Scott School and Herbison Woods certified staff met for Collaborative Learning Time this week to learn about our new literacy program, Wonders.  Some teachers piloted Wonders this year, and all of our K-5 teachers will teach ELA common core standards using this program in the 2024-25 school year.

Hello Families,

It's so hard to believe we are down to our last few weeks of the school year.  With this conclusion in sight, you may notice your child demonstrating a variety of emotions. They may be excited for summer adventures and opportunities to rest and relax, as well as sadness at not being able to see their friends every day or nervousness about going to a new school for our transitioning 3rd graders.  This can feel overwhelming at times for our children.  If you're not sure how to help them manage these feelings, remind them that experiencing a variety of emotions is very normal. Encourage them to talk with you or another trusted adult about their feelings and remind them of other strategies they've learned. This brochure has some great ideas to utilize.

Hope you all have a wonderful summer filled with all the things that make you smile.

Best Wishes,

DeAnn Schwarz

School Social Worker

There are many lost and found clothing items waiting to be claimed in our vestibule.  Stop by and take a look if your child is missing something.  Also, we have lots and lots of give away items we're hoping find new homes.  With summer construction about to start, our team has cleaned out all of our nooks and crannies and would love for families to rehome some items we no longer need.  There are two tables in our vestibule that are constantly getting additional items placed on them daily and are free for the taking.  Both lost and found and free items will be available during school hours until Memorial Day weekend.  

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

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.

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.