Dear DRRSD Community,

We are getting closer to the finish line of 22-23!

Please see these important updates below.

Together...WE ARE DR!

Please be sure that you are aware that our last day of school is an Early Release Day on Thursday, June 22.

Earlier this Spring, we released our academic calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. Please take a moment to view it by clicking on this link. Our calendar has been thoughtfully designed to include instruction days, vacations, holidays, and Professional Development opportunities for our educators.

Please note that calendars are always subject to change, especially because of snow.

In an effort to further enhance the security and privacy of our student accounts, we will be changing the passwords for student Gmail and Aspen accounts.

Effective August 15, 2023, all student Gmail and Aspen passwords will be reset, and new passwords will be generated by the district. Students will use this updated password to access both Aspen and the district Gmail account. These new passwords will be made available to you through the Aspen Family Portal on August 29. It is essential that students log in using the new passwords to continue accessing their accounts without any interruptions.

Why are we changing passwords?

The security and privacy of our students' accounts are of paramount importance to us. The current format of student passwords includes personally identifying information, which is not in accordance with best practices. By implementing this password change, we aim to provide a more secure environment for our students and their data.

When will the new passwords be available?

Starting August 29, you will be able to access the new passwords for your child's Gmail and Aspen accounts through the Aspen Family Portal. The Aspen Family Portal is a secure online platform that allows you to access important information about your child's education and progress. Detailed instructions on how to retrieve the new passwords will follow.

What is the Aspen Family Portal?

The Aspen Family Portal allows parents and guardians to see information on all their children using a single login. If you have not yet set up your Aspen Family Portal account, please follow these steps.

If you encounter any difficulties or have questions regarding the password change process, please do not hesitate to submit a technology helpdesk ticket. Our dedicated IT staff will be ready to provide you with the necessary support and assistance.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work towards providing a safe and secure digital environment for our students. If you have any further questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer Ashley, Director of Instructional Technology & Infrastructure, jashley@drregional.org.

As part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard our students' digital privacy and protect their sensitive information, we have decided to require multifactor authentication for all high school student Gmail accounts by June 30, 2023.

The decision to implement multifactor authentication arises from the increasing vulnerability of email accounts, particularly when they have the ability to send and receive emails from outside the organization. By adding an extra layer of security, we can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to our students' email accounts and prevent potential privacy and cybersecurity breaches.

Multifactor authentication is a security process that requires users to provide two or more different types of verification before gaining access to their accounts. In this case, it will involve a combination of something they know (their password) and something they possess (a secondary device such as a smartphone or hardware token). This additional step will ensure that only authorized individuals can access their email accounts, even if someone manages to obtain their login credentials.

To support this implementation, we will provide students with training and detailed instructions on how to set up multifactor authentication for their Gmail account.

If you or your student encounter any difficulties during this process or have any concerns regarding this security measure, please do not hesitate to submit a technology helpdesk ticket, and we will be happy to assist you.

I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge the successes and determination of our students and their coaches/advisors in the realms of student activities like Performing Arts, Athletics, Student Government, Service, and the like. I am proud of our DLT (District Leadership Team) Principals and Assistant Principals for celebrating many of these accomplishments on the DR Schools App (search your App Store or Google Play store) and our social media channels.

I know we don't get coverage of every single event, but we are trying. I hope you would agree that we have significantly increased the celebration of our students and staff. Our PTO and PTSA also deserve credit for fostering that #WeAreDR!"

The Kids Summer Learning Center was started in the summer of 2015. During the past eight (8) years, this program has provided several hundred students with new, creative and engaging learning opportunities. As we prepare for our ninth summer, we hope to continue to engage more students in experiencing the joy of learning.

We have adapted and expanded our class offerings to ensure that students who have previously enrolled in our classes will continue to experience new learning opportunities and the first time enrollees will share in this enjoyable opportunity to expand their learning experience.

Why don't you join us at the 2023 Kids Summer Learning Center from June 26th through August 4th at Somerset Berkley Regional High School!

June 26, 2023 - August 4, 2023 Monday - Friday

Register today for one or more weeks!

KSLC
Somerset Berkley Community School

625 County Street

Somerset, MA 02726

william.aguiar@ns.sbregional.org comfreyb@sbregional.org (508)324-3146

Welcome to our schools' Summer Reading program! We believe that reading is a fundamental part of education, and we want to encourage our students to continue their reading habits throughout the summer months. That's why we've curated a list of books for our students to choose from, so they can keep learning and growing even when school is out. We hope that our Summer Reading program will inspire a love of reading and help our students maintain their academic progress over the break. Happy reading!

Middle School Summer Reading

• Entering Grade 5 Summer Reading
• Entering Grade 6 Summer Reading
• Entering Grade 7 Summer Reading
• Entering Grade 8 Summer Reading
• High School Summer Reading
  

Completing the online registration process is vital to ensure a smooth start to the school year for your child. To register new students, we have created a helpful guide to assist you through the process. Please follow this link to access the guide.

For support with the Aspen Online Registration portal, please submit a technology helpdesk ticket or call 508-252-5000 x5146.

Bill Runey

Superintendent of Schools

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