As Expected, Dedham School Committee Rescinds Police Agreement

The committee voted to reverse a previous vote to approve a new student conduct policy.

  The Dedham School Committee unanimously voted Wednesday to rescind a vote it took in March that called for changes in how the school department works with police on disciplining students. "We had to bring it back first, now we can move it forward," School Committee chairman Mayanne Briggs said. The original policy called for 12-month enforcement, as opposed to 10 months in the current plan, and for the policy to apply to students as young as sixth grade. The current policy only applies to Dedham High School students. Committee members voted to break up the discipline for a student caught in the possession of drugs or alcohol and for a student caught in the presence of either. The current policy doesn't make that distinction. But when …

• Photos (1)

New Schools Map Adds More Streets, Parents Mum at Meeting

Few parents attended Wednesday's School Committee meeting when members voted for a new school district map.

  The Dedham School Committee unanimously approved a new district map that will move dozens of streets to different elementary schools. It was the committee's second vote on redistricting after parents argued they were not included in the discussion of the first plan, presented in March. The second map added streets both near Dedham Square and near the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Walnut streets. Changes proposed by parents over the past two months of debate include relocating streets like Worthington, Richards and Marsh from the Riverdale Elementary School district to the Avery Elementary School district. "I thought a lot of parents got a chance to get involved in the process," newly elected School Committee member Jennifer Barsamian …

• Photos (1)

Dedham Schools Art Show to Turn DMS into Gallery

The annual Art Show is on May 31.

  The month of May is upon us, and for the art departments of Dedham's seven schools, that can only mean one thing – the Dedham Public School's District-Wide Art Show! Now in it's fifth year, the show, entitled “Art in Bloom” features the works of students from all of the town's schools, grades pre-K through 12. With well over 2,000 students enrolled in our public schools, the district's art teachers: Jessica Grassis, Maureen O'Sullivan, Sarah Dempsey, Arlene Tracey, Sarah Altone, Bridget Castonguay and Kristen Prata have spent months reviewing this year's work. From crayon drawings to water colors, sketches to portraits, sculptures to photography, the teachers have chosen almost 1,000 pieces to be displayed from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, …

• Photos (1)

Oakdale Kids Collect Hundreds of Blanks for Dedham Animal Shelter

The project started by an Oakdale family last year, and was spearheaded this year by the first and third grade classes.

  What started out as a dream, and a desire to help, has turned now in to a tradition.  As a younger woman, Dedham's Chrissy Doyle worked for the Animal Rescue League. Even after getting married (husband Mike), and having children (Oakdale Elementary students Gracie and Mickey), Chrissy has kept up her friendships with the staff of Dedham's animal shelter. The Doyle Family often visits the shelter, and it was there that her children developed their love of animals and their passion to help. Last Spring, the animal shelter began fundraising efforts to develop a new facility that would offer the latest in animal care and welfare, along with a pleasant environment for pet adoptions. The 27-acre Dedham site is located next to the Pine Ridge …

• Photos (2)

DHS Musicians Earn Top Honors at Festival

Three music groups won gold medals at the Great East Festival on Friday.

  The following was submitted by DHS director of fine arts Scott Abrahamson. The Dedham High School Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Concert Choir each earned a gold medal at the Great East Festival at Palmer High School on May 4. Along with other schools from around New England, Dedham's ensembles were adjudicated by distinguished music educators in the areas of tone/intonation, technique, musicianship, overall effectiveness, and creativity of performers. For their efforts, each group received a clinic from the judges, as well as taped/written comments, and an award plaque denoting a gold medal rating. This was only the second time that the DHS Concert Band has been adjudicated, having earned a bronze medal at the 2011 MICCA Festival. …

Last Chance: Elementary School Redistricting

The policy sub-committee will meet Wednesday.

  The Dedham School Committee and its policy sub-committee have discussed redistricting for awhile - including a few contentious meetings recently. School officials agreed to go back to the drawing board and solicit more ideas from parents and community memebers. But Wednesday could likely be the last time to have your voice heard. The policy sub-committee is expected to make its final recommendation on the district's new elementary school map. The full School Committee is then expected to take that matter up for a full committee vote next week. If you have an idea you haven't shared yet and want your input considered, come to Dedham Middle School on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Do you know about an important upcoming deadline? Share it in the …

• Photos (1)

DMS Celebrates 6th Grade Honor Roll Students

Principal Debra Gately congratulated the students on a job well done.

  Dedham Middle School principal Debra Gately stood silently for a moment, looking out at the crowd that had filled her auditorium. With vice principal Margo Fraczek by her side, a simple "raised hand" quieted the room. The third term had just ended and report cards had gone home. Plans are  underway to secure student school supplies for the fall and the DMS TREK Program for the summer is ready. But this assembly was about the students in grade six. Ms. Gately and Dr. Fraczek had called the 200-plus DMS boys and girls together, along with their parents and relatives, to congratulate them all for their hard work. As she looked around the room, Ms. Gately told the group how proud she was and how far they had come together. Eight months ago, …

• Photos (1)

School Committee Pushes Redistricting Vote Back

The policy sub-committee will weigh its options next week.

  Roughly six weeks after the Dedham School Committee first considered a vote on shifting boundry lines for elementary schools, the committee announced Wednesday that it will delay the vote another two weeks. With a new member added to the committee - Jen Barsamian - and with more ideas coming to the table, the policy sub-committee will meet at 6 p.m. on May 9 at Dedham Middle School to make a recommendation, sub-committee member Dimitria Sullivan said. "We had asked the administration for some more information regarding numbers," Sullivan said. The full School Committee then is expected to take a vote on redistricting at its next meeting, tentatively scheduled for May 16 at Town Hall. The policy sub-committee will consider adding streets …

• Photos (1)

Dedham Middle School Marching Band Debuts in Parade

The DMS Marching Band took part in an annual parade in West Roxbury.

  It was a warm, sunny Saturday recently, when Dedham Middle School band instructor Katie Cervone, gathered her students for one last lap around Fallon Field in Roslindale. The 40-plus students, clad in their  black DMS uniforms, met at the field early that morning to fine tune their marching skills. For weeks, the DMS students met with Mrs. Cervone before and after school for rehearsal. The Dedham Middle School Marching Band was making their debut after being invited to participate in the 60th Anniversary Parkway Little League Parade. State Rep. Ed Coppinger (D, West Roxbury), who marched in the Parkway Parade himself as a youth, wanted to increase the size of this event and get other communities involved. Rep. Coppinger received some …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (28)