Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA

PHOENIX POST

Monday, June 13th, 2022

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming DHMS Dates
  • Tuesday, June 14th - DHMS 8th Grade Kings Dominion Field Trip, 8:00am-5:30pm
  • Tuesday, June 14th - DHMS PTSA Meeting, 7:00pm @ DHMS
  • Wednesday, June 15th - DHMS 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, 8:30am
  • Wednesday, June 15th - DHMS 6th Grade End of Year Party, 1:00-2:00pm
  • Thursday, June 16th - Last Day of School (Early Release)


Stay tuned this summer for back to school and 2022-23 school year dates!

DHMS PTSA Updates

Welcome to the last issue of the DHMS PTSA Phoenix Post for the 2021-22 school year! We wish the best of luck to our graduating and departing families. Have a wonderful last week of school, and enjoy the end of year festivities!

PTA

Last DHMS PTSA Meeting of the Year! Tomorrow: Tuesday, June 14th 7pm


Join us IN-PERSON at DHMS for our last DHMS PTSA Meeting of the school year tomorrow, Tuesday, June 14th, at 7pm! We will gather outside in the DHMS plaza (driveway/field side of the school) for a chance to get together as a community. For those who prefer to participate virtually, we will have a Zoom link available (meeting details below). 


We will share updates on the last activities of the school year, thank our outgoing board members and committee chairs, review the current and proposed PTA budget, as well as hold 2022-23 DHMS PTSA officer elections electronically. 


Proposed 2022-23 DHMS PTSA Budget: The DHMS PTSA Membership will be voting to approve next year's budget. Please review the Proposed 2022-23 DHMS PTSA Budget, and contact DHMS PTSA Treasurer, Kami Ragsdale, with any questions.


Proposed Changes to 2021-22 DHMS PTSA Budget: In addition, we will be voting on a revised DHMS PTSA Budget for the current 2021-22 school year with the following updates:

  • Increase DHMS Community Events by $1,000 offset by a reduction in Check-In Program of $500 and Clubs & Activities Grants of $500. 
  • Increase Spirit Wear by $200 offset by a reduction in Membership Sponsorships of $200.
  • The net change to the overall budget is $0 as the revised budget remains at a $3,000 loss which is the same as the original budget.
  • Please review the Proposed Revised 2021-22 DHMS PTSA Budget, and reach out to DHMS PTSA Treasurer, Kami Ragsdale, with questions.


Proposed DHMS PTSA Officers for 2022-23: The electronic ballot will be sent out tomorrow morning, Tuesday, June 14th:

  • President: Khaleen Monaro (self-nominated)
  • VP Communications: Dena Porter
  • VP Programs: Christa Mansur
  • VP Community: Danusha Chandy
  • Secretary: Angela Huskey
  • Treasurer: Amy Erwin


Zoom Meeting Details:

Volunteers Needed: Open 2022-23 DHMS PTSA Committee Chairs


The DHMS PTSA has a number of open positions for the 2022-23 school year. We need your help to ensure the success of our PTSA programs and events next year! Most immediately, we are seeking volunteers for:


  • Teacher Appreciation Chair(s): Show thanks to our amazing DHMS teachers & staff throughout the year and during Teacher Appreciation Week! Feel free to co-chair with another lead (or two!)
  • ACTL Representative: Serve as the DHMS representative at monthly Advisory Council on Teacher & Learning meetings
  • CCPTA Representative: Represent the DHMS PTSA at monthly Arlington County Council of PTAs (CCPTA) meetings
  • Reflections Chair: Serve as the DHMS lead for the annual National PTA Reflections art contest to collect entires, coordinate judging, and recognize participants


Additional DHMS PTSA Open Roles to support the PTSA next year:

  • 8th Grade Promotion (2023)
  • Community Outreach
  • Historical Commemoration
  • Nominating Committee (2023)
  • PTSA Hospitality (for PTSA Meetings)


Please click here to review all the role descriptions, and contact Kristen Shattuck, DHMS PTSA President, Susan NewtonMadelon Brennan, or Julie Madison to volunteer.

DHMS News & Announcements

DHMS 8th Grade Promotion Party Thank You!


Let's Glow was a fabulous night, thanks to our incredible Class of 2022!!!! Over 250 8th Graders enjoyed a DJ, light-up mini golf, pony hoppers, the most gigantic foosball table you have ever seen, basketball, relays, raffle prizes, a photo booth, and a feast fit for....well, teenagers who like junk food :) Class of 2022, thanks for bringing your positive energy to the Promotion Party! We will miss you at DHMS!


We truly could not have hosted this party without the incredible efforts of our wonderful DHMS parents. Your outpouring of financial donations, volunteering your time and energy, providing decorations and fun favors from our Amazon Wishlist -- we have over 120 8th Grade families who provided generous donations of time, talent, treats, and treasure. Many thanks!


