The Scott Spotlight
April 14, 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

Apr. 18 & 20: 3rd Grade Math M-STEP Testing
Apr. 19: Early Release Day for Teacher CLT (11:57 a.m. dismissal)
Apr. 24-27: Reading NWEA Testing
May 1-4: Math NWEA Testing
May 9-11: Acadience Testing
Reha's Report
Dear Scott School Families,
Testing has begun at Scott School, and our third graders are rockin' it on the ELA M-STEP assessment with their engagement, perseverance, and flexibility. Tuesday proved to have a turn of events when the M-STEP online platform was down statewide. However, students and staff bounced back on Wednesday to resume testing. I just love our team, especially when I witness them overcome obstacles and do hard things. Next week, third graders will take the Math M-STEP test, and the following two weeks after that both second and third graders will complete the Reading and Math NWEA assessments as well as the spring Acadience benchmark test. I think that I can easily speak for the masses that testing, testing, testing is not something we totally love, but on the flip side, the data it provides students, families, and staff is priceless. Celebrating student growth is of course the best part, but identifying areas for improvement also is valuable in goal setting and instructional planning. I really do love data for all these reasons, but we all need to be reminded that various forms of data should be considered to capture student performance and growth, not just a single measure. It's also necessary to remember that data points over time , called trend data, should be reviewed too since the goal is that students continue an upward trajectory of learning over time.
Scott School is looking forward to many other things, besides testing, that occur in the springtime such as third graders touring Herbison Woods, Field Day, and end of the year celebrations to name a few. Read further in this newsletter for some information regarding upcoming events in our building and district-wide. Even though it looks like the outdoor temperature is supposed to slide down to a more typical range for this time of year, it sure has been a joy to experience lots of sun and summer-like weather this week. I hope you and your family can participate in some enjoyable outdoor activities over the weekend to soak it up while it's here.
Warm regards,
Linda Reha
Scott School Principal
IMPORTANT - Spring Testing Info.
Spring testing started on Tuesday, 4/11. However, the MSTEP platform had a lot of struggles statewide that day, so testing was postponed until Wednesday, 4/12. No worries though! Additional make up testing time will be provided to students who need it. 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:
Completes M-STEP practice tests at home (must use Google Chrome) with this link: https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/
Select the M-STEP Online Tools Training button.
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 is scheduled as follows:
M-STEP ELA (3rd grade only): 4/11-4/13 (All third graders must have headphones or earbuds for this test.)
M-STEP Math (3rd grade only): 4/18 & 4/20
NWEA Reading: 4/24-4/27 (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: 5/1-5/4 (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: 5/9-5/11
Read By Grade Three Law
Third grade parents/guardians, please read about the Read By Grade Three Law so you're informed. Third graders take the M-STEP for the first time in April, and the ELA test score is used to determine students who may benefit from retention.
UPDATE: Governor Whitmer recently signed a bill to overturn the Read By Grade Three Law. Although local districts have not yet received information from the Michigan Department of Education about when this will go into effect, media reports indicate that it takes 90 days for a law to be overturned, so as of right now it looks like retention will still need to be considered this year for students who don't meet the M-STEP cut score on the ELA assessment. Additional information will be shared with families once we know more.


Parent Input Form
An email was sent to families on Friday, April 14th containing a link to complete a Parent Input Form for those interested in providing feedback for next year's class placement consideration. Please be sure to honor our request for no teacher requests. If you're interested in providing input to our team, please complete the form instead of providing information through separate emails, phone class, and/or requests for meetings.. This system is the best way to provide feedback and ensures that the information families give to our school is documented in the same place and same manner. Thank you for following our district procedure and helping us collect your feedback in a meaningful and systematic way.
DeWitt Community Showcase
Mark your calendar for the annual DeWitt Community Showcase. It is scheduled for June 1st this year. Look for more information on social media and from our District about this fun event. We hope you consider bringing your family out to connect with friends, staff, and local vendors and organizations to learn more about all that is offered right here in our amazing community and the greater Lansing area.
Field Day
Scott School Field Day is scheduled for Friday, June 2nd. Third graders will participate in Field Day events in the morning, and second graders will participate in the afternoon. If you're interested in volunteering on this exciting and thrilling day, be on the lookout for communication about how to sign up to join the fun later in the month or early in May.
3rd Grader Transition - HW Building Tour
Third graders will be taking a building tour of Herbison Woods Elementary to give them a sneak peek of the school they will attend next year. Your child's classroom teacher will communicate the specific tour date to families since there are two dates which are scheduled for Monday, May 22nd and Tuesday, May 23rd.
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.