Fall River Public Schools

08/29/2024

08/29/2024

08/29/2024

Rene Gagnon discovered his natural ability for running during his freshman year while attending nearby Diman Regional Vocational High School. His performances during the Division 3 Cross Country, Winter & Spring Track seasons at Diman immediately garnered the attention of Durfee’s Cross Country Head Coach, Dave Ozug. With Ozug’s influence, Gagnon decided to transfer to Durfee the following year because he recognized that competing against the best Division 1 & 2 high school athletes in the state would bring out the best in his running ability. Gagnon quickly made a name for himself as a standout runner when he set a course record on Durfee’s 2.8-mile cross-country course with a time of 14:43. That same season as a testament to his speed, endurance, and ability to conquer Fall River’s hills he won the City Cross Country Championship on Diman’s hilly 2.5-mile course with a time of 15:33. Gagnon’s successes continued to pile up throughout his Cross Country career at Durfee. Gagnon would remain undefeated throughout his SMC Division 2 dual meets, and when he placed fifth in the State Meet, he had a time of 15:30 over the challenging 3.1 course. That achievement made Gagnon the first Durfee Cross Country runner to ever qualify for the Division 1 MIAA All-State Meet at Franklin Park, where he ultimately placed 19th overall. Gagnon would also go on to break his own course record at Durfee with a time of 14:23. However, despite all of the personal success Gagnon achieved as the team's co-captain and 2 time MVP, he considers his highest achievement to be when he led his fellow runners to capture Durfee’s first ever SMC Division 2 Cross Country Title in 1988 after narrowly missing the title the previous year. Gagnon also forged his running legacy at Durfee on the track oval in the Winter & Spring Track seasons. During Gagnon’s remarkable first Winter Track season at Durfee, he captured the school’s mile record at 4:37 and went on to place third in the mile at the SMC Conference Meet that year. Gagnon would eventually go on to set a personal best of 4:24 in the Mile at Harvard’s incredibly fast indoor track during an invitational meet. Gagnon also excelled in Spring Track where he earned points in 3 events for the team in every meet by competing in the Mile, Two-Mile, and Quarter Mile Relay. His outstanding efforts would contribute to yet another Durfee ‘First’. With a team record of 8-1, Durfee’s 1988 Spring Track team would make history by capturing its first SMC Spring Track Conference Title. Gagnon’s love of art would ultimately lead him to attend The Massachusetts College of Art in Boston but Gagnon’s athletic ability, love of training hard, and operating as a team would not be wasted after high school. Gagnon would go on to join many of the area's best high school athletes at the physically demanding Horseneck Beach, where Gagnon worked for 15 years as a State Lifeguard. Gagnon’s love of Durfee would also be unwavering. In 2000, Gagnon returned to his alma mater and became a Visual Design teacher. For the last 24 years, Gagnon has continued to teach his students many life lessons that he learned from his teachers as a student and his coaches as an athlete at Durfee. Gagnon was recently recognized as one of the area’s Top Ten Cross Country runners of all time by the Herald News.

08/28/2024

08/28/2024

It's a week of firsts! Yesterday our staff returned to school for the first time this year and today we welcomed students for the First Day of School!

A big "Thank You" to the dozens of volunteers from our community partners who showed up to cheer on our students as they arrived at schools this morning.

Fall River Educational Television caught up with Superintendent Dr. Tracy Curley as she visited schools this morning and welcomed students during arrival. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/OXyBMDDBBD4

Enjoy some photos taken across the district yesterday and today.

08/28/2024

Please see the B.M.C. Durfee High School Traffic patterns provided by the City of Fall River Police Department.

To help keep traffic moving smoothly before and after school, please follow the traffic pattern outlined below for Fall River Public Schools BMC Durfee High School. Remember, parking in nearby business lots, including the CVS/McDonald’s Plaza at 1620 President Ave, is strictly prohibited.

FRPD officers will be present in the area to assist with traffic management. Let's work together to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow!

08/28/2024

Reminder: Tomorrow is the first day of school for many of the schools in our city.

We ask everyone to keep a watchful eye for children at bus stops and be patient with traffic around city schools. Visit Fall River Public Schools for information on start times, bus routes, and other important information.

Our School Resource Officers are excited to be heading back to school tomorrow.

08/27/2024

It was an exciting afternoon at the James Tansey Elementary School. The school not only received a visit from the Massachusetts Secretary of Education, but Dr. Patrick Tutwiler brought with him a basketball signed by every member of the 2024 NBA Champions the Boston Celtics!

The visit and signed basketball were in response to Tansey being named an Attendance All-Star School by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for making significant progress in reducing its chronic absenteeism rate. In fact, Tansey is tied for first place in the entire state for having the biggest drop in student absences last year!

During today's presentation, which coincided with the school's Annual Back to School Popsicle Social, Dr. Tutwiler said, "This is a unique distinction. Only 10 schools in the state are on this list. Everyone here, from the staff, the students, and the parents are all focused on getting students to school each and every day. Tansey saw a 20 percent drop in its absentee rate from the previous year. We need to be deeply committed to reducing chronic absenteeism. When you aren't at school, you miss out."

Fall River Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tracy Curley said the district has been turning things around when it comes to student absences and we are seeing remarkable progress district-wide. Last year our district saw an eight percent reduction in absentee rates.

Tansey Principal Erek Bratt also accepted a citation from the City of Fall River and Mayor Paul Coogan. Students and staff were treated to ice cream thanks to Senator Michael Rodrigues and Rep. Carole Fiola.

