DHS Weekly Updates

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Good afternoon DHS families,

We hope that summer has been a time of joy, time with loved ones as much as possible and some relaxation. Although school is still almost a month away, as students begin on September 8th, we wanted to send this message out as soon as possible, yet needed to wait until the School Committee meeting last night. We will be sending out our usual Sunday messages the last week of August.

If you are new( parent/guardian to a freshmen or new to Danvers), welcome- we look forward to working with you and your student to ensure a positive, well rounded academic, extra-curricular and social emotional experience.

Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Policy

For those who are returning to DHS , we announced starting in April that we were preparing for the possibility of the move to a Bell to Bell cell phone policy shift here at Danvers High School. As we begin the upcoming school year, we want to share an important update regarding our new bell-to-bell cell phone policy, approved unanimously last night by the Danvers School Committee.

This decision comes ahead of pending legislation from the Massachusetts Legislature, which is currently finalizing a statewide bell-to-bell phone policy for all high schools. To address these shifts proactively, Danvers Public Schools established a dedicated Cell Phone Committee composed of faculty, staff, and administration. Together, after careful review and discussion, this committee developed a policy to best support our students' academic and personal growth.

During the previous school year, staff incessantly spoke of the noticeable improvement in student engagement when phones were locked away during class time and increased academic scores from our AP students show this to be true. Teachers reported better focus, higher participation, and fewer classroom disruptions. According to national survey data from the Pew Research Center, 72% of high school teachers cite cell phone use as a major obstacle to student learning and collaboration.

However, both staff and administration recognized, that more needed to be done across the full school day for several key reasons:

Eliminating Transitional Distractions: Keeping phones accessible between classes or during lunch created constant friction, multiple late arrivals to class, and continuous distraction as students transitioned between periods.
Cognitive Capacity & Focus: Research published by the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research highlights the "brain drain" effect: even when a smartphone is sitting face-down on a desk, its mere presence consumes limited cognitive resources and reduces working memory capacity. A true bell-to-bell policy removes these silent distractions entirely.
Fostering Real Social Connection: Restricting phone use bell-to-bell (including during non-instructional times like lunch and passing periods) encourages face-to-face communication, helping students build stronger interpersonal relationships and a healthier school culture.
Academic Focus & Retention: Research consistently shows that even the simple presence or anticipation of a notification reduces cognitive capacity and working memory. A true bell-to-bell environment allows students to remain fully engaged without digital interruptions
Supporting Mental Health & Well-being: High social media and phone access throughout the school day are strongly linked to elevated student anxiety, peer drama, and fear of missing out (FOMO).The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on Youth Mental Health warns of the strong links between high social media exposure and elevated risks of anxiety, depression, and peer conflict among adolescents.

Our primary goal is to build upon the positive momentum seen in our classrooms last year and create an even safer, more attentive, and unified learning environment for every student!

Therefore, beginning on the first day of school students will not be permitted to use personal electronic devices during the school day. This includes, but is not limited to:

Cell phones
Smart watches used for communication
Tablets
Personal computers or laptops
Gaming devices
Other personal electronic devices

Only school issued laptops are permitted for use during the school day. School-issued devices allow the district to support instruction, maintain network security, and monitor student activity. This is in accordance with district policies and to help ensure that students are not able to utilize messaging apps or other programs on a laptop.

Daily Cell Phone Procedure

Between 7:25 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., students will report to their LAST period class and place their cell phone in the classroom cell phone locker.
Phones will remain secured in the locker throughout the school day.
Students will retrieve their phones from their last period classroom at dismissal.

Students Arriving Late

Students arriving after 7:30 a.m (by bus or on their own), must place their phone in the Main Entrance cell phone locker upon arrival.
At dismissal, students will report to the Main Office to retrieve their phone.

Students Being Dismissed Early

Between 7:25 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. students who know they will be leaving early will place their phone in the Greeter’s cell phone locker upon arrival.
At dismissal, students will report to the main office to retrieve their phone.

Students with documented medical situations that require a phone throughout the day (for glucose monitoring, heart monitoring, etc) will store their phones in the nurses office at the beginning of the day and retrieve them at the end of the day! Our nurses will be in contact with you as soon as school begins.

