The Weekly Buzz

Dear Families,

Happy October! As the leaves begin to change, we are looking forward to a month filled with learning, fun, and community events at Palmer River. The excitement begins on Saturday, October 11, 2025, when families are invited to the high school for the always-popular Trunk or Treat event. This community tradition is a wonderful way to celebrate the season, and we hope to see many of our students and families there.

Later in the month, on Monday, October 20, 2025, students will have their individual and group school pictures taken. Please be on the lookout for more details from Inter-State Photography regarding packages and ordering information.

Finally, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, our second graders and their families are invited to join us for Math or Treat Night. This evening of math games and activities, mixed with a festive Halloween twist, is always a favorite for students and families alike.

It promises to be a wonderful month at Palmer River with so much to look forward to. Thank you, as always, for your support in making our school a safe, joyful, and engaging place for every child.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Kristine Kefor, Principal & Mrs. Cassey Monte, Assistant Principal

#WeAreDR!

We are excited to share that both district elementary schools are introducing updated report cards for the first time since 2018. Last year, teachers collaborated to redesign report cards that more clearly reflect each child’s learning and growth, giving families a more accurate and meaningful picture of student progress.

A key change is the shift from trimesters to semesters. Students will now receive two report cards per year instead of three, allowing teachers more time for instruction while still providing comprehensive updates. We have also added an extended parent-teacher conference session in November to communicate student progress long before report cards are issued.

Another important update is that student progress will be evaluated against end-of-year expectations, rather than at the time the report card is issued. The grading scale has also been updated, and you may notice these new evaluation notations on your child’s work that is being sent home. See below for more information about revisions to our grading scale.

To help families understand these updates, the Report Card Committee will soon be sharing videos and a podcast in the coming weeks. These resources will explain the changes and how the new report cards provide clearer insights into student learning.

We look forward to sharing more soon and are confident these updates will strengthen the partnership between home and school in supporting every child’s growth.

The Feinstein Foundations Leadership program was established by a late educator and philanthropist (a person who donates time, money and resources), Alan Shawn Feinstein, to recognize and encourage youngsters to do good deeds, be active in the community and to be kind whenever possible. There are now more than one million Feinstein Jr. Scholars around the globe and this message still remains as important as ever!

All students will receive a Golden Ticket which should be kept at home in a safe place. Every Monday five new winning numbers will be selected at random and announced. Any student that has a winning golden ticket will get to donate a $500 grant to a non-profit of their choice. The school in which the student attends will also receive a $2,000 grant. There are also additional prizes for the winners from the Feinstein Foundation.

Along with your Golden Ticket you students will receive a Feinstein Junior Scholar Club membership for helping make the world a better place. The back of the card provides various places that students and their families can access for free admission. This card must be brought with you in order to receive free admission to the places listed.

“YOU are a Feinstein Jr. Scholar: a person who helps others. Remember…live up to it!” -Alan Shawn Feinstein, Feinstein Foundation Founder

We are excited to invite members of our school community to sign up to be part of a committee for an exciting opportunity—the Arts and Cultural Vitality grant, offered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). You can learn more about the grant here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2026/0718/.

Now in our third year applying, we’re looking to expand our committee beyond just the arts and music departments. This year, we aim to include a more diverse group of stakeholders from across our school community.

We welcome teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, parents, and school committee members to join us. Your voice and perspective will help us design a stronger, more inclusive program for our students.

Those interested, please fill out this Google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDNUpKKw9poNVh1zmRPTAxnW4_WEBXNGGvk9eEUlbI4j7IWw/viewform

This October, Palmer River Elementary School is partnering with the East Bay Community Action Program to host a Socktober Drive, encouraging students and families to donate new socks of all sizes.

Collection bins will be placed in classrooms, making it easy for students to drop off their donations throughout the month. Each week, members of the school’s 4th Grade Student Leadership Program, known as the Community Connectors, will count and empty the bins. The school-wide total will be announced every Friday, building excitement and encouraging participation.

All collected socks will be donated to local shelters to help support individuals and families in need as the colder months approach.

Palmer River is proud to join this community effort and looks forward to seeing students and families come together to make a difference during Socktober.

• RFD Fire Truck Visits PreK and K: Wednesday, October 8th
• SPOT Vision Screening for K and PreK: Thursday, October 9th
• October PTSA Meeting: Thursday, October 9th at 6:30pm
• Trunk or Treat with the PTSA at DRRHS: Saturday, October 11th
• Holiday/No School: Monday, October 13th
• Energy Academy Enrichment for Grade 3: October 15th
• Saving Makes Cents Banking Day: October 16th
• Fall School Picture Day: Monday, October 20th
• Grade 2 Math or Treat Night: Thursday, October 23rd, 5:30-6:30pm
• Professional Learning Day for Staff-No School: Tuesday, November 4th
• Holiday/No School: Tuesday, November 11th
• Saving Makes Cents Banking Day: November 20th
• Early Release Due to Parent Teacher Conferences/No PM PreK: November 20th and 21st
• Early Release/No PM PreK: November 26th
• Holiday/No School: November 27th and 28th

The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District

Website: https://pres.drregional.org/

Location: 326 Winthrop Street, Rehoboth, MA 02769

Phone: 508-252-5100/Fax: 508-252-5110

Dighton Rehoboth Regional School District does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected group.