The PTSA appreciates the efforts of the many DHMS teachers and staff who came to supervise, support, and celebrate our great kids! Special thanks to our custodial staff for all of the assistance to get the building ready for this huge event, led by Rosa Torres and Pedro Perez.


Finally, huge kudos to our fantastic, organized, dedicated, and fun group of moms who served on the 8th Grade Promotion Committee: Alise Troester and Kristin Woody, chairs, and subcommittee leads Krista Berquist, Madelon Brennan, Carrie Dunn, Melissa Hardt, Christa Mansur, Susan Rau, and Kristen Shattuck.

Let's Glow

DHMS Promotion Ceremony Reception


Huge thanks to our 7th Grade parents for hosting the DHMS promotion ceremony reception on the plaza this Wednesday, June 15. We appreciate the refreshments, photo ops, creativity and dedication to sending our 8th graders and their families off to high school with one last DHMS hurrah! Special thanks to Karen Appel and Christine Davenport for leading this endeavor. 7th grade parents who are interested to help, please sign up here.

Popsicles

DHMS 6th Grade End of Year Party


CONGRATULATIONS to our wonderful 6th graders, the official winners of the inaugural PHOENIX GAMES! They win a class party which the PTSA will co-host on Wednesday, June 15th with our awesome 6th grade teachers. Thanks to the many parents who have signed up to donate snacks, drinks, and volunteer their time on Wednesday, June 15th from 1-2pm on the DHMS Field: DHMS 6th Grade End of Year Party Volunteer Sign-up

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All DHMS Library Books Due Now


All library books are now due. Please ask your student to return their books to the library as soon as possible. Parents will receive an email from Ms. Shanker if their student has one or more books that they need to return. Students can also check their library accounts in Destiny Discover (the link is in the Library Canvas page). Students may still check out ebooks and audiobooks from the DHMS library for the rest of the year and all summer long.

DHMS Library Volunteers


We welcome volunteers for a couple hours each day in the DHMS Library. Volunteer hours are anytime between 8am to 2pm. Please click here to sign up, and enter the hours you will be volunteering in the comments. Make sure to complete your APS Volunteer Application if you haven't already, and email Ms. Tsai with any questions.

APS & Community News

Save the Date: Events for Rising 9th Graders @ Washington-Liberty HS


For rising 9th graders attending Washington-Liberty HS in the fall, please save the dates for the following optional open house and orientation activities:


  • Tuesday, 8/23 -- 6-8pm -- Ice Cream social and open house open to all grades 9-12
  • Wednesday, 8/24 -- 7-8:30pm -- 9th grade Virtual Orientation - this is virtual to accommodate the class of 600 students. There will also be several opportunities for in-person.
  • Thursday, 8/25 -- Time TBD -- Open House with Activity Fair. Open to all grades 9-12. 


Stay tuned for additional social opportunities throughout the summer to provide opportunities to meet with the W-L HS administration.

New Student Orientation for Rising 9th Graders @ Yorktown High School


Calling all rising 9th Graders starting at Yorktown HS this fall! Save the date for these important upcoming orientation events:


  • Wednesday, August 17th - School Tours (stay tuned for details)
  • Wednesday, August 24th 6:00-7:00pm - 9th Grade Orientation for Parents & Students
  • Thursday, August 25th 10-11:30am - Opportunity to walk the Yorktown HS building
  • Monday, August 29th - First Day of School! - Two hour delay for 10th-12th graders so that 9th graders will have a chance to meet with their Advisory, get to know YHS, and enjoy a Welcome Back Assembly with the Yorktown HS band.

Arlington Public Library Summer Reading Program


Everyone in your family can now sign up for Arlington Public Library's summer reading program. 


Between June 1 and September 1, the Library will offer over 500 free events for all ages and interests. All you have to do is register on the library app or website starting June 1. Log your reading for 30 days throughout the summer to complete the program.


For each reader who completes the Summer Reading challenge the Washington Nationals will offer one voucher (good for two tickets) to select baseball games in August and September. You will also win a free book OR a coupon for one free book from any Friends of the Library bookstore.

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APS Meals Update for Summer and Next School Year


APS has been offering free meals for all since the onset of the pandemic as part of a USDA waiver. Congress has not extended the waiver past June, meaning that meals will no longer be provided free of charge for all students in Summer School and for the upcoming school year. APS is awaiting details on the cost of meals and will send additional information when available. Families with children attending summer school, who believe they may qualify for free or reduced-price meals, are encouraged to apply online for meal benefits by June 30. Learn more online, and click here for a flyer with additional details.

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.
DHMS PTSA Website
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