Dicken Family Newsletter
9.8.23
Principal's Corner
Upcoming Dates
Monday, September 11 - NWEA Testing begins
Tuesday, September 12 - 6:00 - 7:30 - Curriculum Night
Thursday, September 21 - 7:00 - 8:30 Dicken PTO Meeting
Wednesday, September 27 - 1:00 pm Early Release Day
Monday, October 2 - Picture Day
Permission Slips
We learned that the district will not allow us to use a single universal permission slip for the entire year, as we had sent out a couple of weeks ago. We will revert back to our traditional permission slip forms for each trip. Thank you!
Curriculum Night Schedule
We hope you can join us on Tuesday for Curriculum Night! This is a chance to visit your child(ren)'s classroom(s), hear more about the curriculum for the year, and hear from other teachers and staff.
Here's the schedule for Tuesday evening:
6:00-6:25: 3rd - 5th Grade presentations (Classrooms)
6:30-6:55: PTO, Special Area Teachers, Principal presentations (MPR)
7:00-7:25: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade presentations (Classrooms)
The Character Effect
This week classrooms were introduced to Mindfulness. Here's an example of a prompt at the lower elementary level that helps children to understand Mindfulness: "Mindfulness is when we are present and fully engaged in the moment. Mindfulness can help us become more aware of our thoughts and have more focused attention. Have you ever noticed that puppies get distracted easily? Imagine your thoughts like a wandering puppy. When you notice you are distracted, gently bring your wandering mind back to the present moment by focusing on your breath. Take 3 deep breaths right now and anytime throughout your day to help you refocus."
Here's a useful article on Mindfulness for parents: https://childmind.org/article/mindful-parenting-2/
Therapy Dog
We are pleased to welcome back Mr. Dave Konkle and his therapy dog, Bodie, to the Dicken Community! Some of you may know Dave and Bodie from volunteering in the Library the past two years. They also live in the Dicken neighborhood!
Bodie is a certified therapy dog and has gone through extensive training to safely work with individuals of all ages. Bodie's owner, Dave, has been fully vaccinated and was cleared by the district two years ago as an approved volunteer.
Our plan is for Bodie to visit during Library over the coming months, alternating times each week so that eventually every class has a turn to read to Bodie.
If your child is allergic to or has an extreme fear of dogs, please email Heather and we will make alternate arrangements as needed. If you communicated this information to me last year, I have that information on file and will be sure to share with classroom teachers. halabu@aaps.k12.mi.us
Thank you!
Free Breakfast and Lunch
The Michigan School Meals Program is providing free breakfast and lunch for ALL students in Michigan. Please see the information below:
ALL FAMILIES MUST COMPLETE A FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH FORM
No matter your status or interest in breakfast/lunch
Only complete meals are free. If you buy a la carte (such as a getting a milk) it still costs the usual amount.
**If your child would like to eat breakfast, they should come through the front entrance beginning at 8:30 am.
Noon Hour Supervisors
We are still looking to hire Noon Hour Supervisors! This is a great way to support our school and be part of the community. This position is an hourly pay from 11:00 - 1:30 daily. If you are interested, please apply here. Look for Job #15299.
If you are not interested in working lunch daily, we can always use more parent volunteers. Please fill out the Parent Volunteer Form and email our noon hour coordinator, Jean Kim, if you are interested: kimhy@aaps.k12.mi.us
~~~
All the Best,
Heather
PS. See below for two events taking place in our community in the coming weeks!
PTO News
Message from the PTO President
Happy September!
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Curriculum Night on Tuesday. It's an important night to meet your teacher(s), Principal Halabu and hear from to the PTO.
At Dicken, we have a few big events each fall and planning for these is already underway. (for a full list of typical events each year, visit our Annual Events page on our PTO website!)
First up is the Dicken Dash, one of our two major fundraisers. The Dash is scheduled for Friday, October 6 during the school day - families are encouraged to attend to support their Dicken Dasher(s). A full schedule of when each grade will be running will be released soon.
