DHS Weekly Updates

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Good evening DHS,

On Friday night, 38 of our students took the fan bus to Melrose to cheer on our cheerleaders and football team (great win) with Senior class Advisors Ms. Foss and Ms. Ewing leading the way, and multiple staff attending the game (Mr. Bencal, Ms. Maggiore, Mr. Russell amongst others) and the courtyard was filled with juniors and seniors dancing with joy at the Homecoming dance on Saturday. These events culminated a week were students met with our new Theater Director to discuss the exciting production of Mamma Mia this winter, band preparing for this weeks first competition, all of athletic teams having early success with big wins, academic clubs such as Math Team starting up, extracurriculars such as SADD, E-sports, PRISM, Chess Club, Environmental Club and others having introductory meetings. The consistency in all of these events are the desire to allow students to participate in what interests them and what DHS proudly offers. Studies have shown that students who get involved and participate- be it with a club, an activity, a sport, one's own education or even within community service or personal programs outside of school, including working a job, are far more ready to enter the next phase of their journey than those who go do not get involved.

A few years ago, a student during our principal council meeting, asked a question that has stayed with me ever since: “Why do some people act like occupants rather than participants?”

It’s a thought-provoking line, and although I have asked the question many times, incredibly a story was sent to me at the beginning of the summer by another student in that group this past summer that had me thinking about our vision for DHS. Their email to me said “ Hi Mr Strauss, I do not know where Derrick is now but please send this to our group". The council always returns to me occasionally as I get ready to graduate in May and pursue my MBA and this will remind everyone of our conversations. Should you chose to read it I hope it resonates in some way.

Be more than an occupant!

It can be tempting to pull back, put on our figurative headphones, and move through our busy days as mere occupants in the same building as 800 others. But our school is so much more than a physical space, and our community is so much more than people sharing a room. We also must continue to be a true learning community rather than a plethora of individuals who do not participate in supporting each other.

We are seeing students talk to each other more, and communicate with many they have not previously due to the cell phone policy and we applaud our students for their adapting to this new way of going through their day. The change has been special, and will help make DHS an even more special place.

What we learn is that when students are involved in multiple school events is that they are better equipped to adapt to a world that will be far different than DHS when they graduate. We see Community leaders who play golf and other sports who are also multicultural committee members, morning announcement participants, musicians, PRISM members, Journalism editors,unified sports helpers, chess team members and more.

Band members who play varsity baseball and football, while receiving acclaim in DECA or others who are part of a broadcasting production crew while also being community artists, ambassadors for new students and others who use their academic interest to support the math team, NHS or any of our 6 honor societies all of which are focused on participating rather than simply sitting back are the norm rather than the exception. Yet this is also seen with so incredible parent volunteers and booster reps over all of our musical programs, athletic program, SEPAC and PAC's throughout the district.

To our amazing students, and our devoted parents: thank you. Thank you for showing up every day not just to occupy a space, but to participate in it. Thank you for leaning in with compassion, extending a helping hand through life's unexpected turbulence, and investing your heart into supporting our kids. We encourage you to help your students get involved and that you get involved in some small way as well.

Everyday I proudly see our Assistant Principals, Counselors, Social Workers, Faculty, IA's, BT's, School Psychologists, Directors of Special Education, Athletics and Curriculum, Team Chair, IT and Library Media Staff, OT and PT specialists, Nurses, Coaches, Advisors, DPW And Food Service staff as well as our Central Office Team, School Committee and Town Officials who do not simply remain occupants at DHS and DPS but are active participants to make our students have a more positive experience. So often they give up time after school and at night to support our students and for that they all deserve our appreciation.

When we choose to truly see each other, listen to one another’s stories, and lift each other up, we transform from occupants into a strong, united community. And we will continue to add programs that allow ALL Students to become a participant. If there is something your student is interested please let us know.

As we head into another busy week of learning, growing, and supporting our students, let’s keep reaching out, connecting, and being active participants, rather than occupants in each other's lives. To those families observing Yom Kippur or celebrating Hispanic Month we wish you the very best!

