Once again DPS has been named a "Best Communities for Music Education" district! Congratulations and thanks to our outstanding performing arts teachers: Mss. Bamford, Callahan, Lasyone, Lewis, Lorenzetti; Messrs. Carotenuto & Cooper, & our coordinator, Dr. Cardella. #MIDDIEPRIDE
The 1st day of school all over again in our elementary schools. Classrooms full of happy students. Students recognizing classmates they had only met via Zoom until today. I felt the positive energy walking through the schools! (Pictured: Mrs. Lesage's Gr 1 class at Greenmont)
IMPORTANT REOPENING UPDATE 4/2/21: Please read my latest update to the community regarding a number of issues related to the return of full in-person in our schools: https://5il.co/r6j8
MEET THE NEWEST DHS SPORTS TEAM: MIDDIES UNIFIED BASKETBALL! Our Middies began their inaugural season yesterday as the newest members of the MVC in this outstanding collaboration between the Special Olympics & the MIAA. #MIDDIEPRIDE @MIAA033 @SpOlympicsMA @MVConference
RICHARDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDED $46,500 SCIENCE GRANT: https://5il.co/qzum Huge Thanks to the One8 Foundation for their generosity @OpenSciEd @Mass_STEMHub
RETURN TO FULL IN-PERSON LEARNING UPDATE 3/19/21: Please read my update to parents/guardians regarding the return of full in-person learning: https://5il.co/qsu2
Dracut High School Virtual Open House: Discover the Dracut Difference by watching our celebration of all that DHS has to offer: https://youtu.be/zZXzYpj841c
POOLED TESTING PROGRAM - TIME SENSITIVE: Please read my letter to parents/guardians of students in our hybrid learning model regarding the start of a pooled testing program: https://5il.co/q1uv as well as a slide presentation on the program: https://5il.co/q1uk
REMOTE LEARNING DAY 2/9/21: Due to the impending snow event forecast to begin this morning; today, Tuesday February 9th, the Dracut Public Schools will conduct a FULL REMOTE LEARNING DAY for all students.
My memories of shoveling a playing field as a high school athlete have mellowed into something like the "good old days." As a coach I always told my athletes shoveling was character building. Now? No shovels. No mud. Just brand new playing surfaces glistening in the sun...
Congratulations to Freshman Ciara Kehoe, part of the undefeated DHS Gymnastics team (6-0), who has set a new DHS record in the Vault, scoring a 9.8 (last week she set a record in the Floor Exercise). You can see it here: https://youtu.be/yyeOSVYp_HU #MIDDIEPRIDE
FOLLOW UP TO REMOTE LEARNING DAY MESSAGE 2/1/21: It has come to my attention that some families may not have received my voice call from earlier this evening. The text of the call which includes details beyond those in the original post may be reviewed here: https://5il.co/p71k
REMOTE LEARNING DAY 2/2/21: Because of the storm, tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 2nd, the DPS will conduct a FULL REMOTE LEARNING DAY FOR ALL STUDENTS. Please note that If wide spread power outages occur overnight I may need to alter the status of the day & would do so early in the AM.
EARLY RELEASE, MONDAY FEBRUARY 1st: Due to the impending snow storm, tomorrow, Monday, February 1st will be an early release day for the Dracut Public Schools.
FRESHMAN GYMNAST SETS SCHOOL RECORD: Congratulations to Freshman Ciara Kehoe, who recently set a DHS school record in Floor Exercise with a 9.7. See part of her performance here: https://youtu.be/I1oWjUsTuow Keep an eye on the team as they are 5-0 this year. #MIDDIEPRIDE
APPOINTMENT OF NEXT BROOKSIDE PRINCIPAL: Please see my letter announcing the appointment of Lindsey Howe as the next Brookside principal, upon the retirement of Principal Dawn Smith later this year after 10 dedicated years of service: https://5il.co/p51z
Comcast Limiting Data For Some Residential Customers: Please see my letter regarding a new Comcast policy that may impose data limits on certain customers: https://5il.co/p1rd
CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL CALENDAR: Please see my letter to parents and guardians regarding the addition of two early release days to this year's calendar: https://5il.co/osgo
1/8/21 GREENMONT FULL REMOTE DAY: Due to a pipe break at the Greenmont Avenue Elementary School, the school will operate fully remote today, Friday, January 8th.
It's not the holidays without performances by our students. Huge thanks to the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra for their support of public schools performing arts. Great job by the DHS Orchestra, Mrs. Callahan and neighbors: https://youtu.be/JJTXQddrlRQ @BillericaPS @CPS_CCHS
FULLY REMOTESCHOOL DAY 12/17/20: Due to the approaching storm, Thursday, December 17th has been designated a FULL REMOTE SCHOOL DAY. All schools will follow their regular schedule remotely. Students enrolled in the Remote Learning Academy will follow a regular schedule.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING SNOW DAYS 12/15/20: Please see my latest update regarding snow days and the possibility of having them become full remote days: https://5il.co/nxxm
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 12/11/20: Please see my latest update to the community related to a shift in the learning model at three of our schools beginning next week: https://5il.co/ntir
WINTER SPORTS JOINT MERRICACK VALLEY CONFERENCE STATEMENT: Please see a joint release from MVC leaders on winter sports: https://5il.co/no2i
ATHLETIC FIELDS VIDEO CELEBRATION: We couldn't have a grand opening for our newly renovated athletic fields but we wanted to celebrate the collaborative effort of residents and to thank everyone. Please watch our video celebration: https://youtu.be/_jDNfsgV66w
SUPERINTENDENT'S COVID UPDATE 11/25/20: Please see my latest COVID update: https://5il.co/nd1u #HAPPYTHANKSGIVING #MIDDIEPRIDE
Congratulations to student-athlete Calvin Desmarais who has signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. #MIDDIEPRIDE @RiverHawkMLax
Congratulations to student-athlete Leah Durkin, who has singed a National Letter of Intent to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Hartford. #MIDDIEPRIDE @HartfordHawks
Congratulations to Junior vocalist Rachel McIntosh who has been recognized for her talents by being accepted into the Senior District Chorus. As further recognition, Rachel also received an All-State recommendation. #MIDDIEPRIDE @MMEA_NED
Congratulations to Senior violist Samantha Vitale who has been recognized for her talent by being accepted into this year's Northeast Senior District Orchestra. #MIDDIEPRIDE
@MMEA_NED
Superintendent's COVID-19 Update 11/18/20: Please see my latest update introducing our new COVID Dashboard and more: https://5il.co/n6zk
CROSSING GUARDS WANTED: Interested in a part time job supporting the community? The Dracut Police Department is seeking crossing guards. $14.97 per hour for part time work ensuring the safety of our students. If interested contact the Town of Dracut HR Department at 453-9492.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES: To support parents and educators for our upcoming virtual conferences, we have established a common platform to make signing up easy.
