Dedham Public Schools roundup

DEDHAM — The following news and notes come from Dedham Public Schools, as well as the most recent meetings of the Dedham School Committee.

Students honored

Students from the elementary, middle and high schools took part in several statewide competitions, including the Treble Chorus, the Junior District Band and the All-State Treble Chorus. Two Dedham High seniors, Weilin Berkey and Gregory Walter, earned Gold Keys in the Massachusetts Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Read Across America

Earlier this month, Dedham schools took part in Read Across America, a program to promote literacy. Many of these programs had a Dr. Seuss theme (his birthday being March 2).

Science and tech news

At a recent School Committee meeting, sixth-grade science teachers demonstrated the waves unit, where students learn the properties of sound and light waves. As part of the demonstration, the teachers had School Committee members do the “spoon on a string” test — strike a spoon strung around one’s neck, observe the vibration, place the string near the ears, then strike the spoon again. School Committee members noticed a much stronger vibration when the string was placed closer to the ears.

Also, Dedham School staffers provided updates on how they are integrating virtual reality into the curriculum, as well as how the 3D printer is being used (namely, a lot).

Winter sports

Dedham High Athletic Director Steve Traister reported that 262 students took part in winter sports, including cheerleading. Most of the teams finished at .500 or above, with the basketball and hockey teams (both boys and girls) making the postseason tournament.

“This is the best winter we’ve had,” he said.

Dedham’s spring sports season began with tryouts on March 18.

Communications

During a School Committee meeting earlier this winter, Corey Welford and Katie Ward from the firm CTP presented ways Dedham Public Schools could improve communications. CTP provided recommendations in four categories — reputation, website, social media and staffing.

CTP determined, via surveys, that the district website was the top way parents obtained information, and that parents want more information on curriculum.

CTP also recommended to bring aboard a staff person to maintain and manage communications. The committee agreed.

What’s coming

District

Dedham School Committee meeting — March 20, Avery School, 7 p.m.

All Town Choral Concert — March 20, high school, 7 p.m.

All Town Strings Concert — March 27, middle school, 7 p.m.

Dedham School Committee meeting — April 3, high school, 7 p.m.

School Vacation — April 15-19

District Art Show — May 30, middle school, 5:30-8 p.m.

Avery School

Aesop’s Beebop — March 29, 5:30 and 7 p.m.

PTO Meeting — April 2, 7 p.m.

MCAS — April 3-11

Lexington and Concord Field Trip — April 5

Drive-In Movie — April 5, 3 p.m.

Early Childhood Education Center

International Night — April 5

Half Day — April 26

Greenlodge School

Early Release — March 29

Boosterthon Fun Run — April 2

MCAS — April 3-11

School Council meeting — April 4, 3:30 p.m.

Culture Night — April 10

Oakdale School

PTO meeting — March 20, 7 p.m.

Elementary Science Fair — March 22, 5-7 p.m.

Spring Picture Day — April 1

Birds of Prey (grade four) — April 25

Riverdale School

MCAS — April 3-11

PTO meeting — April 10, 7 p.m.

Peter Reynolds Author Visit — April 12, 1 p.m.

Spring Fair — May 18

Dedham Middle School

Spring Musical — April 3-5, 7 p.m.

School Council meeting — April 10, 6 p.m.

Dedham High School

Sophomore Semi — March 20

Meet the Coaches Night — March 25

MCAS ELA Session 1 — March 26

MCAS ELA Session 2 — March 27

X-Block Scholarship Assembly — April 2, 9:45 a.m.

Culture Week — April 8-12