May each of you enjoy a joyful and involved week ahead!

Alan

Alan Strauss, Principal

Follow us on Instagram @DHSfalconspride

DHS has partnered with the local charity, Grateful Friends, on an initiative meant to bring awareness to cancer and raise funds for the charity. For context, Grateful Friends specializes in helping patients with Cancer; this includes, but is not limited to, helping pay utility bills and sending personalized gift baskets, with the overall goal to bring a smile to patients and relieve financial stress.

On Thursday, October 22nd, Grateful Friends wants to see DHS and the other respective districts across the Northshore do a full on “pink out” - with students showing up to school wearing pink shirts. The shirts will be made by Grateful Friends, and available for sale online and at different school events. Students will be able to purchase a shirt at a discounted $15.00, while families can purchase a shirt for $25.00. With the charity being a completely voluntary foundation, the proceeds will go back to the charity and be used to help out cancer patients. Be on the lookout for more information, and help DHS go pink for cancer awareness!

On Wednesday, September 23rd at 3:00 PM, we will test ReachMyTeach—our communication system for school updates, classroom messaging, emergency alerts, and school closings (like snow days). All contacts (families and staff) will receive a test message via phone, text, and email.

No action is required. If your family needs to update your contact information, please complete the Annual Update form in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Last year, many of you attended the community Unified Basketball game, and the IMPACT was resounding- for staff, students, and families! This year, the game is on October 6th at 4 p.m. at the DHS Fieldhouse. We invite you to attend as we aim to set a MA record with 1050 attendees. The theme this year is IMPACT!

Last year, we created shirts, and many hoped to wear them to the game, so we created an online store through Jaguar Printing here in town. See the link below to order! The final order date is Sept 16 so they arrive in time.

Shirt Preview - Danvers Unified Basketball Store Flyer.pdf

Order form - https://shop.jagwearapparel.com/danvers_unified_basketball/shop/home

We look forward to seeing as many of you and your families as we can on October 6th. More information to follow.

Have a fantastic year, and thank you for all you do every day - it matters, and your impact is monumental!

Hello Families!

We are thrilled to announce that Polished Dental will be visiting your child's school this year. This program provides vital preventive dental care, and Danvers Public Schools is proud to support it. Students who regularly see their own dentist are still eligible to participate.

Please click here for details:

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has created an MCAS Family Portal, where families will access their student’s MCAS results instead of receiving paper copies.

The Danvers Public Schools has shared detailed instructions for setting up your account, along with your student’s unique registration code. To create an account, you will need your student’s date of birth and registration code.

Final MCAS results will be available in the Family Portal in late September. Results will include your student’s performance, growth information, and comparisons to school, district, and statewide results.

Please note: Registration codes will only be provided for students in grades 4–12, as these are the grades in which students take MCAS.

Parents and Guardians who are dropping off students between 7:00 A.M. and 7:30 A.M. should use the A-Wing drop off area marked with STUDENT DROP OFF AREA signs or the Cabot Street drop off area marked with STUDENT DROP OFF AREA signs. In order to promote increased safety, please DO NOT try to drop off students in the main entrance circle area or in the auditorium parking area when dropping off in the morning between 7:00 A.M. and 7:30 A.M.

Need help with your PowerSchool account? Please email powerschool@danvers.org for assistance with:

• Your PowerSchool credentials
• Resetting your password
• Students missing from your account

This will create a help desk ticket for our IT team.

Thank you!

Financial Aid Night – 6pm on Thursday September 24th, DHS Auditorium

Please join us for a Financial Aid Night led by the Financial Aid experts at College Affordable!

We are pleased to announce a new partnership with College Affordable. They are a non-profit that provides free comprehensive help to students and families to navigate the complicated process of accessing financial aid for higher education. This school year they helped over 7,000 students across the state of Massachusetts and are now expanding their school partners in the North Shore MA area. To begin working with them visit our landing page and complete the family registration form: https://collegeaffordable.org/danvershs/

The program includes workshops, access to webinars, self help tools and 1×1 expert help from their team of Financial Aid Counselors. You can schedule 1×1 virtual meetings with them through this landing page, email them at financialaid@collegeaffordable.org and call/text them as well at 781-343-1941.

