PTSA

Join the DHMS PTSA!  Membership is $10 per adult and $5 per student for the 2025-26 school year. You can join online or download the DHMS PTSA Membership Form (2025-26) to pay by cash/check. We encourage all DHMS families to join the PTSA, and sponsorships are available.

You and your family are invited to join the DHMS PTSA. Your membership dues play an important role in funding our PTSA budget, allow you to vote on all DHMS PTSA matters, and show your support for our DHMS community. If dues are an obstacle, sponsorships are available so that our entire community can join the DHMS PTSA. To join the DHMS PTSA, you can:

• Pay Online: Join the DHMS PTSA online. The PTSA accepts online payments by credit or debit card through PayPal.
• Pay by Cash/Check: Complete the DHMS PTSA Membership Form (2025-26) and send it with your cash or check (payable to “DHMS PTSA”) to: DHMS PTSA (Attn: PTSA Membership), 4100 Vacation Lane, Arlington, VA 22207, or drop off your payment in a marked envelope to the DHMS front office.

Donate to the Phoenix Fund to support the DHMS PTSA! Thanks to the generosity of our community through your tax-deductible donations, the Phoenix Fund supports the majority of student, teacher, and community activities including back to school celebrations, school-wide social events, teacher classroom grants, staff appreciation, author visits, 8th grade promotion, and much more!

Every contribution helps, no matter how small. Thank you for your contribution to help make DHMS the very best experience for our middle schoolers.

The DHMS PTSA sends out a weekly email newsletter, the DHMS PTSA Phoenix Post, every Monday morning during the school year which contains key dates and important PTSA news and announcements.  To subscribe to DHMS PTSA communications, you can:

• Click here to sign up for the Phoenix Post and communications from the DHMS PTSA!
• Click the box to be added to the PTSA communications list when you join the DHMS PTSA.
• Opt in via ParentVUE under PTA Directory Information. You will be added to the DHMS PTSA communications list during the next update. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Stay engaged with the PTSA! Remember to follow the DHMS PTSA on X (formerly Twitter) or join our DHMS PTSA Facebook group to stay up to date on the latest Dorothy Hamm news and events!

Show your DHMS school spirit! The online DHMS Spirit Wear store is open all year round! You may order anytime and items will be shipped to your home address. Select from a wide variety of tees, hoodies, hate, shorts, jammie pants, bags, and accessories in adult, women, and youth sizes. A great way to show your school spirit, and the DHMS PTSA receives 5% of sales.

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

***The 2025-26 DHMS PTSA Directory is available.  All DHMS families are encouraged to opt into the PTSA Directory via ParentVUE in order to be included.

NOTE: The 2026-27 DHMS PTSA Directory will be published in the fall of 2026.***

The online DHMS PTSA Directory allows parents to communicate with other DHMS parents. You can search by Name, Grade, or TA for students who choose to opt into the PTSA Directory. Click to access the directory: 2025-26 DHMS PTSA Directory

In order to be included in the directory AND to access the directory, your email address must be on file in ParentVUE, and you must opt-in each year for each of your APS students via ParentVUE (under “PTA Directory Information”).

***Note to First Time ParentVUE Users: If you need your individual activation code, please contact the DHMS Front Office at 703.228.2910.To request your password to access the DHMS PTSA Directory, go to the Directory Home Page, enter the email address on file with APS ParentVUE, and click the “need your password” link. A password will be emailed to you. You may update your password under Settings once you log in.To make updates to your personal information displayed in the directory, please visit ParentVUE.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

The DHMS PTSA coordinated many programs and events throughout the school year for our community. To kick off the school year, the PTSA hosts a Back to School Block Party to welcome all new and returning families to DHMS. Throughout the year, we support the DHMS Book Fair, Science Fair, Spring Celebration Event, and other parent and family social events. Here are some of the annual programs the DHMS PTSA leads:

• Dine Out Nights: Support DHMS when you dine out at local restaurants throughout the year! Email [email protected] to learn more.
• Green Committee: Contact [email protected] to get involved in programs to support our environment and promote sustainability at DHMS.
• Reflections: Visit the Reflections website for more information about this National PTA art contest. Click to download: DHMS PTSA National Reflections Student Entry Form
• School Pictures: Victor O’Neill Studios hosts an annual school picture day at DHMS every fall. Contact [email protected] for details.

Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more information or if you would like to get involved.

To volunteer at Dorothy Hamm Middle School, you must complete the APS Volunteer Application.

The DHMS PTSA is grateful for the support of parent volunteers to host school programs and events throughout the year! Please contact [email protected] if you would like to get involved.

DHMS PTSA General Membership Meetings are generally held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm (unless otherwise noted).

Archives

2024-2025
2023-2024
2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021
2019-2020

Dorothy Hamm MS PTSA Budget & Finance Documentation

Archive:

2024-2025 Budget Reports

• DHMS PTSA Local Unit Bylaws
• DHMS PTSA VA PTA Organizational Structure Form 2025 (Updated and approved by the PTSA Membership as of 10/14/2025)
• Please visit the Virginia PTA website for additional details on bylaws and policies.

The Dorothy Hamm MS colors are gold, black and red, and the mascot is the Phoenix.For those of you who like trivia, here are a few trivia facts about the Phoenix:

• The Phoenix is a mythological bird from Arabia.
• The Phoenix has red and gold feathers and resembles an eagle.
• Only ONE Phoenix can exist at a time.
• The Phoenix lives for 500 years or more.
• When the Phoenix is old, it builds a nest made of herbs and spices like cinnamon and myrrh.
• The Phoenix is sacred to the Sun.
• The Phoenix climbs into its nest when it is ready to die, and the Sun lights the nest on fire.
• After death, the Phoenix rises from the ashes as a new Phoenix!
• The Phoenix is also known as the firebird.
• The Phoenix is a symbol of immortality, life after death and resurrection.