State School Report Card Grades were released on November 13, 2012.   Blythe’s Absolute Rating is Excellent and our Growth Rating is also Excellent.   Our Federal Accountability Rating Grade is A.   What a fabulous report card!!!!    We are thrilled!    Thanks to our students, teachers, and volunteers for their hard work.
 

Blythe students participated in a mock Presidential election on November 2. 

 Our second Walk-To-School Event was held on November 7.   Approximately 400 students and parents participated!  Thank you for your continued support of this program.  A special task force training for Safe Routes to School was held at Blythe on November 29 & 30.  This was part of a grant award which will allow us to provide greater safety for our students as they walk and bike to school. 

Energized Guys assemblies were presented to all students on Friday, November 2.  Each student received a student activity book which contained an order form for a FREE Energy Efficiency Kit for eligible duke energy customers.   The school that orders the most kits will receive a $2000 cash prize.   The kit contains useful home items.   Please order yours if you have not already done so!  If you have any questions about Duke Energy’s energy efficiency program or the energy efficiency survey, you may call 1-800-347-8301 for assistance. 

Blythe students have the opportunity to participate in the University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball reading incentive program called “Read with the Gamecocks.”   Additional information will come from homeroom teachers. 

Winter holidays are December 20 – January 1.   All Greenville County schools and offices will be closed during that time.  We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

More interesting facts from Greenville County Schools:

This summer, GCS Warehouse Department……

·        Processed and delivered over 900 orders.

·        Completed a full inventory of all warehouse items.

·        Received over 20 tractor trailer loads of supplies.

·        Completed over 150 work orders and other requests

·        Checked and cleared 19 pallets of computer CPU’s for disposal.

The Science Materials Center……..

·        Cleaned and refurbished 2,466 tubs for grades 1-5

·        17 Titles and 96 Tubs purchased and delivered to Monarch Elementary

·        Processed 4,249 orders for science kit materials for grades 1-5.

·        Began delivering science kits first

            week in August.

…..all done to make our schools ready for children in August!

___________________

If your emergency contact information (address, telephone numbers) has changed since enrolling your child in school, please contact Mrs. Mary Jeanfreau, Blythe attendance clerk, so that the updated information can be entered into the computer.   If you had access to the Parent Portal last year, your login information will remain the same for this year.  If you are a new parent and do not yet have access to the Parent Portal, bring your driver’s license to Mrs. Jeanfreau and she will help you get set up. 

Please remember that GCS tardy policy states that children must be in their classrooms when the 8:00 bell rings.   All students who are tardy require a parent to accompany them into the building to receive a tardy pass. 

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through issues associated with the computer based visitor sign-in program.   Please be reminded that all visitors are required to sign in and wear a visitor badge while in the building (GCS policy/procedure).  A driver’s license is required to sign in.

More great news to share – Blythe’s 2012 Accountability Report and School Report Card results are in.  We are so proud of our grade!!   Please see the detailed information below.

Content Area Proficiency Met/Improved

(1 = met state objective; 0 = did not meet objective; 0.1-0.9 = level of improvement from previous year)

Overall Weighted Points Total = 96.4

Overall Grade Conversion = A

Our theme for the 2012-13 school is year is “Road Trip USA!!!!   Success is a journey – not a destination!”  Montague the Bear will give daily clues for states in our great country.  With the upcoming Presidential election, it is the perfect time to learn more about the USA.

Blythe Academy has joined thousands of other schools in our country as a CATCH school.  CATCH stands for “Coordinated Approach To Child Health.”   CATCH schools are committed to helping children eat more nutritious foods and get more physical activity.   As you know, both are important to their health and wellness today and for years to come.

Helping our children make positive health choices takes the entire school community – teachers,

principals, cafeteria staff, and parents – all working together in a coordinated way.  I strongly encourage and welcome your support for this program.  As a parent, your role in influencing your child to make healthy choices is critical.

