SATCHEL FORD ELEMENTARY PTO
5901 Satchel Ford Road, Columbia, SC (803) 738-7209
Satchel Ford FAQs
Are you new to Satchel Ford or are you a parent of a returning student and just have a question? These FAQs should help answer a lot of questions for you!
COMMUNICATION
What is the Week at a Glance (WAAG) update?
Each Sunday evening, parents/guardians will receive an email with a message from Dr. Scandrol, our principal, about events and activities happening at Satchel Ford during the upcoming week. Please be sure to read the information so you know what is happening at school that week! When you complete your enrollment verification each year, please be sure that you include your updated email address so you will receive these messages. If you are not receiving the emails, please contact the school office for assistance.
How will my child’s teacher communicate with me?
Teachers use a variety of ways to communicate with parents, and they will let you know how it will work at the beginning of the year. Teachers in grades K-2 send weekly newsletters and teachers in grades 3-5 send weekly or monthly newsletters. Teachers use classroom communication apps like Class Dojo or Remind and/or send emails to communicate with parents. Communication folders are sent home on Fridays. Included in these folders are graded papers, flyers from PTO or school, teacher newsletters, and any information that the teacher needs to share with you.
What websites and social media outlets should I use for information about Satchel Ford?
Be sure to follow Satchel Ford PTO on Facebook and Instagram! We share fun photos of activities happening at school, important dates, information about upcoming events, etc. Also, visit the Satchel Ford PTO website for all PTO information and to order Satchel Ford spirit wear. The school website also has information to help parents.
How can I find my child’s grades, complete enrollment verification forms, etc.?
Parents can log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal to review their child’s grades and attendance record throughout the year. In addition, you should log into PowerSchool each year to complete the enrollment verification form to allow your student continued enrollment at Satchel Ford for the following school year. The school will notify parents when that form is available for you to complete. If you don’t know your child’s student ID to create an account the first time you log in, please contact Kelly Foster in the front office or 803-738-7209. After that, you will log in with your created user ID and password.
MORNING ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
How does drop-off work in the mornings?
Buses are scheduled to arrive at 7 a.m. and will stop at the front of the school. Students who are being dropped off at school may arrive between 7:05 and 7:30 a.m. Students in kindergarten, 4th and 5th grades should be dropped off at the car line parallel to Satchel Ford Road. Students in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades should be dropped off at the car line at the main entrance to the school. All walkers will enter the school through the front door. Students who are carpooling with multiple grade levels should drop off and pick up at the area for the youngest grade level.
When getting in either of the car lines for drop off, please turn onto Satchel Ford Road at the intersection of Satchel Ford and Briarfield Roads. Please make one line in the lane off of the roadway. If your child is in kindergarten, 4th or 5th grades, you will turn off to the right into the car line just past the gravel teacher parking lot. If your child is in 1st, 2nd or 3rd grades, you will continue on straight to remain in the car line to drop off at the front of the school. Satchel Ford Road should NOT be blocked at any time by a car attempting to get into the car line for the front of the school by cutting into the existing line of cars off the roadway. Also, no car should attempt to turn left into either car line from Satchel Ford Road.
All students eating breakfast should report to the cafeteria when they arrive. Breakfast is served from 7:05-7:25 a.m.
When arriving at school before 7:20 a.m., students in grades K-3 should report to the cafeteria, and students in grades 4-5 should report to their hallway to be supervised. Students are dismissed to their classrooms at 7:20 a.m. The tardy bell rings at 7:30 a.m.
What should I do if my child arrives at school after 7:30 a.m.?
Both drop-off car lines end promptly at 7:30 a.m. If your child arrives at school after 7:30 a.m., you must park your car and walk your child into the main office to sign him/her into school. He/She will receive a tardy slip before going to the classroom.
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL
How does afternoon pick-up for car riders work?
The end of the day pick-up will be like morning drop-off. Starting at 2:30 p.m., all bus riders will exit to the buses at the front of the school. Once the busses have departed, students in kindergarten, 4th and 5th grades will be picked up at the car line parallel to Satchel Ford Road, while students in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades will be picked up from the car line at the front of the school. Students who are carpooling with multiple grade levels should be picked up at the area for the youngest grade level.
I live within walking distance of Satchel Ford and will walk to school to pick up my child. Where do I pick him/her up?
