News from Dudley Middle School

...and DMS has some of the best teachers in the business!

Educating children is one of the most important jobs in the world and, as parents, we don't always agree with every single thing our children's teachers do. That's ok. But as principal of DMS, I have a front row seat from which to view the incredible care and dedication of our teachers.

I see the sweat, the tears, the many hours of work before school, after school, on weekends and over vacations. I see the texts they send me at all hours when they have a new idea that might benefit their students. I see the concern on their faces when one of their students is struggling and the joy when a student or former student succeeds.

Please consider reaching out to thank a teacher who may have helped your child either recently or at any time in the past. At a time when so much communication they receive is negative, it will truly mean the world to that teacher.

May is perhaps the busiest months of the school year. There are activities, events and MCAS tests seemingly every day. It all comes at a time when our students need to be doing their best work, but the springtime weather beckons them to get out and just be with their friends. That contrast requires the adults in their lives to stick with it just a little bit longer.

If your child is struggling in any way, please reach out - to the specific teacher if it is about academics - and to guidance or administration if it about something else. I have included contact information below.

We have 31 days of school left as I write this. Let's work together to keep our kids on track so they can go into summer proud of what they have accomplished.

Thank you for your support.

As a reminder, the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District has a policy (KE - linked below) on how to communicate concerns to school personnel. Basically, it encourages parents to contact the staff member closest to the situation. This means that for classroom level issues, the specific teacher should be the first contact. For schoolwide issues, Mr. Tucker, Mrs. Martin and I are the best contact as we have more knowledge of happenings in our school than anyone else would.

Mr. Tucker, Mrs. Martin and I will always be glad to have a conversation with you and to point you in the right direction, and you can always contact us and/or the guidance staff if you are not sure whom to contact. But the teachers can help you more quickly as they are the experts on what's going on in their classrooms.

Thank you for understanding and for your efforts in making communications as efficient as possible.

Every three years, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) reviews all school districts to ensure compliance and progress in a variety of areas. In January of 2026, DESE visited the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District to review programs and procedures related to Special Education and Civil Rights.

This Integrated Monitoring Review resulted in a report which we received in March. The report indicated we were in compliance in most areas, with only a few areas to address. We then had a month to provide DESE with a Corrective Action Plan to address those areas in need of improvement.

In our continuing effort to keep our community as informed as possible, we are sharing with you, via the links below, both the DESE Integrated Monitoring Review Report and the District’s Corrective Action Plan.

Please contact your child’s school if you have any questions related to this information.

DMS 8th graders will once again be traveling to the Nation's Capital in March of 2027.

While the trip is still pending School Committee approval, information has already been shared with current 7th graders so families can begin thinking about the payment plan. This is an outstanding trip; students and staff alike always come back buzzing about the experience. It is a truly once in a lifetime opportunity for our students.

But it is expensive, and the cost has been a barrier for many of our families. We are hopeful that early notification for students and families will enable more to be able to participate.

The cost for 2027 is $1,287 per student, and the first payment is due June 1.

We are hoping for two buses next year, which would mean an additional 40-50 students able to attend.

Please contact Mr. Tucker (mtucker@dcrsd.org), Ms. Patrock (lpatrock@dcrsd.org) or me (gdesto@dcrsd.org) if you have any questions.

More information about meeting dates will be forthcoming.