DHS Community Update
October 23, 2020
A Successful First Week of Hybrid Learning at DHS
Greetings DHS Community Members:
I want to thank all members of the DHS Community--students, educators, parents and support staff members for their cooperation in making our return to in-person learning successful this week. In order to safely have students back in our building it takes a high level of cooperation and compliance with our safety protocols which is no easy task but I am happy to report our students and staff have embraced our safety protocols which is essential to building a culture of health and wellness at Dartmouth High School.
As we continue to move forward with our Hybrid Model, I want to acknowledge that everyone understands this is going to be a challenging year. We are going to have starts and stops, we are going to have students and staff who will miss time at various points throughout the school year. We must do our best to manage these challenging times with an understanding that we are still very much in the midst of a global pandemic.
One circumstance that we expect to occur throughout the school year will be the need for students to quarantine and as a result be unable to attend school in-person. This circumstance will be handled the same way that we've handled other extended absences necessary for medical reasons. Specifically, the following protocols are in place:
- Our School Nurse will notify teachers of the medically excused absences
- Our Teachers will continue to share lesson resources, materials and/or assignments via Google Classroom
- Students will have the opportunity to schedule time (using the Enriching Students platform) during the PASE period (8:35 a.m.-9:15 a.m.) to check-in and/or receive support from their teachers via Google Meet
- Students will be able to complete any assessments (quizzes, tests, exams, etc.) upon their return to school at mutually agreed upon times with their teachers--including during the PASE period
As a reminder, please understand that we are in this together and as a result, we ask that you monitor your child for common symptoms of COVID-19 on a daily basis and that you do not send your child to school if they exhibit any of the symptoms. As an additional resource, we have included a flow chart to assist in making the decision as to whether or not to send your child to school.
Communication will also be critical to our continued success this school year. As a result, I ask that you continue to be in communication with us regarding any questions or issues that might come up while at the same time understanding that our educators do need to disconnect from their email and work life at nights and on weekends. I ask that all members of the community be sensitive to this need for balance in order to ensure we all remain healthy and well during these challenging times.
Next week's schedule will be as follows:
Monday, October 26, 2020--Day 5 Cohort B
Tuesday, October 27, 2020--Day 6 Cohort A
Wednesday, October 28, 2020--Day 6 Cohort B
Thursday, October 29, 2020--Day 7 Cohort A
Friday, October 30, 2020--Day 7 Cohort B
With Appreciation,
Ross A. Thibault
Principal
Mr. Lima's English class in action.
Mrs. Guilbeault's Early Education Class in action.
Mrs. Vieira's Horticulture Class has been working hard to beautify our grounds which has included planting these colorful Mums.
Images from Week One of Hybrid Learning at DHS
Looking for Volunteers to Serve on the School Council
Dartmouth High School is in the process of establishing this year's School Council. The School Council meets with the building Principal monthly to discuss various topics related to school improvement initiatives as well as to provide advice on the construction of the annual school budget request. The council includes an equal number of student, parent, and teacher representatives as well as a community representative.
School Council meetings will take place virtually at 6 p.m. on the following dates:
November 9, 2020
December 8, 2020
January 12, 2021
February 9, 2021
March 9, 2021
April 13, 2021
May 11, 2021
June 8, 2021
Any teacher or parent interested in serving on the School Council should email Principal Thibault at rossthibault@dartmouthschools.org by Thursday, October 29th at 4 p.m. In the event that interest exceeds the number of seats available an election will be held via electronic ballot.
Introducing Our New SRO
Dartmouth High School is excited to announce that veteran Dartmouth Police Officer Lisa DaCosta has been assigned as Dartmouth High School's School Resource Officer. Officer DaCosta will serve as an excellent resource for members of the Dartmouth High School community who may have questions or be in need of assistance. Students who wish to speak with her can find her office located by the Dining Hall or can approach her as she is highly visible throughout the school day, including at morning arrival, during all lunches and at dismissal. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to the newest member of the Dartmouth High School community.
Fire Drill & Evacuation Information
First, in the event of a fire alarm, all students, faculty and staff should evacuate the building as quickly and as safely as possible. This means that when an alarm activates, the floor markings to control traffic patterns should be ignored and students should proceed as quickly and as orderly as possible to the nearest exit. Students should continue to the designated rallying location for their class where attendance will be taken.
Second, after reaching the designated rallying point, and attendance is taken, then students, faculty and staff should distance as best as possible and await further instruction from their teacher and/or administration.
Once the all clear indication is given, students may return to their classroom.
College Board National Recognition Program
Dartmouth High School offers our sincere Congratulations to Lucas Batista, Sarah Hartman, Miguel Pereira, and Ashley Urel on being identified as College Board National Recognition Program Scholars. The recognition was given to those students at Dartmouth High who scored in the top 2.5% of PSAT/NMSQT test takers who identify as one or more of the following: African American, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous, or attend school in a rural area, or are from a small town.
LMC To Begin Opening After School
We are happy to announce that our Library Media Center will once again remain open to students beyond the school day. Students who would like to visit the LMC after school hours MUST schedule ahead of time through Enriching Students as capacity is limited in order to comply with all COVID-19 safety guidance. Students who are not signed up in Enriching Students may not be permitted to the LMC if capacity has been reached.
The extended hours for the LMC will begin on Monday, October 26, 2020 and will be open from 2:15 p.m. until 3:25 p.m.