These students are called walk-ups, and parents can pick them up from the side door to the cafeteria near the gravel visitor parking lot.
My child walks home. How does that work?
Students who live near the school and walk home will be dismissed from the front door of the school.
My child will go to a daycare afterschool. How does that work?
Several nearby daycares pick up at Satchel Ford. We encourage you to check your daycare to find out if they pick up at Satchel Ford. For students going to daycares, they will meet in the courtyard by the front of the school and will be escorted to their daycare vans.
My child needs to go home from school a different way than usual on a certain day. How do I make sure that happens?
If your child needs to go home a different way than usual, you need to communicate with your child’s teacher that you are giving permission for the change in your child’s dismissal procedure and any instructions the teacher may need. For example, if your child usually goes to aftercare at dismissal but instead will be picked up as a car rider, you should contact your child’s teacher in writing (via email or through the classroom communication app like Class Dojo or Remind) with all of the details.
My child has a doctor’s appointment that is scheduled during the school day. How do I sign my child out of school early?
If your child needs to leave school early, you should go into the main office to sign him/her out. Students are not permitted to be signed out after 2 p.m.
MEALS
What meals are available at school?
As part of a federal grant awarded to Richland One, all students at Satchel Ford are provided with FREE breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria from 7:05-7:25 a.m. We encourage students to eat lunch at school as well! The meals are healthy and allow students to try new food items. Review the weekly menus and don’t worry about packing a lunch for your child!
BRAVES AFTERCARE
What is the Braves Aftercare program?
Braves Aftercare is a program offered by Satchel Ford for students who need childcare after school. It is staffed by Satchel Ford teachers and runs from 2:30-6 p.m. each school day, starting on the first day of school. The program is NOT open on school holidays, early dismissal days, staff development days or parent conference days. Students will have time each day to work on homework, play outside and eat dinner.
How and when do I sign my child up?
Registration for Braves Aftercare starts near the end of each school year for the following school year and continues through the summer. Registration forms are available in the front office.
GETTING INVOLVED
What is the PTO? And how do I join?
The Satchel Ford PTO is an extremely active group of parents who work tirelessly to improve our school, support our teachers and help provide the best experiences for our students. Our executive board and committee chairs plan events and activities throughout the year. We would love for you to join the PTO to help financially support our school. To join, complete the PTO Membership Form, and you’re all set!
I want to volunteer at school. What should I do?
We have many ways for parents to volunteer! The first step is to complete the Volunteer Application. All parents must be approved by Richland One in order to volunteer at Satchel Ford. It takes a few weeks for the application to be processed, so we encourage you to do it soon! Also, complete the PTO’s Volunteer Form so we can get you plugged into helping in various ways at school!
Are there any after school clubs or organizations that my child can participate in?
Satchel Ford offers a variety of activities for students to participate in after school, including Run Hard, Girl Scouts, Unified Club and more. Some clubs are only offered for students in Braves Aftercare but others are open to anyone. Look for more information at the start of the school year.
What are Spirit Nights?
Spirit Nights are held throughout the year, usually at a local business. When families purchase from the restaurant or store and mention Satchel Ford at checkout, a percentage of their sales will be donated to our school. A complete list of Spirit Nights will be sent out at the beginning of the school year and will be posted on the PTO website. Mark your calendars for these events, and take a night off from cooking dinner or enjoy some retail therapy while supporting your school.
OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT SATCHEL FORD
Is there a gifted and talented program offered at Satchel Ford?
Yes! The AAP (Advanced Academic Program) is for students in grades 3-5 in the subjects of reading and math. Students are identified based on various testing processes. Richland One tests all 2nd graders for AAP identification for 3rd grade. Students in grades 3-5 may be identified based on their S.C. Ready scores.
What amenities does Satchel Ford have that make it such a special school?
Satchel Ford is an Arts in Basic Curriculum-recognized school and places a huge emphasis on the arts, which is why you’ll find students attending related area classes in drama, dance, art and music. Brave Arts provides support to the arts teachers and plans arts-related activities throughout the year. Students participate in grade level performances. In addition to the arts, students receive instruction in Spanish and PE.
The Satchel Ford PTO started and continues to support the Farm at Satchel Ford on our campus. We have chickens and a thriving garden to give students hands-on learning opportunities.
The PTO also provided the support to install a disc golf course for our students and the community to enjoy.