Phoenix Flyer #23

March 12, 2021

The First Week:  We have been so excited to see your sixth graders continue their learning in our classrooms this week!  They quickly learned the building, using a map to navigate the best route to different classes; they enjoyed eating lunch outside – we were so lucky with the weather this week; and they began to cautiously interact with each other, our support staff introduced kids and encouraged them to engage with classmates they didn’t know. Our teachers have their technology set up (new webcams and microphones) and are enjoying sharing lessons on the brand-new smart panels that have been installed in every classroom. Teachers have expressed that it is hard to pay attention both to the students in person and the students on screen – please encourage your Phoenix to be patient as we learn new techniques to engage both.

Next Week:  The DHMS Team looks forward to welcoming our seventh and eighth graders into the building.  Remind students to bring their backpack, binder, IPad, lunch and water bottle – it’s a lot to carry from class to class, but it should have everything that a student needs to get through the day.

Return to School Details:  Please know I have posted lots of our Return to School Information on the DHMS Webpage – and we continue to update this information as we learn and tweak our processes.  One recent addition is around the question, “What will happen if there is a positive case of Covid in school?”  Please check out the section called “COVID Notification Procedures” here.

Materials/Book Distribution:  Our DHMS Team will continue to have materials and Library book distribution at Door 1 on Mondays for virtual students.  We have discontinued our Thursday distributions. Students and/or families should pick up materials on Mondays. Ms. Tsai and Ms. Shanker will deliver library books to TAs – so continue to encourage your student to use Destiny Discover to check out books.  As well, after spring break we will be able to browse and check out in the library to find books!  Yay!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend.
Best,
Ellen
DHMS Principal

Upcoming Events: 

• Monday, March 15 – 4:00 PM, Parent Chat in English
• March 16-19 – Seventh and Eighth Grade Students return
• Tuesday, March 16 – 7:00 PM PTSA Meeting
• Monday, March 22 – 5:00 PM, Parent Chat in Spanish
• Tuesday, March 23 – 7:00 PM DHMS Act Two Musical
• Monday, March 29 – Friday April 2 – Spring Break
• Monday, April 5 – Synchronous Learning Day (“Gold Day”)
• Friday, April 9 – last day of Third Quarter
• Monday, April 12 – No School for Students, Grade Prep Day