Good evening DYI families,
This newsletter has two main messages. One is of thanks and the other is a plea for continued support. A new area we need your support in focuses on a simple issue we have all dealt with in schools, gum. Simply put, if gum is continued to be found on our new turf field, the field will be locked and we will not be able to use the turf field. We met with the Director of Buildings and Grounds on Friday, who explained gum has been found, it is not a one-time incident, and if it continues to be found, we can not use the field. As principals, parents and coaches, we know gum on the field is an issue. It gets stuck, it can not be removed easily, and the equipment that is used to clean the field can not work properly when gum is stuck to the turf. We are asking families to ensure gum stays at home and does not make it into school. Once in school, it makes its way to the fields. Please (please, please) help the kids stay on the fields.
Second, we thank you for your continued support in dealing with toys in schools. Toys, especially toys that resemble weapons, place the school, students, and staff at risk due to the fact that they can be mischaracterized as a real weapon and initiate a real emergency response. Please have conversations with your child and make certain that nothing is being brought to school “to show a friend”. We need to ensure teaching and learning are at the levels your child deserves.
We thank you for your support, especially the support you have shown over the last few weeks. It is noted and appreciated.
Sincerely,
Mr. Blake, Dr. Greeson, Mrs. Cleary
|
|
Ms. Studley
Ms. Studley’s ELA class has been hard at work crafting engaging feature articles! Students began by selecting topics that genuinely interest them, which has made the research process both meaningful and exciting. They have gathered information from a variety of sources, including books from the library, reputable online resources, and even interviews with people who have firsthand knowledge of their topics. As part of the writing process, students are learning how to organize their ideas, incorporate important facts, and bring their writing to life with strong voice, humor, and vivid language to capture their readers’ attention.
In Social Studies, Ms. Studley’s students are working on an engaging project focused on the American Revolution. They are creating detailed timelines that highlight key events leading up to, during, and after the war. As part of this project, students are summarizing each event in their own words, focusing on the causes, important figures, and outcomes.
Mrs. Somes and Mrs. Fournier
Is it actually “raining cats and dogs?” Probably not, but our class now knows exactly what this and other idioms mean! Students in Mrs. Somes and Mrs. Fournier’s ELA classes have been diving into the world of figurative language. It has been wonderful to see the kids move beyond literal meanings to discover how word choice can entertain a reader, help a reader visualize, and help a reader understand a text in a deeper way. We are using figurative language to help strengthen our comprehension as well as our writing skills by building vocabulary and finding more sophisticated ways to express ideas.
In social studies, our classes are learning about events that led to the American Revolution. The kids are deciding the colonists' level of anger at King George III and the British Parliament by using an unrest-o-meter. We are also learning about propaganda and how different points of view can impact how history is told. Ask your child what they think REALLY happened at the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770!
|
The students have been busy reviewing key geometry concepts, including identifying and measuring angles, classifying triangles based on their sides and angles, and using their problem solving skills to find missing degrees. They are applying these concepts through hands on activities and guided practice. |
Students finished their sewing unit with Pointillism pillows (Gr 4), and Ugly Dolls (Gr 5). We are now heading into our watercolor unit, with fourth graders creating Georgia O'Keefe poppy flowers. Fifth grade is starting our Catherine Rayner rabbits. All students will gain skill in sketching lightly with pencil, neatly outlining, and blending watercolor to achieve various values & tints. |
Next Monday, March 23rd, begins our annual DYI Math Bowl Tournament. Recently, students have been hyper-focused on learning their math facts up to the 12 times table and have been practicing daily in class. Students who achieve a 100% on any of the 4-minute or less practice tests get their name on a star in the hallway leading to the cafe and have their name announced during the morning announcements. Students who advance through the competition will also get a certificate and their picture posted in the hallway.
Each day next week students will compete to see who is the quickest and most-proficient basic math facts multiplier.
On Monday, students will compete digitally against each other to find a “Classroom Champion.”
On Tuesday, the classroom winners of team teachers will compete against each other in a spelling bee - type competition to find the “Team Champion.”
On Wednesday, team champions will compete against each other in a spelling bee - type competition to find a “PLC (4A, 4B, 5A, 5B) Champion.”
On Thursday, the winners from each grade-level PLC will compete against each other in a spelling bee - type competition to find both an overall “4th Grade Champion” and “5th Grade Champion.”
On Friday, the 4th and 5th grade Champions will compete against each other in a spelling bee - type competition, including multiplication facts up to the 16s, to find the (insert your own Kentucky Derby-style bugle blowing here!) DYI MATH BOWL CHAMPION! Friday’s competition will be live-streamed from a secluded location so participants do not get anxious as their friends, peers, and teachers cheer loudly for them back in the classrooms. Besides bragging rights, the winner will also receive a fabulous “Goat” medal (see photo).