Cell Phone/Personal Laptop Violations

To ensure consistency, the following consequences will be implemented for violations of the personal device policy:

1st Offense: Device checked in the office and parent/guardian picks up device

2nd Offense: Cell phone checked into office- parent picks up the device and following four days the student will turn in the phone at the main office rather than the last period class

3rd Offense: One day In school suspension

4th Offense- Three day suspension. During suspension there will be a loss of extracurricular activities (including activities such as but not limited to: practices, contests, competitions, performances, field trips, school sponsored events including weekend events)

We recognize that this represents a significant change for students and families, and we appreciate your partnership as we implement this new expectation. We encourage families to discuss these procedures with their children before the start of school. If you need to reach your child during the school day, please contact the Main Office, and we will ensure that important messages are delivered immediately.

The administration, faculty, and staff are not responsible for electronic devices that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide a safe, focused, and engaging learning environment for all Danvers High School students.

Should you have any questions feel free to reach out to Assistant Principals Kerry LeBlanc (grades 11, 12 ) leblanc@danvers.org , Patrick Hamilton Grades 9, 10) hamilton@danvers.org or Alan Strauss strauss@danvers.org

Have a wonderful remaining few weeks and we look forward to seeing the freshman on August 26th.

Be well,

Alan

Alan Strauss, Principal

Students have now received their assigned courses for the 2026–2027 school year. Please note that these course assignments reflect the classes your student has been scheduled to take.

Students who are interested in changing their assigned courses should come to the Guidance Office on Tuesday, August 18th or Wednesday, August 26th from 9am - 1pm

Student schedules, including class blocks, teacher assignments, and classroom locations, will be released during the week of August 31st.

PLEASE NOTE - Students will not be able to move classes laterally (ie: from one Honors class to another) once school starts. As always, Guidance will work hard to ensure schedules remain similar but please understand that if a course level is requested that there could be an impact on other courses.

Update for our incoming Freshmen

We can’t wait to meet our new 9th graders and kick off an exciting year!

We are excited to welcome the Class of 2030 to Danvers High School!

Freshman Orientation will take place on Wednesday August 26, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. This event is for students only, as it is designed to help them become comfortable navigating the building and preparing for their first day of high school.

During orientation, students will:

Meet members of the Danvers High School staff
Learn about important school expectations and resources
Tour the building
Receive their school-issued laptop if Chromebook insurance has been paid
Have an opportunity to visit the Falcon's Nest school store, which will be open with a variety of Danvers apparel and spirit items available for purchase

We encourage all incoming freshmen to attend, as this is a great opportunity to become familiar with the school and start the year feeling confident and prepared. Please note: This event is for students only.

We look forward to welcoming your student(s) on August 26!

Teams/School Supplies

During the week of August 18th, families will receive an email with important information regarding the start of the school year.

This communication will include:

Your student's assigned freshman team.
A recommended school supply list to help students prepare for their classes.

We encourage families to review this information once received and begin preparing for a successful transition to high school

2025/2026

DHS STUDENT PARKING

AUTOMOBILE REGISTRATION FORM & INFORMATION

Registration for student parking is available online for the 2025/2026 school year. To register please fill out the attached GOOGLE FORM AND submit the $20 payment via E-FUNDS. Student placards will be available for pickup in the Main Office on August 25th and 26th from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. Placards will also be available for pick up before and after school starting on September 3, 2025.

The student parking lots are located to the left of the academic wing and also in the area of the tennis courts. The students and faculty will share the lot to the left of the academic wing. Faculty will be issued RED (“faculty”) parking placards and will be assigned to the first two (2) rows closest to the building. The students will be issued (White with a Royal Blue Falcon) parking placards. The parking lot will be closely monitored by school administration and the Danvers Police Department throughout the day to assure that all safety rules are being followed. Students parking on any street is absolutely forbidden so that our neighbors are not inconvenienced. Students MUST present a valid driver's license and auto registration as proof that they are a licensed driver, and have a vehicle to be parked on school property. There is no assigned parking at Danvers High for students. Lots fill on a first come first serve basis.

Parking is a privilege at Danvers High School and may be revoked at any time. All STUDENT PARKING is to be on SCHOOL PROPERTY ONLY. Students must register their automobiles with the school administration, and secure a STUDENT PARKING PLACARD that must be displayed from the rearview mirror or clearly visible on the dashboard. The cost of a student-parking placard is $20. If lost, the student must pay an additional $20. If there is a chance that the student might be driving a different family vehicle from time to time, that vehicle’s information should be on file as well. Automobiles should not be leaving school property at any time during the school day without express permission of the high school administration.

DHS Performing Arts

Please see below for important updates regarding the performing arts at DHS.

PRIVATE LESSONS REGISTRATIONS: Registration is now open for our Private Music Lessons program’s Fall Semester. The deadline to register is August 16th. If you are interested in enrolling your student in private lessons and/or more information, please visit the Private Lessons Page of our website. Direct any private lessons questions to Mr. Grover (alexandergrover@danvers.org)

FALL MUSICAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The Fall Musical at DHS will be MAMMA MIA! Auditions will be held in September. Any students interested in auditioning for the cast or participating in crew, keep an eye out for communications regarding the production later in August and early September. For more information, visit our theater updates page.

MARCHING BAND CAMP: Band Camp for the Falcon Marching Band starts at the end of this week, with full rehearsals next week! Students and families should see the band updates page for a communication from Ms. Brouse with details regarding camp.

PERFORMING ARTS MERCHANDISE STORE OPEN: Our merchandise store is open! If you are interested in purchasing anything, please visit our website: www.danversperformingarts.org/store. The deadline for placing orders is August 16th, and items will arrive by early September before the first football game.

2026 DHS Fall Sports Start Up Times & Locations

For all students who have registered, supplied a current physical and payment, Danvers High Fall Sports will start/meet on the following dates, times and locations. Please note that these dates, times, and locations vary for each sport. Registration must be completed before student athletes can participate (that includes being registered online, providing a valid physical and paying the athletic fee). Registration Link. DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS AUGUST 14TH. More information can be found on our athletic website, including the new athletic fees. DHS Athletics

IMPORTANT PARENT/STUDENT ATHLETE MEETING DATES:

Football Equipment Handout: Equipment will be handed out during the summer. Student Athletes must be registered prior to equipment being handed out.

**All Fall Sports Parent and Student-Athlete Meeting**

Monday, August 24th, at 6:00 PM at the DHS Auditorium. This mandatory meeting will help explain information to all student athletes and parents. After meeting all together in the Auditorium, teams will break into individual classrooms for coaches to speak with student athletes and parents.

PRACTICE/TRYOUT START UP DATES & TIMES:

Golf - Monday, August 24th, at 7 AM at Far Corners.

Football - Monday, August 24th, 3 PM at the DHS Turf. (Team meetings starting prior)

Volleyball - Monday, August 24th, from 3:30pm - 5:45 PM at the DHS Field House.

Girls Soccer - Monday, August 24th, 8:00 AM in the DHS Field House Lobby followed by practice from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at the DHS Turf.

Field Hockey - Monday, August 24th, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the DHS Turf.

Boys Soccer - Monday, August 24th, from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at DHS Turf.

Cross Country - Monday, August 24th, at 3:00 PM at the DHS Track Picnic Tables.

Varsity Football Cheerleading - Monday, August 24th, from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM at the DHS Vye Gym.

JV Football Cheerleading - Tuesday, August 25th, from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at the DHS Vye Gym.

Unified Basketball - The week of September 14th. Exact dates and times will be announced at a later date.

**Check with your coach for all future practice times and locations

Bus registration usually opens in August each year

If you plan to have your student ride the bus, register so we can have an accurate bus list to start the school year.

Register
Pay bus fee on E-Funds (If requesting a bus fee waiver, skip the payment option)

Bus seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. All registrations will be time-stamped at the time of registration.

School bus routes can be found on the transportation page. Choose the stop closest to your home to determine which bus your child will take. If you have any bus routing questions, send them to pulsifer@danvers.org. You can also call 978-774-4800 ext 2274.

DHS Weekly Updates

July 30th, 2025

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Update for our incoming Freshmen

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