In this issue
How Does a Kindergarten Program Make a Difference?
Making a Difference
PTO
Notes and Reminders
Upcoming Events 
Patriotic Program for Stallings' and LL Smith's Classes--8:45 on Friday, March 3

Big South Men's Basketball Tournament--Feb 28-March 5 at Winthrop Coliseum

Teacher Workday/Student Holiday--Friday, March 17

Spring Break--April 10-17 with April 17 as a Bad Weather Makeup Day if needed


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RDES
E-Newsletter February 26 , 2017
How Does a Kindergarten Program Make a Difference?

Photo by Tracy Kimball, Herald Photographer
"Rock Hill kindergartners show parents, others what it means to be an American" by Amanda Harris on February 25, 2017 in The Herald

"Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Rosa Parks and the Statue of Liberty took center stage Friday to show Rock Hill parents and community members what it means to be an American. 
Richmond Drive Elementary School students - dressed in red, white and blue, with hats sporting the patriotic colors and stars - celebrated American heritage with songs, poems and speeches. 
Hamilton Woods, 6, said he is proud to be an American.
"I learned a lot about Americans and our country," he said. "I like this country."
Richmond Drive students learn about patriotism, American history and important figures as part of their social studies unit, Principal Patrick Maness said. The program, which the school has hosted for years, spreads a message of unity, he said.
"For me, I am ready to be reminded of, not what Democrats believe or what Republicans believe, or what anybody believes, I'm ready to be reminded of what it means to be an American," Maness told the audience. 
"I guarantee you, before you leave, you are going to have some 5-year-olds who are going to remind you of many things that I think we need to remember, of who we are and what we're like as Americans."
The students led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the "Star-Spangled Banner." They talked about the American flag as a symbol for the country, and honored veterans in the audience.
One of those veterans, Bert Hubbard, came from Virigina to see his grandson Sean Wright, 6, perform. Wright told him his favorite song was "Grand Old Flag."
"It reminded us why we're Americans and focused on freedom and justice," Hubbard said.
One student who played Martin Luther King Jr. said, "I believe children should not be judged by their skin, but by the content of their character," quoting the famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
A student dressed as Susan B. Anthony reminded the audience of women's suffrage. The children also sang about Abraham Lincoln and used sign language for a song honoring the country.
The students got to act out historical figures they learn about in class, said Lisa H. Smith, a kindergarten teacher.
"In addition to learning about those, I think it's fabulous for kids to be on stage," Smith said. "It builds their self-confidence and makes the parents happy. It makes it come to life."
Smith said parents have told her their children remember participating in the program even years later.
"Our core value, here at Richmond Drive, is that we celebrate diversity and we want our students to make a difference in the lives of others," Smith said. "Hopefully while learning about these important historical figures, they will always have kindness in their hearts, especially for those that are different."
Kasie Bailey, whose 6-year-old son Ben Bailey played George Washington, said the program was meaningful for parents and students.
"It's heart-warming to see such a young age group appreciating what we have to be thankful for," she said. 
"We're very blessed that we have teachers that take the time to do this in their classrooms," she said. "Their jobs are big and to take time to make sure the little ones understand the importance of being an American, I think that's just so huge."

If you would like to see the complete article in The Herald with all pictures, you can click on  Kindergarten Program .

Patrick Maness, Principal  
Making a Difference

Evan Hicklin (2nd grade), Ellison Briggs (5th grade), Riley Elston (2nd grade) and Elizabeth Briggs (3rd grade) recently participated in Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now) on February 12. Together,  with the members of First Presbyterian Church Rock Hill, they helped package over 10,000 meals to feed the hungry. So proud of their hard work and dedication to helping those in need. They truly made a difference!  
Making a Difference --We want to hear how your kids have been making a difference.  Please send to Mr. Maness pictures and stories how they have been doing this.  You can click on  Mr. Maness' email  to do this. We appreciate all the big and small ways that you make a difference in our school and community.  
PTO News

PTO Financials--For an up to date report on PTO finances, click  HERE.

Want to Volunteer?   If you would like to be notified of volunteer opportunities in our PTO, please send us your email address and we will notify you of opportunities to help out.  All you have to do is click on the  PTO Email List  and send us your contact info.  
 
Next PTO Meeting--Our next PTO Meeting will be Monday, March 6 at 6:30 PM.  Come and find out ways that you can volunteer and support our school.  Finalizing plans for Tiger Trot will be the focus for that meeting.  

Notes and Reminders

Thank You!!!!  Over the last few weeks, so many of you supported our school and students in so many ways.  We appreciate your donations for Valentine's Day.  We thank you for coming to our Patriotic Programs for kindergarten.  We value your willingness to come and see our fifth graders in their Wax Museum.  You came to see our fourth graders in GT display their projects.  You bought books at our Book Fair and volunteered time to help our little ones make purchases.  Thank you, Michelle DiEduado and friends, for recognizing kids for our February Birthday Celebration.  We appreciate your donation of Box Tops and for Melissa Maynard collecting those and sending them off.  RDES is such a great school because we have supportive parents and family members who want to make a difference.  We could not do what we do without your support.  

I Love PE Color Run --Will be Saturday, May 20 at 9:00 AM at South Pointe High School.  All funds raised will help our elementary PE programs.  Please click on the I Love PE Color Run Flyer for more information.  

Arrival Safety Reminders--Please be sure to take your time in the mornings.  We know it is easy to get in a rush and become impatient.  Waiting thirty seconds pales in comparison to a child being injured by a car. Please pull as far forward as you can to let out your child.  It is most helpful if you child can unbuckle themselves and get out of the car on the right hand side on the curb.  It is dangerous when parents and children get out the left side of the car.  Know that supervision and safety patrol leave the back circle at 7:40 in order to arrive in class on time.  The only door open at 7:45 is the one in front of Mrs. Hucks in the office. Students are late at 7:45.  Parents should only drop students off in one of the three car lines in the morning. Again, students are most safe when they get out on the curb where there is supervision and walkways. Students should not be dropped off on Richmond Drive (the street.)  Thanks for all you do every morning for our children to be safe.  

Students with Fever--Please help us reduce sickness by keeping your child at home for 24 hours after he/she has been fever free without the assistance of medication.  We have had a few students who come to school with no fever in the morning due to taking medication and then it returns at mid-day when the medication wears off.  This increases the chance that other students and staff members will catch the flu or virus.  We want them at school but only after they have been truly fever free for 24 hours.  (The same is true for students who have been vomiting as well.)  

Parent Volunteers --All parent volunteers need to complete a District Volunteer Application Form (on the left tab) every two years. Please be sure yours is up to date and you can determine that by checking with Mrs. Hucks in the office.  All field trip chaperones, tutors, classroom helpers need to make sure their screenings are up to date.  

District App --The Rock Hill School District recently launched a new app for your cellphone.  You can go in it and choose the schools you want  to follow.  All of our RDES Twitter and Facebook feeds go directly to it as well.  It is a great resource for keeping current on school and district information.