Supt Update: January 2024
January 2024
FROM THE DESK OF SUPERINTENDENT NAN MURPHY
Happy 2024 Families and Friends!
I hope this message finds you well, rested, and ready to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead in 2024.
In classrooms throughout the district, teachers have been challenging students to select a word to inform personal growth in the New Year. For me, my word is INTENTIONAL. With the many demands embedded in my new job, at times I often find myself preparing for "what's next" rather than living and learning in the moment. I am using Post It notes for visual support to help remind me to slow down and act with more intention. Words I have seen selected by students and staff in schools: Determination, Kind, Study, Focus, Responsible, and Honest. I continue to be impressed by the reflection and thoughtfulness of our Dedham school community.
There is much to be accomplished in the remaining six months of the school year. Below I have included an important budget development update, community forum opportunities, as well as a parent survey which will be used to inform and focus the work that moves our district forward.
I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in 2024, and I look forward to another year of growth and achievement together.
Best,
Nan
Superintendent Parent Forums in January
Dedham parents and caregivers are once again invited to join me in January for a chance to connect, chat and talk about Dedham Public Schools. It's a great opportunity to meet families across the District, and to better understand what we should be celebrating, as well as what we can work to improve. Please consider stopping in - either in person or via Zoom!
Wednesday, January 10th
9:30am - 10:30am :: In-Person at DMS Library
5:00pm - 5:45pm :: via Zoom (link will be shared week of event)
Invitation to Share Your Thoughts *See Feedback Form in Red*
One of my priorities for this year as the new Superintendent has been to meet, listen and learn from as many families, students and staff members as possible. As we move into the new year, our leadership team is using what we've heard and learned to collaboratively create a strong vision and path forward to best meet the needs of students, staff and the Dedham community in the years ahead.
At every opportunity and connection, I am focused on three primary questions:
- What are the things we should be most proud of when it comes to Dedham Public Schools?
- What do you believe are some of our challenges as a District?
- What are important considerations we should be taking into account when planning the path forward for Dedham Public Schools?
NEWS FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT
Leadership Update: Familiar Face - New Responsibilities
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Ian Kelly, the current Deputy Superintendent, will fill the vacant position of Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations. After a formal interview process, the hiring committee recommended Dr. Kelly as the best choice, noting his history of performance within the District, professional credentials, and his ability to draw on his experience with curriculum, professional development, teaching, and learning to add invaluable perspective to fiscal and operational decisions.
Dr. Kelly has been a leader of Dedham Public Schools since 2016 serving as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and also as Interim Superintendent last year. Dr. Kelly has worked closely with the business office and our operational departments over the years and has established strong relationships that will support him in leading these departments into the future. Prior to joining the team in Dedham, Dr. Kelly served as an elementary school leader for 10 years.
With extensive experience as both a building and district leader, Dr. Kelly has developed a deep understanding of the impact that finances and operations have on the educational experiences of children. Dr. Kelly is incredibly excited about the opportunity to support the District in this newest capacity while continuing to advance his own professional growth and service of the District and our students. He will retain the title of Deputy Superintendent as the most senior member of the Superintendent's leadership team, while assuming oversight responsibility for the finance and operations of Dedham Public Schools.
District Budget Updates - Current FY24 & Future FY25
Fiscal 2024 (F24)
At the January 3, 2024 School Committee meeting Deputy Superintendent Kelly presented the District’s second quarter budget report. This presentation provided a high level overview of the current state of the District’s F24 budget and a general analysis of the department’s current financial position. The report can be accessed via the link here if you would like to review it in greater detail.
As of the close of the second quarter, there are a number of extraordinary circumstances creating a situation in which the District is projecting a potential $2.6 million deficit for F24. These circumstances include:
- (1) an enrollment increase of approximately 7% (~175 students),
- (2) a proportionate increase in students requiring out of district placements,
- (3) state approved increases (5%) in out of district tuitions, and
- (4) a transportation market that is incredibly unfavorable to the District.
As a result, Deputy Superintendent Kelly has consulted with the Superintendent and the Budget Subcommittee and initiated an immediate pause on all non-essential personnel and non-personnel expenses.
Fiscal 2025 (F25)
The District and Budget Subcommittee are well underway in planning for and developing the F25 budget. This continues to be a strategic and collaborative effort between central office administrators, building principals, Town Hall, and the Budget Subcommittee. The F24 issues described above will play a significant role in the development of the F25 budget as the majority of unbudgeted expenses for the current fiscal year are recurring, fixed costs that must carry over into the coming fiscal year. The District will continue to provide updates on the F25 budget development process in the weeks and months ahead.
Holiday Season Thanks
Thanks to all the community organizations and families who made the holiday season so festive for our faculty and staff. From baked goodies and coffee trucks, to all kinds of treats, we thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness this holiday season! Special thanks to all our PTOs! We also want to thank New England Coffee that brought a coffee truck to DHS, as well as Wegmans in Westwood, Costco in Dedham and Dedham Savings Bank who sponsored a gingerbread house decorating contest designed to encourage team building and camaraderie amongst Dedham HS staff and students.
As a festive surprise, school leadership even got into the spirit of giving! On the Wednesday before break, the leadership team gifted faculty and staff with the Gift of Time - noting, "Instead of attending professional development on Wednesday afternoon, we would like you to do something for yourself and/or with friends that will bring you joy."
Some houses were creative...
Some were fan favorites...
