Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA

PHOENIX POST

Monday, September 11th, 2023

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming DHMS Dates
  • TODAY! 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)
  • Friday, September 29th - *Rescheduled* 6th Grade Family Welcome Party, 4:30-6pm
  • Monday, October 9th - NO SCHOOL (County PL for Staff)
  • Friday, October 20th - NO SCHOOL (Parent-Teacher Conferences)


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

DHMS News & Announcements

Contribute to the Annual Phoenix Fund Campaign!


For two weeks, let’s come out in force to support all the great work of the DHMS PTSA!  Donate today to help us raise $25,000 for DHMS by Friday, Sept. 22nd.

Your generosity is instrumental to the mission of the PTSA. We are hoping to raise enough funds through the Phoenix Fund Campaign to support all the great work of your PTSA, including:


  • Connecting the Phoenix through the weekly Phoenix Post and PTSA Directory;
  • Supporting our amazing teachers and staff through classroom grants, our phenomenal library, and staff appreciation events; 
  • Building community with the Fall Block Party and Halloween Costume Contest;
  • Organizing Spirit Wear, School Pictures, and Field Day;
  • Celebrating our students by supporting the 8th Grade Promotion; and much more!


Finally, we are running a participation contest. The TA in each grade with the most participating students will receive an appreciation breakfast. Every little bit counts!


Other questions? Please contact Beth Ferrill (Jack & Olivia, 6th). 

Donate to the DHMS Phoenix Fund Today!

TOMORROW: DHMS Back to School Night

Tuesday, September 12th


We begin the evening at 6:00 PM with a brief PTSA meeting in the Auditorium. At 6:30 you (parents and guardians) will meet in your child’s TA (homeroom) for a welcome and general information about school. From there you will rotate through your child’s schedule – skipping lunch and Phoenix Time, of course. Back to School Night is a brief introduction to your child’s teachers and classes. In October you will have the opportunity for a more personal check-in with each of your child’s teachers through Arena-style Parent/Teacher Conferences.  

DHMS PTSA Meeting Tomorrow Night

Tuesday, September 12th 6:00pm


The first DHMS PTSA Meeting of the 2023-24 school year is coming up tomorrow night! Join us in the DHMS auditorium at 6:00pm on Tuesday, September 12th (before Back to School Night) 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. 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

DHMS Broadcast Team Bake Sale

Tuesday, Sept. 12th (Back to School Night)


The DHMS Broadcast Team is hosting a bake sale on Back to School Night in "the Nest" on the second floor outside of the library starting at 6 pm. Please stop by and pick up a sweet treat. We accept cash, and all items will be $1-$3. (Your support helps us purchase custom t-shirts for our team.)

DHMS After-School Activities


After-School Activities (Sports and Clubs) will begin soon. Our Fall sports season begins today, Monday, September 11th, with Tennis tryouts, Cheerleading tryouts, Boys Soccer tryouts, and Boys Ultimate Frisbee! Please check out the DHMS Sports Page for more details – and remember, students must have a current physical on file to tryout.  

Mark Your Calendar: DHMS School Picture Day

Monday, September 18th


DHMS Picture Day is coming up next Monday, September 18th with retakes scheduled for Tuesday, October 12th.


Images will be available to view and purchase approximately two weeks following picture day. Save time and pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028552#login


Volunteers Needed: Thanks for those who have already signed up to help out. We are still in need of volunteers for the morning shift from 7:30-11:30am to help the day go smoothly. Volunteers will receive a $25 discount code to pictures! Click to sign up: DHMS Picture Day Volunteer Sign-up



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

Rescheduled: DHMS 6th Grade Family Welcome Party

Friday, September 29th 4:30-6:00pm


The DHMS 6th Grade Family Welcome Party is rescheduled for Friday, September 29th from 4:30-6:00pm! Parents/guardians and their 6th graders are invited to the DHMS Plaza to enjoy treats, games, and activities to build our community. 6th graders must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. 


Please email PTSA 6th Grade Welcome Party lead, Nicki Ferramosca, if you'd like to help out, or if you have questions about the event.

Join the DHMS PTSA for 2023-24!


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

Order Your DHMS School Spirit Wear!


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!

2023-24 DHMS Yearbooks Available for Sale


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

Calling All Phoenix Artists: 2023 PTA Reflections Contest


This year's theme is “I'm Hopeful Because ...” Interested students -- please submit your original work of art in one or more of the following categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. Fill out this form and submit it with your artwork to reflections@dhmsptsa.org or the main office by Monday, October 23rd. Check here to make sure your submission complies with your art category-specific guideline requirements. Students can also pick up the entry form and the guidelines from the main office. Reach out to reflections@dhmsptsa.org with any questions.

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. 

Saturday Teen Nights at Lubber Run Community Center


Calling all middle and high school teens! Bring your friends for some fun & games. Join in on sports including basketball and pickleball, try out esports, show off your best art project, meet some animals from our Nature Centers, play board games, and more.


Teen night will take place from 7-10pm at Lubber Run Community Center. Visit our website for more information, including the list of upcoming dates. Click here to register.

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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