23/24 Back to School Email
2023-2024
Welcome Back to the 2023 - 2024 School Year at Dedham Public Schools!
To reduce the number of emails you need to read, we are shifting Superintendent Murphy's monthly newsletter planned for this Friday into a Back to School email focused on sharing information that may be helpful as your students and family prepare for school to start next week!
Welcome Back Message From Superintendent Murphy
I am thrilled to officially welcome Dedham parents and family partners to the 2023 - 2024 school year. Whether you are new to the Dedham Public Schools, or have a few more years under your belt, the first week of school is always filled with great anticipation and excitement.
Below you will find important back to school information to help you and your child navigate beginning of a new school year. We worked hard to have as many reference points as possible accessible to you in one place.
Dr. Seuss said it best when referring to new adventures, "Oh The Places You Will Go!" Wishing you and your family a year filled with growth, inspiration, and endless possibilities.
All the best,
Nan
BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION FOR 2023-2024
Download and print the full District Calendar for No School / Holiday and Early Release Days. On the second page, you will also find a quick reference to important school contacts including nurses and attendance lines, along with school start, dismissal and early release times.
2023-24 Dedham Public School Bus Stops and Times for Grades 1 -12 are now posted. Students are assigned bus routes and must ride their assigned bus. No passes are issued, but our schools and drivers have ridership lists. Kindergarten bus routes and information have been sent to families via email. Please contact the Transportation office with any questions or concerns.
Applications for bus transportation may still be submitted. You can download the application here. Completed applications can be scanned/photographed and submitted via email.
Transportation Office: Trish Sullivan pasullivan@dedham.k12.ma.us
✏️ Updating Contact Information and Sign Offs
We are working to shift all of our family and emergency contact information online - instead of sending home blue contact forms and papers to sign.
In the coming weeks, you will get information on how to update home and emergency contact information through our PowerSchool portal. This Back to School form will also ask you to review and acknowledge important school policy information, as well as student data privacy information.
If you do not know how to log-in to PowerSchool, you can find information here!
✅ Attendance & Reporting Absent
Regular and consistent school and class attendance is an essential component of a successful learning experience for all children. Whenever a student will be absent from school, families must call and report their student(s) absent that morning.
- ECEC: 781-310-8799
- Avery: 781-310-5799
- Greenlodge: 781-310-4799
- Oakdale: 781-310-6799
- Riverdale: 781-310-2799
- DMS: 781-310-7799
- DHS: 781-310-1180
⏰ School Open House Nights
6:00pm - 8:00pm
- ECEC PreK : Thursday, October 19th
- ECEC Kindergarten : Thursday, October 12th
- Avery Elementary : Thursday, October 5th
- Greenlodge Elementary : Thursday, October 5th
- Oakdale Elementary : Thursday, October 5th
- Riverdale Elementary : Thursday, October 5th
- DMS : Thursday, October 12th
- DHS : Thursday, October 5th
📸 School Photo Days
Student photos will be taken by LifeTouch photography. All students will have photos taken, but purchase of a photo package is not required. Information will be coming home from your school in the coming weeks.
- ECEC : Wednesday, October 4th; Thursday, October 5th*
- Avery Elementary : Thursday, September 14th
- Greenlodge Elementary : Monday, October 16th
- Oakdale Elementary : Thursday, October 12th
- Riverdale Elementary : Thursday, October 19th
- DMS : Wednesday, October 11th
- DHS : Tuesday, September 26th
*ECEC Teachers will confirm day based on class schedule
🩺 Student Health Reminders
Physicals & Immunizations
All students should have up to date immunizations prior to attending school.
- All incoming 4th, 7th, and 10th grade students are required to submit a new physical exam with up-to-date immunizations.
- 7th graders should have an updated Tdap and Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine along with their physical exam that includes a vision screen and scoliosis screen.
- 11th graders should have an updated Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine.
Use our SNAP portal to upload information and complete forms.
For your convenience, the SNAP Health Portal can also now be accessed from PowerSchool
Student Medications
All medications, prescription or over‐the‐counter, require a physician’s order and a completed parental permission form through your child’s SNAP health file. Medication will not be administered until documentation is complete and received by the school nurse. Permission to administer Tylenol or ibuprofen can be done directly in the SNAP portal.
All medication must be delivered to the school nurse in a correctly labeled pharmacy or manufacturer’s medication container by a parent/guardian or responsible adult. Students are not permitted to bring medication into school.
Student Illness Guidelines : When Do Students Need to Stay Home Sick?
To minimize the spread of infectious disease and to provide for a safe environment, students should be kept home from school for:
Fever of 100 or above within the last 24 hours (fever should be under 100 for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications before returning to school)
Vomiting and / or diarrhea within the last 24 hours
A communicable disease
An upper respiratory illness with significant coughing and/or nasal discharge
Pain that requires the use of medications. Pain should be evaluated as soon as possible including earaches, toothaches, and headaches.
