This Week at Dutchman Creek!

Week of 10/21/2024

I am a man of my word!
When my kids read and raise money for literacy, three hours taped to a wall is nothing! 😂👍🏽

From the Desk of Principal Moton

Dear parents, students, and school community:

What a week last week! We reached our literacy fundraising goal and, as promised, I got duct taped to a wall by the students and staff that contributed on Tuesday, and I spent the entire day "riding" a giant inflatable chicken to the delight of the students, staff, and parents who took pictures in the car line and later at the Literacy Family Fun Night! And I will gladly do it again and perhaps more if it excites our community to support our literacy efforts!

History was made this past week, as both the 7th and 8th grade volleyball teams went undefeated in the regular season and secure the postseason championships with a combined record of 24-0! The 7th grade girls defeated Clover on Thursday, and the 8th graders took down Oakridge. Never has both teams finished undefeated conference champions in the same season...a legendary feat by some talented young ladies led by Coach Dowtin and Coach Koterba!

This week, our 7th grade football team begins their postseason play at home on Wednesday while the 8th grade football team travels to Rawlinson Road to finish up their regular season. On Thursday morning, the entire student body is invited to travel to Northwestern to hear from motivational speaker Kevin Atlas. Permission slips went home by students and should be returned on Monday. You can download a copy of the slip HERE!

Thank you for your continued support of the students and staff of Dutchman Creek! Always reach out 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

Developmental Responsiveness and Social Equity
As a National School to Watch, we understand the value of developmental responsiveness and social equity!

Gator Nation Celebrations!

Thank you for supporting literacy!

Gator Nation, you did it! We reached our fundraising and reading goals and had an amazing Literacy Family Fun Night, highlighted by a visit by K.A Holt, author of our school's One Book One School selection!

We enjoyed activities throughout the school on each grade level hallway, games in the atrium, and fun for the entire family. Students who participated and completed the bingo card earned a dress down day!

As an added bonus, Mr. Moton kept his word and allowed participating students and staff to tape him to the wall throughout all three lunch periods AND he "rode" a chicken the entire day and evening on Thursday!

Thank you for your support, Gator Nation!!!!

The Foundation "Educator for the Day"!

Mr. Herb White, CEO of Sharonview Federal Credit Union, shadowed Mr. Moton as a part of the Rock Hill Schools Foundation "Educator for the Day" experience. At the afternoon debrief with others across the district and community, Mr. White shared that enjoyed witnessing the authentic engagement between the students and staff at Dutchman Creek and was impressed with our structured and intentional the work and discourse was organized! We appreciate his kind words and advocacy!

Mission Accomplished!

CONGRATULATIONS to the 7th and 8th grade volleyball teams for a combined record of 24-0 for the season, capturing the 7th and 8th grade conference championships! This is the first time in conference history that both teams finished undefeated in the same season since Dutchman Creek opened in 2008! The conference historians are researching if this is the first time this was accomplished in conference history! GREAT JOB, ladies!!!

Academic Excellence
Evidence of Engagement is Everywhere!

As a National School to Watch, we demonstrate Academic Excellence!

ST-ARTS Program 2025

ST-ARTS stands for “Special Talents in the ARTS”. It is comprised of a summer workshop from June 2-20 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Winthrop University.

Students currently in grades 6-8 are eligible to audition in music (voice or instrumental), dance, drama, and visual art. ST-ARTS is hosted by Winthrop University. Feel free to visit the ST-ARTS website for more information for parents and students about the ST-ARTS program. While transportation is provided to the auditions if needed, transportation to the summer program is the responsibility of the parent. It is important for parents to stay informed on the expectations for students in the ST-ARTS program. Please review the ST-ARTS Handbook. You can also find Rock Hill Schools information about ST-ARTS by visiting the Rock Hill Schools district website. Students who auditioned and were accepted previously and are still in middle school are eligible to attend. If your child attended ST-ARTS last year, you will receive an email asking you to confirm that your child intends to participate again in this year's ST-ARTS program. Please review the dates carefully. This program has limited participation. If you cannot commit to the full program dates, please allow another student the opportunity to participate.

Community-Based Instruction to the classroom!

From their trip last week to the classroom, our Unique Pathways 1 students uses hands-on learning experiences to connect their learning!

🚨ICYMI: The Gator Nation Podcast!🚨

To close out Hispanic Heritage Month, the GNP sits down with ML/ESOL Teacher Dr. Valeria Vanstrien!

https://youtu.be/0Dg9k19RzDM?feature=shared

ALL EPISODES: Subscribe and share! 👇

~🎥YouTube: https://bit.ly/45ygyET

~🎙️Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3KYVkYy

~🎙️Apple: https://apple.co/45P1RwK

~🎙️Google: https://bit.ly/45sgSoJ

~🎙️Amazon: http://bit.ly/AmzGNP247

DCMS Choir!

Sharpening Our Saws!

Theatre Arts students visited Winthrop!

Photography students captured action, shapes, and still life shots at the State Fair!

Quality Feedback

When teachers give quality feedback, students gain confidence and THRIVE!

Our students are working hard to incorporate the habits on a daily basis. This week students are focused on creating their own mission statement and how to make important decisions!

Learning Standards: Learners will be able to write a personal mission statement and explain how to use this tool to make important decisions. Learners will be able to describe the value of a shared vision on a team and practice creating a short-term and long-term vision. Learners will be able to define outcomes before they act in order to create a mental creation that predicts success in and outside of school.

Be Proactive- (Student Field Trip).MOV

Be Proactive- (Dr. Bacote).MOV

Gators Supporting Gators!

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!!!

Organizational Structures and Processes
Gator Nation PSAs!

As a National School to Watch, we understand the importance of quality Organizational Structures and Processes!

Kevin Atlas Student Assembly

Kevin Atlas Assembly presented by Rock Hill Schools

The entire student body is invited to attend a district field trip to Northwestern for the Kevin Atlas "Believe in You" experience! If you need an additional copy of the permission form, download it HERE!

StuCo Spirit Night

THE DEAN'S LIST

Leading Ladies @the Creek

October Meeting

Reschedule Alert: LL@C will Collaborate with the

Gator Student Lighthouse Team

Thursday, October 24

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

Gator Student Lighthouse Team

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!

The Parent Pit-Stop

Quarter 2 Reset

We hope your student has experienced a great Quarter 1 at DCMS. Even if that is not the case, now is a great time to reset. As our students continue to learn about the GREAT GATOR WAYS and The 7 Habits of Leadership through Leader in Me the graphic shown here is a simple tool created to be used at home. It can be a struggle to help middle schoolers take accountability for their actions, but practicing these core areas could prove effective. Share your feedback.

Partner with Us

We thank you for your continued support. Click the Partner with Us hyperlink above to connect and provide feedback.

Paint the Rock!

Order your OFFICIAL Gator Gear!

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!

Media Center

10-18-24 Media Center WAAG

Counselor's Corner

7th Grade Students Only

On November 14th, the district will host its first annual Middle School District Career Fair at Sullivan Middle School. Students will be able to explore the 16 career clusters and learn more about possible career paths. 7th grade students from each middle school will be buses over to the Career Fair during their designated time. DCMS 7th grade students will leave at 9am and will return around 10:40am. Permission slips were sent home October 3rd during classroom guidance. All students must return signed permission slips to their science teacher by October 31st in order to attend.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Smith- TiffanyS@rhmail.org

SAVE THE DATE: RED RIBBON WEEK IS COMING!!

Monday, October 28-Friday, November 1

DETAILS to come!!!

Christina Plantz

6th Grade School Counselor

;CPlantz@rhmail.org

803.985.1718

Tiffany Smith

7th Grade School Counselor

TiffanyS@rhmail.org

803.985.1715

Shandra James

8th Grade School Counselor

SHJames@rhmail.org

903.985.1716

Athletics

Fall Sports Schedules

The Championship Winner! (📽️ cred: Ms. Miller)

VBGameWinner.MP4

SEASON COMPLETE!
Results: Perfection!

7th and 8th Grade Conference CHAMPIONS!!!!

Got questions about DCMS Athletics? Contact co-Athletic Directors Coach Tawander Armstrong! tarmstrong@rhmail.org or Coach Ron Tyson rtyson@rhmail.org!