Volley for a Cure!
Dear parents, students, and school community:
We jumped right into the month of October last week with both feet! We recognized that returning to the building after two days away due to the storm was easier for some than for others, and I am proud of how we responded as a school. Our love and support continue to go out to those directly and indirectly affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
This week, we will engage in Benchmark Assessments. It is important that each student does their best to give teachers an accurate picture of our progress and our needs. I am confident that our students will rise to the occasion.
We continue to honor Hispanic Heritage Month through October 15. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Emotional Wellness Month, and National School Principals Month! I invite you to support Gator athletics this week as the volleyball teams host Saluda Trail on Monday and travel to Rawlinson Road on Wednesday. Also, the district is closed on Friday for all students and staff.
Continue to engage us if you have any questions, concerns, or needs! Let's have a #RockSolid week at The Creek! GO GATORS!
Yours in service,
Principal Clayton B. Moton
National Hispanic Heritage Month begin on September 15 and ends on October 15, Join us as we celebrate our national and local contributors of Hispanic decent to the American fabric!
We celebrated our awesome custodians this past Wednesday! They help keep our school looking great!
Mr. Jordan, lead custodian
Ms. Jackson
Mr. Orr
Mr. Ervin
Mr. Lops
Ms. A. Slater
Mrs. L. Slater
Mrs. Wallace
Mr. Walker
Ms. van Eck is one of our 6th grade math teachers here at the Creek! Since arriving at Dutchman Creek, she has stood out as a leader working extremely hard to capture the essence of our mission to grow students as leaders. She has been instrumental in collaborating with her peers in the math department and her 6th grade team. In addition to helping organize math and science nights, and literacy family nights, she works to hold students to the highest levels of expectations while challenging them with content and engaging them in conversations about their data to support their growth and learning. Ms. van Eck is passionate about helping all students learn and it shows daily in her rapport with teachers, administrators, and students as an educator and coach. We are thankful to have her constant display of what it means to be a Gator!
Mrs. Armstrong is our talented digital photography teacher, and is a constant example of what it means to truly put students first. She has worked extremely hard to serve now, as Co-athletics director, and championship winning basketball coach here at Dutchman Creek. In addition to serving in these roles, she also sponsors FCA. In her classroom, Mrs. Armstrong introduces students to the world of photography and seeing things in their everyday lives through that lens. She challenges students to learn new concepts and skills in computers and exposes them to how class content connects to the real world. She has a true command of the classroom and is able to connect with students in a way that shows she truly cares about their well-being and academic success. We are thankful to have Mrs. Armstrong as a positive example of being a Gator!
Ms. Bradley is our amazing Technology Support Specialist. Since her arrival at the Creek she has worked tirelessly to support the technology needs of students to support their daily learning. Prior to the start of the school year, Ms. Bradley worked to deploy laptops to each homeroom teacher- totaling a delivery of 870 laptops- to ease the transition for both teachers and students. Daily, and multiple times a day, she has developed an effective system to address tech tickets to resolve students' issues, or escalate needs so students do not experience delays or a lapse in the ability to complete assignments. Outside of supporting students, Ms. Bradley does not hesitate to communicate information regarding technology updates and collaborates with administrators on upcoming needs such as MAP testing, or technology needs for events. She is always an email or radio call away. We are very thankful to have Ms. Bradley as such an efficient and effective member of the DCMS team!
Mr. Robinson serves as an awesome and supportive 7th grade social studies teacher here at Dutchman Creek. On any given morning, he can be seen, rain, sleet, shine, or snow greeting families and ensuring that students make it safely out of their cars and into the school building to start their day. Mr. Robinson provides a structured learning environment for students. He is a history buff and values the importance of students learning about geography and historical events. He is a student advocate and believes in building positive relationships with students, and because of this, he’s often seen outside of the classroom and in the stands cheering on students getting their first taste of middle school sports. Quiet but funny, Mr. Robinson is always willing to support school initiatives and his peers. Anytime there is an ask, the reply is, “yes”. We are thankful to have Mr. Robinson to support what it means to be a Gator.
Ms. Birchfield has effortlessly stepped into some pretty big shoes and roles to fill as our bookkeeper this past January. Since that time she has supported every area and aspect of Dutchman Creek making it clear that the work of teachers and administrators to grow students and academic achievement matters. She is extremely thoughtful, hardworking, and a strong collaborator to further understand how she can best support. It is not uncommon to see Ms. Birchfield working beyond her scheduled hours and staying late to attend school events as a contributing member at the Creek! In addition to her work, she has been essential in helping us to develop some community partnerships with local churches and businesses to extend beyond our school's scope. She has been a key part of the ideas and growing demand for Gator T-shirts. We appreciate Ms. Birchfield showing what it means to be a Gator!
