This Week at Dutchman Creek!
Week of 1-15-2024
#GoGators💚🖤🐊
From the Desk of Principal Moton
Dear parents, students, and school community:
2024 certainly began eventfully! I am relieved to know that everyone made it through the high winds and flooding that occurred on Tuesday. We hit the ground running on Wednesday and finished the week well!
We take Monday off from school to commemorate the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr to our nation. Many of us take this day to serve our local communities or engage in discourse to be better humans to one another. Whatever you decide to do, I trust that you will enjoy your day off and will be ready to have a great week when we return to school on Tuesday.
Be mindful of the calendar of events and be sure to make each day count! Have a great week! GOOOOOOOOOOO GATORS!
Yours in service,
Principal Clayton B. Moton
Gator Nation Celebrations!
Let's take a moment to recognize and celebrate our Gator Nation students, staff, and community members!
✨Gator Spotlights: Semester 1✨
Jason Allen
Mr. Allen is one of our 6th grade social studies teachers and serves as Social Studies Department Chair. Mr. Allen exudes student advocacy and supports students in every capacity possible. Mr. Allen understands students and works extremely hard to expose them to opportunities that allow them to transfer their understanding of social studies content while making connections to their everyday lives. Not only does Mr. Allen support students each day, but he also supports his peers and continues to share best practices in instruction. Thank you, Mr. Allen, for your consistent commitment to exhibiting Great Gator Ways!
Christy Blankenship
Ms. Blankenship represents 1/3 of our amazing Media Center trio! The question here should be, what doesn't Ms. Blankenship do?! Ms. Blankenship supports morning and lunch activities for students, works to get classroom book sets ready for class use, supports students with checking in and out of novels, supports orders, and sends out daily communication to staff about opportunities in the media center. In her "spare time", she works to support other school-wide efforts and volunteers as much as she can! Thank you, Ms. Blankenship, for showing up each day in positive Great Gator Ways!
Christy Funderburk
Mrs. Funderburk is one of our 8th grade science teachers and serves as Science Department Chair. Each day, Funderburk collaborates with her team and works to engage students with authentic learning experiences. Mrs. Funderburk continues to be a strong supporter of literacy and has worked extremely hard to provide interdisciplinary experiences for students along with opportunities for collaboration with different content areas. She continues to support field experiences for Winthrop students and serves as a host teacher. Funderburk is a positive light on 8th grade, and we appreciate her leadership. Thank you, Mrs. Funderburk, for your constant showing of Great Gator Ways!
Paul Johnson
Mr. Johnson is one of our 8th grade social studies teachers that seeks to bring his "best" everyday! During his time at the Creek he has been intentional about building positive relationships with his students and is often seen on the sidelines or in the bleachers capturing a selfie and cheering on his students. In addition to student support, he works hard to provide engaging lessons that bring to the forefront important aspects of South Carolina history that will resonate with his students outside of the classroom. Mr. Johnson believes in being a problem-solver and working to add value to the culture here at DCMS. Thank you, Mr. Johnson for consistently displaying Great Gator Ways each day!
Rebecca Michael
Ms. Michael is one of our awesome ESE teachers in 7th grade. This year, Ms. Michael is working extremely hard to collaborate with math, ELA, and team teachers to support the achievement of students. She is intentional about her support and willing to offer strategies that will aid students in understanding content. Ms. Michael also works hard to offer suggestions for teachers as well as her ESE department. Ms. Michael continues to work toward growing to better herself and her school community. We are thankful for the Great Gator Ways she constantly has on display here at The Creek!
Aimee Tracy
Ms. Aimee Tracy is one of our 7th grade science teachers. She is the epitome of high expectations and accountability! Ms. Tracy is a team player that supports student needs by incorporating literacy and foundational math skills to impact student achievement. A quick walk-through of her classroom, on any given day, highlights student engagement and activities that promote critical thinking and application of key skills. Ms. Tracy is a strong collaborator and enjoys working within her PLC, along with serving as a host-teacher to support early field experiences for Winthrop Interns. Thank you, Ms. Tracy, for showing up and positively putting Great Gator Ways on display!
April Tyson
Dr. Tyson is one of our talented 7th grade math teachers here at The Creek! She is extremely passionate about doing whatever it takes to ensure that students achieve. She is disrupting negative mindsets of students as it relates to math and works hard to support them in understanding foundational skills to master current math concepts with confidence! Dr. Tyson steps up daily as a leader of her interdisciplinary team and exudes positivity consistently. Thank you, Dr. Tyson, for consistently demostrating the Great Gator Ways at The Creek!
Evidence of Engagement is Everywhere!
Students and teachers hit the ground running in 2024!
Gator Nation PSAs!
Important news and information to note!
StuCo Spring Craft Fair
Don't forget to order your yearbook!
DCMS Media Center
Gator Athletics
#BeGREAT!
#BeGREAT!
WINTER SPORTS SCHEDULES
Got questions about sports at DCMS?
Contact Jason Werts, Athletics Director (jwerts@rhmail.org)!
Calendar of Events
Mon, Jan 15: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr National Holiday (No school)
Tues, Jan 16: Report Cards Issued
Tues, Jan 16: DCMS SIC Meeting (5 pm in the media center)
Wed, Jan 17: Jr Beta Club Convention trip through Jan 19
Wed, Jan 17: Academic Challenge Team at Gold Hill Middle (4 pm)
Wed, Jan 17: Wrestling at Oakridge
Thurs, Jan 18: Basketball vs Saluda Trail (Boys at home)
Mon, Jan 22: Basketball vs Castle Heights (Girls at home)
Tues, Jan 23: Wrestling at Clover
Wed, Jan 24: Academic Challenge Team at York
Thurs, Jan 25: 7th Grade Basketball Cross Division games
Sat, Jan 27: Conference Wrestling Tournament hosted by DCMS (held at Northwestern High)
Mon, Jan 29: 8th Grade Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals
Tues, Jan 30: NWEA MAP testing begins (Math)
Wed, Jan 31: NWEA MAP testing begins (Reading)
Wed, Jan 31: Rising 6th Grade Night at Zoned Middle School
Wed, Jan 31: Rising 9th Grade Night at Zoned High School
Thurs, Feb 1: Black History Month begins
Thurs, Feb 1: NAEP Testing for select 8th grade students
Thurs, Feb 1: 8th Grade Basketball Tournament Semifinals (held at Saluda Trail Middle)
Mon, Feb 5: School Counselors Week begins
Mon, Feb 5: 8th Grade Basketball Tournament Finals (held at Saluda Trail Middle)
Tues, Feb 6: Special Olympics Bowling Day
Thurs, Feb 7: Academic Challenge Team at Castle Heights
Thurs, Feb 8: HBCU Fair at Rock Hill Sports and Events Center
Gator Vision: Behind the Lens!
Images from Week 19!
The DCMS Faculty and Staff engaged in Leader in Me training on January 8!
Students have begun engaging in morning Leader in Me lessons!
Teachers and instructional leadership putting in the work by discussing data to plan instruction!