Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA

PHOENIX POST

Monday, September 25th, 2023

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming DHMS Dates
  • 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)
  • Tuesday, October 10th - DHMS PTSA Meeting, 7pm
  • Friday, October 20th - NO SCHOOL (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
  • Tuesday, October 24th - School Picture Make-up Day


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

DHMS News & Announcements

Wishing our DHMS community a very happy Yom Kippur!

Look forward to seeing students tomorrow, Tuesday, September 26th.

This Friday! DHMS 6th Grade Family Welcome Party

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


The DHMS 6th Grade Family Welcome Party is coming up this 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.

Thank You for Supporting the 2023-24 Phoenix Fund Campaign!

Thank you to everyone who donated to the DHMS PTSA Phoenix Fund campaign! Thanks to your generosity, we have raised a total of $22,640 for the Phoenix Fund! With these funds, our PTSA will be able to fund many programs and events to support DHMS students, teachers, staff, and our entire community.


If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, you can do so anytime. The fund is still open if you'd like to contribute to support our PTSA: Donate to the DHMS PTSA Phoenix Fund


Stay tuned to for the final results of which TA in each grade with the most participating students will receive an appreciation breakfast.


Please contact Beth Ferrill with any questions, and thanks again for your support!

Order Your DHMS School Photo Package


DHMS Picture Day was held on Monday, September 18th. If you missed it or would like a retake, Picture Make-up Day is scheduled for Tuesday, October 24th.


Images will be available to view and purchase approximately two weeks following picture day. You can order your photo packages online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028552#login



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

Donate Your Used Sneakers!


Vote with your sneakers, are you on Team Seas or Team Trees? Donate sneakers and cleats that no longer fit and we will reuse/recycle them. To add more fun, each pair you donate will be counted towards the You Tuber Mark Rober and Mr.Beast competition of Team Seas vs Team Trees. Each dollar raised thru recycling will remove one pound of plastic from the water or plant one tree. Results to be shared with the school. Donate from Oct 3-Oct 13. Boxes near the front office. 


If you want to help with this recycling event and others this year come to the informational meeting October 3rd for the Green Team club, led by Ms. Thomas. Please contact PTSA Green Team lead, Heather Shinn, with any questions.

DHMS Clubs Are Starting!


Check out the clubs page on the DHMS website for more info. https://dorothyhamm.apsva.us/clubs/

DHMS Student Canvas Accounts


Parents can observe their student's Canvas account to stay up to date on course information and assignments. Find out how by clicking here.

DHMS Morning Announcements


Morning announcements are shared on the website and the Student Information Canvas course every morning (to see the Student Information Canvas course, you need to set up a parent observer account).

Pay Attention to Attendance


Check out the attached flyer from DHMS Social Worker, Ms. Katcher, about attendance in middle and high school: Pay Attention to Attendance

Join the DHMS PTSA for 2023-24!


A special thanks to the 20 total DHMS teachers & staff who have joined the PTSA! And we also have over 100 DHMS student members so far this year!


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 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

AWS Girls’ Tech Day


AWS Girls' Tech Day aims to inspire and motivate girls and young women to pursue interests in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Middle school students, grades 6 - 8, will enjoy an engaging opening session with a dynamic panel of STEAM professionals, followed by interactive workshops to explore the industry further. This event is complimentary to all participants and lunch will be provided.

  1. Saturday, September 30, 2023, 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
  2. Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia
  3. Register Online - Registration will close on 9/25/23 at 11:59pm.

ACBF Presents a Free Community Education Program on Youth, Drugs and Mental Health


The Arlington County Bar Foundation will be hosting a panel discussion titled Youth, Drugs and Mental Health. The discussion will feature speakers from Arlington Public Schools, Arlington Department of Human Services, and the Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. This discussion is geared towards providing parents and members of the Arlington community with information about the signs of substance abuse and what resources are available for our youth in Arlington County.


This event is free to the public and will be held at the Arlington Central Library on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. For more details click the following link:

https://www.arlingtonbarfoundation.org/post/youth-drugs-and-mental-health-panel-discussion-and-narcan-training-distribution

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. 

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
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram