The DPS Inside Scoop
What's Happening at Dracut Public Schools - May Edition
Dear Dracut School District Parents/Guardians,
I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you to our latest newsletter. May brings with it a sense of renewal and anticipation (particularly for members of the Class of 2024 and their families) as we continue to navigate through the school year together. In this edition, you'll find updates, highlights, and important information about upcoming events and initiatives across our district. It's our pleasure to keep you informed and engaged in your child's educational journey.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to extend a friendly reminder to register your soon-to-be kindergarteners early. If your child is turning five on or before August 31, 2024, they should be registered for Kindergarten. Early registration ensures a smooth transition into our kindergarten program and helps us better prepare to welcome your child into our school community.
More information about our kindergarten program and registration process can be found here.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we work together to ensure the success and well-being of every student.
Warm regards,
Superintendent Steven Stone
Brookside Elementary School
We're excited to share that the fourth-grade classes of Mrs. Jarek and Mrs. LeSage had a remarkable experience participating in a program from Edgerton Outreach at MIT. Through a virtual session led by Mrs. Fitzgerald, students delved into the fascinating world of circuits and had the opportunity to construct their very own working flashlights. Beginning with an examination of a "real" flashlight, students made hypotheses and illustrated the electrical connections within the device, exploring concepts of open and closed circuits. With guidance, students designed, built, and, when available, even soldered their circuits. Assembling the circuits into flashlight casings and adding decorative touches brought an exciting culmination to this engaging activity.
Campbell Elementary School
Last month, we had the privilege of recognizing 23 outstanding students nominated by our staff for Leader of the Pack! These remarkable individuals were described with adjectives like kind, helpful, generous, and caring. Phrases such as "always goes above and beyond" and "is polite and respectful to all staff and peers" were frequently used to describe their exceptional qualities.
In honor of their exemplary leadership, our Leaders of the Pack were treated to a special pizza lunch accompanied by a beverage of their choice. Additionally, they received a coin to the Coyote Book Vending Machine, allowing them to select a book of their choice—a small token of appreciation for their outstanding contributions to our school community. Let's continue to celebrate and encourage the positive impact these students make each day!
Englesby Elementary School
Join us for a spectacular evening celebrating the creativity of our Englesby artists at the Englesby Art Show on May 22, 2024. The event kicks off with a Chorus Concert at 5:00, followed by the Art Show from 5:30 to 7:00. Every student will showcase their masterpiece. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of artistry and support our talented students. We hope to see you there!
Greenmont Elementary School
In March, our Greenmont community rallied together for our annual March Madness Food Drive, and the results were incredible! Thanks to the generosity of our families, we collected enough donations to fill a whopping 9 large boxes, all of which were delivered to the Dracut Food Pantry. Your contributions will make a meaningful difference in supporting local families in need. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support, GES community!
Richardson Middle School (RMS)
We're thrilled to announce that on March 26, 2024, Jessica Mutnansky, a dedicated sixth-grade teacher at RMS, was honored with the prestigious "Master in the Middle" award at the annual New England League of Middle Schools Conference in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mrs. Mutnansky has been an integral part of the Dracut educational community since 2007, bringing her passion for teaching math and science to her students.
Mrs. Mutnansky's commitment to her students, innovative teaching methods, and genuine care for each individual in her classroom have earned her this esteemed recognition. Her classroom environment reflects inclusivity, respect, and a steadfast dedication to high learning standards. One of her current students, Mason Trainor, recently shared with Ms. McGuinness that Mrs. Mutnansky "makes learning easy.
Congratulations, Mrs. Mutnansky, on this well-deserved honor!
Dracut High School
Dracut High School is proud to announce the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian: Anthony D'Agostino and Lida Poowitayaphant. We highlight Lida in our Senior Spotlight and look forward to featuring Anthony in May. Additionally, we celebrated the induction of over one hundred students into our honor societies, recognizing their academic excellence and service to the community. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the Dracut Scholarship Foundation for their successful telethon, raising funds to support scholarships for our graduating seniors.
Office of Student Services
May is Mental Health Month
Mental Health Awareness has been observed in the United States since 1949. NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness works to raise awareness, fight stigma and provide support. The local office is located in Woburn at 331 Montvale Ave Suite 200. The website is https://www.nami.org/ and phone number is 617-580-8541. NAMI offers s variety of educational peer led programs, which are all free of charge. They also offer a number of educational video's and podcasts on their website. Lastly, NAMI also provides a Helpline which is available M-F 10:00 am -10:00 pm, 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
