DHS Community Update
September 24, 2021
The Principal's Perspective: We Need Your Help!
Greetings DHS Community Members:
I hope this week's DHS Community Update finds you doing well and off to a strong start to the 2021-2022 school year. Heading into the school year many were hopeful that the year would look more like 2018-2019 and less like 2020-2021; unfortunately, the pandemic has proven to make that more wishful thinking than reality. That being said, the year is off to a strong start and we are looking forward to continuing to provide a quality experience for all students. In order to achieve this goal, we need help from our parents and community members.
First, please understand that we are obligated to follow the guidelines published by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, etc. This means that we must contact trace in the event we have a member of the school community who tests positive for COVID-19. There are various scenarios with respect to how close contacts are handled based upon a variety of factors, including vaccination status. I am asking that you please be courteous to any members of our school who may call to make you aware that your child has been identified as a close contact. When a nurse or secretary calls to make you aware they are simply doing their job by informing you of the next steps and they are doing so to keep us all safe. They are deserving of our nothing less than respectful dialogue as they continue to navigate a very challenging time.
To that end, Dartmouth Public Schools has launched our Test and Stay Program that provides an opportunity for asymptomatic, close contacts to consent to a rapid antigen test prior to the start of school in order to avoid missing school time unnecessarily. Students who are determined to be close contacts who choose not to participate in the test and stay program will experience a loss of in-person instructional time. We highly encourage all students to participate in the test and stay program. Parent/Guardian consent is required and can be completed by using the form embedded below.
Additionally, we are experiencing as many of you are well aware, dense traffic between 7:15 a.m. and 7:35 a.m. While I wish we had a better solution to the traffic we do not. I kindly ask that you consider leaving your house a little earlier so that you arrive at DHS prior to the traffic build up. If you are dropping off a child, please follow the directions being given by the crossing guards in front of the school as well as by school personnel located by the entrance to the student drop off lane. Following their direction is essential to making sure that students are dropped off as efficiently as possible.
In closing, we need your help on these issues in order to ensure all students have a successful school year at Dartmouth High School. If you have questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at 508-961-2700.
Sincerely,
Ross A. Thibault
Principal
Substitutes Needed!
Want to help out and earn some extra-money? Why not consider becoming a substitute teacher for the Dartmouth Public School system?
Now, more than ever, we are in need of high quality individuals who enjoy working with young people to serve as substitute teachers. Please consider applying or sharing this information with a neighbor or friend who you think might be a good fit. We appreciate your help in spreading the word.
Individuals who are Certified Teachers serving as a substitute teacher will earn $120 per day and non-certified teachers will earn $105 per day. Please click the button below to apply or find more information about the process.
Faculty & Parent Volunteers Needed for School Council
All schools in Massachusetts are required to have a School Council which is made up of equal representation of students, faculty members and parents/community members. The School Council typically meets monthly for approximately an hour to discuss various topics of importance to the school, specifically, to provide advice to the Principal on the development of the School Improvement Plan, formation of the budget request, etc.
This year, the DHS School Council will meet on the following dates/times:
- October 6, 2021 6:00 p.m.
- November 3, 2021 6:00 p.m.
- December 1, 2021 6:00 p.m.
- January 12, 2022 6:00 p.m.
- February 9, 2022 6:00 p.m.
- March 9, 2022 6:00 p.m.
- April 6, 2022 6:00 p.m.
- May 4, 2022 6:00 p.m.
- June 2022 TBA
The council is in search of faculty and parent volunteers. If necessary an election is held through the PTO to select parent representatives.
If you are interested in serving on the council please complete the form below. If you have questions before volunteering to serve on the council, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Thibault at rossthibault@dartmouthschools.org.
Marine Science Specimen Collection
We are happy to report that we have had outstanding cooperation and compliance with respect to COVID-19 safety protocols at Dartmouth High School. We ask that students, parents and guardians remain vigilant and communicative with our school nurses. Specifically, please remember:
- Everyone at Dartmouth High School must wear a mask while inside Dartmouth High School. Masks should be three-ply and fit snuggly over the mouth and nose. Gaiters, bandannas and masks with side vents are not permitted.
- Everyone is encouraged to maintain excellent hand hygiene. Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the building including in common areas and classrooms and students and staff are encouraged to wash their hands frequently throughout the day.
- If a student is not feeling well please do not send them to school. If you have a question about whether or not to send your child to school please reach out to one of our nurses first!
Complete the Test & Stay Consent Form!
Dartmouth High School is set to begin our Test and Stay program; however, we need your help.
As Dr. Gifford explained in a previous Superintendent's Update, "Test and Stay allows students who have had close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 while at school to stay in school if the student is not showing symptoms. Instead of needing to quarantine and miss school, these students will take a daily rapid test while they remain in school as long as they are not symptomatic. Students participate in test and stay for seven days after they may have been exposed."
