CUB REPORTER
Thursday, February 22, 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY
21st - 24th Scholastic Spring Book Fair
27th - March 3 Read Across America Week (see info. below)
MARCH
1st - Second Cup of Coffee 7:30am
6th - Jerry Pallotta - Author Visit
10th - Family Movie Night - see details below20th - Last Day to order your DFES Yearbook
22nd - Early Release Day @ 11:40
PRINCIPAL'S POST
On behalf of our staff we express our thanks for having the type of parents that help our students take on the identity of readers. We are grateful for the partnership with families as we develop and cultivate learners who love to read and choose to read when given the choice.
Principal Scott
SECOND CUP
We will be holding the next Second Cup of Coffee on Wednesday, March 1st at 7:30 a.m. in the DFES library.
This is an opportunity for you to talk with Principal Scott, hear updates, let your voice be heard, collaborate with other parents and hear updates & news about what's happening at DFES!
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Hello Families -
During March, our Essential Eight character program takes us on an exploration of self awareness and self regulation. Self regulation is paying attention to emotions and thoughts in order to make positive choices. DFES is beginning an inquiry into a social emotional learning program called the “Zones of Regulation”. This system teaches students to become aware of their feelings and places emotions in four color-coded zones. The blue zone is a low energy zone, with yellow and red zones showing increasing energy levels that make it challenging to remain calm and maintain focus. The best zone for learning is the green zone, but no zone is considered “right” or “wrong” as we all experience being in various zones throughout the day.
You can support your child’s ability to regulate their emotions by trying some of the tips below.
Help your child identify and name emotions beyond mad, sad and glad. You can look at a wheel of emotions like the one found here to help expand your child’s emotional vocabulary. Using words (instead of actions) to express emotions is a key skill for self regulation.
Check in with your child often to determine what they are feeling…and thinking. Ask them about their highs and lows each day. Practice matching feelings to the four zones.
We all need to develop a “toolbox” of coping strategies to manage strong emotions. Give your child a chance to stop, stay calm and think - in order to respond to problem situations. Try these coping skills and notice which ones work best.
Mental break (read a book, music, coloring, creativity, hobbies, games, movies)
Physical break (dancing, sports, walking, stretching)
Deep breathing, slow counting, remembering positive experiences
Positive self-talk
Social support (ask for help, connect with a friend or adult)
Please contact me if you would like further information. I look forward to supporting our
DFES Fox Cubs on their paths to self regulation and learning!
Sara Beckman, School Counselor
803-476-3912
FROM THE REGISTRAR
Third – Fifth grade Interim report cards for the 3rd Quarter of the school year went
home yesterday, Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Third – Fifth grade families may find
Parent Portal useful to see attendance and grade information. Rising 6th graders will
use it for electives course selection. It is provided to parents or guardians who present
a valid ID in the main office or by email to the registrar at saclemen@lexrich5.org. It is
valid until your child graduates or leaves District Five.
KINDERGARTEN 2023 - 2024
Do you know, as the parent/guardian of a current 4K student at DFES, you do not have to register him/her for 5K Kindergarten? You will receive an email in early summer directing you to enter updated information on the FinalForms site. Be sure to keep your email address, phone numbers and emergency contact information current in FinalForms any time!
Not already a 4K student at DFES? Don't worry! If your child will be five years old by September 1, 2023, registration for 5K has begun. Enter your child’s information in FinalForms. It’s recommended that you call the registrar at 803-476-3917 before coming to the school to complete the registration process. This year, your child's legal full birth certificate (not a hospital certificate) and proof of residence documents can be uploaded to FinalForms as well.
The Magnet/School of Choice window for 2023 – 2024 has closed. Thank you to all who chose to make Dutch Fork Elementary School their school of choice!
ATTENTION: LATE PICK-UP PROCEDURES
School ends @ 2:40 each day. Car line is from 2:40PM - 3:05PM. If a student is not picked up in car line by 3:05PM, they will be sent to Kit Klub, DFES after school program & fees will apply (see fees below). If you need to pick up your child from Kit Klub please come to the cafeteria parking lot doors and contact Kit Klub 803-768-5408. All charges will be posted in RYCOR. You can go online & pay fees with a credit card.
