Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools

Dear DR Community,

As we move into the final month, I want to thank everyone for an amazing year! We are certainly riding positive waves of culture and collaboration. This year's DRRHS Graduating Class of 2024 is a testament to the commitment to education from both of our fine towns.

We are excited to share that the DRiving Toward 2030 strategic plan has been launched!

We are grateful for all the support and collaboration from all our teams and stakeholders. You have all been instrumental in shaping this strategic plan into something we are proud to make our guiding document as we “DRive Toward 2030.” This plan has been approved by our School Committee, and we will work to share and provide opportunities to delve into this work in the fall. The full plan is linked below.

I am most proud of our revised Mission, "The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District empowers staff to ignite curiosity and facilitate meaningful learning, preparing students to navigate future complexities while shaping their path to success in an ever-changing world."

Have a great summer!

Together ... We Are DR!

Take care,

Bill

It’s that time of year when you want to hang out by your pool, at the beach, or wherever and whenever with a good book. Here are your reading lists, organized by level, created by our Curriculum Coordinators and Department Heads.

• Elementary School Summer Reading and Reading Log
• Middle School Summer Reading
  
• High School Summer Reading
  

As I shared at School Committee, our last days are Friday, June 21 for elementaries and middles and Thursday, June 20 for our high school.

Both June 20 and June 21 will be Early Release days for students. We continue to update our academic calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. Please take a moment to view it by clicking on this link.

Here is the 2024-2025 Academic Calendar.

• Linked here
  

We're thrilled to share the success of our recent efforts to introduce the new IEP to our Dighton-Rehoboth families. Our Special Education Coordinators, Teresa Jefferson, Jennie Baglini, and Angela Pimento, hosted an informative session at the Harrington Library Media Center at our High School. They walked parents through the new IEP, discussed updated forms, and fielded questions. The positive feedback from attending parents speaks volumes about the impact of their presentation. One parent expressed, "It was evident that a significant amount of effort and thought went into planning the event, and the results were truly commendable." Their insights into the updates and changes to the Massachusetts IEP were invaluable, providing reassurance and guidance to parents navigating the complexities of special education. The seamless organization of the meeting allowed for meaningful engagement and dialogue, showcasing the dedication and expertise of our team. Such events foster collaboration between parents and educators, ultimately benefiting the students we all strive to support. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Special Education Coordinators for their commitment to keeping parents informed and empowered advocates for their children.

We're excited to share that our Special Education Director, Dr. DiGioia, alongside directors from Somerset and Berkley, jointly introduced the new IEP during a Virtual SEPAC meeting. This collaborative effort brought together families from Dighton-Rehoboth and neighboring districts to explore the updated IEP. Each director played a crucial role in crafting and delivering the comprehensive presentation, offering valuable insights and guidance to parents. Additionally, they provided resources like a crosswalk highlighting changes and sample IEPs for reference. We appreciate the engagement of all attendees and remain committed to fostering collaboration and communication within our community.

We're thrilled to announce the preparations for our Extended School Year (ESY) program are well underway. We've identified classrooms and assigned dedicated staff to cohorts, ensuring a safe and enriching environment for our students. We're excited to unveil the exciting themes planned for this summer, including "Party in the USA," "Crazy Science," "Kindness and Mindfulness," "Nature Explorers," and "Carnival." Dr. DiGioia and Mrs. Hazzard continue to curate engaging activities, with a highlight being the upcoming "MAD SCIENCE" presentation, promising an educational and entertaining experience for all. Mrs. Hazzard's leadership in conducting the ESY Orientation ensured that all staff are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools, covering program logistics, weekly themes, and the paramount importance of student engagement and enjoyment. We eagerly anticipate a summer filled with learning, fun, and memorable experiences for our students.

Our Wellness Committee. Chaired by Dr. DiGioia, has recently completed revisions to the Wellness Policy, which were approved at a recent Policy Sub-committee meeting and are now awaiting review by the school committee. The updated policy places a strong emphasis on nutrition education and physical activity goals. In the classroom, students will engage in hands-on activities such as exploring fractions through recipe measurements and learning about the impact of nutrition on the body. Additionally, we plan to utilize the cafeteria as a platform for promoting healthy eating habits, with initiatives like displaying nutrition promotion posters and conducting taste tests to encourage students to try new foods. We are committed to providing ample opportunities for physical activity throughout the school day and beyond, with programs such as daily recess periods and after-school sports activities. Our progress towards these goals will be monitored through ongoing community-building initiatives and quarterly evaluations, ensuring that we continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our students, staff, and families.

Our Pre-K Advisory recently convened to discuss the implementation of the Wonders curriculum, which has been met with resounding success thus far. This innovative addition complements existing programs like Lively Letters and Handwriting Without Tears, enriching the learning experience for our young students. Both Pre-K teachers have been actively identifying supply needs essential for fostering a conducive learning environment. With the invaluable support of a Pre-K grant, we're diligently working towards procuring these necessary supplies to ensure our students continue to make effective progress. We're immensely proud of the collaborative efforts within our Pre-K community, dedicated to providing the best possible educational foundation for our youngest learners.