I 💚 Gator Nation "this🤗" much!!!
Dear parents, students, and school community:
Thank you for your hard work this past week. Now that One Book, One School is complete, we have begun our enrichment periods after our Leader in Me lesson. During Enrichment, students who need additional support to master their standard of focus get an opportunity to work with their core teacher in a smaller, more intensive setting. For students who have mastered their standard of focus, they receive extension opportunities through a specialized related arts or service learning offerings. The big idea is to provide multiple pathways for success to our students.
A full week ahead includes the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month activities, volleyball home on Monday, 8th grade football at home on TUESDAY, 7th grade football and volleyball on the road at Oakridge on Wednesday, and the annual chorus fish fry fundraiser on Friday! Also don't forget to participate in the Read-a-thon! Look for details in the Media Center section of the newsletter! Continue to engage us 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
Let's take a moment to recognize and celebrate our Gator Nation students, staff, and community members!
National Hispanic Heritage Month begin on September 15 and ends on October 15, Join us as we celebrate our national and local contributors of Hispanic decent to the American fabric!
Gavyn represents the best of Great Gator citizenship by attending to a need without being asked!
Ms. van Eck is one of our 6th grade math teachers here at the Creek! Since arriving at Dutchman Creek, she has stood out as a leader working extremely hard to capture the essence of our mission to grow students as leaders. She has been instrumental in collaborating with her peers in the math department and her 6th grade team. In addition to helping organize math and science nights, and literacy family nights, she works to hold students to the highest levels of expectations while challenging them with content and engaging them in conversations about their data to support their growth and learning. Ms. van Eck is passionate about helping all students learn and it shows daily in her rapport with teachers, administrators, and students as an educator and coach. We are thankful to have her constant display of what it means to be a Gator!
Mrs. Armstrong is our talented digital photography teacher, and is a constant example of what it means to truly put students first. She has worked extremely hard to serve now, as Co-athletics director, and championship winning basketball coach here at Dutchman Creek. In addition to serving in these roles, she also sponsors FCA. In her classroom, Mrs. Armstrong introduces students to the world of photography and seeing things in their everyday lives through that lens. She challenges students to learn new concepts and skills in computers and exposes them to how class content connects to the real world. She has a true command of the classroom and is able to connect with students in a way that shows she truly cares about their well-being and academic success. We are thankful to have Mrs. Armstrong as a positive example of being a Gator!
Ms. Bradley is our amazing Technology Support Specialist. Since her arrival at the Creek she has worked tirelessly to support the technology needs of students to support their daily learning. Prior to the start of the school year, Ms. Bradley worked to deploy laptops to each homeroom teacher- totaling a delivery of 870 laptops- to ease the transition for both teachers and students. Daily, and multiple times a day, she has developed an effective system to address tech tickets to resolve students' issues, or escalate needs so students do not experience delays or a lapse in the ability to complete assignments. Outside of supporting students, Ms. Bradley does not hesitate to communicate information regarding technology updates and collaborates with administrators on upcoming needs such as MAP testing, or technology needs for events. She is always an email or radio call away. We are very thankful to have Ms. Bradley as such an efficient and effective member of the DCMS team!
Mr. Robinson serves as an awesome and supportive 7th grade social studies teacher here at Dutchman Creek. On any given morning, he can be seen, rain, sleet, shine, or snow greeting families and ensuring that students make it safely out of their cars and into the school building to start their day. Mr. Robinson provides a structured learning environment for students. He is a history buff and values the importance of students learning about geography and historical events. He is a student advocate and believes in building positive relationships with students, and because of this, he’s often seen outside of the classroom and in the stands cheering on students getting their first taste of middle school sports. Quiet but funny, Mr. Robinson is always willing to support school initiatives and his peers. Anytime there is an ask, the reply is, “yes”. We are thankful to have Mr. Robinson to support what it means to be a Gator.
Ms. Birchfield has effortlessly stepped into some pretty big shoes and roles to fill as our bookkeeper this past January. Since that time she has supported every area and aspect of Dutchman Creek making it clear that the work of teachers and administrators to grow students and academic achievement matters. She is extremely thoughtful, hardworking, and a strong collaborator to further understand how she can best support. It is not uncommon to see Ms. Birchfield working beyond her scheduled hours and staying late to attend school events as a contributing member at the Creek! In addition to her work, she has been essential in helping us to develop some community partnerships with local churches and businesses to extend beyond our school's scope. She has been a key part of the ideas and growing demand for Gator T-shirts. We appreciate Ms. Birchfield showing what it means to be a Gator!
Mrs. Williams-Wilson has been a wonderful addition to Dutchman Creek as part of 8th grade and the math department. It is clear that Mrs. Williams-Wilson wants to do whatever it takes to help students develop the necessary foundational skills to be successful in 8th grade math and beyond. She works extremely hard to utilize data to determine the strengths and opportunities of her students. Mrs. Williams-Wilson has a welcoming environment where she welcomes teachers and administrators in and day to day she collaborates with her peers, co-teachers, and department. She works hard to develop engaging lessons to build the confidence of her students and believes in celebrating their success. Last year, Mrs. Williams-Wilson played a huge part in helping to plan and organize the 8h grade formal for students. This year, she will serve as the leader for the LiM data team, and we are excited to see those ideas develop. We are thankful for Mrs. Williams-Wilson and her display of what it means to be a Gator!!
