D-R Dispatch

Dear DRRSD Community,

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

Please see these important updates below.

Together...WE ARE DR!

The DR PoG committee has developed a more refined Portrait of the Graduate draft. Currently, they are gathering additional input to inform the creation of the final draft. Please take this VERY BRIEF survey by May 8.

I have a family Homework Assignment for parents and guardians. Yes, I said homework. Next week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, but we celebrate Staff Appreciation Week because everyone in this District makes a difference by showing We are DR! I know that many of you will send in gifts, and I thank you. However, I am asking for a little bit more. It will cost you nothing but time. Please consider sending a ‘positive vibes/thank you’ email to that teacher, paraprofessional, counselor, secretary, nurse, administrator, bus driver, custodian, cafeteria worker, or coach who has made a difference for you or your family. A simple note saying something like “I know that it’s Staff Appreciation Week, and I just wanted to thank you for showing We are DR by…” would be so meaningful to people who are shaping our children's future. Please consider making the staff at DR feel appreciated for what they do!

We are thrilled to announce the release of 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, breaks, and professional development opportunities for our educators.

Please note that calendars are always subject to change.

I had the great opportunity to accompany Leigh Beson on Monday, who spoke at the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting. Leigh Beson was selected as a national winner of the Milken Family Foundation Educator Excellence Award, making her one of just a handful of teachers across the country to receive this honor!

The South Coast Conference is proud to honor the outstanding achievements of the Top 5 students from each of its member schools: Apponequet, Bourne, Case, Dighton-Rehoboth, Fairhaven, Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, Old Rochester, Seekonk, Somerset-Berkley, and Wareham High Schools. These exceptional students embody the four pillars of the National Honor Society - service, character, scholarship, and citizenship - and have left a remarkable impact on their schools and the wider community. We commend these students for their dedication, hard work, and leadership, and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Welcome to our school's 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

Students, families, and the community are invited to come see the outstanding Capstone Projects developed by our Senior CTE Students! Seniors will be showcasing their independent, year-long projects through a variety of media relevant to their specific trade.

Whether it's a functioning go-cart, a cinematic drama, or a 3D school design, be prepared to be impressed with the level of talent we have here at DRRHS!

The Enhanced Math pathway in middle school is recommended for highly motivated, self-directed, and responsible students who have the ability to learn in an accelerated environment. The accelerated curriculum requires students to complete three courses in two years, which demands a high degree of independence and motivation to keep up with the pace and rigor set forth by this pathway.

The placement of students into the Enhanced Math pathway is based on data gathered from their math performance, including assessments, grades, state testing, and teacher recommendations. If a student is not meeting course requirements and expectations in Enhanced Math, they will be switched to grade 7 math for the remainder of the school year.

Students who continue in the Enhanced Math Pathways in 8th grade will now follow the curriculum guidelines for Honors Algebra 1 offered at DRRHS. Honors Algebra 1 is recommended for highly motivated, self-directed, and responsible students who have the ability to learn in an accelerated environment. With the adjusted curriculum in grade 8 Enhanced Math, your child will now assume the workload of a ninth-grade student, requiring a high degree of independence and motivation. The pace and rigor of the course must be adhered to so that all of the curriculum is covered throughout the year, and your child will be ready for the Honors Program at DRRHS.

Students enrolled in grade 8 Enhanced Math who successfully complete the course with a minimum grade of 80% will be eligible to begin Honors Geometry as a ninth-grade student at DRRHS. If you find that your child is not meeting course requirements and expectations in grade 8 Enhanced Math, they should be switched into grade 8 math for the remainder of the school year. Successful completion of grade 8 math with a minimum grade of 90% will meet the prerequisite to begin Honors Algebra 1 as a ninth-grade student at DRRHS.

To register new students, we have created a helpful guide to assist you through the process. Please follow this link to access the guide.

Bill Runey

Superintendent of Schools

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