DHS Community Update
January 28, 2022
The Principal's Perspective: Upcoming Course Selection Process
Greetings DHS Community Members:
Each year Dartmouth High School students are asked to select courses for the upcoming school year. This is one of the most important processes that we ask stakeholders to engage in and it is important that we (students, faculty, parents/guardians/families, counselors and advisors) engage in the process in a collaborative nature as we all share the same goal: ensuring every student is set up for success.
The course selection process begins with a review of the updated Program of Studies. The updated Program of Studies will be published in next Friday's DHS Community Update and will include any new courses as well as updates to our course descriptions. Each year the Program of Studies is updated by our Lead Teachers and the Director of School Counseling and should serve as an important reference when making requests for the upcoming school year.
Following the publication of the 2022-2023 Program of Studies, all students will engage in an advisory session focused on reviewing local graduation requirements as well as a brief overview of elective course offerings. Additionally, teachers are asked to make time to discuss courses offered specifically in their departments. School Counselors will then meet in grade level assemblies to provide information specific to each grade level relative to course requests, graduation and college entrance requirements. Counselors are also available by appointment to answer any individual questions students may have that are specific to their course requests for next school year. We encourage students to be thinking about their post-secondary plans as well as local requirements as they craft their course requests.
Finally, we encourage all students to discuss their course requests for the upcoming school year with their parents/guardians/families. Once a student has spoken with their advisor, counselor, teachers and parents/guardians/families they should be ready to make their course requests by entering them into ASPEN. Please note that these are just course requests and do not represent a finalized schedule. As a result, any change of plans, or change of interests can be addressed between the time courses are requested and the time schedules are finalized in late August.
One important consideration is the level of course that a student is choosing to enroll in. Dartmouth High School offers three levels of coursework, all rigorous and designed to prepare students for college and career success beyond high school. Those course levels include: College and Career Readiness (CCR), Honors, and Advanced Placement (AP).
There is significant research that highlights the benefits and importance of completing at least one advanced course (i.e. Advanced Placement or Project Lead the Way) while enrolled in high school. Given that 88% of our graduates elect to continue their education after high school, we encourage all students to enroll in at-least one advanced course during their time at Dartmouth High School.
We look forward to supporting our students and engaging with parents/families/guardians as partners in our students' success as they embark in this important process over the next several weeks.
Sincerely,
Ross A. Thibault
Principal
AP Capstone Diploma: A Tremendous Opportunity
Dartmouth High School is proud to offer students the opportunity to earn an AP Capstone Diploma. Earning such a diploma provides many benefits to students, including a strengthened transcript and many potential college credits which can shorten the time necessary to earn a degree as well as save a significant amount of money.
The graphic above is a recommended pathway to an AP Capstone Diploma which culminates in AP Research. Next year, Dartmouth High School will seek to schedule students into an AP Research section based upon the area of interest the student expresses. In other words, students who wish to complete a research project related to science would be scheduled into a section that is taught by a Science Teacher. Students who wish to conduct research related to the humanities will be taught by an English Teacher while any research interests related to statistics or mathematical modeling, etc. will be taught by a Math teacher.
Any students or parents or guardians with questions about the AP Capstone Diploma should reach out to our AP Coordinator Ms. Rachel Chavier at rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org or to English Lead Teacher Mr. Wilbur Higgins at wilburhiggins@dartmouthschools.org.
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Our 2-week Summer Immersion Program (SIP) hosts current 9th-11th graders in live virtual classrooms led by industry-leading companies like EA, Pfizer, and ViacomCBS. Students learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript while getting an inside look into the tech industry. Plus, SIP students can apply for grants up to $500!
Our Self-Paced Program offers independent study and real-world projects for current 9th-12th graders to earn beginner-level badges in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for web development or an intermediate-level badge in Python for cybersecurity.
Both programs offer exclusive alumni benefits and career support for life, including our Hiring Summit, pre-internship programs, virtual mentoring, and GWC Talks webinars for career tips and strategies.
Complete your application here! Programs are available June 17 - August 12. You’ll get priority consideration when you apply by February 16, 2022. Regular-decision applications are due by March 18, 2022. Learn more by joining our webinar.
Dartmouth Education Foundation 10th Annual Spelling Bee
The Dartmouth Education Foundation will be hosting its 10th Annual Spelling Bee on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at the Dartmouth High School Auditorium from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. The form to sponsor a flight, a team, or to enter a team is linked below. The Dartmouth Education Foundation is extremely supportive of our school each year providing funds to purchase equipment, technology, and other items that enhance the educational experience of our students. We hope you'll participate as this is the main fundraiser each year.
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 newest episode of Ryanology and the premiere of Shea Talk where Assistant Principal Ryan Shea interviews members of various clubs and activities at DHS to provide the community with updates throughout the school year.
MCAS Update
Dartmouth High School will administer the MCAS Biology exam on Wednesday, February 2 & Thursday, February 3 to students who need to take the exam because they did not take it last year as a freshman or if they did not pass the exam last year. If students find themselves in this situation, and they are not enrolled in a Biology class this year, they should take the exam in February. If students are enrolled in chemistry this year and have to take MCAS, the option to take the Chemistry MCAS will be offered to students; however, it is advised to take the Biology in February first.
Students who are taking the February 2&3 Biology MCAS must report directly to their testing rooms when they arrive. Students may use a calculator, but it is not required. We ask that students bring their own calculator; however, we will have some available if needed. Students may bring a drink and a snack for the break. The exam will start promptly at 7:30 AM.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org.
