DHS Community Update
January 10, 2022
The Principal's Perspective: Updated COVID-19 Protocols
Greetings DHS Community Members:
I hope this communication finds you remaining healthy and well in the new year. It has certainly been a challenging time as COVID-19 cases in Dartmouth and the surrounding communities surge. With that being said, Dartmouth Public Schools recently adopted the updated protocols provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Schools related to handling of COVID-19 cases within schools.
Dr. Gifford recently sent out a letter with the updated protocols; however, a link to the updated protocols is included below for your reference. In addition to the protocols, it is important to keep in mind the following:
- Anyone who is not feeling well should NOT come to Dartmouth High School. Parents and guardians, please do not send your child into school to be tested if they are not feeling well. The Test and Stay program is intended to prevent unnecessary loss of instructional time and is not intended to be a diagnostic testing option. As an alternative, below is a link to Project Beacon which operates out of the New Bedford Municipal Airport offering free of charge PCR COVID tests. In addition, local pharmacies are receiving regular shipments of at-home rapid antigen tests.
- All students should be arriving to school each day with a mask that fits appropriately (snuggly covering both the mouth and nose at all times). DHS has a limited supply for emergency cases only.
- Any questions regarding the need to quarantine and/or other questions related to COVID-19 may be directed to one of our school nurses who are happy to walk parents/guardians through specific scenarios in order to keep all safe and healthy.
In regards to learning while needing to quarantine, please be aware that DHS Teachers are responsible for maintaining a current Google Classroom with respect to posting lesson resources i.e. handouts, presentations, assignments, etc. Any assessments (i.e. quizzes, tests, projects, etc.) assigned or scheduled while a student is out of school due to quarantining may be made up upon return to school at a time scheduled with the teacher.
I know this is a challenging time for everyone. Please know that the faculty and staff at Dartmouth High School are doing their very best to be supportive of our students and are also facing the same challenges that our students and their families are with respect to this pandemic. Compassion, kindness, and understanding during difficult times are essential to our school's continued success.
Sincerely,
Ross A. Thibault
Principal
Complete the Test & Stay Consent Form!
Dartmouth High School has been operating the Test and Stay program throughout the fall whenever students are deemed close contacts. Students who are deemed to be close contacts are notified directly and students who remain asymptomatic and whose parents have completed the consent form (located below) are able to participate in the test and stay program.
Students participating in the test and stay protocol report to school before the start of the school day and take a rapid antigen test. Results are provided in approximately 15 minutes and students who test negative are allowed to remain in school. Students who test positive are then advised in regards to the quarantine timeline based upon their specific circumstance.
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.
A Friendly Reminder: Masks are a MUST!
Across our area of the state we see an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. All students, faculty and staff are expected to wear a mask at all times when inside Dartmouth High School.
Masks should be worn snuggly covering the nose and mouth. We appreciate your cooperation in order to ensure we do not see any unnecessary transmission inside of school.
As a reminder, students and staff are encouraged to bring their own masks each day. We do have some available in the event of an emergency i.e. a mask breaks or is forgotten, but we are not supplying masks daily for students or staff.
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 feature the latest edition of Dartmouth High News Now--the weekly news broadcast produced by Dartmouth High School students.
MCAS Update
Dartmouth High School will administer the MCAS Biology exam on February 2 & 3 to students who need to take the exam because they did not take it last year as a freshman or if they did not pass the exam last year. If students find themselves in this situation, and they are not enrolled in a Biology class this year, they should take the exam in February. If students are enrolled in chemistry this year and have to take MCAS, the option to take the Chemistry MCAS will be offered to students; however, it is advised to take the Biology in February first.
The science department is running MCAS Biology Review Sessions to help prepare students for the exam. Students who need to take the exam have been scheduled in Enriching Students to attend these sessions during their PASE period on Tuesdays. The remainder of the sessions will run until February 1 a day before the exam. Students who have attended the sessions have appreciated the review and feel confident to take the exam in February.
Please note, the February exam is the Legacy Test which is paper based. This will be the last paper based MCAS test administration. The spring exam will be the Next Generation computer based exam.
Students in the classes of 2022 and 2023 are eligible for the modified CD in STE and are not required to take the exam.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org.
Please see the MCAS 2022 Schedule for ELA and Math MCAS Administration Dates.
School Counseling & Support Services Department Updates!
School Counseling Updates
Peer-to-Peer Advice on Continuing Education Beyond High School - Click here to see what the advice is!
Free Virtual Events Recorded Sessions - Click here to sign up to view sessions!
College Planning Recorded Sessions
- #I Applied: Building Your College List
- What Does “Test Optional” Really Mean for Students?
- Planning to Prepare for the ACT
- The Transition to College
Career Navigation Sessions
- Career Clusters 101
- Alternative Pathways for Success
- ACT National Career Readiness Certificate and How You Can Use It!
- Tips and Tricks to Land Your Dream Job
- Stand Out with an Outstanding Application Essay
- Perseverance, Storytelling, and Luck: Tips for Earning Scholarships
- Navigating the Financial Aid Process
- College Admissions 101: Your Checklist - How Not to Be Overwhelmed
Class of 2022 Scholarship Information
SouthCoast Community Foundation - The SouthCoast Community Foundation is proud to offer scholarship opportunities to students in our community. They manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with more than $540k awarded to local students each year. Create an account to being the application process!
Post-Secondary Service Information
Air Force Academy Virtual Events - January 12th 6:00-7:00 PM
“Cadet Life” (Freshman and Sophomore Year: Balancing Military Training and Academics, USAFA Basic Cadet Training) - Click to sign up
School Social Worker Updates
Articles to read on Anxiety
Your Adolescent - Anxiety and Avoidant Disorders by American Academy of child & Adolescent Psychiatry Click to read
Treating Student Anxiety: 7 Expert Support Tips for Parents Click to read
Managing and Reducing Anxiety Click to read
Anxiety Management Strategies Click to read
Full Plate Project - Building on our existing programs, YMCA Southcoast has partnered with Greater Boston Food Bank to launch the Full Plate Project at five participating Y branches (Dartmouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Swansea, and Wareham) to address the growing lack of access to healthy, affordable food during economic struggles. The project will distribute 1 Million Pounds of food in 2021 to our member and neighbors.
Participants will be asked to provide basic information including zip code and number of people living in their household. No photo ID is required. Y Community Market locations are open to all Southcoast residents, you do not need to be a YMCA member! Markets typically last an hour and half or less when food runs out, which happens often.
Each household will receive pre–packaged bags of groceries that include a variety of nonperishable items, as well as fresh produce and meats when available. Items vary, based on availability.
Dartmouth YMCA - Every Tuesday - 3:00 p.m.
Gleason Family YMCA - Wareham - January 7th & 21st 8:30 a.m.
New Bedford YMCA - January 11th 12:00 p.m.
Stoico/FIRSTFED YMCA - Swansea - January 19th 11:00 a.m.
MLK Essay Contest
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2022 Planning Committee recently announced an essay contest for middle and high school students.
Students wishing to enter should submit a 300-500 word, double-spaced essay addressing the following prompt:
Taking examples from the life and legacy of Dr. King, what adversity have you seen or experienced in the past two years? How does this relate to your vision in shaping a new world?
Three winners will be selected. The first place award will be $100, 2nd place $75, and third place $50. The winners will be request to read or present their work on the New Bedford Cable Access Television in February.
For more information see the flyer below or contact the Department of Community Services at 508-979-1464.