LES Home   Announcements  Resources   Staff List     Lunch   Today's Lunch
- At LES -
Salisbury Steak
Rice and Gravy
Lima Beans
Yeast Roll
Fruit Cup
Juice

- At LMS/LHS -
Corn Dog
Baked Beans

  District Page

LES ANNOUNCEMENTS


2024 Annual Report to Parents

Our goal at Latta Elementary School is to help all students develop world class knowledge, world class skills, and life and career characteristics based on the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, in an effort to prepare all children to be college and career ready. Latta Elementary School provides the foundation to ensure that this goal is realized. Based on data from the 2022-23 school year, Latta Elementary School received an Excellent rating on the SC School Report Card. The excellent category ranges from 61-100, and the combined score of all areas was a 69 for our school. You can go to the SC Department of Education’s website to see the full report. All teachers in grades K-3, special education teachers, and administrators are involved in LETRS training for the next year and a half. LETRS trains staff in the Science of Reading and research based instructional strategies. Through staff development and improved instructional strategies, we will continue to move forward.

Latta Elementary School is part of a state consortium for Pyramid implementation. The Pyramid Model is an approach for supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral development of young children. The goal of the Pyramid Model is to create a preschool environment where every child feels good about coming to school. This is accomplished by guiding classrooms to use practices that promote children’s engagement in learning and by building positive relationships with children, families, and staff. In our use of the Pyramid Model, classroom staff will work together to ensure that all children understand behavior expectations and receive instruction in critical social skills, such as understanding and recognizing emotions, friendship skills, and social problem solving. Classroom staff will also provide individual support to children who have social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. The program leadership team is responsible for guiding and monitoring the implementation of the Pyramid Model throughout our program. Our team is comprised of a program administrator, teachers, an individual who can provide coaching and support to teachers, an individual who serves as a behavior specialist, and family members who can bring perspectives of families in the program. We are currently in our second year of a five-year implementation plan.

 The Montessori approach to learning is available to students to extend their abilities to think critically and problem solve. This multi-age learning approach is operational for all students, 4K – Gr. 3, and provides for complete student differentiation through individualized learning settings. Since subjects are fully integrated, content learning is layered, allowing for stronger and more meaningful content coverage. In addition, we have five grade four traditional classes. Both Montessori and fourth grade classes are focusing on problem based learning, real world applications, research, and independent learning. 

Becoming a positive, contributing member of our school, community, country, and world is the operating basis of our student development. All of our students, along with participation from community supporters, have the opportunity to engage in projects and programs to improve our community such as our Happy Feet project sponsored by the Latta Rotary Club and Latta Elementary School. Our students and staff also assisted in outreach programs by providing food and clothing to local families in need. 

Every classroom in our facility provides for both an indoor and outdoor learning space. Learning subject area content through the environment of classroom gardens has become a reality, and Latta Elementary School currently has 64 classroom gardens as well as an outdoor classroom. In addition, the outdoor Nature Play Park provides a positive, natural play environment that gives children the opportunity to exercise their brains and bodies. The district has also created the Viking Greenway Trail on the Latta Elementary School property, which is a 1.5 mile walking/nature trail accessible to all students and community members. An observation deck overlooking a natural pond and a Labyrinth were also added to enhance the instructional arena.

 At Latta Elementary, the ELA and Math curriculum are both based on the South Carolina College and Career state standards and are now paced and measured in grades one through four by benchmark assessments. The grade 4 classes continue to use enVision by Savvas as the thinking approach to mathematics. Reading instruction is guided by a state supported Reading Coach where both learning to read and reading to learn strategies are supported and implemented. These include progress monitoring through the use of iReady and Fountas and Pinnell. Technology is available in our lab, all classrooms, and library with the media center serving as the research and instructional support hub. Chromebooks are provided to all students to assist and enhance instruction in the classroom and at home. 

Our goal for this school year is to provide opportunities for parents to visit the school to observe in classrooms and participate in PTO and parent meetings. Musical and choral programs, Fall Festival, Bridging Ceremonies, Book Fairs, Parade of Nations, Dr. Seuss Parade and career activities are some of the events and activities added back to the schedule of events this year.

Latta Elementary School continues to strive to fulfill its mission of preparing children for the world of the future. Learning opportunities provided for our children in the context of real life will promote a community of lifelong learners and ensure a positive future for our children and our community.


CLASS PICTURES

Class pictures were taken on February 20. Out photographers have completed the editing of the photos, and the pictures are now available online. Please click this link to purchase a picture of your child’s class: https://vando.imagequix.com/s1700927072. Every purchase helps support our school!


DR. SEUSS WEEK

We are excited to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday the week of March 4-8 with these dress up days!

 

Mon: Your Favorite Color Day: Celebrating the book My Many Colored Days

Tues: Wear red, white, and blue celebrating your right to read

Wed: Crazy Socks: wear your favorite pair of crazy socks or make socks that look crazy, celebrating the book Fox in Socks.

Thurs: Favorite Hat Day: wear your favorite hat to celebrate The Cat in the Hat

Fri:   Green and Gold: wear green and gold to celebrate the book, Green Eggs and Ham


PARADE OF NATIONS

Our first through third graders have been learning about countries all over the world. Please join us on Friday, March 1 to see all the countries parade around the high school football field at 9:30. Our students and staff have worked very hard to create artifacts and representations of these countries. Hope you can join us!


YEARBOOKS

Yearbooks are now $30. If you would like to get a yearbook, please send your payment to school in an envelope labeled with your child’s name and teacher. You can no longer purchase a yearbook online. We will have a limited number of extras, so please don’t delay in sending in your order. 