DFES LATE PICK-UP FEES
1. Late pick-up fees will be posted in RYCOR
2. Access is https://www.studentquickpay.com/lexrich5
3. Fee Structure: 3:05 pm – 3:30 pm $10
3:31 pm – 4:00 pm $15
4:01 pm – 4:30 pm $20
4:31 pm – 6:00 pm $30
DFES FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
DFES YEARBOOK SALES
ATTENTION RISING 6TH GRADERS
SCIENCE FAIR ANNOUNCEMENT
TREX ANNOUNCMENT
SO WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL OF THOSE SHOPPING BAGS? RECYCLE THEM OF COURSE Did you know that only 3% of South Carolinians recycle plastic bags, wrap, and packaging? Plastic bags are a huge source of pollution in our state. We can help keep them out of our waterways and landfill by recycling them into new things.
Our TREX plastics recycling program has begun. Please check out www.trex.com for more information. Please start saving your plastic bags, wrap, packaging and much, much more. Make sure to read everything on the flyer below so you will know what is needed most.
Got a van or truck? We need volunteers to help on collection day to haul it to a nearby Food Lion. If you are willing to help with this program, please contact Amy Umberger (our resident scientist) at aumberge@lexrich5.org
AUTHOR VISIT
FROM THE NURSE
Information on Head Lice
Head lice are a common problem among children so weekly hair checks should become a routine part of hair hygiene. It is much easier to get rid of a head lice infestation if it is caught early. In addition to routine checks it is a good idea to check your child’s head before and after attending a sleepover.
Head lice are small bugs, no bigger than a sesame seed and will most often be found behind the ears or at the nape of the neck. Head lice eggs are called nits; gray or white in color; about the size of a knot of thread and they will be firmly attached to the hair.
To check for head lice
You will need a well lit area.
Part the hair section by section and look closely, especially at the scalp for lice. They will move very quickly but can most easily be seen moving along the part you just made.
Look for nits. Nits from a current infestation will be found within ¼ inch from the scalp.
If you suspect your child has head lice, notify your school nurse. In addition, the entire family should be inspected for head lice. Head lice are not fussy about the heads they live on. There is no connection between head lice and the length of someone’s hair or the cleanliness of their hair, body, home or school environment. People of all races can get head lice. Head lice don’t fly or jump – they crawl from head to head. This often happens when people play or work closely together. Therefore, head lice are most often found among children ages 3-10, and their families.
For more information visit the D5 website School Health Services page . Please click on the links below.
WANTED: RN/LPN SUBSTITUTES
Attention all currently licensed RN’s and LPN’s
We are currently recruiting nurses if you are interested in substitute nursing.
Please contact Joanna Stanek RN, Nursing Supervisor, at 476-8258.
Technology Lab News
We have many students forgetting their chrome books or not having them charged. It is extremely important that chrome books come to school charged each day. Please remind your student to bring their charged chrome book to school each day. Students should have charged chrome books on technology day. Also, please have students keep their charger in their book bag just in case their chrome book dies during the day.
Each student was given a chrome book case, computers should be kept in the case at all times. Chromebooks that are broken and not in the school assigned case will not be covered by the District & the parent will be responsible for the expenses to get it repaired or replaced.
I look forward to working with your student and teaching them all about Technology & Computer Safety!!
UPDATES FROM THE MEDIA CENTER
The library will no longer be providing loaner Chromebooks to students who have forgotten their Chromebook at home or have not brought them to school charged.
Students who have a damaged Chromebook may bring them to the library for repairs and receive a loaner or replacement during non-library class times.
If a student has lost their Chromebook, please let the Media Center know.
PTO NEWS
SPIRIT NIGHT DATES
Spirit Nights will be held the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 5pm - 8pm. Below is the schedule for each month. Only 2 MORE SPIRIT NIGHTS LEFT!!
March 21st- Moe's
April 18th- Chick-fil-a (Ballentine)
MOTHER/SON EVENT COMING SOON!!
DUTCH FORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
7900 Broad River Rd.
Irmo, SC 29063