April 2015 - Spann Elementary School

On our way, on the MOVE every day, to be WORLD class!
ht t p : / / s p a n n . d d t w o . o r g
Volume 40, Issue 8
Ap r i l 2 0 1 5
Panda’ Principal Post
Shane Sanford, Principal
Marcy Brown, AP
843-873-3050
Important Dates
March 30– April 3
Spring Break
April 8
Final Math Wizards
Testing, Testing, 1,…2,…3!
In an effort to keep you informed, we have prepared a snapshot of the state required assessments for this spring. The state has
chosen to administer the ACT suite of assessments for English, writing,
reading, and math in Grades 3 through 8. The state will continue to
administer SCPASS in science and social studies. Below is the testing
schedule for this spring:
2014-2015 Assessment
April 9
PTA/SIC Meeting 6pm
April 13-17
Volunteer Appreciation Week
April 14
Red Cross Blood
Drive
2014-2015 Testing Dates
Tested Grades
ACT Aspire Writing
April 28
Grades 3 - 8
ACT Aspire English
April 28
Grades 3 - 8
ACT Aspire Reading
April 29
Grades 3 - 8
ACT Aspire Math
April 30
Grades 3 - 8
SCPASS Science
May 7
Grades 4 - 8
SCPASS Social Studies
May 8
Grades 4 - 8
April 15
Early Release 11am
Club Day
We invite you to visit the State Department of Education web site for additional information on the new state testing program at http://
www.ed.sc.gov/agency/pi/act/.
April 21
Muffins for Mom (K-2) 7 am
April 23
Muffins for Mom (3-5) 7am
April 24
Spann Spirit Day
DD2 also requires that schools have monitors present in the classroom to assist the teacher during the administration of SCPASS
and ACT. DD2 adopted this policy based on a recommendation
by the state of South Carolina. The estimated time frame for this
volunteering opportunity is 7:30 -10:30 a.m. Please contact the
Kathy Corless or Naysha Lucarelli in the front office at 873-3050 if
you are able to volunteer.
April Birthday Celebration
Terrific Kids 8am
April 27-May 1
Teacher Appreciation Week
April 29
Interims Go Home
April 30
Help us make your student feel confident and comfortable as he/she
tests this spring. Be sure your student goes to bed early, gets a good
night’s sleep, eats a good breakfast, and arrives at school on time.
Please note that students are not allowed to have cell phones, tablets,
or other electronic communication devices in their possession during
testing. Thank you for your support in encouraging your student to put
forth his/her best effort.
4K/K PTA Program 6pm
Family Volunteer Opportunity
Katie’s Krops Garden – Spann Elementary is partnering with Katie's Krops and Bosch to expand our garden with
a vision to help people in need. We will have a family friendly garden work day on Saturday, April 25th at 9:00
a.m. Meet at the black gates between the 5th grade learning cottages and John McKissick Way.
The mission of Katie's Krops is to start and maintain vegetable gardens of all sizes and donate the harvest to
help feed people in need, as well as to assist and inspire others to do the same. The problem of hunger is real,
Katie's Krops mission is simple, we all can help because...It only takes a seedling!
Preschool Story Time at the Spann Parent Involvement
Center! What Fun!!! Stories, music and movement, games and
crafts and sometimes snacks! Children get a free book/material to
take home each time! Preschool story time meetings help give parents the skills
needed to promote early literacy development for their children. Children also
learn to interact with other children from this group experience.
Early Release Days for April
15th Children will be dismissed at 11 am.
Any changes to transportation need to be
sent in writing.
Resources available!!! Materials are available for check out from the parent involvement center for preschool and older children. Our next story time will be April
15th from 9-10:00 am! Please call 843-695-2995 or email
PD am
Jerahmiah Jackson
PD pm
Regginae Pringle
PDK
Aaliyah Teer
4K1
Edward Gibson
4K2
Bartholomew Vanderhorst
KA
Kaylee Amos
Spirit day popcorn team: (NEEDED ASAP-training available) 2 or more people needed
to make popcorn for all classrooms on Spirit days: April 13th, April 24th and May 22nd.
KB
MyKhail Adams
Hospitality chair: (training available) main responsibility is managing 3 events per
year… the Grandparents breakfast in September, Donuts for Dads in November and
Muffins for Moms in April.
KC
Molly Johnson
KD
Miley Mae Shepherd
KE
Bryce Kuhl
Teacher Appreciation chair: (needed immediately) main responsibilities center on one
week in April/May (April 27th - May 1st.)
KF
Helicia DeCastro
1A
Holley Brown
1B
Haiden Stokes
1C
Ava Kline
1D
Xander Hudson
1E
Elissa Morris
1F
Ajani Horry
1G
Yaritza Gamez
1H
Ethan Perez-Perez
2A
Landon Burbage
2B
Naomi DeCastro
Please plan to attend one or all of the following meetings and workshops:
2C
Hannah Miller
DATE & TIME
2D
Mariah Dew
2E
Jaiden Esver
2F
Ashton King
2G
Caraline Boomhower
5:00 p.m.
