Free ACT, PSAT, SAT, and Advanced Placement Exam Reviews

The Office of eLearning in the Division of School of Effectiveness is pleased to offer free access to ACT, PSAT, SAT, and AP Exam Reviews for any Dutch Fork High School student who wishes to prepare for one or more of these exams during the 2011-12 school year.  This is also available to any public school, charter school, private school and home school students.  

Educators, students and parents can gain access to the reviews athttp://scvspconnect.ed.sc.gov/.  Simply click on the Course Information tab and then the Test Preparation tab.

If you have technical questions please contact Courtney Foster, administrative assistant for the South Carolina Virtual School Program at cpfoster@ed.sc.gov or 803-734-8039. 

Report Card Pick-Up Night at Dutch Fork High!

Dutch Fork High School will hold a report card pickup on this Thursday, October 27th from 5-7 pm. At that time parents/guardians will be able to pick up the first quarter report cards, standardized testing results, and meet their student's teachers. Also, there will be a food drive that night for canned food items that will be used for those in need in the Dutch Fork area. Any canned food items you bring will be greatly appreciated.

Additionally, we will be hosting a free, informational workshop entitled “How to Plan and Pay for College 101.”  The information you receive will be invaluable to all college-bound high school students, regardless of grade, and their parents.  We will cover scholarships, financial aid, how to get the most free money from colleges, selecting the right major and college, options for actually paying the bill, and much more.  The workshop will be held this Thursday, at 6:30 PM in the auditorium. 

The workshop is free, but we do ask that you register so we know how many sets of handouts to prepare.  Please register by going to http://www.cfcsc.com/ or by calling 798-0390.  We look forward to seeing you at the workshop and Report Card Pick-Up!

Dutch Fork Teacher Cadets Study Disabilities

- IRMO, SC

Using materials from both the DF Health Occupations class and a grant from Family Connection of SC, DFHS Teacher Cadets spent a day this week experiencing what it would be like to have a disability. The purpose of the lesson was to increase understanding and build empathy for those who navigate through school with needs ranging from visual impairment to physical disabilities.

"It's really frustrating," said senior Meghan Kircher. "You don't realize how much you use your senses until they are taken away from you." Meghan was referring to the visual impairment experience which required that she wear goggles smeared with Vaseline and then perform two tasks - reading from a book and trying to locate a snack in the vending machine.

Austin Williams agreed. "Being in a wheelchair makes me feel like I'm disturbing everyone around me, but it increased my understanding of how tough it is on a day to day basis getting around our halls."

The area between the old and new part of the building was especially hard for students using the wheelchair and crutches. "That incline isn't hard at all when you're walking, but trying to go up in a wheelchair is hard," senior Ramel Brown explained. Coming back down poses its own problems.

"I feel like I'm going to fall forward," said Brown. "This is a lot harder than it looks!"

Students experienced hearing impairment through listening to a CD with muffled directions. They also had to use a mirror to write their name and draw through a maze. Other activities included mouth painting, sign language, and blind-folded activities.

"This definitely helps make the students more aware and more sensitive," said teacher Carol Jackson. "While they are doing the activities, they think it's fun, but later when they write their reflections, they realize just how difficult it would be live 24/7 with some of these disabilities."

Students will be taking their new sensitivities into the classroom in the spring when they do a two-month internship called "field experience."

"This is one of the activities they will always remember," Jackson said. "They become different people after spending just one class walking in someone else's shoes. In fact, I ran into a Cadet who graduated in 2011 recently at Applebee's. She told me she had just changed her major from nursing to special ed. I can't help but think that this activity in her senior year may have had something to do with that."

Very Bright Ideas at Dutch Fork High!

Patrick Smallwood, Science Teacher has recently been awarded a Bright Ideas Grant from the Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative. Bright Ideas is Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative's way of "energizing innovative lessons" by educators at local schools. "The idea behind Bright Ideas," according to MCEC's CEO Jack Wolfe, "is to help empower good teachers, to provide support outside of normal public school funding for great projects that deserve to be used in the classroom, yet need that extra assistance."

The grant is titled "Renewable Energy Instruction Utilizing PASCO Data Acquisition Technology"

The grant supports new cross-curricular probeware instruction for 10th-12th grade students at DFHS. Students will use Horizon Renewable Energy equipment to obtain and analyze lab data for various renewable energy sources. The curriculum will be implemented in Biology and Chemistry classes, as well as other current courses.