The Dicken Dash committee has been working hard this week to secure sponsorship from local businesses. If you work for a business who might be interested in supporting Dicken and the Dash please reach out to the Dash Committee at dickendash@gmail.com.
Have a great weekend, and hope to meet many of you next week!
—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.
Thursday, September 21
Thursday, October 19
Thursday, November 16
Thursday, December 21
Thursday, January 18
Thursday, February 15
Thursday, March 21
Thursday, April 18
Thursday, May 16
Thursday, June 20
To see all Dicken school & PTO events in one place, click here for our PTO Google Calendar.
Another helpful link: the AAPS School Calendar.
Last Call for Dicken Spirit Wear!
The Dicken Spirit Wear sale is open until September 10. Select "I'll pick it up myself" at checkout to have your items shipped right to the school.
Still Looking for Room Parents!
Are you interested in spending more time in your child's classroom and getting to know their teacher better? We have the perfect job for you!
We're still looking for room parents/grandparents/caregivers for the following classes:
- Chartier (2)
- Hubbard (1)
- Concannon (1)
- Van Oyen (1)
- Rossi (1)
- Thomas (possibly 1)
- Harris (1)
- Kairys (1)
Primary responsibilities include planning 3 parties and organizing teacher appreciation/gifts; and the overall time commitment is very low. Contact Anna Erickson (annaerickson03@gmail.com) if you are interested or want more info!
Call for Dicken Dash Sponsorship!
Last year over 40% of the businesses who sponsored the Dicken Dash were connected to Dicken Families (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles). Sponsorship levels range from $100-$1000. The PTO has been reaching out to past sponsors and potential new sponsors, and we welcome any recommendations or sponsorships from the community - just email us at dickendash@gmail.com. Thank you!
And a huge thank you to the businesses that have already generously agreed to sponsor the 2023 Dicken Dash:
- Ann Arbor Remodeling (Champion Sponsor)
- Blossom Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics (Champion Sponsor)
- Abby Rose Photo
- Carlisle/Wortman Associates
- Christina Kim, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investment
- Domino’s
- Goethel Engelhardt PLLC
- Guardian Tree Experts
- McNamara Orthodontics
- Midwest Graphics
- Rise Wellness Collaborative
- SBK Orthodontics
- StudioStudio
- Thriving Minds Behavioral Health
- Unwind Salon
Dicken Garden Club
The Dicken Garden Club will start on Tuesday next week. If your child(ren) might be interested in participating, please fill out this Google Form.
Any parents interested in helping with Garden Club should email Anne Erickson at amcerickson@gmail.com.
Cub Scout Pack 131
Join Cub Scouts to build character, enjoy STEM projects and participate in philanthropic activities. Students kindergarten through fifth grade are offered opportunities to develop self-confidence, try new things and learn team building skills. All are welcome!
We are a diverse, inclusive, non-denominational Pack that meets at Lawton Elementary. Although we recruit from Lawton and Dicken, we welcome students from all schools and home schools. Our goal is to help young people make ethical choices by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Our Cub Scout Motto is “Do your best.”
Meet us and learn more:
- Wednesday, September 20 - Cub Scout Open House and Pack Meeting 6:30 pm at Lawton
About Pack 131
- Recruits from Lawton and Dicken and based in the Lawton/Lansdowne area for nearly 60 years
- Chartered by Erwin Prieskorn American Legion Post 46
- Welcomes boys and girls, kindergarten through 5th grade
- Meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at Lawton (6:30 pm)
- Activities include: campouts, nature hikes, Pinewood Derby, AirZoo Overnight, USS Silversides submarine overnight in Muskegon and Service projects
- All leaders trained in Youth Protection
- Membership and Pack Dues for new members will be $235, which includes registration, insurance, awards and many activities
- Uniforms, Scout magazine, and some events are in addition to the membership and dues
- Financial assistance and camperships available for dues, uniforms and event fees
- Family-friendly environment: siblings welcome at all Pack events!
Amy Jordan (734) 635-2917 | amymillerjordan@gmail.com
Joey Stearns (917) 514-2373 | joey.l.stearns@gmail.com