Our students are working hard to incorporate the habits on a daily basis. Last week students focused on recognizing their emotions. This week they will focus on regulating those emotions.
Learning Standards: Learners will be able to track their emotions to look for patterns and design a plan to apply the Pause Plan and self-regulation strategies to calm their brains
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!!!
Friday, September 27, 8:05 a.m. in the cafeteria
Leading Ladies @the Creek is a unique opportunity for our young ladies to learn and model the qualities of a leader. The young ladies learn to lead in the classroom and life. Our first meeting started with a much-anticipated CANDY SALAD! If you are interested in partnering with us, please reach out to Dr. Bacote at tbacote@rhmail.org
At the 6 week mark of each grading period, the students assemble with the Dean of Student Leadership for an academic reset. The first assembly of the year will be this Friday, September 2o. We will review grade-level attendance, MAP success, academic progress, and more.
Another opportunity to reward Great Gator Behavior. Students never know when they will be caught being a great gator, so we're making it a habit to recognize when they do. "Donut" forget to celebrate the small things.
We thank you for your continued support. Click the Partner with Us hyperlink above to connect and provide feedback.
We hope the year is off to a great start for your student. If your student needs to Sharpen their organizational skills, give this Weekly Checklist a try. Maybe you have noticed that your student is striving to show strength in academics click this Task Tracker to document your notices at home. This will greatly improve conversations with teachers as we problem-solve together.
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!
September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and learning how we can support each other and ourselves. If you notice these signs, it's important to talk to the person and let them know you care. Encourage them to seek help from a trusted adult or professional.
Here are some ways you can support someone who might be struggling:
1. **Listen Actively:** Show that you care by listening without judgment. Sometimes, just being there to listen can make a big difference.
2. **Encourage Professional Help:** Suggest that they talk to a counselor, teacher, or school psychologist. There are trained professionals who can provide the help and support they need.
3. **Be Understanding:** Understand that feelings of sadness or hopelessness are real and valid. Avoid dismissing their feelings or trying to "fix" the problem quickly.
4. **Stay Connected:** Check in regularly and offer your support. Knowing they have someone to turn to can be comforting.
There are many resources available for those who need help. Here are some key contacts:
**School Counselor:** Our school counselor is available to talk with students who need support. They can also provide resources and referrals.
**National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:** Available 24/7 at 988. Trained professionals are there to offer support and help.
**Crisis Text Line:** Text “HELLO” to 741741. A trained crisis counselor will provide support through text messaging.
Suicide Prevention Month is an opportunity for all of us to learn, support, and act. By understanding the signs of distress and knowing how to help, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone. Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Let’s work together to make our school and community a place where everyone feels valued and supported.
If you have questions or need more resources, please contact the school counselor’s office or visit https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/9254. Let’s continue to support each other and make a positive difference in our community.
All fall sports teams won their matchups this week! Congratulations, Gators!
The 7th Grade football team opened their season by defending The Swamp against the Blue Eagles of Clover!
Got questions about DCMS Athletics? Contact co-Athletic Directors Coach Tawander Armstrong tarmstrong@rhmail.org or Coach Ron Tyson rtyson@rhmail.org!
Sun, Sept 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month begins
Mon, Sept 16: Volleyball home vs Saluda Trail
Tues, Sept 17: Constitution Day observed
Tues, Sept 17: 8th Grade Football home vs York
Wed, Sept 18: 7th Grade Football at Oakridge
Wed, Sept 18: Volleyball at Oakridge
Fri, Sept. 20: Beta Club Meeting
Mon, Sept 23: Volleyball home vs York
Wed, Sept 25: Volleyball at Clover
Wed, Sept 25: 7th Grade Football at Sullivan
Wed, Sept 25: 8th Grade Football home vs Saluda Trail
Fri, Sep 27: Early release day for students
Mon, Sept 30: Volleyball at Rawlinson Road
Wed, Oct 2: Volleyball home vs Sullivan
Wed, Oct 2: 7th Grade Football vs York
Wed, Oct 2: 8th Grade Football vs Sullivan
Tues, Oct 8: Kona Ice on sale during lunches
Fri, Oct 11: District Closed (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
Mon, Oct 14: Teacher Professional Dev Day (NO SCHOOL)
Wed, Oct 16: PSAT administration for select students
Wed, Oct 16: Volleyball at Castle Heights
Wed, Oct 16: 7th Grade Football at Saluda Trail
Wed, Oct 16: 8th Grade Football at Oakridge
Thurs, Oct 17: 7th Grade Volleyball Cross Division Games (West hosts)
Sat, Oct 19: 8th Grade Volleyball Conference Tournament (hosted by Oakridge)
Wed, Oct 23: 7th Grade Football Bracket Week
Wed, Oct 23: 8th Grade Football home vs Castle Heights
Wed, Oct 30: 7th Grade Football Championship Week
Wed, Oct 30: 8th Grade Football at Rawlinson Road
Images from Week 5