Dutch Fork High News & Celebrations
December 11, 2020
A Lexington-Richland School District Five school leader has been named among the top principals in the state by the South Carolina Administrators Association (SCASA).
Dr. Gerald Gary, principal of Dutch Fork High School, was named the 2021 South Carolina Secondary Level Principal of the Year, during a surprise announcement at his school on December 10. Gary has served as the principal of Dutch Fork High School since July 2017.
“We are excited to announce that Dr. Gerald Gary has been named the SCASA Secondary Principal of the Year," said Beth Phibbs, Executive Director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. “He is an extraordinary leader who sets high academic standards for all students at Dutch Fork High School and has created a supportive family environment for students, parents, faculty, and staff.”
School District Five Superintendent, Dr. Christina Melton, said, "Educational researcher Dr. John Hattie challenges us to Know Thy Impact, and Dr. Gary is a proven leader who has made an impact on Dutch Fork High School and School District Five. Under his leadership, Dutch Fork High School has gained state and national recognition for academics, state awards in athletics and honors for both his students and staff. We have #PrideIn5 for all that Dr. Gary has done and will continue to do for the District Five community. Congratulations, Dr. Gary."
Prior to his role at the award-winning high school, he served as principal of Dutch Fork Middle School for four years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Francis Marion University in 1998, a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina in 2004 and a doctorate of education in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 2007.
Gary began his career in education teaching eighth grade language arts at Blythewood Middle School in 1999. After three years there, Gary spent a year as lead teacher at Blythewood Academy and three years at Summit Parkway Middle School as an assistant principal. Before becoming principal at Dutch Fork Middle, Gary spent eight years as an elementary school principal in Kershaw County and at Leaphart Elementary in School District Five.
Under the leadership of Gary, Dutch Fork High School was named a Palmetto’s Finest School in May 2020. Gary was also named South Carolina’s 2017 Middle Level Principal of the Year by SC Association of School Administrators (SCASA).
“I am absolutely honored by this recognition,” Principal Dr. Gerald Gary said. “For me this is a testament to what we have here at Dutch Fork, and there are no words to describe the absolute pride in our Fox Family. I am thankful for the wonderful support of our entire community, and proud to represent them and principals across the entire state!”
Gary was selected from an outstanding field of administrator candidates by a veteran panel of judges, SCASA officials said.
SCASA, the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, has more than 4,200 members. 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.
Important Updates
- Wednesdays will continue to be a distance learning day for all students (4K-12) in School District Five.
- December 17 and December 18 will be distance learning days for all students (4K-12) in School District Five.
- Cohorts Reminder: Students in grades 7-12 will return to the cohort they were in for the start of the school year.
- Cohort A - Mondays and Tuesdays - Students with Last Names A through K
- Cohort A will include students with Last Names A through K. These students will report to school in-person on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesdays are distance learning days for students on a hybrid schedule, and Cohort A also will have distance learning days on Thursday and Friday.
- If a parent previously requested a cohort change through the school administration and was approved to be in Cohort A, this request is still approved.
- Cohort B - Thursdays and Fridays - Students with Last Names L through Z
- Cohort B will include students with Last Names L through Z. These students will report to school in-person on Thursday and Friday. Wednesdays are distance learning days for students on a hybrid schedule, and Cohort B will have distance learning days on Monday and Tuesday.
- If a parent previously requested a cohort change through the school administration and was approved to be in Cohort B, this request is still approved.
- Cohort A - Mondays and Tuesdays - Students with Last Names A through K
- New students, recently enrolled students or students who have recently transitioned from FIVE to in-person will be assigned to a cohort based on their last name (A-K in Cohort A and L-Z in Cohort B). Students wanting to switch their cohorts should contact their school administration.
The district's Flexible Innovative Virtual Education (FIVE) virtual program will continue during all in-person learning models.
Schools may utilize a 100% distance learning model during any phase if needed in response to COVID-19. Phases and dates can be modified, contingent upon reentry considerations.
Congrats, Foxes, on fifth state championship in a row!
GREAT Job Opportunity For Seniors
If you are not sure of your plans after high school and want to enter directly into the workforce, the following is a GREAT opportunity to begin your career, either now or after high school:
Hansen International is a North American manufacturer of hardware and trim systems for industrial, commercial, and emergency vehicle applications. Hansen International also represents several worldwide organizations in sales and distribution.
