DHS Community Update
February 18, 2022
The Principal's Perspective: Enjoy February Vacation!
Greetings DHS Community Members:
I hope this DHS Community Update finds you well and looking forward to February vacation. I wanted to briefly touch on some important topics before heading off to February vacation.
First, this past Monday, the Dartmouth School Committee voted in accordance with the recent action taken by Governor Baker and Commissioner Riley to rescind the mask mandate. As a result, effective Monday, February 28, 2022, masks will no longer be required but will be optional for all students and staff. As this is an individual choice, we expect that all members of the Dartmouth High School community will be respectful of each individual's decision as to whether or not to wear a mask.
All students and families should be mindful of two notable areas where the mask mandate remains in effect. The first is on buses. Federal regulations require that masks be worn on all school buses. As a result, students riding the bus to school each day must have a mask on to ride the bus.
The second area where masks are required is in the Nurse's Office throughout the schools. Students who enter the Nurse's Office for any reason will be asked to put on a mask upon entry. We expect that all will comply in order to ensure our nursing staff remains healthy, well and able to take care of us as they have done so well throughout this pandemic.
Finally, I hope that this week off provides you and your family an opportunity to rest, relax, and rejuvenate. It has been a challenging few years to say the least; however, with the lifting of the mask mandate, the current trend in COVID-19 numbers, and our hopeful plans for moving toward a return to some sense of normalcy, I can't help but feel as if spring is in the air!
Sincerely,
Ross A. Thibault
DHS Principal
Congratulations to Our Record Breaking Student-Athletes
This week was an important and impressive week for our Winter Track Program. Members of our Winter Track Team competed this week at the Division 3 State Championship Meet where 16 personal records were set and two school records were broken.
Congratulations to James Marden who broke the school record for the 55m Dash which he himself had set just last week. The new school record is now 6.76 seconds.
Additionally, we congratulate our lady track stars, Sorelle Lawton, Mia Carter, Madison Stott, and Kate Smith, who set a new school record for the 4x200 Relay with a time of 1:49.60 which earned them a 4th place finish at the Division 3 State Championship meet.
We are very proud of the outstanding accomplishments of our student-athletes on the Winter Track Team.
Course Selection Process: A Collaborative Approach
It is that time of year again. It is time for students currently enrolled in grades 9-11 to select courses for the upcoming school year. At Dartmouth High School we invite and encourage students, parents and guardians, school counselors, teachers, and advisors to engage in the course selection process as partners in our students' success. When we work collaboratively students are able to make informed decisions about which courses to select based on their individual post-secondary goals and aspirations.
The graphic above illustrates a step by step approach to this collaborative process. Students and parents should review the Program of Studies carefully and should make note of any questions they might have. Students are then able to follow up with questions with the appropriate person prior to selecting their courses.
As students consider their courses for next year, they should be mindful of graduation requirements, their post-secondary plans or aspirations, as well as the opportunity to explore areas of potential interest. We encourage all students to take at-least 1 advanced course prior to graduation. Completing Advanced Placement (AP) or Project Lead the Way (PLTW) strengthens a student's transcript and supports the development of the skills and knowledge necessary to be college and career ready upon graduation.
We will adhere to the following timeline with respect to our Course Selection process:
February 11, 2022: Updated Program of Studies Published
February 16, 2022: Advisory Session on Course Selection Process & Course Selection Portal Opens
February 17, 2022 & February 18, 2022: Grade Level Assemblies Facilitated by School Counselors
March 2, 2022: Deadline for Grades 9-11 to enter course requests in ASPEN
AP Capstone Diploma: A Tremendous Opportunity
Dartmouth High School is proud to offer students the opportunity to earn an AP Capstone Diploma. Earning such a diploma provides many benefits to students, including a strengthened transcript and many potential college credits which can shorten the time necessary to earn a degree as well as save a significant amount of money.
The graphic above is a recommended pathway to an AP Capstone Diploma which culminates in AP Research. Next year, Dartmouth High School will seek to schedule students into an AP Research section based upon the area of interest the student expresses. In other words, students who wish to complete a research project related to science would be scheduled into a section that is taught by a Science Teacher. Students who wish to conduct research related to the humanities will be taught by an English Teacher while any research interests related to statistics or mathematical modeling, etc. will be taught by a Math teacher.
Any students or parents or guardians with questions about the AP Capstone Diploma should reach out to our AP Coordinator Ms. Rachel Chavier at rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org or to English Lead Teacher Mr. Wilbur Higgins at wilburhiggins@dartmouthschools.org.
Final Opportunity for Grade 12 Students to Participate in MCAS Tests for Scholarship Purposes
In recognition of 2021 being a disrupted school year, DESE is permitting students in the classes of 2022 and 2023 (if testing for the first time, regardless of whether the students were MED or ABS in grade 10, or are new to a MA public school) to participate in the March 2022 MCAS retests for scholarship purposes. All students attempting to qualify for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and/or the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery must have MCAS scores in ELA and Mathematics. (As a reminder, students in the class of 2022 were eligible for a modified Competency Determination, and many students did not participate in grade 10 ELA and Mathematics testing). Please note that the March retest is the final opportunity for students in the class of 2022 (current seniors) to participate in MCAS testing for scholarship purposes.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Associate Principal, Ms. Chavier, at rachelchavier@dartmouthpublicschools.org.
If your student would like to participate in the March Retest, please sign up by Friday, February 18, 2022.
Students who are required to take the MCAS Retest for their CD (competency determination) will be contacted by their guidance counselor and will receive an email from Ms. Chavier regarding details. The Room Assignments for the MCAS Retest are listed by student ID. Students who are taking the MCAS Retest must report directly to their testing room when they arrive on their testing days. The Retest will begin promptly at 7:30 am. Students must bring their fully charged Chromebook, a snack and drink for the break, and a book to read when they have finished the test.
