Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA

PHOENIX POST

Monday, August 28th, 2023

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming DHMS Dates
  • Monday, August 28th - First Day of School! (7:30am doors open)
  • Friday, September 1st - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)
  • Monday, September 4th - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)
  • Friday, September 8th - 6th Grade Family Welcome Party, 4:30-6:00pm
  • Monday, September 11th - DHMS Phoenix Fund Kick-off
  • Tuesday, September 12th - DHMS PTSA Meeting, 6:00pm (before BTSN)
  • Tuesday, September 12th - DHMS Back to School Night, 6:30-8:30pm
  • Monday, September 18th - DHMS School Picture Day
  • Monday, September 25th - NO SCHOOL (Yom Kippur)


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

DHMS News & Announcements

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!


Welcome to all of our rising 6th graders and new DHMS students, and welcome back to all returning DHMS families!


We are looking forward to a great year with our Phenomenal Phoenix Families and incredible DHMS Teachers & Staff!

Join the DHMS PTSA for 2023-24!


Thank you to everyone who has already joined the DHMS PTSA this year! If you haven't already, all are welcome and encouraged to join the DHMS PTSA for 2023-24! Your membership dues play an important role in funding our PTSA budget, allow you to vote on all DHMS PTSA matters, and show your support for our DHMS community.


Dues are $10 per adult, $5 per student, and $5 per teacher/staff. Sponsorships are available so that our entire community can join the DHMS PTSA. Click below to join online, or if you prefer to pay by cash/check, you may download the DHMS PTSA Membership Form (2023-24 and send or drop off your payment in a marked envelope to the DHMS front office.

Join the DHMS PTSA for 2023-24

Show Your DHMS School Spirit!


We have a new online DHMS PTSA Spirit Wear store this year! 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!

Order Your DHMS Yearbook for 2023-24


Check “ORDER A YEARBOOK” off your list! Click below for more details and to place your DHMS Yearbook order for the 2023-24 school year now:


Order Your DHMS Yearbook 2023-24

Submit Your Feedback! APS Middle School Boundary Planning Unit Data Review


APS recently announced a proposal that would adjust the middle school boundaries in order to balance middle school enrollment, while also moving the M.S. Dual-Language Immersion Program from Gunston M.S. to Kenmore M.S. The proposed boundary changes and program move would go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year. Under the new proposal, the walking zone for DHMS would be significantly decreased.


APS invites community members to review the data by planning unit for use in the upcoming Fall 2023 boundary process for middle schools. You can share your input by responding to the data review information available online in English and Spanish until Sept. 1.


If you would like to share your views with the DHMS PTSA Board and would like us to consider taking a consolidated stance, please fill out this form.

Upcoming DHMS Events

6th Grade Family Welcome Party

Friday, September 8th, 4:30-6:00pm


Welcome 6th grade families to Dorothy Hamm Middle School! Get to know your new friends (and see your old ones too!) and DHMS family at the 6th Grade Family Welcome Party on Friday, September, 8th from 4:30-6:00pm for all 6th graders and their families. This event is for parents and their 6th grade student(s), and just a reminder that this is not a drop-off event. Join us at Dorothy Hamm for a great time of games, music, prizes and The Kona Ice Truck! Please email Nicki Ferramosca with any questions, and be on the lookout for volunteer and donation opportunities. Hope to see you there!

Save the Date: DHMS PTSA Meeting

Tuesday, September 12th 6:00pm


Mark your calendar for the first DHMS PTSA Meeting of the 2023-24 school year! Join us at Dorothy Hamm before Back to School Night at 6:00pm on Tuesday, September 12th to connect with fellow DHMS families and hear from our PTSA President and other PTSA leads about what's ahead this school year and how you can get involved. The meeting will wrap up before Back to School Night begins. Please contact PTSA President, Danusha Chandy, with any questions.

Revised DHMS PTSA Budget 2023-24


As part of the DHMS PTSA Meeting on Tuesday, September 12th, our PTSA membership will vote on an updated DHMS PTSA Budget for the 2023-24 school year. Take a look at the proposed version, and contact PTSA Treasurer, Amy Erwin, with any questions: Proposed: Revised DHMS PTSA Budget 2023-24

Volunteers Needed: DHMS School Picture Day

Monday, September 18th


Mark your calendars! DHMS Picture Day is coming up on Monday, September 18th with retakes scheduled for Tuesday, October 12th.


We are in need of volunteers to help the day go smoothly. Please consider signing up to help: DHMS Picture Day Volunteer Sign-up



Contact DHMS PTSA Picture Day Chair, Krista Ratwani, with questions.

DHMS PTSA Updates

Open 2023-24 DHMS PTSA Roles


Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to serve as DHMS PTSA Committee Chairs and PTSA leads this year! We have a few open roles we are still looking to fill:


  • 65th Anniversary of DHMS Integration Lead: Work with the DHMS team to plan and coordinate this year's special events as part of the 65th anniversary of DHMS' integration
  • ACTL Representative: Serve as the DHMS liaison for the APS Advisory Council on Teaching & Learning (ACTL) by attending monthly meetings and reporting back to the PTSA with updates and follow-up items
  • Nominating Committee Chair (Spring 2024): Help with the DHMS PTSA officer nomination and election process to select next year's PTSA leaders


Click here for a list of all the DHMS PTSA officers and committee chairs, and reach out to Danusha Chandy, PTSA President, with any questions or if you'd like to get involved.

Calling All DHMS Artists! National PTA Reflections Contest 2023-24


Is your student bored? Need a reason to create? Have them complete one (or more) entries for the National PTA Reflections Contest. The theme this year is “I’m Hopeful Because…” Find more information about the National PTA Refections Contest here! Entries will be collected in September.

Online DHMS PTSA Directory 2023-24


The online DHMS PTSA Directory allows parents to communicate with other DHMS parents. You can search by Name, Grade, or TA for students who choose to opt into the PTSA Directory. For additional details, visit: dorothyhamm.apsva.us/ptsa/ptsa-directory.


To be included in the 2023-24 DHMS PTSA Directory, make sure to select 'Yes, please provide my student/family information' under the "PTA Directory Information - Opt In" section when you complete the APS Online Back-to-School Packet. The 2023-24 version of the PTSA Directory will launch later this fall. Contact directory@dhmsptsa.org with any questions.

Community News

APS School Board Advisory Council Applications


School Board Accepting Applications for School Board Advisory Councils for the 2023-24 School Year - Advisory Councils and Committees provide input and feedback on the instructional and support programs, facilities, and operations of APS. Click here for more information. 

Reminder: Complete the Required Online Back-to-School Packet


During the first week of school, families are required to complete the Online Back-to-School packet to:


  • Ensure your student's school has updated contact information on file
  • Opt-in or out for services
  • Review the handbook and learn about attendance requirements, student rights and responsibilities and more.

 

To complete the packet, log onto ParentVUE online or on the app (Apple) (Android).


Video tutorials and additional information.

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

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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