Rash of unknown origin
🍎 School Meals
Students Eat Free!
In August, Massachusetts voted to make school lunches free for all students. This means, that all Dedham students will be able to get enjoy one free breakfast and one free lunch each day for the 2023-2024 school year!
Students are still able to bring a bagged lunch with them if they prefer. Additional breakfast and lunch portions, as well as individual food/snack items will be available for purchase.
Our Online prepayment service is: WWW.MYSCHOOLBUCKS.COM
- Please note there is a fee of $2.75 per transaction when adding to your student pre-paid balance.
- You can send in cash or a check (made out to the Town of Dedham) - bring to cafe cashier.
- Student Balances (positive and negative) carry over year-to-year from Kindergarten to 12th grade.
What’s For Lunch?
Monthly Menus for All Schools can be found quickly using the icon at the top of each school webpage - or by visiting:
💳 Financial Accommodations
(Formerly Free/Reduced Lunch Application)
Families facing economic hardship may be eligible for financial accommodations and other benefit services if they qualify through programs including SNAP, TAFDC, foster care or MassHealth. Eligibility must be renewed each year by completing an application within the first thirty days of the school year.
Even though meals are free this year, it is still strongly recommended that you apply, as it will make you eligible for other financial accommodations including waived bus and technology fees, program fee accommodations and more. If you qualify under these programs, you may also qualify for free or discounted Internet service (Affordable Connectivity Program - https://www.fcc.gov/acp).
Click Here for online Financial Accommodation Application form
or download to print a form here:
- Financial Accommodation Application PDF - English
- Financial Accommodation Application PDF - en español
📩 Parent / School Communication
Sharing Questions or Concerns
Our educators and administrators are committed to the success and well-being of all our students and will work diligently to resolve concerns, maintain confidentiality, and return communications in a timely manner. Much like we ask students to stay present and focused in the classroom, we ask the same of our teachers. So, please be patient if you do not receive an immediate response to a message.
For all questions or concerns, we recommend first reaching out to your student's teacher. If the issue is not resolved or you have additional concerns, please next reach out to the school principal.
Weekly School Updates
All Dedham Schools will be sending home weekly updates every Monday. These email updates will include upcoming dates, school news, along with a few fun snapshots into classrooms and learning happening around the school. We look forward to sharing all the amazing things that take place throughout the year!
Follow Dedham Public Schools on Social Media
Dedham Public Schools are now officially on social media! You can now follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X/Twitter! We are excited to be on social media to share updates, interesting snapshots from the school day and to celebrate school achievements and news from all our schools.
There is a lot going on during a school day! Questions, concerns and ongoing issues should be communicated directly to the appropriate school staff via telephone or email, as we will not always be able to immediately respond via social media.
💻 Technology at DMS & DHS
All our DMS and DHS students have assigned Chromebooks with adapters. This is an excellent time to check that the Chromebook and charger is functioning properly - and that your student’s Chromebook is charged and ready for the first day of school!
- Email hometechservice@dedham.k12.ma.us if you need support with your Chromebook.
More information will be emailed home in the coming days regarding Technology Fees ($75) and a required form to be completed by DMS & DHS parents/guardians to acknowledge our technology use policies.
🎶 4th & 5th Grade Elementary Instrumental Music Program
We are excited to once again offer students the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument during the school day. Students will have one lesson a week - during school - taught by Dedham's elementary music teachers.
Lessons begin in late September and run through the end of the school year. Students will need to sign up to participate in the program. Students in 5th grade may register - even if they did not choose to participate in 4th grade.
Lessons are offered for Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, and Clarinet. Percussion (bell kit and snare) is available for 5th graders only. Instruments are not provided and will need to be purchased or rented. Loaner instruments may be available directly from DPS for students in need.
Our 4th and 5th grade families will be seeing more information come home in the next few days with details on program details, how to sign-up, and the dates for our instrument rental night.
- Music Instrument Rental Night: Thursday, September 14th
- Sign Up Deadline: Friday, September 15th
Interested in exploring a career in education or know someone who is?
Looking for a job that gives you more control over how many days you want to work during the week?
Need a work schedule that aligns with school schedules and school vacations?
Dedham Public Schools are looking for Daily Substitute Teachers!
Daily Per Diem Substitute pay $120/day*
Please complete our on-line application and upload a resume, cover letter, and email addresses for three references. You may also upload letters of recommendation. References will automatically be sent an email questionnaire.
Dedham Public Schools also still have several Paraprofessional positions available.
Looking Forward To Seeing Students Next Week!
As always, if you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to your school's main office. We're happy to help!