DHS Community Update
February 26, 2021
The Course Request Process
Greetings DHS Community Members:
It is that time of year again--course requests for the upcoming academic year. While I understand that this year has been challenging like no other year in recent memory, we nonetheless persevere and continue to move forward, optimistic that brighter days are indeed ahead.
In that spirit, all Dartmouth High School students currently enrolled in grades 9-11 should complete their course requests for the upcoming academic year in Aspen by the end of the school day on Friday, March 12, 2021. During Advisory on Thursday and Friday, all advisors reviewed with students course offerings as well as graduation requirements specific to their class. The presentations used during advisory have been shared with students and are included below for your review. Additionally, students currently in our Virtual Learning Academy will be invited to an advisory session on Monday, March 8, 2021 to review course requests for next school year.
When selecting courses for the upcoming school year, students are encouraged to be mindful of the following:
- DHS Graduation Requirements: Are you on track to fulfill all graduation requirements by the end of your senior year?
- Post-Secondary Plans: Are you planning to attend a 2 or 4 year college/university, a trade or technical school, enter directly into the workforce or join the world of service? Be sure your course requests position you to be able to take advantage of the opportunity of your choosing.
- Self-exploration: What course will help you explore possible areas of interest or passion? Part of the high school experience is learning about areas that interest you which could unlock potential careers and/or college majors.
Please know that we understand this is a joint venture and invite families to be our partner in supporting your child's future success.
Most Sincerely,
Ross Thibault
Principal
From the Desk of the Associate Principal
Mass Insight Advanced Placement Math Study Session #2
Please see the shared AP Math Study Session #2 Schedule for the week of March 1. These virtual study sessions will build confidence and help prepare students for the AP exams in the spring. All participants will be included in a raffle and prizes will be drawn at the end of the week - some students will be winning Amazon gift cards!
PSAT10 Exam Administration
Greetings Class of 2023 and Class of 2022!
Due to the circumstances of this unprecedented year, we are offering the PSAT 10 to sophomores on April 15 (Cohort B) & 16 (Cohort A). Because this exam administration comes before the MCAS and Advanced Placement exams, we are offering the PSAT 10 to students who would like to take the exam this spring - this is by sign up only. The exam will provide students with valuable practice for the SAT exams as well as provide us with data that will help identify students who are eligible and ready to enroll in Advanced Placement courses.
If you are a junior who was unable to take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall and would like to take the PSAT, you may also register using this form. Please note that the PSAT10 will not be used for National Merit Scholarship eligibility.
Please complete this form by Monday, March 1 if you would like us to register you for the PSAT 10.
If you have any questions, please contact rachelchavier@dartmouthschools.org
Poetry Outloud
Hannah Lima has submitted her three poetry recitations for the regional competition. We wish her all the best! Thank you, Hannah for representing DHS during this challenging time.
School Counseling & Support Services Department Updates
Class of 2021 Updates
Please let us know your acceptances from your post-secondary options (college, workforce, military, etc.), please fill out the Senior Acceptance Form! We want to highlight your successes!
If you have not had your senior meeting with your school counselor, please schedule one with them as soon as possible.
Please check for Scholarships in Naviance. You should login to Naviance once a week to see if there are any new scholarships. Click on colleges on the top right hand side; then click on scholarships and money link. Choose the second option scholarship list
NEACAC is the New England Association of College and Admission Counseling, and they offer one of the best college fairs for students. This year, the college fairs are online events. NEACAC is hosting four college fairs this spring, one each month through May. Click on the link for more information, and to register for the fair!
Class of 2022 Updates
Class of 2022 it is time to schedule an appointment with your guidance 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.
BigFuture Days College Fair
College Board is hosting their first-ever series of virtual college fairs called BigFuture™ Days. Sophomores and juniors are encouraged to sign up for a chance to connect directly with college admissions representatives and current college students. You'll have a chance to explore colleges in a way that's not overwhelming, ask questions about topics you want to learn about, and take action on key college planning steps. To register for the event sign up at cb.org/bigfuturedays.
BigFuture Days Northeast Sunday, March 7
BigFuture Days Midwest Thursday, March 11
NEACAC is the New England Association of College and Admission Counseling, and they offer one of the best college fairs for students. This year, the college fairs are online events. NEACAC is hosting four college fairs this spring, one each month through May. Click on the link for more information, and to register for the fair!
Class of 2023 Updates
BigFuture Days College Fair
College Board is hosting their first-ever series of virtual college fairs called BigFuture™ Days. Sophomores and juniors are encouraged to sign up for a chance to connect directly with college admissions representatives and current college students. You'll have a chance to explore colleges in a way that's not overwhelming, ask questions about topics you want to learn about, and take action on key college planning steps. To register for the event sign up at cb.org/bigfuturedays.
BigFuture Days Northeast Sunday, March 7
BigFuture Days Midwest Thursday, March 11
Course Selection for School Year 2021-2022
Course selection for School Year 2021-2022 has begun. Students received information on Thursday and Friday during Advisory. Students will need to select courses by March 12th. School Counselors are available to meet with students if they have course selection questions. To schedule an appointment with the school counselor, click on the appropriate link.
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SAT and ACT test registration deadlines
The SAT and ACT test registration dates and deadlines are listed in the community update to remind students of upcoming deadlines.
SAT test on May 8th - registration deadline is April 8th
ACT test on April 17th - registration deadline is March 12th
SAT Test Prep
Lentz & Lentz will be holding live virtual programs through Zoom for SAT Prep. Course will run on Saturday Mornings from 9:00AM-12:30PM starting on April 10th. A second course will be offered on Monday and Tuesday night from 6:00-7:30PM starting on April 12th. To register and for more information call (845) 638-2826 or visit Lentzsatprep.com
School Social Workers Update
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.
Free Meals for kids 18 and under at the New Bedford YMCA! The New Bedford YMCA is offering free fresh meal boxes (breakfast and lunch) on Wednesday (3 days of meals) and Saturdays (4 days of meals). No paperwork or pre-registration is necessary and the child/children do not need to be present for pick-up. Meals can be picked up at New Bedford YMCA Parking Lot 25 S. Water Street New Bedford, MA 02740.
Wednesdays - 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.*** (or until meals run out)
Saturdays - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.*** (or until meals run out)
PACE Food Pantry - PACE continues to operate its own Food Bank, Monday through Friday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Please call the program at 508-999-9920 for information on how to access the Food Bank.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) for the 2020-2021 School Year (Additional Food Funds for Students during COVID-19. You will get P-EBT if you qualify for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program AND are in a hybrid or fully remote learning. Get P-EBT help at Click here or call DTA Assistance Line 1-877-382-2363 (Press 6). For a replacement card: Click here
Updates from the DHS Virtual Learning Academy
Unfinished Semester One Electives: The course completion deadline for semester 1 electives was already extended to today (Friday, February 26th) and we extend it through the weekend to give VLA students additional time to finish. After Monday, March 1st, any students with unfinished first semester courses will receive a final grade for the course equal to the relative grade as reported by the Edgenuity Learning Program. If the relative grade is an F, the student will earn NO CREDIT for the course and will have to retake the course if it is a graduation requirement. Every VLA student who had not yet completed a course received a personal phone call from Mrs. Lenz this week to explain this policy. School administrators will consider requests for exceptions to this rule if there is an extraordinary circumstance preventing the student from completing their courses. Requests for exceptions should be sent to the student’s Assistant Principal, Mr. Gill or Mr. Martin.
Course Selections for 2021/22: VLA students need to complete their course selections requests for the 2021/22 school year. The school’s Program of Studies has been posted to the VLA website, as have grade-specific slideshows explaining the process. Also, school administrators will facilitate a virtual Advisory session on March 8, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss the course selection process with VLA students.
Outreach: Mrs. Lenz continues to make daily attendance calls to parents of VLA students who don’t log in to the Edgenuity learning platform. School guidance counselors, social workers and Assistant Principals also continue their outreach and support efforts. If you have concerns about your VLA student, don’t hesitate to call and touch base to ask for help.
Concerned Parents: Are you concerned about your student’s progress? The Edgenuity Family Portal gives you access to a robust set of reporting tools including progress reports and session logs. If you would like access, you need an access code; please e-mail Mr. Gill (righardgill@dartmouthschools.org) to request one.
Testing: the VLA Testing Center is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9:30 - 11:30.
Remain Vigilant: VLA students need to remain vigilant in their studies; engage in their work 30 hours per week (6 hours per day). This time commitment is necessary to finish assigned coursework, earn strong grades and complete the credits required for a successful academic year. Students with low “Actual Grades” relative to their “Overall Grades” in Edgenuity are not putting enough time into their studies.
Any questions specific to the VLA should be directed to Assistant Principal Richard Gill at 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.
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.
Premiere of Senior Superlative Show
Friday, Feb 26, 2021, 06:00 PM
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Dartmouth School Committee Meeting
Monday, Mar 1, 2021, 06:30 PM
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Early Release Day
Wednesday, Mar 3, 2021, 11:30 AM
Dartmouth Public Schools
Ted Talks Are Back!
Dartmouth High School is excited to announce the return of our TEDx Event at Dartmouth High School. This exciting event is coordinated by our World Language Lead Teacher Mrs. Hilaria Sousa and our Social Studies Teacher Mrs. Elizabeth True. We have an excellent slate of engaging, original presentations by Dartmouth High students that will be broadcast by our DHS TV Media Production Program and can be viewed using the links below. Our students and teachers have worked incredibly hard to make the event possible--we hope you'll tune in!
TEDx DHS Day 1
Thursday, Mar 4, 2021, 07:30 AM
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TEDx DHS Day 2
Friday, Mar 5, 2021, 07:30 AM
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Professional Development Day--No School for Students
Monday, Mar 8, 2021, 07:15 AM
Dartmouth Public Schools
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