Dicken Family Newsletter
10.28.22
Principal's Corner
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, October 28 - Pumpkin Patch (5 - 7 pm)
- Monday, October 31 - Halloween Parade (1:45 pm)
- Friday, November 4 - Principal's Coffee - In Person, Staff Lounge (9:30-10:00)
- Tuesday, November 8 - No School - Election Day / Teacher PD
- Monday, November 14 - Picture Re-Take Day
- Wednesday - Friday, November 23 - 25 - No School, Thanksgiving Break
- Wednesday, November 30 - Early Release Day (1:18 Dismissal)
Washtenaw County CDC Covid Level
As of today, Washtenaw County is in the CDC MEDIUM/YELLOW Community Level.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools Fall 2022 Covid Guidance is available here. The Ann Arbor Public Schools will always remain a mask-friendly environment.
Fall 2022 Guidance on masking in AAPS schools:
Masks are strongly recommended indoors when CDC Community Level is ‘HIGH’- RED
Masks are encouraged indoors when CDC Community Level is ‘MEDIUM’ - Yellow
Masks are welcomed indoors when CDC Community Level is ‘LOW’ - Green
Halloween Parade
Our annual Halloween Parade will take place on Monday, October 31, beginning at 1:45. We will begin at the back of the school on the sidewalk just outside Ms. Brogno's classroom. Please see the map below for the route we will follow:
Take sidewalk to Dicken Drive
Left on Dicken Drive
Left on Kent
Left on Waltham
Left on Covington
Left on Runnymede
Left into school parking lot
Thank you to the room parents for organizing class parties to follow the parade!
Heather
PTO News
Message from the PTO President
I can't wait for the Pumpkin Patch tonight and hope to see many of you there! Please note that this event takes place entirely OUTSIDE, though the bathrooms in the school will be available.
It's hard to believe that we're through the first two months of school already. After a great Dicken Dash earlier this month, the PTO board is working to figure out all the best ways to use the money we've fundraised to help Dicken students and staff. We've shared some of our projects already, and many of you have heard that a spending committee is working on putting together suggestions for a larger impact project. Keep an eye on this space for more information in the next couple of months, and as always, please reach out if you have any suggestions, questions, or concerns.
—Jenifer Miller, Dicken PTO President
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
Dicken Directory is Here!
Please click here to access the Dicken Directory for class lists and family contact info.
Upcoming PTO Dates
Thursday, November 10 - Community Night Out (Panera)
Thursday, November 17 - PTO Board Meeting, 6:30 - 8:00 pm (virtual via Zoom)
Thursday, December 15 - PTO Board Meeting, 6:30 - 8:00 pm (virtual via Zoom)
To see all Dicken school & PTO events in one place, click here for our PTO Google Calendar.
Another helpful link: the AAPS School Calendar.
Pumpkin Patch Tonight & Taking Place *Outside*!!
Our annual Pumpkin Patch event is happening today 5-7pm! We look forward to seeing everyone and enjoying a fun evening of food, games, and prizes! As a reminder, this event will take place outside, so dress warm! We are still looking for more volunteers, so please consider signing up for an hour or two here!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Winter Gear Support
Brrr! It is starting to get chilly outside. The PTO wants to make sure that everyone can stay warm and healthy and ready to learn!
The PTO closet has items (coats, hats, gloves, etc.) to loan if our students forget or have misplaced their gear and they need to keep warm at recess or temporarily as they get to or from school. Also, we like to help students who may need more permanent solutions.
We could use your gently used winter gear to stock our closet. Items that are in high demand:
- snow gloves
- snow pants
- larger sizes for our 4th & 5th graders!
Donations of your used items will be collected during the Pumpkin Patch. Stay tuned for additional opportunities to donate in the future.
PTO Council Updates
The PTOC hosted a Candidate Forum on zoom for the AAPS Board of Education election. The recording is on their website under the new section: Board of Education Election. There you will also find links to the candidates websites, recordings and questionnaires publicly available from other community organization sponsored events, and Voting Resources and Deadlines.
**Election day only 2 weeks away!**
Celebrating what makes us UNIQUE!
We have been celebrating Disability PRIDE all month and what a wonderful way to close the celebration with our own local hero! Oluwaferanmi “Feranmi” Okanlami, MD known as “Dr. O,” is a professor of family medicine and the director of Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services. He was surprised by Robin Roberts and Good Morning America with a live segment because he has made it his life’s work to make sports accessible through the adaptive sports and fitness program at the University of Michigan. Dr. O was recently awarded $1 million from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation.
Disability doesn’t mean inability!