The Dedham High School Band is excited to present this tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen as a part of the Dedham Public Schools' contribution to the Dedham MLK Celebration being presented on Dedham TV this year. The first black airmen in the US Armed Forces, the Red Tails, were fearless pioneers who paved the way for members of the black community who wanted to serve their country. Martin Luther King's visions of equality and inclusion were created in the wake of their efforts to diversify the US Military, and we are excited to honor them with this incredible piece of music, "Red Tails" written by Ayatey Shabazz.
District leaders have had many discussions over the weekend about how to best plan for the multiple challenges we have encountered. These COVID-19 protocol updates are effective immediately and will be revisited weekly as we navigate the next few weeks: School-based pooled PCR testing will continue for all consented students and staff at all schools this week. Effective immediately, all positive COVID-19 test results for students or staff need to be reported on the DPS Positive COVID-19 Test Result Report Form. Effective immediately, DPS nurses and administrators will no longer be conducting contact tracing for every positive COVID-19 test. Therefore, the “Test & Stay” option for students will be phased out once students currently participating complete their testing cycle this week.
In consideration of the rising numbers of COVID cases in our community, the schools will be vigilantly continuing the following measures: Universal indoor masking is still required for all students, staff, teachers, and visitors in all PreK-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. KN95 masks will be available to all staff in January. To the fullest extent possible, schools will maintain physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce transmission risk. All classes will keep seating charts to assist with contact tracing. Families are strongly encouraged to vaccinate and boost their students ages 5 and older. Click above for more FAQs and COVID updates for our District.
Winter brings lots of colds, flu and illness. Please help us keep students and staff safe this winter. If your student isn't feeling well, they should stay at home. Plenty of symptoms overlap with COVID symptoms, click above for a symptom checklist for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated students.
Congratulations to the 47% of our Class of 2022 who have already applied to one or more colleges.
DESE Commissioner Jeff Riley announced the extension of the statewide mask mandate in all public schools through February 28, 2022. The mask mandate applies to all students, staff, and visitors when indoors at any Massachusetts public school.
Update provided to District on January 1 regarding in-school safety measures and decisions regarding Winter athletics
On Thursday, December 30 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) revised their guidance for isolation and quarantine for COVID-19.
Winter is coming! Please refer to the COVID-19 symptom list and keep students home if they are sick. Click here for a symptom checklist for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated students.
On November 2, the CDC recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. DPS encourages all eligible students to register and get vaccinated.
