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

1-12-24 Media Center WAAG

Gator Athletics
#BeGREAT!

WINTER SPORTS SCHEDULES

Got questions about sports at DCMS?
Contact Jason Werts, Athletics Director (jwerts@rhmail.org)!

Calendar of Events

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!