Phoenix Flyer #7

October 29, 2021

Dear DHMS Phoenix Families,

The creativity, enthusiasm, and school spirit has been so strong this week – our students have taken to heart the “One Week, One DHMS” and celebrated every day!  Thank you for supporting our school in this fundraiser.  If you haven’t had a chance – the sixth graders were in the lead, last I heard…here are the details:

Today is the last day of the One Week One DHMS celebration to show our school spirit and #DHMS support through the Phoenix Fund fundraiser. There is still time to donate! The class-wide and TA competitions are still at stake.

Lots if information in this issue:

Safe Routes to School – Please review your student’s walking route to school. Two concerned community members have reached out about students running across fast and dangerous roads at random points, rather than at crosswalks or traffic lights. Students have been seen crossing Old Dominion Dr. at N. Thomas Street, as well as Lorcom Lane at N. Quincy Street. Please remind our students that they are expected to cross intersections at a crosswalk or with a crossing guard or traffic light.  At both of these locations the traffic is moving very fast – and drivers are not expecting students to dart into the road.

Personnel Changes – I’m delighted to let you know that we have had some success in filling a few of the positions that we have needed.  Please congratulate Ms. Regina Boyd – who will become the DHMS Resource Teacher for the Gifted.  Ms. Boyd is currently teaching 7th and 8th grade English – and will remain in that spot until we have found her replacement.  We have hired a number of instructional assistants to support classrooms – please welcome, Alfred Reid, Candace Barnes, Dawn Daley, Sunita Tamang, who join our amazing Instructional Assistants Team.

Equity and Excellence Team forming – Greetings – I’m Dr. Glenn, your new Equity and Excellence Coordinator at DHMS. Staff member, student, parent, or community member… YOUR VOICE MATTERS; and I would love to work with you as we build equity in excellence at Dorothy Hamm Middle School. If you are interested in being a part of the DHMS equity team please complete the interest form by November 12, 2021.

Rising Ninth Grade Parents – High School is right around the corner for our eighth graders!  Time to gather information and determine your student’s options.  Please attend High School Information Night on Monday, November 1 at 7:00 PM.  The event will be virtual this year and families will be able to access the event on the DHMS website.

VLP Families – We miss you – and want to make sure you and your DHMS student stay connected. Please join our PTSA to ensure access to key information during the school year – as well, please have your DHMS student reach out to Ellen.Smith@apsva.us to let me know which clubs they might be interested in attending virtually.

DHMS Fall Movie Night – Sponsored by the Individual Development Class and our FCCLA Club. Families are invited to join us for snacks and a movie on Friday, November 5, at 5:30 PM on the DHMS Soccer Field.  Students must attend with a parent or guardian. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate – part of the proceeds will be donated to AFAC.  Check the DHMS Web page for more details. As always – your collaboration and support are much appreciated.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Best,
Ellen

• November 1 – Last day of first quarter
• November 2 – No School for Students (Grade Prep Day)
• November 4 – No School for Students (Diwali)
• November 5 – DHMS Movie Night @5:30
• November 8 – DHMS Parent Chat in English (Virtual)
• November 11 – No School for Students (Veteran’s Day)
• November 24-26 – No School for Students (Thanksgiving)