Although retention for third grade students who don't score proficient on the M-STEP reading assessment no longer must be considered, families can still expect a letter to come from the Michigan Department of Education if their child scores 1271 or lower.  Once the data is available, families of students who fall into this category can expect to be contacted by a district administrator which will likely be the building principal, Linda Reha.  Other things in place per the Read by Grade Three Law for individual students are:

• An Individualized Reading Improvement Plan (IRIP) for students who score below benchmark on their benchmark Acadience Composite Score.  IRIPs will be provided to families of identified students at spring conferences.

• Evidence-based reading interventions

• Ongoing monitoring and response to literacy instruction

Students and staff enjoyed safely viewing the solar eclipse on April 8th thanks to donations that allowed our school to purchase safety glasses to do so.

Scott School Families,

As the Dean of Students at Scott and Schavey, I'm excited to share strategies for fostering resilience and a growth mindset in our young learners. These qualities are essential for navigating challenges and achieving success in school and beyond.

Research shows that children with resilience and a growth mindset perform better academically and have higher self-esteem. To support your child's development, consider these tips:

1. Praise effort and perseverance over outcomes.

2. Encourage positive self-talk and reframing setbacks.

3. Set realistic goals and celebrate progress.

4. Model resilience through your own actions.

5. Create a supportive home environment where challenges are seen as opportunities for growth.

Resilience, the ability to bounce back from challenges and setbacks, is a valuable trait that empowers children to navigate life's ups and downs with courage and determination. Similarly, a growth mindset emphasizes the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through dedication and effort. Combined, these qualities form the foundation for success and well-being in school and beyond

Together, let us empower our second and third grade students to embrace challenges with resilience and cultivate a growth mindset that will serve them well throughout their lives. Thank you for your partnership in nurturing our students' growth and well-being.

For further reading and resources, I recommend https://mentalhealthcenterkids.com/blogs/articles/growth-mindset-for-kids

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Anna Rosalin

Dean of Students

The following blurb was shared with families in Dr. Spickard's April 1st email.  These resources include a lot of valuable information that you may find useful.

If you were unable to attend the District's 4th Mental Health Night Series in March, March, here is the link to the replay for “Effects of Screen Time and Children’s Mental Health.” This is a topic on all of our minds. Our final series will be on May 7th: “Bullying: Stop the Cycle,” and families and educators can register here: http://cookcenter.info/DWPSMay7. This session will define bullying, the people who bully and get bullied, the cycle and how to stop it, and cover bullying in social media, school, and sports. As a reminder, all sessions, classes, and coaching are free and confidential services for our families and staff. Here is this week’s Parent Guidance Newsletter: Sleeping Sound: Understanding How Sleep Affects Children’s Mental Well-being.

Below are parent resources for families.  Also, the Tri-County Community Health Guide has been updated, and it can be found here.  There are multiple categories of resources for assistance or information. 

School breakfast and lunch is available to all students and this year, both are free to all students due to a State initiative. 

• Lunch Menus:   https://dewittschools.nutrislice.com

• Sign Up for Free Breakfast:  The link shared with our families to sign up their students for breakfast has not been working properly.  Please email Marcy Updike at updikemar@dewittschools.net to ensure your student is signed up for the breakfast program at Scott and Schavey because these two buildings will serve breakfast in the classroom as a more efficient way to feed students and reduce time out of class.  Once you sign up your student, it is a standing order unless you cancel.  When you email to sign up, please include:

  • Student's first and last name

  • Teacher's name

  • Building student attends

• Guidelines for Free Meals:  The guidelines to receive free breakfast and/or lunch require a students to take items that meet the guidelines for a complete meal.  

• Option to Purchase Ala Carte Items:  In addition to free complete meals, extra entrees and ala carte items like milk at .55 will be available for purchase if your student brings a meal from home. Students will need money in their accounts to do this.  There is a charge of $1.95 fee per $100, and .50 fee for multiple students with no transaction amt. cap to families who choose to use the online payment system.  Also, you can pay by E-Check for $1 fee per transaction with a $750 transaction cap. Also, there are deposit boxes located in all school buildings. 

• Federal & State Funding Help:  DeWitt Public School District is excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students starting this new school year thanks to the Michigan Healthy School Meals Program! Even though meals will be provided for free, it's important for families to continue sharing household income information in order for our schools to receive full access to federal and state funding for educational programs that our students are entitled to.  Paper applications are available upon request.  Please contact Sandy Leach at leachsand@dewittschools.net or Marcy Updike at updikemar@dewittschools.net.  Online applications can be completed at:  https://dewitt.familyportal.cloud.

All volunteers and chaperones must be cleared before an event through our District's I-CHAT background check process every year.  This process takes a few days, so please don't delay in completing it, so your report is processed and returned to the school in a timely fashion.

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.

• September 15 - Full Day Professional Development (no school)

• October 18 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:57 a.m.)

• November 1 - Full Day Professional Development (no school)

• January 17 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:57 a.m.)

• February 21 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:57 a.m.)

• May 15 - Early Release for CLT (dismissal at 11:57 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.

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.