Dorothy Hamm Middle School

Mental Health Fair & Screenagers Event
2025-03-20 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
We are excited to announce an important upcoming Mental Health Fair and Screenagers Event held at Dorothy Hamm Middle School for all Arlington County Public Schools middle and high school students and parents. This event is an incredible opportunity for our community to come together and explore vital topics surrounding mental health and the impact of technology on youth.
Important Event Details:

Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: DHMS
Who is Invited: All middle and high school students and their parents.
Special Note: All students must be accompanied by a parent. This is a no-exception policy for attendance.

The Mental Health Fair will showcase local resources, services, and strategies designed to support mental well-being. This event is an invaluable opportunity for both students and parents to come together and learn about mental health in a supportive environment. It is our hope that families will leave with a better understanding of how mental health and technology are interconnected and how to foster healthy habits in today’s digital age. In addition to the fair, there will be five engaging 30-minute breakout sessions to help you better understand and manage mental health, technology, and substance use. Here are the topics for the breakout sessions:

Safety Planning and Coping Mechanisms – Learn strategies to help students manage stress and emotions while creating personal safety plans for difficult situations.
Conversation Starters and Coping Mechanisms – Understand how to approach difficult conversations with your child about mental health and substance use, while equipping them with healthy coping mechanisms.
Police Liaison – Hear from local law enforcement about the current trends related to substance use in the county, and learn how the community is responding to these challenges.
Narcan Training – A critical session for understanding how to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses, including how to administer Narcan to potentially save a life.
Panel Discussion – Listen to first-hand experiences from individuals who have lived with mental health and substance abuse challenges. This session provides a platform for sharing stories and offering insights into recovery and coping.

Additionally, the event will feature a screening of the documentary Screenagers: Under the Influence. This thought-provoking film explores the effects of screen time and digital media on young people’s mental health and decision-making. It will address important concerns about the role of technology in our children’s lives and offer helpful strategies to navigate the digital world with mindfulness and balance.We encourage you to attend and take advantage of this informative and engaging event. If you have any questions or need further details about the event, you view the DHMS website or simply reach out to either myself, Gabrielle Bomberg, Quamika Wright, or Danielle Hatcher. We look forward to seeing you there and working together to promote mental wellness and healthy lifestyles in our community.

School Board Budget Work Sessions
2025-03-25 13:00 - 16:00
1:00 Budget Work Session #1
2:45 Budget Work Session #2
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

School Board Meeting
2025-03-27 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-04-10 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-07-24 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-08-07 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-08-21 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-09-04 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-09-18 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-09 19:00 - 22:00 and 13 more dates
School Board meetings are broadcast live below and live feed is available on Comcast Cable Channel 70 and Verizon FIOS Channel 41. The meetings are re-broadcast on Fridays at 9 p.m. and Mondays at 7:30 p.m. immediately following the meeting.
Please click on this link to watch live-stream: https://www.apsva.us/arlington-school-board/school-board-meetings/watch-school-board-meetings/.
Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Holiday - Eid al Fitr
2025-03-31

School Board Budget Work Session
2025-04-03 15:45 - 17:15
3:45 Budget Work Session #3
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2026 Budget
2025-04-03 19:00 - 21:00

New Date: School Board Budget Work Session w/ BAC
2025-04-08 18:30 - 20:30
Budget Work Session with the Budget Advisory Council (BAC)
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

End of 3rd Quarter
2025-04-11, 2026-04-10

Spring Break
2025-04-14 - 2025-04-18, 2026-03-30 - 2026-04-03

No School for Students - Grade Prep Day
2025-04-21

Grade 8 Integrated Reading and Writing Test
2025-04-24

Reading MAP Test for All Grades
2025-05-01

School Board Meeting (Action Item -Adopt FY 2026 Budget - Tentative)
2025-05-01 19:00 - 22:00

