Dutch Fork Elementary
Academy of Environmental Sciences - Week of January 15th
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.
DFES 2017-2018 Goals
- Excellent customer service
- Effective use of small group instruction
- Building teacher capacity with environmental science content
Shout Outs
- Grade level teachers, reading/math interventionists, related areas teachers, S. Beckman (student ambassadors, front office staff, and custodians for collective efforts for our magnet open house. Additional shout out to Mrs. Millwood (A. MIllwood 3rd grade) that came in as a parent ambassador and spoke with prospective families.
- kindergarten teachers for providing space personal passion projects. Students chose a topic of their choice, brought in primary/secondary sources, and taught their peers about their expertise.
- K. Claytor's class for leading our K-2 learning celebration. They shared their super reading powers with audience members.
Staffing Updates
- Please keep Allaire Gehm (kindergarten) and her family in your thoughts and prayers in the passing of her grandfather.
- Beatriz (Brandon) Gantt is expected to be induced on Wednesday, January 17th. We pray that all goes well. Mr. Gantt will be out one week to be home with his family once the baby arrives. We will continue to keep you posted. During his absence please contact me for any matters that he has oversight of.
- We shared previously that our new resource teacher would begin following the January 8th board meeting. We were updated that the new hire would begin following the January 22nd board meeting. FYI.
- Due to the need of taking care of some family matters Richard Taylor will no longer serve in a math club. We are grateful to share that Ann Hutchison (former IES) will take his place and will be with us on Monday's and Tuesday's once we begin with our second round of intervention.
- We have two confirmed cases of flu with staff J. Hunter and M. Reid. Jeanine will be out this week and Marcie anticipates being out a couple of days. Jessica Reed and her girls are all under the weather as well. Jessica will be out tomorrow.
Event Information
Student/Staff Holiday MLK Holiday
When?
Monday, Jan 15, 2018, 08:00 AM
Where?
DFES
Event Information
RtI Speed Dating During K-5 Planning
When?
Thursday, Jan 11, 2018, 08:00 AM
Where?
DFES Professional Development Room
Leadership Team Meetings Tuesday, January 16th
Tomorrow is our district leadership meeting day. Leadership team members will meet at various sites. Mrs. Umberger and I will meet with our magnet leadership team tomorrow in the conference room at 3:15 pm in the conference room.
All other certified staff members that are not on leadership teams please redeem this time wisely.
Scott Out of Office Wednesday
I will be out of the building for most of the day to attend meetings at 8:30-9:30 and then from 12:00-4:00.
USC site-based classes at DFES Spring 2018
Dr. Lenny Sanchez (DFES parent and USC Language and Literature faculty member) will teach two classes this spring at DFES beginning this week.
EDRD 345
- Meets Wednesdays 8:30-11:30AM
- Undergraduate Early Childhood Reading Course
- Course focused on reading process, major theories of reading development, reading assessment, and principles of effective reading instruction.
- Dr. Sanchez is partnering with V. Gustafson class for this course.
EDRD 718
- Meets Thursdays 4:30-6:45PM
- MAT Literacy and Inquiry Course
- Course focused on teaching reading and writing from an inquiry stance, creating an inquiry environment, and lesson study.
- In the past, this course has been designed to partner with the after-school program, involving university students working in pairs with small groups of children (3-4 children). As partners, the university students and children plan and implement an inquiry project through weekly work sessions (45 minutes) This DESIGN is open to being changed in order to best meet the needs of all involved.
Event Information
Vertical Team Curricular Conversations with Dr. Heidi Mills
During the fall of 2017 Dr. Mills spent time with new and newish staff members (1st and 2nd year) to build capacity in work that we've done over the past 4 plus years.
We determined that for the spring of 2018 we wanted to resume vertical team curricular conversation with this Thursday being the first.
The schedule is as follows:
- 8:15 - 9:45 (2nd grade)
- 10:15 - 11:45 (Kindergarten/1st grade)
- 12:45 - 2:15 (3rd/5th grade)
Substitutes will be provided. Homeroom please see the letter below from Dr. Mills in regards to our time together Thursday.
When?
Thursday, Jan 18, 2018, 08:15 AM
Where?
Professional Development Room
Event Information
Richland County Soil and Water Conservation
Staff from the Richland County Soil and Water Conservation will work alongside third graders. FYI.
- 8:30-9:10 Sazhen
- 9:15-9:55 Donald
- 10:00-10:40 Goforth
- 11:50-12:30 Crouch
- 12:35-1:20 Ybarra
When?
Thursday, Jan 18, 2018, 08:00 AM
Where?
DFES Science Lab
Event Information
4th Grade Field Study to Brattonsville
When?
Monday, Jan 15, 2018, 08:00 AM
Where?
Historic Brattonsville, Brattonsville Road, McConnells, SC, United States
Event Information
3rd-5th Grade Learning Celebration
T. Randolph's class will lead this Friday's learning celebration. We look forward to gaining new insights from these small teachers.
When?
Friday, Jan 19, 2018, 01:45 PM
Where?
DFES Mini Theater
Event Information
PTO Mother/Son Dance
When?
Friday, Jan 19, 2018, 06:30 PM
Where?
DFES Gym
We develop students who care about the world we live in and express critical thinking through natural curiosity and wonder.
Where Wonders Grow!
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