The Scott Spotlight

Start of the School Year Issue

August 13, 2021

Principal: Linda Reha

School Address: 804 Wilson St. DeWitt, MI 48820

Office Phone Number: 517-668-3400

Attendance Phone Number: 517-668-3458

Website: https://scott.dewittschools.net/

    • Start Time: 8:30 a.m. (First bell rings at 8:25 a.m.)

      • Students may be dropped of at 8:10 a.m. or later. Supervision is not available before 8:10 a.m.

    • Dismissal Time: 3:20 p.m.

School Events

District Diversity Logo Paw

Aug. 16: Class Placements Viewable in Infinite Campus

Aug. 23 (8 a.m. - 6 p.m.): Family Self-Guided Building Tour Opportunity

Aug. 26: Virtual Open House 6-7 p.m. (Your classroom teacher will share more details with you.)

Aug. 27( 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.): Family Self-Guided Building Tour Opportunity

Aug. 30: First Day of School

Sept. 3 & Sept. 6: No School—Labor Day Weekend

Reha's Report

Dear Scott School Families,

Welcome to Scott School! I hope you all have had a wonderful summer and have recharged. I get giddy every year at this time, but this year it's especially the case since we all survived last year as champion problem solvers, grace givers, and change adopters. I truly believe that even though we would never sign up for the journey we've been on with this pandemic, all of us, including children, have learned a great deal. Keeping perspective of what was gained instead of what was lost will help us all embrace the challenges we've faced and the ones we may continue to face in the coming year(s). We can and will continue to teach students so they learn and grow in ways that are authentic, fun, and impactful as we navigate our way to the other side of this pandemic. Thank you for teaming with us to make it happen!

Here are some important points to help you prepare for a successful year:

  • Class placements will be available to view beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, August 16th. You can find out your child’s class placement through Infinite Campus by following these steps:

    • Log into Infinite Campus

      • If you do not have a login/password, you may contact our technology department at: helpdesk@dewittschools.net.or 517.668.3590

      • If you have not accessed Infinite Campus in the past, please check out this video that details how to utilize the features within IC.

      • Click on the “Schedule” tab OR you can also click on the “Reports” tab and download a PDF of your child’s schedule.

  • You will be hearing from your child’s classroom teacher with additional classroom information, including a link for a Virtual Open House which is scheduled for Thursday, August 26th from 6-7 p.m. We hope you and your child can login and participate in this meet and greet opportunity.

  • Families are also welcome to come to Scott School for a self-guided tour on Monday, August 23rd between the hours of 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. or Friday, August 27th between the hours of 8 a.m. -1 p.m. This is a chance for you and your child to become more familiar with the layout of Scott School and see the common spaces throughout the building. Thank you for understanding and respecting that Scott School teachers and staff will not be available for face to face interactions and classrooms will not be accessible for touring.

  • Our office staff will be back in the building on Monday, August 16th and can be reached by phone M-F from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at 668-3400.

  • The first day of school is Monday, August 30th. Our start time is 8:30 a.m. and dismissal is at 3:20 p.m.

  • At this time, mask wearing is recommended but a personal choice. Virus spread in our community and the status of our county will be considered ongoing and safety protocols, including mask wearing, may change at any time. This is being continually evaluated, so thank you for your support if or when changes are made. I understand and respect that everyone comes for various places about this topic. Please trust DPS is and will continue to work hard to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for students and staff.

  • Social distancing, as much as possible, along with hand washing protocols will continue to be a focus to support student and staff wellness.

Thank you for choosing Scott for your child’s school and trusting us with your child's care and education. We are looking forward to creating a strong team with you through positive communication and collaboration. I wholeheartedly believe that together we're better, and I look forward to our partnership this year!

Warm Regards,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

Learn More About Scott School

To learn more specific details about Scott School, check out these informative links:

Virtual Open House

Our Scott School Virtual Open House is scheduled on Thursday, 8/26 from 6-7 p.m. Families can expect to learn specific details, including a meeting link, from your child's classroom.

Scott School Suggested General Supplies List

Scott School General Classroom Supplies List 2021-22.pdf

Here is a general Scott School supplies list. Please know that teachers may share a more specific list.

Donations Appreciated

Thank you to the many families who have reached out and asked what donations they could make to Scott School. Here is a list of things that we're looking for.

