The Cub Reporter
October 18, 2018
Dutch Fork Elementary School Academy of Environmental Sciences
DFES Goals 2018-2019
- Exceed family expectations in our communication, follow through, and student progress.
- Effective use of science kits and probes 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).
A Summary of the South Carolina Read to Succeed Law:
Act 284 (Read to Succeed) requires that, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, a student must be retained in the third grade if the student fails to demonstrate reading proficiency at the end of third grade as indicated by scoring at the lowest achievement level on the state summative reading assessment SC READY. A student may be exempt for good cause from the mandatory retention but shall continue to receive instructional support and services and reading intervention appropriate for their age and reading level.
What does this mean for your child?
Monitor your child’s progress through interim reports, report cards, and teacher-parent conferences.
Make reading a priority in your home.
Read to your child or let your child read to you.
Talk to your child’s teacher if you have a concern, a celebration or a question regarding your child’s progress.
Make sure your child reads during breaks, including summer break.
As a parent, keep in mind...
Building a relationship with your child’s teacher and school is very important to his/her success. Reading impacts all areas in life. Working together, WE can make a difference.
From the Registrar
Parent Portal
If you have a student in grades third through fifth and would like to keep up with his/her attendance history and grades, be sure to come in and ask for your Parent Portal Access ID and Access Password from the registrar, Sharon Clemens. Only parents or legal guardians as shown in our PowerSchool may show ID to sign for a copy of the access codes.
A Note from our Assistant Principal...
CogAT
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a group-administered assessment intended to estimate our 2nd and 4th grade students' learned reasoning and problem solving abilities through a battery of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal test items. The window for CogAT testing for 2nd grade is from October 23rd - October 31st. The window for CogAT testing for 4th grade is from October 15th - November 2nd.PBIS
At DFES we believe in the Positive Behavior Intervention, we seek to address our students' positive behaviors.
You can practice PBIS language and behaviors at home:
Acknowledge the appropriate behavior
Use positive reinforcement to teach your children which actions/behaviors are expected, accepted, or desired. Figure out what kinds of acknowledgements your child will be motivated by. Ask them what they would enjoy doing (not necessarily having)! Create a special “reward” basket or box of toys or items that you already own but that your child only gets to play with or use when they have done what was expected. Create a visual recognition system, such as a sticker chart. For example, list your child’s weekly chores and use a sticker to mark when each one is completed. At the end of the week, if all chores are completed according to expectation, give a reward.
A Note from the PTO
PTO Fundraiser pick up is scheduled for Monday, November 5th 3pm to 6pm in the cafeteria. All items will need to be picked up on that day as we have no place to store fundraiser items. If you need to schedule a different pick up date for after November 5th, please contact the PTO at Ptodfes@gmail.com
November 7th is our next Spirit Night! Come join us at Freddys located at 10611 Broad River Road Irmo, SC 20963. The class with the highest participants will win an ice cream party the following Friday!
The PTO annual Holiday store is coming November 26 to 30. More information about this will be sent home the first part of November!
From the School Counselor...
In an effort to support our students and our DFES beliefs, we are planning a year-long focus on character education at our school. Each month, we will have a new theme and students will be putting that trait into practice here at school. We will also share ways to support your child’s social and emotional learning in that area at home. The following is a list of our Essential Eight themes, which were created based on staff input of what we would like all students to “know and show” at DFES. Please help us to grow good character in our students by talking about these themes as you talk with your child about the day’s events, watch movies as a family and read with your child every day.
October: Respect
November: Responsibility
December: Cooperation/Teamwork
January: Growth Mindset
February: Kindness
March: Self-Control
April: Positive Communication
May: Integrity
Sara Beckman, School Counselor
476-3912
Dear DFES Families,
As we strive to make improvements to our school to ensure safety and efficiency in getting all students to school in a timely manner, please note that the front of the school is for buses only. Please refrain from dropping off students in the front parking area. All car riders must use the appropriate car line. If a student arrives at 7:50 or later, they must be walked into the front office and signed in.
We greatly appreciate your adherence to this policy as we continue to streamline our morning and afternoon routine for the safety of all concerned.
Thank you!
Coming up...
- 10/25 End of 9 weeks
- 10/26 Learning Celebration (Knowles)
- 10/31 Picture Retakes
- 11/2 Tag of Honor (1st-5th)
- 11/5 Tag of Honor (4K-5K)
- 11/5 Fundraiser Delivery
- 11/6 Student/Teacher Holiday
- 11/7 2nd Cup of Coffee
- 11/8 Magnet Fair at CrossRoads (5:30-7:00 pm)
- 11/9 Veteran's Day Celebration
- 11/9 Learning Celebration (Donald)
- 11/16 Learning Celebration (Poston)
- 11/21-11/23 Thanksgiving Holiday
- 11/26-11/30 Holiday Store
- 11/30 Learning Celebration (Hale)
DFES is proud to be a Title I school.
Have you visited our website lately? Check us out: http://www.lexrich5.org/Domain/10