Dear Scott School Families,

The first two weeks have been a blast!  Students are settling in well and demonstrating respectful, responsible, and safe behavior, all while learning our school-wide and classroom routines.  I often brag about how awesome our students, staff, and school are, but truly and honestly, I feel so fortunate to be a part of an amazing community that supports education and takes pride in supporting students to thrive and be their personal best.  Thank you for trusting me and our school team to support the important work of educating and supporting children academically, socially, and emotionally.  

Today we started fall DIBELS 8 screening for reading.  This information will help our team identify student strengths and target areas for instruction.  Testing will continue Monday and Tuesday next week.  Also, next week, NWEA MAP testing begins.  Students will take the NWEA reading assessment Monday through Thursday (your child's teacher will communicate assigned testing days with students and families) and the following week, students will complete NWEA math testing.  Again, information obtained through these assessments informs instruction, monitors student performance over time, and creates opportunities for celebrations, targeting areas for improvement, and creating goals.  Thank you for helping your child be at school and on time every day, especially on testing days. 

Drop off and pick up is going fairly well so far, but there is room for improvement.  Thank you for reviewing and following these reminders:

• When dropping off or picking up your child before or after school, please use our car loop.  That's what it's for!  Using a parking spot or another location makes it challenging to supervise your child, can be a danger to students navigating between cars, models that our procedures aren't important, and makes it extremely difficult for our staff to park and be on time to work.  Do NOT drop your child off in the street or park on the opposite side of the street and encourage your child to cross the street by themselves.  This practice is dangerous, and we care about our students' safety!

• Have your child exit your vehicle anywhere in the blue painted curb zone when using our car loop. 

• Place a large, legible sign with your child's first and last name in the vehicle window when picking your child up.  This helps keep our car loop moving and makes pick up run efficiently.

• Please follow the right turn only sign when exiting our car loop.  This too helps our drop off and pick up loop run smoothly, safely, and efficiently.  I recognize the itch to turn left, but I promise you that turing right takes about the same amount of travel time to go around the block if you need to head south then clogging up the traffic flow by waiting to turn left.  In addition, it's frustrating for all when others break the rules!

• Send a filled water bottle to school with your child.  Staying hydrated helps students be ready learners.

• As the fall weather sets in, help your child dress in layers.  Mornings can be cool and afternoons can be warm.

• If your child gets picked up, sending an umbrella is a good idea.  Unless there is lightning, students stand outside for pick up, and this can be for 10-15 minutes.

All my best,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

Fall testing is here, and here are our testing windows:

• Acadience - Fri., 9/6 - Tues., 9/10

• NWEA Reading - Mon., 9/11 - Thurs, 9/14

• NWEA Math - Mon., 9/9 - Thurs., 9/19

Some helpful reminders about benchmark testing:

• These assessments are not ones that students can study for.  They provide insight on student progress and performance on the day the student took the assessment.  Other factors can influence how a student tests.

• Testing does not define a student.  Trend data and multiple data sources provide additional evidence of learning.  It's possible a student may have peaks and valleys in their testing performance.  Looking at several data points for an upwards trajectory of growth is what we're striving for.

• Please be sure to help your child get a good night sleep, a brain-fueled breakfast, and be to school and on time.  Your child's teacher will share specific testing days with you.

• Second graders and students with audio accommodations per an IEP or 504 plan will need earbuds/headphones.  Please consider sending in a pair for your child to keep at school.  We have some extras though for those who forget or don't have any.

• Help us celebrate learning with your child.  Even test results that are unexpected or lower than hoped for are learning opportunities and should be embraced.  It's all about the mindset adults have and model for our students.

Did you know the following about NWEA MAP testing?

