This Week at Dutchman Creek!

Week of 2/24/2025

🏀🏆 x 3️⃣
The Quest of the Cup is relentless!

From the Desk of Principal Moton

Dear parents, students, and school community:

We wrap up the month of February this week. It has been a banner month despite the flurry of activities and the occasional flurry of snowflakes that interrupted school. We continue to work hard despite the challenges, which is all we can ask of each other.

We will have another short, but busy week. Friday is an Early Release Day. Students will be dismissed at 11:45 am. As far as the activities this week, be sure to check the calendar and make plans 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!

Gator Nation Celebrations!

DCMS Athletics is on FIRE❤️‍🔥!

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Dutchman Creek Athletics has now won FIVE out of nine conference championships this season with both 7th grade basketball teams and the 8th grade girls basketball team finishing with undefeated season to go along with the two undefeated volleyball teams last fall. Combined with excellent grades, behavior, and service participation, the DCMS Athletics department is looking to retain the District Cup by putting is far out of reach! Up next is Spring Sports! Kudos to our students, coaches, and athletics directors!!!!

Congratulations to Jhace Johnson (left) and Emarie Sutter (right)! Both participated in the NC Junior State Wrestling Tournament this weekend and represented Gator Nation well! Jhace placed 4th in his weight class, while Emari placed 2nd in his. Way to go guys!

Bus Driver Appreciation Week

We showed our appreciation to our hard-working and dedicated bus drivers at The Creek!

Gator Spotlight on Amazing Educators at
The Creek!

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!

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!!

Academic Excellence
Evidence of Engagement is Everywhere!

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

Authentic Experiences

Gators Supporting Gators!

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!!!

Parent Pitstop

Come out and support your local vendors or become a vendor! There are still spots available

Join us for our annual blood drive sponsored by One Blood this Saturday, March 8th, 8:30AM-12:00PM at DCMS in the cafeteria!! Students will receive a FREE Dress Down Day if a donor donates on their behalf. Our goal this year is to donate 25 units. Click on the link below to sign up!!

Donate Blood

Field Trips Ahead

8th Grade students will spend the day at Carowinds on Friday, April 11th!! Permission slips were sent home this past week. The first payment is due on Monday, March 10th.

Parent Portal

Parents, remember you can access parent portal to review students' attendance and grades. Access the portal here

For PowerSchool questions, email: askpowerschool@rhmail.org

Canvas

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 communication and collaboration.

Learning Standards: 6th-Learners will be able to describe the importance of valuing differences and how it positively impacts group success. 7th-Learners will be able to seek to understand others through Empathic Listening and explore how listening empathically can improve communication in an important relationship. 8th-Learners will be able to celebrate differences and identify the advantages of differences within a group.

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THE DEAN'S LIST

Leading Ladies @the Creek and The Gator Student Lighthouse Team would like to thank everyone who helped support our first Valentine's Dance! Be sure to order a yearbook for more pictures of this awesome event.

Heartfelt appreciation again, to Jennifer and Chuck Feller for the beautiful balloon decor and to the PTSA for providing concessions. There is still time to join.

January's Great Gators

Kind

Here

In Control

Respectful

Prepared

Organizational Structures and Processes
Gator Nation PSAs!

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

DCMS Choir!

Paint the Rock!

Media Center

2-21-25 Media Center WAAG

Counselor's Corner

8th Grade IGPs have officially wrapped. Thank you parents for your participation throughout the month of February!! Our 8th graders are one step closer to high school

8th Grade Parents:

8th Grade students will participate in Job Shadowing on Friday, March 21st. Job shadowing is a learning experience where you observe a professional at work. ALL 8th grade students received their packets with the necessary information. Please turn in permissions slips by Friday, March 7th. Our goal is 100% participation. If you are having trouble securing a location, please reach out to Mrs. James, the 8th grade School Counselor.

Take a look at our last set of conferences!!

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

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!

Gator Athletics
The Quest for the District Cup continues!

