Fox Family News & Celebrations
Dutch Fork High School
Dutch Fork High School named Palmetto’s Finest Award winner
IRMO –Dutch Fork High School in Lexington-Richland School District Five was recognized by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) on May 26 as the 2020 Palmetto’s Finest award winner in the high school division during an announcement on SCETV.
“For School District Five to have Dutch Fork High School win Palmetto’s Finest is a celebration for our entire district,” said Dr. Christina Melton, School District Five superintendent. “They represented our district so well and for Dutch Fork to be named the winner is a testament of the commitment and hard work the faculty, staff, students and community put forth every day.”
Dutch Fork High School’s 100-acre campus was originally built in 1992, with new additions added in 1999 and 2014. Since the school’s inception, it has grown into a comprehensive 5A high school, serving grades 9-12. The diverse student body has approximately 1679 students who reap the benefits of an area that combines the amenities of the school being located in the proximity to a small city that houses a large university with the tranquility of the suburbs. Together, parents, teachers, business partners, and students embody the school’s motto: “Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve.” With 58 clubs, 56 sports teams, and a full fine arts program that includes all visual and performing arts, there is a place for everyone, whether the student prefers academic enrichment, community service, or athletics. The nationally ranked STEM program includes over 200 students and was recently ranked #25 in the nation by Newsweek magazine.
“There are no words to describe the absolute pride that I have for our Fox Family,” Principal Dr. Gerald Gary said. “After spending ten weeks apart as a result of the emergency COVID-19 closure, the Palmetto's Finest designation is just what we needed to close out our year for our students, parents, and teachers. We are thankful for the wonderful support of our community, and we look forward to coming back together when it is safe next year to celebrate in a big way!”
SCASA is the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, with a membership of more than 4,400. From professional development opportunities and research, to publications and legislative advocacy, SCASA’s focus is to support school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolina’s young people. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, SCASA also works on the national level.
“The Palmetto’s Finest award winners are models of innovation throughout our state,” said Beth Phibbs, South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) executive director. “They set the standard of excellence by creating an outstanding school culture which includes setting high expectations and providing opportunities for personalized learning.”
This is the second time Dutch Fork High School has received the Palmetto’s Finest award. They also received it in the 2001-2002 school year.
Lexington-Richland School District Five will hold in-person, outdoor graduation ceremonies June 2 - June 5, implementing social distancing and other health measures for graduates and their guests. The decision to have in-person commencement ceremonies came after the district surveyed seniors and their parents to gain input on honoring the Class of 2020 while maintaining federal and state social distancing guidelines.
Below are important details for seniors and their guests choosing to participate in 2020 graduation ceremonies.
GRADUATION DATES REMINDER
Ceremonies in School District Five will follow the originally planned order but have new dates/times:
- Spring Hill High: 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2 at Chapin High School Stadium
- Weather make-up time for SHHS is 7:30 p.m. on June 2
- Chapin High: 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3 at Chapin High School Stadium
- Weather make-up time for CHS is 7:30 p.m. on June 3
- Dutch Fork High: 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 4 at Dutch Fork High School Stadium
- Weather make-up time for DFHS is 7:30 p.m. on June 4
- Irmo High: 9 a.m. on Friday, June 5 at Irmo High School Stadium
- Weather make-up time for IHS is 7:30 p.m. on June 5
In case of inclement weather, the District will send a phone blast to parents to alert families of ceremony make-up times or dates. Additional dates, including a Saturday, June 6 make-up date, can be utilized if needed.
LIVE STREAM LINKS
School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties will stream 2020 graduations live, providing an opportunity to view the events in real time online. See the links below:
SPRING HILL HIGH SCHOOL: https://lexrich5.rev.vbrick.com/#/webcasts/springhillgraduation
CHAPIN HIGH SCHOOL: https://lexrich5.rev.vbrick.com/#/webcasts/chapingraduation
DUTCH FORK HIGH SCHOOL: https://lexrich5.rev.vbrick.com/#/webcasts/dutchforkgraduation
IRMO HIGH SCHOOL: https://lexrich5.rev.vbrick.com/#/webcasts/irmograduation
GRADUATE GUEST ADMISSION PROCESS
Graduates will be allowed four guests, and guests must arrive and enter the ceremony site with their graduate. Tickets will not be issued (i.e. Graduates are the “ticket” for guest admission into the ceremony facility). There is no general admission seating.
GRADUATE/GUEST ARRIVAL & SEATING
Arrival will begin at 7:45 a.m. for graduates and their guests. Graduate arrival times are as follows:
- 7:45am-8:00am Last Names A-F
- 8:00am- 8:15am Last Names G-L
- 8:15am-8:30am Last Names M-R
- 8:30am-8:45am Last Names S-Z
Graduate Seating: Graduates will check in at the gate,and will be seated on the field in their assigned seats upon arrival. To observe social distancing guidelines, graduates will not procession into our ceremony this year. Graduation diploma covers will be placed in each graduate’s chair, rather than being passed to the graduate on stage during the ceremony.