A key focus of the CATCH program is to create an environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice for our students.  At Blythe, we will promote positive health choices through wellness activities, classroom and physical education curricula, family nights, and an exciting new cafeteria lunch program. 

A major emphasis of CATCH is helping children learn to make healthy food choices by teaching them the difference between GO, SLOW and WHOA foods.  Our school will encourage students to eat healthy and nutritious snacks during the school day.  We are thrilled that Blythe has been named a “Culinary Creations,” school which will feature a meat entrée, a vegetarian entrée, and homemade soup and salad bar each day.  In addition, the new menu features more fresh fruits and vegetables, more whole grains and more legumes (dried peas and beans). Menus will be lower in calories, sodium and fats.

Our wonderful cafeteria staff received special training this summer the week of July 16 – 20 at the Culinary Institute of the Carolinas at the northwest campus of Greenville Tech. The food service team is excited to have been selected to provide this new program to our children. 

As parents, you can support the CATCH and Culinary Creations programs at Blythe.   We encourage you to eat with your child in our dining room and enjoy our new menu options.   Send only healthy snacks to school for events such as class parties, birthday recognitions, etc.  Find opportunities for your child to be more active.   Be a positive role model.   Volunteer to help implement the CATCH program at Blythe.  Mrs. Street is our CATCH Program Coordinator.  Rachel Balck rachel@balckfamily.org, Julie Hrobsky juliehrobsky@gmail.com, and Mary Beth Galbreath  nathanandmb@gmail.com are PTA/SIC parent volunteers who are helping to coordinate parent involvement in the CATCH and Culinary Creations Programs. 

Meal prices for this year are below:
 

Parents are welcome to join their children for lunch.  Send a note with your child so that you are included in the daily lunch count.  Remember to sign in at the front office and get a visitor’s tag.  Then meet your child at the cafeteria.  A special table is reserved for parents and their children. 

These are wonderful opportunities for our children and we at Blythe feel very fortunate to be able to offer them next school year.  We thank you for your support!   Please feel free to contact the school or the parents above for questions or more information.

Blythe is pleased to once again participate in monthly Walk to School Events.   Dates for this year are:

            December 5

            January 9

            February 6

            March 6

            April 10

            May 1

Thank you for your continued of our Chick-Fil-A Biscuit sales.   Profits from these sales are funding incentives and supplies for our PBIS and Leader in Me programs.   Biscuit Sale dates for the 2012-13 school year are:

            December 14

            January 11 & 24

            February 8 & 21

            March 8 & 21

            April 12 & 25

            May 10 & 24

Blythe is pleased to offer its own Extended Day Program, providing on-site after school care from 2:30 – 6:00 each day.   Irenia Fuertes and Christy Street are co-directors and can provide information on registration and fees if you are interested.

We continue to have a large number of student tardies each day.   Please help us to address this problem!  Tardies have ranged from 28 – 100 this year.  If each of those children is tardy to school by only 10 minutes, 320 – 1000 instructional minutes are lost for that day.  Instruction begins promptly at 8:00 each day.  In order to be marked present and on time, children must be in their classrooms when the 8:00 bell rings.  Students who have in excess of 5 tardies for the year, will not be eligible for a perfect attendance award at the end of the year.  Research indicates that students who arrive at school on time tend to be more attentive from the beginning of the day.  This contributes to improved grades and increased test scores, along with positive social interactions with adults and peers.  Our school day officially begins at 8:00.  Please make every effort possible to have your child at school by 7:45 each day.  This allows time for walking through the building and completing classroom routines before instruction begins. 

Due to an increased number of safety concerns, The Spinx Company and Blythe Academy are asking that parents and caregivers do not park in the BP/Spinx Parking lot (on the corner of Augusta Road and Old Augusta Drive) to pick up and/or drop off children during school times.  We are making great efforts to ensure that the carpool line moves quickly and smoothly.  As always, we encourage all parents to review and follow school procedures for morning arrival and afternoon dismissal.  Please know that our procedures are designed to keep children safe at all times.  Thank you for your cooperation!

