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Email Guidelines & Reminders

Positive and direct communication between students, families and school staff is an essential component to a successful school experience.  Dedham Public Schools are committed to creating a transparent and responsive communications environment to ensure that families have the information, feedback and resolutions they need throughout the school year.

Parent / School Communications

Parent / School Communication

Our educators and administrators are committed to the success and well-being of all our students and will work diligently to resolve concerns, maintain confidentiality, and return communications in a timely manner.  

Much like we ask students to stay present and focused in the classroom, we ask the same of our teachers.  So, please be patient if you do not receive an immediate response to a message.

For all questions or concerns, we recommend first reaching out to your student's teacher.   If the issue is not resolved or you have additional concerns, please next reach out to the school principal.

Email Guidelines & Reminders

Email Guidelines & Reminders

Email and other electronic communication tools can be an effective and efficient means for communication.   

Please Note:  Emails are not confidential and are subject to Public Records Law. They can be requested by anyone.

When writing/sending emails, we ask students and parents to respectfully observe the following guidelines:

  • Emails should not be used to communicate any information that is highly emotional, sensitive or contentious. In such a case, emails may be used to arrange a time to meet or to have a phone conversation.
  • In urgent matters and time-sensitive communications such as dismissals, please call the office and speak to someone to have the message relayed to the faculty member. Faculty members are teaching students and are not always checking email during the school day.
  • For nonurgent emails, it is reasonable to expect a response within 2-3 school days (excluding weekends).
  • Students in Grades 6-12 should use their Dedham Public Schools email account when emailing teachers and should address email to the staff DPS account.
  • School email accounts should not be used for business unrelated to the work of the school (e.g. fundraising, political campaigns, advertising non-school events, etc.).
  • Educators are not given a school cell phone and therefore, except in predetermined circumstances approved by a supervisor, texting should not be used as a means for parents and students to communicate with staff.

Social Media Terms of Use


Dedham Public School District’s social media accounts are intended to serve as a mechanism for communication between the public and the Dedham Public Schools on various school and community-related topics.  Our Facebook page is not the appropriate place to report an incident, expect a dialogue about issues or policies, or ask a question that should be directed toward a specific school or central office department. We do not monitor Facebook on a 24/7 basis.

Public Records Law

Under Massachusetts law, all content on Dedham Public School’s social media pages, including social media comments, replies, and private messages exchanged with Dedham Public Schools are part of the public record and are subject to Massachusetts Public Records Law (G.L.c.4, § 7(26)). All content is archived, including comments edited or removed by the citizen or moderator.
By becoming a fan/follower/subscriber of Dedham Public Schools, your information and comments may be a matter of public record. The District may be required to retain this information in accordance with the State of Massachusetts retention schedule. Public record requests can be made online or through the City Clerk’s Office.


Moderation of Third Party Content

Dedham Public Schools reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of these guidelines or any applicable law. The District’s intent is not to create a public forum, but to maintain a moderated online discussion (a limited public forum) directly relating to the topics posted by the Dedham Public School District that are appropriate for citizens.
The District’s social media content, posts and comments, when permitted, shall not contain any of the following and will be removed as soon as possible:

  • Comments not topically related to the particular social media article
  • Content in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures
  • Profane or vulgar language or content
  • Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability
  • Sexual content or links to sexual content
  • Links to or references to commercial websites, spam or any third party website unless posted by the District’s approved authorized staff users for links to partnered/sponsored organizations, confirmed governmental agencies or other legitimate organizations as the District deems appropriate.
  • Conduct or encouragement of violent or illegal activity
  • Personal or character attacks
  • Content that violates a copyright, trademark or other legal ownership interest of any other party
  • Information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
  • Content containing personal identifying information or sensitive personal information

Dedham Public Schools may ban repeat violators from posting to the District’s social media accounts, as well as remove comments at any time.