PES Parent Newsletter

• We have had a great month of October. Our average daily attendance rate is 96%. Congratulations to our 3rd Grade Students. They had the highest attendance percentage at 96.9%! Every Day Counts when it comes to school attendance and our 3rd graders are doing an amazing job!
• Our School Report Card came back and PES earned a rating of GOOD with the highest score in the history of the school. We were one point away from earning Excellent. We tied with Ambler Elementary for the 4th highest score in the district. This is a testament all of the hard work the students and staff are doing each day!
• We have a long weekend in the month of November. There will be NO SCHOOL on November 2nd and 3rd. We hope you enjoy that long weekend.
• Thanksgiving Break is the week of November 23-27, 2026. Students will return to school on Monday, November 30th.
• We have a lot of events at school in the next few weeks including our Skate Night, Veterans' Day, Santa Pictures, Sparkle Story Time, Thanksgiving Lunch, and $1 Hat Day. Please read below to see when each of these events is happening.
• If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact the school at 864-397-2300.

November Super Sparkler Word: RESPECT

This month, our Pickens Sparklers are focusing on Respect! Respect means treating others with kindness, listening when someone is speaking, following directions, and taking care of ourselves, others, and our surroundings. We show respect through our words, actions, and choices—even when we disagree or feel frustrated!

How can you reinforce respect at home?

• Use respectful words: Practice saying “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” and “I’m sorry.”

• Be a good listener: Encourage children to make eye contact, listen without interrupting, and take turns speaking.

• Model respect: Show respect in the way you speak to family members and others, even during disagreements.

• Talk it out: Ask, “How can you disagree with someone respectfully?” and practice using calm words.

• Notice and praise respect: Celebrate moments when your child shows kindness, listens, follows directions, or treats others thoughtfully

By modeling respectful words and actions each day, you can help your child build positive relationships and become a Super Sparkler who shines at school and in the community!

Respect Read Aloud

At Pickens Elementary, we want every student to feel supported, successful, and cared for. If you have a concern about your child’s social, emotional, behavioral, or school-related needs, you may use this form to request support from the guidance counselor.

Parent Referral Form

All SDPC students will receive a free breakfast and lunch daily. Breakfast is served each morning from 7:30-7:55am.

Help Pickens Elementary raise money by linking your grocery accounts to our school. Both Ingles and Publix have programs that gives our school a percentage of each purchase to buy supplies. Please click on the links below to sign up.

Ingles Tools for School School ID: 11460

Publix Partners

November

2 - Teacher In Service Day - No School

3 - Election Day - No School

5 - Skate Night 5:30-7:30pm

10 - 5th Grade to Swamp Rabbits Hockey Game

11 - Veterans Day

13 - Pictures with Santa

18 - Super Sparkler 8:30am; Preschool Story Time 10:30am

19 - 5th Grade to Charleston; Thanksgiving Lunch

20 - $1 Hat Day; Ag Field Day

23-27 - Thanksgiving Break

30 - Students Return to School

Email: shannonlawton@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: pes.pickens.k12.sc.us
Location: 567 Hampton Avenue, Pickens, SC, USA
Phone: 864-397-2300
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pickenselementary