Dewey's Details: Caregiver Update
November 1, 2026
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for Election Day. Staff members throughout the district will be participating in professional development during the day.
We look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday, November 4, 2026!
As the holiday season approaches, we recognize that this time of year can bring additional financial challenges for some families. At the Dutile School, we care deeply about our school community and want to do what we can to support families who may need a little extra assistance during the holiday season.
If your family could benefit from additional support, we encourage you to complete the confidential Holiday Assistance Google Form linked below. A member of our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) team may reach out to gather additional information and discuss available resources.
Please know that all information shared will be kept confidential. While we hope to assist as many families as possible, support will depend on available resources and cannot be guaranteed. We are grateful to be part of such a caring and supportive school community and want every family to know that they are valued and supported.
Please select your preferred language to complete the confidential form:
Get Involved with the Dutile PTO!
The Dutile PTO is already planning exciting events for the 2026–2027 school year—and we’d love your help! Whether you’re interested in leading a committee, helping plan behind the scenes, or just showing up to volunteer for an hour or two, we have a role for everyone. It’s a great way to stay connected, meet other families, and support our amazing school community.
Fill out our quick volunteer interest form here: https://dutilepto.com/volunteer/
Let’s make this year the best one yet!
Our PTO is looking for helping hands for the bake sale! You don’t need to have a fourth grader to get involved- all Dutile families are welcome to pitch in, and every helping hand is appreciated.
Take a look at the signup and grab a spot if you can. Thank you for supporting our PTO and school community!
The Billerica Holiday Tree Festival is back, and our PTO is bringing a little summer to the holiday season with a “Holiday in the Sun” tree!
We’re looking for warm-weather donations, including beach towels, beach chairs, coolers, pool floats, water toys, and outdoor games. If you’re able to contribute, every donation will help bring this sunny theme to life!
Donations will be accepted through November 11, 2026. Prefer to make a monetary contribution? Visit dutilepto.com/bhtf, and items will be purchased on your behalf.
The trees will be on display at the Billerica Public Library from November 21, 2026 through December 13, 2026. Proceeds support the lighting of Billerica Common and the Billerica Winter Festival on December 5, 2026.
Thank you for helping us spread a little sunshine this holiday season! ☀️
Learn more about the Billerica Holiday Tree Festival
Please note: This is a community event, not a Dutile PTO fundraiser.
There’s still time to order from the Dutile Elementary School Spiritwear Shop! Take a look and pick out some Dutile gear to show your school pride.
The shop closes Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. No orders can be accepted after the deadline, so be sure to place yours in time! The next spiritwear shop will open in the spring.
Click here to shop Dutile Spiritwear!
All items are sold at cost. This is not a fundraiser.
I wanted to share our Spring MCAS testing schedule with you now so that you can plan ahead and avoid scheduling appointments, vacations, or other activities on these dates, if possible. Ensuring students are present, well-rested, and ready for the assessments makes a big difference.
MCAS TESTING DATES:
ELA
Grade 3 ELA MCAS: Monday, March 29, 2027 & Tuesday, March 30, 2027
Grade 4 ELA MCAS: Wednesday, March 31, 2027 & Thursday, April 1, 2027
Mathematics
Grade 3 Math MCAS: Monday, May 10, 2027 & Tuesday, May 11, 2027
Grade 4 Math MCAS: Wednesday, May 12, 2027 & Thursday, May 13, 2027
We recognize that things do come up, but your help in avoiding planned absences on testing days is greatly appreciated. If your child has an unavoidable appointment or absence, please let us know.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership!
To help us maintain a safe and secure environment for our students and staff, all visitors and volunteers must report directly to the main office upon arrival. At the office, you will be asked to sign in and wear a visitor badge so that we can easily identify who is in the building. When your visit is complete, please remember to sign out and return your badge.
For safety reasons, entry during school hours is permitted only through the front door. If you are in the building and notice someone without a badge, staff members will kindly direct them back to the office. This is a standard safety practice, not a confrontation.
In addition, anyone wishing to volunteer at the Dutile School is required to complete a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check each school year. Forms are available in the main office and must be completed in person, along with a copy of your driver’s license. Since processing can take several weeks, we strongly encourage you to complete this step as soon as possible. Please note that outside CORI approvals cannot be accepted, and volunteers may not begin until clearance is received.
For more details, please see the district website.
If your child will be absent or tardy, please call the Dutile Attendance Line at 978-528-8530 before 7:55 AM on the day of the absence.
This line is available 24 hours a day, so you may leave a message at any time. After the greeting, please provide the requested information about your child.
If your child is not in school by 8:05 AM and we have not received a call or email from you, we will reach out to confirm your child’s whereabouts.
For your convenience, you can click here for a printable version of this information.
For the safety and smooth dismissal of all students, please send any written notes regarding a change to your child’s dismissal plan to the classroom teacher on or before the day of the change.
Please do not email teachers with same-day or last-minute dismissal changes, as teachers are busy with students throughout the school day and may not see your message before dismissal.
If an unexpected or emergency change arises during the school day, particularly after 1:00 p.m., please call the school office directly. This allows us to make sure your child and the appropriate staff members receive the updated information before dismissal begins.
Thank you for helping us keep our dismissal process safe, efficient, and well-coordinated for all students!
Guidelines for Caretakers: Who to Contact When You Have a Question or Concern
Strong communication and close collaboration between home and school are essential to every child’s success. To support this partnership, we’ve put together some simple guidelines to help you know who to contact when you have a question, concern, or need assistance.
At the Dutile School, we take a team-based approach to problem-solving. Depending on the situation, several staff members may work together to provide support and determine the best next steps. While we always do our best to respond as quickly as possible, please keep in mind that teachers and staff are often working directly with students or participating in meetings throughout the school day.
To make communication as easy and efficient as possible, we’ve created a quick reference guide outlining who to contact in a variety of situations.
Ms. Oestreicher is creating a Fit with Fam bulletin board to celebrate families staying active and healthy together. Families are invited to submit photos of their student(s) with family or friends doing something active or healthy. Photos will be printed and displayed at school. By submitting a photo, you give permission for it to be printed and displayed on the school’s Fit with Fam bulletin board. Use this link to submit throughout the school year!
Please follow and "like" the "Frederick J. Dutile Elementary School" Facebook page. I will be posting often to share examples of the incredible teaching and learning that takes place at our school each day!
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS: Election Day!
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
- 7:00 PM: Dutile PTO Meeting
Monday, November 9, 2026 - Friday, November 13, 2026
- World Kindness Week
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
- NO SCHOOL: Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 25, 2026
- HALF-DAY: Thanksgiving Break Begins
- Dismissal @ 11:00 AM
Thursday, November 26, 2026
- NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break
Friday, November 27, 2026
- NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, December 2, 2026
- EARLY RELEASE DAY!
- Dismissal @ 12:05 PM
Wednesday, December 23, 2026
- HALF-DAY: Winter Break Begins
- Dismissal @ 11:00 AM
Thursday, December 24, 2026 - Sunday, January 3, 2027
- NO SCHOOL: Winter Break
