Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA

PHOENIX POST

Monday, June 12th, 2023

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming DHMS Dates
  • Tuesday, June 13th - 8th Grade Kings Dominion Park Trip
  • Tuesday, June 13th - 6th/7th Grade Phoenix Games, 8:15-11:00am
  • Tuesday, June 13th - DHMS PTSA Meeting, 7:00pm *Officer Elections*
  • Wednesday, June 14th - 8th Grade Promotion, 8:30-10:30am
  • Thursday, June 15th - Last Day of School (Early Release)


Please visit the online master DHMS Calendar for all 2022-23 school year dates.

DHMS News & Announcements

Wishing our DHMS Families, Teachers & Staff a Wonderful Summer!


The Phoenix Post will return in August 2023. If you are leaving DHMS, we will miss you! You may unsubscribe at any time (see link below). If you know new families starting at DHMS this fall, please encourage them to sign up at any time to receive DHMS PTSA communications.

DHMS 8th Grade Promotion Party!


Hi everyone! 8th graders had an absolute blast during the Hawaiian Neon Ball. The students had several different options for things to do. From games, dance, and photo booths to food, Kona Ice, and even raffles. The students were very excited during the night. 


Thank you so much to all the parents and staff members that volunteered their time to make this happen. Also, thank you to the parents that donated money. We were able to invite ALL eighth graders to come, even if they did not pay the party fee. The event was a success thanks to all of you. It certainly takes a village!

Tomorrow! Last DHMS PTSA Meeting of the School Year - Tuesday, June 13th


Join us tomorrow night at 7pm in the DHMS Library for our last DHMS PTSA Meeting of the 2022-23 school year! Or feel free to join via Zoom to attend virtually. We will be voting on next year's PTSA officers (see below for details) and also approving the FY23-24 DHMS PTSA Budget. Contact Khal Monaro, DHMS PTSA President, with any questions. Hope to see you there!


Proposed FY23-24 DHMS PTSA Budget: Please click here to review the draft budget for the 2023-24 school year, and contact PTSA Treasurer, Amy Erwin, with any questions.


Zoom Meeting Details:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87365099993?pwd=MUV0N1BYbUZaZlZVWkJORmVlTjNEQT09

  • Mobile +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
  • Meeting ID: 873 6509 9993
  • Passcode: 958264

Get Involved! Open 2023-24 DHMS PTSA Committee Chairs & Leads


The DHMS PTSA is recruiting volunteers to serve as Committee Chairs and other PTSA Leads for the 2023-24 school year. A great way to get involved and support our school, many roles can be done from home and/or as it fits into your schedule. You are also welcome to co-chair with a friend. New DHMS and rising 6th grade parents are welcome to volunteer as well. Please help us to spread the word!


Below is the list of open roles, or click here for a list of all the DHMS PTSA positions:

  • ACTL Representative
  • Audit Committee (Summer 2023)
  • Back to School Block Party Chair(s)
  • CCPTA Representative
  • Community Events Committee
  • Community Outreach Lead
  • Green Committee
  • Nominating Committee Chair
  • Reflections Chair (seeking co-lead)
  • School Picture Day Lead
  • Social Media Lead
  • Teacher Appreciation Lead(s)

Please email the nominating committee (Elizabeth Roman JonesOlga Kasyan, and Heather McIntire) to express your interest or if you have any questions. The proposed DHMS PTSA Committee Chairs will be announced at the DHMS PTSA Meeting on Tuesday, June 13th.

DHMS 8th Grade Promotion Reception

Food/Drink Donations & Volunteers Needed!



Thank you to DHMS 7th grade families for hosting the 8th Grade Promotion Reception after the ceremony on Wednesday, June 14th.


  • Food & Drink Donations: Please help us make this an extra special event for our graduating 8th graders and their families by donating snacks and water for the reception. 6th and 7th grade families are welcome to donate. Click below to sign up!


Or, if you don't have time to shop, skip the Sign-Up and have Amazon shop for you! Click to shop online: Amazon Wishlist - DHMS Class of 2023 Reception


  • 7th Grade Parent Volunteers: We'd love your help with decorations set-up as well as setting up and hosting the reception the morning of June 14th. Thank you!
Food/Drink Donations & Volunteer Sign-Up

Parent Volunteers: 2nd Annual Phoenix Games for 6th and 7th Graders


The 2nd annual Phoenix Games for 6th and 7th Graders is coming up on Tuesday, June 13th! Thanks to everyone who has signed up to help out! There are just a few more slots available if you're able to join us for either (or both) shifts for a fun way to celebrate a great end of the school year:

  • 8:15-9:30am (7th Graders)*
  • 9:45-11:00am (6th Graders)*


*Note the switch in times for 6th and 7th Grades. Game volunteers will be responsible for running the event as students arrive at your station. You will be provided with all the supplies supplies needed and additional details will be provided prior to June 13th. (The link to the instructions can also be found here). Contact Adrianne Bosco with any questions. Thank you!

