The Scott Spotlight

January 17, 2020

Principal: Linda Reha

School Address: 804 Wilson St. DeWitt, MI 48820

Office Phone Number: 517-668-3400

Attendance Phone Number: 517-668-3458

Website: http://scott.dewittschools.net

Start Time: 8:30 a.m.

First bell rings at 8:25 a.m.

Students shouldn't arrive before 8:15 a.m.

Dismissal Time: 3:20 p.m.

School Events

Jan. 20: No School - MLK Day

Jan. 20-31: Parent Perception Survey Window

Reha's Report

Dear Scott School Families,

Our transition back into school routines and learning has gone really well these past two weeks. Since our return, students have been reviewing our Scott School rules each week with help from Professor Scott (school mascot puppet) by viewing videos that emphasize the importance of being respectful, responsible, and safe in all arenas within and outside of our school (ie. classroom, hallways, cafeteria, playground, etc.). Teachers have also had discussions in class about our school-wide expectations. In addition, Mrs. Schwarz and I have talked on the Morning News about our school rules to reinforce expected behavior and recognize specific examples of students demonstrating them. I'm pleased to say that students have come back from break well rested and are doing a fine job getting back into the swing of things.

Last week, students participated in winter Acadience benchmark testing to measure progress in early literacy skills such as fluency, accuracy, and retell. I'm eager to review student progress and report this to you in an upcoming newsletter. Our NWEA testing window opens on February 3rd, so you should be learning more specifics from your child's classroom teacher about the dates your child will take the NWEA reading and math subtests. To help students who may feel anxious and/or overwhelmed by test taking, Mrs. Schwarz and I have also used our Morning News time to share mindfulness tips such as breathing techniques, how to be a sponge (tense/relax muscles), and taking a 30-second vacation (mental imagery of a place that is happy and calming). These practices are useful strategies because they can be done anywhere at anytime and don't require materials to do them. Consider using them at home too. You might be surprised at how teaching and reminding your child about ways to be mindful can help deescalate and calm down big emotions in a fashion that allow control to remain with your child while still teaching useful skills that may be beneficial for years to come.

There's nothing quite like watching a child learn, grow, and experience magic through inquiry and discovery. I'm confident that I have one of the best jobs there is. Your child is amazing, and I hope you find time daily to recognize the many fine attributes your child possesses. Positive affirmations build confidence, self-esteem, and empower children to believe they can really be or do anything they want to. There are many factors that contribute to a child's academic and social/emotional development, and the power of simply believing he/she "can" is such a critical component. Empower your child to believe he/she can climb mountains and cross oceans, and before your know he/she will.

Be real yet dream big,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

Blue Curb Zone

Drop off and pick up goes really quickly when students and drivers remember to board and exit vehicles in the blue curb zone in the Parent Loop. Look at the curb and anywhere there's blue paint, your child should get out of or get into your car so he/she is safe and to help keep traffic flow moving along. Thanks for your help with this easy to follow procedure.

Morning News

Did you know that Scott School has a Morning News broadcast that you can watch? It airs live every Tuesday through Thursday and can be viewed by going to our Scott School website and clicking on "Announcements", or simply go to: https://scott.dewittschools.net/announcements . Third grade students participate in this throughout the year and learn many communication skills by doing so. Share with grandparents and or other relatives when it's your child's turn. It's amazing how informative and professional students are in their news crew role.

MSU Programs

MSU offers some pretty awesome program opportunities. Check them out!

MSU Summer Programs Information Meeting.pdf

Tis the Season of Sickness

This information is taken from the DeWitt Public Schools District K-12 Student Handbook 2019-2020, p.11

The purpose of this information is to help provide you with some guidelines for identifying when your child may be too sick to go to school. Always remember that your pediatrician or family physician is your best resource for questions or advice. These guidelines are based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Fever: Your child should be without fever for 24 hours or more before returning to school. Vomiting and/or Diarrhea: Your child should not be vomiting or have diarrhea for 24 hours or more before returning to school.