3A
Sophia Morse
Wednesday, May 13 Public Hearing: Budget Presentation District Office Board Room
6:00 p.m.
3B
Lily Myrick
3C
Mary Carlson
3D
Josiah Gaddist
3E
Lillian Brodbeck
3F
Isabella Schreiber
4A
Brandon Driggers
4B
Yaquelin Perez– Morales
4C
Mackenzie Hutchison
Our 3rd annual Reading Carnival is coming up on May 22nd! Each grade
will have a designated time to play at the carnival and all students will
get to participate! However, students in grades 2 – 5 should be working
hard to meet the quarterly reading goals they set with their teacher. This
will help them earn extra games and passes to slides and jump castles!
Meeting the goal involves not only reading books, but also passing the
Reading Counts quizzes. Special thanks to our PTA for funding our
Spanntastic day! We will need lots of volunteers to help out that day. If you
4D
Malorie Brown
4E
Kahlil Law
4F
Autzen Hallock
5A
Tyler McArthur
5B
Kathryn Brodbeck
5C
Jaden Keys
5D
Sarah Ward
can help, please contact our media specialist, Donna Merrithew, at dmerrithew@dorchester2.k12.sc.us or 873-3050.
5E
Donnaija Williams
5F
Charlie Wagener
lhuggins@dorchester2.k12.sc.us to reserve your space.
Help Wanted
The Spann PTA has many positions that are open or soon will be. We need your help to
keep doing all the things that the PTA does at Spann.
Spirit chair: (NEEDED ASAP-training available) responsible for spirit gear inventory and
may be asked to sell items at certain events
Membership chair: (training available) the bulk of this position is in August, September
and October. Managing PTA memberships and sending in a monthly statement telling
how many members our PTA has.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING AT SPANN
PLEASE CALL MYRANDA FOETHER 843-513-0907
Dorchester School District Two
Public Meetings on the 2015-2016 Budget
Employees, parents, and community members are invited to attend a series of public
meetings and school board workshops on the proposed Dorchester School District Two
2015-2016 district operating budget. Public comment and input is a very important part
of the process in developing the budget for the next school year.
Tuesday, April 21
MEETING/WORKSHOP
Public Input Meeting
LOCATION
Knightsville Elementary School
6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 11
Monday, May 18
School Board Budget Workshop
District Office Board Room
Budget Presentation to Dorchester County Council Chambers
(Time to be announced)
County Council
Summerville
Parents…Important PASS and ACT Testing news!!!
3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Parents:
Please make sure that you have PASS and ACT Testing marked on your cal-
endar for April 28th-30th and May 7th –8th with makeup testing through May 13th. All 3 rd, 4th and 5th grade students will
participate in this testing.
It is very important that the students be present to take all of these tests. Please do not plan medical appointments or
out-of-school functions for the dates shown. Research shows children perform better on tests when taken with their
regular teacher in their own classroom. Students who are absent will be given a make-up test by a different teacher
in a different location.
Please make sure that your child is at school ON TIME, as tardy students will not be able to join their classmates if testing is already in progress and will have to take a make-up test.
In addition, students may NOT bring into the testing location any electronic device that can be used for communicating, timing, or imaging.
These tests will help identify skills your child has attained and those that s/he needs to develop. You can help your
child by doing the following:
Set the alarm clock a little early so that your child can eat and dress without rushing. Be sure your child is not late for
school. No student will be admitted to class after testing begins.
Prepare a good breakfast, but not a heavy one. Toasted foods help stimulate the brain. Protein and Vitamin C provide energy. Avoid sugary breads and cereals.
Make sure your child gets plenty of rest during testing week by going to bed early. This is a time students need to feel
their best.
Help your child feel positive about taking the test by expressing confidence in your child’s ability to do well.
DO NOT tie test results to school grades. This can create a great deal of anxiety for students.
Avoid any conversations that may arouse anxiety, conflict or unpleasantness.
Don’t schedule appointments on test days. Make sure your child is at school unless s/he is truly sick. Students perform
better in their regular testing environment than in a different room on make-up days.
Have your child lay out comfortable clothes for the next day before going to bed so that early morning frantic
searches for clothing are avoided.
Encourage your child to always do their best and NEVER give up. If an item is too difficult, it is okay to make a best
guess and go on to the next question.
Students and teachers have been working all year to prepare for these tests. Together we are sure to have a successful testing experience. If you have questions about ACT or PASS, please call the guidance office at 873-3050.
Kristin Tanner & Mary Gardner, Spann School Counselors
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APRIL ACT Schedule
Tuesday, April 28th: Writing, English
Wednesday, April 29th: Reading
Thursday, April 30th: Math
MAY PASS Schedule
Grades 4-5
Thursday, May 7th: Science
Friday, May 8th: Social Studies
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