We are very proud of this accomplishment and thank Mr. Smallwood for his leadership of our science program and helping to acquire additional financial resources for our school. Additionally, we would like to salute Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative for their continued support of public education.

Students Qualify for National Merit Scholarship Competition

Dutch Fork High School would like to recognize and congratulate the following seven students who have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Those students are as follows: Benjamin Aaron, Nicholas Kowalski, Aubrey Leaman, Justin Moore, Elizabeth Walker, Jessica Wang, and Zachary Wang. As a semifinalist in the competition, they have the opportunity to compete for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than thirty-four million dollars that will be offered next spring.

Congratulations are also extended to Rachel Baughman, Brandon Giles, and James Mitchell. They are being recognized as Commended Students in the 2012 National Merit Program.  Finally, Charles James is being recognized as a National Achievement Program Semifinalist. As a recipient, he now has the opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 800 Achievement Scholarship Award offerings.

We are very excited for these students and wish them the absolute best as they progress through the scholarship competition.

District SAT Champions!

Congratulations are extended to the SAT Team from Dutch Fork High. These students have been practicing for several weeks and recently competed in the Lexington/Richland 5 District SAT Competition on Friday October 7, 2011. In Lexington/Richland 5, the SAT competition is held annually to prepare students for exam, promote SAT excellence, and to continue producing high SAT scores in our district. Students on the Dutch Fork High School SAT Team met challenging standards, completed rigorous preparation, and demonstrated their excellence in both math and verbal skills as tested on the SAT.

After weeks of preparation coupled with a day of competition, we are pleased to announce that Dutch Fork High has won the competition and are the 2011 School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties SAT Champions. We are extremely proud of our coaches (Susan Aplin and Erin Rivers) and players (Jacob B., Beau B., Glenn B., Fatema B, Arthur., James B., Ellen G., Brandon G., William G., Mary H., Madeline K., Nicholas K., Aubrey L., SeongSoo L., Rhianna L., Justin M., Alessandra M., Bryce P., Tulsi P., Mark P., Samadwara R., Benjamin S., Michael S., Elizabeth W., Zachary W., Jessica W., and Yi W.) who worked hard for this honor and recognition.

We appreciate the entire Dutch Fork family: faculty, staff, students, and parents for their effort and support of our continued pursuit of excellence.

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

PSAT Administration at Dutch Fork High!

By: Robert S. Jackson, Assistant Principal for Instruction

On Wednesday, October 12, all 10th grade students and paying juniors will take the PSAT test during blocks 5B and 6B.  There will be NO delayed opening on Wednesday (10/12/11) for this reason.  Students need to be at school on time and report to their designated testing classroom. Alphabetical rosters are posted beside each testing room door on the 200 hallway and in the guidance hallway.  Please bring your own calculator and #2 pencils.  Get a good night's rest, eat a good breakfast before coming to school, and do your very best on the test! We plan to see more National Merit Award winners. 

Dutch Fork wins 25th Chick-Fil-A Hall of Fame Classic

Dutch Fork Girls Tennis won 5 of 7 flights to earn 34 points and win the 25th Chick-fil-A Hall of Fame Classic high school girls tennis tournament in Belton this weekend.  T. L. Hanna and Greenville each earned 22 points to tie for second place.  The final teams standings were:
​Dutch Fork ​34 points
​T. L. Hanna ​22 points
​Greenville ​22 points
​Irmo ​20 points
​J. L. Mann ​20 points
​Wade Hampton 6 points
​Clinton​ 5 points
​Richland Northeast​ 4 points
Dutch Fork was also selected for the team sportsmanship award.  The last team to win both the tournament championship and the sportsmanship awards was Bishop England in 2000.
 
Ivey Welborn of T. L. Hanna captured two championships, #1 singles and #1 doubles.  The results of the championship matches were:
 
#1 Singles:  Ivey Welborn (TLH) def. Christina Merchant (GR) 6-0, 6-3
#2 Singles:  Lauren Joch (DF) def. Sally Nguyen (IR) 6-2, 6-3
#3 Singles:  Caroline Sloop (DF) def. Abby Cooper (IR) 6-2, 6-2
#4 Singles:  Ali Savage (DF) def. Caty Brown (JLM) 6-2, 6-3
#5 Singles:  Layla Asghari (DF) def. Megan Parke (GR) 6-1,6-1
#1 Doubles:  Ivey Welbron/Anna Rice (TLH) def.
​Emily Erickson/Aibgail Gregory (JLM) 1-6, 6-2, 10-5
#2 Doubles:  Bailey Shealy/Anna Maria Gardiner (DF) def.
​McLeod Stephenson/Anna Hamer (GR) 6-0, 6-1
 
The 2-day tournament is hosted by the Belton Tennis Association and sponsored by Chick-fil-A, and each year includes many of the top teams in the state.

