Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA
PHOENIX POST
Monday, February 7th, 2022
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming DHMS Dates
  • Wednesday, February 9th - Early Release (11:54am Dismissal) *A Day (Red Day)*
  • Thursday, February 10th - DHMS Gifted Screening and Identification Presentation, 6:30pm (MS Teams to be sent beforehand)
  • Tuesday, February 15th - DHMS PTSA Meeting, 7:00pm
  • Monday, February 21st - NO SCHOOL (Presidents Day)
  • Friday, March 4th - NO SCHOOL (Conferences)
  • Tuesday, March 15th - DHMS PTSA Meeting, 7:00pm
  • Wednesday, March 16th - Early Release (11:54am Dismissal) *B Day (Gold Day)*

Visit the online DHMS Master Calendar for the complete 2021-22 calendar of dates.
DHMS PTSA News & Announcements
Thank you to our wonderful DHMS School Counselors, Janae Rittenhouse, Erin Pennington, Carrie Schaefer, Bob Tuttle, Ronald Valdez, Nick Keane, and Peggy Sabouni, for all you do for our community! We are so fortunate to have such amazing staff at our school!
Wishing our fabulous DHMS Crossing Guards a very happy Crossing Guard Appreciation Week! Thank you to Zeleke Taffesse and Anelya Orellana for keeping our students safe every day!

DHMS Science Fair Judging Results

Thanks again to all of the DHMS students who participated in this year's DHMS Science Fair, and to all of the judges who helped to make it a success!

Congratulations, DHMS Science Fair Finalists! The science fair judging is complete and the scores have been tabulated. The top nine finalists are recommended to be entered into the regional science fair, which will be held this spring at Wakefield High School. Click for details, including the list of all participants and their projects: DHMS 2022 Science Fair Finalists and Participants

Mrs. Kennedy will send home information on the regional science fair requirements with finalists, and students have been asked to bring home their display boards. Please email Mrs. Kennedy if you have any questions.
Upcoming DHMS Virtual Author Visits

We are fortunate to have two virtual author visits coming up at Dorothy Hamm this month:

On Thursday, February 10th at 10am: Local author Amina Luqman-Dawson will be talking about her new book, Freewater. Click here to order a copy.

On Wednesday, February 23rd at 1pm, author Christina Diaz Gonzalez will be presenting to DHMS students virtually. Stay tuned for details on how to order a copy of her book!
DHMS Academic Planning for Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Students

Rising DHMS 6th, 7th & 8th grade students and families, if you missed the DHMS Virtual Academic Planning Night on Thursday, January 27th, you may visit dorothyhamm.apsva.us/counseling/ms-academic-planning/ for the recordings of each of the grade level sessions as well as the presentations, so that you may learn more from DHMS counselors about course information, electives options, and graduation requirements.

For additional information, see the APS Middle School Program of Studies 2022-23.
DHMS Historical Commemoration Video

In honor of DHMS' historical commemoration which took place on February 2nd, click here to watch the show the DHMS Broadcast TA put together, which features:
  • an interview with Michael Jones, one of the students who integrated Stratford Junior High
  • a segment on the Halls Hill neighborhood
  • a video about the history of February 2, 1959 and ways in which we've incorporated that history into our building (the mural on the 1st floor and the commemorative walkway)

Our DHMS Broadcast TA has been working with Dr. Glenn on the anniversary of DHMS' historical commemoration as well as Black History Month and No Place for Hate. For the rest of Black History Month, each of the groups in our TA will focus on a historically black neighborhood in Arlington. Links to all shows can be found here.
DHMS Gifted Screening and Identification Presentation - Thursday, February 10th 6:30pm 

Join our Resource Teacher for the Gifted, Regina Boyd, as she presents the process for gifted screening and identification at DHMS. Learn more about how your student can be referred, informal and formal screening, and the projected timeline. This meeting will be held virtually, and a link will be sent out on the morning of February 10. We hope that you will join us!
Mark Your Calendar: DHMS PTSA Meeting
Tuesday, February 15th 7:00pm

Come join us for our first DHMS PTSA meeting of 2022! We’ll meet virtually on Tuesday, February 15 @ 7pm as we learn about efforts to keep our school safe and healthy, opportunities for parents to volunteer, and upcoming school events!


Did you make joining the DHMS PTSA part of your New Year’s resolution?! Click here for membership details.
Teacher & Staff Breakfast Delivery: Parent Volunteers Needed! 

We're joining forces with our DHMS Leadership Team to serve our teachers and staff breakfast on Friday, February 18 @ 7:15 - 7:45am. Please join us at the school to deliver food to classrooms and offices on campus. No cooking or shopping required!


We are looking for up to 10 parent volunteers. Please meet in the main office at 7:15am. All parent volunteers must have a current approved volunteer application on file. You may complete yours here.
Morning DHMS Library Hours

Did you know that the DHMS Library is now an option for students before TA begins? We are open from 7:20-7:40am for quiet reading and studying. Students must scan the QR code on any exterior door and then proceed directly to the library. Contact DHMS Librarian, Ms. Shanker, with any questions.
Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) Science Symposium

The Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) is a science symposium held every year where middle and high school students present their original science research to an audience of scientists and other students. Students first work on turning their science projects into a scientific paper, which they submit to VJAS on March 2. If they are accepted in late April, they are invited to create a presentation that they will share with a panel of scientists and other students. Pre-covid, VJAS took place at various public universities in Virginia. This year, the symposium will take place virtually in May.

