Dutch Fork Elementary
Academy of Environmental Sciences - Week of August 5th
District Goals 2019-2020
- Focus our work decisions on/around our district strategic plan.
- Identify areas of achievement to improve.
- Provide Chick-Fil-A and Moe's 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 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
- A. Newman, S. Cope, S. Clemens, B. Gantt, and our custodial staff for their respective contributions for our new student orientation. We had more than 50 people in attendance that included our newest Fox Cubs and their parent(s)/guardians.
Welcome Back Letter from D5 Superintendent
WHAT IS YOUR HOPE VIDEO PROJECT AND INVITATION
DFES is one 3 district schools that has been given the opportunity to participate and replicate the video below by our Office of Communication. Courtney Morabito will visit our school the morning of Tuesday, August 13th upon the anticipated arrival of you our dear colleagues.
Our board will be located near the cafeteria lobby (fish tank area). The same question will be posed. Your participation is truly an invitation and not a mandate. I am of the belief that whether tall or small we all began each school year with hope and dreams. Thanks for your consideration.
Additional Announcements
Our staff newsletter is sent each Sunday to help prepare us for school events and information for all to be aware of.
One feature in the newsletter each week includes additional announcements. Additional announcements may include updates from our registrar, leave clerk, book keeper, school resource officer, facility supervisor, cafeteria supervisor, guidance counselor, assistant principal or anyone on staff that has school-wide info to share.
We include this in a google doc format so that this news is in one place rather than receiving separate emails from colleagues in addition to what I send weekly. Our goal is to streamline communication. The additional announcements featured this week gives everyone a heads up on what to expect to some degree next week upon returning. Thanks in advance for reading the details included so that you remain informed.
Staffing Update
In the July 17th edition of our staff newsletter I provided updates regarding our new colleagues. An oversight on my end in recognizing one of our colleagues but we are thrilled to have Kris Kirkendoll as our media specialist. Kris has more than 10 years experience as a media specialist and comes to us from Richland District 1.
We had one final position that wasn't filled at the time of our last newsletter. We recommended a candidate for our kindergarten vacancy that we anticipate will be approved during tonight's board meeting. Further details to come.
24 Hour Inquiry
Our 24 hour inquiry is a tradition that allows us to build and strengthen community amongst our tall learners in meaningful and substantive ways. This process positions every staff member regardless of title or position to serve as an expert or mentor. Additionally, as a school that embraces inquiry as a stance for teaching and learning, this process allows us to live into this way of being that we want our students to also live into as well.
A reminder to submit your name and subject by this Friday (August 9th) as this information will be used to determine how everyone is grouped for our first day back on August 13th. Thanks!
Office Hours
This is the final week in which the work hours and the building will be open from 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (and the last Friday off for those of us who work in the summer).
We will resume regular hours next week of 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m for the public.
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