Dutch Fork Elementary
Faculty/Staff Newsletter - Week of November 11th
Superintendent's Priorities
- 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 to our beliefs.
Shout Outs
- First and Fourth grade collaboratively hosted Night Under the Stars. This touch stone event goes along with their astornomy and light, moon, and stars units of study. A local astronomy club allowed students and families to access some high powered telescopes that provided amazing views of the moon and several planets. Highest attendance since we held this event.
- Mr. Bud is now a proud grandpa with the birth of his grand daughter. His eyes light up when sharing her picture. Ask him to share with you when you see him.
- T. Poston's class for leading Friday's learning celebrations. As a result of their author study these small writers taugtht us about the use of speech bubbles, thought bubbles, action marks, movement lines, bold words and illustrations.
Students jot down wonder questions about astronomy.
Students accessing and using the tools of astronomers.
Ms. A enjoys a conversation with attendees.
Scott Out of office
So I was initially scheduled to be out last Monday and Tuesday. I had a brother in law who died unexpectantly this past Tuesday as well which prompted being out Wednesday - Friday. I will be out Thursday and Friday of this week for funeral services in Dayton, Ohio. See Mr. Gantt in my absence and thanks for your understanding during this time.
I am grateful for Mr. Gantt, Ms. Beckman, A. Newman, S. Cope, and S. Somerall for taking care of several items on my behalf this week.
ELA PD Tuesday led by S. Somerall
Sally will leadd curricular conversations around small group instruction Tuesday. Back in 2017 we embarked upon a professional inquiry into small group instruction and developed the following definition:
Our Working Definition for Small Group Instruction
June 2017
Small group reading and math instruction fits within a system of instruction including whole group, shared experiences, and time to think and work independently.
A way of organizing instruction with a small group of children based on ongoing and recent data collection and analysis.
The teacher:
plans for this instruction for the independent/conferring time within a reading workshop, math workshop, and/or the Response to Intervention block in the master schedule.
understands and can describe the similar processes, strengths, and needs and the purpose for this small group of students
presents one or two teaching points to the group
selects a text/concept/skill at an instructional level that offers the children one or two new learning opportunities
provides an introduction of the text/concept/skill
focuses children’s attention on constructing meaning while offering support with problem-solving
Collects ongoing observation and assessment data during the small group
Children are reading these new texts and solving new problems using their own strategies with a minimum level of support because students have had ongoing, explicit instruction with various levels of support prior to this small group.
The definition provides context for conversations Tuesday. All certified staff members will be included in these discussions.
School Improvement Council meeting Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
Education Support Professional Day
This Wednesday is Education Support Professional's Day. Each support staff members and their contributions are critical to the operation of our school and the work we do with and for our Fox Cubs.
Certified staff please join me in expressing thanks to our support staff for their work at DFES.
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2019, 08:00 AM
DFES
Data Teams Meet Thursday
3rd-5th Learning Celebration
Friday, Nov 15, 2019, 01:45 PM
DFES Mini Theater
Birthday Wishes!!!
- 11/13 K. Hill
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