Future MCAS Dates
Please see the MCAS 2022 Schedule for ELA and Math MCAS Administration Dates.
Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma Program
As we approach course selection time for the 2022-2023 year, it is important for students and parents/guardians to be aware of our AP Capstone Program. The AP Capstone is a diploma program based on two AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. These yearlong courses focus on developing college-level skills in research, critical thinking, presentation, and team collaboration - areas that are increasingly valued by colleges and universities.
Please see the resources below to help you understand the benefits of the Capstone Program, the opportunities for earning an AP Capstone Diploma or an AP Seminar and Research Certificate, and details about the program and how it works.
If you have any questions, please contact Associate Principal Rachel Chavier at rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org
AP Capstone Resources
Earn the Seal of Biliteracy!
Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy
Dartmouth High School is proud to participate in the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy program offered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Since introducing the program at Dartmouth High School, over 25 students have earned the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy, 8 with Distinction.
WHAT: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) states that the Seal of Biliteracy is an official designation from the State of Massachusetts that recognizes graduates who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language. Upon graduation, districts affix the insignia to the physical diploma, to the electronic transcripts, or both. There are 2 levels of distinction a student can achieve: Seal of Biliteracy and Seal of the Biliteracy with Distinction.
WHO: Students who meet the criteria will receive the Seal of Biliteracy or the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction upon graduation.
HOW: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has outlined the criteria students must meet to earn this award. To measure proficiency in English, students must earn a qualifying score on the ELA MCAS. To measure proficiency in the target language, students must earn a qualifying score on a state-approved assessment (AAPPL Exam/ AP Spanish Exam/NEWL Exam).
WHEN: Deadlines and testing windows.
Submit REGISTRATION FORM HERE by Wednesday, March 31, 2022.
Exams will be administered on April 12-April 16, 2022.
Cost of the exam will be funded by Dartmouth Public Schools.
WHERE: All testing will take place in the DHS Language Lab (C-12 ). Please contact World Language Lead Teacher Hilaria Sousa at hilariasousa@dartmouthschools.org with any questions.
School Counseling & Support Services Department Updates!
School Counseling Updates
SAT updates from CollegeBoard - They will be making a full transition to digital, once they begin administering the SAT Suite digitally they will no longer offer a paper and pencil version of the tests.
That means:
Starting in fall 2023, all students taking the PSAT-related assessments will take the digital tests. SAT School Day and SAT weekend administrations in the U.S. will still be paper and pencil.
Starting in spring 2024, all students will take the full SAT Suite of Assessments digitally.
How will students practice for the digital test? Students will practice for the digital SAT using Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy. Students can receive free practice—anytime, anywhere. Digital SAT practice material will be added to Official SAT Practice in fall 2022. At that time, we’ll also have full-length practice tests available in the exam application so students can get the full digital SAT experience while practicing. We’ll share more information about new practice resources this summer.
How long will the digital SAT be? The digital SAT will be shorter than the current paper and pencil test—around two hours instead of three. It will include two sections (Reading and Writing, Math) with a break in between.
Further, the overall test day experience will be shorter since most preadministration activities, such as downloading the exam application and completing the student questionnaire, will happen in advance of test day.
Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation’s virtual information session on Saturday, January 29 at 12 p.m. EST. Give your high school student’s college application a boost by enrolling them in our challenging and engaging summer engineering program. Learn more about the application process, program format, and more from experienced program staff.
Learn more about the Engineering Innovation and Biomedical Engineering Innovation programs at the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering during this virtual session. Designed for talented math and science high school students, you will have the opportunity to have your questions answered by program staff and explore this exciting opportunity. Click here to register!
Social Worker Updates
Dream Out Loud is currently recruiting for their FREE 8 Week Winter Creative Careers Program for middle and high school youth. The program will be offering creative courses in songwriting, digital music production, creative writing, digital art and graphic design. They will also be offering an opportunity to participate in jam sessions with other musicians.
Applications for the program will be accepted until Saturday, January 29th at 4:00 p.m (space is extremely limited) and classes begin February 1, 2022.
Please email information@dreamoutloudnow.org for applications or more information.
Term 2 Report Cards Published
Term 2 Report Cards will be published in ASPEN by 2:15 p.m. Anyone who needs assistance accessing their aspen account should email aspenhelp@dartmouthschools.org for assistance.
Tuesday, Feb 1, 2022, 02:15 PM
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Early Release Day--Professional Development
Wednesday, Feb 2, 2022, 07:30 AM
Dartmouth High School
Course Selection Advisory Session
Wednesday, Feb 16, 2022, 08:30 AM
Dartmouth High School
Course Selection Grade Level Assembly
Thursday, Feb 17, 2022, 08:30 AM
DHS
Course Selection Grade Level Assembly
Friday, Feb 18, 2022, 08:30 AM
DHS
February Vacation
Friday, Feb 18, 2022, 02:15 PM
Dartmouth Public Schools
Important Reminder: Masking is a MUST!
As we continue through the Omicron surge, please remember that everyone, faculty, students and staff MUST wear a mask while inside Dartmouth High School.
Masks should be worn snuggly covering the nose and mouth. We appreciate your cooperation in order to ensure we do not see any unnecessary transmission inside of school.
As a reminder, students and staff are encouraged to bring their own masks each day. We do have some available in the event of an emergency i.e. a mask breaks or is forgotten, but we are not supplying masks daily for students or staff.