Hello Dolphin Community,

It has been a busy couple of days in D-Y. It was wonderful to have staff back in the District this week beginning with our annual Convocation on September 1st. This was followed by building-based meetings as each school welcomed their respective staff back and reviewed updates for the upcoming school year. Wednesday and Thursday were centered on professional development for staff all across the District. Staff participated in professional development, organized by their role in the district, all designed to support our strategic plan and a smooth start to the school year for our students. 

Speaking of the students, we are very excited to welcome them back next week on Wednesday, September 9th. There is nothing like having our students in the school district. As I mentioned during Convocation, the purpose of our organization is to serve the roughly 3,000 students that will walk through our doors on September 9th. Regardless of each individual's role in D-Y, we all are here to serve that purpose. As a result, everyone in D-Y, from our teachers and leaders to our maintenance and business office staff, plays a role in meeting the needs of our students. Some do so in more direct ways, while others contribute more indirectly; however, we are all working toward the same organizational purpose: serving our students. Therefore, everyone who works in the District is part of a collective effort to fulfill that purpose.

Finally, I know that there have been some who are concerned about the District's recent enforcement of existing School Committee transportation policies; specifically, as it has played out in the newly released bus routes. I know that this is an adjustment for some families. Please know that this is necessary to ensure that our buses are to school on time and that all our students are getting the time on learning they deserve. Even ten (10) minutes of lost instruction each day equals a full week of lost instructional learning by the end of the year... and we have buses that have consistently surpassed this mark.  Finally, please be assured that our policies are aligned with the law, state regulation, and the practices of our neighboring communities.

Thank you for your ongoing support,

Marc J. Smith, Ed.D

Superintendent