This Week at Dutchman Creek!

Week of 2-5-2024

I was greeted by this amazing little LEADER representing Independence Elementary School (Rock Hill Schools) at the 2024 Leader in Me Symposium in Charlotte!
Her proud dad is Mr. Bey, 8th grade math teacher at DCMS!
#GoGators💚🖤🐊

From the Desk of Principal Moton

Dear parents, students, and school community:

Another great week at The Creek! January is in the books and boy do we have a busy first full week of February! This week is School Counselors Week! We wish them all of the love they deserve! Our Black History Month celebration continues with the Lyrics of a Leader challenge. Everyone is encouraged to participate! Both of our 8th grade basketball teams compete for the conference tournament title on Monday against the girls and boys teams from Saluda Trail. The games will be played at Saluda Trail, so let's negate their home court advantage by packing the gym full of Gators! Students, if you get a selfie with a DCMS staff member at the game, you will earn a dress down day! Several of our students will compete in Special Olympics bowling on Tuesday. Our Academic Challenge team is back in competition this week at Castle Heights in a matchup against Castle Heights and Forest Creek, and this year's Battle of the Books tournament will be held at The Creek on Thursday. Many of our 8th graders will spend time at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center at the HBCU fair on Thursday as well. And with winter sports wrapping up on Monday, the spring sports season begins with softball tryouts starting on Wednesday! That is quite a bit on our plates, but our appetite for excellence is immeasurable and we have the teeth to prove it!

Every day is a great day to be a Gator, so let's be sure to make each day count! Stay safe and healthy, and here's to another great week at The Creek! 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!

Welcome to Gator Nation, Mrs. Wilkins!

Let's finish the job, Gators!

The 8th grade girls and boys played their final home game at Dutchman Creek this week and advanced to the conference tournament finals! Let's go, Gators!!!

Support both the girls and boys basketball teams in their championship run at Saluda Trail Middle School this Monday, February 5th, 2024 starting at 5:00p.m! #Gatorsbeastmode

Academic Challenge Team

Congratulations to the Academic Challenge Team for their big win over Sullivan Middle School in a double header by the scores of 28-26 and 33-17! Gooooooooo Gators!

Ms. Tiffany Smith

Ms. Tiffany Smith is our 6th grade school counselor here at Dutchman Creek Middle School. She represents the epitome of student advocacy and works hard each day to support 6th graders as they acclimate to life in the middle! Ms. Smith is truly a kind-hearted person who believes in working with teachers and parents in the best interest of her students, and this is exemplified each day. On a typical school day, Ms. Smith can be seen with a contagious smile navigating the 6th grade halls, checking in with students, and collaborating with her peers. In addition to her day to day, she also serves to support Gator Ambassadors with opportunities for students to serve at the Creek. We are thankful to have Ms. Smith here at Dutchman Creek Middle School and look forward to celebrating her during National School Counselor’s week.

Mrs. Shandra James

Mrs. Shandra James is our 7th grade school counselor here at Dutchman Creek Middle School. Since arriving here at DCMS, Mrs. James has worked tirelessly to maximize her impact on the well-being and growth of students. Each year she supports efforts to add to our school culture by leading Black History Month initiatives, scheduling food trucks monthly for our faculty and staff, and serving as advisor for National Junior Beta Club and Gator Ambassadors; two organizations that highlight service and provide positive opportunities for students outside the walls of the Creek! More recently, she has engaged in a monthly lunch book club with her 7th grade students and looks forward to continuing this in the Spring semester. Mrs. James works closely with her grade level administrator in all aspects of life on 7th grade hallway! To ALL students, she is affectionately known for her Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie sales. If you know you know! Thank you, Mrs. James for all that you do at the Creek. Join us as we look forward to celebrating her during National School Counselor’s week.

