Dear Scott School Families,

Students will be bringing home their fall NWEA report today, so please be sure to check your child's backpack for it.  I strongly encourage you to read below for additional information about our school-wide performance on this assessment and pay special attention to the section about a possible performance dip if your child took the 2-5 tests.  I can't emphasize enough how an assessment is a dipstick test at a moment in time but not all encompassing of the whole child as a learner.  These assessments are checkpoints to see how a student is growing academically, but most importantly data points over time called trend data should be considered because the goal is students are demonstrating an upward trajectory of growth from year to year.  Please keep this in mind as you receive and review NWEA and DIBELS reports now, in the winter, and in the spring.

Halloween is nearly in sight, so be sure to also read the section below about costumes so you can support your child in selecting something that is school appropriate and approved.  In addition, crisp, morning air has arrived, which is a telltale sign that fall is here to stay.  Please help you child dress in layers until it gets cold enough that it's no longer necessary.  For the time being, cold mornings often turn into warm afternoons, so peeling off layers of clothes or having the ability to remove a zip up sweatshirt or light jacket makes for a far more comfortable way to end the day.

Sincerely,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

Each week every classroom at Scott School has a Panther Pride drawing from all Panther Pride slips earned by students for demonstrating respectful, responsible, safe, bucketfilling, and handling hard better behavior.  Lucky drawing winners are invited to a special Panther Pride event at the end of the month with Mrs. Reha and Mrs. Schwarz which was Panther Pride Recess for September winners.

Over the last few weeks, I've been able to visit classrooms to cover a variety of topics.  We first learned about Bucket Filling and read about what it means to be a Bucket Filler. The books we discussed were “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” and “How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids.” Students generated ideas about how to fill buckets and how to recognize when others are filling their buckets.

On the next visit, we discussed strategies that we can use to solve problems when they arise with our friends. Specifically, how to use “A Bug and a Wish” as part of our “DeBug System” and our “Problem Solving Wheel.”

On my most recent visit to classrooms, we began our Second Step Lessons. For 2nd grade the lesson was “How to Get Good at Something.” This lesson focused on helping students to identify things they’ve done to get better at a skill, such as practicing, trying hard, and asking for help. For 3rd grade the lesson was, “Changing Your Brain.” This lesson focused on teaching students what happens in their brain when they learn a new skill, such as how the different parts of your brain talk to each other through pathways and networks. The more you practice, the stronger the network becomes.

Sincerely,

DeAnn Schwarz

Scott School Social Worker

It's important to remember that test 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 students.  Second graders who scored a RIT of 190 or higher on the NWEA K-2 reading assessment and those who scored a RIT of 200 or higher on the NWEA K-2 math assessment at the end of first grade took the 2-5 version of this/these assessments this fall.  The 2-5 version is in smaller font, has more text, and is not read to students.  Therefore, this assessment is more rigorous.  All third graders take 2-5 assessments too.  Do not be alarmed if your second grader took the 2-5 assessment or if you have a third grader who took this version and you notice a performance dip.  This is somewhat typical and will often correct itself in the winter when students take the assessment again.  

Students participated in the Fun Run today, October 2nd, and it was a blast!  The weather was perfect, and there were many family fans who came to cheer on our student participants.  Thanks goes out to all who donated and supported financially and/or with cheers and signs.  The funds generated from this one and only school-wide fundraiser for the year will pay for field trips, transportation to and from field trips, and positive behavior incentives.  The donation window will remain open until next Friday, October 9th for anyone still interested in contributing. 

Are you looking to volunteer, but can only do so in the morning?  We are in need of volunteers to help with Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 7th.  If you are interested and can help for about an hour with this event, please sign up here.  We are looking for 12-15 helpers.  Thank you for considering!  Be sure to complete the DPS ICHAT too!

Our pick up center for students is outside near the car loop, so students will stand outside to wait for their ride in the elements.  Families are encouraged to send an umbrella or rain gear with their child to 'weather the storm'.  Exceptions to standing outside for pick up are rare, but do occur occasionally if it is lightning or significantly below zero with expert recommendations to remain inside.

Picture retakes will be on Tues., October 13th for any student who was absent on the original Picture Day or needs to get a retake.  If a student is getting a retake, they must return their original picture envelope on the October 13th makeup day. 

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 when the date gets closer.

  • Costume Guidelines: 

    • Simple costumes will be allowed at school.  

    • 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 lean on the side of caution and choose something else.

Below is a message from our DeWitt PTA.

Family Skate Night

Friday, October 2 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Edru Skate, Holt

Lace up your skates and join us for a fun night with fellow DeWitt elementary families! The rink will be closed to the public and open exclusively for our families during the event.

$10 per skater, including skate rental

Monster Mash

Saturday, October 24 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Herbison Woods Elementary

It’s almost time to put on your favorite costume and get your groove on! Join us for a FREE evening of dancing, games, a photo booth, and more. Costumes are encouraged, but not required!

Register for this FREE event: https://tinyurl.com/monstermash26

We’re also looking for volunteers to help make Monster Mash a spook-tacular success! If you can lend a hand, we’d love to have you join our volunteer crew.

Sign up to volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/mmvolunteer26

Community Share Night

Monday, October 26 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Culver’s of DeWitt

Join the PTA at Culver’s of DeWitt and enjoy dinner while supporting our schools! Culver’s has generously offered to donate a portion of sales during this time to the DeWitt Elementary PTA.

No flyer or code is needed. Drive-thru, dine-in, carry-out, and online orders at culvers.com are included. Delivery service orders are excluded.

DeWitt Public Schools will continue to offer free breakfast and lunch to students this year.  Menus can be found here and will be updated soon.  We are grateful to families and our community members who donate healthy, no nut snacks to classrooms and our snack pantry which also provides our students brain and body fuel throughout the day.  Your partnership in removing hunger as a barrier to learning and child development makes a lifelong impact.  Thank you!

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.)

Thank you to the many families who have reached out and asked what donations they can make to Scott School.  Here is a list of things that we're always in need of:

• Healthy, no nut (doesn't contain nuts and is processed and packaged in a factory without nuts), individually packaged snacks

• Balls (basketballs, kickballs, soccer balls, and footballs)

• Disinfectant wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Paper towels

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.

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.

Our school social worker, Mrs. Schwarz, is always willing to assist students and families in any way possible.  In addition to working closely with your child's teacher, consider reaching out to her if you have questions or need support.  She is truly amazing at what she does!  She can be reached at 517-668-3446 or schwarzdea@dewittschools.net.