Dartmouth Public Schools
iInspire, You Matter, Kindness Matters
Dr. Bonny GIfford
Yogi Berra once said “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” We have all experienced moments of uncertainty when weighing options that present themselves. How many times have we ignored opportunities and taken the road most traveled out of fear, lack of confidence or time or desire to grapple and take risks? How many of us wish we could have some “do overs” and regret those missed opportunities?
Many years ago, my grandmother (Nanny) became ill and was being treated at MASS General. One afternoon my two sisters and I planned to visit her. On the way we got a flat tire. Unfortunately none of us had the strength or skill to change the tire. We called AAA and walked away from the vehicle away from highway traffic. About an hour in and AAA hadn’t arrived. However, as luck would have it, a Good Samaritan van appeared and the driver was happy to assist. By this time it was getting late and dark and we still had some traveling to do to get into Boston. We wrestled with the choice of continuing on or heading home and planning to go another time. We had come to a fork in the road and needed to make a choice. Do we seize the opportunity to carry on or chicken out and head home? In the end, we chose to keep going. We had a great visit, chatting with Nanny while she had dinner followed by fresh strawberries. After a few hours we said our goodbyes and headed home.
It was about 9 pm when I entered the house. No sooner had I walked in the door when the phone rang. It was my aunt telling me my grandmother had passed away. Imagine how thankful I felt knowing I had seized the opportunity to visit despite the setback with the car? A lifelong regret had been averted.
As for Yogi, he clarified the fork in the road quote when he stated “I was giving Joe Garagiola directions from New York to our house in Montclair when I said this.” In that context, the choice was easy because it didn’t matter if one traveled left or right at the fork, they would arrive at the same place. Wouldn’t it be nice if making life’s decisions was that easy? As we enter the New Year, let us all be mindful of the myriad of opportunities that present themselves every day and never be afraid to take the road less traveled.
Elementary CIA Team
Wreath Making to Raise Money and Spread Holiday Cheer.
December Calendar Math Lead by Students
Innovation and Transformation Leadership Network Ambassadors
Ambassadors finished posters!
Ambassadors finished posters!
Holiday Greeting from Ray McNulty
As 2018 seems to have passed us in a flash all of us at SPN (Successful Practices Network) wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday season. Looking forward to 2019 we want to challenge you all to be more curious. Curiosity can be the spark that can lead us to that breakthrough innovative idea or concept. Research tells us that curiosity helps produce more than new ideas. Curiosity improves decision making because it reduces our susceptibility to possible stereotypes and bias. So here's the specific challenge, be more curious, ask more questions and model inquisitiveness in 2019.
Let's be the agents of the needed change in learning our children deserve.
Ray NcNulty is our consultant for the Innovation and Transformational Network
Looking to make sub plans easier for you, your sub and relevant for students.
DHS Harmonic group, always and amazing show!
DHS students collaborating and using technology to tape a History Podcast
Collaboration and student centered math problem solving
Dartmouth High and Middle School Orchestra Students
Attended PPAC to see Lindsey Stirling
Targeted intervention during academic support
Students and teachers always hard at work
Enjoying breakfast with the folks who keep us safe
This ELF is ALWAYS hard at work
What can we say! Just like Santa, spreading joy
Students presenting at DPS School Committee.
Hard at work and showing Christmas Spirit.
Building Lifelong Readers
Just like Santa - He is always watching!
Hats on and Heads in books!
Who says you can not learn in PJ's
Also, students were writing a friendly letters to Santa persuading him to choose another animal to pull the sleigh because the reindeer went on strike.
Could this be Santa?
Spread Kindness this holiday season!
Staff Spotlight
Name: Janine Tavares
School/Position: Quinn/Grade 5 Teacher
Hometown: Walpole, MA
Education: B.S. - Elementary and Special Education, M.Ed. - Educational Leadership and Management
One goal I have achieved in my career so far that I feel most satisfied about: 25+ years in the classroom
If I could travel anywhere in the world it would be: Italy
Favorite leisure time activity: Spending time with my family
Favorite movie: White Christmas
Favorite book: Too many to choose only one
I think the world’s greatest invention is: Heated car seats
My favorite motto or saying: Everything happens for a reason.
Why I chose to work at DPS: After traveling to another system for 11 years, I wanted to be closer to home. Luckily, I was given the opportunity to work in Dartmouth, and teach in the school that my children attended.