Superintendent's Message
Marc J. Smith - Dennis-Yarmouth Regional Schools
Spring Has Sprung
Hello Dolphin Community,
This week included the Spring Equinox, marking the official beginning to the spring season. While our micro-climate here on the Cape can often be very stubborn about providing us with spring-like weather, the longer days, increased sunshine, and entry into spring athletics all send positive signals that help to pull us from the winter doldrums that we can sometimes find ourselves in. The beginning of the spring season has brought with it many great community events as well. I continue to be amazed by all the different ways that D-Y celebrates student excellence and provides students with opportunities to pursue a wide variety of interests. In just the last two weeks I have attended two "Rising Star" breakfasts for two uniquely different and equally amazing high school students, attended an Academic Signing Day for one of our high school students who received one of only two Foundation Scholarships (full-ride) given our in the entire state, attended the World Language National Honor Society, watched an amazing inter-generational performance (ages 13-90) of the band, saw an amazing rendition of Sponge Bob the Musical at the D-Y Middle School with a huge ensemble, and honored another of our high school students with the M.A.S.S. Superintendent's Academic Achievement Excellence Award. In the weeks prior, we had multiple winter sports in tournament play as another example of ways that student in D-Y are able to display their excellence.
As we head into the end of this month and the beginning of April, we will also be heading into the state assessment season (MCAS). MCAS testing ,and the data that we receive from these assessments, allow us as a school district to analyze how our programs are preparing students in the school district to meet state standards. It is one important piece of information, among many, that helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our school program and its impact on student learning. As we head into this assessment season, students and families can help out by paying attention to the assessment calendar in their individual schools and helping to ensure a good night's rest prior and prioritizing school attendance on those days. School staff can support by similarly considering the assessment schedule in building their unit calendars, assigning homework, and prioritizing attendance on assessment days.
As we head into spring, our Food Service webpage got a major refresh. This is part of a two-part refresh. The second step of the refresh will be completed by next fall and will include complete dietary information on all our menu items. Please be sure to check out phase one of the refresh here.
Lastly, I wanted to share a great story of purpose and community (on a global scale) that embodies what I have come to see being a Dolphin is all about. When I first started back in July, one of the first situations that I was tasked with resolving was the final decommissioning of both the Wixon and Mattacheese Schools in preparation to return "custody and control" of them back to the towns of Dennis and Yarmouth. One of the challenges we were faced with was, what do we do with all the classroom furniture left behind. The new school building project included all state of the art, modern furniture, leaving us with two schools filled with dated, but still usable furniture. Instead of simply looking for a disposal company, Assistant Superintendent David Flynn and Facilities Director Steve Faucher found a company (The Reuse Network) that repurposes school equipment to developing nations looking to start schools in remote villages, economically depressed areas, etc. We received word this past week that our furniture from Mattacheese arrived in Sierra Leone and has gone to help set up a school there. If you are interested in seeing some pictures, check out the link here. For me it is an excellent example of how staff here at D-Y are carefully considering the impact of their decisions one students, families, and the broader community.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and best wishes as we launch into the Spring.
Sincerely,
Marc J. Smith, Ed. D.
Superintendent
Community News
~ Linked Flyers below have more details.
Free Legal Presentation
Amplify POC is partnering with The Justice Center of South Coast Legal Services and the Barnstable County Bar Association to bring the community a Free Legal Presentation on Education to help parents, caregivers, and students better understand their rights when it comes to topics such as Special Education, School Discipline & School Exclusion, Access to Quality Education, English Learning, and Bullying. This presentation by qualified attorneys will cover what is important to know and allow participants to ask questions and find resources. Link to register below.
Know Your Rights: Education Law Presentation Tickets, Tue, Apr 2, 2024 at 5:30 PM | Eventbrite
This event will take place on Tuesday, April 2nd at 5:30pm in person at the Barnstable High School Jr/Sr Cafeteria. We encourage in person attendance but will also offer a zoom option which will be sent out the day of the event. We ask that you please share the attached event flyer on social media and with your email lists, and personally invite people you know who would benefit from this presentation. Please include the link to the Eventbrite page for attendees to register. The slides for the presentation will be available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole upon request at and after the event - if other translations are needed please request. If a translator is needed for the in person event, please request one in advance and we will do our best to provide one. Also attached is a pamphlet from The Justice Center giving an overview of what the presentation will include as well as their contact information - this is attached in the languages noted above and is great information to have available for families.