Superintendent's Message
Marc J. Smith - Dennis-Yarmouth Regional Schools
Taking a Break
Good Afternoon Dolphin Community,
As we head into the winter break, I want to thank everyone for a great start to the school year. The last couple of weeks have been so fun for me to get out to see all the great winter concerts at each of the schools. I have loved seeing the school communities come together around these great events. I know that during the pandemic schools had to get away from most of these community-based events and it is so great to see them coming back in such full effect; they are such a great way to connect schools and families.
Recently, I was made aware of growing concerns regarding the shifting use of air purifiers in the district. I wanted to provide everyone with information regarding what has occurred so that everyone has the same factual information. Air purifiers were first placed in every classroom in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, the school district's HVAC equipment was largely in a state of disrepair in many areas and recommendations from officials for air quality standards in order to open schools was to meet 150% the ASHRAE standard of 62.1 (ventilation rate). Due to the failing HVAC system in most buildings at that time, HEPA air purifiers were needed to meet the 150% of ASHRAE standard. This was determined through air quality testing conducted in 2020. The same testing report identified multiple HVAC items that needed repair or upgrade at schools across the district to bring them up to the ASHRAE standard. Since that time, the district has invested a significant amount of funds to addressing each of those recommendations along with additional upgrades since that report. Also, the pandemic has moved to an endemic phase and the need for a 150% ASHRAE standard is no longer necessary. We have conducted follow up air quality testing at Ezra Baker and M.E. Small. That testing showed that only 17 spaces across both buildings did not meet the ASHRAE 62.1 standard and we are deploying air filters to those spaces so that they can meet this standard. 17 spaces is a significant improvement over the test in 2020, showing the results of the district's investment in HVAC upgrades and repairs. Testing for Station Avenue and DY High School is scheduled for winter break. Our goal is and always has been to provide a safe and healthy learning and work environment for all students and staff. The most recent testing information allows us to be strategic in our deployment of air purifiers while ensuring we are being fiscally responsible at the same time.
As a way for me to continue to learn about our district, its strengths, traditions, and areas for future growth, I will be holding another family listening session for any families that were not able to attend the session in December. The next meeting will occur on January 16th from 5:30 - 7 on Zoom. I will send a message after the break with the Zoom link. To ensure all families can access the meeting, we will be offering translator services again. To help us prepare and ensure we have the proper language translation services available, I am asking that anyone who would like to attend the meeting and will need the meeting translated into their native language to please fill out this short survey linked here. The form will ask you for your name, email address, and native language for translation. The completion of this form helps us ensure we have the right translators available.
Lastly, I want to wish any families in our district that will be celebrating either Christmas or Kwanza a Happy upcoming holiday. May the coming days be a time of joy, reflection, and festivity among you, your friends and family.
Thank you and have a wonderful weekend and winter break.
All the best,
Marc J. Smith, Ed. D.
Superintendent
Community News
Family Resource Center of Cape Cod is offering a class in January and February to support families in the raising of teens and tweens. See the attached photo for more details.
The Family Resource Center of Cape Cod offers a Dad's group on the second Tuesday of every month. See the attached photo for more details.