Dicken Family Newsletter
12.10.21
Principal's Corner
Dear Families,
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, December 17: Winter Break begins at end of school day
- Monday, January 3: School Resumes
All School Read-Aloud
Just after the Thanksgiving break, I had the pleasure of reading a book to the entire school over Zoom. The book is: We Are Grateful by Traci Sorell. It was wonderful to "gather" together as a whole school.
Security Drill
On Wednesday, December 15 we will hold our first Lockdown Drill. In light of the recent events at Oxford, rather than having an active drill where students practice lockdown procedures, teachers will instead facilitate class conversations about how to stay safe in the event of an emergency. All staff participated in a refresher safety training this week, and teachers have been provided with guidance for how to lead these conversations in a safe and supportive way. Please feel free to reach out directly to me with any questions or concerns.
Rec & Ed After School Classes
A reminder that the next session of after school classes is open for registration. Scroll down to page 3 to see the offerings for Dicken. https://tinyurl.com/yckse9yr
FROM THE ART ROOM: A Reminder About the Winter Walk!!
The winter walk is an evening of art out in nature! Students create luminaries and on a snowy winter evening in January or February (official date to be determined) you will be invited to walk a path at night lined by the hundreds of glowing art luminaries!
Our 1st-5th grade artists will be creating luminaries for this year’s Winter Walk within the next couple months. If you have a child who is in 1st-5th grade (no young fives or kindergartners), then start to keep your eyes open for clear glass jars or vases when you are out on errands.
You will be asked to bring in one wide-mouth clear glass jar (big enough for an adult hand to fit inside) to the art room by a specific date. Glass jars, or small vases can be found easily around your home, check your recycling bins (pickle jars work well). If you cannot find a jar at home, you can get one at many second-hand stores for a few cents, Michael’s Craft store ($1.00), or many Dollar Stores for also $1.00. The glass jars or vases must not have anything on them (just clear glass). If you still are unable to find a glass jar, please let us know, we will find one for you.
Thanks so much! Please email me if you have any questions! (ericksot@aaps.k12.mi.us)
Sincerely, Ms Erickson (The Art Teacher!)
~~~
All the best,
Heather
Adopt a Snowman Program - reminder to return items to school by the 15th!
This year we are pleased to once again offer our families Holiday Support through our ADOPT A SNOWMAN program. Each Snowman represents one Dicken student and a list of three items to be purchased, an article of clothing, a book and a fun item such as a board game, a doll etc. We ask that no single item exceed $25.
In years past, parents were able to come in the building and pick a Snowman off the office Bulletin Board. Obviously, things are a little different this year but if you are able to help a Dicken student please contact Mrs. Dorris by email or by phone and she can bring one to you at the front door or send one home in your child’s backpack.
dorris@aaps.k12.mi.us or 734-994-1928
We ask that all presents be brought to the office unwrapped with the Snowman attached no later than December 15th.
Thank you!
Dicken Spirit Week (December 13 - 17)
For the last week of school *this year*, your Dolphin is invited to dress according to the Spirit Week themes!
Monday: Inside Out/Backwards Day
Tuesday: Winter Hat Day
Wednesday: Dicken Spirit Day
Thursday: Pajama Day
Friday: Dress Like a Snowman Day
PTO NEWS
Message from the PTO President:
Cold weather all day every day means lots of little pieces of clothing for kids to lose at school. The lost and found was available for parents to check out earlier this week, and several pieces were returned to their owners! The vast majority of those were labeled. I’d love to encourage you to label every mitten and hat that your kid might wear to school, in addition to their coats (winter and lighter weight) and snow pants. Even boots sometimes show up in the lost and found.
Labels don’t have to be fancy, though we do have an ongoing Mabel’s Label’s fundraiser if you’re interested in those. Sharpies work great for labeling most clothing, though. My personal favorite tip is to use a silver Sharpie to write on dark colored pieces.
—Jenifer Miller, Dicken PTO President
PTO News
Upcoming PTO Event Dates:
Dicken PTO Board Meeting - cancelled
Dicken PTO Board Meeting - January 20 (virtual)
Spirit Wear Update
AAPS Support Groups
Did you know there are a variety of parent and student support groups active within AAPS?
Check here in the newsletter each week, where we will highlight groups each week.
Bryant Community Center
Bryant Community Center at Community Action Network offers:
-K-12 after school programming
-Educational Summer camps
-Handwritten art and design lessons from CAN Art & Design
-the largest food pantry in Washtenaw County
-school liaison advocacy
-refugee resettlement
-housing stabilization assistance such as rent relief, utility assistance, and sometimes car repair/home furnishing help
-meeting site for NA and AA groups to receive support from each other
Any and every service aspect at Bryant is always completely free of charge to the community and partnering agencies/entities.
Contact info:
swoodman@canwashtenaw.org - Sky Woodman, Director
Instagram: BryantCommunityCenter
A message from Bryant Community Center:
Bryant Community Center is currently seeking volunteers in our after school program if you have the time Monday through Thursday 3-6, Friday 3-5. If our work resonates with you, consider helping us promote Bryant Community Center to the broader Washtenaw County Community. We seek a staff and volunteer team reflective of the communities we partner with. BIPOC applicants for both positions are welcome and very much appreciated. Partner with Bryant to help ensure our AAPS PTOs are making funds available to all low-income K-12 students for events, sports, field trips, etc if cost is a barrier to them.
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Our organization offers no cost education programs, support groups and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Contact info:
office number: 734-994-6611