Dutch Fork Elementary
Academy of Environmental Sciences - Week of September 3rd -
District Goals 2018-2019
- Focus our work decisions on/around our district strategic plan.
- Identify areas of achievement to improve.
- Provide Chick-Fil-A and Moes like customer service for internal and external community.
- Strengthen the structure and quality of communication both internally and externally.
- Promote a work and learning environment where students and staff feel safe physically, emotionally and socially.
DFES Goals 2018-2019
- Exceed family expectations in our communication, follow through, and student progress.
- Effective use of science kits and probe ware to enhance environmental science instruction
- Strengthen grade level data team processes to accelerate student growth
- Implementation of student-led conference across all grade levels (as identified in DFES strategic plan)
DFES Beliefs
- We believe all people deserve to feel safe, valued, and loved.
- We believe all children are naturally curious about the world around them.
- We believe learning is a social process.
- We believe inquiry fosters an environment of noticing and questioning.
- We believe in learning from multiple perspectives.
- We believe in learning from authentic primary and secondary sources.
- We believe in encouraging learners to be risk takers.
- We believe reflection should lead to change and growth.
- We believe learning should lead to social action.
- We believe our actions should be aligned with our beliefs
Shout Outs
I would really like to send a shout out to ALL the faculty, staff, and administration of DFES for making this such a great place to be! Everyone has been incredibly helpful and friendly, and created a really positive environment that makes me genuinely love to come to work. Thank you all so much!!! - Michelle Davis (Spanish)
A big shout out to the cafeteria staff for their willingness to tweak the serving line for our smallest learners/eaters! - Trina Poston (kindergarten)
K. Rice, M. Ridgeway, M. Reid, M. Newmyer, and B. Gantt for their work this past week with MAP testing. As problem solvers they sought to anticipate school needs.
A shout out to Mr. Epting, the 4th grade team, the RtI team, C. Sommers, and others that I may not be aware of for assisting M. Reece this past week as she prepares for her class on Tuesday.
Mrs. Creech (first grade) sends a shout out to the following colleagues who visited her room this week and shared what they do in our school and how they help serve students: A. Umberger, D. Sherman, B. Gantt, Officer Hood, S. Beckman, T. Blakely, and A. Snipes.
MAP Testing Resumes Tuesday
Last week NWEA had system-wide issues with MAP testing, and as a result to a large number of our students being "kicked out" of the test, we decided to suspend testing for the week. Consequently, we will have to extend our testing window to the week of the 10th. Please find the updated MAP scheduling links below.
Also, we will operate on the testing related arts schedule.
Tuesday:
- First Grade: Mrs. Knowles' class will go to Music
- Kindergarten: Mrs. Poston's class will go to Art
- 5th Grade: Mrs. Jefferson & Strings 1 will go to PE
- 2nd Grade: Ms. Blackwell's class will split between Spanish (1-4 students), Art (5-8 students), PE (9-12 students), Music (13-16 students)
Wednesday:
- 4th Grade: Ms. Abu Abdo's class will go to Spanish
- 1st Grade: Mrs. Sparkman's class will go to PE
- 3rd Grade: Mrs. Goforth's class will go to Art
- Kindergarten: Mrs. McWhirter's class will go to Music
- 2nd Grade: Mrs. Gustafson's class will split between Spanish (1-4 students), Art (5-8 students), PE (9-13 students), Music (14-17 students)
Thursday:
- 4th Grade: Mrs. Wilchenski's class will go to Music
- 3rd Grade: Mrs. Garrett's class will go to Music
- Kindergarten: Ms. Gehm's class will go to Spanish
- 5th Grade: Mrs. Ybarra's class will go to Art & Strings 1 class will go to Strings
- 2nd Grade: Mrs. Gibson's class will split between Spanish (1-4 students), Art (5-8 students), PE (9-12 students), Music (13-16 students)
Certified Staff Meeting Tuesday at 3:15 pm
With curriculum night (September 18 and 20) around the corner would we thought it would be wise to share expectations about those evenings when convening Tuesday. This includes all certified staff.
2nd Cup of Coffee
Wednesday, Sep 5, 2018, 07:30 AM
DFES Media Center
Scott Out of Office Wednesday
I will be out of the office from 10:00 - 11:00 and from 1:30 - 3:30 to attend meetings at the district office. Please see Mr. Gantt in my absence if needed.
