The Cub Reporter

Dutch Fork Elementary School • 7900 Broad River Road • Irmo, SC 29063 • (803) 476-3900 • FAX (803) 476-3920
www.lex5.k12.sc.us/dutchfork.cfm Title I School May 26, 2011

May Principal’s Post

Word of the Month Once again it’s that time we close out the 2010-11 school year and begin preparing
for the 2011-12 school year. We have enjoyed many activities this year such as
“Perseverance” honor roll assemblies, music programs, talent shows, bingo, Fall Festival, Holiday
Store, PBIS, Princess Ball and Prince Bowl just to name a few.

May 27
ƒ Fun Day and Fox Cub Spirit Day
May 30
ƒ Memorial Day Holiday
May 31
ƒ 3rd Grade Honor Assembly 9:30
ƒ Early Dismissal – 10:45
I want to thank our wonderful, supportive PTO volunteers for their many hours of work
volunteering, fund raising, and tutoring. After three years of fund raising, we got our
outdoor learning center built. If you haven’t seen it yet, you need to stop by. It is
located near the playground. Also, our SIC has been loyal and supportive as we met
once each month to make plans and decisions for DFES. Their input has been a
valuable asset to me and our school.
I want to thank all of the students, parents, and staff for the privilege of serving as
your principal the last nine years. It’s hard to believe that in just five more days I will
say good-bye to my last students. Retirement for me is bitter-sweet. While I look
forward to spending more time with my family and friends, I will miss DFES and the
interactions I have with all of you.

Jun 1
ƒ Honor Roll Assembly 8:30 – 4th,
9:30 – 5th
ƒ Early Dismissal 10:45
Jun 2
ƒ 5th Grade Graduation 8:30 a.m.
ƒ Report Cards
ƒ Last Day for Students
ƒ Early Dismissal – 10:45
Jun 3
ƒ Last Day for Teachers
Finally, I wish much continued success for DFES. Your new principal, Mr. Scott, will
take over the reins on July 1, and I know you will support him as you have me the last
nine years.
Have a safe, happy, fun-filled, summer break. Relax and enjoy your time together.
Mrs. Lominack
Principal
Proofs of Residence Required for ALL Students
Proofs of Residence will be required for ALL students for the 2011-2012 school year.
Acceptable proofs of residence include:
Residential Property Tax bill or Rental Lease
or
Real Estate Purchase Contract
AND 2 of the following:
Water bill, Electric bill
Cable/Satellite bill
Phone bill

All bills must be dated May 2011 or later. These are due by Thursday, August 4th.

Kit Klub
Registration
Kit Klub, our after school daycare
program, is now taking registrations
for the 2011-2012 school year. If you
are interested in this program, please
contact Mrs. Stokely in the office
(476-3900) for a registration packet.
Woodley’s Garden
Has a Plant Registry
For Dutch Fork!
Would you like to
remember your
teacher with an
extra special end of
the year gift? If so,
our Secret Garden is
always in need of
new plants and
shrubs. Woodley’s
Garden has helped us map out a plan
for adding plants to beautify this area
of our school. Ask to see the Plant
Registry for DFES and add a plant to
our Secret Garden in honor of your
teacher. It will be a gift that everyone
in our school can enjoy!
Affidavit Renewal
If your child has a residency affidavit
on file, please be aware that affidavits
must be renewed each year. The
District Office will be sending
information about renewals – dates
and times – for the 2011-2012
academic year.
Media Center Happenings
READ! READ! READ! READ! READ! READ! READ! READ! READ! READ! READ!
Both Lexington and Richland County public libraries are
holding Summer Reading Programs. Readers can register
at Richland County branches starting June 1. Lexington
County readers may register at Lexington County
Branches starting May 31. Each Lexington County branch
will be having a kick off celebration. Check with your local
branch for the date and time of their kick off.
We had over 150 students participate in the Blowfish Reading Program. Students who
participated are eligible for up to 4 free tickets for the Blowfish vs. the Fayetteville
Swamp Dogs. The game is on Tuesday, June 7 at 7:05 p.m. The gates open at 6:00
p.m. and there will be a pre game recognition ceremony.
All library books are now due back in the library!! If your child has a book they need
to pay for, please take care of this as soon as possible!
Diane Geddings, Media Specialist
Nurse’s News
Friday, May 27th is the last full day of school. If your child has medication in the
health room please make arrangements to pick it up. Students cannot transport
medication home from school. The parent/guardian will be responsible for picking up
all medication from the health room. No medication will be kept in the health room
over the summer. Any medication left in the health room
after June 2nd dismissal (10:40 a.m.) will be discarded. If
your child will be receiving medication at school next year,
please plan to bring the medication to the health room after
August 11, 2011. No medication can be given without a
permission slip and this includes cough drops. You can go
to the web site and obtain a permission slip for prescription or over the counter
medication. Remember all medications must have a permission slip. If you have a
prescription medication for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year, The permission slip
must be signed by your doctor before the medication can be accepted in the health
room. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call in the health room
at 476-3906.
Linda Miller, RN
School Nurse
Summer math brochures will be coming home with students in their
final report card. This summer math brochure is a calendar of math activities for
students to practice during the summer. All students
returning their completed brochure in the fall will be
recognized with a certificate of completion. All schools with
80% or higher participation will be given treats along with the
certificates for participating students. Please work on these
math activities during the summer!!

