CUB REPORTER
Thursday, May 5, 2022
IN THIS EDITION:
- Principals Pen
- May and June Events
- Fox Star of the Day
- From the School Counselor
- From the Health Room
- From the Registrar
- Technology Tips
- PTO Posting
PRINCIPALS PEN
Greetings families. During the April 25 D5 Board meeting Dr. Ross shared a proposal to address equity in school facilities via a bond referendum. This proposal has a direct impact on DFES if passed by our school board and by our community later in the fall.
Tuesday, May 3 our district hosted a virtual community forum on the bond referendum to gain insights and feedback from the constituents in our system.
During the May 10 board meeting, there will be additional updates provided to our community. We want to ensure that our parents/families are informed about this important matter as our Fox Cubs should have access to an updated facility.
We kindly ask that you tune in Monday and reach out to me should you have any questions.
As I close I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge this being Teacher Appreciation week. While I am absolutely grateful for the work of my colleagues, for their contributions and impact on the lives of our Fox Cubs. It is my humble opinion that a child's first teachers are not the people that work in schools but rather parents, guardians, and family members. So with that I honor and appreciate the work done on your behalf as your child's first teachers.
MAY & JUNE EVENTS
May 2-6 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 10 - Interims go home
May 10 - SC Ready/SCPASS Testing - ELA Day 1
May 11 - SC Ready/SCPASS Testing - ELA Day 2
May 11 - School Nurse Appreciation Day
May 17 - SC Ready/SCPASS Testing - Math
May 18 - SC Ready/SCPASS Testing - Science (4th grade)
May 27 - Last day for 4K
May 30 - School Holiday (Memorial Day)
May 31 - June 2 - 4k Screenings
June 2- 5th Grade Graduation @ 8:30
June 3 - Report cards go home
June 3 - EARLY RELEASE @ 10:40
June 3 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Teacher Appreciation Week May 2nd through the 6th
The first week of May is Teacher Appreciation Week. Please help us show our love and support to all our teachers. Below are a few ideas to help celebrate the week.
Tuesday: A Hand-Written Note from the Parent.
Wednesday: Wear your teacher's favorite color
Thursday: Bring your teacher a flower (real or handmade)
Friday: Bring a small snack for your teacher
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
FOX STAR OF THE DAY
5/5 Joel M.
5/4 Breylan S.
5/3 Majid K.
5/2 Rishard R.
4/29 Karis S.
4/28 Paige B.
4/27 T'ionna C.
4/26 Htoo Htoo E.
4/25 Sydney C.
4/22 Jayday R.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE FOX STARS!
FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Hello Families -
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! We know that mental health is important, but we may not know exactly what having good mental health actually means.
Mental health includes our psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act. Your mental health can impact how you handle challenges, your relationships with others, and your view of yourself. Mental health matters as much as our body’s physical health. It is important at every stage of life - from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Here are some ways you can support your child’s mental well being:
Develop open communication - listen to the big things and small things your child brings to your attention
Do things together that your child enjoys
Help your child name and identify their talents and interests
Provide positive social opportunities for your child
Set and enforce boundaries around technology
Spend time outdoors with your child
Give your child meaningful praise
Encourage helping others and showing kindness
Practice healthy habits in terms of sleeping, eating a variety of foods, and being physically active
Provide a safe, secure environment - With summer approaching, some students will be experiencing more independence and new opportunities. It’s a great time to review summer safety skills and practice those expectations with your child.
Please contact me for assistance in helping your child have the best mental health possible!
Sara Beckman, DFES school counselor
803-476-3912
FROM THE HEALTH ROOM
As we have shifted in many of our procedures regarding quarantines and COVID-19 related concerns, we would like to review when/if you should notify the nurse of student illness. Please use this link to report positive COVID-19 cases DFES STUDENT_Reporting COVID Issues
At this time, you will not need to report exposures to COVID-19. However, if your student(s) has symptoms of concern, you may contact the school nurse, or your provider, for further advice. You may also reference the School Exclusion information that we follow when deciding if a student should stay home: School Exclusion Information
We look forward to partnering with you to keep our healthy students here in class and our students with symptoms seeking the appropriate course of action for their type of illness.
COLUMBIA FIREFLIES MEET DFES FOX CUBS
SUMMER CAMPS
Please see the Richland County Sheriff's Dept. Summer Camp Flyer above for a description of each camp. If you are interested in registering your child for one of the camps, please click on the link below for the registration form.
TUTORING APP
FROM THE REGISTRAR
2022-2023 Kindergarten Registration is Underway!
Dutch Fork Elementary is registering rising Kindergarten students now if your child will be five years old by September 1, 2022. Please start at the Registration Gateway portal and provide these documents during your registration meeting: your child's legal full birth certificate (not a hospital certificate), immunization record and proof of residence.
