This Week at Dutchman Creek!

Week of 4/14/2025

😁😁

From the Desk of Principal Moton

Dear parents, students, and school community:

What a great week last week! On top of the hard work in the classroom, we did our fair share of celebrating. Gator Nation showed lots of love to our three outstanding assistant principals, Ms. Lyons, Mrs. Mays, and Ms. Miller for National Assistant Principals Week. National Librarian Week was also last week, and we have the best...Mrs. McMichael! We recognized Mr. Gray, special education assistant, as Rock Hill Schools announced that he is a finalist for District Support Staff of the Year! Our girls track team captured the City Championship on Tuesday, with our boys coming within five points of doing the same. The conference championship is up next this Tuesday. And although the rain did not allow us to compete in the Area Eleven Special Olympics on Friday, we put on an epic experience for our kids and their families at The Creek! A great week indeed!

So why peak there? Let's continue to raise the bar and have extraordinary weeks every week! Make sure to note the many upcoming items on the calendar and make plans to support us in any way that you can! This will be the last week of school before Spring Break and the last newsletter before we return the week after, so let's have another #RockSolid week at The Creek! GO GATORS!

Yours in service,

Principal Clayton B. Moton

Academic Excellence
Evidence of Engagement is Everywhere!

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

CONGRATULATIONS, Mr. Gray!

Congratulations to Mr. Gray, one of three district finalists for Rock Hill Schools Support Staff of the Year!

Celebrating School Library Month!

This month, we celebrate School Library Month. We have the best school library in the world, thanks to Mrs. McMichael, school librarian, and her amazing assistant Christy Blankenship!

The Creek has the BEST assistant principals!

There's no debate! Ms. Lyons, Mrs. Mays, and Ms. Miller are THE best!

Gator Student-Athletes lead the way!

Star athletes and SUPERstar student leaders Allyson Gordon and Carmyn Bennett represented Gator Nation well at the Middle School Leadership Conference conducted by the South Carolina High School League!

Thank you, 100%RHS!

Thank you, 100%RHS, for your generous donation in support of the DCMS Jr Beta Club members that qualified for nationals in Orlando, FL this summer!

Special Olympics Day at The Creek!

Wet weather🌧️ never stopped a Gator!

Authentic Experiences

Gators Supporting Gators!

Whether it is volunteering to help with during and after school, cheering wildly in the stands as fans, or expressions of love and care, 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!!!

8th Grade Carowinds Take Over

Parent Pitstop

Parents we need YOU!

Parents, we are soliciting your continued support! We are in the process of planning for several events, and would appreciate your donations.

Teacher Appreciation Days

Teacher Appreciation Breakfast is Monday, May 5th, 2025. Please consider signing up to contribute to this breakfast, just use the QR code! Thank you :)

Testing Day Snacks

Testing days can be very stressful for students and teachers. We would like to have snacks on hand for teachers since they are unable to leave their room until testing is complete each day. Please sign up to bring in Testing Day snacks which run the course of multiple days. The QR code will bring you directly to the signup. Thank you, again!

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

Quarter 4 is here, and we all know the right 4th quarter can change the outcome of the whole game!

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 finding their voice! 6th-Learners will be able to define their voice, identify a career cluster that aligns with their voice, and will determine two to three next steps in pursuing that career path. 7th- Learners will be able to increase their understanding of mental health and plan how to care for their mental wellbeing. 8th- Learners will be able to find, share and sustain their voice and help others find theirs.

THE DEAN'S LIST

Leadership is Everywhere

We notice everyone,

are kind to everyone,

make room for everyone,

root for everyone

and empathize with everyone.

Up Next!

The Gator Student Lighthouse Team will host its first Leadership Day.

March'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!

State Testing begins Wednesday (4/30/2025)

Save the Dates!

Parental Reminders for State Testing

Make sure your child gets a good night of sleep before each testing day. *Strive to make mornings as relaxed as possible before arrival.
Have your child on time for school each day of testing. If your child is late for school on a testing day and the test has already started, they will not be able to test that day.
Please avoid making doctor appointments, dentist appointments, etc. during testing days.
Encourage attendance for ALL testing days, to avoid as little make-ups as possible. *Express confidence in your child and encourage them to do their best on these tests!
Please note that during testing sessions, there are very strict rules about students possessing any type of electronic device(s).
- The following is an excerpt written about this in state testing policy information: “…students may not be in possession of any electronic device that can be used for communicating, recording, timing, creating images, or storing images. These devices include, but are not limited to, cell phones, media players, electronic readers, smart watches…” Any electronic device brought by a student will be collected before testing and given back after testing is finished.

DCMS Yearbook!

Summer Exploration Camp!

🚨NEW for 2025-26: PIANO!🎹

bajocero san marcos at The Creek!

Paint the Rock!

DCMS Choir

Media Center

4-11-25 Media Center WAAG

Counselor's Corner

8th Grade Families

8th Grade Celebrations: Party & Picnic

On Friday, May 16th we will have our 8th grade formal and on Wednesday, May 21st we will have a celebration picnic for students. We will need parents to sign to donate food items, their time, and expertise in a variety of areas. Below is the link for the sign up genius if you would like to help! We appreciate all your support!

Formal & Picnic

8th Grade Formal Information

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

Mon, Apr 14

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

Tue, Apr 15

- - - - Student Lighthouse, Leadership Day
        Track Conference Meet hosted by Dutchman Creek (5 pm)
        **POSSIBLE** Softball Conference Tournament Quarterfinal vs Sullivan, depending on seeding (5 pm)

Tue, Apr 16

- - - - Softball Conference Tournament Quarterfinals vs Saluda Trail (5 pm)

Wed, Apr 17

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

Fri, Apr 18

- - - - 7th Grade Dress Down for Climate Survey
        Flag Football vs Forest Creek (5:30 pm at Clover Stadium)
        Flag Football vs Gold Hill (7 pm at Clover Stadium)g
        Beta Club Meeting during Enrichment

Mon, Apr 21

- - - - SPRING BREAK through Friday, April 26

Mon, Apr 28

6th Grade Whitewater Center Field Trip 1

Tue, Apr 29

- - - - 6th Grade Whitewater Center Field Trip 2

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