The Scott Spotlight

September 22, 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/ 

School Events

2023-24 District Calendar - 04.11.23.pdf
District Diversity Logo Paw

Sept. 25-29 :  Fall NWEA Make Up Testing

Sept. 25-29 :  Homecoming Spirit Week

Oct. 4:  Fall Student Count Day

Oct. 6:  Fun Run

Reha's Report

Dear Scott School Families,

Benchmark testing is nearly complete.  NWEA make ups are scheduled for next week, and that will wrap up our fall benchmark testing.  Families can expect reports to come home soon.  Keep an eye out for reports (NWEA and Acadience) by checking your child's backpack over the next few weeks.  In addition, be sure to read specific details about our fall benchmark testing further down in this newsletter to better understand the NWEA assessment since big changes in the test format affect Scott School students.  

Being mindful that a test does not define a child is also an important narrative to include in conversations with your child.  We all have great strengths and areas for improvement, which is what makes each of us special and important contributors to our greater community.  Thank you for including your child in discussions about their school performance.  This helps them have awareness and a voice in their learning.

Fall is definitely in the air.  The trees are starting to change, and the morning air is brisk.  Please help your child dress in layers, so he/she can peel off sweatshirts or jackets in the afternoon if it's warm enough to do so.  Also, please keep our Dress Code (pgs. 5 & 6) at the forefront of school clothing selections each day.  Midriff shirts should not be worn, and students must have appropriate outdoor wear once temperatures reach 50 degrees or lower.  

Warm regards,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

Homecoming Spirit Week

Spirit Days are scheduled September 25th-29th for DPS Homecoming Week.  Check out the schedule if your child is interested in participating.  Also, the Homecoming football game is on September 29th and will include festivities such as a parade and other activities before the game begins.

SpiritWeek2324.pdf

DHS Football Games

Please follow these guidelines to help make high school football games safe and enjoyable for all who attend.

Fun Run Fundraiser

Scott School is preparing for our annual school Fun Run fundraiser, and hope your family will help with this cause.  Donations received are used to pay for field trips, transportation to field trips, and other school enrichment activities and initiatives such as positive behavior supports and intervention rewards.   Below is a message from our Fun Run Committee.

David Scott Elementary has kicked off our annual fundraiser call the Fun Run!


The Fun Run is our only school-wide fundraiser for the entire year. It is an enjoyable event that promotes healthy habits for our students, while also raising needed funds for student enrichment, field trips, and more. You can help us reach our goal of $20,000 by donating to our school’s fundraising page beginning September 18! 


This year, our students will participate in the Scott School Fun Run on 10/6/2023.


All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your support!

Rules & Safety

Mrs. Reha read That Rule Doesn't Apply to Me by Julia Cook to students in every classroom over the past two weeks and taught a safety lesson about positive ways to manage big feelings that are safe, productive, and non-threatening.  Please have similar discussions with your child at home.  Unfortunately, it has become more common for students to say threatening things or demonstrate unsafe actions to manage big emotions which creates worries and discomfort for peers and staff and also violates our District Code of Conduct.  Violence and weapons have no place in school!  Words and actions matter, and school must be a safe place for all students, staff, and guests to be and feel comfortable.  Thanks for your help with this!

That Rule Doesn't Apply to Me Book Cover Image

Halloween, Celebrations, & Parties

To promote a safe and secure indoor school environment, create an inclusive atmosphere for all students, and to reduce distractions for the duration of the school day, the following school celebration guidelines will be followed:

PTA Particulars

Below is a message update from our DeWitt PTA.

We invite every family in DeWitt Elementary Schools to join and participate because we can do more together than we can do apart. You matter!


There's no wrong way to PTA - just as long as you're doing it for your child. You can give money by joining and donating. You can volunteer time and effort, or you can help grow our strength and presence at the local, state, or national level as an advocate for improving your child's education. 


Donate or Join Us Today  https://dewittelempta.memberhub.com/store

Upcoming Events:

Want more information?   Contact Us:  Info@ptadewitt.org 

Fall Acadience and NWEA Testing

Fall testing is here!  Here are our testing windows:

Some helpful reminders about benchmark testing:

NWEA - Did you know?

Did you know the following about NWEA MAP testing?

SECOND GRADERS

THIRD GRADERS

ALL STUDENTS

Positive Behavior Systems

Scott School uses positive behavior intervention systems to support students in learning and demonstrating expected behavior.   This all starts with our three school rules  below that are discussed and taught daily.

Along with our school rules, students earn Panther Pride tickets when a school staff member notices anyone demonstrating behavior that is respectful, responsible, or safe.  Students who earn Panther Prides are also announced on our Morning News, a panther head with their name is posted on a bulletin board in our school,  and they are invited to a special recess with Mrs. Reha and Mrs. Schwarz.

We recognize that our students are lifelong learners and continue to need support as they grow and learn throughout their educational career, this includes behavior as well as academics.  To help students process a difficult social or behavior situation and develop a success plan for the next time they face a similar situation, we use a teaching tool with students called a Think Sheet.  These forms are designed to help student reflect, forward think, and sometimes even include a type of restitution they can offer to do repair work for a situation.  To include parent/guardians in our school-home team connection for a student, these forms are sometimes sent home for parents to review, discuss with their child, and then sign and return to school when there is a pattern and a need for skill development.  This helps our our triangle team (student, parent(s), staff) work closely together on problem solving and social/behavior skill development.

Students at Scott School also learn about Zones of Regulation.  The Zones help students identify their feelings in meaningful ways and then choose and use tools to help self-regulate their emotions in a productive way.

Panther Pride Ticket Image

Panther Pride Ticket

Zones Think Sheet.pdf

Think Sheet

Zones of Regulation Visual Summary.pdf

Zones of Regulation

Picture Retake Day

Fall Picture Retake Day IsNovember 2nd

Pre-order today on mylifetouch.com

Picture Day ID: EVTQHXF4C

Cartoon Camera Image
Lifetouch Co. Logo

Schwarz's Section

Hello Scott School Families,

What a wonderful start to the year we have had!  The students have done a beautiful job of transitioning into the new school year, learning our schedules, routines, and expectations.  I have had the opportunity to visit all of the classrooms this week to introduce myself and discuss my role here at Scott School.  We also enjoyed the book, "What Does It Mean to Be Kind?" which I really like to read at the beginning of the year as we're setting the stage of what it looks like to be Bucket Fillers. In addition, the students have been learning about the Zones of Regulation.  Feel free to click on this link to learn more.

I also wanted to make families aware of some great resources that we have available throughout the year. Click here to learn more about our Weekend Food Pack Program and the Old Newsboys Association of Greater Lansing.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance at any time during the year.

Take care,

DeAnn Schwarz

School Social Worker

schwarzdea@dewittschools.net or (517) 668-3446

School Breakfast & Lunch

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


I-CHAT to Volunteer or Chaperone

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.

CLT and Professional Development Calendar

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.

District Parent Resources & Events

DeWitt Concert Series Poster 2023-24 (11X17).pdf

Parent Guidance Series

DPS You Matter Image

ID Requirement for Students to be Picked Up

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:

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.

Medical Forms

In order for Scott School personnel to administer medication to your child when we return to in person instruction, you must:

Medication and other medical forms can be found on our DeWitt Public Schools website.

Attendance Line

Attendance Matters Picture

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.