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 should be analyzed 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 air has been present every morning this week, 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, and bucketfilling 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 this month. 

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.  

Walk to School is an international day established in the United States in 1997 as an effort for students to celebrate the fun of walking (or biking) to school and enjoy getting some morning exercise right in our community.  This special event will take place on Wednesday, October 8th.  Please read this W2SD letter for more details.

Our annual Fun Run fundraising event for students is coming up on Friday, October 17th.  Thank you for all the donations we've received so far, and we still have plenty of time to reach out goal.  Funds donated afford our students place based experiences also known as field trips and cover the cost of admission and transportation.  In addition, funds also help support our school-wide positive behavior support systems throughout the year in various ways including prizes for our Mystery Machine, book vending machine, and fun celebrations that we've had in previous years such as students enjoying a refreshing Kona Ice from an onsite truck at the end of the school year to name a few.  Be on the lookout for a Fun Run schedule soon.  We welcome families to join us that day and watch and cheer students on as they run laps with friends and enjoy time outside with music and laughter.

Second graders have been working hard on measurement!  Here, students in Mrs. Sauve's classroom participated in a fun partner activity where they measured items around the classroom. 

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.

Upcoming Events:

• Monster Mash – Saturday, Oct. 4 • 5–7 PM at Herbison Woods Elementary
  It’s almost time to don those costumes and get your groove on! Enjoy dancing, games, a photo booth, and more. Costumes encouraged (but not required).
  Register for this FREE event here: https://tinyurl.com/monstermash25

Volunteer Opportunities
Monster Mash – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904094CA8A928AB9-57614461-monster#/
Volunteers needed to help during the event.

And don’t forget—you can sponsor your favorite teacher’s PTA Membership for just $7! We’re halfway to our goal of sponsoring all teachers, with only 42 left to go.
tinyurl.com/staffdrive2526

DeWitt Public Schools will continue to offer free breakfast and lunch to students this year.  Although this is a cut that legislators are considering within the education budget that has not yet been approved, DPS is committed to offering this important food program to students with hopes this continues to be funded by our state.  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.)

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 (including cough drops) to your child, a parent guardian 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.