March 9-13, 2026

🐯 Principal’s Message

Thank You, Tiger Families!

What a wonderful turnout for our Parent-Teacher Conferences! Thank you to all our families who took the time to connect with teachers and discuss their child's academic progress. Your partnership makes a difference in helping our Tigers Discover, Grow, and Thrive! 🌱🐯

📅 SAVE THE DATE: Report Cards – October 22, 2026

First-quarter report cards will be available in Parent Portal on Thursday, October 22, 2026. If you missed Parent-Teacher Conferences, please reach out to your child's teacher to schedule a time to discuss their progress. It's never too late to partner for success!

📚 IMPORTANT: South Carolina Act 204 – New Grading Requirements

Families, please take a moment to review the information shared regarding South Carolina's Act 204 and the new grading floor requirements. Understanding these changes will help you stay informed about how your child's academic performance is reported.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure every Tiger succeeds!

🧠 Coming Soon: CogAT Testing

Our second-grade Tigers will participate in CogAT testing:

📅 October 15–17, 2026
🔄 Makeups: October 20–22, 2026

We'll share more information with families as we get closer to testing.

🌈💐 SAVE THE DATE! 💐🌈

Grandparents’ Day Rainbow Tea

Friday, October 16, 2026
⏰ 9:00 a.m.
📍 J.P. Thomas Elementary Cafeteria

We are excited to welcome our grandparents and special grandparent figures for one of our favorite J.P. Thomas traditions!

Get ready for a morning filled with love, laughter, fellowship, and beautiful memories! 🌈💛🧡

🚗 SAFETY FIRST!

Please continue to follow all arrival and dismissal procedures. Do not turn left across the car rider line. Our SRO will be monitoring traffic and enforcing this safety expectation. Thank you for helping us keep our Tigers safe and making it another great week of learning, growth, and fun!

RETURNING STUDENT REGISTRATION - This will ensure you get ALL the up-to-date information!

Please check out our communications via TALKING POINTS. No action is needed by you, as it is powered through PowerSchool. Please ensure that your contact information is up to date, as it pulls contact numbers from that system. If you are not receiving communication, be sure to make your teacher aware so we can troubleshoot. Please DO NOT OPT out of this communication, as this is where we will send electronic communications!

Our theme is Rooted In Learning : Discover , Grow and Thrive” It reflects the heart of what we do each day—nurturing curiosity, encouraging growth, and building strong foundations for every student’s future. With your continued partnership, we know our students will blossom in incredible ways. We will continue to emphasize our Learning Dispositions: Accountability, Engagement, Open-mindedness, and Perseverance!

Thank you for being part of our village. We are honored to walk alongside you and your children this year. Here’s to a joyful, meaningful, and empowering school year ahead!

Please check out our school website, social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and X- formerly Twitter), Talking Points, and the Parent Newsletter for updates!

Let’s keep growing, Tigers! 🌱🐯

With Tiger Pride,
Selina Latimore
Principal, John P. Thomas Elementary School

October 12, 2026- Makeup ROAR RALLY for September 2026

October 13, 2026- School Improvement Council Meeting (SIC) in the Media Center @5:00PM-6:00PM

October 16, 2026 - ANNUAL GRANDPARENTS DAY RAINBOW TEA @9AM in the cafeteria/ School Picture Retakes ( Makeup Pictures) in Parenting Room

October 17, 2026- Breast Cancer WALK

October 20, 2026 - Listening and Learning Session with Dr. Todd Walker @Hyatt Park Elementary (6 PM- 7 PM)

October 20-22, 2026- Make-up CogAT testing- 2nd grade only

October 21, 2026 - Kona Ice Day (11AM-1PM)

October 22, 2026 - Report Cards available in Parent Portal

October 23, 2026 - October 30, 2026 - Red Ribbon Week

Welcome our City Year Team for 2026-2027

Nia Johnson- Team Leader

Allison Sheehan- Impact Manager

Rachael Estep

Stephone General

Eboni Wright

Averie Belton

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We want to inform you about our car rider dismissal process.

Each family will receive a car tag with the child’s first and last name displayed.

The information you provided at registration will be used to verify who is allowed to pick up your child(children), so there is no need to complete an additional form.