One stop shopping at: https://www.dracutps.org/o/dps/page/parent-teacher-conferences--51
COVID UPDATE 11/4/20: Please see my letter to the community that includes updates on the impact of COVID on our schools: https://5il.co/mrlm
2nd FLU SHOT CLINIC: Due to interest and demand, a 2nd Flu Shot Clinic for students has been arranged with CVS Pharmacy on 11/10/20 at the Richardson Middle School. For more information and to register please see: https://5il.co/mln7
FLU SHOT CLINIC: Massachusetts has mandated that all school children (including fully remote students) must get a flu shot. In support of our families, we have partnered with CVS Pharmacy & will host a flu shot clinic on 10/29/20 For more info & to register: https://5il.co/m76w
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Please see a joint statement by Merrimack Valley Conference superintendents regarding interscholastic sports: https://5il.co/lqhs
Reopening Update 10/1/20: Please see my latest and likely last reopening update in advance of the start of in-person learning: https://5il.co/lqii
Please see my important letter to families as we prepare for in-person, hybrid learning. Ensuring everyone stays healthy requires a partnership... https://5il.co/llpg
Please see this joint Dracut Public Schools-Dracut Police Department press release. There is no place for this in our schools... https://jgpr.net/2020/09/17/dracut-police-and-schools-investigating-racist-anti-police-graffiti-found-at-elementary-school/
It's Here! The School Year is About to Begin! Please see my welcome back message to the community : https://5il.co/l2i9
Our fantastic partnership with the @GreaterLowellY continues. The Y has created a school day childcare program in Dracut to support families. Please see their application packet: https://5il.co/l14n For additional info, call the Greater Lowell YMCA at 978-454-7825
Reopening Update 8/31/20: Please see my latest reopening update which includes important information about the start of the school year: https://5il.co/kgfu
Bus Passes will be available for pick up at Dracut High School at the following dates and times:
September 1st: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
September 8th: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
September 10th: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
September 15th: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
For more information click here: https://5il.co/k386
8/18/20 Superintendent's Reopening Update. Please see my latest update for information on our Remote Learning Academy and more: https://5il.co/jtw5
What a great graduation ceremony today! Thanks to all. Best of luck to the Class of 2020.
70 days in the making... We are only hours away from graduation! Nothing was going to stand in the way of ensuring the Class of 2020 gets their rightful sendoff. We have the bagpipes, we have the ship, and we have matching masks for the graduates. 10AM. The clock is ticking!
Reopening Update 8/7/20: The District Reopening Plan Working Draft is available: https://5il.co/j9dh I will be presenting the document & other presentation materials at the Public Hearing on 8/10/20. For info on that meeting see: https://www.dracutps.org/article/282339?org=dps
Reopening Radio Interview: The audio of my 7/18/20 interview on AM 980 WCAP Saturday Morning Live: https://5il.co/imhe Thanks to @980WCAPSML
Reopening Update 7/24/20: See my latest letter to the community regarding the reopening of schools: https://5il.co/imdp
I have uploaded an updated version of our virtual Pride Night 2020. A small technical glitch has been corrected. Almost 1,000 views to date demonstrates support for the Class of 2020! Great viewing as Graduation 2020 approaches: https://youtu.be/ctXRi7nipSk
Looking forward to discussing current information on the reopening of schools on 980 WCAP's Saturday Morning Live from 7-8 AM this morning.
GRADUATION UPDATE: Graduation will indeed be occurring at 10AM on Sat, August 15th. The ceremony will take place on the lawn in front of the Englesby. Lakeview Ave will be closed for the ceremony. Mr. Manley will provide details to graduates & families next week. #MIDDIEPRIDE
Pride Night 2020 is Here! Pride Night 2020 is Here! Our annual celebration of awards and scholarships for our graduates and the generous community organizations and individuals who help us celebrate #MIDDIEPRIDE presented virtually. See it here: https://youtu.be/JzSwiyslT3o
Parent/Guardian Survey: A letter with updates on reopening & links to a survey for parents on reopening has been sent via Aspen (grades 1-12), & via FamilyID for incoming K families who registered online. Contact school secretaries if you need assistance accessing the document.
The new Website and App are here! Be sure to check it out at www.dracutps.org and download the Dracut Public Schools Apptegy app in the Apple and Play Stores!
TOWN MEETING TONIGHT: 7PM at Dracut High.
CELEBRATING OUR MILITARY-BOUND SENIORS: Samantha Cardillo (Army Nat Guard) & Christian Soriano (US Naval Acad) won't be able to join us for graduation in August so today Mr. Manley presented them with their diplomas. Best of luck and thanks for making a commitment to our country.