In order for students to participate in this program and avoid having to quarantine while being non-symptomatic, we must have consent to test through the CIC Health COVID-19 Testing program. Please be aware that the test will be conducted by a Dartmouth Public Schools Nurse who has been trained to administer the test and would be conducted on site at Dartmouth High School prior to the start of school.
In order to reduce the loss of school time, we ask that all parents interested in this option complete the consent form using the link below. Please note, students for whom we do not have consent can not be tested through this program.
DHS TV Media Presents
In each DHS Community Update we will bring you the latest material produced by DHS students in the DHS TV Media Production Program. This week we continue with a series being produced that introduces the newest members of the DHS Faculty and Staff to our community. This week, DHS TV Media is excited to introduce School Counselor Mr. Michael Jeghers and Dartmouth High School Music Teacher Mr. Sam Bianco.
AP Update
We are excited to prepare our students for the AP exams which will be paper and pencil this spring. It is the expectation of all Dartmouth High School students enrolled in an AP course that they take the corresponding AP exam in the spring.
It is important to note that the College Board is not waiving cancellation fees this school year. Therefore, if an exam is not taken or cancelled, a $40 cancellation fee will be charged.
Please visit the Town of Dartmouth website to make payment by the following due dates. If you have any questions or concerns, please email rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org.
Deadline dates: $40.00 deposit (non refundable) per exam must be made by November 5, 2021. A $10.00 deposit per exam is required for students experiencing economic hardship. Balance is due by February 18, 2022. You may pay in full by November 5th if you choose.
Students who may be experiencing economic hardship should speak directly with DHS AP Coordinator Rachel Chavier as we do not want financial challenges to be the reason a student does not take an AP exam. We have resources to support students in need--please take advantage of them by contacting Ms. Chavier at rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org or by phone at 508-961-2700 ext. 7410.
PSAT/NMSQT
PSATs will be administered to sophomores and juniors on October 13th. All sophomores and juniors were issued a PSAT/NMSQT practice exam during advisory this week and will be provided information about their testing location, procedures, etc. in advisory on October 12th.
MCAS Retest
We will be administering the MCAS Retest in November. The dates are as follows:
Math Retest - November 9 & 10
ELA Retest - November 16 & 17
Students who did not pass MCAS ELA and/or Math last year, will be required to take the test. They will receive notification beforehand.
MCAS Sign-Ups For Seniors, Class of 2022
Students in the class of 2022, our current seniors, are waived from taking the exam if they have passed the requisite courses. However, if a senior, currently in the Class of 2022, would like to take the Math & ELA MCAS to be eligible for scholarships or the Seal of Biliteracy, please sign up using this link!
SAT Prep
Join Mrs. Church in B26 during PASE on Tuesdays starting on October 5 to start reviewing for the Spring SATs. We will work on targeted skills weekly to strengthen your understanding and increase your scores. Come as often as you'd like. Drop ins are welcome.
Fill out this form by Monday each week to be scheduled in Enriching Students.
School Counseling & Support Services Department Updates!
School Counseling Updates
Class of 2022
Students can start scheduling appointments with their school counselor to discuss post secondary plans.
During PASE on September 23rd, students had a presentation from the school counseling department on Post Secondary Planning. The presentation is uploaded to the Google Classroom for students.
Future Focused Friday for October 1st - Filling out the Common Application
Students A-Ma should sign up in Pase under Mr. Jeghers
Students Mb-Z should sign up in Pase under Mr. Wright
Educational Opportunity Center - 589 South Street, New Bedford (508) 996-3147 X3923
What they do: College Financial Planning Assistance - FASA, College Financial Aid Planning Application Assistance - CSS Profile, College Planning Workshops for Families and Students, College Admission Information and Assistance, Educational Counseling, Federal and Private Loan Information, Career Planning and Assessment
School Social Workers Updates
United Way of Greater New Bedford is once again hosting Traditional Mobile Markets to distribute fresh, locally-grown produce to Greater New Bedford Residents.
Markets will be held in New Bedford on September 23rd at Bank Five North (1724 Acushnet Ave) and September 30th at Bank Five South (160 County Road), beginning at 5:30 PM. Food is distributed on a first come first served basis, even if you are preregistered. Masks are required for anyone not vaccinated.
To preregister, please click the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScplx15fHkzDpR-oD9wi0BGXIJmtIQ08643Wdt6j2uxAlJpNQ/viewform.
Dartmouth School Committee
The meeting can be accessed using the link below.
Friday, Sep 24, 2021, 06:30 PM
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DHS College Fair
Dartmouth High School will once again host its annual College Fair inside the Carlin Lynch Activity Center.
Tuesday, Oct 5, 2021, 08:30 AM
Carlin Lynch Activity Center
DHS Activities Expo
We encourage all students to get connected to DHS beyond just academics. During all three lunches, a club/activity expo will be held for all students to explore the different clubs/activities currently offered at DHS. Students should know, there is always the possibility of starting a new club at DHS as well!