Mrs. Williams-Wilson has been a wonderful addition to Dutchman Creek as part of 8th grade and the math department. It is clear that Mrs. Williams-Wilson wants to do whatever it takes to help students develop the necessary foundational skills to be successful in 8th grade math and beyond. She works extremely hard to utilize data to determine the strengths and opportunities of her students. Mrs. Williams-Wilson has a welcoming environment where she welcomes teachers and administrators in and day to day she collaborates with her peers, co-teachers, and department. She works hard to develop engaging lessons to build the confidence of her students and believes in celebrating their success. Last year, Mrs. Williams-Wilson played a huge part in helping to plan and organize the 8h grade formal for students. This year, she will serve as the leader for the LiM data team, and we are excited to see those ideas develop. We are thankful for Mrs. Williams-Wilson and her display of what it means to be a Gator!!
As a National School to Watch, we demonstrate Academic Excellence!
Get to know first year science teacher Ms. Tinch!
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Co-teachers engage in professional learning to better serve the students of The Creek!
Lighthouse Leadership Team Leaders meet regularly to consider the needs of the school and how support can be given them efficiently and effectively!
Instructional Leaders and staff train hard to ensure that students are provided relevant and rigorous work for maximum growth and development!
Mr. Booker engages in feedback sessions with his students regarding their Roman Empire essays!
Our students are working hard to incorporate the habits on a daily basis. This week students are focused on their finding a transition person to help stay positive and proactive and ways in which they can make a positive impact on their own lives!
Learning Standards: Learners will be able to describe the role of a Transition Person in helping to change negative behavior patterns, and how they can act as a Transition Person in service of themselves and others. Learners will be able to describe principle-centered living and how to apply the principles that matter most to them to important life choices.
Whether it is volunteering to help with after school clubs and competition or cheering wildly in the stands as fans, the faculty and staff understand the importance of supporting our students and each other inside and outside of the classroom! We are unapologetically PROUD to be Dutchman Creek Gators! Gooooooo Gators!!!
As a National School to Watch, we understand the importance of quality Organizational Structures and Processes!
Join us on October 16th as we wear Orange to send a visible message of building commUNITY through kindness, acceptance and inclusion to prevent bullying!
Its that time of year again!! Join Beta Club as we aim to support our community in need. October 1-18th we will collect new socks, hats and gloves in all sizes to be donated to the Salvation Army & the Men's Shelter here in Rock Hill just in time for the winter months. Donations can be dropped off in the boxes located outside the auditorium in the atrium.
Otis Spunkmeyer cookie sales are back!! We will be selling cookies on Thursday, October 10th during all 3 lunches!! Get you cookies while they last!! Cookies will be on sale $1 per bag. (Each bag contains 2 fresh off the press Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies)
Friday, October 25
Leading Ladies @the Creek had the opportunity to meet and discuss "Life Balance." We can sometimes take on many tasks causing us to make mistakes or not perform our best. One quality of a leader is knowing when to say no, and choosing to focus on a few things and do them well.
If you are interested in partnering with us, please reach out to Dr. Bacote at tbacote@rhmail.org
The Gator Student Lighthouse Team is off to an amazing start. These students assisted with the Student Success Check-In and recognized our custodial staff. They lead the morning announcements in both English and Spanish. There's much more to come!
We thank you for your continued support. Click the Partner with Us hyperlink above to connect and provide feedback.
When you buy OFFICIAL products from our website, the proceeds will go back to kids! Other shops online do not invest back to us! Visit our website (www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/DCMS) or directly at DCMS Gator Gear Online!
Are you passionate about inspiring the next generation? Rock Hill Schools will be hosting its FIRST annual Middle School Career Fair and we NEED your HELP!! We invite you to participate in our upcoming Career Fair designed specifically for 7th grade middle school students! 7th grade students from all 5 middle schools will be in attendance. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your organization, share your career journey, and introduce students to the wide range of possibilities that await them in the future.
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 8:00am-1:15pm
Where: Sullivan Middle School (All 5 schools will rotate through the fair throughout the day hosted at SMS)
Anticipated Attendance: ~1000 students
If you are interested in attending the fair and educating students about your career field, please fill out the form using the link below.
Middle School Career Fair Interest Form
Thank you
Got questions about DCMS Athletics? Contact co-Athletic Directors Coach Tawander Armstrong tarmstrong@rhmail.org or Coach Ron Tyson rtyson@rhmail.org!
Mon, Oct 7: Volleyball vs Saluda Trail
Tues, Oct 8: Kona Ice on sale during lunches
Wed, Oct 9: Volleyball at Rawlinson Road
Fri, Oct 11: District Closed (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
Mon, Oct 14: Teacher Professional Dev Day (NO SCHOOL)
Wed, Oct 16: PSAT administration for select students
Wed, Oct 16: Volleyball at Castle Heights
Wed, Oct 16: 7th Grade Football at Saluda Trail
Wed, Oct 16: 8th Grade Football at Oakridge
Thurs, Oct 17: 7th Grade Volleyball Cross Division Games (West hosts)
Sat, Oct 19: 8th Grade Volleyball Conference Tournament (hosted by Oakridge)
Wed, Oct 23: 7th Grade Football Bracket Week
Wed, Oct 23: 8th Grade Football home vs Castle Heights
Thurs, Oct 24: Kevin Atlas Assembly at NWHS
Wed, Oct 30: 7th Grade Football Championship Week
Wed, Oct 30: 8th Grade Football at Rawlinson Road
Images from Week 8