DMS Delivers
August 30, 2023
Welcome Back!
Dear DMS Families,
We look forward to welcoming students back to DMS on Wednesday, September 6th. It is hard to believe that it is already the end of August and students will be returning to school next week. It was great to see 5th grade students at our Locker Day on Monday, as well as the 8th grade student volunteers, and we hope that students are getting excited as we anticipate the start of school. As we begin to think about the first day, I have provided some important information below. We hope that it allows for an easy transition for families as students return to DMS or start anew. Please feel free to reach out to the DMS Main Office if you have any questions prior to the first day.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back next Wednesday!
Best Regards,
Brianne Kelleher
Principal
Christina McGourty
Assistant Principal
Upcoming Dates at DMS
- September 6th: First Day of School
- September 11th: DMS Instrument Rental Night
- September 13th: PTO Sponsored Anti- Bullying Assembly
- September 20th: Early Release for Professional Development
- September 28th: DMS Open House
- October 2nd: DMS School Picture Day
- October 4th: Professional Development Day
DMS General Information and School Supplies
Please find General Information for the start of school here, including school hours, summer reading expectations, DMS Staff contacts, directions for drop- off/pick- up, and other important details to help you as we begin to think about the start of school next week. In addition, grade level school supplies and further information on summer reading expectations can be found in the June 25th Newsletter from DMS. If you have any questions, please reach out to the DMS Main Office.
As a reminder, student schedules were available as of Tuesday, August 29th via the Aspen portal.
Student Passwords for Aspen/Google
For security reasons, we have updated student Aspen/Google passwords. Please refer to Superintendent Runey's June DR Dispatch for details. New student passwords are visible in the Aspen Family Portal. For additional assistance, please submit a Technology Helpdesk Ticket.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we work towards providing a safe and secure digital environment for our students. If you have any further questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer Ashley, Director of Instructional Technology & Infrastructure, jashley@drregional.org.
Bus Routes and Bus Information
A Note from the Nurse's Office
- Reminder for 7th Grade Families: A physical with current immunizations is required for all 7th grade students. Please have them submitted by October 15th.
- Medication Drop- off: Medications may be dropped off by parent/guardian beginning on September 5th, any time after 11:00 a.m.
- Medication Administration: When a child requires short-term or long-term medication during the school day, parents are required to contact the school nurse and provide: (a) physician's order; (b) parental consent; (c) medication (30 day supply) in prescription bottle. This includes prescription and over the counter medication. Parental consent (will be sent home on the first day) and physician order forms must be renewed every school year. As a reminder, ALL MEDICATION MUST BE BROUGHT IN BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN.
Review of DMS Emergency Evacuation Procedures
As we begin school, DMS staff will review emergency procedures with students, so that they are aware of how to respond when a fire alarm sounds and we must evacuate the building. As a reminder to all families, a fire drill must be conducted within the first weeks of school as is required by Massachusetts state law.
Two Way Communication for 2023-2024
Each week, we publish an update from the Principal's Office called "DMS Delivers." In this newsletter, you will find updates from the week, as well as important dates and upcoming events at DMS.
In addition, teachers will be utilizing Thrillshare Rooms, the Google platform, or the Aspen portal to communicate with students and families. No other communication platforms will be used. More information will be coming out soon regarding Thrillshare Rooms.
If you need access to staff email addresses they can be found on our school website.
First Day of School Paperwork
Beginning this school year, you will be able to complete some of the first day paperwork via your Aspen portal. Please be on the lookout for further instructions once school starts. You will update the following in Aspen:
- Student Acceptable Use Policy
- Photo Release
- Student Handbook Sign- off
- Technology Take- Home Permission
Lunch information and applications, as well as medical consent forms and student information sheets, will be sent home in paper form.
Email Attachments
Attached to this email, you will find the below:
- Ms. Kelleher's Introduction Letter from August 1st
- Information on School Lunch from Whitsons