Volunteer Sign-Up: DHMS Phoenix Games for 6th/7th Graders

DHMS Library News & Reminders


All library books are due. Parents of students with books that need to be returned will be emailed. Students will also receive a notice in their TA. Thank you for your help with this.


Summer Access to the DHMS library: Students may continue to check out ebooks and audiobooks on the Sora app over the summer. For directions on how to use Sora, click here. You can even add your public library card to have access to even more books!


DHMS Students: See what other DHMS students are reading or post what you read over the summer on the DHMS Summer Reading Padlet

Summer Reading Program


Sign up for Arlington Public Library's Summer Reading Program, which kicked off on June 1st. Earn fun prizes and tickets to a Washington Nationals Game! Register in the Arlington Public Library app or pick up a paper reading log at any library location to record your reading. You only need to read for any 30 days starting on June 1 to win prizes.

2023-24 DHMS PTSA Officer Nominations


The DHMS PTSA Nominating Committee presented the slate of proposed DHMS PTSA Officers for 2023-24 at the May 9th DHMS PTSA Meeting. Thank you to the nominees for volunteering to serve as PTSA leads next year:


  • President: Danusha Chandy
  • VP Communications: Dena Porter
  • VP Programs: Alex Voigt
  • VP Community: Lindsey Englerth
  • Secretary: Jane Wishneff
  • Treasurer: Amy Erwin


Details may be found in the DHMS PTSA Nomination Report (5/9/23). Any DHMS PTSA member may self-nominate themselves to be added to the slate of proposed DHMS PTSA Officers for 2023-24. To submit your intent to run from the floor, send an email to president@dhmsptsa.com by Tuesday, June 13th and include your name, email address, and position you are running for.

Rising 6th Grade and New DHMS Families: Opt into PTSA Communications


Help us spread the word to rising 6th Grade and new DHMS Families! We are looking forward to welcoming new families to the DHMS community, and would love your help to remind parents they may begin receiving DHMS PTSA communications if they choose to opt in. Click here to sign up to receive the DHMS PTSA Phoenix Post weekly email newsletter and other messages from the PTSA directly to your inbox.

Community Updates

Australia and New Zealand Trip Opportunity - Summer 2025


Big news, Dorothy Hamm parents! Your student has the opportunity to travel to Australia and New Zealand with me in Summer 2025. I’ll be going over all the details in my virtual informational meeting. Use this link to RSVP for the meeting: https://bit.ly/41KPZcW (This is not an APS sponsored Trip) --Aimee Puschkin, Ed.D., DHMS Student Support Coordinator

Arlington Science Focus School Alumni

Washington-Liberty Rising 9th Grade Families: W-L PTA Meeting - Monday, 6/12


W-L families and parents of incoming 2023-24 freshmen: Monday's 7 p.m. (6/12) General PTA meeting is ONLINE and will feature regular school updates and information from Principal Anthony Hall for incoming freshmen, including summer socials and orientation. Middle School families are welcome and encouraged to attend! Zoom link below:


https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81684078626?pwd=amhsaUVHVmdhckw5Z0VISWxsLzdXZz09

Summer Events for Teens at Arlington Mill


Calling all middle and high school teens! Join us at Arlington Mill for six great nights of dance, sports, art activities, snacks and more! The center will reopen after hours from 8 to 11 p.m. for you to hang out with friends, meet new ones and have some fun: June 17, June 24, July 8, July 22, August 5, and August 12. More information is available here.

Yorktown Cross Country & Track 2023-2024


Looking for a fall sports team that's inclusive AND will get you in great shape for other fall sports? Then come out for Cross Country at Yorktown High School! Registration is open for rising 9th graders and practice starts on August 7th. Your child will need an updated physical to join. Click here for more details.

DHMS PTSA Reminders

DHMS Basics: Office: 703.228.2910 / Clinic: 703.228.2940 / Attendance: 703.228.2911

​​​Get Involved: Join the PTSA / PTSA Meetings / Volunteer

Donate: Phoenix FundAmazon Smile (Search for "Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA)

Stay Connected: DHMS Calendar / DHMS Website / PTSA Directory / Morning Announcements

Engage With APS: APS Engage / Contact the School Board / 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 EOD Thursday for inclusion in the following Monday's Phoenix Post.

DHMS PTSA Website
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