Math MAP Test for Grades 6, 7, 8 Math and Algebra 1
2025-05-02

Reading SOL test for all grades
2025-05-13

Grade 7 Civics and Grade 8 Science SOL tests
2025-05-15

School Board Meeting (Action Item-Adopt FY 2026 Budget)
2025-05-15 19:00 - 22:00

Sneaker Ball (6th and 7th grade dance)
2025-05-16 18:00 - 20:00
6th and 7th grade DHMS students are invited to the Spring Fling Sneaker Ball! Tickets are $5 and will be on sale during lunch only starting on Monday, May 12th and ending on Friday, May 16th. You may NOT buy tickets at the event. To buy a ticket, you must have a completed permission slip signed by your parent or guardian.
Dress Code is “Dressy Casual,” so dress nicer than you would for school.
Students MUST be dropped off and picked up by an adult. Drop-off is between 6:00-6:30pm. No students will be allowed in after 6:30pm. Pick up starts at 7:50pm. Drop-off and pick up will be along the DHMS driveway at Door 11. Students will not be allowed to leave the dance early unless they are picked up by an adult.

Math SOL test for all grades
2025-05-20

Holiday - Memorial Day
2025-05-26

School Board Work Sessions
2025-05-29 14:45 - 20:30
Subjects:
2:45 p.m. Special Education Inclusive Practices
6:30 p.m. Advisory Committees End-of-the-Year Reports
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

8th Grade Dance
2025-06-06 18:30 - 20:30

School Board Work Sessions
2025-06-10 18:30 - 20:30
Subject: Preparations for 2027-36, the Pre-Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

School Board Meeting - New Date
2025-06-12 19:00 - 22:00

8th Grade Field Trip
2025-06-13

8th Grade Promotion
2025-06-17 08:30 - 10:30
Doors open at 8 am.

Last Day of School (All Students) - Early Release
2025-06-18

Holiday - Juneteenth
2025-06-19

School Board Meeting - CANCELED
2025-06-26 19:00 - 22:00

First Day of Summer School
2025-07-07, 2026-07-06

School Board Meeting/Organizational Meeting
2025-07-08 10:30 - 12:30

Last Day of Summer School
2025-08-01, 2026-07-31

6th Grade Open House
2025-08-21 08:30 - 10:00
We hope to see you on Thursday, August 21, at the DHMS Grade Level Open House. Each grade is welcome to come in during their assigned time, find their TA room, meet their TA Teacher, and explore the building. Make sure to stop by the cafeteria for the PTSA Swag Table, Extended Day Contacts, and Clubs and Activities Information. Please walk if you are able, as parking will be tight.

6th Grade – 8:30 – 10:00 AM
7th Grade – 10:30 – 12:00 (Noon)
8th Grade – 12:30 – 2 PM

7th Grade Open House
2025-08-21 10:30 - 12:00

8th Grade Open House
2025-08-21 12:30 - 14:00

First Day of School K-12
2025-08-25

First Day of School PreK and VPI
2025-08-26

Holiday: Labor Day
2025-08-29 - 2025-09-01

Virtual Sixth Grade Parent Meeting
2025-09-04 19:00 - 20:00
Assistant principals and counselors will hold virtual parent orientations on the following dates. Check back here before the meetings for the links to join.

September 4 – Virtual Sixth Grade Parent Meeting (Teams meeting link) – 7:00 PM
September 9 – Virtual Seventh Grade Parent Meeting – 6:30 PM
September 11 – Virtual Eighth Grade Parent Meeting – 6:30 PM

Virtual Seventh Grade Parent Meeting
2025-09-09 18:30 - 19:30
Assistant principals and counselors will hold virtual parent orientations on the following dates. Check back here before the meetings for the links to join.

