23rd - 1st Grade Field Trip to Riverbanks Zoo

24th - 3rd Field Trip to Camp Discovery - Drayton/Jefferson

25th - Talent Show 1:00 - 2:30

26th - 3rd Field Trip to Camp Discovery - Castanon/Copeland

26th - 5th GRADE PICNIC (students only)

29th - MEMORIAL DAY - NO SCHOOL

29th - Skate Night 6:30pm - 8:30pm

30th - 5th GRADE GRADUATION @ 8:30am in the Mini Theater

30th - EARLY RELEASE @ 10:40

31st - EARLY RELEASE @ 10:40

1st- EARLY RELEASE @ 10:40

1st - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

In the midst of all the DFES happenings, behind the scenes our staff is actively planning for next school year. We will accept emails from parents that help guide class placement for next year in order to ensure your child is in the best learning environment possible. Parents may complete this following form to share a list of special characteristics of your child or teacher qualities that would best suit your child's needs. All letters must be submitted to Ms. Odom by Friday, May 26th. Please note that letters may not request an individual teacher. Thank you for your understanding so that our teachers can make the best placement possible for your child. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Odom at iodom@lexrich5.org.

SIC is a body made up of parents, teachers/staff & community members intended to advise the principal and school, and is focused on helping to achieve school improvement. SIC duties focus primarily on the school improvement process. SIC will :

• provide input and feedback during the development of the school's five-year renewal (improvement) plan and annual updates;

• assist in implementation of school improvement programs and activities;

• monitor and report on progress toward improvement goals in the annual SIC Report to the Parents and with the principal in the narrative to the SC School Report Card;

• provide other assistance as requested by the principal.

If you are interested in serving on DFES 2023 - 2024 School Improvement Council please contact Marcus Lambert mlambert@lexrich5.org

Students in 1st through 5th grade will keep their currently issued District Chromebooks over the summer.

Kindergarten students will turn in their Chromebooks beginning May 22nd. These students will be issued a replacement Chromebook at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. When returning the Chromebooks, please be sure that they are in the case, the charger is in the front pocket of the case and they are free of any stickers or markings placed on the device. (Do not remove the district barcode label on the back of the Chromebook) Use only a clean soft cloth to clean the Chromebook. Do not use cleansers or liquids of any type.

Students that will not be returning to Lexington Richland 5 for the 2023-24 school year will need to return their Chromebooks by the last day of school, Thursday, June 1st.

All families, please review the link below:

District Issued Device agreement for Parents and Students.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13YMclO1lYihosu_jPkbrEkmeeID3Z1wUlONcRDzKDM8/edit?usp=sharing

If you have any questions or concerns in regards to your student's device, email Ann Newman, Media Assistant at anewman@lexrich5.org by May 22nd.

Library books are now due back. If your student still has a library book checked out, please have them return it ASAP. The cost of the book will be posted to the student's school account for all books not returned by June 1st.

Hello Families -

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! We know that mental health is important, but we may not know exactly what having good mental health actually means.

Mental health includes our psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act. Your mental health can impact how you handle challenges, your relationships with others, and your view of yourself. Mental health matters as much as our body’s physical health. It is important at every stage of life - from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Here are some ways you can support your child’s mental well being:

1. Develop open communication - listen to the big things and small things your child brings to your attention

2. Do things together that your child enjoys

3. Help your child name and identify their talents and interests

4. Provide positive social opportunities for your child

5. Set and enforce boundaries around technology

6. Spend time outdoors with your child

7. Give your child meaningful praise

8. Encourage helping others and showing kindness

9. Practice healthy habits in terms of sleeping, eating a variety of foods, and being physically active

10. Provide a safe, secure environment - With summer approaching, some students will be experiencing more independence and new opportunities. It’s a great time to review summer safety skills and practice those expectations with your child.

Please contact me for assistance in helping your child have the best mental health possible!

Sara Beckman, school counselor

sbeckman@lexrich5.org

803-476-3912

4K Screening Appointments for 2023 - 2024

We are accepting applications for children to be screened for DFES’ 4K Program. Provide a full birth certificate, one proof of residence item, and one form of income verification (see the application for examples). You can sign up for a Wednesday screening appointment when you provide all four items.

2023 – 2024 Registration and Proof of Residence

Find all of the information you need to register a new student OR update a returning student for the 2023 - 2024 school year here.

Proof of Residence

Proof of Residence is being accepted. This year, you can upload your documents to FinalForms. Three items are required if you rent or own your home. Families who share a home with another family must provide an affidavit with notarized and required support documents. Ask the registrar at 803-476-3900 or saclemen@lexrich5.org for more information.

Hello DFES Families,

This is a reminder about required vaccinations per South Carolina law required for children turning 5 and who are in Kindergarten. Many of our children go for a well check up during the summer. Sometimes the updated form that gets turned in to the school nurse gets overlooked. Therefore, prior to starting Kindergarten, please get your child's most updated immunization form turned into the school where they will be attending for Kindergarten.

For any rising grade students at DFES, please get an updated immunization form from the doctor's office if you've received any vaccinations during your well check up . I will be sending home an updated IHP packet( Individual Health Plan) for children who require them . It is also a great idea to bring these forms with you to the doctor and have the Doctor review and approve it.

If your child is in need of prescribed medication during the school year , please have the Doctor order the prescribed medication and complete the District approved medication consent form that will be included in the IHP packet you will receive by the end of the school year. The medication consent form can also be found on the district website under school health services / health room forms.

You do not need to turn in anything to me before school is over unless you have it on hand and want to turn it in.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Be well!

Nurse Mitchell

Any student who has medications in the health room must have ALL medications picked up by a parent or a guardian by June 1st . Please pick up all medication from the health room. For safety reasons, we do not send medications home with students. It is our district's policy to dispose of medications that are not picked up by the last day of school.

Attention Parents! May 30-31st are half days for our students here at DFES.

Our outdoor spaces need some care to be prepared for the GROWING that will

take place over the summer. Jobs include pruning mostly, weeding, raking, and

“weed wacking”. If you have a weed eater you don’t mind bringing that would be

great I could use various folks who can lead a work crew since I cannot clone

myself. Bring your favorite pair of work gloves, pruners if you have them (I do

have a few pairs), and a snack & a water bottle. I will have a large cooler for you to

refill when needed. If you are willing to help in any capacity from 8:00 - 10:30, please contact Amy Umberger at aumberge@lexrich5.org and look forward to working together!

Dear DFES Families,

As we quickly approach the closing of the 2022-2023 school year at DFES, we are looking forward to our remaining events. Our Spring Show scheduled for May 18-19th has been adjusted to a Strings Show for all 4th-5th grade students and parents at 12:30-1:00pm on May 19th. We are also excited about our Mother/Son Glow Party this Friday, May 19th at 6-8pm, Talent Show next Thursday, May 25th, and our 5th grade graduation on Tuesday, May 30th. We look forward to seeing you there!

HELP!!! Please send in your TREX (see items on the flyer for

what we can take) plastic in for our last collection day June 1 st .

Our goal was 210 pounds by May 1 st and we are 41 pounds shy

of meeting our goal. PLEASE send those bags in. Collection bins

are located in the front of our school, and at the car rider lines.

PTO is looking for parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc. to help out at events (dances, lunch duty, festivals, teacher appreciation events, fundraisers, spirit nights, etc.). If you are interested in getting involved and assisting PTO please email Ptodfes@gmail.com.