Please help your child succeed by studying those basic multiplication facts every day, even after the competition ends. Math fact fluency matters because it frees up working memory for more complex tasks. When students quickly recall basic arithmetic, they can focus on solving multistep problems, modeling solutions, and tackling advanced concepts instead of getting stuck on simple calculations (Education Week, 2023). Last year, a 5th grader was crowned as the champion, so 4th grade is hoping for some redemption this year. Stay tuned to find out who this year's winner will be!
|
Our students have been taking part in our very own March Madness tournament at school—a special Tournament of Books in celebration of Women’s History Month! March is a time to recognize and honor the many achievements and contributions of women from all backgrounds throughout U.S. history. It’s an opportunity to reflect on those who paved the way in the fight for gender equity, while also celebrating the trailblazers and changemakers making history today.
Here are the titles of the books we are reading during our tournament. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson Shark Lady by Jess Keating The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist, by Linda Skeers Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman by Kathleen Krull Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, written by Anika Aldamuy Denise The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph HopkinsOur students have been taking part in our very own March Madness tournament at school—a special Tournament of Books in celebration of Women’s History Month! March is a time to recognize and honor the many achievements and contributions of women from all backgrounds throughout U.S. history. It’s an opportunity to reflect on those who paved the way in the fight for gender equity, while also celebrating the trailblazers and changemakers making history today.
Here are the titles of the books we are reading during our tournament. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson Shark Lady by Jess Keating The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist, by Linda Skeers Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman b |
This week, our DY community came together to celebrate Rock Your Socks Day in honor of World Down Syndrome Awareness Day on Saturday, March 21st. Students and staff showed their support by wearing bright, colorful, and mismatched socks—sparking important conversations about inclusion, acceptance, and celebrating what makes each of us unique. At DY, we are proud to be a community that values kindness, respect, and belonging for all. Take a look at the photos below to see how our Dolphins “rocked” their socks and spread positivity throughout the school! 💙💛 If you want, I can tweak the tone to align even more with your core values language (Equity, Dignity, Community, etc.) or add a stronger PBIS/Dolphin Way connection.
|
Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our school’s report card is available at 2025 Report Card. Please read the full letter here:
|
We want our students to be in school each and every day because we know that school attendance leads to better academic and social outcomes! And we also know that our school community is better when we are all at school together! We are aware that there are times that students will be sick, but we also know that there are sometimes extenuating circumstances for a student being absent. Dr. Smith provided some great suggestions in his newsletter. We would like to reiterate this information to our DYI families.
From Dr. Smith's February 6th Newsletter:
- "Develop back up plans for getting your student to school. If you can’t take them to school, see who else can give them a ride, or form a “walking school bus” to walk to school or the school bus stop with other families.
- If your student gets sick or you are not sure whether to keep them home or send them to school, talk to your child’s medical provider or the school nurse for advice.
- Look for signs of stress or anxiety. If you feel that anxiety or stress is playing a role, talk to your student’s teacher, the school nurse or counselor, or your medical provider about how best to support your child.
- Promote healthy habits. Encourage hand washing, good sleep, healthy meals, daily exercise and plenty of fluids.
- Prevent the spread of germs. Remind children not to share cups or utensils with others.
- Dress your student for the cold weather. If you need help with coats, hats, or gloves, please call your child's school and ask to speak with a counselor or social worker.
- Stay connected if your student must be home. If illness keeps your child out for more than a day or two, contact your child’s teacher for learning materials so they don’t fall behind."
Linked below is Attendance Policy for more information. You can also find more about attendance in the DYIS Family Handbook on page 7.
|
Due to the six snow days we have had this year, the last day of the school year will now be June 25th. |
Here are so sample yearbook covers I’ve gotten. We have gotten over 60 submissions this year! This is going to be hard to choose just one yearbook cover! Good luck to all of the fourth and fifth grade Dolphins who submitted their artwork! |
|
The DYI Yearbook is still for sale! This is a great way to remember the special days students have while at DYI. Ms. Becca does a fantastic job being inclusive of all or most students when choosing pictures for the yearbook...and students will soon have the opportunity to design the cover! Each year, one student's art work is selected to be the cover of the yearbook, be on the look-out for more information!
So, who doesn't want a DYI Yearbook? Click the link to see how to order a great keepsake for the 25-26 school year! Order deadline is May 15th! |
Tuesday, March 24th- Blake Planaterium- Delcourt/Studley/Sheehan Tuesday, March 31st- Blake Planaterium- Dunn/Parker (Hodge) Wednesday, April 1- Early Release Day @ 1:12 Friday, April 3- Good Friday 1/2 Day of School @ 11:15 Wednesday, April 8- Report Cards Go Home Wednesday, April 8- ELA MCAS Thursday, April 9- ELA MCAS Monday, April 20- Friday, April 24- No School- Spring Break Monday, April 27- Friday, May 1- Mr. Delcourt's class to the Seashore Wednesday, May 20- Grade 4 trip to Zeirerion & Buttonwood Zoo
Grade 5 Lexington & Concord Field Trip Form with Dates coming very soon!! |
|
The deadline has passed but there are roster spots open for boys and girls in some grade levels. Head to their website for more information. |
Summer registration for Cranberry Coast Youth Field Hockey is OPEN for Grades K-12! The program will run 6 weeks on Wednesday evenings starting July 8th at the D-Y Middle School turf.Grades K-2 will have an instructional clinic, Grades 3-7 will have a 7v7 league with 30 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes of games, and Grades 8-12 will have an 11v11 league.
|
|
|