College Family Night, Class of 2027- 6pm Wednesday October 7th, DHS Auditorium

Please join us in the DHS auditorium on Wednesday October 7th at 6pm for College Family Night. The school counselors will go over details of the college application process and answer general questions. Slides and notes will be shared via email afterwards. This is open to class of 2027 parents/guardians AND students.

Optional Field Trip to NEACAC College Fair at SSU from 9am – 11am on Wednesday September 23

DHS Students are invited to join a field trip to attend the NEACAC College Fair at Salem State on Wednesday September 23 from 9am – 11am. There will be over 100 colleges and universities expected to attend. Here is the registration link and here is the permission slip. Students over 18 can complete the permission slip on their own.

College Application Process Information – community block

On Monday September 21 and Thursday September 24 Seniors will meet in groups with a school counselor to review the common application. If students are not interested, there will be an option to join a separate presentation about options such as trade school, community college, military, etc.

First Generation College Application Support Student Group

First generation, as defined by most colleges, refers to students whose parents / guardians did not graduate from a 4 year college or university in the United States. If that sounds like your student, we encourage them to join our college application support group. Email dhsschoolcounseling@danvers.org to join!

College Visits

Representatives from over 50 colleges will visit Danvers High School and host small group information sessions. These are the same admissions staff who will be reading applications from DHS students. This is a great opportunity to make a connection with a school, ask questions directly to an admissions counselor, and learn more about a potential college. You can review the college visit schedule here. Please sign up on Naviance! Sign in with your Danvers Google account, go to the homepage select > colleges then > college visits.

College Day Visits – October 23

Save the date! On October 23, seniors will not have classes and therefore will participate in College Day Visits. Seniors will be asked to complete a survey ahead of time to let us know which visit they are interested in participating in. School counselors will be scheduling a few college visit options with school bus transportation provided, but if students prefer to go on their own college visit that they choose and schedule themself they can do so with a college visit permission slip. More info to come!

We still have spots open for our upcoming trip to Thailand– Service Trip in April of 2027, and your student is invited! This life-changing experience will help students build confidence, independence, and global perspective.

We’re holding an informational meeting on Oct. 6th to share everything you need to know—and spots on this trip are limited:

Find meeting info and RSVP here: https://rsvp.eftours.com/fgjc8mm

Why attend?
- Learn how to save $200 with early enrollment.
- Get first access to limited spots.
- Learn about what we’ll see and do, academic opportunities, trip cost, and more.

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In the meantime, please visit EF’s website to get answers to common parent questions. EF Tours is our trusted travel partner, and they have 60 years of experience helping students explore the world safely and affordably.

Please see here for all things Athletics!

Get Involved with SADD!

Does your student want to make a positive difference at Danvers High School and in our community? Encourage them to check out SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)! SADD is a student-led club focused on preventing substance use and underage drinking, promoting safe and responsible driving, and raising awareness around mental health, teen violence, and suicide prevention. SADD gives students an opportunity to make a positive impact, look out for one another, and make a positive difference at DHS.

The first meeting will be Tuesday, September 22nd at 2:00 PM in Ms. O’Neill’s room. New members are welcome, and returning members are encouraged to attend. Students who are unable to attend the first meeting can still get involved by helping with the Activities Fair on September 28th and 30th.

Parents and guardians: Please take a moment to talk with your student about SADD and encourage them to learn more and get involved!

Please see here for important dates at DHS

Below please find links to important forms and information. These are located on our website but hope this may assist you in locating them quickly.

AP Summer Work Codes

Cell Phone Policy

Connect with DPS

Falcon's Nest

Food Services

Health Services

SEPAC

Student Enrollment

School Choice

Summer Reading

Work Permits