The Scott Spotlight
October 20, 2023
Principal: Linda Reha
School Address: 804 Wilson St. DeWitt, MI 48820
Office Phone Number: 517-668-3400
Attendance Phone Number: 517-668-3458
Website: https://scott.dewittschools.net/
Start Time: 8:30 a.m. (First bell rings at 8:25 a.m.)
Students may be dropped of at 8:10 a.m. or later. Supervision is not available before 8:10 a.m.
Dismissal Time: 3:20 p.m.
School Events

Nov. 1: No School - Full Day of Professional Development for Certified Staff
Reha's Report
Dear Scott School Families,
All of our second and third grade students attended a play at the Wharton Center last week, and it was such a pleasure to observe their excitement and demonstration of respectful, responsible, and safe behavior. What an enjoyable and enriching off site opportunity this was.
As we gear up for Halloween in a couple of weeks, please be sure to read our costume guidelines outlined in this newsletter. Thank you for supporting safe, friendly, and age-appropriate costumes. Weather permitting, we will be hosting an outdoor costume parade on Halloween day. Families can expect more details about our parade sometime the week prior to this short, yet fun event. Families are welcome to come and watch our second and third graders show off their costumes as they walk our outdoor parade route.
The weather certainly has taken a turn. Please consider sending your child with an umbrella or a hooded rain coat on rainy days. Unfortunately, we don't have a covered structure for students to wait under at arrival and dismissal times. Unless it is lightening or a torrential downpour, students are outside during these times.
Kindly yours,
Linda Reha
Scott School Principal
Fall NWEA Grade Level Data
Second Grade Fall NWEA Data:
Math = 81% of students scored average or above
Reading = 71% of students scored average or above
Third Grade Fall NWEA Data:
Math = 79% of students scored average or above
Reading = 74% of students scored average or above
It's important to remember that tests scores do not define a student. They are a snapshot picture of performance at a moment in time. The data does provide us with additional information though to help determine instructional plans and supports for students. Also, please know that both reading and math tests for second graders who take the K-2 assessments have an audio component so the assessments are read to all students, and third grade does not have audio unless a student has an audio accommodation per their 504 plan or IEP.
2023 MSTEP Data
Wow! Wow! Wow! Take a peek at last year's third grade MSTEP data along with our district-wide data. Our team is over the moon about how well our third graders performed.
Our third graders ranked #1 among local districts and also #1 among peer districts statewide in both reading and math. This is amazing, and we are so proud.
Fun Run = Huge Success
Our 2023-2024 Fun Run raised $35,175 to cover the cost of field trips, transportation (to and from field trips), enrichment activities, and positive behavior supports for students. We are incredibly grateful for your outpouring of support. Thank you!
Prizes & Winners:
Silly String recess for the top earning class - Mrs. Toth's students
Movie day and a freezer pop for reaching our school-wide goal - All classrooms
Meet and greet with DPS varsity football players and cheerleaders - Top earning students
A special shoutout and gratitude to these businesses for their donations and supporting our Fun Run:
Earth Tones Landscaping
Kingsley Insurance Group
Lansing Glass Company
Master Flotka ATA Martial Arts Academy
Matthew Accounting
Twisted Craft Cocktails
Vitek Family Dentistry
Halloween, Celebrations, & Parties
To promote a safe and secure indoor school environment, create an inclusive atmosphere for all students, and to reduce distractions for the duration of the school day, the following school celebration guidelines will be followed:
Classroom celebrations will be kept to one hour.
Healthy snacks and alternatives to food to support allergies and our wellness policy are encouraged. Some classrooms may have a “no food” policy due to allergies.
Only volunteers and party classroom coordinators may be allowed in the classroom to help support classroom celebration activities per individual teacher request/classroom needs.
Volunteers and party classroom coordinators may not bring any additional guests including siblings (of any age), relatives, etc.
Volunteers and classroom coordinators must complete the I-Chat Form and be cleared if they at any time are going to work with students independent of where the classroom teacher is.
Halloween/Fall Celebration Specific:
All Scott families may attend an outdoor Halloween parade of students around the building - weather permitting. More information about the parade time and location will be shared with families.
Costume Guidelines:
Simple costumes will be allowed at school. Please save blow up costumes for outside of school events.
Scott School students are allowed to wear simple costumes to school. Be mindful of student’s ability to participate in classroom learning and also PE and recess activities.
Costumes should be tasteful, modest and appropriate for a school environment.
Costumes shall have no representation of violence, horror characters or be scary; no blood or weapons.
Wearing costumes is an opportunity but not an obligation. Families may choose whether or not their child participates.
If your child or you are questioning if a costume is school appropriate, it is recommended to err on the side of caution and choose something else.