PARENT CONFERENCES

Teachers will be available for conferences the evening of Thursday, March 28 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm.  If your child’s teacher has requested a conference, please make every effort to attend. If you would like to set up a conference with your child’s teacher, please send a note to your child’s teacher or call during his/her planning period.


SPRING PICTURES

Spring pictures will be taken on Tuesday, March 12. Every student will have their picture taken, so please dress your best! Pictures can be purchased by returning the completed flyer with payment to your child’s teacher. You can also purchase pictures online at at https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001096202. Green screens will be used, so please DO NOT wear green on picture day. Each child will come home on Tuesday’s picture day with a QR code that you can scan to view their picture.


4K/5K REGISTRATION

We will hold registration for new 4K and 5K students for the 2024-2025 school year the week of March 11-15. Children who turn 4 on or before September 1, 2024 are eligible to attend 4-year old kindergarten. Children who turn 5 on or before September 1, 2024 and are NOT currently enrolled in school are eligible to attend 5-year old kindergarten.  

 

Registration will be held in the main office:

Monday - Friday: 8:30am-3:30 pm

 

All of the following documentation will need to be presented for each student at the time of registration:

Your child will not be officially registered until ALL required documents have been received.


MONTESSORI EDUCATION WEEK

The week of February 26 is Montessori Education Week! Students have been working on some writing projects to help celebrate this week. After doing lots of research, students were able to write about the history of Montessori. Some students even chose to learn more about a particular person related to Montessori Education and are writing biographies. Montessori education is such a vital part of Latta Elementary School. Students love learning through this curriculum! Please ask your child about what they have learned about Montessori Education this week!


CAREER VEHICLE DAY

On Wednesday, March 27th, all students will participate in career vehicle day! We have studied all about the many careers available to us, and now we get the chance to see the vehicles related to those careers. A huge thank you goes out to all the community members who volunteered to bring their vehicle to school for our kids! We look forward to seeing all the exciting career vehicles represented on this day.


CAR RIDERS

When picking up car riders, please make sure your car tag is visible until the children are in your vehicle.  If you do not have a car tag, plan to pick your child up in the office between 2:45-2:55 pm.


LIVING WAX MUSEUM

For Black History Month, each 4th grade student researched a famous African American who had an impact on others.  These individuals included Civil Rights leaders, actors, musicians, athletes, inventors, and more.  After each student conducted research, they put their information together in a Google Slide presentation, adding in images to make the presentation eye-catching.  As a follow-up to the Black History Project, our 4th graders are participating in a Living Wax Museum on Thursday, February 28th from 11 AM to 12 PM on the 4th grade hall.  Each participating student will dress as their chosen African American or the spouse of that individual.  Students will stand next to their Chromebooks as their presentations play on a loop.  We hope that visiting parents, lower elementary students, and staff members will enjoy observing the presentations and costumes, while learning interesting facts about people who have helped shape America into the vibrant, diverse country that it is today.


SOCIAL MEDIA

Using social media is among the most common activity for children today. While using social media can provide your child with the opportunity to stay connected with friends and family, it is very important for parents to monitor the use of social media for potential problems.  Studies show that children younger than 11 years old who use different social media platforms are more likely to have problematic digital behavior. Young children can be exposed to inappropriate or upsetting content, cyberbullying, and data breaches while using social media. Other negative effects of using social media at an early age are stress, depression, loss of reality, low self-esteem, and anxiety. If you are going to allow your child to use social media, talking is the best way to protect them from the risks and ensure their internet safety.  Find alternative ways for your child to connect with family and friends, such as visiting the park together or inviting a friend to your house. These are much better ways for young children to develop their social skills.


DISMISSAL NOTICES

If you are signing a student out early, please do so before 2:00 pm unless you have been called by the school nurse. If you know ahead of time that your child will be checked out early, please send a note. This will help the teacher be prepared to send your child home early. You will also need to sign your child out in the office. Please do not take your child from the school without alerting the office staff and signing them out on the clipboard at the front desk.

 


Coming up …

Mar 1  Dr. Seuss Parade 9:00 (4K/5K)

Mar 1  Parade of Nations 9:30 (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

Mar 4  Dr. Seuss Week Begins

Mar 10 Daylight Savings Time– Spring FORWARD 1 hour

Mar 11-15 New 4K/5K Registration

Mar 12 Spring Pictures

Mar 15 135th Day of School

Mar 19 Report Cards

Mar 27 Career Vehicle Day

Mar 28 Parent Conferences 4-6

Mar 29 Teacher Work Day – No School for Students

April 1-5 Spring Break


BLACKBOARD

The District is using a communication tool to send information to parents. You can receive phone calls as well as texts from the District, school and your child’s teacher. This tool is just for sending information. You will not be able to respond to anything that you receive. If you have blocked the school or district number, you will not receive any messages at all from any sender. Please make sure that you have a working phone number on file with the school and if it changes, please let us know as soon as possible. Texts that you receive will come from 606-80.


CHROMEBOOKS

Please make sure your child takes care of their Chromebook at all times. Find a safe place at home, away from small children and pets, to store the Chromebook when not in use. The plastic cases were purchased to transport, store and protect the Chromebook. A child should not be allowed to eat or drink while using the Chromebook. If a liquid is spilled in the Chromebook, it will not work. ONLY the student should be using the Chromebook to complete his/her school assignments. Other children or adults should not be using the device. Fees will be charged to parents for repair of Chromebooks and equipment. Parents, thank you for making sure your child brings the case back to school on the appropriate days.

Tub Replacement: $10

Chromebook Screen: $100

Chromebook Charger:  $30

Chromebook: $200

Headphones:  $10

Mouse: $5

_________________________________

 

Upcoming Events