Dicken Family Newsletter
2.21.21
Principal's Corner
Dear Families,
I know this has been a very challenging week for the AAPS community. I would like to relay the message I shared at our PTO meeting this past Wednesday evening. I believe it is more important than ever that we stay united as a community and I want you to know I am fully committed to that priority. I have appreciated the messages of both concern and gratitude, as well as the open and thoughtful dialogue at principals coffees and over phone calls. I take all of that back to my team and promise to always advocate for our children. I encourage us to focus our efforts on what is within our control at Dicken and continue to do the important work we are doing as a PTO for our Dicken Dolphins and Community at large.
Half Day - February 23
Tuesday, February 23 is a half-day for all elementary students and a report writing day for teachers. The school day will end at 10:53 AM for students.
Principal's Coffee - February 26
Please feel free to drop into our Principal's Coffee on Friday from 8:45 - 9:30 to share ideas, ask questions and make connections. I look forward to seeing you there!
Black History Month Assembly
Please join us for our Black History Month Assembly on Friday, February 26 at 1:45 pm. We will use the usual webinar format. The panelists will be our Dicken staff and the students on our Black History Month Committee. We are looking forward to gathering as a community to celebrate.
Black History Month Read Aloud
Please enjoy this read aloud of Mandela read by Mrs. Halabu.
Reading with the LINKS
This week's story is "What If..." by Samantha Berger. Thank you to Peace Neighborhood Center for sharing!
Parent/Guardian Support Groups and Workshops
Connecting Together, our Twice-a-month Drop-in support groups for parents and guardians of student's in AAPS continues in 2021.Connect with other parents to find support and get ideas about how to face the challenges of 2020. Please see dates and times and register here. We also offer parent support groups in Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Arabic and Japanese. See the dates for these groups and register for bilingual groups here.
Additionally, we are excited to offer: Pandemic Parenting: Parent Self-care and Social-Emotional Learning Workshops:
In this 2-Part workshop series parents will learn self-care strategies for themselves and how to reinforce the social-emotional curriculum in school. Participants can join for one or both workshops. Learn more and register here!
AAPS Rec and Ed Programs
Rec & Ed’s Winter programs are starting! Visit aarecedonline.com to register for programs for preschoolers through senior adults. Rec & Ed also continues to offer free programs for PreK - 8th grade students on Wednesdays and Saturdays, both virtually and in-person, outside school buildings across the community. Our programs are designed to keep kids active through fun virtual and outdoor activities, providing a safe opportunity to be active and social. For dates, locations and registration, click here.
Food Pantry
For those in need, Food Gatherers offers a Food Pantry at Peace Neighborhood Center every Friday from 10:00 - 12:00. Families do not need to have children enrolled at Peace in order to participate. Peace Neighborhood Center is located at 1111 N. Maple Rd, Ann Arbor MI 48103. Please call (734) 662-3564 with any questions.
Student & Family Help Desk Live Hours
The Student & Family Help Desk is available 7:30AM to 5:00PM, Monday through Friday. As always, families can leave a voicemail after hours as well as send an email to the help desk. 734-997-1222. Ayuda en Español: 734-997-1246
Helpful Links on the AAPS Website
- The AAPS Community Resource page
- Food Distribution Plan
- AAPS 2020-21 Calendar
- COVID-19 Metrics Dashboard
- COVID- 19 Cases Dashboard
All the best,
Heather
PTO News
Original Works Art Fundraiser
WHAT: ORIGINAL WORKS ART FUNDRAISER
WHO: Any Dicken Students, Parents, or Siblings
WHEN: Deadline to submit artwork is April 23, 2021, but orders will be filled as they are placed, so the sooner you order, the sooner you'll get your items.
Original Works is a company that takes our children's art and reproduces it on a wide variety of items. They donate a generous portion (33%) of the cost of the items to Dicken. This is the only fundraiser that specifically supports our art programming at Dicken.
In year's past, Ms. Erickson, our esteemed art teacher, led students in each grade to complete specific artwork for this project. This year, children will make art at home and send a digital copy of the art to Original Works and you can order online. Please let me know if you have any questions or need help ordering. Janine Hutchinson 734-913-9418 or jmhutch@umich.edu
Original Works Flyer - English
Original Works Flyer - Spanish
Community Night Out
Panera Bread at 903 West Eisenhower Parkway will be donating 20% of sales to the Dicken PTO for purchases made on Tuesday, March 2nd from 4:00 – 8:00 PM, you just need to present the flyer linked below (an electronic version works too) or enter PRFUND if you are ordering online. Panera offers contactless delivery and curbside pickup! Enjoy a meal you don’t have to cook and support your Dicken Dolphins. Be sure to tell family, friends and neighbors too!
Panera Dicken Fundraiser Flyer
PTOC Meeting Monday, February 22nd
Please join us for our next PTO Council Member Meeting 2020-21!
DATE: Monday, February 22
TIME: 7:00-8:30 pm
MEETING TOPIC: Let's Start the Conversation about Equity and Inclusiveness in our PTOs
Presentation by the AAPS District Equity Team
LOCATION: Virtual Zoom WEBINAR: PTOC GENERAL MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 2021 JOIN WEBINAR LINK
Due to the anticipated interest in this topic, we will be using a webinar format which will allow a larger number of attendees. This does unfortunately limit the ability of the attendees to participate in the meeting. There will be an opportunity to submit questions following the presentation by the District Equity Team.
JOINING INSTRUCTIONS
· The PTOC meeting will be conducted virtually on the Zoom Webinar platform Click this link: PTOC GENERAL MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 2021 JOIN WEBINAR LINK
· When you arrive, PTOC Reps and guests, we will have a google document for you to sign-in.
Find out more at our PTO Council website
Have an item for the blast? Email it to dolphinsblast@gmail.com. Blast items kindly requested by 5 p.m. Friday.