September 4 – Virtual Sixth Grade Parent Meeting (Recording of meeting) – 7:00 PM
September 9 – Virtual Seventh Grade Parent Meeting (Teams meeting link) – 6:30 PM
September 9 – Virtual Eighth Grade Parent Meeting (Teams meeting link) – 6:30 PM

Virtual Eighth Grade Parent Meeting
2025-09-09 18:30 - 19:30

Middle School Back-to-School Night
2025-09-17

PTSA Parent Connect Meeting
2025-09-17 18:00 - 18:30
The PTSA is hosting a “Parent Connect” opportunity on Wednesday, September 17th immediately before Back to School Night begins. Join PTSA members in the DHMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:00 PM. Get a chance to meet other parents, ask any questions you might have, join the PTSA and purchase DHMS Spiritwear!

DHMS Back to School Night
2025-09-17 18:30 - 20:30
Back to School Night is Wednesday, September 17th at 6:30 PM. You will have the opportunity to visit every class and teacher. Your student’s schedule (name, subject and room number) will be sent home prior to Back to School Night for you to follow.

Reading MAP Test, All Grades
2025-09-18

Math MAP Test, All Grades
2025-09-19

Holiday: Rosh Hashanah
2025-09-23

6th Grade Family Fun Party
2025-09-26 17:00 - 18:30
We’re excited to welcome all 6th-grade families to our Family Welcome Party! Join us for an evening of treats and fun designed to help incoming DHMS families (or existing families with incoming 6th graders!) connect and build community.
DHMS staff will be on hand to answer questions, and be sure to stop by the merchandise table for some gear!
Want to help? Email Erin Bracken (mom to 6th-grader Luke) at erin.h.bracken@gmail.com or Kelly Givan (mom to 6th-graders Ruby + Noble) at kruest@gmail.com.
Please note: 6th graders must be accompanied by a parent/guardian; this is not a drop-off event.

Work Sessions
2025-09-30 09:00 - 16:00
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Work Session on Planning Factors – Planning for Phase 2 Implementation
10:45 – 12:15 p.m. – Work Session on the Human Resources Audit Report – Update on Implementation
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Work Session on the Feasibility Studies
2:45 – 4:00 p.m. – Work Session on FY 2027-36 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Direction
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Holiday: Yom Kippur
2025-10-02

PSAT Testing Day
2025-10-08

AI in APS: Virtual Community Town Hall
2025-10-08 19:00 - 20:00
As part of our Year of Empowered AI Learning in APS, we are excited to invite you to a virtual Community Town Hall on Artificial Intelligence on Wed, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.

At this session, you can learn more about our adopted instructional platform, SchoolAI, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Learn more.
Spanish, Mongolian, Amharic and Arabic interpretation is available.
If you have questions that you would like to have addressed during the live event, please add them here: Community Pre-event Questions for APS AI Town Hall

Elementary/Middle Early Release for Parent-Teacher Conferences
2025-10-10, 2026-03-12

No School for Students
2025-10-13
Elementary/Middle Parent Teacher Conferences; Professional Learning for HS staff

Thomas Jefferson High School Information Session
2025-10-14 18:00 - 19:00
A representative from the TJ Admissions office will be providing an information session about TJHSST and the admissions process.

PTSA Meeting (in person or online)
2025-10-14 19:00 - 20:00
Please join us for a hybrid PTSA meeting. You can either join us in the DHMS Library or online. The link to join is here.

Picture Day | October 16 and 17
2025-10-16 - 2025-10-17
Pre-order online. Images will be available approximately two to three weeks after picture day.
Questions? Email underclass@vosphoto.com

Holiday: Diwali
2025-10-20

DHMS Family Life Education Night
2025-10-21 19:00 - 20:00
Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 PM (virtual only). The Health and PE Team will present information about how and when Family Life is taught in APS and at DHMS, and will share the opt out process for any of the FLE standards.
To join the Family Life Education meeting, use this link.

DHMS Gifted Information Night
2025-10-23 18:30 - 19:30
Regina Boyd, the DHMS Advanced Academics Coach, will share information about Advanced Academics and how Gifted Services are implemented in APS Middle Schools. If you have a student taking any intensified classes, this is a great presentation to join.
To join this meeting, use this link.