Guest seating: Guests will be seated in sections, both in the stands and/or in overflow seating on and around the field.
Guest seats and graduate seats will have proper spacing to allow for social distancing, and event staff and safety officials will assist in encouraging safety guidelines. We ask that all graduates and guests be seated by 8:45 a.m.
SAFETY GUIDELINES & PARKING
Safety is a top priority in School District Five. Please review the following safety guidelines, which will be in place at graduation ceremonies:
- Security: Metal detectors will be used, law enforcement and safety officials will be present, and the district’s clear bag requirement will be enforced. Noisemakers are prohibited.No re-entry allowed.
- Graduate masks: Each graduate will receive a custom mask with the school logo upon arrival and may opt to wear a mask to the site before receiving a mask for the ceremony.
- Guest masks: Per guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, we strongly encourage all guests to wear masks during graduation ceremonies. Guest masks will not be provided by the district.
- Sanitation stations: Hand sanitizing stations will be positioned throughout the ceremony site for guests and graduates.
- Graduate seating: Graduate seating will be placed on the field per social distancing guidelines.
- Guest seating: Guest seating has been sectioned off to encourage social distancing.
- Dismissal: Guests will be dismissed by section to avoid crowding. We ask that all guests remain seated until they are dismissed (per section) by safety officials.
- Restrooms: A limited number of restrooms will be accessible during graduation ceremonies.
- Refreshments: Water will be provided for graduates, but water will not be provided for guests and concessions will not open for graduation ceremonies. Guests are permitted to bring sealed bottles of water, but coolers will not be allowed.
- Parking: Information on graduate/guest parking and handicap parking, including site maps, will be posted on the district website at www.lexrich5.org/graduation.
- Safety announcements: Safety guidelines and reminders will be announced throughout graduation ceremonies.
- Emergency procedures: In the case of an emergency, guests are asked to seek help from safety officials and/or law enforcement officials who will be located throughout the site. Medical staff will be present at graduation ceremonies.
GRADUATE DRESS CODE
Graduation is an important event, and professional attire will be required while adjusting for outdoor temperatures. Due to our outdoor graduation ceremonies this year, dress code will be as follows:
- Graduation robes and caps will be worn during the ceremony. Graduates will not be permitted to wear decorations or any other adornment on their graduation caps.
- Due to football field surfacing, high heels are strongly discouraged. Wedged-heel shoes, wide-heel shoes, and flat dress shoes are encouraged.
- Long-sleeved or short-sleeved dress shirts, dresses and long pants are permissible.
- Students will not be permitted to wear sunglasses during the graduation ceremony.
GRADUATION PROGRAM & DIPLOMA PICK-UP
To minimize contact, programs will not be distributed at graduation ceremonies in School District Five. Students will pick up copies of the school’s graduation program when they pick-up their high school diplomas.
Parents or students may come to the front office of their high school at the dates and times below to pick up diplomas:
- June 9 & June 11, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- June 15 & 17, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Any diploma not picked up by June 22 will be mailed on June 23.
GRADUATION PROGRAM/ORDER
Due to health and safety guidelines from federal and state officials, 2020 graduation ceremonies will have the following changes:
- There will be no graduate procession into the graduation ceremony facility, rather graduates will be seated on the field upon arrival. Guests must arrive and enter the site with their graduates and will be seated in bleachers or in additional seating provided throughout the site.
- Student diploma covers will be placed in their assigned seats along with name cards that will be read at graduation.
- There will be no live performances (i.e. choral selections). Recordings of the National Anthem and other selections will be played.
- Students will not shake the hands of school or district officials while walking across the stage. They will walk across the stage and take a photo, holding their diploma covers. School officials will not be photographed with graduates at our ceremonies this year to minimize contact and to observe social distancing guidelines.
The order of our 2020 graduation program is as follows:
- Welcome & Opening Remarks (Student)
- National Anthem & Pledge of Allegiance
- Congratulations to the Class of 2020 (Principal)
- Awarding of Diplomas (Superintendent)
- Presentation of Graduates (Class of 2020)
- Dismissal & Recessional (Principal)
Graduation is a major milestone for our students and our parents, and School District Five is committed to making these ceremonies safe, celebratory events that honor all the steps students have taken to get to this point in their lives.
This is a voluntary event for seniors and their guests. For questions about graduation, contact your school or the district office: www.lexrich5.org/D5staffdirectory. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2020 at our upcoming graduation ceremonies in June.
d, if needed.
Beta Club Selects 20-21 Officers
Congratulations to our new 20-21 Beta Club Officers!
President: Mya Tran
VP: Ryan Lubaczewski
Secretary: Carolyn Chen
Treasurer: Sakyo Maeda
Historian: Shelby McIntyre
Senior Reps: Norah Dixon, Ramsey McIntyre
Junior Reps: Mahrukh Iftikhar, Alex Downs
Sophomore Reps: Annabelle McKnight, Mariam Thomas
Activities Directors: Tia Li, Ahalya Muraleedharan, Daniela Bakker
Public Relations: Rebecca Wang, Ella MacLeod
We also had our last service event of the year, Jay's Beautification Campus Cleanup on Wednesday, while social distancing and wearing masks.
