The Ditson Buzz 🐝🐝🐝

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We are currently have 2 open positions for parent/guardians to serve on the School Site Council for the current school year.

What is a school council? A school council is a representative, school building-based committee composed of the principal, parents, teachers, community members and, at the secondary level, students, required to be established by each school pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 59C.

How does the councils' work relate to other provisions of Education Reform?Councils are an integral feature of Education Reform and are the main instrument for practicing the participatory site-based management that is called for in the Education Reform Act. Each school's efforts and success in meeting statewide standards will be an important component of the school council's needs assessment. In addition, as councils assist principals in preparing the school improvement plan, they will have a role in shaping the school's achievement of the professional development and parent involvement goals of Education Reform.

How many members should the council contain?The law leaves it up to each principal, "pursuant to a representative process approved by the superintendent and school committee," to define the size and composition of the council. It does, however, make three stipulations about membership.

Parents "shall have parity with professional personnel on the school councils." Regardless of the size of the council, the number of parent representatives must be equal to the number of teachers who serve on the council plus the principal.
"Not more than fifty percent of the council shall be non-school members." "Non-school members" are defined as members who are "other than parents, teachers, students and staff at the school."
The membership of school councils "should be broadly representative of the racial and ethnic diversity of the school building and community."

When We Meet: We will meet on Mondays, once per month, from 3:00 - 4:00PM. Meetings will be held at the school on the following dates.

Monday, November 10, 2025

Monday, December 8, 2025

Monday, February 9, 2026

Monday, March 9, 2026

Monday, April 13, 2026

Monday, May 11, 2026

Monday, June 8, 2026

How to get involved: If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information please contact Ms. Hatem at vhatem@billericak12.com by Friday, October 31st.

It’s Ditson Elementary Night with the River Hawks!

Join us Friday, Nov 7 at 7:15 PM. Each $20 ticket includes a $5 fundraiser for the Ditson School Association—bring the whole crew and cheer on the team!

Get tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/event/DitsonUML1107

Also, save the date and get your tickets early for the Harlem Globetrotters!

Saturday, February 14th @ 2 PM

Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell

Washington Generals @ Harlem Globetrotters

Get tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Ditsonglobies0214

It’s time for our annual Holiday Tree Collection for the Billerica Holiday Festival! Each year, the Ditson School Association donates a beautifully decorated tree to the festival’s raffle, and proceeds help light up the Billerica Common for the holidays.

This year’s theme is Winter STEAM Lab! We’re collecting donations now through Friday, November 14th. You can help in a few ways:

Donate online: Make a cash donation here — the DSA will use these funds to purchase themed items.
Send in STEAM-themed items: Great ideas include ornaments, science kits, Legos, magnet tiles, books, games, or gift cards to local toy stores, bookshops, or Amazon.
Shop our Amazon Wishlist: View it here.

Collection bins are located in each grade hallway and the main lobby — feel free to send items to school with your child.

Be sure to visit the Billerica Library between November 22nd and December 14th to see all the decorated trees and enter the raffle! Winners will be announced around December 17th.

Thank you so much for your generosity and support — we can’t wait to show off Ditson’s creative holiday spirit!

Warmly,
The Ditson School Association (DSA)
Questions? Email MellisaHolland@yahoo.com