The Scott Spotlight

August 21, 2020

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/

    • Face to Face Instruction Start Time: 8:15 a.m. (First bell rings at 8:10 a.m.)
    • Dismissal Time: 3:05 p.m.

School Events

District Diversity Logo Paw

Aug. 24: First Day of School

Sept. 4 & Sept. 7: No School—Labor Day Weekend

Reha's Report

Dear Scott School Families,

It's been a busy start, but we are ready! Please read this newsletter in entirety for lots of start to school guidelines and preparation hints and tips. We are excited to dive back into learning and hope you and your child are too.

Kindly,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

Mobile Food Distribution

The Lansing Food Bank is bringing their mobile food pantry to Clinton County this Saturday. See the flyer for additional details.

Final_ Mobile Food Pantry Flyer.pdf

Planning & Procedures

  • School begins virtually on Monday, August 24th. Your child's teacher will communicate via email with you and through Google Classroom with your child, which is the learning platform our second and third grade students will be using. The first week will focus on getting to know your child, team building among classmates and teachers, and learning Google Classroom along with learning other important rules and expectations of digital citizenship. It's important to set the stage with procedures, expectations, and guidelines so our young learners become ready learners which will evolve into successful learners. Expect that ELA and math instruction will primarily begin the second week of school.
  • Refer to the Elementary Remote Learning Schedule to help you and your child plan each week. Classroom teachers will eventually provide more detailed information to families about small group meeting times that will occur within the ELA and math blocks and perhaps even in the afternoon once we start bringing students into the building. Also, reference the Return to School Phase In Plan as a guide for when we are planning to move to a hybrid and then full in person instruction when confirmed COVID-19 cases are at or below 5% in our area.
  • Live instruction will occur M, T, Th, & F. Attendance is important, but we understand things come up that prevent students to log on and participate. All live instruction will be recorded and shared with students through Google Classroom. This will allow students an opportunity to watch the lesson if they miss it the first time or view the lesson again to help everyone stay on pace with daily instruction.
  • If you do NOT wish for your child to be videotaped during live, virtual instruction, please turn off the camera on your child's device. This feature allows students to still participate but not be on camera when the lesson is recorded.
  • Because we are starting school virtually this year, please complete this online Scott School Permission Form before school starts, or at a minimum, the first week of school. This is really important for us to have on file to support your preferences for the items listed on it.
  • If your child is going to be "absent" and miss virtual and/or in person school on any given day, please be sure to call our attendance line at 517-668-3458. We are required to take attendance even when students are learning remotely, so we want to be sure to account for our students and excuse absences in Infinite Campus. While online instruction is occurring, you should also communicate absences to your child's teacher. We care about our students and worry about them when they aren't in class, even during virtual school times.
  • Eligible special education students will be scheduled to come to school during designated times starting the first week of school. Special education teachers will communicate with families about the days and times this will occur. Parents/Guardians can help prepare their child by reviewing CDC guidelines such as mask wearing, social distancing, and frequent hand washing. Mask wearing practice at home also help build stamina and familiarity with this necessary safety measure.

Learning Materials

Teachers are putting together a bag of learning materials and a pick up day will be scheduled for families. If you're unable to pick up materials on the scheduled day, no worries! Our fabulous bus drivers will deliver them to families who live in district. It's important that your child have packets and other materials to help them be successful while learning from home. Stay tuned for more details about our pick up day. This information will be emailed to families.

Remote Learning Daily Schedule

Here is the daily schedule you can expect your child to follow while students are learning remotely.

2020-21 Elementary Remote Learning Schedule.pdf

Scott School Suggested General Supplies List

Scott School General Classroom Supplies List.pdf

Teachers may share a more specific classroom list with families now or throughout the year as we shift from online to in person learning.

Item Donations

Thank you to those who have reached out and asked what needs our school has. We would be grateful for things such as:

  • Disinfectant Wipes
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Face Masks (to have on hand for those in need)
  • Disposable Gloves
  • Paper Towels

Technology Needs?

Please access the DPS Remote Learning Technology Access page about connectivity and devices if this is a need area for your child. It's important that our students have what they need to be successful learners. Don't hesitate to reach out; we're happy to help as much as possible.

Google Classroom

Students will use Google Classroom for accessing their remote learning lessons. Teachers will guide students with how to use this platform. The Parent's Guide to Google Classroom is a helpful video resource for parents. Please consider watching it. This will help you be better informed on how to assist your child.

Mask Wearing

Students and staff will be required to wear masks inside the building. Mask breaks will be provided when safe and appropriate to do so. Parents/Guardians are also expected to wear masks when entering the vestibule at the front of the building. Our office is closed to guests, but secretaries will gladly assist individuals by phone. You can help your child adjust to wearing a mask by practicing at home for various amounts of time. Remember, face masks are required at school, neck gators don't meet mask requirements, and face shields can be worn in addition to face masks, but not without a mask.

Wear A Mask Please Image

Guests in the Building

To reduce unnecessary exposure to students and staff, volunteers and other guests will not be allowed in the building during phase 4. This protocol may be revisited when we reach phase 5 and additional communication will be shared with families if it is determined appropriate to open our building to volunteers and guests. This includes access to our office. Until then, parents/guardians who enter the building will be required to stay in the vestibule to drop off or pick up items and to sign in or sign out their child. We are hoping this protocol isn't necessary all year because we love having volunteers and guests in our school.

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 when we return to in person instruction. 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 he/she 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 when we return to brick and mortar instruction.

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!