#WEareDS
October 2018
Central Office Newsletter
A Note from the Superintendent
Greetings Dover and Sherborn Families:
I am pleased to be sending you this, our very first Central Office Newsletter. Our goal is to share information related to the work of our district in one concise document. I hope you will find it useful and look forward to your feedback.
Sincerely,
Andrew
What is #WEareDS?
I am often asked the purpose of the #WEareDS initiative. People typically want to know if there is a deeper rationale for this effort. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify our goals in this regard.
The #WEareDS initiative was developed by the leaders of the Dover Sherborn Schools in the summer of 2017. The goal was simple. We believed that if we could ensure that each student’s voice is heard and equally valued, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, life experience, or ability, we could further strengthen our school culture.
When we reference #WEareDS or wear our #WEareDS t-shirts, we are reaffirming that although our schools are made up of many different individuals, our students are more productive when they are convinced that they as individuals are essential members of the school community. We are committing to the belief that we build a safer and less stressful learning environment when we firmly establish that no individual can ever be allowed to feel left out, excluded, or disenfranchised from the group. Finally, we are solidifying our belief that we are stronger as a school district when we work as a team in our day to day efforts.
The #WEareDS initiative stands on the foundation of our district Core Values of Commitment to Community, Equity and Excellence, Respect and Dignity, and Climate of Care, and is directly linked to the goals for our school system outlined in the District Strategic Plan.
I hope you will continue to join us in making the Dover Sherborn School experience the very best it can possibly be for our students!
Website: www.doversherborn.org
Location: 157 Farm Street, Dover, MA, USA
Phone: 508-785-0036
Twitter: @ang62
A Note from the Assistant Superintendent
Greetings and Happy New Year!
We are now 26 days into the school year and learning is alive and well in DS.
As we actualize the priorities in the Strategic Plan, the curriculum focus is two-fold. Over the summer, twenty-seven teacher leaders from across the district engaged in a workshop on multicultural curriculum facilitated by consultants from the IDEAS network, Initiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for Students. In support of our continued work on cultural responsiveness and social-emotional learning, the objectives of the workshop were to identify bias in the curriculum; locate multicultural resources inclusive of a variety of voices and perspectives; and discuss opportunities for the integration of social justice standards. As a result, teacher leaders are now facilitating work with their grade-level and discipline-based teams to update, expand, and transform the curriculum to better prepare students to know, to care, and to act in a “rapidly changing world.”
Meanwhile, the Mathematics Department will be undergoing a curriculum review, similar to the English Language Arts evaluation conducted last year. In addition to ensuring alignment of content and practice with the 2017 state frameworks, educators will be fine-tuning implementation of Everyday Math 4 at the elementary level, strengthening the intervention model at the middle school, and calibrating expectations across course levels at the high school. Surveys will be administered to teachers, students and parents to collect data and feedback relative to standards of best practice for Mathematics programming in order to identify strengths and areas for growth.
Within the realm of social-emotional learning, we continue to explore the mental health needs of our youth and adolescents and improve and expand our programs accordingly. Following the September 26 and October 3 security trainings for staff, educators engaged in a workshop with Jon Mattleman, an expert in stress, depression, and suicide. While the district-wide and school-based Emergency Response Teams further refine our safety protocols, we will continue to educate ourselves to meet the needs of the whole child knowing that students’ mental health and sense of belonging are key to all of it.
Also under the umbrella of culture and climate, the district’s Wellness Committee will focus on social-emotional well-being this year. In the spirit of #WEareDS, the Committee will collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data in order to better understand and improve the experience for all DS students.
Many thanks for your continued support of teaching and learning in DS. Please stay tuned for opportunities to become involved in our curricular, innovation, social-emotional, and culturally responsive efforts as we strive to “inspire, challenge, and support all students as they discover and pursue their full potential.”
Email: mccoye@doversherborn.org
Website: www.doversherborn.org
Location: 157 Farm Street, Dover, MA, USA
Phone: 508-785-0036
A Note from the Interim Special Education Director
As the Interim Special Education Director, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the Dover Sherborn Public Schools parent community. For 39 years, I have devoted my professional career to serving and supporting children with disabilities and their families. I completed my Master’s degree and advanced coursework in Special Education and Administration at Boston College and have had the good fortune of working in four different public school districts in Massachusetts. I am honored to have been selected to serve the Dover and Sherborn School districts for the 2018-19 school year. My previous experiences have included work as an educational assistant, special education teacher, Team Chair, and Director of Special Education/Student Services.
My core values of respect, equity, and collaboration are the beliefs that direct and guide my work. Collaboration is essential to the IEP Team process and I look forward to working with you to support your children through their educational journeys. I invite you to reach out to me and share your stories, questions, and any concerns. I can be contacted at 508-785-0036 ext. 7115 or via email at dixsond@doversherborn.org.