Current 4K Students/ Rising Kindergarten Students 2022-2023
Do you know, as the parent/guardian of a current 4K student at DFES, you do not have to register them for 5K Kindergarten? You will receive an email this summer detailing how to complete the Update Portal for returning students.
2022-2023 Proof of Residence
Proof of Residence (POR) for the 2022-2023 school year is being accepted now and is required at all district schools each year. You may bring it to the main office or fax it directly to the school at 803-476-3920. If you are going to live at the same address next year as you have this school year, providing all three required documents will be quick and easy! Families who are/will share a home with another family must complete the affidavit process; this is also required each year. The affidavit packet is below.
List of Documents Needed for Proof of Residence
If you plan to move during the school year, your child is eligible to stay at Dutch Fork Elementary School as long as you live anywhere within School District Five of Lexington-Richland Counties boundaries. Look for the School Zone Locator on the district’s website for the correct year of enrollment before you move!
Sharon Clemens, Registrar/Attendance Clerk – saclemen@lexrich5.org
ATTENTION - LOST & FOUND
All lost and found items have been placed on a table in the cafeteria. Teachers are encouraging students to check and see if any of these items belong to them. Please remind your student to see if any of these missing items our theirs. All unclaimed items will be sent to Goodwill at the end of the school year.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT- PLEASE READ!!
DFES-DEVICE EOY LETTER
Dear Parents and Students,
Please read all of the information in this letter carefully to understand School District Five’s end of year procedures for district devices.
Students in grades K-12 returning to any D5 school for 2022-23 will keep their district issued device over the summer. If the device is damaged during the summer, students should complete the Chromebook Repair Form for their current school.
Graduating Seniors and students moving out of District 5 must turn in device, case, and charger* according to the collection schedule on page 2 of this letter or a bill will be sent for the full replacement price. *Chargers must be an appropriate charger for the device.
Per District Mobile Device Agreement, the district will cover one (1) accidental damage incident during the 2021-2022 school year (August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022). In order to be considered for 2021-2022 coverage, incidents should be reported via the school’s Chromebook Repair Form by July 31, 2022. Any accidental damage reported after this date will be classified as part of the 2022-2023 school term.
If the device currently has any issues or damages, please do not wait until the end of the year or collection time to notify the school’s help desk. During collection, the device will be evaluated for damages and the student will be billed accordingly.
Possible charges:
Device - up to $300
Case - up to $35
Charger - up to $40 (missing, damaged or incorrect charger)
Damaged devices will be reviewed by the Technology Services Department. Parents will be notified if charges are necessary.
Costs are assessed based on replacement price which is dependent on age and model of device and charger.
D5 Technology Services will remotely disable any devices not turned in by the deadline and a bill for the full replacement value will be sent.
TURN IN PROCEDURES AND SCHEDULE
Before turning in the device, charger, and case, students need to do the following:
Clean the device. For chromebooks, please watch the this video: https://www.wevideo.com/view/379364335
Clean the screen with a soft, dry antistatic, or microfiber cloth.
Do not use window cleaner or any type of liquid on the device without adult supervision.
You may use packaged pre-moistened eyeglass lens cleaning tissues to clean the screen.
Make sure all personal stickers are removed.
2. Charge the device to at least 60%.
3. Wrap the charger cable and secure it with a velcro tie or rubber band.
CHROMEBOOK SUMMER CARE REMINDERS
Keep Chromebook inside. Chromebooks don’t like heat or moisture.
Keep it in the case. The case provides protection and a handle for carrying.
Keep up with the charger. It is as valuable as a twenty-dollar bill!
Completely shut down the Chromebook at least once a week.
Devices, chargers and cases will only be collected during the times listed here.
Devices, chargers and cases will be collected at the
Library the week of May 30 - June 3.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!
Please use the carline when dropping off students in the morning. We have had several students dropped off in the church parking lot. Please do not drop your student off in the church parking lot. In order to keep everyone safe we ask that you utilize the car line.
If your student arrives to school after 7:50, please park in a parking space, walk your student to the front office and sign them in. Thank you for your assistance with this.
TECHNOLOGY TIPS
Chromebook Cases
This is just a reminder that students should always have their Chromebooks in their cases. This will help protect the Chromebook and also help us identify Chromebooks that have been misplaced.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
PTO POSTING
ATTENTION DFES PARENTS!!
If you are interested in being on DFES PTO for the 2022-2023 school year, please contact Kimberly Snipes, kimberlypsnipes@gmail.com or Cissy Graham, cfgraham@lexrich5.org.
2022-2023 Positions
Volunteer Coordinator
Treasurer
2 Committe Members
DUTCH FORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
7900 Broad River Rd.
Irmo, SC 29063