Dear Scott School Families,

NWEA math testing and DIBELS benchmark testing occurred this week, and make up testing will happen next week.  Families can expect reports for both of these assessments to come home within the next couple of weeks.  As with all tests, we always hope that a report shows student progress, and although this is typically the case, sometimes it is not.  When a lack of progress is reflected on an assessment, it is important to analyze and hypothesize why.  Considering things such as the amount of time a student took to complete the test, was best effort given, were there any events or circumstances that may have affected the student on test day, has the student had excessive absences, how is the student performing on local assessments and daily tasks in school, etc., etc., etc.  A key to monitoring student academic growth is using multiple data sources and monitoring trend data over time (not just one assessment on one day).  Although a low or plateaued score can cause alarm, reach out to your child's teacher to share and discuss your concerns and find out more information before concluding there is a need for an intervention.  We value family involvement, communication, and collaboration!

Here's to hoping for strong mid-year NWEA and DIBELS growth for all Scott School students! 

In partnership,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

In this edition of The Dean's Desk, Mrs. Cochrane reviews several Capturing Kids' Hearts processes that are in place at Scott School and introduces hand signals, specifically the 'time out' one, including the purpose of it and how and when it's used.

Scott Elementary School families,

Our PE Teacher, Ms. Brya, is excited to help create a community of lifesavers and is asking you to join her. Sign up today to receive a wristband! This year, we have an important goal to have 100% of our families learn the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR! It only takes a few minutes to learn, and it can make all the difference in an emergency.

1. Sign Up for Kids Heart Challenge by downloading the free “AHA Schools” app for Apple or Android or by clicking HERE.

2. Be a hero: Send 10 texts TODAY to help save lives.

3. Complete Finn’s Mission: Complete all 7 steps, learn Hands-Only CPR, and be entered to win

two Super Bowl tickets!

By signing up and raising funds, you can help us earn gift certificates for physical activity and recess equipment to support the health & wellness of our school community. Let’s work together to create a community of lifesavers. Thank you for your support in helping us achieve this incredible goal!

The Kids Heart Challenge begins on January 28th at Scott School.  Thank you for your support!

Below is a message from our DeWitt PTA.

PTA Meeting
Tuesday, February 3 at 7 PM - Herbison Woods Media Center
Join us as we plan the rest of the school year - ncluding our exciting STEAM Event coming up in March! New faces are always welcome.

Sponsor a Teacher – PTA Membership Drive
We’re so close to the finish line—90% funded with only 7 more teachers left to sponsor! For just $7, you can help cover a PTA membership for a teacher and give them access to valuable local, state, and national PTA resources.
Sponsor a Teacher: https://tinyurl.com/staffdrive2526

Below is a communication from Kevin Robydek that will be going out to all DPS families this afternoon regarding free school meals for the current school year.  

Dear DPS Families,

We’re excited to share some wonderful news! The Michigan Legislature has approved the 2025–2026 state budget, which includes continued funding for the Michigan School Meals Program. This means that all DeWitt Public Schools students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch this school year, regardless of household income.

While this funding remains in place, the State of Michigan now requires every family to complete the Education Benefits Form each year. This form is quick and easy to fill out, and it plays a crucial role in helping our district qualify for important state and federal funding. These funds support classroom instruction, technology, student support services, staffing, and our school meal programs.

You can now easily complete the Education Benefits Form online at dewitt.familyportal.cloud simply click “Apply for Benefits” to get started. Please complete the form as soon as possible to help us secure essential funding that supports classroom instruction, technology, student services, and more. Even though all students receive free meals, submitting this form is important for maintaining these valuable programs.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to our Food Service Director, Megan Haase, at meganhaase@dewittschools.net.

Thank you for partnering with us to maintain these valuable programs and ensure that every student has access to healthy meals and strong educational support.

Sincerely,
Kevin Robydek, Ed.S., Superintendent

DeWitt Public Schools will continue to offer free breakfast and lunch to students this year.  Although this is a cut that legislators are considering within the education budget that has not yet been approved, DPS is committed to offering this important food program to students with hopes this continues to be funded by our state.  Menus can be found here and will be updated soon.

We are grateful to families and our community members who donate healthy, no nut snacks to classrooms and our snack pantry which also provides our students brain and body fuel throughout the day.  Your partnership in removing hunger as a barrier to learning and child development makes a lifelong impact.  Thank you!

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.

In order for Scott School personnel to administer medication (including cough drops) to your child, a parent guardian 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.