DHS Community Update
March 25, 2022
The Principal's Perspective: Amazing Things Going On at DHS!
Greetings DHS Community Members:
On Monday, I had the pleasure of presenting Dartmouth High School's Esports Team during the School Committee's Spotlight on Kids segment. Each year, this opportunity to present to the School Committee is a highlight as it provides an opportunity to showcase the outstanding work our students and faculty do on a daily basis.
While presenting the spotlight on kids segment is an annual highlight, it is also a challenge as there are so many excellent programs offered at Dartmouth High School. Some of our programs are well established, large, and well known for their excellence such as our Music, Athletics, Fine and Performing Arts programs, while others such as our Esports, Mathematics, Chess, DECA, and the Debate teams are smaller.
While each program has its own features that make it unique, a common thread is the excellent opportunities each program provides for our students to find their place within our school community. The last two week's have provided a reminder and prove as a testament to the fact that there are amazing things going on at Dartmouth High School. In fact, just last weekend, we had our Music Program host hundreds of students and families from across Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the indoor percussion, winds, and color guard home show while other DHS students traveled to Needham to compete against schools from across the state in a debate tournament. Meanwhile the Class of 2023 produced a variety show, Dartmouth's Finest in front of a packed auditorium where our first female winner, Mia Carter was crowned as Dartmouth's Finest. Additionally, the DHS Theater Co. competed in the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild Festival where they produced Crafting a Killer directed by students Gabriella Reardon and Grace Rose. That was just Friday and Saturday!
In addition to this past weekend, all year we have seen our clubs, activities, and teams do amazing things. In fact, our DHS Chess Team won the league championship by defeating Martha's Vineyard in the final held in the DHS Library Media Center on March 15, 2022 while our Math Team won the South Conference Playoff meet falling just 2 points short of being crowned league champions.
At DHS there are opportunities abound reminding us that our students and faculty do amazing things every single day!
Sincerely,
Ross A. Thibault
DHS Principal
DHS TV Media proudly presents three new productions this week. The first is the latest episode of DHNN, a weekly news broadcast produced by DHS students. In addition, we have the latest episode of student produced and directed Talk Show Ryanology with DHS TV Media student, Ryan Arruda.
GRADE 10 ELA MCAS Update
This week our Grade 10 students completed the Grade 10 ELA MCAS exam. The exam ran smoothly and our students were excellent. We thank all of our parents, guardians, and families for their support in ensuring students arrived to school on-time with fully charged chromebooks. It makes all the difference.
AP Exam Update
Our AP Exam order has been placed with the CollegeBoard as of March 15, 2022. Advanced Placement students who are taking the exams in May must make payment on the Town of Dartmouth website. Any exam that is canceled after March 15, 2022, will not only incur a $40 cancellation fee with the CollegeBoard but the cost of every exam canceled will be added to the $40 cancellation fee.
Earn the Seal of Biliteracy!
Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy
Dartmouth High School is proud to participate in the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy program offered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Since introducing the program at Dartmouth High School, over 25 students have earned the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy, 8 with Distinction.
WHAT: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) states that the Seal of Biliteracy is an official designation from the State of Massachusetts that recognizes graduates who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language. Upon graduation, districts affix the insignia to the physical diploma, to the electronic transcripts, or both. There are 2 levels of distinction a student can achieve: Seal of Biliteracy and Seal of the Biliteracy with Distinction.
WHO: Students who meet the criteria will receive the Seal of Biliteracy or the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction upon graduation.
HOW: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has outlined the criteria students must meet to earn this award. To measure proficiency in English, students must earn a qualifying score on the ELA MCAS. To measure proficiency in the target language, students must earn a qualifying score on a state-approved assessment (AAPPL Exam/ AP Spanish Exam/NEWL Exam).
WHEN: Deadlines and testing windows.
Submit REGISTRATION FORM HERE by Wednesday, March 31, 2022.
Exams will be administered on April 12-April 16, 2022.
Cost of the exam will be funded by Dartmouth Public Schools.
WHERE: All testing will take place in the DHS Language Lab (C-12 ). Please contact World Language Lead Teacher Hilaria Sousa at hilariasousa@dartmouthschools.org with any questions.
School Counseling Update
MEFA Webinar - Q&A with Admissions Experts on Monday, March 28th at 6:30p.m.
A panel will be showcased with college admission leaders as they share their advice on how to launch the college search and application process. Click here to register!
CollegeBoard Resources - Connect AP to Majors and Careers Click here
Match college majors and careers with the AP course.
Real Talk: College Ready Edition - March 30th at 7:00p.m.
Our next Real Talk event will be highlighting the importance of selecting challenging coursework and the role it can play in advancing your students' college and career goals. You'll get to hear from both students and college planning experts.
College Admission Tips Virtual Event hosted by Sallie Mae - March 23rd 7:00p.m. Click to register
During this virtual event we’ll demystify the admissions process and you’ll gain valuable insights directly from admission professionals.
Topics will include: Importance of high school academic choices, to take the ACT/SAT, or not, applying to colleges, essays and letters of recommendation, campus visits: in-person and virtual, your online presence.
The School Counseling Department will be sponsoring a visit to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on April 14th. Any student considering UMASS Dartmouth as a potential option is encouraged to sign up to attend. Attendees will receive a welcome presentation from Admissions, a campus tour of the new housing and fining facility as well as athletics. Students interested in attending should sign up with their School Guidance Counselor by Friday, April 8, 2022 using this link.
School Social Work Update
LGBT National Youth Talkline - The LGBT National Youth Talkline provides free and confidential telephone, online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States.
Telephone #: 1-800-246-7743
Email: help@LGBThotline.org
Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for individuals or their loved ones.
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
After Prom Parent Committee
All parents wishing to volunteer to work on this year's After Prom Committee are invited to attend this meeting. All are welcome as this is the very first meeting of the year.
Monday, Apr 4, 2022, 06:00 PM
DHS LMC
DHS Showcase Evening
This event is designed for the families of current 7th and 8th grade students to learn more about the academic and co-curricular opportunities available at Dartmouth High School. The evening will feature a welcome presentation by administration, student led tours of the building, as well as an opportunity to speak with DHS Lead Teachers about curricular offerings.
Thursday, Apr 7, 2022, 06:00 PM
Dartmouth High School, Bakerville Road, Dartmouth, MA, USA
TEDxDHS
The event will be livestreamed and can be viewed using the video link below.
Friday, Apr 8, 2022, 07:30 AM
DHS
- Parents and guardians needing to dismiss their child from school for the day should email dhsdismissals@dartmouthschools.org in order to do so. Parents who email dismissal requests do not need to come into school.
- Anyone requiring technical assistance with their aspen account should email aspenhelp@dartmouthschools.org.