Updates from the Guidance Department:

By: Monica Harvin and Trina Offing, 9th Grade Guidance Counselors During this transition period it is important for parents to know that the 9th Grade Counselors have been meeting with Freshmen for Classroom Guidance lessons during their JROTC or Physical Education classes.  High School presents students with a variety of new opportunities and challenges.  Students may have discovered that the coursework is more difficult and that they are expected to be more independent, focused and more responsible.  It is important that you continue to be involved in your children's lives and that they are doing well in school and making good choices and decisions.  This information was expressed to them during the classroom guidance lessons included 10 Steps for Success at Dutch Fork High School.  Step One- Understand Your Academic Record, Step Two- Know Your School, Step Three- Be In School Everyday, Step Four- Know How to Get Good Grades, Step Five- Set Goals, Step Six- Get Involved, Step Seven- Make Good Choices and Decisions, Step Eight- Know How to Handle Stress, Step Nine- Use Available Services, and Step Ten- Plan and Prepare for Your Future. Additional topics are included for college bound students and athletes including NCAA requirements.    Please be sure to ask your student about the information that was covered in our lesson.  As you already know high school students are old enough to make many of their own decisions, but still need their parents to provide guidance and set limits.  Talk with your child about what's happening in school and be a good listener.  Work together with the school.  If you have a question or concern about a class, make a phone call or send an e-mail to the teacher.   For other concerns, contact your child's counselor or principal.  A school counselor is not only an excellent resource for students, a counselor is also an excellent resource for parents.  Please contact the guidance department with any questions or concerns that you may have regarding your child's academic progress.  We look forward to seeing each of you for your Individual Graduation Plan Meetings with your student.  You will receive an appointment date and time in the mail from your students guidance counselor.

Welcome Coach Thompson to Dutch Fork High - New Staff Profile

Science Teacher, Brian Thompson

Can you tell us a little about your background?

The 2011-2012 school year marks my 12th year as a high school science teacher. I have taught just about every science that one could teach in high school and I have done so at a number of schools in both North and South Carolina. I am from the Columbia area. I graduated from Brookland-Cayce HS in 1993 and earned a B.S. in Geology from Elizabeth City State University in 2000. I recently completed my Masters in Sports Management and Administration. I am married to Rebecca Thompson who is the Assistant Principal for Instruction at DFMS and we have three beautiful children: Kayla (10), Natalie (9), and Hayden (5). In addition to teaching science I coach football for the Silver Foxes.

Why did you become a teacher?

I knew that I wanted to become a teacher before I graduated from high school. The opportunity to teach a subject that interests me and coach a sport that I love is amazing. There is nothing more satisfying than witnessing a young person's "AHA" moment. This is especially true when that person has worked hard to accomplish an objective. I am blessed to have influence over the lives of young people and that is something that I take very seriously.

What appealed to you about Dutch Fork High School?

To me, Dutch Fork High School is the total package. I have taught at a number of schools and Dutch Fork stands apart in that it is serious about academics, athletics, and the success of its students. I wanted to become part of a community school where I could help people succeed. One of the most important things about the high school teaching/coaching experience is becoming part of something bigger than myself. I desired to become part of a school where I can become part of the family. Being a strong team member is something that is important to me as well. Dutch fork has a reputation for exemplifying high standards for students and staff and that is an environment that I wanted to become a part of. I am proud to be able to call myself a Silver Fox!

Tell us something interesting about yourself?

Outside of teaching and coaching, I enjoy playing poker. My wife and I once lived in Hawaii. I went on a mission trip to Romania in 2004.

Welcome Coach Brown to Dutch Fork High - New Staff Profile!

Social Studies Teacher, Matt Brown

Can you tell us a little about your background?

I am from Fort Wayne, Indiana.  I went to Indiana University for my undergrad and UNC Charlotte for my masters.  I have coached basketball at Pfeiffer University for 1 year, UNC Charlotte for 2 years, Stanford University for 1 year, and 1 year at Leo High School in Indiana before coming to Dutch Fork.  I have just recently gotten married on August 6th of this year to former Nicole Cummings.  We currently live in Lexington.  This is my first year of teaching

Why did you become a teacher?

 I became a teacher to help mold kids into young adults, to serve the community, and to help the students realize and pursue their goals and dreams.

