We are thrilled to have Mrs. Mason-Feaster back!!!
Dear parents, students, and school community:
We had a pretty good start to September. As I mentioned last week, the pace has quickened and calendar of events has grown quite a bit. With that may come a bit of discomfort called Productive Struggle. To grow, we must endure moments when things do not go perfectly as planned. Evidence of our growth comes from our ability to reflect on what did not go our way to do better the next time. FAIL simply means "First attempt in learning"! The key is to always to fail FORWARD, which will still move us closer to our goals!
A full week ahead includes Picture Day on Tuesday, Patriot Day on Wednesday, two volleyball matches, and the football season opener for our 7th and 8th grade teams! 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!
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!!
There is always a helping hand available at The Creek! Mr. Fields lent his to help a community member who had car trouble!
...that earned a DRESS DOWN DAY this Friday, September 6 for having ZERO disciplinary referrals the entire month of August! That's 96% of the student body! Great job, Gators! 👏🏿👏🏻👏🏼👏🏾👏🏽
Each morning begins with a smile, a Leader in Me quote, and a mini lesson to motivate everyone to have their best day possible!
Our students are working hard to incorporate the habits on a daily basis. This week they will focus on recognizing emotions.
Learning Standards: Learners will be able to explain the value of using the Pause Plan to pause and respond based on principles and desired results and will practice noticing, naming, and thinking about emotions. Learners will be able to apply The Pause Plan when they experience intense emotions and assess their ability to choose proactive responses
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!!!
Students may wear a school appropriate "dress down" top of their choosing on Picture Day! The top can be worn all day!
Contact Mrs. Silva if you have questions about ordering pictures!
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
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.
The 7 Habits of Leadership are truly making a positive impact on teaching and learning here at The Creek. We are growing and developing leaders one habit at a time. Students are encouraged to be Kind, Here, In Control, Respectful, and Prepared. As a part of the practice, learning to resolve conflict and restore positive communication is vital. This isn't always easy for middle school students, and although some behaviors may be age-appropriate, it is not always school-appropriate. The article linked below contains some partnered support that can be done at home.
https://childmind.org/article/teaching-kids-how-to-deal-with-conflict/
We thank you for your continued support. Click the hyperlink above to connect and provide feedback.
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. Suicide prevention is a critical topic that touches many lives, and it’s essential that we create an environment where every student feels safe, supported, and heard. As a community, we have a shared responsibility to recognize the signs of someone who may be struggling and to offer help when it’s needed.
There are often warning signs that someone may be considering suicide, and being aware of these signs can make a difference. Some of the key indicators include:
Talking about feeling hopeless or expressing a sense of having no purpose
Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities they once enjoyed
Changes in behavior, such as extreme mood swings or risky actions
Sudden calmness after a period of depression, which may indicate they've made a decision to act
Giving away possessions or saying goodbye to loved ones in a way that feels final
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs, it’s important to speak up. Reaching out to a trusted adult, counselor, or friend can open the door to the help that’s needed. Remember, it’s always okay to ask for support.
At our school, we’re committed to fostering a culture of care and connection. No one should feel alone in their struggles, and we encourage everyone to stay vigilant and compassionate towards their friends and peers. Together, we can make a difference. If you ever feel concerned about someone, don’t hesitate to reach out to our counseling office or contact a suicide prevention hotline 988 for immediate help.
Remember that your presence and support can make a significant difference in your child's life. By fostering an environment of understanding and compassion, we can work together to prevent suicide and promote mental well-being among our youth. If you ever have concerns about your child's mental health, please don't hesitate to reach out to us or a mental health professional. We are here to support you and your family every step of the way.
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.
The Lady Gators opened the the 2024-25 sports season with victories over Rawlinson Road on Wednesday! Both teams won in two sets! Gooooooooo Gators!
Got questions about DCMS Athletics? Contact co-Athletic Directors Coach Tawander Armstrong tarmstrong@rhmail.org or Coach Ron Tyson rtyson@rhmail.org!
Mon, Sept 9: Volleyball at Sullivan
Tues, Sept 10: PICTURE DAY!
Tues, Sept 10: SIC and PTSA Meeting (5:30 pm)
Wed, Sept 11: Volleyball home vs Castle Heights
Wed, Sept 11: Patriot Day observed
Wed, Sept 11: Football vs Clover (7th Home; 8th Away)
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
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 4