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Dutch Fork High School
DFHS named finalist in Palmetto's Finest
School District Five school named as finalist for Palmetto’s Finest Award
IRMO – Dutch Fork High School has been named as one of seven finalists for the 2020 Palmetto’s Finest School award.
Dutch Fork High School was selected after extensive evaluations by fellow educators and previous Palmetto’s Finest winners. The school is now undergoing a second onsite evaluation.
Last fall, 17 South Carolina schools submitted a 20-page application followed by an onsite examination visit from a review committee. The application process includes elements on student achievement, instructional programs, professional learning communities and school culture.
“Palmetto's Finest is a rigorous annual competition highlighting public schools,” said School District Five Superintendent Dr. Christina Melton. “With each phase of this competition, peer evaluators from across the state review the entire school program of each applicant. Dutch Fork High is commended for their pursuit to seek external feedback for the quality of their programs. For School District Five to have a finalist is a celebration for our entire district.”
The South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) presents the awards each year to schools which offer the best in innovative, effective educational programs. The Palmetto’s Finest award is celebrating its 42nd year and is one of the most coveted and respected awards among educators.
"We are so honored to be named a finalist,” said Dutch Fork High School principal Dr. Gerald Gary. “I am so proud of our students, staff, parents, and community for their hard work at Dutch Fork High School. Everyone has contributed to the success of our school. It truly is a team effort!"
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
“We are excited to recognize some of the outstanding and innovative schools in our state. They represent the many excellent school communities serving South Carolina’s families,” said Beth Phibbs, SCASA Executive Director.
SCASA, the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, has more than 4,400 members. From professional development opportunities and research, to publications and legislative advocacy, SCASA’s focus is to support school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolina’s young people.
Top Scientists Advance
Career Development
Job shadowing is a great opportunity for students to learn about a particular job of interest that they might be considering as a career. Although Dutch Fork High students can job shadow twice a year (once a semester), and have it considered an excused absence, February is observed nationally as “Job Shadowing Month”. By providing a snapshot of a day in the life of an experienced professional, it can help a student decide whether or not they would enjoy and feel passionate about a particular job. It also can help them decide if their skills match the career field of interest. Because job shadowing is a short-term experience (usually a few hours to a full day), the insight can help students decide whether they should continue with that particular college major, pursue a different career path or research the field further.
Another resource for students is to login to their Virtual Job Shadowing account to complete a virtual job shadowing experience on their own time. The link to the website is https://www.virtualjobshadow.com/login/AF000C/users/. Student's username is their student email and password is their birth date in the form of 1/1/2000.
Have your student(s) see Mrs. Erler in room 202 for more information or email Nerler@lexrich5.org to get a copy of the on-site job shadowing packet.
Yearbook Information
Dutch Fork Academic Team
DFHS PTSO
PTSO $ Donation Drive
We hope you will consider donating to the PTSO. We are raising money to support and recognize our amazing teachers and dedicated staff. We also fund student scholarships and other school improvements. Please see the following link to make a financial donation to the PTSO.
Gift Card Donations:
Please see the following link to donate a gift card. We use the gift cards for teacher and staff giveaways.Teacher Appreciation Week is in May. Thanks for your support:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B49ADA72FA7F58-ptso
*If you have a business or know of one that would be interested in sponsoring PTSO activities or events, please send us an email: dutchforkhsptso@gmail.com
Senior Walk
DFHS Prom Tickets are available for sale for Juniors and Seniors on their student accounts!
JROTC News
Here are some of the major JROTC event dates:
Saturday, 1 February 2020: Annual Military Ball
Monday, 2 March 2020: Unit Evaluation
Thursday-Tuesday, 12-17 Mar 2020: Washington D.C. Trip
The Miss Silver Fox Pageant will be held Saturday, 16 May 2020 in the DFHS auditorium. This is our primary fundraiser that provides scholarship money to JROTC cadets.
Thursday, January 2, seniors Kevin Preston, Sabrina Santos, Rachel Rasmussen and Zaniyah Williams performed a Color Guard for the #4 USC’s Lady Gamecocks vs #13 Kentucky Wildcats first home basketball game for more than 15,000 fans.
If you would like to make payments for any JROTC activity or school debt, you can establish an online account by visiting https://www.studentquickpay.com/lexrich5. All cash and checks should be presented to the bookkeeper for payment of any debts if you are unable or desire not to pay online.
School Counseling Department
Follow us on Twitter @DFHS_Counseling.
9th Grade IGP Conferences!
Ninth grade IGP conferences will be held during the months of January-February. During this (Individual Graduation Plan) conference, we will review current grades, graduation requirements, discuss post-secondary options, and request courses for the 2020-2021 school year.
IMPORTANT - For resources to help you plan for your IGP (D5 Course Catalog, DFHS Electives, Links and Info for 9th Graders, and information on Summer Enrichment Programs and Camps) visit the School Counseling web-page: https://www.lexrich5.org/Domain/309
Please also visit and review the Freshman Classroom Presentation. Many of your questions can be answered by reviewing this presentation.
The conference will take approximately 20 minutes. A postcard will be mailed home with this date and time. Student, please use this postcard as your pass.
10th Grade IGP Conferences!
During this conference we will review credits, transcripts, discuss post-secondary options, and review courses for the 2020-2021 school year. The conference will take approximately 20 minutes.
Conferences will be held mainly in the months of February - March. A postcard will be mailed home with this date and time. Student, please use this postcard as your pass.
IMPORTANT - For resources to help you plan for your IGP (District Five Course Catalog, DFHS Electives, Links and Info for 10th Graders and information on your PSAT Scores) visit the School Counseling web-page: https://www.lexrich5.org/Domain/309
There is very limited flexibility in rescheduling the assigned IGP appointment time; however, if you are not able to attend on the date scheduled above, please contact your assigned school counselor.
List of Available Tutors
Dutch Fork High School provides this list as a service to parents, but does not make any ability assessments or endorsements for any of the persons who have asked to be placed on the list. It is recommended that parents considering any tutor thoroughly assess that person’s capabilities and credentials. All financial arrangements, transportation, and appointments with tutors are strictly the responsibility of the parents. The list can be found on our website: https://www.lexrich5.org/Page/24428
When making career decisions, you may find visual presentations of data useful for comparing occupations. The following charts from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) can help you to assess, at a glance, the pay and projected openings for hundreds of occupations. Visit: https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2019/article/wages-and-openings.htm
Scholarship Spotlight
Bank of America Student Leadership Intern Opportunity for Juniors and Seniors Follow the links below for details and to apply. As a student leader you will:
● Work as a paid intern at a local nonprofit for eight weeks - $17 or minimum wage, whichever is *higher
● Attend the week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. – paid for by Bank of America
● Develop leadership and career skills
● Connect with like-minded students from your own community and across the country
● Application deadline: January 31, 2020
Visit www.bankofamerica.com/studentleaders
***For the scholarship listing and additional information, please visit the School Counseling Webpage: https://www.lexrich5.org/Domain/309
Dutch Fork High School
Website: https://www.lexrich5.org/dfhs
Location: 1400 Old Tamah Road, Irmo, SC, USA
Phone: 803-476-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DutchForkHS/
Twitter: @dutchforkhigh