Some replicated the school!
Dedham Public Schools Looking to Harness The Power of the Sun
The Dedham Public Schools and Dedham School Committee have been exploring ways to incorporate solar energy options into our school building spaces. The proposed solar project will not only create covered, shaded parking areas at the schools, but also help control future school department energy costs and ensure that DPS is in compliance with State mandates to increase reliance on sustainable energy sources.
Community members are invited to attend an informational forum on proposed plans for adding solar panel canopies over open parking areas at Dedham High School, Dedham Middle School, Avery Elementary School and the ECEC.
January 8, 2024
DMS Auditorium
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Snowy Weather Reminder!! School Delays & Cancellation Alerts
Snow is being predicted for this coming weekend - making it a good time to again share reminders about how Dedham Public Schools will manage and communicate school delays or closings.
With any snow forecast, our leadership team closely watches the predictions and stays in contact with the Dedham Department of Public Works and our school facilities team, so that we can make the best, safest decision for our students and staff. We may choose to keep schools open on regular schedules, delay school start times by 2-hours, or cancel school for the day.
In the event of a 2-hour delayed start, schools will open later than normal. All bus routes will run as usual, with pick up times delayed accordingly. Schools will dismiss at their normal times. Schools will still serve lunches. With a delayed start, there would be NO Morning Preschool. There would be NO Morning Childcare. Afternoon Preschool would start as normal at 12:15pm. Afternoon childcare will still be available.
Any school cancellations or delayed start times will be announced as soon as possible. Updates will be shared:
- EMAIL: DPS will send updates via email to all families.
- WEBSITE: An alert will appear on all Dedham Public School webpages
- SOCIAL: Official DPS social media channels will post an update. If you do not yet follow our official channels, add them now!
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dedhampublicschools
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dedhampublicschools
- X (Twitter): @DedhamSchools
- LOCAL MEDIA: Local television stations will post an update.
District Busing Update
We are glad to report that 100% of Dedham bus routes and schedules have returned to normal. Thanks to all our bus staff for their work in navigating the challenges, and thanks to our students and families for their patience.
As a reminder, families that selected the two-payment schedule for bus fees: the second payment is due on 1/16/2024.
Should you have any questions or concerns with regards to busing or schedules, please contact the DPS Transportation Department.
SCHOOL DAY SPOTLIGHTS
Investigative Learning In Action
Digging into clues, solving challenges and learning as you go are all great ways to learn - no matter the level!
Avery - Grade 1
First Grade students at Avery are working on a Top Secret Mission to earn their Word Detective Badges -looking deeply into the books they are reading to study words and learn ways to solve and check tough words they come across!
DHS - Forensic Science
DHS Forensic Science students researched a case where the Innocence Project was instrumental in getting the incarcerated person exonerated and released from prison.
Teaching & Learning: Analyzing Our Rubrics
In December, all DMS students engaged in the same writing task. DMS teachers then used collaborative time during an early release to engage in an analysis of the writing samples while utilizing a common writing rubric.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
What's The Latest on the Greenlodge-Oakdale Elementary Building Project?
In response to an SBRC inquiry about different student enrollment options and how to proceed if student enrollment projections were to increase as shown in the latest Enrollment Projection Report by the New England School Development Council (NESDEC), published in November 2023, the MSBA completed an informal review of the new information and indicated that enrollment options could possibly be adjusted upward from the figures originally provided at the start of the project. At the December 19th meeting, the SBRC voted unanimously to request the MSBA complete a formal review of the enrollment figures.
What happens next?
The SBRC, in partnership with the School District and School Committee, will submit an application for formal review and the MSBA will issue a formal recommendation either for new enrollment options or unchanged enrollment options. Overall, the vote to submit a formal request for review and to NOT submit the current schematic design of a 30-classroom combined Greenlodge/Oakdale School, will delay the current project timeline.
Community Events & Flyers
Local organizations, events and happenings are often shared with Dedham Schools. As a community service, we post all shared flyers and information here. These events are not sponsored by DPS, but we encourage you to check them regularly to learn about fun things happening around town!
Dedham Human Rights Commission Hosts Annual MLK Celebration - Monday, January 15, 2024
2024 marks Dedham’s seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration, a free community celebration hosted at Dedham Middle School, and sponsored by the Dedham Human Rights Commission. We are so honored that Dedham students are invited to be active participants in this community event, reading essays and providing musical performances, alongside members of the Dedham community.
Monday, January 15, 2024 - 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Dedham Middle School
Dedham High School Performing Arts Company Family Concert - January 27th
Join the DHS Performing Arts Company for a family concert performance featuring songs from Disney's The Descendants. Saturday, January Saturday, January 27, 2024, 10:00 am at DHS. Costumes encouraged! Tickets are available at the door, or online.
2024 Christine Stec Rock Star Educator Nominations Now Open
Dedham Public School community members, including students, caregivers, administrators and staff are invited to nominate Dedham's 2024 Rock Star Educator. The winner will receive a $500 grant from the Dedham Education Foundation for educational supplies or programs to benefit their classroom or school. Nominations are due February 12, 2024
DISTRICT CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
JANUARY
- 9:30am - 10:30am :: In-Person at DMS Cafeteria
- 5:00pm - 5:45pm :: via Zoom
FEBRUARY
- February 7 - School Committee Meeting @ Town Hall 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- February 19 - 23 - No School - February Break
- February 28 - School Committee Meeting 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM