DMS Delivers

Dear DMS Families,

It was nice to finally have some sun this week. As we move closer to Spring, and MCAS, some of the below is a reminder from last week, as we want to ensure that everyone receives the information. Over the next week, we ask that students start to prepare by ensuring that they have their charger and Chromebook available at school each day. While we will have some loaner devices available, it is always best for students to have their own device, as to mitigate any unnecessary stress on the morning of testing. In addition, it is important that students are ensuring that their Chromebooks are charged at home overnight. We have many students who rely on the classroom to charge their Chromebook, and there are far more students than outlets for charging. We truly appreciate your help with this as we move forward, and begin testing in late March.

Also, classroom teachers will be reviewing the TestNav platform at each grade level, as well as providing students with opportunities to review practice tests. These opportunities can also be found on the DESE website as well: MCAS | Released Items (pearsonsupport.com). We also hope that students will do their best to be in attendance on each testing day, as to not have to make- up the assessment at a later date. However, we realize that some things are unavoidable.

Below you will find information on an upcoming Hold and Secure Drill, a clothing drive sponsored by our Project 351 Ambassador, the March SEPAC meeting and information about the new MA IEP, as well as reminders to order a yearbook and a FREE Color Run t- shirt.

Have a great week!

• March 25th: DMS School Council Meeting
• March 26th: Grade 5 MCAS- ELA
• March 26th: School Committee at 6:30 p.m.
• March 27th: Grade 5 MCAS- ELA
• March 28th: Grade 6 MCAS- ELA
  
• March 29th: Good Friday- No School!
• April 2nd: Grade 6 MCAS- ELA
• April 3rd: Grade 7 MCAS- ELA
• April 4th: Grade 7 MCAS- ELA
  
• April 8th: End of Term III
• April 9th: Grade 8 MCAS- ELA
• April 9th: School Committee Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
• April 10th: Grade 8 MCAS- ELA
• April 10th: PTO Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
• April 12th: Term III Report Cards

DMS will conduct a Hold and Secure: Silent and Invisible Drill during the week of March 18th. This will be similar to the drill that was conducted earlier this school year, but students will not continue with their learning, as they did in the Hold and Secure: Inside Drill. Teachers will close and lock their doors, instruct students to be silent, and move them to a specific spot within the classroom. They will then take attendance to ensure all students are accounted for in class. With a Hold and Secure; Silent and Invisible, typical classroom instruction will not continue, and students will stay silently in their classrooms with the doors locked until they receive an "All Clear."

Typically, safety drills only take a short time, and DPD and SRO Hathaway are on site. Over the course of the drill, teachers will again review the difference between the three safety protocols that we use, all of which are a form of Hold and Secure with varying levels of response.

While teachers will debrief with students during and after the drill, please be sure to let us know if your child has any remaining questions when they get home from school. We also typically notify you on the day the drill takes place.

This Spring, the Dighton PTO will host our annual Color Run. Please submit this link to order your child a FREE t- shirt for the event.

Now in its 25th year, the Hannaford Helps Schools program has raised over $18 million for local schools! How It Works:

• Customers can shop the over 1,500 participating products and with every purchase of 4 participating items, they will earn 3 School Dollars (8 products = $6, 12 products = $9).
• Customers can buy any combination of products from participating vendors and can find participating items marked with shelf tags in-store.
• Each School Dollar printout will include a QR code that customers can scan to donate their School Dollars.
• The QR code will bring customers to our online redemption website, where they can donate their School Dollars directly to any participating school and download the Hannaford Helps Schools app. Downloading the app is not required but it stores the customers’ information and school choice, making redemption even easier.
• Customers can also deposit their School Dollars in the collection tower in stores. All School Dollar printouts collected in stores will be compiled and evenly distributed among all participating schools.
• The distributed dollars from the collection tower will be added to the school-specific online donations and generate a payout list. We issue checks to schools per this tally.
• The top 200 schools that raise the most money will also receive a $1,000 bonus check!

The new form is written in easier to understand language and is designed to increase collaboration among IEP Team members. Centering on the student’s strengths and vision, a goal is to help students take an active part in the IEP planning process. You are invited to join the FCSN’s virtual Introduction to the New IEP Form presentation to learn what has changed! This workshop is free and open to all families, educators, school committee members, and administrators.

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024

Time: 7:00 PM-8:00 PM

Presenter: Leslie M. Leslie, MassPAC Project Director

Please register to get the zoom link to participate.

If your child is interested in ordering a DMS yearbook, please use this this link. The deadline to order a yearbook is April 23rd!

Yearbook ID Code: 14471024

Or, under the Search for your yearbook ID code type in "Dighton Middle School"

ELA Testing Dates

• Grade 5- 3/26 and 3/27
• Grade 6- 3/28 and 4/2
• Grade 7- 4/3 and 4/4
• Grade 8- 4/9 and 4/10

Math Testing Dates

• Grade 5- 4/30 and 5/1
• Grade 6- 5/2 and 5/3
• Grade 7- 5/7 and 5/8
• Grade 8- 5/9 and 5/10

STE Testing Dates

• Grade 5- 5/14 and 5/15
• Grade 8- 5/16 and 5/17

• Grade 8- 5/22 and 5/23

In the event that a chromebook is damaged, lost or not working, please submit a Technology Helpdesk Ticket. Once the technicians have confirmation of the ticket, they will provide the student with a temporary device to be used while the damage is evaluated. If the damage is seemingly accidental damage, the chromebook will be repaired at no cost to the student. If you have any questions, please reach out to the DMS Main Office.