Spring Sports 2025

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

Calendar of Events

Tues, Feb 25

- - - - Spring Picture Day
        Department Meeting (3:30 pm)

Fri, Feb 28

- - - - Early Release Day for Students (11:45 am dismissal)

Mon, Mar 3

- - - - Academic Challenge Regional Meet

Tues, Mar 4

- - - - SIC Meeting (media center at 5 pm)
        Rising 6th Grade Night

Wed, Mar 5

- - - - Beta Club Induction (6 pm)

Thurs, Mar 6

- - - - Swampland Band at Northwestern

Fri, Mar 7

Job Shadowing Permission Forms Due

Mon, Mar 10

- - - - Softball home vs Rawlinson Road (5 pm)

Tues, Mar 11

- - - - Kona Ice on sale during lunch

Wed, Mar 12

- - - - Softball at Sullivan (5 pm)

Thurs, Mar 13

- - - - Jr Scholars Field Trip to Winthrop for select students

Fri, Mar 14

- - - - Flag Football home vs Fort Mill (5:30 pm)
        Flag Football home vs Rawlinson Road (7:00 pm)

Wed, Mar 19

- - - - Softball home vs Castle Heights (5 pm)

Thurs, Mar 20

- - - - Softball home vs Saluda Trail (5 pm)
        Track home vs Saluda Trail & Castle Heights (5 pm)

Fri, Mar 21

- - - - Rising 6th Grade Jump Up Day (Time TBA)
        8th Grade Job Shadowing Day
        Addams Family production (7:30 pm)
        Flag Football vs York (6:15 pm at Forest Creek Middle)
        Flag Football vs Pleasant Knoll (7:45 pm at Forest Creek Middle)

Sat, Mar 22

- - - - Addams Family production (7:30 pm)

Mon, Mar 24

- - - - Softball at Oakridge (5 pm)

Tues, Mar 25

- - - - Rising 9th Grade Jump Up Day

Tues, Mar 25

- - - - Department Meeting (3:30 pm)
        Rising 9th Grade Jump Up Day
        Track at Sullivan vs Sullivan and Clover (5 pm)

Wed, Mar 26

- - - - Be Pro, Be Proud Truck for 8th Grade
        Softball home vs York (5 pm)

Thurs, Mar 27

- - - - Band CPA at Fort Mill High School
        Track at Sullivan (5 pm)

Fri, Mar 28

- - - - Early Release Day (11:45 am dismissal)
        Orchestra Trip to Carowinds
        LLC Lock-in (12:15 pm)
        Flag Football home vs Saluda Trail (5:30 pm)
        Flag Football home vs Fort Mill (6:15 pm)

Sat, Mar 29

- - - - StuCo Craft/Vendor Fair (8 am)

Mon, Mar 31

- - - - Softball at Clover (5 pm)

Tue, Apr 1

- - - - Bel Canto Choral Performance Assessment in West Columbia
        Track home vs Rawlinson Road and Clover (5 pm)

Wed, Apr 2

- - - - Softball at Indian Land (5 pm)

Thurs, Apr 3

- - - - Track at Oakridge vs Saluda Trail and Oakridge (5 pm)

Fri, Apr 4

- - - - Flag Football vs Castle Heights (5:30 pm at Pleasant Knoll Middle)
        Flag Football vs Oakridge (6:15 pm at Pleasant Knoll Middle)

Mon, Apr 7

- - - - Softball home vs Sullivan (5 pm)

Tue, Apr 8

- - - - MAP (ELA)
        Kona Ice on sale during lunches
        Track City Meet at Rawlinson Road (5 pm)

Thurs, Apr 10

- - - - MAP (Math)

Fri, Apr 11

- - - - 8th Grade Trip to Carowinds
        Area Eleven Special Olympics
        Music in the Parks field trip for Concert Choir at Winthrop and Carowinds

Mon, Apr 14

- - - - Softball Make-up Game if needed (5 pm)

Tue, Apr 15

- - - - Carowinds Festival of Music trip for 6th Grade Beginner Chorus
        Track Conference Meet at Dutchman Creek (5 pm)
        **POSSIBLE** Softball Conference Tournament Quarterfinal vs Sullivan, depending on seeding (5 pm)

Tue, Apr 16

- - - - Softball Conference Tournament Quarterfinals hosted by the Higher Seeds (5 pm)

Wed, Apr 17

- - - - Chorus in the Auditorium
        Spring Choir Concert (6 pm)

Fri, Apr 18

- - - - Flag Football vs Forest Creek (5:30 pm at Clover Stadium)
        Flag Football vs Gold Hill (7:00 pm at Clover Stadium)

Mon, Apr 21

- - - - SPRING BREAK through Friday, April 26

Wed, Apr 30

- - - - SCReady ELA (TDW)
        Orchestra in the Auditorium

Thurs, May 1

- - - - Orchestra in the Auditorium
        Orchestra Concert (7 pm)

Fri, May 2

- - - - Student Assemblies
        Careers Field Trip to Carowinds for Engineering Day
        Flag Football vs Clover (6:15 pm at South Pointe Stadium)
        Flag Football vs Banks Trail (7:45 pm at South Pointe Stadium)

Sat, May 3