Dear parents, students, and school community:

Just as hard as it is to believe that Clemson's kicker missed that chip shot field goal to win the game this past Saturday, it is equally as hard to believe that we close out the month of September this week! By most accounts, it has been a very busy, but productive month. The goal is Finish Strong and step into October with great momentum!

This week, we will have our first Spirit Week, sponsored by our Student Council to raise awareness for Pediatric Cancer in our community and country. The flyer in this week's newsletter explains each day's theme and guidelines. We look forward to having a good time and raising awareness for a great cause.

Nominations are open for membership on the DCMS School Improvement Council. You will find the form in this week's newletter. The nomination window closes on Thursday at 6 pm, and voting will take place the following week. Please consider running for a parent seat.

I hope you enjoy this week's newsletter. Let's all have a great week at The Creek! GOOOOOOOOOOO GATORS!

Yours in service,

Principal Clayton B. Moton

September is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month!

Here's how you can contribute:

1. **Learn About Feelings:** Help kids understand and express their own feelings. Teach them that it's okay to have difficult emotions and that talking about them can be helpful.

2. **Promote Kindness:** Encourage kids to be kind to their peers. Teach them about empathy and the importance of supporting friends who might be going through tough times.

3. **Raise Awareness:** Depending on their age, kids can participate in awareness activities. This might involve creating posters, drawing pictures, or writing short messages of hope that can be displayed at school or in the community.

4. **Express Themselves:** Encourage kids to share their thoughts and feelings creatively. They could write poems, stories, or draw pictures that communicate messages of support and understanding.

5. **Be a Friend:** Teach kids to recognize signs that someone might need help and encourage them to talk to a trusted adult if they're concerned about a friend.

6. **Practice Active Listening:** Help children learn how to listen when their friends or peers want to talk. Even simple acts of listening and being present can make a difference.

7. **Reach Out:** Depending on their age and level of comfort, kids could write friendly notes to classmates, send positive messages, or engage in conversations to let others know they're cared for.

8. **Share Resources:** If kids have access to resources or information appropriate for their age, they can share these materials with friends who might be struggling. This could include helpline numbers, websites, or books.

9. **Create Art:** Art can be a powerful way for kids to express their emotions and thoughts. Encourage them to create art that reflects hope, strength, and the importance of seeking help.

10. **Participate in School Activities:** Many schools organize events or activities during Suicide Prevention Month. Encourage your child to participate in these events to show support for their peers.

11. **Practice Inclusion:** Teach kids to include everyone and not exclude anyone based on differences. Feeling included and valued can have a positive impact on someone's mental health.

12. **Talk About Mental Health:** Make discussions about mental health a normal part of your conversations with kids. This can help reduce stigma and make it easier for them to talk about their own feelings.

13. **Encourage Openness:** Create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their feelings and concerns with you. This can help them build healthy communication habits.

14. **Be a Role Model:** Show kids how to be empathetic, kind, and understanding by modeling these behaviors in your own interactions with them and others.

15. **Focus on Self-Care:** Help kids understand the importance of taking care of their own mental and emotional well-being. Teach them healthy coping mechanisms and stress management techniques.

Remember, even the smallest gestures can have a big impact. By coming together, we can create a network of support that reaches far beyond just one month. Let's work towards a future where no one feels alone or hopeless, and where seeking help is met with compassion and understanding.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, don't hesitate to reach out for help. You are not alone, and there are people who care about you deeply.

Together, we can make a difference.

BIMAS Information for Parents

In our continuing efforts to support the well-being of all our students, teachers will be completing a universal assessment of behavioral health for all students. The assessment consists of a brief rating scale that will be completed by each child’s teachers. The universal  assessment will help our teachers to understand the needs of all our students and to make effective plans at the grade level, class level, and individual level. It is important that your child feels that academic learning is their focus at school and that the adults they work with each day are doing all they can to create a safe and supportive environment. 

If you would like more information about the universal assessment, please call Dutchman Creek Middle School or Dr. Nancy Turner, Director of Behavioral & Mental Health Services at 803-981-1397. This assessment is optional, but we hope you will allow your child’s teacher to complete it to help us gain additional insight into their needs. If you do not want an assessment completed for your child, please access our website HERE for the Opt-Out Form and submit it to your homeroom teacher.

ALL GAME TICKETS, both home and away, CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE at gofan.co/app/school/SC74494.