DHS Community Update
November 22, 2021
The Principal's Perspective: Happy Thanksgiving
Greetings DHS Community Members:
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are able to take another step toward some sense of normalcy with the return of the pep rally. We have been planning collaboratively with student leaders and class advisors for several weeks. We are excited to hold a pep rally in the Carlin Lynch Activity Center with the following plans for a safe rally:
- Students will be seated spaced out at greater distances than in the past. Grade 11 and 12 students will be spaced out throughout the bleachers while grades 9 and 10 will be seated in folding chairs on the gymnasium floor on each side of the bleachers.
- All students will wear their mask appropriately covering both their nose and their mouth at all times while in the Activity Center. Students who have to be spoken to about wearing their mask appropriately will be asked to leave the event.
- Doors to the Carlin Lynch Activity Center will be opened for the duration of the rally in order to promote adequate air flow. Students should dress appropriately as it will likely be cooler than normal in the Activity Center.
- Anyone who does not feel comfortable gathering in the Activity Center for the rally will be provided an alternate location to report to.
We are confident that with these safety measures in place and adequate staff to assist in managing the event that we will be able to take another step forward toward some sense of a new normal. We look forward to working together with our students, faculty and staff to ensure the pep rally is safe and memorable.
In order to ensure we are able to continue to move forward, we ask that all members of the school community do their part to keep Dartmouth High School as safe as possible. This means getting vaccinated if you're able to do so, monitor for any symptoms while taking common sense precautions such as masking in crowded areas, maintaining distances whenever possible, etc.
Additionally, if you haven't already, we encourage parents to complete the consent to participate in our test and stay program. Students will never be tested without consent and notification of parents, but completing the form now ensures we are able to have your child participate in the event that they become a close contact. Refusing to participate in the test and stay protocol or waiting to consent until a child is a close contact will likely result in the need to quarantine ultimately losing instructional time as there is a processing lag between the time of consent and being able to participate in the program.
Finally, I hope that all members of the Dartmouth High School community are able to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and break with family and friends. While there is no doubt that the past two years have been challenging for all of us, we still have much to be grateful for.
With gratitude and well-wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving,
Ross A. Thibault
Principal
Complete the Test & Stay Consent Form!
Dartmouth High School has been operating the Test and Stay program throughout the fall whenever students are deemed close contacts. Students who are deemed to be close contacts are notified directly and students who remain asymptomatic and whose parents have completed the consent form (located below) are able to participate in the test and stay program.
Students participating in the test and stay protocol report to school before the start of the school day and take a rapid antigen test. Results are provided in approximately 15 minutes and students who test negative are allowed to remain in school. Students who test positive are then advised in regards to the quarantine timeline based upon their specific circumstance.
In order to reduce the loss of school time, we ask that all parents interested in this option complete the consent form using the link below. Please note, students for whom we do not have consent can not be tested through this program.
Support Our Yearbook Order Today!
Students, parents and guardians are invited to utilize the links below to support this year's DHS Yearbook. Below you can find helpful links to:
- Order your copy of this year's yearbook
- Place an ad highlighting a student
- Place a business ad in support of the yearbook
Any questions should be directed to DHS Yearbook Adviser Mrs. Grieve at jessegrieve@dartmouthschools.org.
A Friendly Reminder: Masks are a MUST!
As a friendly reminder, the Commissioner of Education recently extended the mask mandate through at least January 15, 2022. We have been handing out a number of masks on a daily basis; however, we ask that students please bring their own mask with them to school as our supply is intended for those who forget or have one that breaks during the course of the school day.
Additionally, masks should be warn appropriately at all times while in school. Students should wear the mask snuggly over their nose and mouth at all times. This is critically important to helping us continue to ensure our school environment is safe and healthy.
DHS TV Media Presents
In each DHS Community Update we will bring you the latest material produced by DHS students in the DHS TV Media Production Program. This week we feature the latest edition of Dartmouth High News Now--the weekly news broadcast produced by Dartmouth High School students as part of our tv/media courses and a recent presentation by the DHS School Counseling Department on the counseling services provided to students.
Homecoming Dance A Success
On Saturday, November 20, 2021, Dartmouth High School hosted a Homecoming Dance with over 600 students in attendance. The dance was held outdoors and provided students an opportunity to dance and to learn which members of the Class of 2022 had earned Superlative Awards as voted on by members of the senior class. While the dance was held outdoors, students reported having fun and with patio heaters, string lights, a dj, and a "can do" attitude, the class advisers, senior class officers, and a number of faculty volunteers were able to provide all students a memorable, fun homecoming dance.
We ask that students, parents and guardians remain vigilant and communicative with our school nurses. Specifically, please remember:
- Everyone at Dartmouth High School must wear a mask while inside Dartmouth High School. Masks should be three-ply and fit snuggly over the mouth and nose. Gaiters, bandannas and masks with side vents are not permitted. Please note that this mandate was extended by the Commissioner of Education to at least November.
