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Phoenix Flyer #17

Happy Wednesday, Dorothy Hamm Families –

My hope is that this Phoenix Flyer finds you well and safe. Daily, as I walk into our school, I’m reminded of the important work of Arlington citizen Dorothy Hamm, our namesake, and the history that was made in our building. The relevance of this history, and this work, drives the mission of Dorothy Hamm Middle School staff – and will continue to until every single student achieves the success and the future that they deserve. Please know that this work is vital to us and we welcome you into the conversation about how to do it best.

Talking to students about racism and violence can be challenging; our staff is here to support you. Please reach out to your grade level counselor or access some of the resources posted on our website for assistance.

Just a couple of additions to the very long message I sent you on Monday afternoon. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions – we are always happy to help and/or clarify.

This is the last week for “must do” and “may do” assignments. Next week, students will participate in end-of-school kinds of activities with teachers and classmates.  Please encourage students to engage with us through the end – teachers have many fun and thoughtful plans to help students wrap up this unusual year.

Your students have done a great job – we continue to have a high rate of engagement in Canvas over these last few weeks. This is a testament to your work as parents. Thank you for all your support! Just a few more days.

Best,
Ellen
Ellen Smith, Principal

A Virtual Book Fair:

Stock up on books for summer reading by shopping at the Dorothy Hamm Virtual Book Fair. We’ve collaborated with Read Early and Daily (R.E.A.D.), an Arlington nonprofit whose mission is to ensure that babies and young children have new, quality, culturally relevant books of their own that are mirrors and windows into their everyday lives and communities.

Every purchase will benefit our school, AND for every book you buy, a new book will be purchased for the children R.E.A.D. serves. You can shop from now until June 19. Books will be delivered to your home after that date. You can also purchase Teacher Gift Cards.

Please reach out to Ms. Shanker with any questions.

Summer Reading:

Speaking of books, check out our Summer Reading resources. We encourage all students to sign up for Arlington Public Library’s (virtual) summer reading program.

Refunds:  
The DHMS Treasurer will be coming into the building over the next couple of days to process refunds for trips not taken.  Please communicate with the teacher in charge of the trip about refunds.

Book Collection/Locker Cleanout:
Just a reminder to encourage your DHMS student to search under the bed, in the closet, or even the laundry basket for any classroom books, library books, or textbooks to return to school! Our teachers sent home thousands of books when we left – and we would love to have them back to use next year. Ms. Shanker sent out notices via email this week with the titles of books that your students have checked out from the library. If your student wants to check their library account, they can follow the directions here. If library books were left in lockers, they have been returned to the library already. Teachers are also looking in their classrooms for library books that were left there. Books from the public library will be returned by Ms. Shanker. And remember, students can check out books from our ebook collection all summer long.

Please check my message on the DHMS webpage for details about picking up locker contents and dropping off DHMS materials.  See below for a couple of additions (Sorry Ms. Whipp’s TA and Ms. Tosner’s TA!)

Monday, June 8 Tuesday, June 9 Wednesday, June 10 Thursday, June 11 Friday, June 12
Time Team 6A Dragons Team 6B  Griffins Team 7A Team 7B Team 8
8:00 – 8:30 Field Casteel Araya Arifin Barulic
8:30 – 9:00 Kennedy, S Donnelly Concepcion Ascenzi Carlson
9:00 – 9:30 Myers Foley Kroger Azzara Cobbs
9:30 – 10:00 Orange Garvin Marshall Brennan Compton
10:00 – 10:30 Palermo Holohan Metzger Hill Cortes
10:30 – 11:00 Partington Hutcherson/ Seneb Tuttle Johnsen Ducassoux
11:00 – 11:30 Redican Mann Westcott Schoenebeck Japec
11:30 – 12:00 Richardson Paris Worth Tosner Juengst
12:00 – 12:30 Scruggs Rodgers Whipp Kennedy, E
12:30 – 1:00 Smith Schlottman Loutsios
1:00 – 1:30 Tagert Zeballos Ratliff
1:30 – 2:00 Taylor Riley
2:00 – 2:30 Sanderson
2:30 – 3:00 Weiser