As a reminder:

• Please remain in your vehicle while in the car rider line.

• Display your child’s car tag clearly for staff to see.

• Follow staff directions to help keep dismissal smooth and safe.

• If there is ever a change in transportation, please notify the school office as soon as possible.

•. All changes in transportation must be submitted in writing before 1:30pm.

• Students are not released between 2pm and 2:30pm.

• Be prepared to show photo identification if requested.

We appreciate your cooperation as we make this transition and thank you for helping us ensure dismissal is both efficient and safe for everyone.

This Week in the Garden with Dr. Kershaw, Ms. Gary, Ms. Smith's 3rd Grade Class, Ms. K. Williams & Girl's in STEM, Camp C.A.P. Afterschool Club, and Ms. Amaker

Thank You to Ms. Aiysha Anderson Holliday, Manager of the Zion Canaan Farmer's Market, for including our Urban Farming Club in her Grant Award Allocations. Our students received $25 in Market Bucks to shop on the Market's last day! Students were charged to spend at least $10 on produce and could spend the remaining on any other items. Amazing day, watching them strategically purchase their produce- Squash for 4th Grader B. Massey who said she loves her Mom's fried Squash; a basket of fresh Sweet Potatoes for 3rd Grader L. Anderson, who hoped that her Mom would make a fresh Sweet Potato Pie this weekend; fresh Big Boy Tomatoes and cucumbers for F. Bostick because he says his Mom loves a tomato and cucumber salad-, selecting items for loved ones first and then themselves, putting money together to buy a HOT off the Grill dinner plate to split, and enjoying conversation with the local farmers and vendors. Although this was mostly their first time at a Farmer's Market, they quickly said, "Oh, this is sorta like the Flea Market without all the other stuff!" A GREAT afternoon spent with our students!

https://richland1sc.powerschool.com/public/

The PowerSchool Mobile App gives the parents instant access to information they need to stay informed on student grades, performance, and attendance. Parents using the PowerSchool Mobile App for the first time will need to have a District Code before they can enter their username and password. Parents can use the same user id/password that were issued last year for Single Sign-On (SSO). Please contact Mrs. Octivious Dopson at octivious.dopson@richlandone.org for Parent Portal questions and concerns.

Please review the attached video that explains the NEW STATE LEGISLATION about GRADING.

Beginning July 1, 2026, South Carolina's Act 204 changed how schools calculate grades and how students qualify for content recovery and credit recovery opportunities. These changes make it more important than ever for students to attend class, complete assignments, and monitor their academic progress throughout the school year. The most significant change is that schools may no longer use a minimum grade, often called a "grade floor" or "recovery floor." Students must now receive the actual grade they earn, even if it is below a 50. As a result, low grades can have a much greater impact on a student's overall course average and may be more difficult to overcome later in the year.

Act 204 also establishes new requirements for students seeking content recovery or credit recovery. To be eligible, students must demonstrate substantial participation in their coursework by completing at least 80% of all graded assignments in a timely manner. Students who do not meet this requirement may not qualify for recovery opportunities and could be required to retake the course.

As a reminder, grade floors are no longer permitted under South Carolina law. Students must receive the actual grade they earn, even when that grade falls below a 50. Consequently, low grades now have a much greater impact on a student's overall course average and can be significantly more difficult to recover from later in the semester. Additionally, Act 204 established new eligibility requirements for both content recovery and credit recovery. Students must demonstrate substantial participation in the original course by completing at least 80% of all graded assignments in a timely manner. Students who fail to meet this threshold may not qualify for recovery opportunities and could be required to repeat the course.

Report Cards are available in the Parent Portal for k- 5th grade students- October 22, 2026

The district is seeking feedback on the draft 2027-2028 school year calendar.

We consider factors such as testing dates, holidays, and make-up days, with student success at the center of the process. Feedback is open October 7-16. Review the draft calendar and share your feedback: https://edu.sogolytics.com/r/R1calendar2728

Thank you.

-R1 Office of Communications

Parents and guardians can start downloading the new app today! Users can log in to the My Ride K-12 app using the same credentials they used in the previous Ride 360 app.

