Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools
#WeAreDR
April 2026
Dear DR Community,
April is here, and you can feel the momentum across our schools.
In classrooms, on stages, on fields, and in everyday moments, our students continue to step up and grow. Our staff is doing what they always do—meeting the moment and then raising it. And our families remain strong, steady partners in all of it. That’s not by chance—that’s who we are. #WeAreDR
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, our focus stays clear: supporting every student, every day. The work happening across the district reflects what it means to be DRiving Toward 2030—empowering our staff, igniting student curiosity and learning, and shaping the future together.
There’s a lot to be proud of right now—and even more ahead.
On a personal note, thank you to those who reached out regarding my recent recognition as one of Education Insider’s Top 15 Superintendents of 2026. I truly appreciate it, but I see it for what it is—a reflection of this entire community and the momentum we’ve built together.
For those celebrating Easter and Passover, I hope it is a special time for your family.
Together, we are DR!
#WeAreDR 💚💛
Words we live by.
We Empower. We Ignite. We Shape.
#DT2030 #PoG #EIS
Take care,
Bill Runey
Superintendent of Schools
End of Year Dates
Tonight, the School Committee will vote on a proposed calendar change regarding the last day for students. If accepted, our students' last day will be a full day on Friday, June 26. There would also be a full day for students on April 8. Any implications for DRRTA and DRRPA members will be addressed by collaborative conversations with the School Committee, Union Leadership, and the Administration. I will provide an update via email no later than tomorrow morning.
Community Engagement Series: FREE for families!!
Virtual Parent Engagement Series: "Identifying Anxiety and Supporting Effective Regulation"
"Identifying Anxiety and Supporting Effective Regulation,"
by the Mass. Partnership for Youth.
May 6 at 6PM
With an increasing number of children experiencing elevated anxiety levels, this workshop aims to support parents in identifying red flags, symptoms, and indicators that their child may be struggling to regulate and manage big feelings. We will explore the difference between developmental expectations and challenges vs. signs of elevated anxiety, along with the role the brain plays in the experience of emotion, and ways to help support and co-regulate with our children when they are struggling. Finally, we will review ways to proactively communicate with our kids in order to promote healthy understanding and expression of all emotions.
This series is being presented in collaboration with the Seekon Public Schools.
Middle School Math Update
As we plan for the upcoming school year, we want to share information about our Enhanced Math placement process for students entering Grade 7. Our goal is to place each student in a learning environment that supports their current skills while providing the right level of challenge, with Enhanced Math designed for students ready for a faster-paced, more rigorous experience. Placement decisions are based on multiple measures, including classroom performance, teacher recommendations, MCAS, and district benchmarks, and reflect a comprehensive view of each student’s readiness, not a single score. Students in Enhanced Math will engage with grade-level and above-grade-level content with a deeper understanding and accelerated pace, requiring strong study habits, organization, and perseverance. If you have questions or would like to discuss your child’s placement, please reach out, we value our partnership and are committed to shaping every student's success.
Your school and math teacher will provide you with more information.
Preschool (Ages 2.9 to 5) Open House - Little Falcons
The Little Falcons Preschool at our High School has a few remaining openings for September. This program serves as the lab setting for the Early Childhood Education CTE program. If interested, join us on Wednesday, April 1 from 5:30-7:30PM. See details below or email tdishon@drregional.org.
Wellness Committee
Congratulations to the Wellness Committee for being recognized as a Massachusetts Wellness Champion School District for the second year in a row! Please click HERE to see their latest Newsletter for April. The April issue shares the LOGO Contest Winner, and details for their next initiative, the SELFIE Challenge!
Special Olympics
The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District is excited to participate in the Special Olympics events hosted by Dartmouth this May. We are currently gathering student interest and look forward to supporting our student-athletes as they prepare for this meaningful event. Dr. DiGioia is also meeting with Special Olympics representatives to explore the possibility of hosting a Unified Day in Spring 2027.
Special Education Audit
Dighton-Rehoboth is partnering with RIBAS to conduct a comprehensive audit of our Special Education programming, with the goal of building on current strengths and identifying opportunities for continued growth. The first round of stakeholder interviews is nearing completion. Second round of interviews will include interviewing the SEPAC leadership. We thank them in advance for their participation and input! Next steps include a site visit across all five schools, scheduled for April 10, 2026 with Karen and Bill from Ribas, along with Dr. DiGioia, followed by a second round of interviews, as well as surveys to gather broader input from staff and families. The feedback from this process will help inform our ongoing efforts to strengthen services and support for students receiving special education.
Get Your Merch & Swag - The New Falcons Branding Initiative
Order form - click on the graphic below
.
Student Athletes of the Month: March
We are proud to recognize Cullen Craffey and Mia Saviolakis as our Student-Athletes of the Month for March in recognition of their leadership, dedication, and commitment to their respective programs. Senior Cullen Craffey has been an outstanding leader for the boys lacrosse program, serving as a vocal and positive influence for both high school and middle school student-athletes. Cullen consistently leads by example and also dedicates time to supporting the youth lacrosse program, helping mentor younger players and strengthen the future of the program. Beyond athletics, Cullen is actively involved in the school community as a member of the National Honor Society, participates in DECA, and competes on the winter track team.
Senior Mia Saviolakis has been a key contributor to the girls tennis program throughout her career, serving as a starting varsity player since her freshman year. As a senior captain this season, Mia has earned the first singles position, demonstrating outstanding technique and skill on the court. She has also embraced a leadership role by helping newer players develop their foundational skills and fostering a positive team environment. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Mia is an active member of the National Honor Society and DECA. Together, Cullen and Mia exemplify leadership, dedication, and pride, and we are proud to celebrate the impact they continue to make within the Dighton-Rehoboth student-athlete community.
Empower, Ignite, Shape in Action: Celebrating Christina Mitnik’s State and National Leadership Roles
Attention Alumni
Our Alumni Spotlight celebrates the journeys and achievements of Dighton-Rehoboth graduates while highlighting the lasting impact of their school experience. By sharing alumni stories, we Empower, Ignite, and Shape connections across generations, inspire current students, and showcase the many paths to success beyond DR.
You can find our March Alumni Spotlight here.
Are you a graduate? Stay connected and join our Alumni Connection here.
Name the Falcon Contest 🏆
The journey to becoming a Dighton-Rehoboth graduate starts in PreK and grows stronger each year! Our Falcon represents the pride and spirit of #WeAreDR and the values in our Portrait of a Graduate. Now our students and our community are helping to choose a name that reflects all that our Falcon stands for.
Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram channels this month, and vote on your favorite Falcon name!
The winning classroom will be presented with a special prize that celebrates what it means to be part of Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools!
2026-2027 School Calendar
For the first time in many years, the 2026-2027 school year will start before Labor Day. Please thoroughly review the calendar linked below prior to making travel/vacation plans.
School Committee & Spotlight Meetings
The next meeting will be held at PRES for a spotlight event on April 14, 2026. All meetings are scheduled to commence at 6:30 p.m.
Distict-wide Breakfast/Lunch Menus
Meals are subject to change and will be reflected in the DR App and webpage, but not in this folder.
Updated Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
Please find the recently updated Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan for the Dighton Rehoboth Regional School District here.
School Year Calendar
Here is the School Committee approved Academic Calendar for 25-26.

