Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA
PHOENIX POST
Monday, March 14th, 2022
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming DHMS Dates
  • 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)
  • Tuesday, May 3rd - NO SCHOOL (Eid al-Fitr)

Visit the online DHMS Master Calendar for the complete 2021-22 calendar of dates.
DHMS PTSA News & Announcements
DHMS Spring Musical: Annie Jr.

Congratulations to the entire cast of the DHMS Spring Musical, Annie Jr, on a great weekend of performances!
Tomorrow Night! DHMS PTSA Meeting
Tuesday, March 15th 7:00pm

Come join us for our March PTSA Meeting! We will have updates on community events, school announcements, and activities to share. Join us Tuesday, March 15 @ 7pm.

Zoom Meeting Details:
  • Meeting ID: 843 3334 8581
  • Password: 826347
  • One tap mobile
  • +13017158592,,84333348581# US (Washington DC)

Please contact DHMS PTSA President, Kristen Shattuck, with any questions.
iPad Update Message for DHMS Families

Please help your DHMS student prepare their iPad for spring SOL testing. 

1) iOS updated to 15.2 or above. Check-in with your DHMS student to ensure the iPad is updated to iOS 15.2 or above. TA teachers have shared this information with students. To update the iPad iOS:
  • takes 20-40 minutes
  • the iPad needs at least 50% battery to update or be plugged in to a power source.
  • the iPad needs at least 6 GB space to update the iOS. Please delete any photos or videos that are not needed for school.
  • open the Settings app
  • Click on “General” on the left then “Software Update” on the right.
  • Click “Download and Install.”
  • The iPad should update to iOS 15.2 or above. 

2) Is the iPad in working order? Please submit a student tech help request on the DHMS website for any of the following items:
  • the iPad is damaged/has a crack
  • the keyboard case is not functioning properly
  • 8th Grade only: part of the keyboard case is missing or the student did not pick up a keyboard case

We need all 8th grade iPads to be in working order for March SOLs. On the day that your student tests, please make sure they bring a fully charged iPad.

Thank you for your help! --Katherine Leon, DHMS Instructional Technology Coordinator
DHMS Spirit Wear Now Available!
Order by Monday, March 28th

Just in time for spring, new DHMS Spirit Wear is now available! Click below to take a look at the variety of t-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, and jammie pants available in youth and adult sizes! Order by Monday, March 28th, and your spirit wear will be delivered to DHMS after spring break (or available for pick-up for VLP students). We will also have select items available for sale at upcoming spring DHMS events. Please contact Amanda Sutton with any questions.
No Place for Hate at DHMS Update

Our Broadcast TA has been working with Dr. Glenn in efforts to roll out No Place for Hate at DHMS. We’re excited to collaborate with her! Check out the interview with Dr. Glenn to learn more about this program and how to get involved. With your help, we will make our school community a safe and welcoming space for all:


To learn more or to get involved with No Place for Hate, please 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.
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​​​​​​​
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

The Countdown Begins! The Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge officially ends on Friday, April 15th! Thank you to everyone who has donated, and please 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
Arlington School Board Meeting

Watch the Arlington School Board Meeting (3/10/22) for the latest updates from APS Superintendent, Dr. Duran, and the School Board. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.
The 2022 Your Voice Matters Survey

The 2022 Your Voice Matters (YVM) survey opens for families on March 14. APS and the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families (APCYF) conduct the YVM survey every two years to gather information on areas of mutual importance and to deepen understanding of youth and family well-being. Topics include safety (school and community climate), health and well-being, voice, and engagement.

Timeline and Survey Administration
  • Staff and students (grades 4-12) – March 7-April 10
  • Families – March 14-April 10

Additional information about the YVM, including FAQ, sample surveys and results from previous YVM surveys is available on the APS website.
Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Process

The Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2023 Budget was presented at the February 24 School Board Meeting and is now available for review online. The Superintendent’s Proposed FY23 Budget is a needs-based budget that ensures student well-being and academic progress; has a focus on innovation and equity; supports the recruitment, hiring, and investment in a high-quality and diverse workforce, including a focus on compensation; and improves operational efficiency. Visit the FY 2023 Budget Development webpage to view the proposed budget, view the proposed budget presentation, and to view the FY23 budget development schedule. Feedback on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2023 Budget is able to be submitted by emailing engage@apsva.us.
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.