Dicken Family Newsletter
10.25.20
Principal's Corner
Dear Families,
This week I've had the pleasure of visiting classes during Morning Meeting. It is wonderful to see the sense of community that the teachers and students have managed to create in this virtual world. I look forward to continuing to get to know the students and look forward to when we can be together in person!
New Staff
I am happy to introduce our new School Psychologist, Ms.Katie Williams. Ms.Williams will serves as school Psychologist at both Dicken and Skyline. We are happy to welcome her to the Dicken Community!
Reminder: Supply Distribution
We will be holding our next supply distribution this week at the following times:
Wednesday, October 28th 12:30 - 2:30
Thursday, October 29th 3:30 - 5:30
You may come on the day that is most convenient for you. Please wear a mask and remain in your car. Please write your child's name on a piece of paper in large print. We encourage you to ask as neighbor or friend to pick up your child(ren)'s materials if you are unable to do so, so that all students will have the materials needed to fully participate in class. There will be no staff in the building the week of Election Day to distribute items that were not picked up. The following items will be distributed:
Fundations packets for 1st and 2nd grade
Math Charts for 1st grade
Y5 “Letters & Numbers” Packets
Art kits for all grades
Halloween "costume" supplies - We know that this is a difficult time for everyone and in an effort to simplify things, we as a staff would like to encourage the students to wear orange and/or black on Friday, October 30th. For those that would like to dress up, the PTO is kindly providing paper masks with popsicle sticks and black/orange construction paper for kids to create their own masks / headbands / hats. This is completely optional, but we wanted to offer something that was accessible to all students. Teachers will communicate what time of the school day children are allowed to wear these costumes. As in past years in the building, the children would not wear their costumes the entire day. Huge thanks to the PTO for making this possible!
State Assessments
As you learned in the email sent by Assistant Superintendent Dawn Linden, all schools are required by the state to complete online assessments. These assessments will occur over the following two weeks of October 26 and November 2. Teachers have the autonomy to assess students based on a schedule and structure that works for them. Morning Meeting and lunch time will not be impacted, however specials and other regularly scheduled lessons may shift times. There may be asynchronous learning days during testing, which classroom teachers will communicate.
The tests being administered are as follows:
- Young Fives: No Testing
- K / 1st grade: ELA - Lexia Core 5 Placement Test / Math - Everyday Math 1:1 Assessment
- 2nd grade: ELA - Lexia Core 5 Placement Test / Math - NWEA
- 3rd - 5th grade: ELA - NWEA / Math - NWEA
A special request…during this time of assessments, we ask that you do not sit with your child and even consider moving to the next room. This gives teachers the opportunity to truly assess what your child knows without any assistance from parents. We are also making this request so that your child may grow in his/her independence. Thank you for your help with this.
We recognize that testing may make some students anxious. You can reassure them that this is just one tool for teachers to see what you know well and areas you may still need some help with. Getting a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast is important. Thank you for your support at home!
Student Lighthouse Team
Calling all Leaders!
The Student Lighthouse Team is accepting applications for new members! Please click the link to learn more about how to apply.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Brogno at brognoj@aaps.k12.mi.us
MyON
Over the last week or two, your student has been introduced to MyON. MyON is a personalized digital library that gives your student access to over 6,000 book titles. Students have the ability to search for texts that interest them, have books read aloud to them, and annotate and make notes on the text. MyON is accessible through Clever. Please feel free to reach out to Lauren York, our Building Literacy Expert, if you have any questions about this new program - yorkl@aaps.k12.mi.us
Free Academic Support Resources
A number of local groups and organizations are offering free academic support for AAPS students. These free resources are primarily provided by U-M students and community volunteers. View Free Academic Support Resources Here.
Reminder: Virtual Principal's Coffee
Our first Principal's Coffee will take place this Friday, October 30th from 9:00 - 10:00 am. Feel free to pop in to make connections, ask questions, and enjoy conversation. Please use this Zoom link to join.
Connecting Together: An AAPS Parent/Guardian Support Group
Twice-a-month Drop-in support groups for parents and guardians of students in AAPS. Groups meet on the 2nd Tuesday (7:30-8:30 PM) and 4th Thursday (1-2PM) of the month. Connect with other parents to find support and get ideas about how to face the challenges of 2020. Please register here. Last year, parents who participated in an AAPS parent support group consistently reported that they found it helpful, and appreciated hearing from and connecting with other parents going through similar struggles.
Connections+ Guidelines and Tips
AAPS has created a Guide to support families who have created learning groups for AAPS students. The Guide includes hints and tips, safety information and free community resources.
View the Connections+ Guide here.
SISS Website
The district has created a new SISS Resources Site with several tips and information. If you have questions or needs regarding special education services, please take a look.
The AADL is now offering Shelf Service for all patrons!
What is Shelf Service? This is a brand-new service parents/kids can use to request books. Instead of having to know a specific title to reserve a book, a reader can visit the link above and request a book by genre, topic, and/or grade level. A friendly librarian will select a bag full of books for the reader so the parents can go pick it up.
Tech Support
Please remember that you can always email or call the Tech Family Help Desk with any issues:
family_techsupport@aaps.k12.mi.us
734-997-1222
Ayuda en Español: 734-997-1246
Families who need access to better Wifi can complete the Student Mobile Device Hotspot Form
Attendance Notes
If your child(ren) will be absent from school, please report all absences to dicken@aaps.k12.mi.us or leave a voicemail message at 734-994-1928.
Wishing you a fantastic week!
All the best,
Heather
PTO News
Have an item for the blast? Email it to dolphinsblast@gmail.com. Blast items kindly requested by 5 p.m. Friday.
The Dicken PTO presents: The Fall Family Fun Scavenger Hunt
Dicken Dolphins, let's get outside and have some FUN! We had such wonderful feedback from the yard signs and pinwheels that we wanted to have another community building activity for you to enjoy.
The PTO has created a fun Scavenger Hunt for you and your family to enjoy, snap pictures (or make drawings) of as many items on the checklist as you can and win some prizes. Your family team can work together to find items and then submit 2-3 of your favorite pictures through an entry form on google. Please also use the hashtag #dickendolphins if you post pictures to your social media so we can share the excitement and fun with other Dicken families.
Completing the form will also enter you to win gift cards to local businesses. The more participants we have, the more prizes that there will be. There will be a live drawing of winners at the November 12th PTO meeting.