__________________________________________________________________________________

Flu season is approaching!  The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot each fall.  You can get a flu shot from your doctor, your local public health department or an urgent care center. If you cannot get the shot, talk to your doctor about anti-viral medications. There are some other things you can do to stay well and not spread the flu virus:

• Stay away from people who are sick.  When you are sick, keep your distance from           others to protect them from getting sick too.

• Stay home from work, school, and errands if you are sick.  You will help keep others from getting sick.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.  Use a tissue, if one is handy. Throw it away immediately after use. Otherwise, use your upper sleeve.

• Wash your hands often and thoroughly.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is covered with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

Other good habits, such as getting plenty of sleep, engaging in physical activity, managing stress, drinking water and eating good food will help you stay healthy in the winter and all year.

CR-006325 9/06

Tips to ease the morning rush:

• If your child is slow getting dressed, say, “You have (x) minutes until we leave for school.”  Set the timer.  If your child is not ready, have him finish dressing in the car.
• Get everyone their own alarm clock.
• Go to bed early enough to get 7-9 hours of sleep.  Children need 9-11 hours.
• Rise early enough to complete all morning tasks. 
• Prepare as much as possible the night before.  Pack lunches, bookbags, etc.
• Have a set place for everything so that it is all easily found in the mornings.
• Keep a sense of humor.  This is not a time to panic, get angry, or become impatient.  If things go badly, discuss later.  You do not want to set a bad tone for the day.

Parents and visitors, thank you for always entering the building through the door into the front office and signing in as a visitor.  This is district policy and is designed to ensure the safety of our students and staff.  This includes arrival and dismissal times.  There can be no exceptions.  Please understand that this is the only way we can effectively monitor adults entering the building and guarantee the safety of our children.  Any parent wishing to pick their child up for early dismissal must come to the front office and sign the child out.  If the office staff does not recognize you as a Blythe parent, you will be asked to present a photo ID.  Thank you for supporting this important safety procedure.

• Pull as far down as possible before stopping to let your children out of the car.  This allows us to unload more cars at one time..
• Stop completely before allowing your child to exit the car.
• We have a limited number of safety patrols to open car doors for children.  We will help as many as possible. 
• Have students ready to unload as soon as you stop.  Bookbags should be packed, lunchbags in hand, etc.  This is not the time to sign papers sent home the day before.
• If you need extra time, pull into a marked space in the parking lot.  Please do not hold up the line.
• If you need to enter the building in the morning, you must park in a parking   space.  Do not park in the driveway. 
• Cross the driveways only at crosswalks, and wait for a staff member to assist you.
• Do not drop students off anywhere except at designated locations.  Supervision is not provided at other locations.
• Please do not drop students off from the front parking lot.  Please use the car line.
• Merge as indicated by the traffic sign. 
• After 8:00 a.m. all students must be signed in at the front office. 
• Be certain all car doors are closed securely before you pull away from the curb.
• The gas station at the corner has requested that you not use their parking lot for drop-off or pick-up. 

Please remember that driving does not get your full attention if you are talking on your cell phone.

South Carolina state law requires that babies ride in a federally approved rear-facing car seat until they are at least one year old and weigh at least 20 pounds. Children ages 1 to 5 who weigh 20 to 40 pounds must ride in a car seat. South Carolina law also requires that children under age 6 who weigh 40 to 80 pounds use a booster seat, and children under age 6 may not ride in the front vehicle seat, unless all rear seating positions are being used by other children, or the vehicle does not have rear seating.

Parents of car riders, please remember to place a sign in your front windshield stating your child’s name/number before you pick up each day.  This will help us to get your child to your car more quickly.  Thanks!