- Everyone is encouraged to maintain excellent hand hygiene. Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the building including in common areas and classrooms and students and staff are encouraged to wash their hands frequently throughout the day.
- If a student is not feeling well please do not send them to school. If you have a question about whether or not to send your child to school please reach out to one of our nurses first!
Reminder to Seniors
Congratulations Class of 2022, it's time to order your cap and gown unit for graduation! If you did not complete this form during Advisory on Wednesday, 11/17 please play the video below for instructions on how to order online. Please note that the window to complete the form will remain open until 11/29, but we ask that you complete it as soon as possible!
Remember, your cap and gown unit is a custom item. All caps and gowns will be delivered to and distributed by the high school.
SAT Prep
Join Mrs. Church in B26 during PASE on Tuesdays starting on October 5 to start reviewing for the Spring SATs. We will work on targeted skills weekly to strengthen your understanding and increase your scores. Come as often as you'd like. Drop ins are welcome.
Fill out this form by Monday each week to be scheduled in Enriching Students.
School Counseling & Support Services Department Updates!
School Counseling Updates
Naviance - Naviance is an American college and career readiness software provider that partners with high schools and other K–12 institutions to provide students with college planning and career assessment tools. All DHS students receive access to this in grade 9. The username is the student's DHS email and the password is the student's Aspen password. Parent’s are encouraged to log in with their student and explore what it has to offer!
Virtual College Fair for the Northeast Region of The United States - November 15th - 20th. Students can log in any time during the week of the College Fair and get information from many colleges. There is a question and answer section for students to get answers directly from college representatives. Every student that registers is entered to win a $300 scholarship! Click to Register!
ASVAB testing at DHS on December 10th - Please see your school counselor to sign up!
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a well-respected aptitude test developed by the Department of Defense. The ASVAB measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success. The four categories tested are verbal, math, technical and spatial and science. Students should see their guidance counselor to sign up for the ASVAB.
School Social Worker Updates
CheckDEC - The CheckDEC mobile app is provided for free by the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (National DEC) through a Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) grant. The app puts local substance use resources, services, and support in the palm of the users’ hands. The resources are a combination of phone numbers, maps (geo tagged to real-time resources in the user’s zip code), links, downloadable content, and videos. Visitors to the app can submit their own real-life story, message of hope, or support via video or text. This peer sharing will encourage and inspire others to have hope as they change the trajectory of their lives.
A comprehensive news feed provides children, families, communities, and professionals with current news about substance use, prevention, services, research, statistics and data, where to find help, and much more. CheckDEC provides informational videos and links for engagement, encouragement and hope for children and families in challenging substance use situations. There is more to come. Phase 2 of CheckDEC will launch in 2022 with additional content, tools and training.
The CheckDEC application is available for free from the Apple Store and Google Play store.
Disability-friendly Vaccine Events - The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network is offering disability-friendly vaccine events for kids, ages 5-18, and adults with disabilities and/or sensory support needs.
These events will have extra staff on hand to provide skilled support to people with disabilities and/or sensory support needs. Most of these events will be offering COVID vaccinations for children ages 5 and up, as well as adult initial vaccines and boosters. Both people with and without disabilities can get vaccinated – including the whole family ages 5+ or staff that may come supporting people with a disability.
Please click here to check out the website for more information and to book your appointment.
***As of 11/9/2021, the closest site to Dartmouth is Brockton, on 11/20/21.
Spirit Week: Anything But A Backpack Day
Show your school spirit by ditching your backpack and carrying your school belongings in anything but a backpack. Please note that whatever you choose to carry your school-related items in MUST be appropriate and safe for the school environment.
Monday, Nov 22, 2021, 07:30 AM
Dartmouth High School
Spirit Week: Homecoming Court Presents: Pajama Day
Tuesday, Nov 23, 2021, 07:30 AM
Dartmouth High School, Bakerville Road, Dartmouth, MA, USA
Spirit Week: Green and White
Please note Wednesday is an early release day throughout Dartmouth Public Schools. Dartmouth High School will be released at 10:35 a.m. Students are encouraged to wear their favorite Dartmouth High School attire or simply dress in green and white clothing to show their school spirit and earn points for their class in the Spirit Week competition.
Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021, 07:30 AM
Dartmouth High School
Thanksgiving Day Football Game
The traditional Thanksgiving Day Football rivalry vs Fairhaven is renewed after a one year hiatus due to COVID-19. We look forward to hosting our friends from Fairhaven in the traditional Thanksgiving Day Football game which kicks off at 10 a.m. Tickets are being sold at all lunches on Tuesday and during the Howard Smith Thanksgiving Breakfast attended by all students on Wednesday. The cost for tickets are $3 for students and senior citizens and $5 for adults. All tickets sold the day of the game will be $5.