Dutch Fork Elementary
Academy of Environmental Sciences - Week of July 17th -
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 take risks.
- 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
- S. Somerall (reading coach) for integral role as the site coordinator for our district's summer reading camp. Under Dr. Somerall's leadership elementary students throughout the district have been served by some our best and brightest reading teachers (including our own M. Drayton)
- K. Hill for recently being accepted to the Master's program at Concordia. She is pursuing a degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis as a reading specialist.
- M. Drayton, N. Jefferson, T. Randolph, and S. Somerall for serving as Lead5 facilitators for the 2017-2018 school. We commend these teacher leaders for sharing their practices to further improve our system and profession.
- C. Walker (new first grade teacher) for recently presenting at the Upstate Technology Conference. Her presentation was entitled "How to write raps using Flocabulary." Please feel free to research or contact Caitlin if interested in learning more about Flocabulary.
- Shout out to our PTO board members for assisting us with preparing packets for our upcoming new student orientation. Great assist on their behalf.
This is just a reminder to all to please share any personal or professional celebrations worth going public. We are always honored to hear your stories and to bestow honor for your accomplishments.
New Hires
Last night our board approved the following as new hires for DFES:
- Patera Eskew-Martin - 1st grade. Mrs. Martin spent the last 10 years as a kindergarten teacher at Pine Grove Elementary in Richland 1 and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree.
- Brigitte Ybarra - 3rd grade. Mrs. Ybarra was a USC MAT that spent last fall and spring with us in 3rd and 5th grades respectively. She genuinely loves our student population and will be a great addition to our staff.
- Marci Reid - Teacher Assistant. Mrs. Reid is a D5 parent and has expeience with pre-schools in our local area. She came highly recommended to us is passionate about the success of all students.
We concluded interviews for our vacant kindergarten position. Overwhelmingly our team all agreed and our excited about the candidate we have recommended (pending board approval 7/29/17).
New Staff Orientation
Pictured below our colleagues were asked to choose a picture book that they could identify with to introduce themselves. Great way to learn about titles old and new while building community.
Mini theater upgrades are proceeding as can see.. No definitive date on completion but will keep you posted.
New Student Orientation
We are hosting our annual new student orientation. The night is designed to give new families greater details about our school, how best to help their child transition to DFES, and to answer any questions they may have.
Thursday, Jul 20, 2017, 06:00 PM
DFES Cafeteria
DFES New Staff Orientation
Many of you have emailed me about signing in on the google doc I sent previously. A used error on my end created a challenge. No worries if you were not able to sign in your emails have given me indication that you will be in attendance. Look forward to learning with and alongside each of you next week.
Tuesday, Jul 25, 2017, 08:30 AM
DFES Cafeteria
The link below is one of the most intriguing speeches I've personally heard. Would love to hear you thoughts.
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, United States
Phone: 803-476-3901
Twitter: @dfes_principal