Please know that we are working hard to make our arrival and dismissal process as efficient and safe as possible.  We must all be committed to following the procedures in place to ensure the safety of our children.  Thank you!

Please do not bring your pets onto our playgrounds (for health and safety reasons).  If you bring your pet with you at dismissal, please keep it in the car and on a leash.  Some of our children are afraid of dogs.  We need to be certain that we have the safest possible environment at all times. 

Thank you for your help with these issues!

The total number of lost minutes for all student tardies last school year equaled approximately 250 days of lost instructional time.  Please know how important it is for students to be present and on time every school day.  Students who have in excess of five (5) tardies will forfeit eligibility for a perfect attendance award for the school year. 

The number of lost and found items at Blythe is tremendous.  We will place these items on display the last week of each month so that students and parents can look for lost items.  At the end of each month, all remaining items will be donated to a charitable organization.

Please make a note of these important numbers.

            Front Office                            355-4400

            Attendance Office                  355-4401

            Secretary                                355-4406

            Guidance                                355-4404

            Media Center                         355-4405

            Health Room                          355-4407

            Cafeteria                                355-4408

            Plant Engineer                        355-4409

            Principal                                  355-4410

            Assistant Principal                 355-4411; 355-4769

            Donaldson Bus Center          355-5280

Each teacher has a telephone in the classroom.  This phone will not ring in the classroom during school hours, but you may call and leave a voice message.  If your call requires immediate attention, please call the front office number.  The school website provides links to e-mail for all teachers as well. 

If your child requires daily medication to be administered by the school nurse, remember that a parent must bring that medication to the nurse.  Children must not transport medication at any time. 

Please do not park in the fire lane at the front of the school at any time!!  This lane must remain clear at all times.  A potentially dangerous situation is created whenever the fire lane is blocked.  Please help us to ensure the safety of our children by parking in the visitor spaces or the parking lot at all times.  Thank you!

Greenville County Schools wishes to advise all parents, teachers, and employee organizations that the asbestos management plan for each school is available for examination in the administrative office at the school. In addition, copies of the management plan for all schools are maintained in the Operations office at 2 Space Drive, Taylors. Contact: Dicky McCuen (355-1271)

BLYTHE ACADEMY OF LANGUAGES

                                                               Important Dates

December 3                                        PTA Meeting/Holiday Program

                                                            Interim Progress Reports Issued

December 7                                        3M Luncheon

December 20-January 1                    Winter Holidays

January 14                                          PTA Bingo Night

January 18                                          Teacher Workday/No school for students

January 21                                          Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

January 24                                          Report Cards Issued

February 4                                          PTA Mtg./Student Talent Show

February 18                                        President’s Day Holiday

February 21                                        Interim Progress Reports Issued

March 19-20                                       PASS Writing Test, Grades 3-8

March 29                                            Make-up Day # 2

April 1-5                                              Spring Break

April 9                                                 Report Cards Issued

April 26                                               Blythe Blast

April 29                                               Make-up Day # 1

May 6                                                 Interim Progress Reports Issued

May 13                                               PTA Mtg./Spring Choral Program

May 27                                               Teacher workday/No school for students

May 28                                               8:30 5K Awards Ceremony

                                                            10:00 Grade 1 Awards Ceremony

May 29                                               8:30 Grade 2 Awards Ceremony

                                                            10:00 Grade 3 Awards Ceremony

May 30                                               8:30 Grade 4 Awards Ceremony

May 31                                               8:30 Grade 5 Awards Ceremony

June 4-6                                              Half Days (12:00 dismissal)

June 6                                                 Last Day of School

June 11                                               Report Cards Mailed

THE MAKE-UP DAYS BUILT INTO THE CALENDAR WILL BECOME HOLIDAYS IN THE EVENT OF NO CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.  PLANS SHOULD NOT BE MADE IN ADVANCE ASSUMING THESE WILL BE AUTOMATIC HOLIDAYS.