Dartmouth Public Schools
District Newsletter
Dr. Bonny GIfford
Kindness Matters
A Philosophy that Drives Culture
Each year the MA Association of School Committees and the MA Association of School Superintendents hosts a joint MASC/MASS conference in Hyannis. Session topics run the gamut; folks can always find something they are interested whether it be Special Education, Early Education, SEL, Finance, School Board and community relationships, leading change and more. This year I found one session particularly thought provoking. Through engaging storytelling, facilitator Aaron Polansky, Old Colony Superintendent, asked us to think about our district’s core philosophy. Posing the question “is there a philosophy that drives your culture?” Aaron provoked our thinking by suggesting not all cultures inspire all children. He asked if we are doing and saying things that instead of inspiring students to dream, we are shutting them down. Do we teach with a growth mindset? How do we teach kids that failure is ok? How do we show them there is always a chance to grow and improve? Mr. Polansky prompted us to embrace a philosophy through our everyday work that ensures every action and every word comes from a place of kindness, honesty and a desire to improve. “If we are kind, honest and constantly improving the situation for those around us, we can transform lives and entire cultures.” I’m suggesting Mr. Polansky is spot on! It’s up to us to establish relationships and eliminate threats in education. When we do we teach kids to believe in themselves and inspire them to shine!
Ideas for Transforming Culture
· Learn a new name every day
· Smile
· Find their why! And design the how!
· #positivesignthursday
· Leave a note that matters: Have a great day! You are appreciated!
· Talk with students about their passions, goals and dreams
· Link assignments to the passions of students with risk taking, curiosity and creativity
· Identify favorite mistakes and coolest corrections on a regular basis
· Put couches and comfortable chairs in places you want students to read
· Ensure the rules are in place to prevent the 1% rather than the 99%
· Hang a picture of your hero with the words ask me under it.
· Tell a meaningful story
Kudos to our Students
The Community Resource & Craft fair was held on October 22nd at Dartmouth High. What you may not have known is that several of our students volunteered HOURS of their free time to help us to make this event a success. One more piece of evidence that we have AMAZING students! Students received certificates for their service.
Each year, SEPAC sends our request for students to volunteer. Students sign up to set up the day before the event, they help vendors with materials, meet vendors at their cars and wheel their supplies into the field house. They assist by walking the perimeter, asking if vendors need anything throughout the day, they help with the kid craft area and they also help with clean up.
Their service to this event is invaluable and we appreciate their hard work and their professionalism. These students exemplify the best of Dartmouth in so many ways.
The student volunteers are listed below:
(some students volunteered during set up on Saturday, some on Sunday, and some did both)
DARTMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
Aaron Fishbein Senior
Noah Filipe, Senior (both days)
Brett Cabral, Senior (both days)
Jack Dias, Senior
Will Weaton, Senior
Anthony Poente, Senior
Dane Ashton, Senior
Grace Woodcock, Junior (both days)
Jackie Racine, Junior (both days)
Will Cote, Junior (both days)
Charlie Gamache, Junior (both days)
Patrick Mello, Junior
Mason Shea, Junior (both days)
Jessica Amaral, Junior
Cyla Roderigues, Junior
Emma Amaral, Sophomore
John Gamache, Freshman (both days)
DARTMOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL
Robert August, 8th grade
Lucas Dion, 8th grade
Evan Garcia, 8th grade
Jack Kertscher, 8th grade
Kindness Matters
Visit to Barrington Public Schools
Dartmouth Public Schools visited Barrington Public Schools to see personalized and blended learning in action. Led by Michael Kline from Highlander Institute, DPS district and school administration chatted with administration, students and teachers of Barrington Middle and High School. Administrators engaged in enlightening conversations with high school Geometry students about their experiences in blended learning classrooms and the difference from previous experiences in math class. We observed students working at their own pace using formative playlist and the teacher conferring with students. A high school student gave us a tour of the iCreate Lab, a student-run makerspace. We also visited the BHS television studio where students livestream their daily student news show Sunrise. At the middle school, we visited an Entrepreneurship Class for the Shark Tank. Students work in groups to come up with an idea for a product and test the product to determine if it can be successful. Students learn soft skills such as teamwork and more technical skills such as research and marketing. Products students had designed included, an adjustable bottle brush, a ping pong return wall and a XX.
Whaling Museum Grade 5 Field Trip Demello School
DeMello School fifth grade visited the New Bedford Whaling Museum. They were treated to a guided half day tour throughout the museum. They were able to visit many exhibits where they were able to learn not only about the different types of whales but also the history of whaling in New Bedford. Students were able to go aboard the Lagoda, the model whaling vessel and see many other rooms depicting what life was life as a whaler. The second half of the day, students spent in the classroom learning about food chains and webs. Here they accessed technology that allowed them time to further explore this topic. The day was both enjoyable and educational!
Vertical Teams at Quinn
DHS Visual Arts Media Program
Dartmouth High School students in the Visual Arts and Media programs traveled to Martha's Vineyard this week as part of their on-going collaborative project celebrating the upcoming 400th anniversary of Plymouth. Upon arriving on Martha's Vineyard DHS students visited with members of the Wampanoag Aquinnah filming footage of the Tribal Council as well as conducting interviews as part of their production of a series of mini-documentaries that will eventually be shared with our sister city in the United Kingdom. Learning experiences such as this provide students with tremendous opportunities that cross disciplines and allow them to demonstrate a variety of skills and knowledge in creative ways.
DMS Pink Day to Support Breast Cancer
DHS and Higlander PD
Collaboration
Pondering
Thinking
Principals Advisory Council
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Name: Judy Botelho
School/Position: Potter Elementary School/Teacher Assistant
Hometown: Dartmouth, Ma
One goal I have achieved in my career so far that I feel most satisfied about: Building an environment where children feel safe to learn.
A long-term goal I am working toward: : Continue to learn more about children on the Spectrum in addition to American Sign Language
Role model or someone who has had a great impact on my life: Peggy Gallagher for taking me under her wing and always believing in me.
If I could travel anywhere in the world, it would be: Australia….
If I could eat dinner with somebody famous, dead or alive, it would be: Princess Diana...she was the perfect elegant lady
Pet peeve: Inconsiderate drivers who don’t obey the rules of the road
Favorite leisure time activity: Spending time with my family...it doesn’t get any better than that.
Favorite movie: Gone With the Wind
Favorite book: Mysteries...any kind!!
I think the world’s greatest invention is: GPS technology
My favorite motto or saying:: “You can do it!”
What I like best about working at DPS: Seeing and being part of the growth of the children I have worked with both present and past!Orchestra Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tribute
We are thrilled to announce that Mark Wood, original violinist from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is performing with us at Dartmouth Springs Trans-Siberian Ochestra Tribute Concert! This concert will take place at the Zeiterion Theater on December 23rd.
Click below to purchase tickets
https://zeiterion.org/dartmouth-string-players/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok-IJ3pxKsg