SECOND GRADERS

• Per the recommendation of NWEA, spring data from last year is used to sort second graders according to their RIT score so they take the appropriate assessment aligned to them.  Here is how students are sorted:

  • Reading:

    • <190 RIT in the spring of 2023 = K-2 growth test (all audio)

    • 190+ RIT in the spring of 2023 = 2-5 growth test (no audio)

  • Math:

    • <200 RIT in the spring of 2023 = K-2 growth test (all audio)

    • 200+ RIT in the spring of 2023 = 2-5 growth test (no audio)

  • Please don't fret if your child takes the grades K-2 growth tests in reading and math this year instead of the grades 2-5 tests.  The test options are specifically designed to measure different aspects of student achievement in developmentally appropriate ways using a student's most recent RIT score.  Once in third grade, all students will take the grades 2-5 reading and math tests.

  • All new second grade students will take the grades K-2 tests since we don't have recent NWEA benchmark data to determine if they are ready to take the grades 2-5 assessments.

THIRD GRADERS

• All third graders take the 2-5 growth (reading & math) assessments.  This assessment is a transition from the early literacy based audio assessment that most students are familiar with in grades K-2 to longer connected text passages that do not include an audio feature except for students who are eligible for an audio accommodation through an IEP or 504 plan.

ALL STUDENTS

• When students transition from taking an assessment such as the K-2 one to the 2-5 one, sometimes they experience a performance dip.  Unless there is significant regression, this should not be cause for alarm because often students adjust to the new assessment the following benchmark testing period.  Essentially, it's important to look at several data points over time, called trend data, to determine a student's growth, not just a student's performance on a single day.

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.

1. Be respectful.

2. Be responsible.

3. Be safe.

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 reward experience with Mrs. Reha and Mrs. Schwarz.  This year, we will be hosting special recesses during the warm months and bingo during the cold months.

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.

Have you considered working in a school before?  Do you enjoy working on a team?  Does working with children interest you?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, please consider applying for our open non-instructional assistant postion, or pass this information along to others who may be interested.  We are looking to fill a 1.5 hour/day lunch assistant position and would love to have you join our amazing Scott School team!  Please contact our main office at 517-668-3400 during school hours to learn more about this position and how to apply.

Wednesday, September 25th will be Go Gold Day for DeWitt Schools and community to raise awareness and support children and their families facing cancer.  Students and adults alike are encouraged to participate by wearing gold attire as a symbol of encouragement and care for those tackling this disease.

Thank you, PTA and families, for your creative and inspiring sidewalk artwork that greeted students and staff on the first day of school.  Seeing cheerful and encouraging messages set such a positive tone for the 2024-25 school year.  We are grateful for your support!

There are everyday heroes amongst us, and we all know a few.  Mr. Bart Ripstra is a hero who selflessly volunteered his time and efforts to help Scott School get our building in order before school started after a summer of amazing construction projects.  Mr. Ripstra assembled furniture, vacuumed carpets, weeded flower gardens, transported boxes for a teacher moving from Schavey Road Elementary to Scott School, and so much more.  Daily, he stopped by our building before school started and offered his assistance.  Even more inspiring, is that not only is Mr. Ripstra a DeWitt resident and community member, he has grandchildren in DeWitt Public Schools, and used to be a principal at Scott School and DeWitt High School several years ago.  Now if that doesn't give you goosebumps, I don't what will.  Thank you, Mr. Ripstra for making our building a better place and continuing to serve our schools.  YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

As students learn appropriate ways to socialize, make and keep friends, and problem solve, specific terms are often used to describe undesirable behavior.  Learning and applying the difference between rude, mean, and bullying behavior helps empower students with the meaningful and accurate language to advocate when they witness and/or experience inappropriate treatment.  Consider using this language at home as it applies throughout the year to reinforce appropriate words to describe situations that may come about as students navigate relationship building with peers.  Also, helping students analyze the size of a problem and recognize that the size of their reaction should match is a helpful way for children to develop self-regulation responses that validate their feelings in an appropriate way.