Email: dixsond@doversherborn.org
Website: www.doversherborn.org
Location: 157 Farm Street, Dover, MA, USA
Phone: 508-785-0036
Strategic Objective Initiatives
Start Time Committee Forming – We will be forming a Start Time Committee in the coming weeks to re-visit the question of whether alternative start times can be considered for the Dover Sherborn Public Schools. This will not be a new examination of start times for DS, but rather a re-visitation of the previous committee's work. This committee will review the research for new developments, examine the work done by the previous committee, consider the issuance of new surveys to staff, students, and families, and consider alternative options for possible change. Because of the limited scope of this committee, it will include Superintendent, Andrew Keough, Business Administrator, Dawn Fattore, three school committee members (a rep from each), a secondary headmaster, and an elementary principal. The committee will consult with Athletic Director, Jeff Parcells as needed. The work of the committee and any possible proposals will be made available to school stakeholders via presentations, community forums, and other publications.
Communications Committee Forming – We will be forming a districtwide Communications Committee in the coming weeks to examine the effectiveness of our existing communication protocols. This committee will include Superintendent Andrew Keough, two representatives from the Regional School Committee, a representative from the Dover School Committee, a representative from the Sherborn School Committee, a principal from the secondary level and a principal from the primary level, a technology representative, 1-2 parents depending on breadth of experience, and a student. If you are a parent with experience in the field of communications or marketing and are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Dr. Keough's administrative assistant Cheryl Ingersoll via email: ingersollc@doversherborn.org
Academic Innovation Committee -In a continued effort to “support happy, healthy, thinking, caring, and social children who become collaborative, creative, competent, and responsible citizens tomorrow,” the Academic Innovation Committee will convene to identify the skills and competencies required of our graduates and develop a plan for ensuring that our curriculum, instructional practices, and physical spaces support this work (Hirsch-Pasek, K. (2016). Becoming Brilliant.) Please stay tuned for opportunities to get involved as we strive to further innovate DS.
Special Education Review – One of the goals set forth in the District Strategic Plan was to conduct a thorough review of our special education program. The purpose was to examine our entire program for effectiveness and efficiency, particularly in the aftermath of an administrative reorganization in 2014. Dorsey Yearly, a retired Wellesley Public Schools Special Education Director and former EDCO Executive Director has overseen this study. She has been interviewing staff and families since early this summer and has conducted a deep review of data related to our special education services. On October 23rd, Dorsey will be sharing her initial findings and recommendations with our three school committees. The initial report is expected to center on the current administrative structure in place. On January 15, 2019, she will report her findings pertaining to our delivery of services. We are confident that Dorsey’s review (with an “outside set of eyes”) will provide us with ample opportunity to strengthen our program and most importantly, our delivery of services.
Click here to see the District's complete Strategic Plan.
Upcoming Events
Next Steps for DS – An Evening with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent – This event, sponsored by Challenge Success DS, will serve as an opportunity for Dr. Keough and Ms. McCoy to take a “deeper dive” into the plans for our school system in the coming years. Join us and learn more about what the district is focusing on and why. There will be time for Q&A and refreshments will be served. This event will take place on Thursday, November 8th in the Middle School Choral Room, starting at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP here!
Dover Sherborn Challenge Success Parent Education Speaker Series – Don’t miss this important event scheduled for Wednesday, October 17th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Mudge Auditorium, DS High School. Raising Happy Kids: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World with Katie Hurley, LCSW. Although targeted for parents and guardians of children PreK-5th grade, all are welcome! Please RSVP here!
DSEF Annual Gala – The Dover Sherborn Education Fund will be hosting its annual gala on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Silverwood Farm in Sherborn, from 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. The gala is a key fundraiser for the DSEF and helps to fund a variety of innovative enrichment activities for our schools. Let’s make this the best attended DSEF event ever! For ticket information or donations, please click here.
ArtsEmerson is Coming to Dover Sherborn -Through a unique partnership opportunity with ArtsEmerson, we will be hosting two performances of Mr. Joy on November 26, one as part of the professional development experience for educators and a second for parents and community members. In support of our work around cultural responsiveness, the play provides insight into the experiences of non-dominant individuals, including Black, Asian, Gay, Transgender, among others, "to help us find our common humanity." Save the date for Mr. Joy - November 26, 6:30-8:45 PM in the Mudge Auditorium. Many districts are clamoring to host the show - it is definitely one worth seeing!
Core Values
The Dover Sherborn Schools commit to the following Core Values:
Commitment to Community
Equity and Excellence
Respect and Dignity
Climate to Care