This Week at Dutchman Creek!

Week of 5/5/2025

The final month of the school year!

From the Desk of Principal Moton

Dear parents, students, and school community:

The first day of testing went well overall. Students arrived to school refreshed and ready to get to work. They took their time and remained engaged throughout the morning. All of those things combined are promising signs that our students took the assessment seriously and should do well.

We pick back up with testing on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. You know what it takes, so let's do this, Gators!

This week, we also celebrate true difference-makers of the school...our teachers! Enough cannot be said about a teacher's impact on the growth and development of our kids. We have celebrated a LOT this year, and behind each award-winning student or group, are teachers who invest unconditionally into their success! Join me in honoring our teachers this week!

Make sure to note the many upcoming items on 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

Academic Excellence
Evidence of Engagement is Everywhere!

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

Gators SWEPT the competition!

DCMS took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Carowinds Engineering Day Coaster Competition!

Great job, Mr. Laval and students!!!!

National History Day: State Competition!

Congratulations to:

Julia, 1st place and special award winner for her Colonial entry
Elizabeth, 1st place in the Papers category
Andrew, 2nd place in the Papers category
Katherine, 3rd place in the Performance category

Great job, Gators and teachers!!!!

SC Junior Thespian Festival

DCMS Theatre Arts students earned 14 Superior medals at the SC Junior Thespians Festival!

Great job, Mrs. K-W and students!!!!

The DCMS Orchestra!

Mr. Gayosso and his orchestra students put on a concert to be remembered! Great job, Gators!!!!

A Gator Nation SALUTE to our teachers!

Be sure to show some love to our amazing teachers this week!

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!!!

Parent Pitstop

STUDENT MAP Incentive

In April, students worked hard to show improvement during their Spring MAP assessment. Due to their hard work, students who met their Personal Growth Goal in Math or Reading will have an opportunity to purchase lunch from food trucks on select dates for their grade level. Students will be notified this week if they met their personal goals.

7th Grade Students: Friday, May 9th 11:00-12:15

Students are responsible for purchasing their own food. Price ranges from $5-$15. Vendors accept Cash, Cashapp, Venmo, and Zelle. Students will only be allowed to visit the trucks on their specified grade level day.

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.

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 continues Wednesday (5/07/2025) Reading A and Thursday (5/08/2025) Reading B.

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.

Summer Exploration Camp!

🚨NEW for 2025-26: PIANO!🎹

Popsicle Truck on site!

Paint the Rock!

Media Center

5-2-25 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

The final day to purchase tickets for the formal is Friday, May 9th. Tickets can be purchased in the morning or during lunch.

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 most DOMINANT year in school history!!!

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

Spring Football at The Creek!

Any 6th grader that wants to participate in spring football must have an up to date sports physical turned in to Coach Sexton prior to participating. Spring football will run from 3:30 - 5 pm May 5 - 8 and May 12 - 15. Students need comfortable clothes for practice; cleats are optional. Students will meet report to the gym, change, and report to practice field. Students WILL NOT be allowed to drop off/leave anything in the locker room. See Coach Gray, Coach Adkins, or Coach Sexton if you have any questions. Chomp, Chomp! Go Gators!

Northwestern Cross Country Announcement!

If you are a rising 7th or 8th grader and you like to run, then Northwestern Cross Country is for you! Please fill out the interest form if you would like more information about the Cross Country program.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSjJNfGXm0WHEQiYPlPZMZSW0DSsv7-vn95LYhdj-jiEBMug/viewform