DSMS News
October 19, 2022
Upcoming Dates
10/21 8th Grade Outdoor Community Building Activities Facilitated by Hale Reservation
10/27 Parent/Teacher Conferences (virtual)
10/28 6th Grade Halloween Party (see below for info)
11/2 Parent/Teacher Conferences (in-person)
11/7 Picture Re-Take Day
Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-ups
Counselor's Corner
All Grades: After School Help Offered!
- Organization Station: Monday’s - Thursday’s 3:10-4:00pm in room 204. Small group executive functioning support including binder/locker organization, homework prioritization, google classroom management, and study skills.
- Homework Club: Monday’s - Wednesday’s in the Library. Please see the “After School Activities” section of the Newsletter for more information.
6th Grade
Thank you to those parents/guardians who attended our annual 6th grade parent evening last week! We have posted the presentation on our website linked here.
Our first lesson in 6th grade classrooms will take place next week in students’ social studies classes. There will be four lessons this year on topics including respect, community, organization/study skills, and relationship skills and social awareness.
7th Grade
On October 17th, students enrolled in Technology Literacy as their term 1 exploratory participated in a Naviance lesson to explore their interests and potential career paths. Naviance is a college and career exploration tool that they will use through 12th grade.
8th Grade
For those students interested in applying to Minuteman High School, more information will be coming with regard to the Minuteman Showcase Day. Any other questions about vocational school applications, please reach out to Joelle Sobin.
Minuteman High School (Dover students)
Primary Contact: Anthony Chiariello, Director of Admissions
Email: AChiariello@minuteman.org
Open House: Sunday, November 20th: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Tri-County High School (Sherborn students)
Primary Contact: Scott O’Brien, Director of Guidance
Email: obrien@tri-county.us
Open House: Saturday, November 5th: 10:00am- 2:00pm register here
Madison Park High School (Boston students)
Primary Contact: Dr. Sidney Brown, Head of School
Email: sbrown16@bostonpublicschools.org
Click here for more info
6th Grade Halloween Party Information!
Date: Friday, October 28th
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Place: Lindquist Commons (Cafe)
Cost: $20 cash only at the door
Costumes Highly Recommended
6th-grade students,
Join us for a fun night of snacks, drinks, dancing, costume contests, games, prizes, and much more as we celebrate Halloween. The party is sponsored by the high school SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) organization.
We hope to see you all there!
November 3 Community Forum
In order to process the findings and prioritize the recommendations from the equity audit report, parents, caregivers and community members are invited to a forum on Thursday, November 3 from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Middle/High School Cafeteria.
The event will be a facilitated opportunity to share ideas and identify next steps as we work to ensure that we achieve our mission to "inspire, challenge and support all students as they discover and pursue their full potential."
All are welcome. Please RSVP so activities can be planned accordingly.
Student Chromebooks - A Quick Suggestion
We suggest that parents work with their kids to come up with a set charging location in a public part of the home (say, the kitchen), and a set time each evening when the Chromebook will be "put to bed" and charged for the night. This way, students will always have their Chromebook charged by the next morning (and ready for use at school), and will also have some "down time" where they can begin their wind-down to bed without the added temptation of electronic distractions.
Arrival Time Reminder
School Picture Re-take Date
Save the Date for Drama!
in November and December :
- The Dover Sherborn High School Fall Play – Radium Girls: Show dates are November 3, 4, 5
- The Dover Sherborn Middle School Musical – The SpongeBob Musical: Show dates are December 8, 9, 10th matinee, 10th evening
COVID Protocol
- There is no formal testing program at this time though we will offer take-home tests to faculty and families who wish to receive them on a bi-weekly basis. The Department of Public Health does not recommend individuals to test unless they experience Covid-like symptoms. They do not recommend contact tracing, universal mask requirements (though masking is supported and recommended for any individuals who are 'high-risk'), or test-to-stay testing.
- Symptoms of Covid 19: fever of 100 degrees or higher, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, muscle/body aches, cough (not due to other known cause), sore throat (in combination with other symptoms), nausea/vomiting (in combination with other symptoms), headache (in combination with other symptoms), fatigue (in combination with other symptoms), nasal congestion/runny nose (in combination with other symptoms)
- If your child is experiencing these symptoms and tests positive for Covid-19, they must isolate for 5 days and, as long as the symptoms are resolving without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, can return to school with a mask through Day 10 (if they test negative on Day 5 or later, they do not need to mask). Please notify the school nurse of any positive Covid-19 cases.
- There is no testing requirement to return to school on Day 6 – if you choose to test your child after Day 5 and they test positive, they may still be at school as long as they follow the masking requirement.
- If your child is experiencing symptoms but tests negative for Covid-19 and symptoms are resolving, they may return to school as long as they feel well enough to do so. Ideally wearing a mask until symptoms have resolved would be best practice.
- In cases in which children display COVID-like symptoms while at school, nurses will reach out to parents or guardians and may ask that the child be picked up from school. Nurses will not be conducting testing at school of symptomatic students. In cases in which a family may not have access to at-home testing, please discuss being provided an at-home test with the nurse.
- Per DPH, quarantine is no longer required for those exposed, regardless of vaccination status. The child can continue to participate in activities as long as they remain asymptomatic. It's recommended if possible to test on Day 6 of exposure and also to mask for 10 days from exposure. There are no reporting requirements in this scenario, just a guide.
STANDING INFORMATION
- SCHOOL SECURITY AND VISITOR SIGN IN: In order to make Dover-Sherborn Middle School as safe and secure as possible, we have tightened up on visitor access to the building. This is a shift for our community. Please understand that it is not our intention to be less welcoming, but rather to be accountable to knowing who is in the building at all times and to reduce the possibility of threat to our school safety. ALL VISITORS MUST ENTER THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS. Upon entering the first set of main doors, you will notice an intercom system located on your right, along with a table that details the procedures for dismissals and dropping off items.
- NO SWITCHING OF BUSES: Students will not be able to ride any bus other than their assigned bus under any circumstances this year.
- ATTENDANCE: If your child is going to be absent, please report that by calling 508-785-8149, and follow the appropriate prompts.
- DISMISSAL PROCEDURE: If you need to dismiss your child early, please enter the building through the first set of doors at the main entrance and press the buzzer located on your right. You will be asked to sign your child out on the dismissal clipboard and then your child will be sent out to your vehicle.
- COVID HOME TEST OPT-IN FORM
- CHROMEBOOK CHARGING: Please make sure chromebooks are charged nightly at home. We are noticing an increase in uncharged chromebooks especially after a weekend.