The March MCAS Retest Schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, March 9, 2022: ELA MCAS Retest Session 1
Thursday, March 10, 2022: ELA MCAS Retest Session 2
Tuesday, March 15, 2022: Math MCAS Retest Session 1
Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Math MCAS Retest Session 2
Future MCAS Dates
Please see the MCAS 2022 Schedule for ELA and Math MCAS Administration Dates.
AP Exam Fees
A gentle reminder for students who have not made their final payment for AP Exams. The balance for exams is due by February 19, 2022. Please visit the Town of Dartmouth website to make final payments. Students who have an exam balance received an invoice during the week of January 20th with the amount that is owed. If students or parents/guardians have questions, please contact rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org.
Any exam that is ordered at this point, will have a $40 late fee in addition to the base exam fee. This fee doesn’t apply for students who transfer to Dartmouth High. It is also important to note that the College Board is not waiving cancellation fees this school year. Therefore, if an exam is not taken or canceled, a $40 cancellation fee will be charged.
We encourage all our AP students to sit for the exams; they have worked very diligently to prepare for the exam(s) all school year and deserve the opportunity to see the results of their dedication. If you are experiencing financial hardship and need assistance for the exam payment, please contact rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org.
Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma Program
As we approach course selection time for the 2022-2023 year, it is important for students and parents/guardians to be aware of our AP Capstone Program. The AP Capstone is a diploma program based on two AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. These yearlong courses focus on developing college-level skills in research, critical thinking, presentation, and team collaboration - areas that are increasingly valued by colleges and universities.
Please see the resources below to help you understand the benefits of the Capstone Program, the opportunities for earning an AP Capstone Diploma or an AP Seminar and Research Certificate, and details about the program and how it works.
If you have any questions, please contact Associate Principal Rachel Chavier at rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org
Celebrating Black History Month
Lead by the Multicultural Club, Dartmouth High School continues to recognize and celebrate Black History Month. On Tuesday, February 15, 2022, the Multicultural Club held an event during the PASE period to commemorate the works of important African Americans. Faculty members and students gathered together to recite important speeches and selections of poetry from African American writers, activists and artists. Highlighted during the event were speeches and poetry from James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, W.E.B. DuBois, and Sojourner Truth. The event was inspirational and demonstrated the wide range of contributions that African Americans have made to our nation. Many thanks to Multicultural Club members and Advisor Ms. Lili Chamberlain for hosting the event.
Multicultural Club Meeting Commemorating Black History Month
Earn the Seal of Biliteracy!
Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy
Dartmouth High School is proud to participate in the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy program offered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Since introducing the program at Dartmouth High School, over 25 students have earned the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy, 8 with Distinction.
WHAT: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) states that the Seal of Biliteracy is an official designation from the State of Massachusetts that recognizes graduates who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language. Upon graduation, districts affix the insignia to the physical diploma, to the electronic transcripts, or both. There are 2 levels of distinction a student can achieve: Seal of Biliteracy and Seal of the Biliteracy with Distinction.
WHO: Students who meet the criteria will receive the Seal of Biliteracy or the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction upon graduation.
HOW: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has outlined the criteria students must meet to earn this award. To measure proficiency in English, students must earn a qualifying score on the ELA MCAS. To measure proficiency in the target language, students must earn a qualifying score on a state-approved assessment (AAPPL Exam/ AP Spanish Exam/NEWL Exam).
WHEN: Deadlines and testing windows.
Submit REGISTRATION FORM HERE by Wednesday, March 31, 2022.
Exams will be administered on April 12-April 16, 2022.
Cost of the exam will be funded by Dartmouth Public Schools.
WHERE: All testing will take place in the DHS Language Lab (C-12 ). Please contact World Language Lead Teacher Hilaria Sousa at hilariasousa@dartmouthschools.org with any questions.
School Counseling & Support Services Department Updates!
School Counseling Updates
MEFA - Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority
View the MEFA website and available resources - Click to go to website!
Register for webinars - We offer free informative webinars and virtual community events on a range of topics. To register for an upcoming webinar, Click here to register!
MEFA Podcast: What Can you Expect to See in a Financial Aid Offer? Podcast Link
College Financing for High School Juniors Webinar - SAVE THE DATE March 3rd 6:30PM Click to register for Junior Webinar
National College Fair - STEM Virtual College Fair February 24th 4p.m.-8p.m. Link to register for Virtual College Fairs
Social Worker Updates
Free apps for mental health and well-being Click to go to article!
Mindshift - Best for Anxiety
Bellybio - Best for deep breathing
Take a Break! - Best for stress relief
Quit That! - Best for quitting unwanted habits
Relax with Andrew Johnson Lite - Best for better sleep
February Vacation
Friday, Feb 18, 2022, 02:15 PM
Dartmouth Public Schools
After Prom Parent Committee
All parents wishing to volunteer to work on this year's After Prom Committee are invited to attend this meeting. All are welcome as this is the very first meeting of the year.
Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022, 05:30 PM
DHS LMC
TEDxDHS
The event will be livestreamed and can be viewed using the video link below.
Friday, Mar 11, 2022, 07:30 AM
DHS
At-Home Test Kits Distributed
At-Home Test Kits were distributed to students who have opted into the test at home program. We are asking that students use the at-home test kits each Sunday. Students obtaining a negative result are clear to attend school. Any student who receives a positive result (two lines) on the at-home test kit should remain home from school on Monday and should contact the nurse's office to discuss next steps.