DeWitt Public Schools has been supporting students in literacy for years by providing reading interventions and using IRIPs (Individual Reading Improvement Plans) for students who perform below benchmark per their Acadience reading composite score. IRIPs will be sent home with students today who met the criteria for one based on our fall Acadience testing. Classroom teachers will email families who can expect an IRIP.

Just a few short years ago, Michigan instated a Read by Grade Three Law to ensure students were equipped with the necessary reading skills to be a successful student as they transitioned from early elementary (third grade) to upper elementary (4th grade +) and beyond. Student performance on the ELA M-STEP is what our Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will use to determine student retention per this law. I will continue to keep third grade families informed on what to expect as we navigate the Read by Grade Three Law together in the spring. Here are some 'Facts for Families' documents from the MDE to learn more about the Read by Grade Three Law and how it may impact your child.

Hello Scott School Families,

What a wonderful start to the school year we have had! Our students continue to amaze me everyday! Beginning in October, both 2nd and 3rd grade classes started learning about different social/emotional skills and tools through our Second Step Curriculum. Subjects that have been discussed so far are:

• Lesson 1: 2nd & 3rd Grades - Respect

• Lesson 2: 2nd Grade - Focusing Attention & Listening; 3rd Grade - Using Self-Talk

• Lesson 3: 2nd Grade - Using Self-Talk; 3rd Grade - Being Assertive

• Lesson 4: 2nd Grade - Being Assertive; 3rd Grade - Planning to Learn

• Lesson 5: 2nd Grade - Identifying Feelings; 3rd Grade - Identifying Others' Feelings

• Lesson 6: 2nd Grade - Learning More About Feelings; 3rd Grade - Understanding Perspectives

In addition to these skills, we have been doing a "Word of the Week" on our morning news. Words that we have learned so far are: Represent; superb, methodical, persevere, and blunder. Please be sure to ask your children about these new skills and words.

Thank you for sharing your children with us everyday!

Take care,

DeAnn Schwarz

Scott School Social Worker

DeWitt Schools is excited to again offer the Walking School Bus program for elementary-aged students this year, but the program needs volunteers! A Walking School Bus is a group of students and adult volunteers who walk or bike to-and-from school together. This program is an important component of our community’s Safe Routes to School initiative, and it provides students and families with many important benefits, including increased physical activity, decreased vehicular traffic around schools, and improved concentration at school. Volunteering for the program can include offering administrative support behind the scenes, or most critically, supervising students on their walk to or from school. An average time commitment per walk would be approximately 30 minutes. If you are interested in volunteering for the program or would like more information about the program and routes, please contact Danielle Guty at danielleguty@dewittschools.net or access our volunteer interest form here.

While this year the PTA events and meetings may look a bit different, our support for our teachers will not.

For now, our meetings will be happening virtually. While meeting participation is not mandatory, gathering together helps us to generate new ideas and form a strong connection. The membership dues help the PTA give money back to our elementary schools through teacher grants, fulfilling building needs and so much more!!

Remember, by joining the DeWitt Elementary PTA, you are showing that you care about our community and are investing in our students and staff!!

JOIN THE PTA TODAY!

https://dewittpta2018.memberhub.store

OK2SAY is a statewide, confidential reporting system that focuses on early intervention and prevention and is available to anyone who has information about a student safety threat. If you know of any student who is a safety concern to themselves or others, please don't remain silent and instead consider:

• Calling: 8-555-OK2SAY (652729)

• Texting: OK2SAY (652729)

• Emailing: ok2say@mi.com

• Contacting: ok2say.com

Your voice and actions are impactful, make a difference, and can save lives!

Scott School Families,

I am thrilled to announce that the Follett Book Fair is coming to Scott School!

Our online book fair is running Now-November 12

All online book orders will be shipped to the school after the book fair has ended. Books should arrive approximately 10 days after the book fair ends. Please be aware that this estimate is based on mail delivery.

In person book fair will run November 8-11.

Your student will visit the book fair with their class.

You can check out the fair online by visiting:

https://efairs.follettbookfairs.com/guest/home?classCode=3LG37

Code: 3LG37

If you have any questions, please contact me at

wallickash@dewittschools.net

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Wallick

Scott School Media Coordinator

Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled from Tues., 11/9 and Thurs., 11/11 from 4-7:30 p.m. Conferences this fall will be virtual and families received a SignUp Genius email on Monday, October 25th.

It’s time to order your yearbook!

http://ybpay.lifetouch.com

Yearbook ID Code:

Yearbook Code: 14438922

Order Deadline: 4/4/2022

Scott School is excited to introduce the Walking School Bus as an alternative option for students travelling to or from school! With the WSB, your child can enjoy many benefits of walking to school including increased physical activity, reduced traffic at drop-off and pick-up, and, best of all, improved academic performance! In order to continue to offer this program, the WSB needs volunteers to lead our routes. Most critically, volunteers are needed as follows:

• St. Jude Church to Scott School - volunteers are needed Monday through Friday for both the morning and afternoon (if there are not sufficient volunteers, we will not utilize this community meeting spot).

• Springbrook Hills Church to Scott School - volunteers are needed Monday through Friday for both the morning and afternoon (if there are not sufficient volunteers, we will not utilize this community meeting spot).

• Fuerstenau to Scott School - volunteers are needed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the morning and afternoon.

If sufficient volunteers are available, the Walking School Bus will run daily, departing from St. Jude and Fuerstenau at 8:05 a.m. and returning to St. Jude and Fuerstenau at 3:45 p.m. or departing Springbrook Hills Church at 8:00 and returning at 3:50. Contact Maureen Oberman at obermanmau@dewittschools.net with questions; click here to register as a volunteer, or click here to register your child!

Visitors and guests will be limited for the start of the school year. This will be re-evaluated once the year is well underway. We are hoping this protocol isn't necessary all year because we love having volunteers and guests in our school. Thank you, parents/guardians, for communicating and demonstrating confidence to your child that he/she is can independently enter the building every day. We will have many visible staff members, so as Mister Rogers said, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."

There are some Scott students who have health-threatening nut allergies in our building. Scott School is a 'No Nut' building this year. 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.

You can expect further communication from Mrs. Schwarz about a social/emotional questionnaire for families to fill out with their child. Please be sure to help your child complete the questionnaire when you electronically receive as this will help to inform guidance services. Stay tuned!