The Scott Spotlight

February 14, 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: http://scott.dewittschools.net

Start Time: 8:30 a.m.

First bell rings at 8:25 a.m.

Students shouldn't arrive before 8:15 a.m.

Dismissal Time: 3:20 p.m.

School Events

Feb. 17: No School - President's Day

Feb. 19: Early Release Day for Teacher CLT (11:57 a.m)

Mar. 6: Half Day for Records Day (11:27 a.m.)

Mar. 16: Spring Pictures

Reha's Report

Dear Scott School Families,

We are in the midst of our winter NWEA testing window which will end on February 25th, and student reports will be sent home shortly thereafter, so keep your eyes out for them sometime early in March. Believe it or not, planning is already underway for our spring testing window too since not only will students complete the final Acadience (reading fluency and accuracy) benchmark assessment along with the spring NWEA assessment (reading and math), third grade students will also participate in M-STEP testing (ELA and math) for the first time in their school career. It's important to know that this year is the first year that the Read by Grade Three Law goes into effect for third grade students. DeWitt Public Schools has been supporting students in literacy for years by providing reading interventions and using iRIPs (Individual Reading Improvement Plans) for students who perform below benchmark per their Acadience reading composite score. Student performance on the ELA M-STEP is what our Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will use to determine student retention per this law. I will continue to keep third grade families informed on what to expect as we navigate the Read by Grade Three Law together this spring. I found these 'Facts for Families' documents from the MDE below to be extremely helpful, and I encourage you to read them (and perhaps print or download them for easy access) so you're up to speed on what to expect. Once our M-STEP testing dates are finalized, I will share them with third grade families so you can ensure your child is in school and prepared for a successful testing experience.

Sincerely,

Linda Reha

Scott School Principal

Facts for Families: What is the Read by Grade Three Law?.pdf

Facts for Families - Good Cause Exemption.pdf

March is Reading Month

March Is Reading Month 2020-Calendar.pdf

Reading Month is nearing and this year's theme is 'Catch the Reading Wave'. Excitement is in the air because Scott School staff have been getting into the spirit and working hard on planning for a fun and motivating month of activities that promote reading. Be on the lookout for a reading month calendar to come home soon.

At-Home Reading Program

Consider checking out HELPS (Helping Early Literacy with Practice Strategies), an online reading program, to assist your child with reading practice. This is a user-friendly tool for all students, and especially those who have an iRIP and an At-Home Reading Plan per Michigan's Read by Third Grade Law that applies to third grade students this year.

Gender & Sexuality Event

The DeWitt Community Partnership for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in cooperation with the DeWitt Middle School PTSA, would like to invite you to an important event facilitated by Michigan State University's LBGT Resource Center around the topics of gender and sexuality on Monday, February 24.

Gender & Sexuality 101 Event

Diversity Discussion

TT-One-World-Summer-2019-Marley-Dias-Carolyn-Sewell.pdf

Kids really do make a difference!

Marley Dias was just 13 years old when she decided she was tired of not seeing pictures of girls like her in books that she read, so she decided to do something about it by starting the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign where she collected and donated books to schools with black female main characters. Take a look at her 1000 Black Girl Books Database to find various readability levels of books and consider checking one or more out a local library or online. She's also published her own book, Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! Exposing children to literature that promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity is meaningful and empowering in many ways.

Seeking Rock Donation & Delivery

The story, Only One You by Linda Kranz, will be read to students this spring, and they will paint their own special rock to display in the outdoor landscape by the office to provide a warm welcome to all students and guests who enter Scott School. If you or anyone you know has a landscape company who would be willing to donate 550 clean cobblestone rocks (3-4" in diameter) and deliver them to Scott before the end of March, please email Mrs. Reha at Rehal@dewittschools.net. Containers for unloading the rocks into will be provided. Thank you for helping with this fun project which will promote diversity, acceptance, and simply just being awesome!

PTA Particulars

The following is information about the current events of the PTA:

Just a reminder that our next Zap Zone family fun night is scheduled for next Friday, February 21st from 6-9 p.m. For $20 per person, you will receive unlimited laser tag and trampoline park all evening, as well as all-you-can-eat pizza and soda from 6-7 p.m. Non-participants can eat for only $5. The PTA earns a portion of the proceeds from this event. We hope to see you there!
The DeWitt Community Partnership Around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is providing a diversity related event titled "Gender and Sexuality 101". The event is scheduled for Monday, February 24th at 6 p.m. in the Middle School Learning Commons. Childcare for students Pre-K to 5th grade will be offered, and students in 6th grade and above are welcome to attend the presentation. The Middle School PTSA is providing dinner at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP here if you plan to attend: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdliNU4Ay5tBacjasck28MF77rtzCE_pT5KNfD2TmU1C0BpfA/viewform
Earlier this week, our PTA board and members voted on our annual teacher grants. There were numerous projects, field trips and supplies requested by our elementary teachers. Watch our PTA Facebook page for postings on the grant recipients and their requests.
We are still accepting new members and membership renewals! Go to https://dewittpta2018.memberhub.store/ to become a member, sponsor a teacher or make a donation. You can join the PTA just to help support our schools - there is no time commitment or volunteer requirement.
Finally, the PTA would like to welcome Herbison Woods Interim Principal Mrs. Carmela D'Alessandro. We look forward to getting to know you and working with you!

ICHAT to Volunteer

We are entering the season of Field Trips here at Scott School. Just a reminder that if you are interested in attending your child's class trip, as well as helping in the classroom, you MUST complete an ICHAT (volunteer background check) first. This background check is only good for one year, so if you completed one last year, you’ll need to complete a new one again this year. Staff and students appreciate all our families do to support learning at Scott!

Substitutes Needed

DeWitt Public Schools is looking for individuals interested substituting in our support staff positions which include lunch room and playground assistants, student aides (paraprofessionals), secretaries, and food service. Times vary for these positions and can range from 1.5-8 hours each day. If you are interested in subbing, please call our DPS Administrative Office at 668-3000.

DPS is also looking for substitute teachers. DPS partners with Ingham ISD and EduStaff to contract with qualified substitute teachers. For additional information about EduStaff and substitute teaching opportunities in DeWitt Public Schools, visit www.edustaff.org to complete an application, or contact the DPS Administrative office at 668-3000 for additional information.

Box Tops for Education

Box Tops for Education is changing to align with today's technology and families. Soon there will be no more clipping and only receipt scanning to support Scott School. It's simply to do, just download a the Box Tops for Education App and scan your grocery receipt. Any items that qualify will automatically credit our Scott School account. This costs nothing, but gives extra funds to our school to purchase resources and support events for students. We are still accepting clipped Box Tops, so if you have any, don't hesitate to send them in to our office.

We are currently looking for a Parent Volunteer to help with Box Tops. If you are interested please email Denise Urbain at urbain@dewittschools.net Thank You

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 p.m., for all after school changes.