DMS Delivers

Happy Friday, DMS Families!

We had a short but great week at Dighton Middle School! It was wonderful to see our Falcons continuing to learn, grow, and build positive connections with one another. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making DMS such a welcoming and supportive community.

As we approach the halfway point of the trimester, I encourage all families to log in to Aspen to review your child's current grades and check for any missing assignments. Staying informed and having regular conversations with your child about their progress can make a big difference in helping them stay on track. Our teachers are here to support students, and we encourage families to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Thank you for working with us to help our Falcons SOAR!

Have a wonderful weekend!

With Falcon Pride,

Dr. Cheryl Leandro, Principal cleandro@drregional.org

Mr. Sean Kinney, Assistant Principal skinney@drregional.org

Go Falcons! 💚💛...Together, we SOAR! 💚💛

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new Cell Phone Policy and it's implementation at DMS.

Our Dighton Middle School front office staff is here to partner with and support you and your child throughout the school year. We are always happy to answer questions, provide assistance, and help connect you with the right person when needed.

Below, you will find the key members of our front office team and their roles. If you would like to reach a staff member by email, our district email addresses follow a simple format:

First initial + last name @ drregional.org

For example, Dr. Cheryl Leandro can be reached at cleandro@drregional.org.

Principal: Dr. Cheryl Leandro

Assistant Principal: Mr. Sean Kinney

Office Secretaries: Karen Alves and Jessica Rapoza

Nurse: Denise Wilkins

Guidance and 504 Coordinator: Aaron Andrade

School Adjustment Counselor: Jennifer DeMatos

School Psychologist Samantha Quinn

Special Education Secretary: Allison Hanson

Special Education Coordinators: Gloria Monty and Katy Sleczkowski

We look forward to working together to make this a successful and positive school year for every DMS student and family!

• 10/19: Soccer Westport v. Dighton (Home)
• 10/20: Fall Picture Day; Soccer: Dighton v Freetown Lakeville (AWAY); PTO Meeting @ DES Library 6:30pm Start

• 10/21: Bocce - Dighton v Westport (Away)

• 10/22: Soccer: Raynham v Dighton (Home)

• 10/24: 2nd Annual Classic Car Show (see flyer below)

• 10/25: DES/DMS Fall Fest
• 10/27: Soccer: Dighton v Rehoboth (Away)
• 10/28 Bocce: Dighton v. Swansea (Away)
• 10/29: Green and Gold Night; Soccer: Norton v. Dighton (Home)
• 11/2: Soccer: Somerset v. Dighton (Home)
• 11/3: No School- Professional Development Day
• 11/5-11/13: DMS Bookfair
• 11/11: No School Veteran's Day
• 11/17: PTO Meeting @ 6:30 DES Library
• 11/18- Early Release
• 11/23: Picture Retakes
• 12/7: Band Concert Time TBD
• 12/1: PTO Meeting @ 6:30 DES Library
• 12/14: Chorus Concert @ 5pm Location: DRRHS Auditorium
• 2/2: PTO Meeting @ DES Library 6:30pm Start
• 3/16: PTO Meeting @ DES Library 6:30pm Start
• 4/6: PTO Meeting @ DES Library 6:30pm Start
• 5/11: PTO Meeting @ DES Library 6:30pm Start
• 5/21: Color Run
• 5/24 Color Run Rain Date
• 6/1: PTO Meeting @ DES Library 6:30pm Start
• 6/7: Band Concert Time TBD
• 6/10: Chorus Concert @ 6:30 pm Location: DRRHS Auditorium

The article, Tactile Learning: 7 Hands-On Study Methods for Teens and Adults, by Chris Hanson, explains how students can use active, hands-on study strategies to improve their understanding, memory, and ability to work independently. Its central message is that effective studying is about what students do with information, not simply how they prefer to learn.

Seven Study Strategies to try at home:

1. Write from memory

After studying, have your child close the textbook and write down everything they remember. Then compare their answers with their notes to identify what they need to review.

2. Build a model or organize information

Use paper, index cards, or sticky notes to represent scientific concepts, historical events, vocabulary, or steps in a process. The activity should help explain the concept rather than simply decorate the project.

3. Use flashcards strategically

Have your child quiz themselves and sort cards into three groups: know it, almost know it, and need help. Spend more time on the challenging material.

