Dear Scott School Families,

Our first week back from break has been fabulous!  It's been enjoyable to watch students interact with one another and also with our staff after being apart for two weeks.  In addition to getting reacclimated to learning and school fun, we've jumped right into our winter NWEA benchmark testing so we can measure how much growth students have made, celebrate their learning progress, and set new goals.  Reading was the focus of testing this week, and next week, students will take the math assessment.  Students will also participate in DIBELS reading benchmark testing at the end of next week.  We're thrilled to be back in session and to catch our school stride again.  I hope you and your family had a wonderful break and enjoyed time together participating in celebrations and traditions that are special to you.  Thank you for sharing your child/children with us every day.  We cherish our time with our students and are honored to collaborate with you.

All my best,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

Tis the season to bust out all that winter weather wear so your child is equipped for cold elements while coming and going to school and also for recess outside on the playground.  Please help your child select proper winter indoor clothing on a daily basis to wear to school too.  Although shorts are comfortable and stylish, they are best suited for warm weather months, not for the blistery cold ones.  Outdoor apparel such as a winter coat, warm hat, and gloves or mittens are essential items.  When the snowy Michigan weather hits, snow pants and boots are also necessary.  A scarf is certainly another great accessory to keep warm, but isn't a must.  Thank you for helping your child be ready for Jack Frost weather temps and equipped for some fun in the snow.

With the holidays behind us and many families rehoming items they no longer need, please consider donating the following items to Scott School for our students to use at recess:

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

• Plastic sleds (saucer or toboggan styles)

• Jump ropes

• Sidewalk chalk

Thank you for contributing to our recess fun if you're able to!

Below is a message from our DeWitt PTA.

Family Skate Night at Edru Skate - Friday, January 17th from 5-7pm
Get ready to lace up your skates and join us for an evening of fun and community! Admission is just $10 per person (and $2 goes back to the PTA). Skate rental is $2.

Don’t miss this chance to make memories, hang out with friends, and support our schools! We can’t wait to see you there! 

Sponsor a Teacher Staff Membership Drive
We’re on a mission to reach 100% teacher membership in the DeWitt Elementary PTA—and we need your help to make it happen! Right now, we’re at 36%, but with your support, we can sponsor every teacher’s membership.

For just $6, you can sponsor a teacher's membership, covering dues for the National and Michigan PTAs. This membership gives teachers a voice in PTA decisions, voting privileges, and access to valuable resources.

Sponsor a teacher today: https://tinyurl.com/staffdrive2025

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.  

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please see the information below regarding information on programs available to you and your student(s).

The Weekend Kit Program will, again, be provided at Scott School this year. This program is supplemental to the free breakfast and lunch programs offered at school every day and is intended to meet the nutritional needs of children during non-school hours, specifically over weekends or longer breaks.  Weekend Kits are designed to slip discreetly into your child’s backpack and are available at no cost to your family. There are no eligibility requirements to participate in this program.  Each Weekend Kit includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack items and contains enough food to last each child two weekends. Foods included are kid-friendly items that are easy for your child to prepare or help prepare.  Food kits will be sent home from school with your student, typically on Fridays. Upon enrollment in this program you will begin receiving a food pack every 1-2 weeks. 

The Old Newsboys Association helps our community by providing children with either shoes or boots. If your child needs new shoes or boots and the purchase of them would be a financial burden, please contact me so that I may get you the necessary forms. It is not necessary to include your income information if your child qualifies for free or reduced lunch. We will forward your form to the Old Newsboys Association and they will send you a voucher for either shoes or boots. You may include all school age children on one family request form, even if they attend different buildings. Please do not send in duplicate requests if you included your child on another form.  

To enroll in either of these programs, please call or email me at 517-668-3446 or schwarzdea@dewittschools.net, and be sure to please reach out if you have any questions.  

Sincerely,

DeAnn Schwarz

Scott School Social Worker