Dewey's Details: Caregiver Update

Dear Dutile Caregivers,

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

The picture above captures some of the fun from our "Bubble Dance Party" during recess last week! It was great to see so many smiling faces as students enjoyed some music, bubbles, and time celebrating together with their friends!

As part of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system, students work together to fill their classroom jars by demonstrating positive behaviors aligned with our school's four core values: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Kind. Once a classroom fills its jar, it contributes to our schoolwide bucket. When that bucket is full, the entire school earns a special celebration!

A couple of weeks ago, our students filled the schoolwide bucket once again, earning this fun-filled recess celebration! These celebrations are a wonderful way to recognize the positive choices our students make each day and reinforce the importance of working together as a school community. While the bubbles and music certainly make for a fun afternoon, what makes these celebrations so special is knowing that our students earned them by making good choices, showing kindness, and demonstrating our school's core values.

I am incredibly proud of our students for continuing to demonstrate what it means to be a positive member of the Dutile community. We are already working toward filling that bucket again, and I can't wait to see what our next schoolwide celebration will bring!

Celebrating World Kindness Week

This week, we are also excited to celebrate "World Kindness Week!" This is a wonderful opportunity to remind our students that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's day. Whether it's including someone in a game, helping a classmate, offering a kind word, or simply making someone smile, kindness is something we can all practice every day.

Our Student Council has been hard at work planning a special :Kindness Spirit Week," and they are also partnering with our school's Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Team to organize kindness activities and challenges throughout the week. We are looking forward to seeing our students spread a little extra kindness throughout our school!

As we celebrate this week, I encourage families to continue the conversation at home. Sometimes the simplest question, "How did you show kindness today?" can lead to some pretty meaningful conversations!

A Reminder About Veterans Day

As a reminder, there will be no school on Wednesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.

Veterans Day provides us with an important opportunity to recognize and honor the brave men and women who have served our country. To all of the veterans in our Dutile community, including our caregivers, grandparents, family members, and staff, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your service, courage, and sacrifice.

We also encourage families to take a moment this week to talk with their children about the meaning of Veterans Day and the importance of showing gratitude to those who have served.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead!

~ Scott Middlemiss, Principal

As the holiday season approaches, we recognize that this time of year can bring additional financial challenges for some families. At the Dutile School, we care deeply about our school community and want to do what we can to support families who may need a little extra assistance during the holiday season.

This week is the final week to submit requests for holiday assistance. If you feel that your family might benefit from some additional support this holiday season, we encourage you to complete the confidential Holiday Assistance Google Form linked below no later than Friday, November 13th.

A member of our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Team may reach out to gather additional information and discuss available resources.

Please know that all information shared will be kept confidential. While we hope to assist as many families as possible, support will depend on available resources and cannot be guaranteed.

We are grateful to be part of such a caring and supportive school community. We recognize that asking for assistance isn't always easy, and we want every family to know that they are valued, respected, and supported. Our hope is to help make the holiday season a little brighter for as many families as we can.

Thank you for helping us continue to make the Dutile School a caring and supportive community for everyone!

Please select your preferred language to complete the confidential form:

Holiday Assistance (English)

Holiday Assistance (Spanish)

Holiday Assistance (Portuguese)

A quick reminder that there will be no school on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in observance of Veterans Day.

We are deeply thankful to all who have served our country and extend our heartfelt gratitude to the veterans and military families within our Dutile community. Thank you for your service, courage, and sacrifice!

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support!

As part of our ongoing commitment to student and staff safety, all Billerica Public Schools staff participated in training on the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) with the I Love U Guys Foundation during our November 3, 2026 professional development day, in collaboration with our local police, fire, and EMS partners.

The SRP provides a common language and consistent procedures to help our school communities respond to a variety of situations. In the coming weeks, students will also be introduced to the SRP through age-appropriate instruction using this video (upper elementary) and this storybook (PK & lower elementary).

Please click HERE to review the caregiver guide to learn more about the protocol and the shared language we use to support a safe school environment. Thank you for your continued support.

This week, November 9–13, we are excited to celebrate World Kindness Week at Dutile Elementary School!

World Kindness Week is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the importance of kindness and the positive impact that even the smallest acts of kindness can have on others. Whether it's offering a helping hand, including someone who feels left out, sharing a kind word, or simply making someone smile, little acts of kindness can make a big difference!

Our Dutile Student Council has been hard at work planning a special Kindness Spirit Week to spread kindness, positivity, and school spirit throughout our school community! Please see the attached flyer for each day's spirit theme, and encourage your child to participate in the fun!