Regulating Behavior
Our Scott School students are continuing to learn appropriate ways to regulate themselves when experiencing big feelings. Something that has become far too common when emotions are heightened is students saying threats and/or using threatening gestures with one another. Many factors likely contribute to this inappropriate way of problem solving. What we as adults model and reinforce is extremely important. The article Video Games and Children: Playing with Violence highlights some potential contributing factors that impact unexpected behavior from students. Included are also suggestions for supporting healthy gaming habits. It's also important to consider your child's television program/movie viewing and Internet exposure. Please help reinforce expected behavior and appropriate problem solving strategies through modeling, conversations, and monitoring exposure time and access to various types of media and gaming opportunities with your child.
Scott Specials Section
Check out what's been happening in our specials classrooms/gym. Art, music, and physical education are such fun and engaging learning environments, and we love our specials teachers:
Mr. Lindsay - Art
Mrs. Graham - Music
Ms. Brya - Physical Education

Art - Original Works
Dear Scott School Families,
Scott School students have been working on an art piece for the Original Works Art fundraiser. They will be bringing home their artwork and information on how to order items with their awesome artwork this week. Please consider supporting the visual arts by ordering a keepsake or possibly a gift for the holidays! To guarantee order delivery before the holidays, all orders must be placed by October 30th. Ordering is done online. Just follow the directions on the order form. If you have any questions please contact me at lindsay@dewittschools.net
Thanks,
Mr. Lindsay
Scott School Art Teacher
National Fire Safety Month
Did you know that October is National Fire Prevention Month? Thank you Clinton County Fire Department for paying our 2nd graders a visit!
DHS Annual Veterans Day Program
The DeWitt High School will be hosting its 17th Annual Veterans Day Program on Friday, November 10, 2023. Any veteran, along with their family, is invited to a coffee reception in the high school library from 8:15 a.m. to 9: 15 a.m. A high school student-led program will then be held in the high school gymnasium at 9:30 a.m. to which veterans will be escorted and honored in front of a student body. The program will end by 10:30 a.m.
Additionally, DeWitt Public Schools has provided a link on our district website to anyone interested in donating to this non-profit event. Please consider a donation. More information can be found on the DPS district website.

Attention to all Veterans who are DHS Alums!!!!
First and foremost, thank you for your service to our country!
Would you please send or drop off (by October 31st) a physical picture of yourself or your family member in uniform with name, year of graduation from DeWitt, and branch served-- all either written on the back of the picture or attached to the picture --for our Veteran's Day display? Please make sure this is a copy of your picture that you are okay with being stapled or pinned into a display case outside of our Media Center. If you prefer to send your picture digitally, please email it along with the requested information to laingdav@dewittschools.net.
Please send Pictures to:
DeWitt High School
c/o Dave Laing
P.O. Box 800
DeWitt, MI 48820
If you choose to drop it off, the address is:
DeWitt High School
13601 Panther Dr.
DeWitt, MI 48820
Email a digital copy to:
laingdav@dewittschools.net
DHS Football Games
Please follow these guidelines to help make high school football games safe and enjoyable for all who attend.
DeWitt students must remain on our side of the stadium.
Students must leave all footballs, balls, flying objects (ie. frisbees, etc.) at home. Playing catch, games, etc. is not acceptable with so many spectators in the stadium and causes safety risks and distractions to those who paid to watch the event.
It is an expectation that elementary students are chaperoned. The concourse (common area between the stands and concessions) is not a play space. Elementary aged students must be accompanied by their adult and not be left unsupervised to play or congregate inside or outside of the stadium.
Below is similar District language about this expectation:
We would like to express our gratitude for your continued support of our athletics and performing arts programs. Our home football games are a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their talents and sportsmanship. We have our last regular season game on 10/20. To ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all, we kindly request your cooperation in supervising and guiding your children during these events. It is crucial that they understand the importance of being safe, respectful, and responsible. This includes refraining from running, horseplaying, throwing balls, using obscene language, or climbing retaining walls. With many families and elderly community members in attendance, these behaviors pose a risk to the well-being of all attendees. Students not demonstrating safe, respectful, and responsible behaviors will be asked to sit or leave with their parents. Your collaboration in reinforcing these expectations will contribute to a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone. Thank you for your support in fostering a culture of respect and responsibility within our school community.
PTA Particulars
The following is a message from our Elementary PTA:
Thank you to all who came out Monster Mash last Friday, it was a blast! We are excited to announce that all the Elementary buildings now have snack pantries loaded with snacks! Thank you to all who donated! We appreciate you and hope to have more family events in the future.
Our next Event is Denim & Diamonds on 11/11. This is our one and only fundraiser. Funds raised will go back into the schools through building allocations, and teacher grants. We have some awesome parent coordinators who have volunteered to organize classroom baskets. Please consider donating to your child’s classroom auction basket/item. We appreciate your support!
