Latest News and Events of Dedham Country Day School Boston Area

A Conversation with Ivy Alphonse-Crean, DCD’s New Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Earlier this year, DCD’s Board of Trustees announced the creation of a new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) position to support the critical work that forms one of the central pillars of our current strategic plan. After defining the role and executing an extensive search, we are excited to welcome Ivy Alphonse-Crean to DCD in this pivotal and vital role.

Putting Newton’s 3 Laws to Work

As the eighth graders headed toward a week of frenzy and fullness before spring break, during which time they would be receiving decisions about secondary schools, taking their first-ever cumulative final History exam, and many providing significant assistance to the production of an amazing tribute to resiliency to be shared with the entire school community, Science teacher and 8th-grade advisor, Ruth Gow, decided that it was time for an alternative kind of project!

Finding Meaning With Social Justice

The middle school Social Justice club has been meeting Wednesday mornings before school since November. Ms. Levi, DCD's woodshop teacher and club advisor, is really pleased with the initiative this student-run group has been taking in exploring and understanding what social justice means. This is a time and space to vent, discuss, plan and act. Students bring different perspectives to what social justice is on a broad level and what it means in terms of bettering our community here at DCD.

Spreading Kindness and Appreciation Brings Joy to Others

DCD’s annual service-learning day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fell on the civil-rights activist’s actual birthday this year. His inspirational quotes decorated the school’s hallways as students engaged in various projects by grade meant to serve others.

Third-graders made posters for the community to show their appreciation, including one for all the hard work of the employees of the Dedham Post Office.

10 Reasons Why It’s Important to Teach Second Graders How to Read an Analog Clock

Digital clocks are pervasive in our lives. They are on our wrists, on our phones, on our computer screens, and at our bedsides. So why would we want second graders to learn all about analog clocks? Here at DCD, we feel the benefits of utility reading an analog clock are absolutely worth the precious instructional time. Annette Raphel, DCD Math Evangelist, shares her ten reasons why!

Discovering a Passion for Creative Writing

DCD fourth grader William McLean has been exercising his creative writing muscles. Last summer as part of his DCD summer project, he decided to write a weekly fun newspaper as a way to stay connected during COVID with friends and family. He called his newspaper, “The Daily Cat” and maintained a loyal subscriber list of 24 people. Finding that his readers loved his paper, William got inspired to write his first book and used his time during July and August to work on this special project.

Making Real World Connections

Just before winter break, DCD 6^th graders were reading, "I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban" by Malala Yousasafzai. After several class discussions and writing assignments, students had an opportunity to speak with John Keating, who served first as an Infantry Officer in the Army and then as an Intelligence Officer in the Army Reserve, about his direct experience in Afghanistan and with the Taliban.

DCD Receives All-Star Recognition from the Fenway Bowl

Dedham Country Day Head of School Allison Webster and staff received recognition as an All-Star in Education in New England by the Fenway Bowl in partnership with Cross Insurance, Samuel Adams, and the Boston Globe. DCD was one of 27 receiving the honor.

Making Language Sticky

Making a deep and lasting connection to Spanish is Señora Andrade's goal when she teaches any student. She believes students need to use a process that encourages them to engage deeply in what they are learning -- deeply enough to be willing to take risks. When it comes to language acquisition, her goal is to get students to try to say what they want to say without worry or fear of "getting it wrong." "Kids stumble over their words and it can sound messy when they learn their first language. Their second or third language is no different." Focusing on self-expression first provides this "sticky" foundation for becoming a lifelong language lover.

Science and Application

In science, DCD fourth graders have been learning about the human body and exploring the many complex systems that enable us to function. Their recent focus has been on the central nervous system and the brain. Thank you to Mrs. Shirley, this has led to some very fun and engaging STEM activities! Sporting "brain caps" students were able to see the different parts of the brain and understand their functions. What is the frontal lobe responsible for? How does my arm know how to reach for the glass of water I want to pick up? Where does my speech come from? These are all great questions to ponder as they examined their "brain caps".