FOX FEATURE WEEKLY UPDATE
NOVEMBER 20, 2020
Dude, be nice quote of the week...
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Your feedback is important to us and drives a lot of the actions that we take for the betterment of all of our students. Please take a moment to complete our brief survey if you have something to share or something you may want to bring to our attention.
Please click here to complete the Silver Fox Feedback Form.
* Responses to last week's feedback can be found at the bottom of the Fox Feature.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FOX FEATURE
- COVID-19 Safeguards
- Redistricting Information
- Redistricting FAQs
- Instructional Model Change Request
- Bus Drivers Needed
- Attendance Works
- Yearbook Order
- Reminders
- Lunch (Free to students)
- Upcoming Dates
- Make-up Day for Fall Pictures
- Attendance and Student Attendance Form (to submit when student is absent)
- Chromebook Support
- Technology How-To's for Parents and Students
- PSAT
- Library Check-Out Options for Students in FIVE
- Got Skills: Student Professional Development Day & Dress for Success
- FCA
- Boys Basketball (Mobile App)
- Wrestling Information
- Softball Tryouts
- Poetry & Art Contest
- SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities
Additional Announcements
- PTSA Corner (Support DFMS PTSA and get some GREAT DFMS Swag at the PTSA Store)
SCHOOL & DISTRICT UPDATES AND REMINDERS
COVID-19 SAFEGUARDS
Safety is a top priority. School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties has worked in collaboration with health officials to establish health protocols for the 2020-21 school year, in response to COVID-19. Students and staff will be asked to complete daily self-screenings before reporting to school/district campuses. District schools will follow DHEC guidance regarding the management of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Redistricting Information
Thursday, Dec. 3 Virtual Lunch & Learn
12 noon - 1:30 p.m.
Community Event Link (both events): https://lexrich5.rev.vbrick.com/#/webcasts/forum
Submit Questions (both events): https://forms.gle/jowkm7ndVjtJazMW6
The event will include live video featuring experts from Milone & MacBroom, the firm studying capacity and growth in the district. Questions can be submitted before the event or live during the event, using a Google form. Any questions not answered will be retained and answered at the second event, via the district’s redistricting email address (redistricting@lexrich5.org) or via our FAQ web page.
Redistricting FAQs
School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties is announcing new tools for sharing information on redistricting with the community.
The district has created a new redistricting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page, utilizing the questions submitted to its dedicated email address for answering questions. The district is also announcing plans to hold two virtual community events between November and December to answer questions on redistricting scenarios.
The dates of the virtual events, along with details about the event’s format, will be announced at the district’s Nov. 16 School Board meeting. The FAQ can be viewed at www.lexrich5.org/redistricting.
Community input opportunities on proposed redistricting plans will be held prior to a final vote, to gain input from the community.
- View the online map: http://www.lexrich5.org/redistrictingmap
- View a video tutorial on the online map: http://bit.ly/redistrictingmaptutorial
- View our redistricting overview video: http://bit.ly/redistrictingoverview
- Review board presentations and background information on redistricting: https://www.lexrich5.org/redistricting
- Email questions or comments regarding the redistricting scenarios: redistricting@lexrich5.org.
Instructional Model Change Request
School District Five has asked that families of elementary school students commit to at least a quarter and that families of secondary students commit to at least a semester before requesting a change in their instructional option.
To request a change from one instructional model to another, parents/guardians will complete online forms, which will be available on school and district websites during the request windows. Requests will be considered based on available space and schedule/class availability.
- Implementation of Instructional Model Changes (per requests):
- Secondary (6-12): Start of 2nd semester: Wednesday, February 3, 2021.
School District Five families requesting admission into FIVE or a change to their in-person schedule after the elementary and/or secondary request windows will be placed on a hardship waiting list.
BUS DRIVERS NEEDED!!!
Over the last several weeks, for a variety of reasons, the transportation department has experienced an unusually high number of driver vacancies. Across the state and nation, the pupil transportation industry has experienced shortages for years, however; historically as a district, we have consistently maintained a higher percentage of drivers. Moreover, although we have been creative in finding ways to maintain bus routes with minimal impact to your schools, (I hope) I am asking for your help.
*Now Hiring School Bus Drivers call 803-476-4986 To Apply*
Please contact me if you have any questions, ideas, or issues with District Five Transportation.
Thank you.
Dave
REMINDERS
All students must wear a mask and practice social distancing while at school.
Visitors will not be allowed to enter the school at this time.
It is recommended that students bring their own water bottle which can be filled at water bottle stations as needed.
Upon arrival students needing to eat breakfast will report to the cafeteria. All other students will report to the gym.
IDs must be worn around the neck for all students when on school campus. Students will be charged $1 for every day that they need a temporary ID. If an ID is missing, a replacement is $5 and a lanyard is $1.
Students can arrive at school between 8:00 am and 8:25 am. Adequate supervision is not available until this time for all students.
School ends at 3:30 pm. Please make sure your student knows their bus number in the afternoon or how they will be getting home each day.
Calendar & Events
UPCOMING DATES
11/22/2020
- Cheerleading Competition @ AC Flora 9:00 am
11/23/2020
- C-Team Basketball Scrimmage 3:30 pm
11/24/2020
- Got Skills Day
- C-Team Basketball Scrimmage 3:30 pm
11/25/2020
- Thanksgiving Break
11/26/2020
- Thanksgiving Break
11/27/2020
- Thanksgiving Break
MAKE-UP DAY FOR FALL PICTURES
Instruction & Support
Attendance
Students participating in the hybrid model have onsite instructional days combined with virtual instructional days. Teachers have addressed attendance for students during the distance learning, instructional days. Remind your students to check their Google Classrooms for assignments and attendance on their distance learning days.
