Dutch Fork Sudents Introduced at Poinsettia Cotillion

The Poinsettia Cotillion Inc. introduced ten young ladies on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. The event was held in the Ballroom of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The debutantes’ presentation was witnessed by both family and friends who gathered to honor and pay tribute to these young ladies as they continue to develop and make their entrances into society. This year’s presentation included the following Dutch Fork High School student’s:

Taylor Platt

Katie Slack

Lauren Woods

We would like to congratulate these students on their accomplishment as they have represented our school in a distinctive fashion.

The 2011 Poinsettia Cotillion Inc. celebrated its fourteenth season since its establishment in 1980

Dutch Fork Student Earn Top Honors at Research Symposium

Each year, students from Dutch Fork High School compete in the Junior Science Humanities Symposium (JSHS) at the University of South Carolina. They have endured an extensive amount of hours with their respective research projects that covered topics in Computer Science, Mathematics, Botany, and many others. During this event, they competed against students from across the state of South Carolina.

JSHS is sponsored by the research arm of the Department of Defense and administered in cooperation with nationwide colleges and universities. JSHS aims to prepare and support students to contribute as future scientists and engineers -- conducting STEM research on behalf of or directly for the Department of Defense, the Federal research laboratories, or for the greater good in advancing the nation's scientific and technological progress.

According to their website, the symposium “is designed to challenge and engage students (Grades 9-12) in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). Individual students compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their original research efforts before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. Opportunities for hands-on workshops, panel discussions, career exploration, research lab visits and networking are planned.”

We are pleased to announce that Dutch Fork students have earned the following accolades:

2 National Semifinalists: Zachry Wang, Jina Han

First Place Awards: Ben Aaron, Ivana Chen, Luke Fant, Supriya Juneja

Second Place Awards: Mattie Kowalski, Justin Moore, Shawn Patel

Thrid Place Awards: Jim Bryan, Lexie Penwell, Taylor Fallaw

We are extremely proud of these students and congratulate them as well as their teachers (Patrick Smallwood, Honors Research, Dr. Langdon Warner, Honors Research, Barry Lindler, Honors Research) for a job well done.

Junior Parent Meeting

Attention Junior Parents, 


If you are interested in finding out more about the college admissions process, SAT and ACT testing, and what your student can be doing now to prepare for college admission, the guidance department will be conducting a Junior Parent Meeting on Thursday January 26th at 7:30 in the Auditorium.  This is 30 minutes later than published in the Student Agenda to accommodate drama practice that afternoon. We hope to see all parents of 11th grade students for this very important meeting. 

Reminder - Course Registration Meetings

This is a reminder to all students and parents about our course registration meeting for rising 9th graders. This meeting is tomorrow at 6:00pm in the Dutch Fork High School auditorium. In addition to our normal agenda for registration parent meetings, we will have as a special presenter, Dr. Bob Couch (Director, Center for Advanced Technical Studies) to discuss the new program and course offerings that will be available to 9th grade students next year. Additionally, all parents & students interested in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program should attend as information related to the application process will be shared.

Below, you will find two links to the registration catalogs that will be referenced throughout the meeting.

District Course Catalog

Center for Advanced Technical Studies

STEM Application

Reminder - Course Registration Meetings

This is a reminder to all students and parents about our course registration meeting for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. This meeting is tomorrow evening at 6:00pm in the Dutch Fork High School auditorium. In addition to our normal agenda for registration meetings, we will have as a special presenter, Dr. Bob Couch (Director, Center for Advanced Technical Studies) who will discuss the new program and course offerings that will be available to students next year.

Below, you will find two links to the registration catalogs that will be referenced throughout the meeting.

District Course Catalog

Center for Advanced Technical Studies

2nd Semester Schedule Distribution

The second semester of the 2011-12 school year will begin on Tuesday January 17th. We will distribute second semester class schedules to students on Tuesday January 17th from 8:00-8:25 in the auditorium. Students who have forgotten their second semester classes can report to the auditorium before school and obtain a copy of their second semester class schedule. As a reminder, parents and/or students can go to the parent portal and log in to view and print a copy of their schedule. After first period, students needing a copy of their schedule will report to the guidance office to get a copy.

As a reminder, we will hold two very important meetings about course registration for the 2012-13 school year. They will be held Thursday January 19, 2012 beginning @ 6:00pm (for rising 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade students) and Tuesday January 24, 2012 (for rising 9^th grade students). Both meetings will be held in the auditorium at DFHS. Below you will find links to both course catalogs for your preparation.