Runny Nose and Colds: A clear runny nose is acceptable in school without other symptoms. A yellow or green runny nose may be related to serious infections and your child should not be sent to school until these symptoms are gone or he/she has been seen and cleared by a physician.

Strep Throat: Your child may return to school after he/she has been on antibiotics for a full 24 hours with no fever.

Rashes: Rashes should be cleared by a physician or health care provider before a child attends or returns to school.

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Your child may return to school when discharge from the eyes has stopped and the whites of the eye are white again. For bacterial conjunctivitis it usually takes 24-48 hours after starting antibiotic eye drops.

PTA Particulars

The following is information about the current events of the PTA:

Save the Date! The next Zap Zone family fun night is scheduled for Friday, February 21 from 6-9 p.m. For $20 per person, you will receive unlimited laser tag and trampoline park as well as all-you-can-eat pizza and soda from 6-7 p.m. Non-participants can eat for only $5. The PTA earns a portion of the proceeds.
The DeWitt Community Partnership Around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is providing another diversity related event next month titled "Gender and Sexuality 101". The event is scheduled for Monday, February 24th. Watch here or the district Facebook page for more information about the time and location.
At our February PTA meeting we will be voting on teacher grants. Teachers from all four elementary buildings are eligible to submit grant applications to the PTA for projects or supplies that benefit their individual classrooms or the school as a whole.The PTA has $5000 budgeted for teacher grants this year. Join us at our meeting on February 11 at 7 p.m. in the Middle School media center to see what grant applications have been submitted and what will be funded. All PTA members are eligible to vote.
We are still accepting new members and membership renewals! Go to https://dewittpta2018.memberhub.store/ to become a member, sponsor a teacher or make a donation. You can join the PTA just to help support our schools - there is no time commitment or volunteer requirement.
Finally, the PTA would like to wish Herbison Woods principal, Ms. Vicky Milner, congratulations on her retirement at the end of this month. We have enjoyed working with her over the years and wish her all the best in her future endeavors!

Thanks so much!

Substitutes Needed

DeWitt Public Schools is looking for individuals interested substituting in our support staff positions which include lunch room and playground assistants, student aides (paraprofessionals), secretaries, and food service. Times vary for these positions and can range from 1.5-8 hours each day. If you are interested in subbing, please call our DPS Administrative Office at 668-3000.

DPS is also looking for substitute teachers. DPS partners with Ingham ISD and EduStaff to contract with qualified substitute teachers. For additional information about EduStaff and substitute teaching opportunities in DeWitt Public Schools, visit www.edustaff.org to complete an application, or contact the DPS Administrative office at 668-3000 for additional information.

Paper Gator at Scott School

Scott School uses a Paper Gator to help keep the earth green by recycling paper. Students learn about the importance of recycling, and our school earns money for each Paper Gator (or bin) full of paper! Families are encouraged to “feed” our Paper Gator by dropping off paper recycling. The Paper Gator is located on the south side of the building right next to the bus loop, and all community paper recycling donations are welcome. Please keep our Gator feed to only paper though since that is all he can digest.

These items are ones that our Gator CAN accept: newsprint, catalogs/magazines, junk mail, phone books, school paper, hard and soft cover books.

These items are one that our Gator CANNOT accept: plastic, metal, trash, cardboard, paperboard, and glass.

Box Tops for Education

Box Tops for Education is changing to align with today's technology and families. Soon there will be no more clipping and only receipt scanning to support Scott School. It's simply to do, just download a the Box Tops for Education App and scan your grocery receipt. Any items that qualify will automatically credit our Scott School account. This costs nothing, but gives extra funds to our school to purchase resources and support events for students. We are still accepting clipped Box Tops, so if you have any, don't hesitate to send them in to our office.

Attendance Line

When your child is absent, please call the Scott School Attendance line: 517-668-3458. Substitute Teachers cannot access a teacher's email, so please call the office when your child is going to be absent, will be dropped off or picked up outside of regular school hours, or has a transportation switch. Please call before 3:00 p.m., for all after school changes.

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