Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA
PHOENIX POST
Monday, February 28th, 2022
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming DHMS Dates
  • Friday, March 4th - NO SCHOOL (Conferences)
  • Monday, March 7th - Parent Chat (in English) *Math Coach and Reading Specialist*
  • Thursday, March 10th-Saturday, March 12th - DHMS Musical Annie Jr.
  • Tuesday, March 15th - DHMS PTSA Meeting, 7:00pm
  • Wednesday, March 16th - Early Release (11:54am Dismissal) *B Day (Gold Day)*
  • Friday, April 8th - End of 3rd Quarter
  • Monday, April 11th-Friday, April 15th - NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)
  • Monday, April 18th - NO SCHOOL (Grade Preparation Day)

Visit the online DHMS Master Calendar for the complete 2021-22 calendar of dates.
DHMS PTSA News & Announcements
DHMS Conferences: Thursday, March 3rd (After School) and Friday, March 4th (Morning)

Conferences are a great opportunity to discuss your child’s academic performance to date. This Spring’s conferences will be held after the school day is over on Thursday, March 3 and in the morning on Friday, March 4. They will be short, virtual five-minute sessions with the teachers you would like to see. Please access this link to the DHMS Webpage for conference sign-up information and meeting links. On the day of your scheduled conference, click the Conference Meeting link on the DHMS website to join the conference at your scheduled time. Due to the limited number of reservations available within the time provided by APS for teachers to hold conferences, please consider only scheduling conferences if you have academic or behavioral concerns. Teachers can always be contacted via email in lieu of a conference.
Black History Month at DHMS

Watch the DHMS Broadcast news to see our segments about historically black Arlington neighborhoods: Halls Hill, Freedman's Village, Green Valley, and Johnson's Hill/Arlington View.
DHMS Spring Musical: Annie Jr.

Leapin’ Lizards! It’s nearly time for the DHMS Spring Musical, Annie Jr! If it feels like a Hard Knock Life for you, come on over to Easy Street to watch our talented kids take the stage for a memorable performance of this classic musical. Watch this space for ticket details and hold your calendar for Thursday, March 10 - Saturday, March 12. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and will be available pre-sale or at the door.
The Clothesline for Arlington Kids
Spring/Summer Clothing Drive

One of our students is doing a SPRING/SUMMER clothing drive to benefit Arlington's Clothesline, a nonprofit whose mission is to collect new and clean, gently used quality clothing from the community, and distribute it free of charge to low-income school-aged children (age 5-18) in a welcoming space. We are going to collect spring & summer clothes only. Please deliver any of these items to the box just inside the Main Entrance (Door 1). We are collecting:
  • Spring/summer clothes sizes 4T to 16 (no stains, pilling or rips)
  • Teen/adult spring/summer clothes XXS-XXL (no stains, pilling or rips)
  • New socks (in packages)
  • New underwear (in packages)
  • Bras, PJs, accessories, clean sneakers in excellent condition
  • NO sports uniforms, promotional tee shirts, baby/toddler clothes, books, sports gear or heavily used items. We want kids to feel good about their clothes.
  • NO used socks or underwear

Do you want to learn more about Arlington’s Clothesline overall? Email ben@clotheslinearlington.org​​​​​​​
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 for continuing to collect your plastic film bags for the Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge! Let's keep the stream clean by refraining from wish cycling and remember these RULES: NO FOOD BAGS (except, and ONLY except, Wonder bread type bags and carrot type bags); and ALL PLASTIC MUST BE STRETCHY (if it crackles, it's trash). 
DHMS Drop-off Locations:
  • 2115 N. Quinn Street
  • 3500 21st Ave North
  • 4324 17th Street North
The items on our chart are what we can accept. If you have a question about whether your item is recyclable, please ask at green@dhmsptsa.org.
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
Superintendent Proposes Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24

Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán proposed a $746.1 million needs-based FY 2023 budget on Feb. 24. View the presentation and FY 2023 Budget-at-a-Glance. The budget focuses on the school division’s core priorities and prioritizes resources needed to directly serve students, hire and retain excellent staff, and maintain excellent schools. The School Board is set to adopt the proposed budget on April 7 and act on the final budget on May 12. View the budget calendar, the budget release and additional information on the budget process.
Neighborhood Middle School Transfers

For the upcoming 2022-23 school year, APS is able to offer limited middle school neighborhood transfers in accordance with the School Board Options and Transfers Policy J-5.3.31. APS assesses the ability to provide neighborhood transfers for the upcoming school year annually, and following this year’s assessment, neighborhood transfers are able to be offered. Apply for a neighborhood transfer through the online application portal.

APS is offering neighborhood transfers to the following schools for the 2022-23 school year: Dorothy Hamm, Jefferson, Kenmore, and Williamsburg. Please visit apsva.us/school-options/middle-school-choices/request-a-transfer for complete details.
Neighborhood Transfers to Washington-Liberty High School

Arlington Public Schools (APS) is offering students who reside outside of the Washington-Liberty attendance zone and who will be in Grades 9-12 for the 2022-23 school year the option to apply for a neighborhood transfer to Washington-Liberty High School. This offer is being made for the 2022-23 school year because Washington-Liberty has space for additional students with the opening of the repurposed Education Center.

COVID In-School Testing Vendor Update

Over the past several weeks, APS has been working with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to address challenges with CIAN Diagnostics. VDH has advised APS to transition to a new provider, Aegis Solutions. Aegis will begin providing the weekly in-school COVID testing on Mon, Feb. 14. Families already opted in with CIAN received a text and email with a link to update their consent. Families wishing to opt-in can also complete the form online.
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.