Dear Scott School Families,

Celebrating DPS Homecoming Week with daily spirit days these past five days was enjoyable to say the least.  The picture below captures nearly 500 students and staff demonstrating togetherness and school spirit, and this is truly a reflection of the school community we work hard to create.  What a joy it is to work in a place where every day is filled with creative, unique, and vibrant humans.  

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.

With pride,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

The expression, "a pictures says a thousand words" sums up this school-wide portrait of our students and staff on Class Shirt Day this week.

I'm filled with pride to be a Scott School Panther!

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. 

SECOND GRADE FALL NWEA MATH

SECOND GRADE FALL NWEA READING

THIRD GRADE FALL NWEA MATH

THIRD GRADE FALL NWEA READING

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 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.  

Creating Awareness of Childhood Cancer & Research and Showing Support

Scott School is preparing for our annual school Fun Run fundraiser, and hope your family will help with this cause.  Donations received are used to pay for field trips, transportation to field trips, and other school enrichment activities and initiatives such as positive behavior supports and intervention rewards.   

Below is a message from our Fun Run Committee.

David Scott Elementary will be kicking off our annual fundraiser called the Fun Run.

This year, our students will participate in the Scott School Fun Run on Friday, October 18.

The Fun Run is our only school-wide fundraiser for the entire year. It is a fun event that promotes healthy habits for our students, while also raising needed funds for student enrichment, field trips, and more. You can help us reach our goal of $20,000 by donating to our school’s fundraising page beginning September 23! 

All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your support!

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 err on the side of caution and choose something else.

Scott School students and staff represented our school spirit by dressing up throughout Homecoming Week and participating in a pep assembly.

Retro Day

Hawaiian Day

Fall Flannel Day

Class Shirt Day

DeWitt Spirit Day

Please follow these guidelines to help make high school football games safe and enjoyable for all who attend.

1. DeWitt students must remain on our side of the stadium.

2.  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.

3. 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.  

In just over a month, we will be hosting Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Once we get closer, a SignUp Genius will be shared with families to choose a date/format and time that works best with your schedule.

• In Person Conferences:  Nov. 6 from 4-7:30 p.m.

• Virtual Conferences:  Nov. 7 from 4-7:30 p.m.

Second grade students put their measurement skills to the test by practicing with a measurement scavenger hunt around the classroom.

Below is a message from our DeWitt PTA.

Join the PTA for a spooktacular evening at the Monster Mash on Friday, October 11 from 6-8 p.m. at Herbison Woods! This FREE family-friendly event is perfect for elementary-aged students. Enjoy a fun-filled night with a DJ, photo opportunities, games, temporary tattoos, pizza, popcorn, and more!

While admission is free, we encourage donations of individually wrapped snacks to help stock the snack cabinets in our schools for the year. Your contributions support all students throughout the year!

To help us plan for food and drinks, please pre-register at the following link: https://forms.gle/LpQNo4v6BRxRJiuE8 .

We can't wait to see you there!

Have you considered working in a school before?  Do you enjoy working on a team?  Does working with children interest you?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, please consider applying for our open non-instructional assistant postion, or pass this information along to others who may be interested.  We are looking to fill a 1.5 hour/day lunch assistant position and would love to have you join our amazing Scott School team!  Please contact our main office at 517-668-3400 during school hours to learn more about this position and how to apply.

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.

• August 20 & 21 - Full Days for Professional Development (before school starts)

• August 26 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:42 a.m.)

• September 27 - Full Day Professional Development (no school)

• October 16 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:42 a.m.)

• November 5 - Full Day Professional Development (no school)

• February 14 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:42 a.m.)

• March 19 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:42 a.m.)

• May 14 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:42 a.m.)

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.

School breakfast and lunch are available and free to all students.  Additional information will be provided to families soon about how to sign up for this opportunity with additional information about our food service program.  Menus can be found here and will be updated soon.

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.