District Course Catalog

Center for Advanced Technical Studies

During these meetings we will discuss the process students will follow in order to register for their classes.  Additionally, during both meetings, Dr. Bob Couch (Director of the Center for Advanced Technical Studies) will be present to highlight and explain our district wide, new and innovative program offerings for the Center for Advanced  Technical Studies. Finally, during both meetings, we will relay important information about program requirements, attendance guidelines, school and district policies, practices, and procedures that will assist students in having a successful high school experience.

As a component of the January 24th meeting, coordinators from all specialized programs (i.e., Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics @ DFHS and International Baccalaureate @ IHS), will share important information about enrollment criteria, scholarship benefits, ties to Advanced Placement coursework, and requirements leading to program completion. Parents and students who are interested in any of these programs are encouraged to attend this session. We will duplicate the STEM session only January 25 @ Chapin Middle School.  

Our goal is to involve students and their parents in a guidance and advisement system that develops positive relationships and ensures completion of an accelerated program of study with an academic or career/technical concentration. Research indicates that when we provide this type of collaboration, student’s results improve. Again, we strongly urge you to attend this important informational session concerning the registration process. You are encouraged to bring your student with you to the meeting.

Scholastic Arts Exhibition Entries

Congratulations to the following students for having their artwork accepted into the 2012 Scholastic Arts Exhibition at Lander University:

Rachel Kehl
Jahari Thompson
Nick de Besonnett
Dana Wagner

Scholastic Arts is the most prestigious visual arts competition for high school students in the state. It is a juried exhibit and only the best of the best are chosen for this gallery show.

The exhibition will be up from January 9 – February 3. Normal operating hours for the gallery are 1 pm – 8 pm Monday – Thursday. Additionally the gallery will be open on two Saturdays in January – on the afternoon of the 21st for the Awards Ceremony and Reception, and again on the 28th from 9:30 – 2:00. We are extremely proud of these students for their exemplary work in Fine Arts.

Dutch Fork High's January Teacher of the Month

Teachers are the backbone of our great school. They richly deserve all the recognition that we can give them. On that note, we are proud to announce January’s Outstanding Teacher of the Month, Mrs. Ginny Haynes from the School of Fine Arts and Humanities. Ms. Haynes teaches Dance Education along with serving as our Fine Arts Department Head and Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Humanities.

Mrs. Haynes not only does her job as our Dance Teacher amazingly well, she goes above and beyond the requirements of the classroom to help improve our school and to meet the needs of our student body. Some of her activities, accomplishments, and accolades are as follows:

1. Dance Educator of the Year Award

2. Attended the SCAHPERD conference in Myrtle Beach

3. Planned and facilitated the All State Sugar Bowl Trip for the Dazzlers

4. Organized a variety of fundraisers to finance the Sugar Bowl trip

5. Attended every football game as the coach of the Dazzlers

6. Choreographed the hip hop faculty dance routine for the pep rally

7. Choreographed the faculty flash mob

8. Attended the basketball midnight madness event

9. Taught a dance class for the STEM lock-in

10. Served as the Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Humanities

11. Served as the Fine Arts Department Head

12. Organized and hosted an amazing winter concert featuring the dance programs from Dutch Fork High and Dutch Fork Middle Schools

and many, many, others....

Our dance program at Dutch Fork High is second to none. A large part of that is credited to Mrs. Haynes. Her knowledge and experience coupled with her drive and determination has resulted in our continued success. We are extremely thankful for her efforts and congratulate her on this recognition.

By: Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Assistant Principal for Instruction

Course Registration Meetings for Students and Parents

By: Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Assistant Principal for Instruction

Students, Parents, and Guardians,

It is our pleasure to extend an invitation to all students, parents, and guardians to attend a special meeting regarding the 2012-2013 course registration process.  Again this year, we will have separate meetings for rising 9th graders and rising 10th - 12th graders. These very important meetings will be held Thursday January 19, 2012 beginning @ 6:00pm (for rising 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade students) and Tuesday January 24, 2012 (for rising 9^th grade students). Both meetings will be held in the auditorium at DFHS. Below you will find links to both course catalogs for your preparation.

High School Course Catalogs
Center for Advanced Technical Studies

During these meetings we will discuss the process students will follow in order to register for their classes.  Additionally, during both meetings, Dr. Bob Couch (Director of the Center for Advanced Technical Studies) will be present to highlight and explain our district wide, new and innovative program offerings for the Center for Advanced  Technical Studies. Finally, during both meetings, we will relay important information about program requirements, attendance guidelines, school and district policies, practices, and procedures that will assist students in having a successful high school experience.

