Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA

PHOENIX POST

Monday, April 22nd, 2024

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming DHMS Dates
  • Friday, May 3rd - EARLY RELEASE (12:05pm Dismissal)
  • Friday, May 3rd - 6th & 7th Grade Dance, 6:30-8:30pm
  • Monday, May 6th-Friday, May 10th - Teacher Appreciation Week
  • Tuesday, May 14th - DHMS PTSA Meeting, 7:00pm
  • Tuesday, May 21st - DHMS Dines Out: Nicecream (Clarendon)
  • Monday, May 27th - NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
  • Friday, June 7th - 8th Grade Promotion Party, 6:30-9:00pm
  • Monday, June 10th - 8th Grade Kings Dominion Trip
  • Wednesday, June 12th - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, 9:00-10:15am (Reception to follow, 10:30-11:30am)
  • Friday, June 14th - Last Day of School, Early Release (12:05pm Dismissal)


Please visit the online master DHMS Calendar for all 2023-24 school year dates.

DHMS News & Events

DHMS PTSA Meeting Follow-up


Thank you to everyone who attended the April DHMS PTSA Meeting last Tuesday evening. A special thanks to the DHMS PTSA Nominating Committee members who the PTSA Membership voted to approve: Olga Kasyan, Diane Lee, and Heather McIntire. See below for more information about next year's DHMS PTSA officer and leadership positions that the Nominating Committee will be working to confirm over the coming months.


If you missed the meeting, visit the PTSA website for the meeting details, and contact DHMS PTSA President, Danusha Chandy, with any questions.

2024-25 DHMS PTSA Officer Nominations

The PTSA Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for next year’s officer positions for the 2024-25 school year. The nomination period will be open until Sunday, May 12th, after which the Nominating Committee will announce the proposed slate of 2024-25 officers at the DHMS PTSA Meeting on Tuesday, May 14th, and elections will be held at the last PTSA Meeting of the school year on Tuesday, June 11th. A great way to support DHMS and get involved with your student(s)' middle school experience, see below for the list of officer positions, and please contact the DHMS PTSA Nominating Committee at nominating@dhmsptsa.org with any questions or to submit your nomination. 


  • DHMS PTSA President
  • DHMS PTSA VP Communications
  • DHMS PTSA VP Community
  • DHMS PTSA VP Programs
  • DHMS PTSA Treasurer
  • DHMS PTSA Secretary


2024-25 DHMS PTSA Committee Chairs & Leads

In addition to the DHMS PTSA Officer positions, please consider volunteering for one (or more!) other PTSA leadership positions we will be recruiting for the 2024-25 school year. Visit dorothyhamm.apsva.us/ptsa/committee-chairs for a list of all the committee chair positions. New to DHMS families are also welcome, so if you know elementary school families who will be joining us next year, please share our call for volunteers with them, and contact the Nominating Committee with questions or if you are interested in any of the available roles.

End of Passover Celebration and Kick-Off to Jewish American Heritage Month


All DHMS community members are invited to join us for a special event on Thursday, May 2nd from 6:00-8:00pm to mark the end of Passover and the beginning of Jewish American Heritage Month. We’ll gather in the cafeteria for a communal meal, sharing of culture, and learning about Jewish traditions. Come together with friends and colleagues to share in the spirit of community and reflection. This event is open to all in the DHMS community. 


We need your help! Please sign up to bring a dish or other item and/or help out here.


If students are interested in helping us plan this event, we invite them to join us on Thursday, April 25th in the library for a special kosher for Passover snack and to hear their ideas. 8th graders can come during lunch (they can eat their lunch in the library). 6th and 7th graders can come during Phoenix Time.

7th Grade Parent Volunteers Needed: DHMS Promotion Reception Hosts


The DHMS PTSA is seeking 1-2 7th Grade parents to coordinate and host this year's reception following 8th Grade Promotion on Wednesday, June 12th. In past years, the reception leads serve as the following year's 8th Grade Promotion leads. If you have a current 7th grader and might be interested or have any questions, please reach out to Alex Voigt, DHMS PTSA VP Programs. Thank you!

Donate Your Used Sneakers!


Donate used sneakers and cleats that no longer fit and make an impact on the environment! Each donated pair will be reused/recycled and count towards the You Tuber Mark Rober and Mr. Beast competition of Team Seas vs Team Trees. 


Our fall sneaker collection allowed for 40 trees to be planted and 35 pounds of plastic to be removed from the ocean!  Donate from April 1 - 30. Boxes near the front office.


If you want to help with this recycling event and others please reach out to the Green Team club, led by Ms. Thomas or PTSA Green Team lead, Heather Shinn, with any questions.

DHMS Dines Out: Nicecream - Tuesday, May 21st

Support the DHMS PTSA when you visit Nicecream in Clarendon!

DHMS School Resource Room


The school’s resource room includes food, hygiene items, school supplies, and warm clothes. Offerings vary per month. Here are some of the items you can expect:

  • Food: pasta, rice, canned goods, peanut butter, cereals, snacks
  • Hygiene items: laundry detergent, soaps feminine hygiene products, toothpaste/brushes
  • School supplies: binders, notebooks, pencils, backpacks, lunch boxes
  • Warm clothes: jackets, sweatshirts, gloves, socks


The school social worker is also able to locate and order items by request. To make an appointment to visit the resource room, have items sent home with your student, or request items, contact Gabby Bomberg or (703)-946-9032.

Online DHMS School Spirit Wear Store


The online DHMS Spirit Wear store is open all year round! You may order anytime and items will be shipped to your home address. Select from a wide variety of tees, hoodies, hate, shorts, jammie pants, bags, and accessories in adult, women, and youth sizes. A great way to show your school spirit, and the DHMS PTSA receives 5% of sales. Click below to place your order, and contact spiritwear@dhmsptsa.org with any questions.

Order Your DHMS Spirit Wear Today!

DHMS Green Team Update

See below for the highlights that the DHMS Green Team shared at last week's PTSA meeting!

2023-24 DHMS Yearbooks Available for Sale


As we begin to wrap up this year, consider purchasing a Yearbook created by the DHMS 8th Grade Yearbook Class and Computer Teacher Mrs. Amna Ali. There are a limited number left to order. Last year we had to reorder at the end of the year – and books increased in cost by $20! Check out the Josten’s Website here to order. 


Can’t remember if you ordered? Look in your email for a confirmation email from Jostens – or call the DHMS Main Office, and they can check for you. 

APS & Community News

Cherrydale Farmers Market Returns!

Saturdays at DHMS, 8:00am-Noon


Open Saturday mornings, from 8:00am to 12:00pm Noon. The market location is, adjacent to the soccer field, in the courtyard on the southeast face of the Dorothy Hamm Middle School. Stop by on Saturdays to see what's new and check ing with your favorite vendors!

Yorktown HR Freshman Football Information Meeting - Thursday, May 9th 6:30pm


There will be an optional freshmen football information meeting on Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 pm in Patriot Hall at Yorktown High School. The head freshmen football coach, school staff and booster leadership will be available to answer questions and go over expectations and opportunities for participating on the freshmen football team. All rising 8th and 9th grade players and parents are welcome. 

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 / Phoenix Fund / Order Spirit Wear

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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