Ms. Christina Plantz

Ms. Christina Plantz, an original DCMS Gator, is our 8th grade and lead school counselor here at Dutchman Creek Middle School. She is proudly serving students and families in year 16 in this capacity. Anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing and/or working with Ms. Plantz recognizes her passion, her genuine and concerning nature, sincerity when working with students, and her keen attention to detail and organization. She believes in supporting the whole child and finds value working with students and families. Students appreciate her open-door policy and lunch check-ins as needed. In addition to her day to day, like her counselor peers, she works to support Gator Ambassadors. Planning a trip? Ms. Plantz is a trip planner extraordinaire She has orchestrated and lead efforts for her grade level’s trip to Gatlinburg, TN, along with fundraising ideas and efforts. We are thankful to celebrate Ms. Plantz during National School Counselor’s week!

Evidence of Engagement is Everywhere!

6th Graders in Mr. Booker's Social Studies

Mr. Booker's 6-1 students learned about Martin Luther's fight against the corruption of the Catholic Church by hanging his 95 Theses on the door of a cathedral. His students wrote their own 95 Theses and hung them on the door of 6th grade administrator, Mr. Modla (who is not corrupt...it's just a simulation 🙂)!

Now the real work happens...addressing their grievances!

Solving equations and peer teaching in Mrs. WW's math class!

Mrs. Knowles and her students celebrated MAP growth success!

Gator Nation PSAs!

Important news and information to note!

Celebrating Black History Month at The Creek!

Future Chefs!

StuCo Craft Fair!

Don't forget to order your yearbook!

New Health Care Options!

The Rock Hill School District in partnership with Affinity Health Center is proud to announce the opening of a new school-based healthcare facility on January 18, 2024! This clinic will serve the students of Rock Hill Schools and their families. The following services will be offered:

· Sports physicals offered for $10 for all students

· Primary care services will be offered – sick visits, well child checks, vaccines, mental health support, and dental care

· Help with mental health medication management

Please visit the website for more information.

School-based testing for COVID 19 and influenza is available for students and employees of the Rock Hill School District. If your child is ill and you would like them to be tested, please call the COVID/Flu Call Center at (803) 980-2016.

DCMS Media Center

Counselors' Corner

IGP - Calendly Appointment Sign Up

Rising 9th Grade Individual
Graduation Plan (IGP) Conferences

8th grade students received their rising 9th grade course selection cards on Thursday, January 25th along with a parent letter/detail sheet during classroom guidance with Ms. Plantz. Please review this information and sign up for a IGP conference via Zoom with one of the DCMS school counselors to select your child's 9th grade classes. An IGP conference is required for each 8th grader. Dates are set by team - if you do not know your child's team or if you have any questions - please reach out to Ms. Plantz - 8th grade school counselor (CPlantz@rhmail.org).

6th Grade Counselor

Tiffany Smith

803.985.1715

tiffanys@rhmail.org

7th Grade Counselor

Shandra James

803.985.1716

shjames@rhmail.org

8th Grade Counselor

Christina Plantz

803.985.1718

cplantz@rhmail.org

Gator Athletics
#BeGREAT!

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

Calendar of Events

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 (vs Forest Creek and Castle Heights)
Thurs, Feb 8: HBCU Fair at Rock Hill Sports and Events Center
Thurs, Feb 8: Battle of the Books tournament (held at DCMS)
Mon, Feb 12: MAP Goal Celebration Week (more info to come!)
Tues, Feb 13: Kona Ice on sale during lunch
Tues, Feb 13: DCMS SIC Meeting (Media Center at 5 pm)
Tues, Feb 13: Wrestling Awards (6 pm in the auditorium)
Thurs, Feb 15: PD day for staff/NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Fri, Feb 16: Workday for staff/NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Mon, Feb 19: President's Day/NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
Wed, Feb 21: Academic Challenge vs ST and RR (held at DCMS)
Wed, Feb 28: Beta Club meeting in the auditorium (8:30 am)
Thurs, Feb 29: Gators Got Talent!