The Scott Spotlight
February 24, 2023
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

Feb. 15: Half Day for Records Day (11:27 a.m. dismissal)
Reha's Report
Dear Scott School Families,
Mother Nature sure has been playing tricks on us. With temperatures rising to 50 degrees some days and dropping to near zero degrees on other days, the weather has made for some interesting outdoor recess experiences. Thank you for continuing to check the weather daily and sending your child to school with the proper outdoor gear. Even when it warms up the playground can be muddy, so boots come in handy.
Also, just a reminder that next Friday, March 3rd, is a half day of school for Records Day. Dismissal on half days is a half hour earlier than on early release days, so please make note on your calendar that Scott School gets out at 11:27 a.m. It's unbelievable that next week signifies that we're two-thirds of the way through the school year. Time flies in a blink of an eye when we're learning and having fun at Scott School.
Warm regards,
Linda Reha
Scott School Principal
Valentine's Day Fun
Cell Phones & Smart Watches
Did you know there is a district policy (po5136) about personal communication devices for students at school? Cell phones and smart watches are becoming more common at Scott School and causing increasing concern because of the adverse impact they are having on the educational environment. Please have your child keep his/her devices at home or if it's necessary to have them at school, these devices must be turned off and kept in your child's backpack for the duration of the school day. If you have questions about the policy or would like further information, please contact Linda Reha.
Spring P/T Conferences & Book Fair
We will be following a similar format for spring Parent Teacher Conferences that we did in the fall. A SignUp Genius will be shared with parents couple of weeks prior to conferences.
Tues., 3/21 @ 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - In Person Conferences
Our Book Fair is open to families this night from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. See the flyer for more details.
Wed., 3/22 @ 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Virtual Conferences

Panther Pride Student Spotlight
Each week every classroom at Scott School has a Panther Pride drawing from all Panther Pride slips earned by students for demonstrating respectful, responsible, safe, and bucketfilling behavior. Lucky drawing winners are invited to a Panther Pride recess at the end of each month with Mrs. Reha and Mrs. Schwarz.
Donovan is in Mrs. Kass' 2nd grade class. He was invited to the February Panther Pride Recess.
Alyssa is in Mrs. Greenhoe's 3rd grade class. She was invited to the February Panther Pride Recess.
PTA Particulars
Below is the latest PTA information to keep you up to date:
Join us at our next PTA meeting on Tuesday, March 14th from 7-8:30 pm in the cafeteria at Schavey Road. The PTA will be hosting, The Smart Talk, sponsored by Norton. Join us for this family presentation as we discuss the safe ways to navigate the internet. Parents and children are encouraged to attend.
Feel like volunteering? Keep your eye out for Conference Cuisine sign ups! The PTA always needs help taking care of our teachers during conferences!
Looking for ways to get more involved in the PTA? Elections will be held in April. We have open positions at every level - from various Committees to the Executive Board!
MI Bridges Community Event
Clinton Great Start and MDHHS are co-hosting a free MI Bridges Community Event on March 8, 2023 from 6:00-8:00pm.
Event location: Clinton County RESA, 1013 South U.S. 27 in St. Johns (across from McDonald's). Registration is not required.
You'll hear about the MI Bridges online portal for Michigan residents to apply for and manage MDHHS assistance programs: Medicaid, Food, Cash, Child Day Care or State Emergency Relief. Find and explore resources, too.
Community Partner Navigators will be available as needed to assist individuals in creating a MI Bridges account and walk you through the features to manage your case. Bring your smartphone or laptop for real-time help!
For additional online information, please visit www.michigan.gov/mibridges. If you have event questions, please email Sheri at MandevilleS@michigan.gov.
Please note: individuals with specific questions about their MDHHS benefits should call Client Connect at 1-844-464-3447.

Special Education Expo
Clinton County RESA is offering an expo to students, families, professionals, and the community called, "Support Across The Lifespan". If your child is eligible for special education services, this may be a beneficial expo for your family. Please pass this along to anyone you know who may be interested.

Winter Wonderland Play
Spring Pictures & Yearbook
Spring Pictures are scheduled for: Tuesday, March 7th. Also, you can order a yearbook at: www.ybpay.com
Be sure to include this information when buying a yearbook online:
School Name: David Scott Elementary School
Yearbook ID Code: 14438923
Attendance and Truancy
School attendance for students is critical to their success. We understand there are years when students face more illnesses than other years. Please be mindful of getting a doctor's note to share with our office if your child's absences, tardies, and/or early release day numbers are high or begin to increase. In line with our district attendance policy, once a student reaches 10 absences, a truancy letter is sent to families. Every five days thereafter a letter is sent, and a truancy officer referral often occurs. The intention of a truancy officer's involvement is to provide families with resources and support to remove barriers that are impacting a student's attendance. The article, Why Does Attendance Matter? provides additional insight on the importance of school attendance.
Helping Students Problem Solve
Scott School students have learned to use various tools to help them with problem solving , using calming tools, and identifying when unexpected behavior is rude, mean, or bullying. Here are some of the tools we use that you can consider using at home too.



Car Loop Requirements & Busing
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!
Safe School Procedure
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!
Sick = Stay Home
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.



Allergy Awareness
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.
School Breakfast & Lunch
School breakfast and lunch is available to all students. Unfortunately though, neither is no longer free to all students like it was the past two years. However, to apply for free and/or reduced lunch, click here. For additional information about how to create an account for your student and access menus, click here. Also, read the attached flyer for more details about how to create an account and contact information for our district Food Service Director, Sandy Leach.

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.
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 pm, for all after school changes.