Please note that free bus transportation is available on a reservation only basis on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Students must sign up for the late bus in Enriching Students and will not be permitted to take the bus if they have not signed up in Enriching Students.
From the Desk of the Associate Principal
Advanced Placement Exam Deposits Due October 30th
All AP students must join their AP classes using the Join Code their AP teachers provided them. This will ensure that an AP exam will be ordered for each AP class a student is enrolled in. Deposits for exams are due by October 30, please visit the Town of Dartmouth to make your payment.
School Counseling & Support Services Department Updates
School Counseling Updates
Future Fridays Topics for October 30th - Resume Workshop and Scholarships.
Class of 2021 it is time to schedule an appointment with your School Counselor to talk about what your plans are after high school. Sign up to meet with your counselor during PASE or sign up for an appointment on your remote days with your counselor.
Class of 2021 College Virtual Visits with Admission Representatives are listed in Naviance. Students will register through Naviance to attend the virtual visits. All College Virtual Visits are held during the PASE period.
October 26th - Salem State University
October 27th - Lasell University
October 28th - Western New England University
October 29th - Rutgers University - New Brunswick
SAT test on December 5th - registration deadline is November 5th
ACT test on December 12th - registration deadline is November 6th
From September 28th through November 5th, MEFA will host a live College Financing webinar daily every Monday through Thursday, with daytime and evening hours. The webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the full financial aid application process. To register for a live webinar click this link.
All students needing to meet with their School Counselor should schedule meetings on their remote learning days unless it is an emergency in order to maximize in person instructional time.
Students can schedule an appointment to see their guidance counselor.
A-Da Mr. McGrath Appointment Slots
Db-L Ms. Fitzgerald Appointment Slots
M-Ra Ms. Heath Appointment Slots
Rb-Z Mr. Wright Appointment Slots
Bristol Community College is holding virtual information sessions as well as admission appointments. If you are interested click on the link below to register.
School Social Workers and School Psychologist Update
Students can schedule an appointment to see their social worker.
A-H - Mrs. Kristianna Fontes Callahan - Appointment Time Slots
I-P - Mrs. Cathy Thomas - Appointment Time Slots
Q-Z - Mrs. Stephanie Nocon - Appointment Time Slots
Social workers are available during the school day to students and families. Students can sign up in Enriching Students to see a social worker during the PASE period or sign up with an appointment slot.
Students who have an appointment with their school social worker while they are in school should show their classroom teacher their appointment on their chromebook or phone. No paper passes will be issued.
Padlet updated - October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
If you, or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, and need help, please reach out to the Women's Center of New Bedford. 24-Hour Hotline: (508) 999-6636
The The Women's Center of New Bedford provides free and confidential 24-hour easily accessible services to those in need or impacted by Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. They provide counseling, education, outreach, referrals and resources to all community members.
Updates from the DHS Virtual Learning Academy
Last week the DHS Administrators hosted their first Advisory session for VLA students, supporting them in academic and personal goal setting.
There is a small change to the operating hours of the VLA Testing Center. The start time for tests is now 9:30 instead of 9:15. Otherwise the Testing Center operation is unchanged operating 4 hours per week on Tuesdays and Fridays (9:30-11:30).
The DHS staff continues to monitor student progress and to proactively reach out to connect with students weekly. Content-specific academic support is available through the DHS Lead Teachers during PASE and upon request. Details about the Testing Center and academic supports can be found in the VLA Google Classroom.
Parents and guardians of VLA students should be receiving weekly progress reports from the Edgenuity learning platform. The Edgenuity Family Portal provides parents and guardians with additional progress monitoring tools; if you would like help setting up these additional tools or to modify the frequency of the reports you already receive, please e-mail: richardgill@dartmouthschools.org.
From the DHS Health Office
If your child is exhibiting cold-like symptoms or any other symptoms that mimic or include symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and call your PCP for advice. If your child comes into school with symptoms of COVID-19, they will be isolated and parents will be called to pick up their child and to have their child evaluated by his/her PCP. If the PCP feels the symptoms are related to an illness other than COVID-19, a medical note must be written to the school indicating the diagnosis and when the child may return to school. In EVERY case, the child must have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school. Resources to support parents in monitoring symptoms are included below.
Homework Hangout has started virtually and will run after school from 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. This fantastic support is supervised by DHS Teacher Mrs. True and provides students an opportunity to receive support from peer tutors. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, students should utilize the following link: Homework Hangout Meet Link.
Remote Learning Reminders
Reporting Student Absences, Tardiness & Dismissals
Attendance and academic success go hand-in-hand. We ask that parents continue to report known absences or tardiness to Dartmouth High School using the attendance line (508-961-2700 ext.1). In addition, parents are encouraged to submit medical notes and/or discuss illness related absences with Nurse Wildrick in order to ensure we are able to support your child's health and wellness. Nurse Wildrick can be reached at 508-961-2700 ext. 7420.
If your child needs to be dismissed we ask that you please email DHSdismissals@dartmouthschools.org as early as possible. This will allow us to maintain accurate attendance records.
Dartmouth High School
Email: rossthibault@dartmouthschools.org
Website: dartmouth.school/domain/8
Location: 555 Bakerville Road, Dartmouth, MA, USA
Phone: 508-961-2700
Twitter: @DartmouthHS