• My Ride K-12 – Apple App Store (iOS)
• My Ride K-12 – Google Play Store (Android)

My Ride K-12 provides quick and secure access to your student's bus schedule/routing information, which can include the bus stop, route, and bus number.

This program can be accessed on the web or through the mobile app. The app is free to download and use.

The user guide can be downloaded at the links below:

• My Ride K-12 - Overview
• ENGLISH My Ride K-12 Parent Instructions
• My Ride K-12 User Guide English
• My Ride K-12 Parent Letter of Introduction - Spanish

2025-2026

Belmont Baptist Church

Bethlehem Baptist Church

City of Refuge Church

Joyful Souls Heirloom Nursery via Lisa Kershaw

Kona Ice- Irmo

Spring Valley Rotary Club

College Lodge#378

Wiley Kennedy Foundation

Elementary Epiphanies via Cynthia Lewis

Frances Burns Methodist Church

Art Pharm Project

Purple Mushroom

VFW Aux 4262

Omicron Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi

Men of St. Mark and Humana

Community member- Cynthia Lewis

North 21 Terrace Homeowner's Association

Zion Canaan Farmer's Market- via Aiysha Holliday

North Columbia Business Association via Sabrina Odom

GROW Farm Collaborative

Infinite Seeds Academy

Roots and Rain

Allied Healthier Generation

Ethiopia Chapter #60

Blythewood Cigar and Wine Lounge via John Edwards (owner)

David Lloyd Realty

College Lodge #378 Prince Hall Affiliated Masons

Eau Claire Baptist Church

Brothers Keepers via Triumph Church

Benedict College Football Team

Second Calvary Baptist Church

Ben Lippen Students via Cliff Evans

Heart of God Ministries via Dr. Deborah Belton

Columbia College's Honors College

Forward City Church- Outreach Ministry

Books a Million - Sandhills

26-27

Hair Depot on Decker Blvd

Coca-Cola Consolidated

College Lodge #378 Prince Hall Affiliated Masons

Belmont Baptist Church

Bethlehem Baptist Church

City of Refuge Church

Joyful Souls Heirloom Nursery via Lisa Kershaw

Kona Ice- Irmo

Spring Valley Rotary Club

Brothers of Excellence

Triumph Church

Office Depot

Heart of God Ministries

Double Good Popcorn

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Jeremiah Ice

Texas Roadhouse

Stedfast Christian Center

IHOP- Assembly Street Location

Zion Canaan Farmer's Market- via Aiysha Holliday

GOAT - mentoring group

We want to share the great things that our Parents/ Volunteers are doing in our school community! Please feel free to share a story and a picture for our newsletter each week by Friday in time for the Sunday Newsletter Publishing. You can send your entry to Mrs. Knakea Macon (knakea.robinsonmacon@richlandone.org)for her to submit to the Principal for final approval for posting.

https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NTcyOmVuLVVT

What does it mean to be a Visible Learning Certified School?

🌟 We Are a Visible Learning Certified School!

We are proud to be a Visible Learning Certified School! This means our teachers make learning clear and meaningful by helping students understand what they are learning, why it matters, and what success looks like.

Students receive feedback, reflect on their learning, and learn how to take ownership of their growth.

At JP Thomas, we make learning visible so every student can grow, thrive, and succeed!

https://richlandoneschooldist.sharepoint.com/sites/titleiconsultants/_layouts/15/guestaccess.aspx?share=IQBW0n2v0ItBSJtoNNIZ4NRbAV3yN4nS_rEF0dUyi79qx_c&e=OWFtw5&nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJTdHJlYW1XZWJBcHAiLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJTaGFyZURpYWxvZy1MaW5rIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcHBQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXcifX0%3D

Student success guide:

https://www.pta.org/home/family-resources/Parents-Guides-to-Student-Success

Need afterschool care.... check out Barron Academy!

http://barronacademy.com/index.html

Email: johnpthomaselementary@gmail.com
Website: https://www.richlandone.org/Page/61
Location: 6001 Weston Avenue, Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: 803-735-3430
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnpthomaselementary
Twitter: @JohnPThomasElem

Instagram: @johnpthomaselementary