If there is a technology issue that results in your student missing the class, the parent must submit an email to the teacher of the class missed for the class to be excused. If a student is unable to attend for any medical reason, the excuse must be submitted by the parent to the teacher and to Attendance Clerk Joan Jedlicka at jjedlicka@lexrich5.org.
Chromebooks
CHROMEBOOK NOT WORKING?
- Hybrid (In Person) Students: Take Broken Chromebook to Media Center M/T/TH/F - 8am-3pm (closed Wednesdays)
- FIVE (All Virtual) students: Complete the DFMS Student Chromebook Repair Request Form
- A D5 Technician will contact you about making an appointment for a repair.
- DFMS Digital Integration Specialist (DIS): Mrs. Kelly Thacker - kthacker@lexrich5.org 803-476-4826
TECHNOLOGY HOW-TO'S FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS
Chromebook How-Tos (make sure to press "view more" on the far right) This is also in the Student Knowledge Base
https://www.lexrich5.org/Page/26528
Student Technology Knowledge Base (How-Tos and Troubleshooting)
https://sites.google.com/lexrich5.org/studenttechnology/home
Instructional Technology (Software and How-Tos)
https://sites.google.com/lexrich5.org/d5distancelearning/
Our main Technology Webpage also has additional information about hotspots, wifi business partners and much, much more!
Distance Learning Site
https://sites.google.com/lexrich5.org/d5distancelearning/home?authuser=0
PSAT
In order to provide both opportunity and safety, the district has rescheduled the PSAT for January 26, 2021. For 8th grade students who choose to pay for and take the PSAT/NMSQT as a practice and/or for the opportunity to earn Junior Scholar designation, the testing date will be THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021.
More information will be coming at a later date.
Library Check-Out Options for Students in FIVE
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ym1g1SIul-UWPpwn_Xw4z3RtHqzIGqf8/view?usp=sharing
Extracurricular Activities
Got Skills: Student Professional Development Day & Dress for Success/for Your Future Day
Click here for a short video highlighting the day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj2DHGcdHEU&feature=emb_logo
Don't forget students can Dress for Success or Dress for their Future on Tuesday, November, 24th. The "Fashion Police" will be watching for students dressed up. They will then be entered to win prizes! **Must be Dress Code Appropriate** attire for Dress for Success/Dress for your Future Day**
Got Skills: Student Professional Development Day & Dress for Success/for Your Future Day For FIVE Students
FIVE DFMS Students: You will also have the opportunity to participate in Got Skills Day however it will not be the Liver version. We will post videos of all 4 sessions in your grade level Google Classroom. Be on the lookout for those videos. If you want to Dress for Success/Dress for your Future, please do so and then email a picture of yourself to Mrs. Lofton at flofton@lexrich5.org in order to have your name placed in the drawing.
FCA
WRESTLING INFORMATION
Any 7th and 8th grader that has never wrestled before but has interest please contact Coach Stephens at this email jmstephens@lexrich5.org for more information and wrestling updates. Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you,
Coach Stephens
SOFTBALL TRYOUTS
POETRY & ART CONTEST
STUDENTS: Get creative!
Poetry & Art Contest to celebrate National Career Development Month! This year's theme is "My Future Career: Imagine the Possibilities"
Students: Celebrate and inspire career development by writing a poem or creating a masterpiece. All entries must be submitted by December 1st to Mrs. Lofton, Career Specialist, in the Office of School Counseling. Questions?: Contact Mrs. Lofton at flofton@lexrich5.org.
See link for additional details and form submission: https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/asset_manager/get_file/493766?ver=402
Poetic Form: Acceptable poetic forms, e.g. cinquain, free verse, diamante, haiku, limerick, metered, rhyming, blank verse.
Submit each poem on a single sheet of paper 8.5″ x 11″ in 12 point font.
Art Category 1 (C1): Standard use of ink, pencil, poster paints, magic marker, acrylics, and oils. Each poster must be created in 8.5″ x 11″ format, including matte, to be eligible.
Art Category 2 (C2): Use of photos, clipart, graphic art software, collage, cut and pasted paper, and mixed media. Each poster must be created in 8.5″ x 11″ format, including matte, to be eligible.
PTSA FUNDRAISER EXTENDED!!!
Dear Dutch Fork Middle School,
Our fundraiser is almost over and we need your support during these finals hours!
Our Fundraising Goal: Extended!!
Here’s how to help us reach our fundraising goal:
- Please click here to register today! Use our ORGANIZATION ID 20294 to register!
- Send 10 unique and valid shopping email invites to your friends & family using our invite tool at registration.
- Shop! With over 2,500 gift ideas, you can check-off your holiday gift-list and support our important cause, too.
PRO TIP: The more email invites you send, the more supporters we’ll get! So, break out your email contact list, share on social media, and help spread the word!
Will you take a few minutes and register now?
Thank you so much for your support!
Dutch Fork Middle School
Questions about registration? Call CW Customer Support at 1-866-395-2926
PTSA CORNER
Thank you to everyone who supported our Charleston Wraps Fundraiser!!!
Please join the PTSA, make a donation, and purchase spirit wear using the below link to our Member Hub website.
DUTCH FORK MIDDLE SCHOOL
Website: http://lexrich5.org/dfms
Location: 1528 Old Tamah Road, Irmo, SC, USA
Phone: (803) 476-4800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dutch-Fork-Middle-School-549147891811317/
Twitter: @DutchForkMS