After the presentation, students, families, and staff were invited to take photos with the signed basketball. The ball will be in a locked display case inside the school so students can see it every day.

08/27/2024

The majority of our students return to school tomorrow and our buildings are in top shape - thanks to our amazing and hardworking staff in our Facilities and Operations Department.

We appreciate all the work you've done during the summer to get our schools ready for staff and students.

Thank you!

08/26/2024

08/26/2024

The Durfee Athletic Hall of Fame is thrilled to announce its Class of 2024 inductees. These seven outstanding athletes and a coach will be honored during our induction ceremony on October 26th at White's of Westport:

Tim Plante (Class of 1986): Baseball, Football and Basketball
Rene G. Gagnon (Class of 1990): Cross Country, Track
Brandon Bouchard (Class of 1991): Golf
Carrie Doyle (Class of 1995): Volleyball, Basketball and Softball
Rhonda Pacheco (Class of 1997): Softball and Basketball
Kevin Narciso (Class of 2000): Hockey
Emma Santoro (Class of 2009): Swimming
Floriano “Flo” Lima – Girls Soccer Coach

Ticket purchase information will be released at a later date.

Follow the Durfee Hall of Fame page as we share the stories of this year’s inductees and additional event information.

08/26/2024

Join the City of Fall River Police Department for its annual Block Party Palooza on Monday, September 30th from 4-6pm at Britland Park (located directly behind the Police Station).

There will be basketball tournaments, face painting, live music, games, free food, activities for all ages, and so much more!

You don't want to miss it!

08/24/2024

08/23/2024

08/23/2024

Students at the Robert L. Medeiros Resiliency Preparatory Academy will return to class next week with some school pride on display in the school's gymnasium.

Three students at the school have spent the last few weeks painting this giant raptor. School staff say they want to add more murals in other parts of the building to help bring beauty and pride to all areas of the school.

Great job!

08/21/2024

Registration is now open for the Fall River Girls Softball League's Fall Season.

The season begins just after Labor Day and will run through October. There is one practice and one game per week and girls who live in Fall River may play for free if they qualify for the City's For Youth Initiative.

Click here to get more information including how to register:
https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1674123

08/17/2024

Important Information for incoming Durfee Freshmen.

08/16/2024

What a great turnout yesterday during Spencer Borden’s Books and Blooms Literacy event.

The Fall River Public Library’s BookMobile was there for students to explore and check out books. Students were also able to plant flowers and decorate their planter. There was also a Book Walk of the story "On Meadowview Street" set up for families to enjoy.

08/14/2024

🚨 Urgent Announcement for Durfee High School Fall Athletes! 🚨

Fall Sports Registration Deadline: THURSDAY, AUGUST 15th at MIDNIGHT! 🕛
Attention all Durfee High School Fall Athletes & Parents/Guardians! All student-athletes must complete the following steps BEFORE participating in any try-out or practice:
1️⃣ Register on Arbiter Registration (FamilyID) BEFORE Thursday, 8/15
2️⃣ Complete the NFHS Concussion Course - Attach proof of completion to your registration or save it
3️⃣ Submit a copy of the student's most recent physical exam (within 13 months) - Attach it to your Arbiter Registration (FamilyID) or email it to our Athletic Trainer, Kelley Mahoney: [email protected]

START DATES:
🏈 8/16: Football, Cheer
Golf (meeting @ Durfee)
🏃 8/19: Cross-Country, Field Hockey, Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, Girls Volleyball

⚠️ Important: If you carry an Epi-Pen or inhaler, you must have it with you.
Proper footwear is required: sneakers/cleats

REMEMBER: NO PAPERWORK = NO PLAY
Be prepared and ready to take the field. If you do not have your paperwork completed, you will NOT be allowed to play and will be sent home.

Contact the Athletic Department for assistance. Let's go, Durfee! 💪🎉
Let's make this season the BEST yet! 🏆

08/14/2024

Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!

The First Day of School for students in grades 1-12 is Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Students will attend classes on Wednesday, 8/28, and Thursday, 8/29. There is no school for staff or students on Friday, 8/30, or Monday, 9/1.

Pre-K students start school on Tuesday, 9/3.

Most Kindergarten students will start on Friday, 9/6. Some kindergarten students enrolled in special programs will start school on 8/28. Please double-check with your child's school if you have questions about a start date.

Many schools will also have Meet and Greets/Open House/Ice Cream Socials within the next few days and weeks. Information on these events will be directly communicated to families from school administrators via our ParentSquare platform. Please check your email for information on how to activate your account.

Additionally, a bus tag must be issued to all students who ride neighborhood or ELL buses to or from school. To find out if your child qualifies for transportation, please fill out a transportation request form located on our transportation website: https://www.fallriverschools.org/departments/transportation

School hours vary from school to school. Check school start and end times on our website: https://www.fallriverschools.org/district-information/start-and-end-times

We are excited for the start of the 2024-2025 School Year!

08/13/2024

The learning never stops for our educators. This week our district is hosting a Summer Teacher Institute offering more than 75 different professional development sessions for educators from PreK through high school.

08/12/2024

08/10/2024

The 4th Annual Burns Foundation Back-to-School Block Party is in full swing at Kennedy Park!

Stop by to meet Fall River Public Schools school staff, register students, ask transportation questions, play games or just say ‘Hi’!

There are also food trucks, school supplies, and many community partners here! Stop by until 4pm today.

08/10/2024