As a component of the January 24th meeting, coordinators from all specialized programs (i.e., Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics @ DFHS and International Baccalaureate @ IHS), will share important information about enrollment criteria, scholarship benefits, ties to Advanced Placement coursework, and requirements leading to program completion. Parents and students who are interested in any of these programs are encouraged to attend this session. We will duplicate these sessions January 10th @ Irmo High School and January 25 @ Chapin Middle School.  

Our goal is to involve students and their parents in a guidance and advisement system that develops positive relationships and ensures completion of an accelerated program of study with an academic or career/technical concentration. Research indicates that when we provide this type of collaboration, student’s results improve. Again, we strongly urge you to attend this important informational session concerning the registration process. You are encouraged to bring your student with you to the meeting.

Should you need any additional information, please feel free to contact us here at the school (803-476-3305) or contact your child’s counselor. Additionally, you can follow @ DFHAPI or @prinmorton on twitter for regular updates.

Trina Offing (toffing@lex5.k12.sc.us), 9^th Grade (A-L) – 476-3347

Monica Harvin (mharvin@lex5.k12.sc.us) , 9^th Grade (M-Z) – 476-3544

Dorothy Burckart (dburckar@lex5.k12.sc.us) , 10^th – 12^th (A-Ca)– 476-3342

Laura Dilworth (ldilwort@lex5.k12.sc.us) , 10^th – 12^th (Ce-G)– 476-3343

Robin Lowman (rlowman@lex5.k12.sc.us) 10^th – 12^th (H-Ma)– 476-3348

Jessica Capps (jcapps@lex5.k12.sc.us) , 10^th – 12^th (Mc-Sa)– 476-3346

Dana Martin (dpmartin@lex5.k12.sc.us) , 10^th – 12^th (Sc-Z)– 476-3345

Dazzlers Performing at the Allstate Sugar Bowl

Dutch Fork High School was represented in a distinctive fashion as the Dazzlers performed during the halftime show. Wow, what a precise routine! We are so proud of their performance.

Roland Hakes Named Cross Country Runner of the Year!

Hakes, named Male XC runner of the year

By John Olson / 2011 scrunners.com runners of the week Series / January 2, 2012 9:00 PM

Dutch Fork's Roland Hakes has been chosen as the male cross country runner of the year for 2011. The honor is presented by Go-Green Events and On On Tri.

Hakes won the Class AAAA State title (15:10, personal best, top 2011 state time) and Class AAAA Middle State. Hakes also finished first at Region 4-4A, SCTCCCA Coaches Classic and the Run Wild Festival. Hakes finished second at the S.C.S.D.B. Eye Opener.

Dazzlers Rehearsing for Sugar Bowl

Game day has arrived and as a result of their hard work, the Dazzlers are front and center during rehearsals. They are working with world renowned choreographer Bonnie Story, who has worked with Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and won an Emmy for her choreography in High School Musical.

What an amazing experience for our students. We are so proud of them and their coach Mrs. Ginny Haynes for all of their hard work.

Volunteers Needed for Region Band Auditions

We need many more volunteers to help with auditions for Region Band on Saturday. January 7, 2012. We are looking for students and adults to work a 4 hour shift sometime from 7:30am - 8:30pm, or work the whole day (assisting with sign-ins, directions, selling snacks). These service hours will count towards National Honor Society, Beta Club, Jr. Civitans, Extended Studies, Teacher Cadets, etc. Please contact Cara O'Neal at 446-8620 or luv2nurse04@gmail.com to sign up.

- Enter to Learn...Go Forth to Serve!!!!!
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Location:Dutch Fork High School, Irmo SC

Dazzlers Front and Center During Sugar Bowl Halftime Show!

Dutch Fork High's Dazzlers snagged the front and center spots for the Sugar Bowl half time performance. Make sure you tune in to watch the game Tuesday, January 3rd at 7:30 and check out those fabulous Dazzler Dancers from the 40 yard line to the 40 yard line!! Go Foxes!!

Dazzlers Preparing for Master Classes

The Dazzlers are taking the Sugar Bowl events by storm. They are emerging as the dance team to watch. On day two, the are poised and ready for master classes. We are so proud of the students as they learn from some of the nations best while collaborating with their peers to increase their skills.

Dazzlers Experience Master Classes

During preparations for the Sugar Bowl halftime experience, the Dazzlers are taking part in master classes with world renowned choreographers. This experience will not only adequately prepare them for the halftime show, but it will reinforce skills and concepts already learned in dance classes at Dutch Fork High. These experiences combined with the opportunities to collaborate with dancers from all across the country will definitely extend their learning.