Phoenix Flyer #29

April 30, 2021

Hello DHMS Families!

Instructional Model Choice:  Please complete the survey for APS regarding your family’s choice for Instructional Model (Fully Virtual Academy or 5 days In Person) in the Fall.  The selection is due by Monday, May 3.

Course Requests for 21-22:  Your Rising 7th & 8th grade student’s course request form (that you completed earlier this Spring) will be uploaded to ParentVUE on April 30th. Please take time to review and reach out to the grade level counselor no later than May 14th if you would like to make any changes. To access this information, please log into ParentVUE or StudentVUE; look at the menu on the left side and click on Course Requests to see the courses your child is scheduled to take next year.

Rising 7th & 8th grade students will not have a math course listed, as math recommendations will be provided at the end of the school year. Also note, while counselors attempted to register students for their 1st choice electives there may be times when those are not available.  In those cases, students will be placed in either their 2nd or 3rd choice electives.

Counselor Contact Information
Erin Pennington, Rising 8th Grade School Counselor: erin.pennington@apsva.us
Carrie Schaefer, Rising 7th Grade School Counselor: carrie.schaefer@apsva.us
Ronald Valdez, EL Counselor (Grades 6-8): ronald.valdez@apsva.us

Community Circle:  On Monday, May 3, 2021, the DHMS Student Services team will offer students the opportunity to engage in a dialogue about race and our country’s racial climate.  We invite 6th, 7th & 8th grade students to participate in this student Community Circle on Monday, May 3, at 1pm, during their Asynchronous Learning Day. Students should check Canvas for an invite from their Counselor.

School Pictures:  School Pictures will take place in person next week.

Traffic Safety:  Military Road and Nelly Custis Improvement Project –The County is continuing to explore ways to make the Military Road and Nelly Custis intersection safer for pedestrians, including possibly piloting a temporary roundabout in order to slow down traffic.  More information will be forthcoming – Look for a public meeting to be held the first week of June.

Parent Chat:  Monday, May 3, at 4:00 p.m.  Join Christine Katcher, the DHMS School Social Worker, and Brooke Zeller, the DHMS School Psychologist, for a brief overview of the roles of each and the ways in which they serve students and parents. Both have been part of the Arlington Public School team for several years and bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of resources. Please tune in to the Parent Chat where you will both have the opportunity to hear from them and to ask questions.

Upcoming Events:

• Saturday/Sunday, May 1/2 – DHMS Treasure Hunt
• Monday, May 3 – school pictures for DL students
• Wednesday, May 5 – In Person Pictures for Tues/Wed
• Thursday, May 6 – In Person Pictures for Thus/Fri
• Monday, May 10 – SOL Testing Begins
  • Virtual students will test in the building on Mondays
  • Hybrid students will test on the days they are in the building