Parents Ask School to Limit Involvement

The Dedham School Committee held a public hearing to hear suggestions about the new MOU.

  Most parents would agree that having a safe, drug-free community in Dedham's schools is important.  But not every parent will agree on how much schools should be involved with students, especially when it comes to drugs and alcohol. That was the main concern during the School Committee's public hearing.  The purpose was to get feedback from the public about the Memorandum of Understanding between the Dedham public schools, and the Dedham Police Department, otherwise known as the MOU. The committee wants to improve their relationship with the police department by reporting bad behavior.  The hope is to find patterns, and then try to find help for that particular student who may be going down the wrong path. But parents like Ann Mercer, …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know: August 15

Here are five things you need to know to help start your day!

Todays Weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly after 9 a.m., otherwise it will be mostly cloudy with a high around 84.  Tonight you can expect a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. with a low of 66 according the National Weather Service. 1. Check out the Farmer's Market in Dedham.  It runs from 12 noon- 6 p.m. rain or shine, and it's located on the green in front of First Church of Dedham, at the intersection of High and Court Streets, across from the Dedham Community House. 2. Every Wednesday at 10 am during July and August the Dedham Historical Society will offer a free 1 hour program for kids ages 8-14 focusing on local history and family genealogy.The program is free; however, the Society …

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Committee Considers Adding Streets to Redistricting Map

Dedham's school policy sub-committee could move several streets, with very little effect for the 2011-12 school year.

  Less than a dozen parents met attend a public meeting of the Dedham School Committee's policy sub-committee Wednesday where school officials proposed redistricting several more streets, at the request of some parents. Wednesday's attendance was far less than the more than 60 residents who attended last week's School Committee meeting on the same issue. Sub-committee members suggested moving the following streets to the Avery Elementary School: According to school superintendent June Doe, only one student would be effected heading into the 2011-12 school year. Redistricting, as presently proposed, only effects a student if they are entering first grade and do not have a sibling in an elementary school. The policy sub-committee explained …

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Week in Review

Week in Review: Accused Killers Freed, Parents Still Upset With Schools

A look back to some of the stories we covered this week on Dedham Patch.

  Accused Murder Suspects to Walk Free, DA Drops Charges The Norfolk County District Attorney dropped murder charges against two local men, in a 2009 homicide. Paul Moccia, of Dedham, and Daniel Bradley, of Westwood were set free Friday afternoon. Doe, Coughlin Open to Minor Changes to New School Map Parents at a Wednesday meting withs chool officials called for more transparency and involvement as the committee works to improve on a redistricting map that changes the school lines for the district's four elementary schools. Dedham Man Pleads Not Guilty to Child Porn Charges Dedham Police arrested a Dedham man earlier this week for allegedly possessing hundreds of images of child porn. The arrest came after a State Police investigation. …

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Letter to the Editor: Misconceptions Abound in Redistricting Debate

An Avery teacher and Oakdale parent says she is "appalled at the level of ignorance" of some parents.

  Dear Dedham Residents, I have never written a letter to the editor before but feel compelled to do so now. My name is Mary MacLean and I am a first grade teacher at the Avery School. I am also the parent of students currently attending the Oakdale School and the Dedham Middle School, additionally I was raised in the Manor and did my student teaching and worked for one year at Greenlodge School. Based on this background I feel I have a somewhat unique perspective on education in our town. I have to say I am appalled at the level of ignorance some parents have when speaking out against their child being redistricted because it involves a move to Avery. I truly feel if these same people spent some time in East Dedham or at the Avery School …

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New Football Tradition Starts at Dedham High School [VIDEO]

DHS began Friday night football play, but lost its first home game to Walpole 27-0.

A high school tradition finally made its way to Whiting Avenue as the Dedham High School football team played its first game under the Friday night lights. More than 1,000 fans turned out for the grand opening of the new $3 million athletic complex and thanking of donors who helped raise an additional $225,000 for lights. As a crisp night wore on, the Walpole offense wore down Dedham's defense en route to a 27-0 win - the Marauders' first true home game since November 2009. Heading into halftime with 7-1 Walpole, now 8-1 on the season, the Marauders (2-7) trailed by only a touchdown, and had done well containing Walpole's dangerous rushing attack, holding Walpole's potent senior tandem of Shane Blass and Craig Hanley to 55 yards on the …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Oct. 19

Today's weather, Dedham School Committee meets and Reynolds brothers unveil new non-profit.

"Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance.

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5 Things You Need to Know Today: Oct. 5

Today's weather, school committee convenes and take a safe route to school.

"Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance.

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Week in Review

Library Helps Out Schools, New Curriculum for Dedham Kids

A look back at some of the stories we covered this week on Dedham Patch.

Dedham Middle School and Dedham High School received a boost this week from the Dedham Library Board of Trustees. The trustees approved the purchase of more than 800 books to be housed at the two schools, with the possibility of more coming this year. The Dedham School Committee then heard about the new laptops that all DHS freshman will receive next month. The committee also approved the purchase of new language arts curriculum for students across the district in grades one and two, with hopes of an outside group fundraising for the third grade to receive the materials. A group of about a dozen Dedham youngsters wrapped up yet another successful baseball run this week. The Dedham 10s made it to the Cal Ripken Baseball state tournament …

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