The Ditson Buzz 🐝🐝🐝

Here's how!

At the right side of this newsletter there is a translation button, click and pick your language and the newsletter will be transformed!

Aqui está como!

No lado direito desta newsletter existe um botão de tradução, clique e escolha o seu idioma e a newsletter será transformada!

¡Así es cómo!

En el lado derecho de este boletín hay un botón de traducción, haga clic y elija su idioma y el boletín se transformará.

就是这样！

在此通讯的右侧有一个翻译按钮，单击并选择您的语言，通讯将被转换！

នេះជារបៀប!

នៅផ្នែកខាងស្តាំនៃព្រឹត្តិបត្រព័ត៌មាននេះមានប៊ូតុងបកប្រែ សូមចុច និងជ្រើសរើសភាសារបស់អ្នក ហើយព្រឹត្តិបត្រព័ត៌មាននឹងត្រូវបានផ្លាស់ប្តូរ!

It is hard to believe that summer is coming to a close and we have already begun another school year! Teachers were in school preparing their classrooms in anticipation of their new students and an exciting school year ahead! And, our custodians have made our building look as though it is brand new! By all accounts, students and staff are off to a fantastic start to the new school year!

This link will provide you with important information and a link to both the Ditson School Procedures and the Billerica Public Schools Elementary Student Handbook. Please take a moment to review both, as they contain important information regarding school policies and procedures. More information will follow at our Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 17th.

As a reminder, the school day starts promptly at 8:35 with school doors opening at 8:25. Please note that we do not have staff on duty until 8:25. If you feel that you need to drop your child off earlier, we are excited to let you know that the Ditson is offering Early Morning Care starting at 6:30 AM. You can find more information at: Early Morning Care Registration Form

For safety purposes, students that are TARDY, entering the building after 8:35, MUST be accompanied by a parent and MUST be signed into school.

Please be reminded that school lunches and breakfasts are free of charge this year. Your child(ren) will be assigned a PIN number and will need to learn and use that number each time they have a school lunch or breakfast.

Again, welcome to the 2025 -2026 school year at the Ditson School! I look forward to a great year of partnership in support of all our students and hope to see you all at our Back to School Night on September. 17th.

I was born and raised in Lowell, MA, where I grew up attending public schools. My mother was a teacher which led to me realizing at a young age that was exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up. In 2010 I started my teaching career in Billerica at the Dutile. There I taught seven years of a mix between fourth and fifth grade, and eight years as a math coach. During these years I coached sports at Billerica Memorial High School. I spent five years coaching the softball team, nine years the basketball team, and currently I am in the middle of my 15th year coaching the golf team. This is my 16th year in the Billerica Public School System and I am very excited to start my first year here at the Ditson as the Assistant Principal.

Student Arrival

Teachers are on duty at 8:25 in the morning. Students should not be dropped off before that time. To ensure the safety of all students, please adhere to the following drop-off procedures:

• Morning Entrance: Access to the Ditson School via the bridge is restricted to staff, school buses, and parents/guardians dropping off students.

• Drop-Off Locations:

• Designated Drop-Off Area: Parents/guardians may drop off students in the designated area in front of the school. Please do not park or leave your vehicle unattended.

• Walking Students to School: Parents/guardians wishing to walk their children to school must park in the lot before the bridge near the basketball court.

• Car Line Procedures:

• All students must be dropped off through the car line.

• Grade-specific drop-off areas are found on the map below

• To maintain traffic flow, please remain in your vehicle during drop-off.

Student Dismissal

Car Pick-up:

• Proceed to the designated car pick-up area for your child's grade.

• Display your car tag on your dashboard or driver’s side window.

• Follow the directions of school staff and do not pass other vehicles.

Walker Pick-up:

• Park in the lot before the bridge and walk to the school. Students who walk home will be dismissed from the side door closest to the Kindergarten playground.

Bus Dismissal:

• Students will board their assigned buses after the bus number is called.

Important Reminders:

• Designate your child's dismissal method (bus, car, walker) to the school office.

• Changes to dismissal arrangements require written notification to the school office before 2:00 PM, unless in urgent circumstances.

• Send an email to dmaguire@billericak12.com and your child's teacher

• Use the Ditson School App – Dismissal Form

• There is no vehicle access from McHugh Avenue to the Ditson School

Early Dismissal

To ensure the safety of your child, please follow these procedures for early dismissals:

• Parent/Guardian Pickup: A parent or guardian must come to the main office to sign the student out.

• Authorized Adult Pickup: If someone other than a parent or guardian will be picking up your child, written authorization with the adult’s name is required. We will verify identification.

• No Unattended Dismissals: Students may not walk or bike home alone.

• Early Dismissal Requests: Please notify the school office before 2:00 PM for early dismissals (excluding emergencies).

The Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is a non-profit organization established in 1988 that provides training, collaboration, and community programming to enhance the health and safety of students in Massachusetts. They are pleased to offer proven resources to help students' families thrive. Explore this curated collection of quick videos and informative handouts thoughtfully grouped by relevant topics. Each segment below is filled with proven, practical, and easy-to-implement video solutions on a wide range of parenting challenges.

Click on the link below to access the videos and handouts in each library.

https://peaceathomeparenting.com/mpy-solution-libraries/

Improving student learning outcomes is the top priority for all of us here at the Ditson Elementary School. We know that parent and family engagement is one of the biggest factors in student success, and our new Ditson Elementary School App will allow parents to easily connect with what is going on at the school. From in-app translations to push notifications for urgent messages, we know this will be an impactful addition to our existing methods of communicating with families.

Victoria Hatem, Principal - Email: vhatem@billericak12.com

Caitlin Barry, Assistant Principal - Email: cbarry@billericak12.com

Website: https://www.billericak12.com/schools/ditson-elementary

Location: 39 Cook Street, Billerica, MA, USA
Phone: 978-528-8510
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitsonDSA/

Twitter: @weareDitson