The Weekly STAR (March 3rd)

  Sandlapper's Vision

Sandlapper will prepare every student academically, socially, and emotionally to be creative leaders in a global society.

Spring Picture Day is Wednesday, March 8th!
Order forms went home this week. 


Greetings, Star Families!

The Kids Heart Challenge at Sandlapper has kicked off to an amazing start! If you haven't already, join us along with other schools within Richland Two and across the country, by delivering heart-healthy physical activity through service learning for the American Heart Association. To participate, all you have to do is download the Kids Heart Challenge app or visit www.heart.org/KHC to register. The challenge ends on March 8th.

Thank you for your support!
SOAR Registration is Open!
Are you thinking about Summer Opportunities for Academic Readiness (SOAR)? Elementary SOAR will be held June 12th until June 29th from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. (Monday - Thursday). Parents can register students for SOAR in Parent Portal. SOAR registration will close on March 9th, so register today! 

SOAR Registration

From web browser:

  1. Log into Parent Portal.

  2. Click the Forms icon on the left.

  3. Select the SOAR Registration form.

  4. You may submit for the selected student
     OR submit for the family by clicking on the arrow next to the
     Submit button.

From Mobile device:

  1. Open the PowerSchool app.

  2. Tap the More [...] Icon at the bottom.

  3. Tap Forms.

  4. Select the SOAR Registration form

  5. You may choose to submit for the selected student OR for the family using the blue buttons at the bottom of the form.

Some of  you have asked about the yearbook and we are happy to announce that the 2022-2023 Sandlapper Elementary School Yearbook can be ordered on Parent Portal! Reserve yours today!
Note: If you chose No for the Directory Opt Out for your STAR  student, he/she will not be in the yearbook. This also includes class pictures, recognitions, and awards, like honor roll, can not be included in end of year events. To change your option, see the information below. If you are unsure of your student's status, contact your child(ren)'s teacher.

Directory Information in Parent Portal
Some of you may have received an email from Richland Two regarding your student's directory information. If you initially chose the option to not allow Richland Two to share certain information, such as name and/or photo this means that we at Sandlapper are also not able to include your child in any publications including but not limited to our yearbook, class pictures, award/promotion programs, Family Night celebrations, honor rolls, etc. If you would like to change your student's choice so we can include your child(ren) in publications, such as the yearbook, watch the video below.
Richland Two has provided resources about Free/Reduced Lunch. 
Parents, remember you can apply for free/reduced meal rates throughout the school year. If a household qualifies for free or reduced-rate meals the new status is effective the day the application is processed until the end of the year. Unfortunately, an adjustment to a meal status will not affect the current balance as the federal government does not allow meal status to be backdated. You can apply and check your child/children's meal status by logging in at https://family.titank12.com/. To obtain current cafeteria balance information, please refer to the parent portal https://www.studentquickpay.com/richland2/. You can make payments through the parent portal, https://www.studentquickpay.com/richland2/, or by sending a check to the cafeteria. If you choose to pay by check, please include your home address and phone number along with the child's name. Feel free to reach out to me or Nicole Burns (nburns@richland2.org) if you have any questions.

* To apply using a paper application: Paper applications must be sent to
Richland 2 Support Service Center
ATTN: Nicole Holley-Burns
124 Risdon Way
Columbia, SC 29223
If you have a change of transportation for your child(ren), please complete the 2022-2023 Transportation Change Form prior to 2pm on the requested day. Changes in transportation will not be received after 2pm. If you would like to check your student out early, please be sure to complete the form prior to 2pm. 
Through a partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina State Library, Tutor.com is available for families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students have access to highly qualified tutors in over 200 content areas. In addition, Tutor.com provides test prep assistance, skills coaching and help with specific math and essay writing questions. It can also assist students with time management  and planning strategies. Click the links below for more info.

STAR Parents and families,
Our school has joined THE HEALTHY SCHOOL CHALLENGE. We are taking steps for a healthier heart and body by joining the For the Love of Justice Memorial 5K & Fun Run!  The school with the most student participation will win $1000 for their Physical Education Department!  Help our school meet this challenge by registering today!  Date: March 26, 2023, 3:00 pm
More Info:
The Fun Run is for youth aged 10 and under for $15 or students and parents may choose to run/walk the 5K for $30. This would be a great opportunity for any of your running clubs and faculty/staff groups!   There will be Music, Food Trucks, Free Stretching by Stretch Zone and Chair Massages,  Hydration Station featuring BodyArmor, Snacks, and much more! 

WHY WE RUN
We run in memory of 1st LT Justice R. Stewart, a fallen United States Marine Corps officer and Richland Two graduate who had a giving heart, a selfless soul, an infectious laugh, and a heartwarming smile. She was artistic, confident, and ambitious, setting goals years in advance. 1st LT Stewart tragically lost her life while she was on a run. We run for her. Every time our foot hits the pavement, it is symbolic of a heartbeat, bringing life into the memories that 1st LT Stewart left behind to share with the world.

Thanks for helping us share this exciting event with the community! Together we will finish the run that Justice didn't have the opportunity to finish.  We will run in solidarity FOR THE LOVE OF JUSTICE in BOTH SC AND NC!  
 ParentSquare is our new unified communications platform that will replace Blackboard. It offers a whole host of tools that allows district, school administrators, and teachers to more effectively communicate and engage with families and students. 
 
Here’s what you can do with ParentSquare:
  • Receive messages from the school via email, text, or app notification
  • Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 pm
  • Communicate in your preferred language
  • Direct message teachers and staff
  • Participate in group messages
  • Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
If you have questions or need assistance with ParentSquare, please contact Ms. Dinkins at kdinkins@richland2.org. She is happy to help!


"Can Minecraft be More Than Just a Game?" - The Influential Parent Podcast ep. 18
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Tim Swick, The Computer Immersion Magnet Lead at Sandlapper Elementary School. He shares how his teachers and students have used the popular game, Minecraft, in school. Using Minecraft Education in the classroom has engaged students in learning and building future-ready skills, such as creativity, problem-solving, and systems thinking. It is pretty interesting to hear just how much our children are learning through "play." To listen, click here.

Click the image above to hear more tips for parents in the digital age!

If you haven't joined our awesome PTO yet, no worries. Click here!

                    
Check out Richland Two's Pinterest Page for Community Events, Sports Leagues, Summer Camps, and More!
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