10/27: Class auction basket/item due
11/3: Basket/item drop off day
11/7: PTA General Meeting
11/11: Denim & Diamonds (See attached Event Flyer)
Event Tickets: https://dewittelempta.memberhub.com/store/items/933889
Event Page: https://shorturl.at/nvT39
Want more information on getting involved, Contact Us: Info@ptadewitt.org
Thank you, DeWitt Elementary PTA for the donations to our school-wide snack pantry. We appreciate you!
Picture Retake Day
Fall Picture Retake Day Is: November 2nd
Pre-order today on mylifetouch.com
Picture Day ID: EVTQHXF4C
School Breakfast & Lunch
School breakfast and lunch is available to all students and this year, both are free to all students due to a State initiative.
Lunch Menus: https://dewittschools.nutrislice.com
Sign Up for Free Breakfast: The link shared with our families to sign up their students for breakfast has not been working properly. Please email Marcy Updike at updikemar@dewittschools.net to ensure your student is signed up for the breakfast program at Scott and Schavey because these two buildings will serve breakfast in the classroom as a more efficient way to feed students and reduce time out of class. Once you sign up your student, it is a standing order unless you cancel. When you email to sign up, please include:
Student's first and last name
Teacher's name
Building student attends
Guidelines for Free Meals: The guidelines to receive free breakfast and/or lunch require a students to take items that meet the guidelines for a complete meal.
Option to Purchase Ala Carte Items: In addition to free complete meals, extra entrees and ala carte items like milk at .55 will be available for purchase if your student brings a meal from home. Students will need money in their accounts to do this. There is a charge of $1.95 fee per $100, and .50 fee for multiple students with no transaction amt. cap to families who choose to use the online payment system. Also, you can pay by E-Check for $1 fee per transaction with a $750 transaction cap. Also, there are deposit boxes located in all school buildings.
Federal & State Funding Help: DeWitt Public School District is excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students starting this new school year thanks to the Michigan Healthy School Meals Program! Even though meals will be provided for free, it's important for families to continue sharing household income information in order for our schools to receive full access to federal and state funding for educational programs that our students are entitled to. Paper applications are available upon request. Please contact Sandy Leach at leachsand@dewittschools.net or Marcy Updike at updikemar@dewittschools.net. Online applications can be completed at: https://dewitt.familyportal.cloud.
I-CHAT to Volunteer or Chaperone
All volunteers and chaperones must be cleared before an event through our District's I-CHAT background check process every year. This process takes a few days, so please don't delay in completing it, so your report is processed and returned to the school in a timely fashion.
CLT and Professional Development Calendar
Below are the dates for Collaborative Learning Time (CLT) and professional development this year. Thank you in advance for supporting these days which allow our teachers to participate in training and be continuous lifelong learners to support student success.
September 15 - Full Day Professional Development (no school)
October 18 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:57 a.m.)
November 1 - Full Day Professional Development (no school)
January 17 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:57 a.m.)
February 21 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:57 a.m.)
May 15 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:57 a.m.)
District Parent Resources & Events

Parent Guidance Series
ID Requirement for Students to be Picked Up
Student safety is a priority. Please bring proper identification each time your child is picked up from school. Here are some ways adults picking up students can be identified:
Physical ID (ie. driver's license)
Personal ID by office staff
Other identification proof such as utility bills or other statements, credit card, etc., AND answer personal information that we have in Infinite Campus (ie. phone number, child's birthdate, etc.)
Allergy Awareness
There are some Scott students who have health-threatening nut allergies in our building. Scott School is a 'No Nut' building. Pack items that do not contain nuts for your child's lunch and snack. It is critically important that we provide a safe learning environment for all students, and your help with this is needed and appreciated. Please always contact your child's teacher if you have a concern about an allergy or other health condition related to your child that they should be aware of. Also, if your child has a medical need, including food or other allergies, don't forget to update your child's Medical Management Plan by completing and submitting the district forms to the office before school starts so we can follow protocols to keep your child safe.
Medical Forms
In order for Scott School personnel to administer medication to your child when we return to in person instruction, you must:
Submit a completed district medication form to our office.
Be sure all medications are brought to and stored in our office.
Be sure prescription medication is in its original container accompanied with a physician’s signature.
Be sure non-prescription medication is in its original container accompanied by a parent’s signature.
Please communicate with your child's teacher if he/she takes medication daily at school.
If your child has a medical condition, please be sure to complete a Medical Management Plan for your child and turn it in at the office.
Medication and other medical forms can be found on our DeWitt Public Schools website.
Attendance Line
When your child is absent, please call the Scott School Attendance line: 517-668-3458. Substitute Teachers cannot access a teacher's email, so please call the office when your child is going to be absent, will be dropped off or picked up outside of regular school hours, or has a transportation switch. Please call before 3:00 pm, for all after school changes.