4. Draw the information

Encourage your child to create diagrams, timelines, concept maps, or flowcharts from memory. Artistic ability is not important; the goal is to show how ideas connect.

5. Teach the concept aloud

Ask your child to explain a topic as if teaching it to you. Explaining ideas in their own words helps reveal gaps in understanding and builds confidence.

6. Spread studying across several days

Instead of cramming the night before a test, schedule short study sessions throughout the week. A simple paper calendar can help students plan and track their progress.

7. Mix different types of problems

Rather than completing twenty identical problems in a row, mix several problem types. This helps students practice identifying which strategy to use, just as they must do on a test.

How parents can support middle school students

Middle school is an important time for children to develop independence, organization, and responsibility for their learning. Parents can encourage these skills without taking over the homework process.

• Help your child make a plan. Work together to identify upcoming tests, assignments, and short study sessions.

• Encourage active studying. Ask your child to show what they remember instead of simply asking whether they have studied.

• Ask questions rather than provide answers. Try “Can you explain how you figured that out?” or “What part do you still need to practice?”

• Make room for mistakes. Difficulty recalling information can help identify what needs additional practice.

• Build independence gradually. Let your child choose a strategy, try it, and evaluate whether it helped.

• Work with your child's needs. If your child consistently struggles to begin tasks, follow directions, stay focused, or remember information, consider whether they need additional organizational or executive functioning supports rather than assuming they simply have a particular learning style.

Source: Life Skills Advocate — Tactile Learning: 7 Hands-On Study Methods for Teens and Adults

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 13th for Thanksgiving assistance and December 11th for December holiday assistance. All requests for assistance will be kept confidential.

We’re seeking our first Falcon Cup recipient of the 2026–27 school year!

As One Falcon Family, we want to celebrate the people who make our district special. Student, staff member, classroom, or DR group - who do you think deserves this recognition?

Nominate a candidate now!

Thanks to the hard work, generosity and participation of our school community, our school raised $495 through the 2026 Hannaford Helps Schools program. These funds will help us continue creating a positive, thriving environment for every student. Your support has made a meaningful impact on our school and your involvement and encouragement truly make a difference for our students, teachers and staff. Thank you for your continued dedication to our school community!

If you would like to receive a FREE Feinstein Jr. Scholar T-Shirt for your student, please complete this form. Ordering deadline is October 28.

Mark your calendars, Picture Day is scheduled for October 20th.Order before Picture Day to receive free shipping to the school. Ordering online is easy, visit https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/0716FBF.

Our STEM teacher, Ms. Murphy, is looking for clean jars to utilize with her fifth grade classes. If you have any clean jars lying around, please consider donating them to our STEM class. Thank you!

During our WIN (What I Need) block, students will participate once per month in a CharacterStrong lesson designed specifically for middle school students, focusing on pre-selected, age-appropriate, non-controversial topics that help students develop practical skills such as managing emotions, communicating respectfully, building positive relationships, demonstrating empathy, working collaboratively, and making responsible decisions. This work directly supports the District’s Portrait of the Graduate, which identifies the skills, experiences, and habits students need to be prepared for college, career, and life, while also advancing DRiving Toward 2030 and its commitment to creating safe, healthy, and inclusive learning environments where students build confidence, strengthen self-advocacy, develop positive relationships, and thrive socially and academically. By utilizing only one WIN period per month, this approach provides a consistent but limited opportunity to intentionally strengthen these transferable skills while preserving WIN primarily for academic intervention, enrichment, and other student needs.

The Arts and Cultural Vitality Committee is looking for parent volunteers to join our team! Our goal is to help ensure that every student’s DR experience reflects and celebrates the diverse cultures, identities, and perspectives of our district families. If you’re interested in getting involved, please email Brian Michaud at bmichaud@drregional.org.

Is your child (a current 6th-8th grader) interested in trying out for the DMS Middle School Basketball Team? If so, please complete this form by November 2nd.

Our first School Council meeting will take place on Oct. 28th at 2:45pm. The agenda can be found by clicking HERE.

Dighton Middle School's instructional day begins at 8:15 a.m. Students may enter the building starting at 7:45 a.m. The school day ends at 2:30 p.m. Please inform the school office (508-669-4200) of any changes to dismissal plans.

The late bus departs DMS at 3:10 and heads to DES, where students can board the appropriate bus home.