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 am in the process of visiting all of the classrooms to introduce myself and discuss my role here at Scott School, as well as, what it looks like to be kind. In addition, the students have been learning about the Zones of Regulation.

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 Kit Program and the Old Newsboys Association of Greater Lansing, which assists in the purchase of shoes and boots.

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

To learn more specific details about Scott School, check out these informative links:

• Scott School Family Information Presentation 

• Scott School Suggested General Supplies List 

• DPS Volunteer I-CHAT Form - Volunteers must complete this process and be cleared every year before being approved to volunteer.

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.)

Dear Parents/Guardians:

It is of utmost importance that you complete an annual update of your student’s emergency contact information through your parent portal. In the event of a school emergency, the District wants to be sure to have the most up-to-date contact information to communicate with parents/guardians.

With this update, you will also complete the annual Release Agreements and acknowledge that you have read the following District documents (found on the District website at dewittschools.net):

1. District K-12 Student Handbook

2. District Code of Conduct

3. Concussion Info

4. Athletic Handbook, if applicable

Use your parent portal to complete these required tasks to ensure your student's access to the district network, apps, curriculum, etc.

DIRECTIONS:

NOTE: Your parent portal works best using Chrome or Firefox browsers.

1.Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

2. Click on the three lines (hamburger) in the upper left-hand corner to open the menu.

3. Select MORE.

4. Select ONLINE REGISTRATION.

5. Select 2024-2025 EXISTING STUDENT REGISTRATION.

6. Click BEGIN REGISTRATION.

7. Type your name and sign with your mouse.

8. BEGIN

At each prompt, review, confirm/update your student’s data. Use the NEXT and SAVE/CONTINUE buttons to proceed through the Update.

If any of your information is highlighted in yellow, you have missed a required field and must go back to edit/ update.

9. SUBMIT once complete.

All changes will be reviewed by staff and they will reach out to you to confirm update and/or request additional documentation, depending on the change made.

Questions or assistance? contact the District Registrar at 517-668-3017.

Thank you to the many families who have reached out and asked what donations they can make to Scott School.  Here is a list of things that we're always in need of:

• Yard games (Cornhole, Ladder Balls, Yahtzee)

• Balls (basketballs, kickballs, soccer balls, and footballs)

• Disinfectant wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Paper towels

Drop Off & Pick Up:

• To help promote a safe and productive start to your child’s day, please be sure to drop your child off no earlier than 8:10 a.m. because students are not allowed to enter the building until that time, and there is no adult supervision outside prior to then.

• Students dropped off will walk to the front of the building using the sidewalk, enter the vestibule through the main doors, and go to the cafeteria where there will be adult supervision until the first bell rings at 8:25 a.m.  Students who arrive after the tardy bell (8:30 a.m.) must enter the building through the main entrance accompanied by a parent or guardian and be signed in at the office. 

• Please drop your child off using the car loop and drive up as far as possible. Anywhere there is a painted blue line on the curb to the sidewalk area is where students should get in and out of vehicles otherwise our loop does not run efficiently.  Everyone is happiest when we have an efficient and effective procedure that's followed. 

• Please do not drop your child off or pick your child up in the front of the building unless you are parking and entering the building with your child or to pick your child up.

• Please do not drop your child off or pick your child up in the road.  This is extremely dangerous and our local law enforcement patrols our street frequently to support school procedures and enforce the law for student safety.

• Please do not park your car to drop your child off or pick your child up unless you are entering the building.  Parking is limited at Scott School, and this creates challenges for staff to get to work on time and creates more sight line barriers for pedestrians and drivers after school. 

• Students who are picked up after school are to wait on the sidewalk area located on the south side of the building where the parent driving loop is.  Adult supervision will be at the loop after school daily to supervise students and assist with safety.

• Please post a sign in a visual area in your vehicle window with your child's first and last name printed in large legible font.  This is extremely important and helps staff at the loop call students on a speaker system for efficient boarding.

