Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools

Dear DR Community,

While the longer days of April bring us a sense that summer is on the way, I am not insensitive to the fact that our budget issues certainly put a damper on things. I am grateful to those of you who reached out to our state representatives. I met with two of them today, and they said they've been inundated with messages. They were noncommittal about any hope for additional funding, but their desire to meet today shows that we're making a difference.

Together ... We Are DR!

Take care,

Bill

DRiving Toward 2030
Help us DRive Toward 2030. Your voice is needed! There are two different opportunities to provide us with feedback on our Strategic Plan. Our Strategic Plan will be guiding what we prioritize in our classrooms for the next 5 years, and we want to hear your thoughts on our proposed activities and actions.

What: DRiving Toward 2030-Strategic Planning Focus Groups
Who: This event is open to everyone who is a part of the Dighton-Rehoboth community. We are hoping that families, staff, alumni, and residents will join these sessions.

When/Where:
1. Community virtual: April 4th from 4:45-6:00pm via Zoom (bit.ly/drivetoward2030)
2. Community in person: April 8th from 6:00-7:30pm at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School's Harrington Library Media Center

Questions: ltuckman@greatschoolspartnership.org
More info: For more information, click here.

I had the honor of presenting our PoG and DRiven Toward 2030 initiatives at the annual GSP conference in Providence, along with School Committee member Mrs. Eliza Couture and our Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Souza. Our progress was well-received by educational leaders, and our passion and enthusiasm for our work was evident. While there is still much to be done, we are confident that we have the right team in place to continue making progress.

One of our talented CTE Marketing students, Matt D., is looking for feedback on the branding of the high school. Please consider completing this short survey: https://forms.gle/5fVwHAQwkmQnfMibA

Although our Principals sent this out on Thursday, I am replicating it here. SOLAR ECLIPSE WARNINGS

As I shared at School Committee on Tuesday night, our (current) 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.

The High School's Best Buddies Chapter recently hosted a festive Pajama Party in the inviting atmosphere of the Harrington Library Media center. Attendees indulged in a screening of the heartwarming film "Lilo and Stitch," accompanied by a delightful assortment of refreshments including popcorn, candy, cookies, and chips. The event fostered a sense of camaraderie and enjoyment among all participants, ensuring an unforgettable and enjoyable experience.

We would like to share an update regarding our Parent IEP Input Forms. These forms are dispatched to parents/guardians prior to Annual IEP Review meetings, enabling us to solicit your insights and address any concerns you may have regarding your child's educational journey. By gathering this invaluable input ahead of the meeting, it empowers our Special Education teams to better prepare and incorporate your feedback into the proposed IEP draft during the review process. Below is a link to the form for each school. These will also be conveniently located on our website for easy access. Please complete this IEP input form prior to your child’s annual IEP review meeting.

Links to the IEP Parent Input Forms: HERE

Along with attending a Training of Trainers Professional Development with DESE on the new IEP, our Special Education Coordinators also participated in an Aspen New IEP training this week. The Aspen Training session was designed to comprehensively navigate each facet of the new IEP document. Subsequently, our coordinators have been disseminating their acquired knowledge and expertise across our schools, equipping our staff with the necessary insights and skills.

Earlier this month, our Beckwith Middle School Unified Basketball Team had the honor of hosting and participating in the Massasoit League Basketball Unified Jamboree. Unified sports serve as a platform where individuals with and without intellectual disabilities unite to compete as one team. This initiative is supported by the core belief that shared training and gameplay foster rapid bonds of friendship and mutual understanding. The jamboree saw the participation of teams from Berkley, Seekonk, Norton, Swansea, and Somerset. It provided an inclusive environment where athletes of all abilities could come together and compete.

As MCAS testing season commences, students eagerly embark on the standardized journey, while others proudly culminate their MCAS Alternate Assessment portfolios. With dedication spanning October to March, our students have carefully crafted showcases of their diverse talents and abilities. Our teachers should be applauded for their tireless efforts in collecting data and tracking student performance. We are so proud of our students and teachers for completing this endeavor.

Congratulations to the students of the TLC room at Dighton Elementary School for their hard work and achievement in earning an ice cream party through their PBIS Bird Bucks! The students’ dedication and effort have truly paid off, and the well-deserved celebration is a testament to their commitment to excellence.

The TLC classrooms at the Palmer River Elementary School were delighted to host a visit from the Beckwith Middle School 8th-grade players from the Unified Basketball Team on Tuesday, March 26th. During the visit, these 8th-grade athletes shared their expertise by demonstrating and teaching basketball skills to our Palmer River students. The Unified Team's warm reception and engaging interaction made for a memorable experience, and they are wholeheartedly welcomed to return for future visits anytime!

The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District will begin implementing the new IEP in the Fall of 2024. “The IEP Improvement Project is intended to provide schools, districts, and families with more than newly designed and updated forms. It is also intended to provide opportunities for families, schools, and districts to work together to build better systems that more effectively support students with disabilities. To do this, the Department encourages IEP Teams to come to a shared understanding that the completed IEP will capture the IEP Team’s determination of individualized instruction, services, and supports for each student with an identified disability.

The updated IEP is a tool to help improve outcomes for students with disabilities by building on individual student strengths. Additionally, the language used in the updated IEP is intended to be easily accessible to students and their families. The updated IEP also reflects the requirement that students with disabilities are placed in the least restrictive environment consistent with their needs. The updated IEP also seeks to strengthen the transition planning process to better prepare students for independence in adult life, including post-secondary education and employment.

The purpose of this Technical Guide is to help IEP Teams write IEPs that provide students with disabilities with the special education and related services to which they are entitled under federal and state laws and regulations. This Technical Guide is intended to lead the reader through the updated IEP form and should be used in conjunction with other guidance, technical assistance, and tools available on the Department’s IEP Improvement webpage”.