The Ditson Buzz 🐝🐝🐝

Ditson Family Newsletter - March 19, 2024

Principal's Corner

Important Upcoming Dates

Friday, March 22nd - Trimester 2 Report Cards Published
March 25th - April 3rd - DSA Sponsored Scholastic Book Fair
Wednesday, March 27th - Early Release
Wednesday, March 27th - Conferences - 1:00 - 3:00 and 6:00 - 8:00
Friday, March 29th - Holiday - No School
Tuesday, April 2nd and Wednesday, April 3rd - Grade 3 ELA MCAS
Tuesday, April 9th and Wednesday, April 10th - Grade 4 ELA MCAS

Phones and Smart Watches

Please remember that phones are NOT allowed in school. It's very tempting for students to have access to them while they're here. We understand that some families want a phone in their child's book bag for emergencies and we respect that. If that is the case, please remind your child to leave their phone in their bookbag all day at school (and on the bus).

Additionally, we've had a number of students bring watches to school that act like phones. I certainly know they're fun and the students love them, however they are becoming a distraction to those who wear them and other students as well. If your child wants to wear a watch, please ask them to treat the watch as they would a phone by leaving it in the book bag and use it when they get home.

Early Release Day and Conferences - Wednesday, March 27th

Please note that conferences have been moved from Thursday, March 28th to Wednesday, March 27th. It is also and Early Release day. Please be on the look out for conference sign-ups that will be shared by your child's teacher(s)

Smile Program - Mobile Dentist Coming to the Ditson

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The Smile Program Mobile Dentist will be coming to the Ditson School on May 3rd. Please access this link for more information. Mobile Dentist

April 8th - Solar Eclipse - Resources for Family viewing

The April 8, 2024 eclipse will be a total solar eclipse. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon moves between the Earth and Sun completely obscuring the Sun. All of the United States will experience a partial solar eclipse. An eclipse path sweeps across central Mexico, parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and southern Canada. During totality, you may view the Sun without proper eye protection, such as solar glasses. But during all other phases of the eclipse, you should only look at the Sun when your eyes are protected.

https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/

https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/eclipse-stories-from-around-the-world

https://nso.edu/for-public/eclipse-resources/

Billerica Youth Soccer Registration

Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) for 8-12 year-olds

Each summer, the Middlesex Sheriff's Office sponsors the Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) for 8-12 year-olds from communities across the county. YPSA is a week-long camp designed to introduce our youngest citizens to role models in public safety – namely sheriff’s officers and local police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, as well as to teach them valuable life and safety lessons.

YPSA cadets participate in a series of activities throughout the camp – visiting with the local police and fire officials on community day and learning about fire safety hazards in our fire safety trailer. Cadets also learn how to make evacuation plans for emergency situations and participate in exercises designed to demonstrate the power and importance of teamwork during a visit to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica.

The Academy is run at the Middlesex Training Academy in Chelmsford, with transportation and lunch provided. YPSA runs for a series of one-week sessions each summer.

https://www.middlesexsheriff.org/YPSA