Dorothy Hamm Middle School

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

School Board Meeting/Organizational Meeting
2025-07-08 10:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
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.

School Board Meeting
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, 2025-10-23 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-11-13 19:00 - 22:00 and 11 more dates

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

APS Summer Activities Fair
2026-01-14 18:00 - 20:00

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

CANCELED:APS Teen Health & Wellness Fair
2026-01-30 13:00 - 16:00
EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

CANCELED - Teen Health & Wellness Fair
2026-01-30 13:00 - 16:00

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

Holiday: Presidents Day
2026-02-16

Course Information Night
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:00
Parent Course Information Night
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.

Spring Break
2026-03-30 - 2026-04-03

End of 3rd Quarter
2026-04-10

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
