Dorothy Hamm Middle School PTSA
PHOENIX POST
Summer Edition - August 9th, 2021
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming DHMS Dates
  • Monday, August 16th - Virtual Back to School Town Hall, 7:00-8:00pm
  • Thursday, August 26th - DHMS Orientation Day
  • 6th Grade – 8:00-9:45am
  • 7th Grade – 10:00-11:45am
  • 8th Grade – 1:00-2:45pm 
  • Monday, August 30th - First Day of School
  • Friday, September 3rd - No School (Labor Day Holiday)
  • Monday, September 6th - No School (Labor Day)
  • Tuesday, September 7th - No School (Rosh Hashanah)
  • Friday, September 10th - Back to School Driveway Party, 5:00-7:00pm
  • Tuesday, September 14th - Back to School Night
  • Thursday, September 16th - No School (Yom Kippur)
  • Tuesday, September 21st - DHMS PTSA Meeting, 7:00pm
  • Wednesday, September 29th - Early Release Day (11:54am)

Please visit the DHMS Master Calendar for all 2021-22 school year dates.
Virtual Back to School Town Hall - Monday, August 16th
Save the date! The DHMS PTSA is hosting a Virtual Back to School Town Hall with DHMS Principal Ellen Smith on Monday, August 16th from 7:00-8:00pm. Mark your calendar to learn more about the return to school and get your questions answered.

Zoom Meeting Details - Monday, August 16th 7:00-8:00pm
  • Meeting ID: 879 8240 3633
  • Password: Phoenix!
DHMS Orientation Day - Thursday, August 26th
On Thursday, August 26th, we will welcome all students and families to visit Dorothy Hamm Middle School, get to know their TA Teacher, and walk the building.
  • 6th Grade – 8:00-9:45am
  • 7th Grade – 10:00-11:45am
  • 8th Grade – 1:00-2:45pm 
Please save this date – but, if you can’t make this event don’t worry. This will be repeated the first week of school with students. More information will be shared in August.
Dorothy Hamm MS Driveway Party - Friday, September 10th
Mark your calendar for the Back to School Driveway party! We will welcome our new 6th graders and new students, and get everyone BACK TO SCHOOL! Teachers, administrators, parents, caregivers, siblings and students all welcome. We will have food, selfie station, music and fun. September 10 from 5pm-7pm. We'll need some volunteers. Please message Caroline Holt if you can lend a hand with setup, cleanup, activities or prep.
Get Engaged With the DHMS PTSA
Join the Dorothy Hamm MS PTSA for 2021-22 Today!
You and your family are invited to join the DHMS PTSA for 2021-22! DHMS PTSA members must renew each year (beginning July 1st) in order to vote on PTSA matters and join our community. DHMS PSTA annual dues are $10 per adult member, and $5 per student. Sponsorships are also available so that all DHMS community members may join the PTA.

Please consider a donation to the DHMS PTSA Phoenix Fund! All donations go to support the students, teachers and staff at Dorothy Hamm Middle School.
Open DHMS PTSA Committee Chair Roles for 2021-22
The DHMS PTSA is seeking volunteers to lead the following Committee Chair positions for the 2021-22 year. A great way to get involved, meet fellow DHMS parents, and support our school!

  • Phoenix Fund: We are looking for 1-2 parents to coordinate our annual PTSA fundraising drive this fall.
  • Teacher & Staff Appreciation: We'd love 1-2 additional parents to help plan events throughout the year, including Teacher Appreciation Week.

More ways to help! Here are other open DHMS PTSA roles to consider:
  • CCPTA Representative (all year; 1-2 volunteers)
  • PTSA Hospitality (all year; 1-2 volunteers)
  • Science Fair/STEM Lead (One event in January 2022; 1-2 volunteers)

Please contact Kristen Shattuck, DHMS PTSA President, if you are interested or have any questions. Thank you for your support!
Volunteers Needed: DHMS Back to School Events
We'd love your help with upcoming back to school events! Parent volunteers will be needed on:
  • Tuesday, August 31st and Wednesday, September 1st during the school day to provide support in classrooms and hallways for our Special Activities
  • Thursday, September 2nd in the afternoon to help serve ice cream to all DHMS students
  • Friday, September 10th - Setup and cleanup for the Back to School Driveway Party from 5-7pm, as well as help with activities and vendor coordination

Stay tuned for details on how you can sign up to help out!
New DHMS Family & Rising 6th Grade Reminders
Sign Up for the DHMS PTSA Phoenix Post
If you haven't already, sign up for the weekly DHMS PTSA newsletter by texting PHOENIXPOST to 22828. Remind your friends to sign up as well!

Follow Us on Social Media
DHMS Student Reminders & Opportunities
2021-22 DHMS School Supply Lists

Getting ready for the new school year? Remember to take a look at the DHMS School Supply Lists for 2021-22 now available on the DHMS Website!

DHMS Math Packets & Summer Reading

Math packets for students are posted on the APS Website. Students should complete the math packet associated with the grade level they just finished, and bring the completed packet to their math teacher in the first week of school.

From Ellen Smith's Phoenix Flyer (7/26/21), students should be reading for pleasure at least 30 minutes every day during the summer. There is a great summer reading program through Arlington County Library that might provide extra motivation.
2021-22 Dorothy Hamm MS Sports

Middle School Sports will return for the 2021-2022 school year! There are a variety of sports, including: Ultimate Frisbee, Girls/Boys Soccer, Tennis, Cheerleading, Girls/Boys Basketball, Wrestling, Swim, Dive and Track and Field.

If your DHMS student intends to try out they will need a completed physical form on file with Unika Dabney, our Activities Coordinator. Take a look at the Sports Page on the DHMS Website for more information.
2021-22 National PTA Reflections Contest Theme
The National PTA Reflections Contest Theme for the 2021-22 school year is "I Will Change the World By..."

Visit the National PTA Reflections website to learn more. We encourage all DHMS students to consider submitting entries in any (or all) of the categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, or Visual Arts. Stay tuned for more details this fall!
APS News & Announcements
APS Town Hall With Dr. Durán

Superintendent Dr. Durán will host two virtual Community Town Halls on Wednesday, August 11th to provide back-to-school updates for students and families.
  • Wed, Aug 11 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
  • Wed, Aug 11 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Spanish

Click here for more details, including information on how to participate, on the APS website.
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
Stay Connected: DHMS Calendar / DHMS Website / DHMS on Twitter
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.