District Recruitment Fair 2025:
Only the best for Gator Nation!
Dear parents, students, and school community:
Happy Super Bowl Sunday! As a former athlete, I often use sports references to make connections to the work we do at Dutchman Creek. Today, two teams will compete in one final game to determine this year's NFL champion. Fan across the country and the world will watch a culmination of the hard work and good fortunes of two squads who can trace their pathways to this moment to the preparation, planning, and adjustments needed to outscore their opponents. Some fans may be like me, just excited for the Halftime Show since their team, in my case the Panthers, are not playing!Â
While we at Gator Nation are not quite at our Super Bowl moment, our preparation, planning, and adjustments will determine our success in the end. As every game every week mattered for the Chiefs and Eagles and even Kendrick Lamar, we must take advantage of every opportunity to improve as we get ready for our big moment. When we get to our annual assessments in May, we will see our efforts pay off!
We will have another busy week, even with it being a short one with no school for students on Friday. Check the calendar and be sure to support us in any way that you can! Let's have another #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!
Several Gators made the Region 3 Band and Connor Mainous made All-State! Congratulations to Mr. Ellison and his Swampland Band students!
Congratulations to Dr. Vanstrien, who was featured in the latest edition of South Carolina for having her Bright Ideas grant funded!
Mrs. Rollings
Mrs. Rollings serves as one of our amazing and hardworking "Original Gators" and leader of one of our Leader in Me Lighthouse teams. Mrs. Rollings has lead our 8th grade ELA team with intention and a strong knowledge of content relative to the needs of our diverse learners and ELA department for many years. She has been instrumental in serving as a team lead, Department chair, mentor to support new teachers, as well as Winthrop students looking to gain early field experiences at the Creek! Outside of ELA, Mrs. Rollings has faithfully supported our literacy team and the planning and implementation of many of our Family Literacy Nights, and serves as Advisor for our winning Academic Challenge Team. Mrs. Rolling constantly displays a "can do" mindset, and is always willing to collaborate to support students and the culture at the Creek! Thanks for displaying Great Gator Ways!!!
Mr. Bey
Mr. Bey's passion for math is evident in and out of the classroom.  As a former high school teacher, he is a great asset to his colleagues in sharing his knowledge of expectations past middle school. He is always looking for ways to encourage his students to do their best and to have a positive growth mindset. He spends his time outside of school tutoring middle and high school students to help build foundational skills and achieve success with higher level math concepts. He spearheads one our Leader in Me Lighthouse teams and provides professional development sessions at various conferences to support teacher efficacy. We are grateful to have Mr. Bey as a part of Gator Nation supporting his students and colleagues to make a difference at the Creek!
Mrs. Krull-Wendover
Mrs. Krull-Wendover is a shining star at the Creek who continuously shows up for students. She is passionate about the arts and genuinely cares for all of her students. She can be seen throughout any given day working to engage students while making plans for Winter and Spring performances. Mrs. KW works hard to perfect her craft and serves as a mentor teacher for Winthrop students looking to gain experiences through field internships! As if all that she does isn't enough, her bright smile is contagious among all who she comes in contact with! We are thankful to have Mrs. KW at the Creek!Â
Mrs. McMichael
Mrs. McMichael represents one-half of our amazing Media Center duo. She represents the Creek as lead Media Center Specialist and is passionate about literacy and getting the right books into the hands of all students. This passion finds her willing to support all content areas while collaborating with teachers and students. In her "spare" time she puts on amazing Scholastic Book Fairs, leads The Battle of the Books and supports National History Day at the Creek. We are thankful for Mrs. McMichael as a daily reminder of what it means to be a Great Gator through her ways!
Mrs. Notarangelo
Mrs. Notarangelo is our attendance clerk and so much more at the Creek! Throughout her time here she has worked hard to communicate with families and faculty about attendance policies while providing critical information often times with just a moment's notice. She serves as a valuable member of our MTSS team and seeks to positively add to our school climate and culture by recognizing staff and providing opportunities for fellowship! Thank you, Mrs. Notarangelo for always placing Great Gator Ways on Display!!
Mr. Bobby
Mr. Bobby Walker is one of our quiet and humble custodians, content to work behind the scenes while showing up daily to ensure that our school is clean and ready for daily learning! Mr. Bobby is extremely helpful in supporting school-wide activities and is willing to provide or get anything that we need to setup at a moment's notice. He takes pride each night in ensuring that our floors are cleaned and can be seen supporting kids anytime there is a home game in the gym. We are thankful for Mr. Bobby and is constant display of Great Gator Ways!!
Mrs. Knowles
Mrs. Knowles has and continues to be a strong and invaluable presence at the Creek! We are thankful for her leadership and constant willingness to show up and support many of our schoolwide events and endeavors. She has served as Department chair, member of our school literacy team, school leadership team, and now serves as Team Leader and adivsor for our Academic Challenge Team. Mrs. Knowles "knows" best practice as evident by intentional instructional planning, display of data wall, conferencing with and interventions for students. As a valuable member of the Creek she is always transparent and provides feedback and insight that makes our school better. Thank you, Mrs. Knowles for exhibiting Great Gator Ways!!
Thank you to everyone who came out to make our Semester 2 Open House a huge success! We look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure that our students and families feel welcomed and valued at The Creek!
As a National School to Watch, we demonstrate Academic Excellence!
Whether it is volunteering to help with after school clubs and competition or cheering wildly in the stands as fans, we understand the importance of supporting each other inside and outside of the classroom! We are unapologetically PROUD to be Dutchman Creek Gators! Gooooooo Gators!!!
ATTIRE Festive attire is encouraged (red, pink, purple, or white) Midsection should be covered, clothes without holes, and shoes should have backs for safety.Â
FOOD The PTSA will have food for sale at the concession stand. At the end of the dance, students will receive a party favor.
BEHAVIOR Dancing is encouraged, observers should not crowd the dance floor. Event search procedures will be in place. School behavior consequences still apply.Â
PURSES Purses are discouraged, but if necessary, purses will be searched or a clear bag is acceptable.
Pick-Up All students should be picked up by 7:45
Parents, remember you can access parent portal to review students' attendance and grades. Access the portal here
For PowerSchool questions, email: askpowerschool@rhmail.org
Parents, you can observe your students to monitor student assignments and grades, as well as to receive important announcements from your child's team. If you already have an account, nothing has changed. If you need to login or set up an account, access canvas here. To see directions for setting up a Parent Observer Account, see the directions here. For pairing code, please contact your child's team teachers or Mrs. Rainey at AMRainey@rhmail.org
Students will be focusing on empathy and building relationships!
Learning Standards: 6th-Learners will be able to describe and practice empathy and Empathic Listening. 7th-Learners will be able to consider others; wins and act with consideration inside and outside the school. 8th- Learners will be able to identify others' emotions and practice Empathetic Listening.Â
Kind
Here
In Control
Respectful
Prepared
As a National School to Watch, we understand the importance of quality Organizational Structures and Processes!
8th Grade Individualized Graduation Plan Conferences with Team 8-2 students are this week. Parents, be sure to check your email for your Zoom link from Calendly. Â
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!Â
See Coach Sexton or Coach Mozingo if you have any questions!
Got questions about DCMS Athletics? Contact co-Athletic Directors Coach Tawander Armstrong! tarmstrong@rhmail.org or Coach Ron Tyson rtyson@rhmail.org!
Tues, Feb 10
8th grade girls and boys basketball semifinals (held at Rawlinson Road)
Tues, Feb 11
Kona Ice on sale at lunches
Wed, Feb 12
Academic Challenge Team hosts Indian Land (4 pm)
DRESS DOWN DAY for 7th Grade for winning the Spirit Competition!
Thurs, Feb 13
8th Grade Girls and Boys Basketball Finals (held at Rawlinson Road)
Valentine's Dance
Fri, Feb 14
Professional Development Day (No students)
Mon, Feb 17
Tues, Feb 18
National History Day in the Multipurpose Room
Wed, Feb 19
Academic Challenge Team hosts Castle Heights and Rawlinson Road (4 pm)
Fri, Feb 21
DoSL Student Assemblies
Images from Week 24