Scott Out of Office Thursday
I will be out of the office to attend a Title I meeting at the district office from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. Please see Mr. Gantt in my absence.
Connecting the dots with Data Teams
Upon our return in August I shared Dr. Melton's 2018-2019 district goals along with our district initiatives which includes Data Teams. One of our schools goals for this year is strengthening grade level data teams to accelerate student growth.
To achieve more powerful and effective teaching we need to use more powerful and effective teaching practices. Given this reality there are three overriding questions that every grade level in our building is expected to answer through the data team process:
- What teaching or instructional practices should we all focus on to learn together?
- How well can we, or do we, implement and learn the practices?
- Do the instructional practices make a positive difference in student learning?
These questions hold true for grade level planning and must serve as a guide for grade level instructional practices this year.
To accelerate student growth across grade levels and for our school it is paramount that we implement effective shared instructional strategies.
We will meet with each grade level this coming Thursday, September 6th during planning in the conference room. In preparation for our time be prepared to have discussions around the questions listed above as it relates to ELA/Math. Additionally come prepared with your own list of effective instructional strategies that you use and that can be supported by research.
Grandparents Day
Grandparents Day (lunch) is our first PTO sponsored event. It is a warm and loving experience for students and their families. This also a well attended event.
Collectively let us how our hospitality to our guests upon their arrival, during their stay and departure. This includes all staff utilizing rear parking to accommodate visiting grandparents.
Friday, Sep 7, 2018, 10:30 AM
DFES Cafeteria
Expanded Car Rider Line and Staff Parking in the back lot
Based on a small sample size of parent feedback with expanding the car rider line the feedback has been positive. Parents have cited the smooth flow of traffic and minimizing the long wait time previously experience on Broad River Road. After 8 days in schools we continue to be reflective to improve upon this process.
In attempting to solve one problem we recognize unintended consequences. This is true on days in which we need staff to utilize rear parking because of a major school event. During our office staff meeting this past Friday we discussed this very topic and explored multiple solutions. No one solution fully addresses the conflict of our carpool line and our staff using rear parking for major school events.
The bright side of things is of a 180 day school calendar we will be in this position 15-20 ish days max that we face this dilemma. We will continue to think through this and always solicit your input.
Cafeteria
It will be necessary for homeroom teachers to sit at tables to ensure this process are practiced and reinforced. Teachers will need to sit with students until further noticed. Thanks!
Upcoming Calendar Events
- 09/06 Girls Scouts 6pm Cafeteria
- 09/07 Grandparents Day
- 09/10 Grandparents Day
- 09/12 District Magnet Meeting 1:30 - 3:30 (Media Center)
- 09/14 PBIS Store
- 09/17 PTO Fundraiser Kick off
- 09/18 K-2 Curriculum Night
- 09/19 PTO Spirit Night at Blimpies (5:00 - 8:00)
- 09/20 Vision/Hearing Screening
- 09/20 3rd-5th Curriculum Night
- 09/26 Early Release Day/Staff Luncheon
- 09/27 Green Apple Day of Service
- 09/28 Green Apple Day of Service
- 10/02 Fall Pictures (Mini Theater)
- 10/04 MSA Fall Technical Conference Visitors at DFES (8:00 am - 12:00 pm)details to come
- 10/08 Student Holiday/Parent Teacher Conference Day
Learning Celebrations
- Our learning matters - students and teachers are interested in our learning - we all care.
- Demonstrate that we all are teachers (small and tall)
- Students becoming comfortable with public speaking
- Making learning public
Students negotiate with classroom teachers what they would like to share in regards to learning as readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, social scientists, activists, and artists.
Homeroom teachers you will be provided space prior to the conclusion of our meeting Tuesday to sign your classes up. Once your class has an assigned date this would be useful information to share with parents during upcoming curriculum nights.
Birthday Wishes!
- 9/2 J. Goforth (third grade)
- 9/3 P. Russell (SPED assistant)
- 9/6 P. McWhirter (kindergarten)
We develop students who care about the world we live in and express critical thinking through natural curiosity and wonder.
Email: jscott@lexrich5.org
Website: www.lexrich5.org/dutchfork/cfm/
Location: 7900 Broad River Road, Irmo, SC, USA
Phone: 803-476-3901
Twitter: @dfes_principal