DMS Delivers
October 25, 2024
Dear DMS Families,
It is hard to believe that we are already entering the last week of October. As we move into next week, please be sure to review the new Technology Fees that will be implemented beginning on October 28th. This information was also sent in last week's newsletter.
In addition, we know that students are excitedly anticipating Halloween. With that, we are asking families to be vigilant of what students are packing in their lunches following Halloween, as we do not want an excess amount of candy to be distributed at school/lunch resulting in students feeling lethargic or ill over the course of the school day. Also, as is typical of past years, students will be allowed to show their spirit at DMS on Thursday. However, students will not be allowed to wear any masks or face paint. In addition, students should not bring any props to school that could be considered a distraction or potential safety risk within the school environment. While we definitely want students to enjoy the day, we also need to ensure that we are creating a safe environment for everyone. We are hoping that families will please talk with students about the expectations set for the day in order to ensure that they maintain school appropriate spirit on Thursday. We appreciate your help with this as we approach next week.
Below, you will find further information on the Scholastic Book Fair, DRRHS Theater Auditions and a Sweet Swap, as well as the following PTO information: November fundraising, November Newsletter and a Night at Great Wolf Lodge. You will also find information on holiday assistance and the DMS/Feinstein Food Drive, as well as an opportunity from Habitat for Humanity and Troop 70811's Stuff the Bus. Also included is information on Dighton Youth Basketball and winter/spring lacrosse.
Don't forget that a physical with current immunizations was required for all 7th grade students by October 15th.
Have a great weekend!
Upcoming Dates at DMS
- October 28th: Soccer Game at Norton
- October 29th: Soccer Game at Somerset
- November 4th: SEPAC Meeting
- November 5th: No School- Professional Development Day
- November 6th: PTO Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
- November 7th: Scholastic Book Fair begins- in Library Class
- November 11th: No School- Veteran's Day
- November 12th: School Committee Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
- November 13th: Picture Retake Day
- November 18th: DMS School Council Meeting
- November 26th: School Committee Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
- November 27th: Early Release- Thanksgiving
Thank you!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ruben Rodrigues for generously donating new soccer jerseys to our team. Our soccer players are excited to wear them for the last few games of the season. This donation was extremely generous and we are very appreciative.
We Are Halfway Through Trimester I
As a reminder to all families, we are halfway through Trimester I. Students have been reminded to check in with their teachers to ensure that they are up to date with class assignments, but we also wanted to make families aware. Please be sure to check Aspen Parent Portal for up to date information, and if you have any questions, reach out to the classroom teacher. In addition, if your child is not making effective progress in classes, you will receive a letter from our Office of Student Services indicating such. We are hoping to be as proactive as possible in supporting students within our new trimester structure.
Technology Repair Fees
Dear Families,
We hope this message finds you well. As part of our commitment to maintaining our technology resources, we wanted to inform you about our updated repair fee structure. This will go into effect on October 28, 2024. These fees help us cover the cost of repairs when school-issued devices are damaged due to misuse or carelessness. The fees are divided into three tiers, depending on the extent of the damage:
- Level 1: Charger, Cover (top or bottom), Touchpad, etc- $40
- Level 2: Keyboard, Monitor- $75
- Level 3: Total Loss/Replacement- $300
We encourage students to handle their devices with care to avoid any damage and the associated costs. If a device does require repair, the appropriate fee will be communicated to you along with the steps to resolve the issue.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support in keeping our technology in great condition!
To learn more about our upcoming Book Fair, please see below, or click on the title above to access the Scholastic web page. You can also set- up an E-Wallet through the web page as well.
DMS Food Drive for Feinstein School Food Pantry
Dighton Middle School will once again participate in collecting for the Feinstein Food Pantry beginning on November 4th. All items will be counted, sorted (by student volunteers) and delivered to the Dighton Food Pantry for distribution to any Dighton Resident! Please have all donations in by December 13th!
Below is a list of preferred items by grade, but of course any non-perishable donation is greatly appreciated (they are always in need of aluminum foil/plastic wrap, toiletries, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels).
Grade 5:
Soap; Peanut Butter; Jelly; Chef Boyardee/Spaghettios
Grade 6:
Shampoo; Canned Meats (Tuna, Chicken, Spam); Cake mix/Brownie Mix/Jiffy Mix
Grade 7:
Deodorant; Soups & Hearty Soups; Baked Beans; Boxed Rice/Noodles (Rice a Roni - Knorr)
Grade 8:
Toothpaste; Cereal; Spaghetti Sauce (plastic or canned preferred); Pasta (spaghetti, ziti, elbows)
DMS Holiday Assistance
As we start to move into the holiday season, we are reaching out to all families regarding holiday assistance. Please be sure to let us know if your family could benefit from any food assistance around the holidays by completing this form no later than November 20th for Thanksgiving assistance and December 13th for December holiday assistance. All requests for assistance will be kept confidential.
Dighton PTO Fundraiser
PTO November Newsletter
DRRHS Theater Auditions- Grades 7 and 8
Dighton PTO- Great Wolf Lodge
Sweet Swap w/ Sullivan Family Dental
Old Colony Habitat for Humanity- Application Open!
Old Colony Habitat for Humanity is excited to announce that the application for our next home at 5 Chester Court in Taunton is OPEN!
Old Colony Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. We believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities. We service 24 communities in Norfolk & Bristol counties (Assonet, Attleboro, Bellingham, Berkley, Dighton, East Freetown, Fall River, Foxboro, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Plainville, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, Wrentham) and applicants must live or work in one of these towns. Our mission is to build homes, communities, and hope, as everyone deserves a safe and decent place to live. You will find more info here: https://oldcolonyhabitat.org/home-ownership/
In order to qualify for our homeowner program, applicants must (a) have a need for safe and decent housing; (b) have lived or worked in our service area for at least a year; (c) attend homeownership / financial management seminars at our offices; (d) meet the HUD median income guidelines; (e) have secure employment, good credit, legal residency, no felony convictions, and no more than one misdemeanor; (f) be able to pay a down payment; (g) demonstrate an ability to pay a mortgage on time, in full, each month; (h) willing to partner with Old Colony Habitat for Humanity by completing the required sweat equity. The requirement is 250 hours of sweat equity hours.
A Habitat partnership may be the solution for your family, if:
- You are able to make housing, taxes, and insurance payments
- Your maximum household income does not exceed 80% of the area median income
- You are unable to qualify for conventional mortgage financing for a market rate home
- You are a first-time home buyer (some exceptions may apply)
- You are a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Your Household meets the income and asset limits
There are initial requirements for the application process. In order to determine eligibility, individuals should fill out this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mpz28pKlwk4ZjFoj9aekNHJ-uQYmlNWZ_xXufPvd0U0/edit?pli=1 .If the potential applicant qualifies, an application will be sent. The application deadline is Friday, December 6, 2024, at 5PM.
Please contact family@oldcolonyhabitat.org for any questions.