The Ditson Buzz 🐝🐝🐝

September 7, 2026

TRANSLATE THIS NEWSLETTER INTO ANOTHER LANGUAGE! ¡TRADUCIENDO ESTE BOLETÍN A OTRO IDIOMA! TRADUZIR ESTA NEWSLETTER PARA OUTRO IDIOMA! 将此时事通讯翻译成另一种语言! បកប្រែព្រឹត្តិបត្រព័ត៌មាននេះជាភាសាផ្សេង! TRANSLATE THIS NEWSLETTER INTO ANOTHER LANGUAGE!

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!

Billerica Elementary District Handbook

and Ditson School Policy and Proceedure Manual

Attached to this link is the Ditson School Proceedures Guidelines 2026 - 2027. Additionally, containing further information and District Policies, this link will connect you to the District Elementary Handbook. Please review both documents.

BPS MCAS Family Portal Letter to Families

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is pleased to share the MCAS Family Portal with you. This online tool lets you see your student’s MCAS test results. The MCAS Family Portal replaces paper reports that were previously mailed to families.

Preliminary MCAS results from spring 2026 are currently available. You will also see your student’s results from past years (2023–2025), if available. The Family Portal will be updated in September when final results are ready.

How to Get Started

Go to https://mcasfamilyportal.emetric.net.

To create an account, you will need the following two pieces of information:

Your student’s date of birth.

Your student’s registration code. This 12 character code can be found in the family account in Aspen. Each student will have their own code.

For mobile view of Aspen: Log in to your Aspen account, click on the menu icon (the three stacked lines in the upper left hand corner) and click “Family.” The code will be listed under Demographics with the label “MCAS Registration Code.” If you have more than one child in your household, you can use the dropdown menu in the upper left hand corner to switch between students.

For desktop view of Aspen: Log in to your Aspen account, click on the “Family” top tab, and choose your student. The code will be listed under the Demographics tab with the label “MCAS Registration Code.” You will see it in the lower left hand corner. If you have more than one child in your household, you can use the forward and backward arrows in the upper right hand corner to switch between students.

Need Help?

Resources can be found at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/family-portal.

As a first time user of the MCAS Family Portal, you can view the Quick Start Guide to set up your account. Note that the Quick Start Guide states your student’s registration code can be found in a letter from the district; however, for Billerica students, the registration code can be found on Aspen as explained above.

The MCAS Family Portal Help Guide shows you step by step how to create an account; add your student to your account; and view your student’s test results.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your school building administration.

Ditson School Event Google Calendar

Please utilize the attached link to open our Diston School Event Calendar. All our school and DSA events will appear on that calendar.

2026 - 2027 Early Morning Care

Attached to the link is the Early Morning Care Interest Form for the 2026-2027 school year that allows families to hold their spot for the upcoming school year. Enrollment information, frequently asked questions, payment schedule and medical disclaimer can also be found on our website here under Early Morning Care.

Cell Phone and Eletronic Device School Committee approved policy

4.5 Cellphone / Electronic Devices
Cellphones, smart watches or any other electronic communication devices are not permitted to be used during the school day, or on the buses. In the event that it can be demonstrated that the use of a device is a necessity during the day or on the bus the Principal/Assistant Principal may waive this policy to accommodate the needs of a particular student. All phone calls to or from students should be made through the main office, parents are requested to refrain from calling or texting their child during the school day.

Students are discouraged from bringing cellphones to school at all. Students who bring cellphones to school must keep them off and in their backpacks. Cellphones that are taken out of backpacks can be confiscated and released only to parents. The school is not responsible for the loss of electronic devices and or cellphones. Click HERE to read the full policy: JICI - Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices.

As a reminder, earbuds, must be wired, not wireless, because wireless headphones use a bluetooth connection.

2026-2027 Approved Elementary Handbook

Girls On the Run

Girls on the Run will return to the Ditson this Fall. The program is open to all 3rd and 4th grade girls. Please see the attached flyer below for more information

Billerica Public Library Lecture - September 10th

DSA Corner

DSA Corner

Visit us at ditsondsa.org and follow us on Facebook for the latest updates!

Welcome back, Ditson families! We’re excited to begin the 2026–27 school year and have a full calendar of opportunities to connect, volunteer, and celebrate together. From kindergarten meet-ups and our Welcome Back to School event to DSA meetings, Back to School Night, and the Yankee Doodle Parade, we hope you’ll find a way to join in and help make this a great year for all of our Ditson Bees.

Help plan an event or join a committee! Even a small amount of time helps us plan a great year for our students! Fill out our Volunteer Interest Form

Save the Date for our 1st DSA meeting of the 26-27 school year!

Tuesday, 9/15, from 7-8pm in the LGI room at school. Childcare available during the meeting in the cafeteria.

Family participation and input is important to our success!

Join your Ditson Community at the YANKEE DOODLE Parade!

Saturday, 9/19

Meet at the Billerica Mall at 9 a.m. The parade leaves the Mall at 10:30 a.m. and ends at Marshall Middle School. This year’s theme is Happy Birthday, America!

Parents must accompany their children.