In addition to Spirit Week, our Student Council and School Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Team have planned some special kindness activities and challenges for students throughout the week. These activities will encourage students to look for opportunities to show kindness, include others, and make a positive difference in our school community.

We are looking forward to a fun week filled with kindness and positivity! We hope you'll join us in spreading a little extra kindness at home and throughout our community, too!

Thank you for helping us continue to make Dutile a place where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and cared for!

Remember, a little kindness can go a long way!

As we celebrate World Kindness Week, I would love to take this opportunity to spread a little extra kindness to the amazing staff members who make Dutile such a special place!

Every day, our teachers and staff work hard to support, encourage, and care for our students. Sometimes, a simple message of appreciation or a few kind words can make a bigger difference than we realize!

To help celebrate World Kindness Week, I am collecting positive messages, words of encouragement, and notes of appreciation for our wonderful Dutile staff members. I invite students, caregivers, and members of our Dutile community to take a few moments to recognize a staff member who has made a positive difference in their lives.

Whether it's a teacher, paraprofessional, specialist, support staff member, or anyone else who helps make Dutile a welcoming and caring school, we would love to hear from you!

All messages will be shared with our staff throughout World Kindness Week to brighten their days and remind them how much they are appreciated!

Please take a moment to complete the Google Form below and help us spread a little extra kindness throughout our school!

💙 Google Form: https://forms.gle/t8fyjW2nxHc2nuJp8

The Billerica Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is hosting its Family Resource Fair on Saturday, November 14, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Billerica Town Hall Auditorium (365 Boston Road).

This free event is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with local organizations, explore community resources, and learn about programs and services available to support children and families. A variety of organizations will be on hand to share information and answer questions.

Childcare will be provided by BMHS Best Buddies, with kid-friendly activities and a calming corner available. Refreshments will also be provided!

All families are welcome and encouraged to attend! Please see the attached flyer for additional information, including a QR code to RSVP. While RSVPs are not required, they are appreciated.

Get Involved with the Dutile PTO!
The Dutile PTO is already planning exciting events for the 2026–2027 school year—and we’d love your help! Whether you’re interested in leading a committee, helping plan behind the scenes, or just showing up to volunteer for an hour or two, we have a role for everyone. It’s a great way to stay connected, meet other families, and support our amazing school community.

Fill out our quick volunteer interest form here: https://dutilepto.com/volunteer/

Let’s make this year the best one yet!

Our theme this year is "Holiday in the Sun"

We're collecting: Beach Towels, Beach Chairs, Beach Wagon, Sunscreen, Water bottles with misters, Coolers, Pool floats, Goggles, Bocce Ball,

Outdoor games, portable speakers, Beach Toys, Fishing Supplies, or ANYTHING THAT REMINDS YOU OF SUMMER/WARM WEATHER!

Donation Drive

Final Day to Donate: November 11

Want to help but short on time?

You can make a monetary donation, and the PTO will purchase items on your behalf!

dutilepto.com/bhtf

Let’s help the 4th grade student council make this year’s Dutile tree aaawesome!

The trees will be on display at the Billerica Public Library from November 21, 2026 through December 13, 2026. Proceeds support the lighting of Billerica Common and the Billerica Winter Festival on December 5, 2026.

Thank you for helping us spread a little sunshine this holiday season! ☀️

Learn more about the Billerica Holiday Tree Festival

Please note: This is a community event, not a Dutile PTO fundraiser.

I wanted to share our Spring MCAS testing schedule with you now so that you can plan ahead and avoid scheduling appointments, vacations, or other activities on these dates, if possible. Ensuring students are present, well-rested, and ready for the assessments makes a big difference.

MCAS TESTING DATES:

ELA

• Grade 3 ELA MCAS: Monday, March 29, 2027 & Tuesday, March 30, 2027

• Grade 4 ELA MCAS: Wednesday, March 31, 2027 & Thursday, April 1, 2027

Mathematics

• Grade 3 Math MCAS: Monday, May 10, 2027 & Tuesday, May 11, 2027

• Grade 4 Math MCAS: Wednesday, May 12, 2027 & Thursday, May 13, 2027

We recognize that things do come up, but your help in avoiding planned absences on testing days is greatly appreciated. If your child has an unavoidable appointment or absence, please let us know.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership!

To help us maintain a safe and secure environment for our students and staff, all visitors and volunteers must report directly to the main office upon arrival. At the office, you will be asked to sign in and wear a visitor badge so that we can easily identify who is in the building. When your visit is complete, please remember to sign out and return your badge.

