Dear Scott School Families,

March is Reading Month is off to a fantastic start.  Students and staff alike are enjoying the hype and buzz about how reading is enjoyable, informational, and magical.  I encourage you to consider what your at-home reading modeling and practices are and think of ways you can provide your child access to various forms of texts.  The way you foster excitement and opportunities for your child to read independently and with your family has a huge impact on academic achievement and how your child perceives reading.  It's never to late to pick up a book and establish new reading habits at home.  Give it a try; you'll be glad you did.

We have three weeks until Spring Break, and in addition to student learning that will occur between now and then, other upcoming events are the release of second trimester report cards (viewable in Infinite Campus) and Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Also, a week after we return from break, we'll be diving into spring testing.  Peruse through this newsletter for information about all of these upcoming events.

All my best,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

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 special Panther Pride event at the end of the month with Mrs. Reha and Mrs. Schwarz, which was Panther Pride Bingo this month. 

March is Reading Month has started and Scott School students and staff are having a beachy time.  Our theme this year is Catch the Reading Wave and our calendar of events has lots of fun still in store for the underwater adventure our students will experience while we put a special emphasis on the joy of reading.

Scott School spring conferences are scheduled in March.  To accommodate families, we are continuing to offer both an in person and a virtual option to choose from.  If all in person conference slots fill up though, and you prefer to meet with your child's teacher in person, just reach out to the teacher, and he/she will be happy to accommodate you.  A Parent-Teacher Conference SignUp Genius will be sent to a families on Friday, March 14th.  Conferences nights will be:

In Person Conferences - Tuesday, March 25th from 4-7:30 p.m.

Virtual Conferences - Wendesday, March 26th from 4-7:30 p.m.

Spring testing at Scott School will begin the second week after we return from Spring Break.  Although some classes may have to adjust their schedule due to some conflicts, below is a general guideline of what to expect.  Please remember that these assessments are not ones that students can study for, but you can help your child be test ready by encouraging your him/her make sure he/she does the following:

• Gets a good night of sleep before each testing day.

• Eats a healthy breakfast.

• Attends school on testing days and be on time (students arriving late on testing days cannot test once a test session has started).

• Perseveres and gives his/her very best effort.

• Brings headphones or earbuds for testing (3rd grade needs a pair for the M-STEP ELA assessment, and 2nd grade needs a pair for the NWEA Reading and Math assessments.)

• 3rd Grade Only:

  • • Complete M-STEP practice tests at home (must use Google Chrome) to become familiar with the platform and styles of questions:

      • • Click on the Sample Items Sets

        • Select Grade 3

        • Complete both the English Language Arts and Math (no calculators allowed) mini-assessments

        • Be sure to try out the testing tools located at the top of each question screen.  These are useful tools to assist with taking the test.

Spring Testing will be as follows:

• M-STEP ELA (3rd grade only):  4/14 - 4/17 (All third graders must have headphones or earbuds required for this test for the directions and listening portion.)

• M-STEP Math (3rd grade only):  4/22 & 4/24 (All third graders must have headphones or earbuds for this test required for the directions only.)

• NWEA Reading:  4/28-  5/1 (Classroom teachers will communicate the two dates their students will test in this window.  All second graders must have headphones or earbuds for this test.)

• NWEA Math:  5/6 - 5/8 (Classroom teachers will communicate the two dates their students will test in this window.  All second graders must have headphones or earbuds for this test.)

• Acadience:  5/7 & 5/8

Below are the dates for Collaborative Learning Time (CLT) and professional development this year.  Thank you in advance for supporting these days which allow our teachers to participate in training and be continuous lifelong learners to support student success.

• August 20 & 21 - Full Days for Professional Development (before school starts)

• August 26 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:42 a.m.)

• September 27 - Full Day Professional Development (no school)

• October 16 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:42 a.m.)

• November 5 - Full Day Professional Development (no school)

• February 14 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:42 a.m.)

• March 19 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:42 a.m.)

• May 14 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:42 a.m.)

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.

School breakfast and lunch are available and free to all students.  Additional information will be provided to families soon about how to sign up for this opportunity with additional information about our food service program.  Menus can be found here and will be updated soon.

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.  

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please see the information below regarding information on programs available to you and your student(s).

The Weekend Kit Program will, again, be provided at Scott School this year. This program is supplemental to the free breakfast and lunch programs offered at school every day and is intended to meet the nutritional needs of children during non-school hours, specifically over weekends or longer breaks.  Weekend Kits are designed to slip discreetly into your child’s backpack and are available at no cost to your family. There are no eligibility requirements to participate in this program.  Each Weekend Kit includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack items and contains enough food to last each child two weekends. Foods included are kid-friendly items that are easy for your child to prepare or help prepare.  Food kits will be sent home from school with your student, typically on Fridays. Upon enrollment in this program you will begin receiving a food pack every 1-2 weeks. 

The Old Newsboys Association helps our community by providing children with either shoes or boots. If your child needs new shoes or boots and the purchase of them would be a financial burden, please contact me so that I may get you the necessary forms. It is not necessary to include your income information if your child qualifies for free or reduced lunch. We will forward your form to the Old Newsboys Association and they will send you a voucher for either shoes or boots. You may include all school age children on one family request form, even if they attend different buildings. Please do not send in duplicate requests if you included your child on another form.  

To enroll in either of these programs, please call or email me at 517-668-3446 or schwarzdea@dewittschools.net, and be sure to please reach out if you have any questions.  

Sincerely,

DeAnn Schwarz

Scott School Social Worker