Ready to join? Take your career in the right direction. We’re looking for entry level Team Assemblers to join our team. If you enjoy working with your hands and seeing the finished product then this could be the right opportunity for you.
Hansen also offers job shadowing opportunities for students after the holidays .
Please contact
Ashley A. Smith
smitha@hansenint.com
130 Zenker Road Lexington, SC
| 803-461-4012 |
www.hansenint.com
You can also contact Mrs. Erler in room 202 or nerler@lexrich5.org with any questions or help with resume and interviewing skills.
ASVAB TESTING
If you are thinking about joining the military after high school or interested in learning more about what career path might be for you , the ASVAB test will be given on Monday, January 11th and Tuesday January 12th at 8:20am. There will be limited seating so this will be on a first come/first serve basis. The test usually goes into the second block of the day. All students will be responsible for any missed work in class and must let their teachers know they will be testing. Please email (nerler@lexrich5.org) or see Mrs. Erler in room 202 to sign up and get a pass.
SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Follow us onTwitter @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 information posted for ALL GRADE LEVELS!
DFHS School Code: 411-101
Sometimes we can feel stressed and overwhelmed with life’s events.
The School Counseling Department’s Virtual Calming Room is a place for students, staff, and others to find tools and strategies for managing emotions and feelings in positive ways.
Enjoy and take some time for yourself!
Students, if you think you need further help in managing emotions, please reach out to your school counselor.
Visit our Virtual Calming Room - More Resources will be added.
Important Note:
In the event of test cancellations by ACT/College Board due to resurgence of Covid-19, Seniors may benefit from taking the college admission test(s) in the Fall/Winter (or as early as possible and as early as appropriate) to avoid missing later testing opportunities should resurgence occur in the Spring.
Juniors- please read
ACT/SAT: The state pays for every junior to take one college entrance test: ACT or SAT. You will need to select one of these tests .The ACT will be administered Tuesday, February 23, 2021; the School SAT will be administered Wednesday, March 24, 2021.
Please note, you may elect to sign up and take any test on the National Testing Dates (Saturdays) on your own. Please contact your School Counselor if you feel you qualify for a waiver to pay for either test. (DFHS School Code: 411-101)
ACT:
DFHS - School Day ACT Administration: February 23, 2021
College Board:
South Carolina Students - Why Take the SAT?
DFHS - School Day SAT Administration: March 23, 2021
SAT Vs. ACT: Video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/-Sj4COOTyyk?rel=0
The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered January 26 at Dutch Fork High School for students in grades 9 and 11 who select to take the test. Additional information will be forthcoming from the Testing Coordinator. The cost for this test is $17.
Test Registration and Preparation Websites
www.collegeboard.com -- SAT registration and information
www.act.org -- ACT registration and information
https://academy.act.org -- ACT Preparation
https://www.khanacademy.org -- TEST Preparation
www.march2success.com -- ASVAB preparation
www.number2.com -- Free SAT/ACT practice https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org ACCUPLACER practice (Required by 2-year Technical Colleges)
Additional information can be found on the School Counseling Webpage:
SAT/ACT/ACCUPLACER: https://www.lexrich5.org/Page/13158
Do you need to enroll in a VirtualSC Course in the Spring of 2021 to supplement your DFHS Schedule? Visit VirtualSC - Need to Know Tips for Silver Foxes for more information on the enrollment process.
Visit DFHS’s Parchment Transcript Request page here: https://www.lexrich5.org/Page/13154
ATTN. CURRENT SENIORS: PLEASE PLACE TRANSCRIPT ORDER BY DECEMBER 11 FOR PROCESSING PRIOR TO THE HOLIDAY BREAK.
WE WILL BE OBSERVING THE HOLIDAY BREAK - MON., DEC. 21 - MON., JAN, 1, 2021. WE WILL RETURN MONDAY, JAN. 4TH. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND EXPECT A DELAY IN PROCESSING YOUR REQUEST DURING THIS PERIOD.
Please Note:
It is recommended that the student creates the Parchment account in their name. Creating multiple accounts in the student's name may cause processing concerns.
Once you have created your account, please allow 2-5 business days for the approval and release of your transcript to your file. (The transcript will not appear immediately.)
If you are experiencing issues with your Parchment account, you can reach out to Customer Service by clicking on the Support button to the top right of your screen or email your School Counselor.