Dartmouth Public Schools
iInspire, Kindness Matters, You Matter
Dr. Gifford
With June fast approaching, the budget process will come to a close at the annual town meeting on June 4th. Each year, starting in October, the effort to develop a financial articulation of our core beliefs, mission and goals begins. It involves numerous group and individual meetings with directors, building leaders, central office administration and town leaders. We collaborate with school and finance committees as well as the select board, with a goal of explaining the reasoning behind our decision making and the choices we make in an effort to garner support. While engaged in this endeavor, we remain focused on students and continuously circle back to our strategic plan and key principles to create our “best” budget proposal that will advance the mission of our district: we are confident our plans will enhance our quest to prepare students to flourish in a rapidly changing 21st century.
Oftentimes, educational choices necessitate the reallocation of resources from one area to another in order to accomplish a particular goal or to address a specific need. For example, each year we pay close attention to incoming Kindergarten students; assessing the need for an additional section. Grade progression of a larger than usual class size or “bubble group” might also result in teacher shifting. Retirements might be an opportunity to reallocate funds to hire instructors that more closely align with our vision; investment in instructional technology specialists and computer science personnel are examples. We also consider how we might increase social emotional and specialist support. All of this goes hand in hand with decisions around resources, transportation, out of district costs and facility maintenance.
Although the yearly endeavor is complex and sometimes disappointing, budget season also generates excitement as it allows us an opportunity to re-imagine our teaching and learning environment. Knowing a endless supply of money does not exist we brainstorm, get creative, and strategize so we can arrive at moments when we get to say YES!
Back to School PD Day! August 26, 2019
MASS Award Recipients
Mentoring and Internships
Meet Mr. Richard Gill - New Associate Principal at DHS
Dartmouth High School is excited to announce the addition of Mr. Richard Gill as Assistant Principal effective July 1, 2019. Mr. Gill will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Assistant Principal Christopher Boyle. Mr. Gill is currently employed as an Assistant Principal at Southbridge High School in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Prior to serving as an Assistant Principal in Southbridge, Mr. Gill served as an administrator in the Oxford Public School System working at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Mr. Gill’s successful administrative experience was preceded by an equally impressive teaching resume. Mr. Gill served as a Mathematics Teacher at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School in Peabody, Massachusetts where he taught a range of different Mathematics courses from remedial Algebra to AP Statistics. Before becoming an educator, Mr. Gill served the nation as a two-time Commanding Officer in the United States Coast Guard.
Job Fair
Dr. Tonja Hunt - DPS Physical Theripist
Congratulations to our very own Dr. Tonja Hunt!
Dr. Hunt received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Northeastern University. What a proud moment for her, her family and her students.
Art & Innovation Show
Junior Banquet
Lauren Coelho - Assumption Volleyball
Ben Rioux - Bryant University - Cross Country
Sofia Souza - Fitchburg State University - Softball & Field Hockey
Chloe Martinez - Johnson & Wales University - Soccer
Special Olympics
Staff Spotlight
Name: Erin Shurtleff
School/Position: 4th Grade Teacher at DeMello
Hometown: Westport, MA
Education: Bachelors in Psychology, Master of Arts in Teaching (both from UMass Dartmouth)
One goal I have achieved in my career so far that I feel most satisfied about: I have achieved many goals in my teaching career, but I think the best one has to be earning a position teaching at DeMello School. It is truly a place where coworkers are like family. I have found a place where I love going to work everyday and have students who are absolutely amazing.
Role model or someone who has had a great impact on my life: I have been lucky to have had so many influential people in many areas of my life. However, I believe that my parents have been the biggest influence in shaping me into who I am today.
If I could eat dinner with somebody famous, dead or alive, it would be: I would definitely choose my dad. He passed away two years ago and one more time to get to have a meal and conversation with him would be absolutely amazing.
Pet peeve:I have a few... the biggest one is people who “are all talk and no action”.
Favorite leisure time activity: Pretty much anything outdoors. I especially like walking in the woods and on the beach or riding my horse.
Favorite movie: I have so many, but I think my favorite to watch with my boys is “The Sandlot”.
Favorite book: Usually it’s whatever book I am reading at the moment.
I think the world’s greatest invention is: Electricity. There are so many other inventions that have come about because of electricity. It’s also something we totally take for granted until the power is out.
My favorite motto or saying: “”Though she be but little, she is fierce”
What I like best about working at DPS: Having taught in another district for many years before working in Dartmouth, I am extremely grateful for the sense of community and caring found
in this district for everyone.
A New Grandmother!
Interested in sharing a picture of your new grandchild/child? Send a picture and stats to Mrs. Scorpio (Karenscorpio@dartmouthschools.org)