Dicken Family Newsletter
1.26.24
Principal's Corner
Dear Families,
Thank you for your patience this week and last with the many snow days! We know how challenging this can be for families. We were so happy to finish out the week together and hopefully we'll have more dry days ahead in February!
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, January 30 - Winter Walk! (Inclement Weather Back Up Date: Thursday, February 1)
Wednesday, January 31 - Early Release, 1:00 Dismissal
Thursday, February 8 - Community Night Out - Buddy's Pizza
Monday, February 12 - 10:00 Student Lighthouse Team Assembly - Parents are welcome / Parent Involvement Day / NAAPID (More details to come)
Friday, February 16 - Tuesday, February 20 - No School - Mid-Winter Break
Wednesday, February 21 - School Resumes
Thursday, February 22 - Kindergarten Round Up, 6:00 - 7:00 pm - Spread the Word!
Tuesday, February 27 - No School - Election Day
AAPS Enrollment for 2024-25
A reminder that enrollment for the 2024-25 school year opened on Monday, January 8th. The first application window for AAPS In-District Transfer and the ONLY application window for the Community High Lottery and Ann Arbor Open Lottery is Monday, January 8, 2024, to Wednesday, February 14, 2024. This first AAPS In-District Transfer Window only applies to those seeking a placement other than their geographically assigned school for the fall of 2024 at the following levels: Young-Fives, Grades 9 & 10, and Grade 11 for IB. Enrollment is open for new families to apply to their neighborhood school for next year as well. More information about enrollment can be found here.
***If you have a child who will be enrolling in our Young 5s program, please apply during this enrollment period. Spaces can fill up quickly. This includes families who live in Dicken’s attendance area. You MUST apply during this window as well. More information on Young 5s and Kindergarten can be found here.
The Character Effect
During this short week, students learned about the character strength of "judgment". A parent connection can be found below.
Food Drive for Food Gatherers!
1st and 2nd Grade Student Lighthouse Team is sponsoring a Food Drive for Food Gatherers!!
Monday, 2/5 -- Monday 2/12
We will be collecting donations in a few different ways:
1. Students can bring them to their classrooms and a SLT member will put them in the collection boxes.
2. Students and families can put donations directly in the collection boxes in the lobby.
OR
3. Families can make a cash donation using the QR code below.
See attachment for most needed items and QR code
Any questions can be directed to Ms. Brogno at brognoj@aaps.k12.mi.us
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS!
EBT Program for AAPS Families
This upcoming summer, eligible families will be able to receive money for select food items through the new Summer EBT program. To receive the Summer EBT benefit, every family must have an approved student eligibility benefit (free or reduced) through their school.
Many families have already done this, but this is one last request for families who have not yet filled out an EBT or EBF application form. Turning in the application form to your school or online will ensure those who qualify will receive summer benefits.
What students are eligible?
The chart shows the annual income requirements along with the number of total people in the household (1-8). The household income must be equal to or under the amounts to qualify for summer benefits.
***Applications and Education Benefit Forms must be received by February 1 2024.*** The BEST way to apply is online:https://annarbor.familyportal.cloud/ From there, choose "Apply for Benefits" then "Application" (non-CEP schools - Dicken families select this option).
If paper forms are needed, you can print one out at this link here along with instructions and available in multiple languages. Please send the hard copy to your school by February 1.
Families can inquire about their benefit status or check if they have an application on file, by contacting AAPS Chartwells Food Service at (734) 994-2265 or email bollingere@aaps.k12.mi.us.
Thank you!
~~~
All the Best,
Heather
SAVE THE DATE: Slauson Middle School 6th Grade Parent Information Night
Calling future middle school families: Slauson Middle School 6th Grade Parent Information Night. Current 5th graders will receive a more comprehensive letter with more details in February.
February 29th
6:00 - 7:30 pm
1019 West Washington Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan
PTO News
Message from the PTO President
Happy Friday, Dolphins!
What a weird week again! A few reminders for the upcoming week: The winter walk is on Tuesday evening from 6:30-7:30 and we hope to see you all there. We still need volunteers to make the event successful, so if you have availability please check out the sign up genius and select a time slot that works for you or a family member. Sign up to volunteer here and get a peek at last year's event through this video.
We also have an early release day on Wednesday!
Here is one way that the Dicken PTO has used the funds we've raised this year to help our school this week:
- We approved a grant request on behalf of the PODS teachers and program to purchase materials for students to make Valentine's cards for someone special during the February POD meeting next Friday. Maybe your Dolphin will bring you home a sweet surprise next week!!
Have a great weekend,
Hallie
—Hallie Jewell, Dicken PTO President
Want to connect with other parents and caregivers outside of school?
Click here for the Dicken Elementary Parents Facebook group.
Find information about events, meeting minutes, and more on the PTO website at www.dickenpto.com
Upcoming PTO Meeting Dates
All PTO Meetings take place on the third Thursday of each month from 7 - 8:30 pm via Zoom.
All Dicken community members are welcome to attend PTO meetings.
Click here for the Zoom link.
Thursday, February 15
Thursday, March 21
Thursday, April 18
Thursday, May 16
Thursday, June 20
More Helpful Links:
Still seeking volunteers for Dicken’s Annual Winter Walk
Seeking volunteers for Dicken’s Annual Winter Walk. Please sign up here.
WESO Registration still open!
Thanks to everyone who has already registered for WESO! We've gone through first pass placements and will work on additional teams for anyone who requested them this weekend. Many teams are filling up but there are still spots if you are interested in signing up: click here to sign up.
Please sign up ASAP: teams will start meeting in February!
The Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympics (WESO) will be taking place in person at Pioneer High School on Saturday April 20, 2024..
ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN ADULT COMPLETE 4 HOURS OF VOLUNTEERING DURING THE EVENT ON SATURDAY APRIL 20. THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL.
If you have questions you can contact Alex Harman (248-599-2539, esotericthinks@gmail.com) or Colleen Diedrich (207-240-5542, clmaloney3@gmail.com).
Thank you!!
Colleen Diedrich and Alex Harman,
WESO Head Coaches for Dicken Elementary
*Two* Upcoming Community Night Out Events
Take the night off from cooking and support Dicken Elementary at two different local restaurants:
Thursday, February 8
Buddy's Pizza
3153 Ann Arbor Saline Rd., Ann Arbor
Use the promo code of "GIVEBACK" and 20% of your meal’s price will be donated back (use during dine in, take out, delivery, and pick up - does not include 3rd-party delivery apps.)
(see flyer below)
Friday, March 8
Taco King
2231 W Liberty Rd, Ann Arbor
Grab dinner at Taco King on Friday, March 8, and 20 percent of sales will be donated back to our school!
Mabel's Labels Fundraiser!
Support our Fundraiser - Dicken Elementary PTO
Buy Mabel's Labels waterproof, durable labels to help reduce classroom mix-ups and keep your items coming home!
Use code: BTS10 for 10% off your purchase
Search Dicken Elementary PTO (Ann Arbor) on the Mabel's Labels website for a portion of your purchase to go directly toward our school!