• Although our students quickly learn the procedures for being dropped off and picked up, your help in following our guidelines will help ensure and model safety for our students. 

Parking Lot & Other Safety Requests:

• Please avoid parking in the parking lot to drop off or pick up your child.  Use the loop - that's what it's designed for.  Parking should only occur when a parent/guardian must enter the building.

• Please resist the urge to drop your child off or pick your child up on Logan Street (across the bridge on our playground).  Drop off and pick up locations other than the area that is designated (car loop) for this creates safety concerns.  We care about your child!

• Please drive the speed limit (25 mph) and come to a complete stop before the crosswalk where there is also a stop sign on Wilson St.  Our second and third grade walkers and bikers often cross here and trust that you are watching for them.

• Please follow the right turn only sign out of the pick up loop for student and driver safety and to increase the time efficiency of the loop.  It is extremely frustrating and dangerous when our families do not follow this expectation.

It's normal for students to experience some anxiety at the start of the school year, and our school staff will be visible and eager to help all students find their classroom and get settled into a school routine.  However, please communicate with us if your child experiences significant anxiety and stress about transitioning to school after the first week.  To increase safety for our students and staff, as well as to help your child with a successful transition into the school year, please drop your child off outside of the building instead of walking him/her inside.  Our staff will be visible, available, and happy to help! 

Some Examples of Car Signs for the Pick Up Loop:

Please help keep our students (and all pedestrians) who walk or bike to and from school safe by following driver safety laws.  Although most students use the crosswalk at the stop sign on Wilson St. to cross the road, it is important to be alert for students crossing anywhere near school grounds.  You have an important role in keeping our students safe by following these law tips.

• Drivers must come to a complete stop at stop signs.

• Pedestrians have the right-of-way in a crosswalk, so drivers must yield.

• Drivers cannot park within 20 feet of a crosswalk.  This means if you pick your child up and are in the car line near the crosswalk, you are obligated to leave this much space.

• Drivers cannot park within an intersection.  Again, if you pick up your child, wait patiently until cars move forward to avoid getting caught in the intersection.

Our local law enforcement partner with our school to assist with safety and will ticket if necessary to protect our students.  Modeling expected driver safety is essential and contagious!  Be a role model for our children and other drivers.  Accidents at this crosswalk can be prevented by following crosswalk laws and being an attentive driver, especially when our students are walking or bike riding to and from school each day.

Scott is a neighborhood school, and we have many wonderful neighbors who support our school.  However, a community concern is vehicles blocking driveways at the beginning and end of the day when drop off and pick up occurs.  Please be respectful of our neighbors by refraining from idling (or parking) your car in front of any driveway while waiting in the car loop line.   Allowing space for driveway access for all property owners is important and helps us maintain positive relations with our friendly neighbors and demonstrates respectful driver etiquette.   Also, vehicles cannot stop in the intersection where the stop sign is located south of your building.  We are fortunate to have support from our local law enforcement to keep our students, community, and school safe, so please know these traffic violations could result in police issuing tickets. In addition, please follow road rules by parking in legal spots when needing to enter the building.  Using other areas besides the drop off and pick up loop is strongly discouraged.  Please follow our driving guidelines so pick up and drop off times are safe for everyone by preventing an unfortunate accident from occurring and helping us keep good relations with our neighborhood community members.  Be sure to follow the turn sign when exiting the loop.  Vehicles must make a righthand turn only to keep traffic flow steady and to avoid an accident.  Lastly, please keep in mind that our staff need to be on time to work to teach and support your child, so please allow staff access to the staff parking lot when they arrive to work each day. Thank you for your attention to these concern areas. 

We're hoping to have the Walking School Bus again at Scott School.  We hope you consider this opportunity for your child to walk to school and get some fresh air, exercise, and make new friends by walking with a trusted adult.  This will also benefit families by avoiding wait time in the parent loop line.  Stay tuned for more information.

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.