Students have already begun work on their papers, but it's not too late to join us. Please reach out to Ms. Shanker if your 7th or 8th grader would like to participate.
No Place for Hate Program at DHMS

The No Place for Hate® program is an organizing framework for K-12 schools committed to creating sustainable change that leads to improved school climate developed by the Education Department of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Participating schools are able to incorporate ADL’s anti-bias and anti-bullying resources with their existing programming to form one powerful message that all students have a place to belong. The goal of No Place for Hate® is to inspire a national movement led by students and educators who are committed to using the power of positive peer influence to build inclusive and safe schools in which all students can thrive.

To learn more or to get involved with No Place for Hate® at Dorothy Hamm Middle School, please read the letter to parents and/ or contact the No Place for Hate Coordinator and DHMS Equity & Excellence Coordinator, Dr. Glenn in room 118 or email her at  kamyka.glenn@apsva.us. With your help, we will make our school community a safe and welcoming space for all. 
Order Your 2021-22 DHMS Yearbook

Click below to order your 2021-22 DHMS Yearbook! Contact DHMS Yearbook Advisor, Abbey Gwydir, with any questions.
Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge! Remember to keep collecting your plastic bags and other acceptable items* to drop off at one of the locations below so that DHMS can earn the chance to win a cash prize and Trex composite bench!

When you are collecting or dropping off your plastic bags, we encourage you to snap a picture and post it on Twitter with the hashtag #TrexRecyclingChallenge and #Recycle2Win to help us earn a chance to win!
DHMS Drop-off Locations:
  • 2115 N. Quinn Street
  • 3500 21st Ave North
  • 4324 17th Street North
*Click here for the list of acceptable items. Please contact green@dhmsptsa.org with questions. Thank you for your help to reduce waste!
Dorothy Hamm MS Library Volunteers

Want to volunteer in the DHMS Library? Please complete your APS Volunteer Application and then sign up for hours here. We welcome volunteers for a couple hours each day. Volunteer hours are from 8am to 2pm. Please enter the hours you will be volunteering when you sign up, and email Ms. Tsai with any questions.
APS & Community News
Arlington School Board Meeting

Watch the Arlington School Board Meeting (2/3/22) for the latest updates from APS Superintendent, Dr. Duran, and the School Board. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.
ACE Interface: Building Self-Healing Communities - Thursday, February 10th 2-4pm

Please join The Arlington Resilience Community of Arlington County DHS’ Child and Family Services Division for their upcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Interface: Building Self-Healing Communities educational experience lead by Leonardo Espiña, MSW. The training is virtual and scheduled for Thursday, February 10th from 2:00-4:00pm. It is open to anyone who is interested in learning about ACE’s, trauma and resilience. Please use the link in the flyer to register for the training. 
Virtual Marcus Alert Town Hall
Thursday, February 17th 6:30-8:30pm

The Marcus Alert is a framework that establishes specialized protocols for first responders and behavioral health professionals when responding to a crisis related to mental health, substance use, or developmental/ intellectual disability. These protocols will help people avoid the criminal justice system by offering them the support and services they need. Attendees will learn about existing behavioral health resources and how they can help inform the creation of Arlington’s Marcus Alert system. See the flyer for the link to register.
Test-to-Stay Program Begins Feb. 14

APS is launching the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Test-to-Stay program to help ensure students identified as close contacts can stay in school as long as they test negative. Beginning Feb. 14, free proctored testing will be provided for unvaccinated, asymptomatic students meeting VDH eligibility requirements, at the Syphax building from 2:30-7 p.m. on school days. Program details and quarantine guidance are available online.
APS All Stars: Highlighting the Best of APS

APS has a new way to recognize our outstanding staff all year long! These individuals demonstrate excellence in collaboration, equity, inclusivity, integrity, innovation and stewardship. They are the individuals who help students succeed, make positive contributions in our schools, and go above and beyond to serve their students, families and colleagues. Recipients of the APS All Star award will be highlighted each month on our website and social media channels. Staff can be nominated by colleagues or anyone in our community. Nominate an APS All Star today!
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Scheduling

Arlington County’s Public Health Division is offering FREE COVID-19 vaccines to anyone 5 years and older. Visit the Arlington County COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Scheduling website for complete details, including clinic locations and hours.

  • Schedule an Appointment through VAMS
  • If you need ADA accommodations or require assistance scheduling an appointment, call 703-228-7999. 
  • Please note: Children ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive their free COVID-19 vaccine.
DHMS PTSA Reminders
DHMS Basics: Office: 703.228.2910 / Clinic: 703.228.2940 / Attendance: 703.228.2911
​​​Get Involved: Join the PTSA / PTSA Directory / PTSA Meetings / Volunteer
Engage With APS: APS Engage / Online Form / Open Office Hours / Meetings / Agendas​​
The DHMS PTSA Phoenix Post is a weekly newsletter that informs the DHMS community about DHMS, PTSA, and relevant APS and community news. Please send any newsletter submissions to newsletter@dhmsptsa.org by Thursday at 10am for inclusion in the following Monday's Phoenix Post.