Pontiac School News

February 15, 2018

Barber Bulletin

Did you know that Pontiac has a school within a school magnet program? The Montessori magnet at Pontiac began in 2008 with four primary classrooms located in portables behind our main building. The following year we began our elementary program in Pontiac. Over the past 10 years our program has grown from 80 children in the 4 original primary classrooms to 261 students in 13 classrooms. These classrooms span the ages of 3 year old to 5th grade students.

What makes Montessori different from other Pontiac classrooms? The first notable difference is that all classrooms are multi-aged. Children stay with the same teacher for a three year period of time. Another unique aspect of Montessori is the use of Montessori materials to introduce concepts to students. Although Montessori covers all the state standards, we use a different approach utilizing hands-on materials and real world experiences to master these concepts.

Montessori is a lottery based magnet program that specializes in meeting individual needs by providing students the ability to go beyond state standards. Montessori students are independent, self-motivated students who excel with a rigorous curriculum. If you are interested in learning more about our Montessori program at Pontiac, please contact Molly Robbins at mrobbins@richland2.org.

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Cooking Contest

Parents,

The Richland Two Future Chefs Competition is March 14th from 4pm - 7pm. The event is for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. If your child is interested in submitting a recipe, have them pick up an application in our cafeteria. The theme this year is Healthy Asian Fusion. Recipes are due Friday, February 23rd.

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Mission Statement

February: Defining the outcome:

Defining the outcome means starting a project or goal with the end in mind; in this case, it is creating a family mission statement. For example, a fun way to demonstrate this principle to your children, before starting this project, is by asking them to put together a puzzle without seeing the picture on the box.

Find a puzzle with at least 24 pieces. You may have to purchase a new one that your family has not put together before.
Ask each family member to put it together in 30 seconds without looking at the picture of the puzzle. Give each person an opportunity to try to finish it in 30 seconds.
After they each have tried, ask them what would make this task easier for them. They will likely say that if they had a picture of the puzzle or more time they would be more successful.
Now give them another 30 seconds and the picture of the puzzle. Ask them, “Why was it easier this time?” This is a great object lesson to show how important it is to have a vision, or plan—in this case, a picture of the puzzle—in order to be successful in completing something.

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Conversation Starters

Tell me about something you learned today?

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Why?

What is the best thing about being a kid?

Fireflies Reading Incentive

Columbia Fireflies Reading Incentive which begins February 12 and runs until April 13th, 2018.

Students are challenged to read 16 books during the three-month period. Those completing the challenge will receive a free ticket to a Columbia Fireflies game...Pontiac's game night is Sunday, May 27 @ 2:05pm. On our game night, the participating students will also receive a free hot dog, chips, drink, and a surprise gift! (Additional tickets may be purchased for family members for $9/ea.)

Scholarship Opportunity

Greetings,

Please find attached scholarship applications for elementary and middle school students. These scholarships are made available by the Columbia SC Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Applications are due Saturday March 17, 2018. Please contact Mary Ann Smith with questions or concerns at 803.206.8885 or dst56mas@aol.com

Sincerely,

Brenda B. Branic

President