  • Yard Games (Cornhole, Ladder Balls, Yahtzee)

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

  • Disinfectant wipes

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Paper towels

Drop Off, Pick Up, and Parking Lot Procedures

Drop Off & Pick Up:

  • To help promote a safe and productive start to your child’s day, please be sure to drop your child off no earlier than 8:10 a.m. because students are not allowed to enter the building until that time, and there is no adult supervision outside prior to then.

  • Students dropped off will walk to the front of the building using the sidewalk, enter the vestibule through the main doors, and go to the cafeteria where there will be adult supervision until the first bell rings at 8:25 a.m. Students who arrive after the tardy bell (8:30 a.m.) must enter the building through the main entrance accompanied by a parent or guardian and be signed in at the office.

  • Please drive up as far as possible in the loop to drop off or pick up your child. Anywhere there is a painted blue line on the sidewalk area is where students should get in and out of vehicles.

  • Please do not drop your child off or pick your child up in the front of the building unless you are parking and entering the building with your child or to pick your child up.

  • Please do not drop your child off or pick your child up in the road. This is extremely dangerous and our local law enforcement patrols our street frequently to support school procedures and enforce the law for student safety.

  • Please do not park your car to drop your child off or pick your child up unless you are entering the building. Parking is limited at Scott School, and this creates challenges for staff to get to work on time and creates more sight line barriers for pedestrians and drivers after school.

  • Students who are picked up after school are to wait on the sidewalk area located on the south side of the building where the parent driving loop is. Adult supervision will be at the loop after school daily to supervise students and assist with safety.

  • Please post a sign in a visual area in your vehicle window with your child's first and last name printed in large legible font. This helps staff helping at the loop call students on a speaker system for efficient boarding.

  • Although our students quickly learn the procedures for being dropped off and picked up, your help in following our guidelines will help ensure and model safety for our students.

Parking Lot & Other Safety Requests:

  • Please avoid parking in the parking lot to drop off or pick up your child. Use the loop - that's what it's designed for. Parking should only occur when a parent/guardian must enter the building.

  • Please resist the urge to drop your child off or pick your child up on Logan Street (across the bridge on our playground). Drop off and pick up locations other than the area that is designated (driving loop) for this creates safety concerns. We care about your child!

  • Please drive the speed limit (25 mph) and come to a complete stop at the stop sign on Wilson St. Our 2nd and 3rd grade walkers and bikers often cross here and trust that you are watching for them.

It's normal for students to experience some anxiety at the start of the school year, and our school staff will be visible and eager to help all students find their classroom and get settled into a school routine. However, please communicate with us if your child experiences significant anxiety and stress about transitioning to school after the first week. We are happy to help!

Some Example of Car Signs for the Pick Up Loop:

Neighborhood Niceties

Scott is a neighborhood school, and we have many wonderful neighbors who support our school. However, a community concern is vehicles blocking driveways at the beginning and end of the day when drop off and pick up occurs. Please be respectful of our neighbors by refraining from idling (or parking) your car in front of any driveway while waiting in the parent loop line. Allowing space for driveway access for all property owners is important and helps us maintain positive relations with our friendly neighbors and demonstrates respectful driver etiquette. Also, vehicles cannot stop in the intersection where the stop sign is located south of your building. We are fortunate to have support from our local law enforcement to keep our students, community, and school safe, so please know these traffic violations could result in police issuing tickets. In addition, please follow road rules by parking in legal spots when needing to enter the building. Using other areas besides the drop off and pick up loop is strongly discouraged. Please follow our driving guidelines so pick up and drop off times are safe for everyone by preventing an unfortunate accident from occurring and helping us keep good relations with our neighborhood community members. Be sure to follow turn sign when exiting the loop. Vehicles must make a righthand turn only to keep traffic flow steady and to avoid an accident. Lastly, please keep in mind that our staff need to be on time to work to teach and support your child, so please allow staff access to the staff parking lot when they arrive to work each day. Thank you for your attention to these concern areas.

We're excited that the Walking School Bus (see information below) is planning to start up at Scott School. Please consider this opportunity for your child to walk to school and get some fresh air, exercise, and make new friends by walking with a trusted adult. This will also benefit families by avoiding wait time in the parent loop line.

Catch a Ride on the Walking School Bus!

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!

WSB S21 Flyer (1).pdf

Guests in the Building

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."

Allergy Awareness

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.

Medical Forms

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.

Looking for Additional Support?

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!

Attendance Line

Attendance Matters Picture

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 pm, for all after school changes.