Our winter benchmark testing started this week with the NWEA reading assessement. Next week, students will take the NWEA math assessment. Just a friendly reminder that second graders need to wear headphones or earbuds for both of these assessments because they are audio ones. This changes when students move to third grade. Unless third graders have an IEP or 504 Plan which reflects a student needs an audio accommodation, the third grade test format requires students to independently read it. Although it is developmentally appropriate for this shift from second to third grade, it can be a jump for some students. Therefore, please keep this in mind if/when your child is a third grade student in case he/she has a growth slide or growth stagnation in any of his/her scores. This isn't always the case, but can happen while students are adjusting to the format change of the test. Although it's something to keep an eye on, typically any score dips or scores that reflect minimal growth are temporary and pick back up after a few benchmark periods. Looking at various data points on a particular assessment, which is called trend data, and also analyzing additional data sources, including local assessment data, is really important to get a more comprehensive look at a student's academic performance and progress over time.

Below are date windows for our remaining winter benchmark tests.

• NWEA Math: Jan. 16-Jan. 20

• NWEA Make Up Testing: Jan. 23-Jan. 27

• Acadience: Jan. 24-Jan. 26

Students are reviewing our Zones of Regulations social/emotional regulation framework now that we're back from break. Ask your child about the different zones, what they mean, and strategies that can use to remain in a zone if it's a feel-good one or move out of a zone if it's not a productive one. Here is a Parent Communication document that was shared with families earlier this year along with these free resources from the Zones website. Thank you for giving the Zones language a try at home to help your child identify his/her feelings and choose strategies to help him/her manage big and small emotions.

These flyers share some family resource evenings to learn about online threats targeting students and listen to speakers on a cultural exchange panel to make connections and expand your diversity, equity, and inclusion partnership and learning.

We are still in need of a cafeteria assistant to help during lunch times two hours a day. If you are interested in working on with a team of like-minded adults who love helping children learn and grow, this position is for you. Please contact Linda Reha for application information at RehaL@dewittschools.net or 517-668-3450.

Classrooms offer positive behavior rewards to students when they reach their expected behavior goal. Below are students from Mrs. Toth's classroom having some fun in the gym for their reward time.

JoAnn West, DPS parent and community member, volunteered her time and artistic talent to bring cheer and positive messaging to student bathrooms at Scott School. JoAnn has been volunteering and donating her time, talent, and even supplies to Scott School and DeWitt Public Schools for years. We are grateful for all she does for our school and students.

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 DeAnn Schwarz, Scott School Social Worker at 517-668-3446 or schwarzdea@dewittschools.net so that she may get you the forms to complete. 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.

The Weekend Survival Kit Backpack Program continues to be provided at Scott School this year. Weekend Survival Kits contain a little over two days worth of food. Typical food items include mac & cheese, granola bars, canned vegetables, peanut butter, crackers, oatmeal, soup, and SpaghettiOs/ravioli. Children are eligible for the Weekend Survival Kit program based on need, and there is no cost to families to participate. Please contact DeAnn Schwarz, Scott School Social Worker, if you are interested in learning more about and/or participating in this program. 517-668-3446 or schwarzdea@dewittschools.net

Please help keep our students (and all pedestrians) who walk to and from school safe by following driver safety laws. Although most students use the crosswalk at the stop sign on Wilson St. to cross the road, it is important to be alert for students crossing anywhere near school grounds. You have an important role in keeping our students safe by following these law tips.

• Drivers must come to a complete stop at stop signs.

• Pedestrians have the right-of-way in a crosswalk, so drivers must yield.

• Drivers cannot park within 20 feet of a crosswalk. This means if you pick your child up and are in the car line near the crosswalk, you are obligated to leave this much space.

• Drivers cannot park within an intersection. Again, if you pick up your child, wait patiently until cars move forward to avoid getting caught in the intersection.

Our local law enforcement partner with our school to assist with safety and will ticket if necessary to protect our students. Modeling expected driver safety is essential and contagious! Be a role model for our children and other drivers.

Please remember that the car loop should be used for all students being dropped off and picked up instead of parking in front of the building or doing so in the road. Also, supervision is not available for students who are dropped off in other locations, so please be mindful of this. Our pick up loop is the safest area to transport students to and from school.

Also, DPS has been down bus drivers periodically this year, so please be prepared for alternate transportation if your child rides a bus whose route gets canceled on a given week. If this affects your bus riding student, you can expect to hear from Transportation. If you are not contacted about this then busing for your child has not been impacted. When students need to be picked up from school in our car loop, a sign with student's first and last name legibly printed in large font must be in each driver's window. This allow for an efficient and effective pick up process at the end of the day. Thank you for following our procedures!

Parents and guests should always check in at our main office by pushing the intercom button to talk to an office staff member and signing in before entering our school. Even if you are a frequent volunteer at Scott School, please refrain from walking into our school with a staff member who has fobbed into the building. We are working hard to maintain a safe school environment and need your help with this procedure. Thank you!

Please help keep our school community healthy by keeping your child home if he/she is ill. Read these CDC and health department resources and infographics below for steps to take if your child contracts COVID, is exposed to the virus, or contracts a different communicable disease.

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.