Oct. 24, 2025
Important Dates
10/27-10/31
SPIRIT WEEK!
See more details below
Tues. Nov. 4--No School
Full Day Prof. Dev.
Tues. Nov. 11--No School
Veterans' Day Holiday
Tues., Nov. 25-28--No School
Thanksgiving Break
Wed., Dec. 10--Half Day of School--Prof. Dev. Dismissal at 11:25
Wed., Dec. 24-Fri., Jan. 2nd--No School Holiday Break
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Principal's Message
Happy Friday Du Bois Families,
As parents, my wife and I never worried about MCAS scores.
Our failure to worry was not because we knew our kids would hit it out of the park–because they didn’t. We didn’t worry because we knew that success is not defined by a single test, given on a single day. What we did focus on was our children’s growth profile–Student Growth Percentile (SGP). This score is the measure of how children’s knowledge and skills grow in comparison to like-scoring students from their original testing year. The number represents the percentage of students whose scores grew or failed to grow in comparison to your students.
In MCAS, just as in life, perfection doesn’t matter–but continuing to learn, grow, and get better does. I want to share a couple of stories about MCAS growth that inspire me, nearly to the point of tears.
The first story is about a student who moved to our community and our country just four years ago. This student adjusted to so much “new”... new weather, new customs, a new school, and has been mastering English as they work so hard to learn science, social studies, math, and English/language arts. This year, this student did not quite achieve a “partially meeting” standard on the English MCAS, but their growth percentile was 80--meaning they scored better than 80% of the thousands of students who had like scores to this student in their first testing year. To me, this student’s, teacher’s, and family’s accomplishment deserves every ounce of respect and admiration we can muster. Our team at Du Bois admires this student’s courage, work ethic, and dedication to her education in every way. The score itself almost becomes meaningless–the growth feels priceless.
The second story is about that rare time when a student actually was perfect. One of our current 6th graders actually got a perfect 560 score on their English MCAS--a perfect score. This student “exceeded expectations” for a student in their grade. This is simply remarkable–but what is more remarkable is that this student’s Student Growth Percentile was a 96! This student scored well every year they have tested…yet their hard work and partnership with their family and teachers got them to the point of scoring better and learning more quickly than 96% of other incredibly high-scoring students from their first testing year. Even as one nears perfection, this student illustrates that growth remains possible.
Our students are an unending source of inspiration and optimism. I hope you discuss your child’s MCAS scores with them–what they mean and what they don’t mean. I hope you discuss their growth–and help them see that even a little bit of growth, day after day and year after year, adds up to great gains over time.
Have a peaceful weekend, and keep on growing.
Jake M.
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School Calendar
Lunch Menu
Breakfast and Lunch are available to all students at no cost.
Attendance and Early Dismissal Email
dbm-attendance@bhrsd.org
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Important Message from the School Nurse
Parents and guardians:
Many of you have received messages from me requesting that you submit an updated physical from your child’s PCP. I would like to explain to you WHY you have received these messages.
Per MA law.
Physical Examination Requirements
In accordance with Massachusetts laws and regulations ( M.G.L. c 71, s 57 and 105 CMR 200.000). Physical examinations must be completed and signed by a licensed healthcare provider, and dated within one calendar year of entry to our school district. If your child does not have a recent physical examination, one must be submitted within 30 days of entry to our school.
Additionally:
All students are required to have proof of physical examination upon enrollment, as stated above, and also in kindergarten and grades 4, 7, and 10. It is also recommended that physical exams be submitted to the school nurse annually, so that students' health information can be kept current.
Current 7th-grade parents, please schedule (if needed) and submit your child’s physical examination once completed.
If you need assistance finding medical care for your child, please don't hesitate to ask me for guidance.
I can be reached by phone at 413-644-2300, ext. 2309, or by email at robyn.aloisi@bhrsd.org .
Your child’s physician’s office can fax any health records to me directly at 413-288-7454.
Sincerely,
Robyn Aloisi, RN, BSN
School Nurse
DuBois Middle School
Warm the Children
The Sheffield Kiwanis will be sponsoring Warm The Children once again this year. WTC provides new winter clothing to local children in need. Attached is a “Request for Assistance” in English and Spanish.
If you want to apply for assistance, please do so as soon as you can. The process takes about 2 weeks from the day you return the forms to the school.
This program is made possible by donations received from local individuals and businesses.
Bingo Night
Bingo Night is fast approaching on October 24, and we need both volunteers and participants! Last year, we had an amazing turnout of about 85 people. You’re PTO Team is working hard to gather fantastic prizes for the event, and Josh will be our bingo caller again this year. If you volunteer, you can still join in the bingo fun!
To register for participant slots, please text "1024tickets" to 234-324-3332.
To volunteer, please text "1024bingo" to 234-324-3332.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Wednesday, Oct. 29
Unified Basketball vs. Wahconah (4:30) at MMRHS
 
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Flyers and Letters: Click here:
- Butternut School Program Application
- Ice Glen Walk Nov. 1st
- Cub Scouts
- Creative Playdate Program for No School Days
- Otis Ridge Ski/Board Program
- Stockbridge Library: Future Fortune Club for Teens Oct. 28th
- New Marlborough Public Library: Halloween Scare Night Oct. 25th
- Berkshire Rattlers: Learn to Skate and Play Hockey
- Screenagers Presentation Oct. 23rd
- Great Barrington Rotary: Truck Day and Pumpkinfest Oct. 19th
- Traditional Mexican Dance Workshop
- Dine to Donate to Support MMRHS Sports Teams
- Berkshire County STEAM Challenge Night
- Second Nature Arts: Craft Club
- BSRCC: Winter Coat Drive
- Vaccination Clinics
- Vocalis Youth Choir
- BSRCC: T.O.N.E. Fundraiser
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Creative Playdate Program
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Reminders:
Arrival and DismissalArrival and dismissal will work the same as they did last year.
Arrival--Our doors open at 7:40, students arriving after 7:50 will be marked as tardy. Fifth and sixth-grade students should be dropped off in front of the building. Seventh and Eighth-grade students should be dropped off in the rear parking lot. If you have students in both these levels, please use the front for drop off.
Dismissal--School is dismissed at 2:40. Only buses should go into the bus loop. All parent pick-ups are in the back parking lot.
Dismissal to Muddy Brook
Students who will be picked up at Muddy Brook at Muddy Brook’s dismissal time may stay after school. We will have staff specifically assigned to monitor this group of students and keep track of who is present. Students will be brought over to Muddy Brook at 3:15.
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