What appealed to you about Dutch Fork High School?

 What attracted me to Dutch Fork High School was their terrific administration and staff that works at the High School, as well as the high academic standards the Dutch Fork prides themselves on.

Tell us some interesting about yourself?

Something interesting about myself is that I love the arts.  I have played the guitar for the past 16 years, I enjoy photography, and I love to oil paint in my spare time.

Welcome Mrs. Daichdent to Dutch Fork High - New Staff Profile

Math Teacher, Ana Daichendt

Can you tell us a little about your background?

I am Math Major of the "Babes-Bolyai" University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and in 1996 I earned my Master in Mathematics. After 4 years of teaching in Romania I moved to South Carolina, where I held positions as Mathematics teacher and Academic Coach in the school districts Orangeburg Five and Four.

Why did you become a teacher?

I think I was born as a teacher. During my high school years I was helping my classmates when they had problems in Math. Teaching is my everlasting passion. 

What appealed to you about Dutch Fork High School?

Honestly I was a little bit frightened by the size of the school, but I had known that Dutch Fork HS is one of the top high schools in the state, but I have known that I'm up the challenge.

Tell us some interesting about yourself?

I like the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina. I like to ride jet ski. 

Welcome Mrs. Ray to Dutch Fork High - New Staff Profile

Business Ed. Teacher, Yvonne Ray

Can you tell us a little about your background?

University of South Carolina (Coastal) - 30 hrs. Above Masters - Education Specialist

SC State University -  M.Ed.  - Business Education

                                     B.S. - Business Administration and Education

 

Professional Certification in Business Education

20 yrs. of Teaching Experience

Honors and Awards

National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine Honorary Member (2010-2011)

Why did you become a teacher?

My desire to teach began in my childhood years when I would make my younger sisters and brothers sit in chairs as I taught them how to read, write, do simple math and spell.  My chalkboard was the wall in the family basement.

My passion and pursuit really began when my high school business teacher inspired me to pursue a career in Business Education.  She told me that I had a gift with my hands and that I was very strong with computer technology.  I would also mimic her and desired to be like her because she was such an awesome teacher.

What appealed to you about Dutch Fork High School?

My appeal to Dutch Fork is because it is an award winning school that offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum for high school students;  it is one of South Carolina’s finest and best schools in the Metropolitan area; ranked as one of the country’s top high schools in the Newsweek magazine; excellent administrators, faculty and staff; great parental support; and students are focused on high achievement.

The school is the envy and model for all schools in South Carolina.

Tell us some interesting about yourself?

I am gifted and fascinated with fashion and design of apparel and home decor.

Welcome Mrs. Carnes to Dutch Fork High - New Staff Profile

World Languages Teacher, Axa Carnes

Can you tell us a little about your background?

 I am originally from Ecuador but have lived in the United States since 1988. I am married and have two children, one a freshman at DFHS and another at Crossroads. My pastimes include going camping, hiking, attending my children's sports events and going to Zumba classes.

Why did you become a teacher?

Because I love to teach and I love kids.

What appealed to you about Dutch Fork High School?

Its reputation as a nationally ranked school and the fact that I wanted to teach in my children's school district.

Tell us some interesting about yourself?

 Right after high school, I travelled on an educational ship for 2.5 years and travelled to 20 countries around the world.

Welcome Mrs. Collins to Dutch Fork High - New Staff Profile

Media Specialist, Jennifer Collins

Can you tell us a little about your background?
I graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s in English. Prior to coming to Dutch Fork High (my first K-12 job), I worked in an advertising agency in Washington, DC, a talent agency in New Your City, and then in the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs at the University of South Carolina. I got my Master’s in Library and Information Science while working at USC.

Why did you become a teacher?
One reason for becoming a teacher/librarian was to learn something new every day- from students and other teachers. After working with college students through my job at USC, I knew I wanted to work with students to help prepare them for an optimal college or work experience. I knew that being in a K-12 environment as opposed to a public library or academic library would give me more opportunities to interact with students on a regular basis.
What appealed to you about Dutch Fork High School?
I’m fairly new to Columbia, but I’m certainly aware of Lexington/Richland Five’s reputation. I also heard through Mrs. Medlock-Greene and others that (Media Specialist)Evelyn (Newman) had a great program at DFHS. It was important to me to work in a very active media center.
Tell us some interesting about yourself?
My shameless claim to fame is that I went to high school dances with both of the guys in Lady Antebellum. But I also love to travel and I love food- I’ll try anything once!