Dartmouth Public Schools
DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
Kindness Matters
Dr. Bonny Gifford - Superintendent of Schools
As mentioned during opening day we have many opportunities to engage as a professional learning community; PLC, SAT, CIA, L3, TLL teams to name a few. We are fortunate to be afforded these job embedded times where we can partner, problem solve and share. In doing so, our commitment to grow as a culture of collaboration that is continually focused on learning and student results is nurtured. Working and learning together deepens our understanding of growth mindset practices and how to put them into practice. As a PLC, expanding our mindsets together will help us get even better at sharing , collaborating, innovating, pursuing feedback, responding to challenges and seeking to improve everyday. Every student deserves a teacher who models how to approach every learning experience with a growth mindset. As a PLC, we are responsible to ensure that happens.
"While providing time for educators to collaborate in meaningful teams is a necessary condition for effective PLCs, it is far from sufficient. A professional learning community is not simply a meeting: It is an ongoing process in which educators work collaboratively in recursive cycles of collective inquiry and action research in order to achieve better results for the students they serve." Dufour
Kindergarten Letter Friends
All kindergarten teachers received training in Dedham during the summer, or through a webinar at Bush St. this fall. Pre-school teachers are eager to join their colleagues; to this end they will be participating in training during this school year. Teachers are excited to hook our youngest learners through this new program! Lively letters is meeting the needs of our lively students.
5th Grade Mystery Powder
Facilities Master Plan
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
By now everyone has heard us speak about personalized/blended learning. Many of you participated in this summer's boot camp with Highlander and some of you are now participating in this year's professional development with the same. As an update, 3 teams of middle school teachers will be meeting with Michael Klein from Highlander throughout the year. Sessions include PD on station rotation, sharing of resources, lesson development, classroom observations, and follow up discussions. At the high school, lead teachers are participating in PD focused on coaching while several teachers from math, science, engineering and business are collaborating to create what we are calling STEM and Innovation offerings. This work will produce a variety of pathways aligned with sectors revolving round biotechnology, computer science and robotics engineering. Imagine the possibilities this will open.
"EDUCATING THE MIND WITHOUT EDUCATING THE HEART IS NO EDUCATION AT ALL." ARISTOTLE
Cafe Tuesday
Cafe Tuesday is more than just a coffee cart though; it is Mrs. KP’s students’ very first job and a real world opportunity for each of them to practice their social, communication, daily living and money skills that they have been working so hard on within the classroom. Mondays are spent organizing order forms and baking all of the treats needed for Tuesday. Every Tuesday morning, students put on their work uniforms, figure out what shift they are working and begin brewing the coffee. Throughout the day, customer service and money skills are practiced as they greet and serve their customers and work the cash register.
In addition to learning the importance of holding their very first job, the crew at Cafe Tuesday have also learned the importance of community as every single supply needed for the coffee cart was donated through Donors Choose by local members of our community. Mrs. KP posted the Cafe Tuesday project on the Donors Choose website and overnight had over $750 worth of donations. In addition to Donors Choose, a coffee company from Virginia, Ironclad Coffee Roasters, as well as The Country Whip of Acushnet have donated an endless supply of ground coffee!
Thanks to it’s incredible donors, awesome employees and fabulous customers of DHS, Cafe Tuesday is off to a great start!
Project TIME Mentor Training
Ten teachers recently attended a Saturday Professional Development Session to become a mentor for Project TIME. The mission of Project TIME is to support the success of teachers, whether new to the profession or simply new to the district, as well as the veteran teachers who mentor them; thus, providing improved instructional practices and increased student achievement resulting in Quality Education for All Learners. Research shows that the most successful mentoring relationships occur when mentor/mentee teams are located in the same building, preferably in the same subject area/specialty. Therefore, our district benefits from an extensive, diverse pool of trained mentors. Thanks to those who attended.
What happening at DPS?
Facebook: facebook.com/DartmouthPublicSchools
Twitter: @DrBGifford
Our Littlest Readers
Cushman students marched through the halls ringing bells, shaking maracas and tapping tambourines. The big celebration was to announce to the world that they are readers. The students have been studying informational books, as well as storybooks. They learned that they can study the visuals to understand an informational book, or can use the pictures and their own words to construct the story in a storybook. Although they are not actually able to read these books like older readers, we still call what they do reading. This work is the beginning of really reading and will help set down a strong foundation. The biggest message in our first unit of study was to create kids who want to learn to read and who believe that they can do it. Just look at those faces-true believers!
DHS Staff Passes, Kicks, Punts for After Prom!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Name: Kathleen Souza-Pontes School/Position: DMS Grade 8 ELA Hometown: Stamford, CT Education: Stamford, CT: Riverbank Elementary, Cloonan Jr. High, Westhill HS; Bachelor’s: So. CT State University, New Haven, CT; Master’s: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT One goal I have achieved in my career so far that I feel most satisfied about: Becoming a published author of 2 children’s books. I hear about the impact my writing has had on people I have never met, and it is very rewarding and humbling. Sharing the writing process and my experiences as an author with my students allows me to add another dimension to my teaching. A long-term goal I am working toward: Retirement! Spending more time with family and traveling. Role model or someone who has had a great impact on my life: The person I admire most is my mom, and the person I respect most is my dad. Both have had a huge impact on me and my life. If I could travel anywhere in the world, it would be: A European tour If I could eat dinner with somebody famous, dead or alive, it would be: Oprah. She just really intrigues me. Favorite leisure time activity: Reading and writing Favorite book: There are just too many to pick only one! I think the world’s greatest invention is: The Printing Press My favorite motto or saying: “This, too, shall pass.” What I like best about working at DPS: DPS staff has an appreciation, sensitivity and understanding of children (of all ages), and they show true compassion and concern for their coworkers