For safety reasons, entry during school hours is permitted only through the front door. If you are in the building and notice someone without a badge, staff members will kindly direct them back to the office. This is a standard safety practice, not a confrontation.

In addition, anyone wishing to volunteer at the Dutile School is required to complete a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check each school year. Forms are available in the main office and must be completed in person, along with a copy of your driver’s license. Since processing can take several weeks, we strongly encourage you to complete this step as soon as possible. Please note that outside CORI approvals cannot be accepted, and volunteers may not begin until clearance is received.

For more details, please see the district website.

If your child will be absent or tardy, please call the Dutile Attendance Line at 978-528-8530 before 7:55 AM on the day of the absence.

This line is available 24 hours a day, so you may leave a message at any time. After the greeting, please provide the requested information about your child.

If your child is not in school by 8:05 AM and we have not received a call or email from you, we will reach out to confirm your child’s whereabouts.

For your convenience, you can click here for a printable version of this information.

For the safety and smooth dismissal of all students, please send any written notes regarding a change to your child’s dismissal plan to the classroom teacher on or before the day of the change.

Please do not email teachers with same-day or last-minute dismissal changes, as teachers are busy with students throughout the school day and may not see your message before dismissal.

If an unexpected or emergency change arises during the school day, particularly after 1:00 p.m., please call the school office directly. This allows us to make sure your child and the appropriate staff members receive the updated information before dismissal begins.

Thank you for helping us keep our dismissal process safe, efficient, and well-coordinated for all students!

Strong communication and close collaboration between home and school are essential to every child’s success. To support this partnership, we’ve put together some simple guidelines to help you know who to contact when you have a question, concern, or need assistance.

At the Dutile School, we take a team-based approach to problem-solving. Depending on the situation, several staff members may work together to provide support and determine the best next steps. While we always do our best to respond as quickly as possible, please keep in mind that teachers and staff are often working directly with students or participating in meetings throughout the school day.

To make communication as easy and efficient as possible, we’ve created a quick reference guide outlining who to contact in a variety of situations.

👉 [Click here to view the document]

Ms. Oestreicher is creating a Fit with Fam bulletin board to celebrate families staying active and healthy together. Families are invited to submit photos of their student(s) with family or friends doing something active or healthy. Photos will be printed and displayed at school. By submitting a photo, you give permission for it to be printed and displayed on the school’s Fit with Fam bulletin board. Use this link to submit throughout the school year!

Please follow and "like" the "Frederick J. Dutile Elementary School" Facebook page. I will be posting often to share examples of the incredible teaching and learning that takes place at our school each day!

https://www.facebook.com/dutileschool

Monday, November 9, 2026 - Friday, November 13, 2026

• World Kindness Week

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

• NO SCHOOL: Veterans Day

Wednesday, November 25, 2026

• HALF-DAY: Thanksgiving Break Begins
• Dismissal @ 11:00 AM

Thursday, November 26, 2026

• NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break

Friday, November 27, 2026

• NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

• EARLY RELEASE DAY!
• Dismissal @ 12:05 PM

Wednesday, December 23, 2026

• HALF-DAY: Winter Break Begins
• Dismissal @ 11:00 AM

Thursday, December 24, 2026 - Sunday, January 3, 2027

• NO SCHOOL: Winter Break

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc. is inviting students to participate in its 2026–2027 Poster and Public Service Announcement (PSA) Project! This year’s theme, “Help You, Help Me, Help Us,” encourages students to celebrate teamwork, kindness, friendship, inclusion, and the power of working together to make a positive difference.

Students are encouraged to get creative and share their vision of how helping one another can build stronger, more connected communities. Whether through artwork or video, this is a great opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and spread a positive message!

Important Dates:

• Poster Submission Deadline: January 29, 2027
• PSA Submission Deadline: April 9, 2027

Families interested in learning more about the project, including submission guidelines and contest rules, are encouraged to visit the Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth website.

We would love to see some of our Dutile students participate!

The Billerica Scholarship Committee invites families and community members to join them for their annual Trivia Night on Friday, February 5, 2027, at the Billerica Lodge of Elks!

This year's theme is "Battle of the Decades!" Gather your friends, form a team, and get ready for a fun-filled evening of trivia, prizes, and friendly competition—all while supporting Billerica's graduating seniors!

This event is the committee's largest fundraiser of the year. Last year, the committee awarded an incredible $189,650 in scholarships to the Class of 2026!

Interested in participating or supporting this great cause? Click here to register online!

For questions or more information, please contact Alyssa Bartlett at BillericaScholarship@gmail.com.

Join the fun and help support the future of Billerica's students!