DF Cross Country teams - get in the running!
Cheer
Medication
Money
Proof of Residence for 2020-21
DFHS is excited to announce we are now able to accept POR's electronically!!! Each year 3 Proof of Residence are required to register. Click on the link below in order to enter your student(s) POR's for the 2020-2021 school year. Be prepared to upload your documents. If an affidavit is required, please visit the school website in order to print out and complete. Affidavits must be notarized before returning to us.
Parking Spots
Rising Juniors and Seniors should check the appropriate Google Classroom page for the link to sign up for a parking pass for the 2020-2021 school year. In August, you will need to provide a valid driver's license, your Alive at 25 certificate and signed copies of both the DFHS and School District 5 forms. The cost of the parking spot is $50. Forms will be shared via the school website later this summer, and you can register for an Alive at 25 class by visiting https://scnsc.org/training/alive-at-25. Rising 10th graders will be able to put their name on a waiting list for a parking spot at Schedule pick-up in August.
Chromebooks
SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Follow us on Twitter @DFHS_Counseling
OR
Visit: DFHS - School Counseling Webpage for our LIVE TWITTER Feed!
We are posting celebrations, college announcements and
Counselor Connection messages daily!
There is a scholarship posted for ALL GRADE LEVELS.
Please Stay In Touch!
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Requirements
Top 6% at the end of 10th, 11th or 12th grade and 1200 SAT or 27 ACT
OR
1400 SAT or 32 ACT and 4.0 GPA
LIFE Scholarship Requirements
Top 30% at the end of 12th grade, 3.0+ GPA SC UGPA, 1100/SAT or 24/ACT
2 of the 3 above will qualify you for the LIFE Scholarship
For Late Award Palmetto Fellows Applicants (potentially pending) students with a 4.0 and who plan to take the June or July ACT to qualify, please communicate your intentions with your School Counselor.
The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Application MUST be submitted through your School Counselor.
Commission on Higher Education Emergency Regulation Memo
released, May 21, 2020.
In regard to qualification for 2020 Life and Palmetto Fellow Scholarships:
CHE has enacted emergency regulations to allow for students to continue standardized testing through July of 2020. Students will now have the opportunity to obtain a qualifying score by the July test administration of the ACT during 2020.
LIFE Scholarship: Students who are attempting a qualifying score through the July ACT test administration need to have their test scores sent to their college or university. The financial aid office at their institution will determine their eligibility for the LIFE Scholarship and award accordingly.
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship: Students who are planning to take the ACT test in June or July of 2020 will need to notify their School Counselor.
Students will need to have their test scores sent directly to CHE. Our ACT registration code is 6326.
If you have questions about this process, please email your School Counselor
You MUST apply for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship through the School Counseling Department.
INFORMATION FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS!!!
VIRTUALSC SUMMER OPTIONS
Registration for VirtualSC opened for grades 11-12 Wednesday, May 13th and will open for all other grades May 20th. Registration closes Wednesday, May 27th. These courses are designed to assist students who will need them to meet graduation or promotion requirements. Visit https://lexrich5.org/Page/23174 to learn about options and to understand the enrollment process. You must consult with your assigned School Counselor prior to requesting a course.
2020-2021 COURSE REQUEST CHANGES
Course change requests must be submitted by June 15th. The change Request Form can be found on the DFHS-School Counseling webpage here: https://www.lexrich5.org/Domain/309
Changes after June 15 will be allowed for the reasons listed on page 2 of the District 5 Course Catalog.
Two part-training videos on the job search process and career planning:
This training can be used by educators for professional development as well as students preparing to enter the workforce after graduation, planning for summer employment and for college and career readiness. The training links are listed below and can also be found on the MEBA website at www.mebasc.com, under Industry Resources and Webinars.
You will also find an earlier training link provided by Ms. Hanna-Williams on "Jobs of the Future in SC" on the MEBA website.
Training Part I:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oxx3bAawrCgLrbeTNQEWalNZTeD0QBW4/view?usp=sharing
Training Part II:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Aq5Z9XfzfGEyykvys0KIj5WQiQXg8lPp/view?usp=sharing
Visit the School Counseling Webpage
Order your transcript: DFHS Parchment Link
Follow us on Twitter @DFHS_Counseling*2020-2021 COURSE REQUEST CHANGES
Course change requests must be submitted by June 15th. The change Request Form can be found on the DFHS-School Counseling webpage here: https://www.lexrich5.org/Domain/309
Changes after June 15 will be allowed for the reasons listed on page 2 of the District 5 Course Catalog.
Dutch Fork High School
Website: https://www.lexrich5.org/dfhs
Location: 1400 Old Tamah Road, Irmo, SC, USA
Phone: 803-476-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DutchForkHS/
Twitter: @dutchforkhigh