Early Release for All Students
2025-10-29, 2026-01-14
Countywide professional learning for staff

End of 1st Quarter
2025-11-03

No School for Students (Grade Preparation Day)
2025-11-04, 2026-01-30, 2026-04-13

Holiday: Veteran's Day
2025-11-11

School Board Work Sessions
2025-11-18 09:00 - 16:30
Subject:
9:00 a.m. – Advisory Committee Working Group
10:45 a.m. – Non-Traditional Secondary Program
1:00 p.m. – Grace Hopper Center Site Programming
2:45 p.m. – High School Schedules
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

PTSA Meeting (Hybrid)
2025-11-18 19:00 - 20:00
Please join us for a hybrid PTSA meeting on November 18 at 7pm.
You can either join us in the DHMS Library or online. The link to join is here.
Stop Battling. Start Building. Raising a Middle Schooler: Without Losing Your Mind -or the Connection.
Join parenting author Mary Willcox Smith for practical ways to handle the heated moments-calm. clear. connected.
November 18th at 7pm DHMS Library or on Zoom.
Raising a Middle Schooler-Without Losing Your Mind (or the Connection)
Kids push for independence, emotions run high, and we’re left wondering how to hold the line without losing connection. These tense moments matter most because they teach fastest. During this PTSA meeting, parenting author Mary Willcox Smith explains why-and shows a simple way to respond under pressure, set clear limits without blowups, and hand wins back so confidence grows. Come for phrases you can use tonight; leave with a calmer plan for tomorrow.

Picture Retakes
2025-11-21
Picture Retake Day is November 21, 8 am until 2 pm in Room 340.
Students will go by grade level: 8th grade during 1st period, 7th grade during 3rd period, and 6th grade during 7th period.

Thanksgiving Break
2025-11-26 - 2025-11-28

Early Release for All Students
2025-12-10, 2026-02-11
School-based professional learning for staff

Winter Break
2025-12-22 - 2026-01-02

Holiday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
2026-01-19

School Board Work Session #1 with ACTL
2026-01-20 18:30 - 20:30
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

End of 2nd Quarter
2026-01-29

School Board Work Session #2 with ACTL
2026-02-10 18:30 - 20:30

Holiday: Presidents Day
2026-02-16

Course Information Night
2026-02-26 19:00 - 20:00
6th and 7th grade will be virtual (link will be sent closer to the time)
8th grade – in person in the DHMS Auditorium
Slideshows and recordings will be posted after the event.

Middle School Information Night for Rising 6th Graders
2026-03-03 18:30 - 19:30 | Dorothy Hamm Middle School Auditorium, 4100 Vacation Lane, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
This event is for parents of rising 6th graders. Families are welcome to bring their child with them.

Holiday: Eid al-Fitr
2026-03-20

School Board Work Sessions
2026-03-24 09:00 - 16:00
Subject:
9:00 a.m. – Educational Technology – Focus on AI
10:45 a.m. – Inclusive Practices (Special Education)
1:00 p.m. – Budget Work Session #1
2:45 p.m. – Budget Work Session #2
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

School Board Work Sessions
2026-04-14 09:00 - 16:30
Subject:
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Budget Work Session #1
10:45 a.m. – Budget Work Session #2
1:00 p.m. – Budget Work Session #3
2:45 p.m. – Budget Work Session #4
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

School Board Work Session with BAC
2026-04-21 18:30 - 20:30

Early Release for High School Students Only
2026-04-22
Full day for Elementary/Middle school students
Professional learning for high school staff

School Board Work Session with Advisory Committees - End of Year Reports
2026-05-21 18:30 - 20:30

Holiday: Memorial Day
2026-05-25 - 2026-05-26

Holiday: Eid al-Adha
2026-05-27

School Board Work Sessions
2026-06-02 13:00 - 16:30
Subject:
1:00 p.m. – Early Childhood
2:45 p.m. – FY 2027-36 CIP
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Last Day of School (Early Release)
2026-06-18

Holiday: Juneteenth
2026-06-19

Holiday: July 4 (Observed)
2026-07-03
