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PTSA

Welcome to the Dorothy Hamm Middle School Parent, Teacher and Student Association!

Greetings from the DHMS PTSA! In order to receive the weekly DHMS PTSA Phoenix Post newsletter and other messages from the PTSA directly to your inbox, click here to sign up so that you can stay up to date on the latest school news and events.

 

Join

Join the DHMS PTSA!  Membership is $10 per adult and $5 per student for the 2023-24 school year. You can join online or download the DHMS PTSA Membership Form (2023-24) 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 (2023-24) 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

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.

Phoenix Post Newsletter

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.

DHMS PTSA Phoenix Post 2023-2024:

Phoenix Post Archives:

2022-2023
2021-2022

Social Media

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!

Spiritwear

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 spiritwear@dhmsptsa.org with any questions.

PTSA Directory

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: 2023-24 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 directory@dhmsptsa.org.

Programs and Events

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 diningnights@dhmsptsa.org to learn more.
  • Green Committee: Contact green@dhmsptsa.org 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.
  • School Pictures: Victor O’Neill Studios hosts an annual school picture day at DHMS every fall. Contact schoolpictures@dhmsptsa.org for details.

Please contact programs@dhmsptsa.org or community@dhmsptsa.org for more information or if you would like to get involved.

Volunteer

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 president@dhmsptsa.org if you would like to get involved.

Meetings

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

Date Minutes & Materials
September 2023 DHMS PTSA Meeting Minutes (9/12/23)
October 2023 DHMS PTSA Meeting Presentation (10/10/23)
November 2023 DHMS PTSA Meeting Minutes (11/14/23)
December 2023 DHMS PTSA Meeting Minutes (12/12/23)
January 2024 DHMS PTSA Meeting Minutes (1/9/24)
February 2024 Draft DHMS PTSA Meeting Minutes (2/13/24)
March 2024 N/A (Meeting canceled)
April 2024
May 2024
June 2024

Archives
2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021
2019-2020

By-laws

School Colors, Mascot, and Trivia

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.