Summer Office Hours
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
Closed on Friday
Mrs. Wessinger’s Third Grade
Class enjoyed a demonstration
from Dr. Linda Shimizu from
the chemistry department at
USC on May 18. Dr. Shimizu
shared experiments using
different properties of matter.
We made GLOP! She showed
us how a flower could be
frozen and crunched like a dry
leaf. We saw ice melt on
aluminum. She did an amazing
job sharing her chemistry
background and the students
thoroughly enjoyed it!
Mrs. Wessinger
Third Grade
Dr. James Coleman, Dutch Fork Mentor is named
District 5 Mentor of the Year!
We are so excited that the Dutch Fork
Elementary Mentor of the Year, Dr. James
Coleman, has been given the honor of District
5 Mentor of the Year. Dr. Coleman is a faithful
mentor to students at Dutch Fork and was
honored at a Volunteer Breakfast this past
month. Just to let you know what Dr. Coleman
does for the students at Dutch Fork, the
excerpt below is from his nomination form:
Dr. James Coleman is the Outstanding Mentor
for Dutch Fork Elementary School this year.
Dr. Coleman began a mentoring relationship with one of our third grade boys during
the fall of 2009. He and his mentee meet faithfully each week, discussing personal
concerns, completing homework, and carrying out class projects together. Because of
the one-on-one time they spend together, his teacher noted that this student has
gained confidence academically, and feels more included in the classroom community
because he is able to share strategies and skills he has practiced with Dr. Coleman.
This year, Dr. Coleman took the initiative to inquire about additional ways he could
serve the school with his skills and talents. Our second grade teachers eagerly
accepted his offer, and each of the four teachers in that grade level chose a student
to meet with him every week. This quickly tripled the amount of time Dr. Coleman is
spending at DFES!! As a result of spending time with him, there are marked
improvements noted by the teachers of his mentees. One teacher noted that her
student has greatly improved his reading fluency and enjoys reading much more. He
also makes better choices in the books he reads for pleasure. The students look
forward to their visits with Dr. Coleman, and feel increased self-worth because he
values their time together. By setting an example for these students and sharing
quality time with them, Dr. Coleman has provided a positive atmosphere for these
students to take personal risks and face academic challenges in the shelter of his
encouragement. He is a living, breathing example of the character qualities that we
want to instill in our children. Dr. Coleman makes a difference in our community – one
student at a time. The students that Dr. Coleman works with are so fortunate to have
such a dedicated adult in their lives who takes a personal interest in developing their
potential, and helping to ensure their success in school.
We thank Dr. Coleman for all he so willingly does for our students and ask that if
anyone is interested in mentoring at DFES, please contact Mrs. Beckman, School
Counselor at 476-3912.
The Faculty and Staff of DFES
wish you all a safe and restful summer!
 Come Join in on the fun this summer at the

”Letter Luau”
When: July 11-14 (Uppercase letters)
July 18-21 (Lowercase letters)

Where: Union United Methodist Church, Irmo, South Carolina

Who: Rising Kindergarteners OR Rising 1st Graders who

struggle with letter and number formation

When: 9:00-10:30am OR 10:45-12:15pm OR 6:00-7:30pm

Cost: $100 per week PLUS $15 for supplies IF registered by

June 1, 2011. After June 1, 2011, cost is $115 per
week PLUS $15 for supplies

Did you know that very little time is actually spent teaching handwriting skills during
the school day?? Did you know that it is VERY difficult to improve children’s
handwriting past the age of 8??

Provide your child with a FUN but intense 90-minutes a day to learn the proper way to
form letters before they “teach” themselves bad habits, which lead to poor
handwriting and slow writing speed for years to come. And no---we will NOT be
writing with a pencil in our hand for an entire 90-minutes!! : )

Emily Faulkenberry, MS, OTR/L, is an Occupational Therapist trained in the

Handwriting Without Tears program, who works in Lexington-Richland School District
Five.

For more information or to register, please send an email to

evfaulke@lex5.k12.sc.us or call (803) 422-3458. Hurry! Each session
is limited to 12 campers.