partnership For Family Involvement In Education) and the Department’s Safe School Summit. The WATCH D.O.G.S.® program is a founding member of National PTA’s M.O.R.E. Alliance (Men Organized to Raise Engagement). The WATCH D.O.G.S. ® program was featured on ABC World News Tonight with Charlie Gibson in their “Spirit of America” segment on November 17, 2008, on NBC’s Nightly News with Brian Williams on September 12, 2012 and on NBC’s Today Show which aired February 11, 2013. Also, the program has been recognized on the floor of Congress as a program that “can be a great tool in our efforts to prevent school violence and improve student performance because it can increase parental initiative and involvement in their children’s education.” (Congressional Record, February 7, 2000 page S392) WATCH D.O.G.S. ® has been endorsed by the President’s Advisory Council and included in the March 2010 report to the President. In June 2011, US Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited a local WATCH D.O.G.S. ® program in the DC area to encourage fathers and father figures to become more active in the educational system and to get a firsthand glimpse of the program.
For more information, visit their website at dadsofgreatstudents.com or contact Tyke Redfearn at tykeredfearn@gmail.com.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Our school cafeteria is now using MealViewer for our breakfast & lunch menus. You can view our menus in MealViewer now or view this video to find out more!
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