Dicken Family Newsletter
8.27.21
Principal's Corner
Dear Families,
In just a few short days we will welcome our Dicken Dolphins back to school and we can't wait! Thanks to all who were able to join us at yesterday's Meet & Greet.
Family Handbook
Please take some time to read through our Dicken Family Handbook. This will be important to review even if you are a returning family, as some changes have been made from last year. Please make note of drop off locations and review with your child(ren). Please note that 4th and 5th grades' lunch times have changed since the handbook was first shared. Returning families, please remember to have your Driveline tags visible at pick-up beginning Monday. Thank you!
Letter from the School Nurse
Please take a moment to also read an important message from Nurse Stelzer. This is the same letter that was sent previously this week: Nurse's Letter.pdf
Food Service
I want to clarify that this year there is no need to order breakfast or lunch. Both meals will be free and available to all students. I apologize for any confusion or miscommunication that was previously shared.
Noon Hour Supervisors
If you or anyone you would recommend would be interested in working as a lunch supervisor, please apply here and contact Mrs. Dorris at dorris@aaps.k12.mi.us The supervisor rate is $16.50. Thank you!
How can families help keep Dicken Safe?
In Dr. Swift’s weekly communication with the AAPS community, she shared some recommendations for families. I am including them again here as well.
If you haven’t already done so, get vaccinated and ensure everyone 12 and older in your household is vaccinated. For elementary students who do not have access to the vaccine yet, having parents and older siblings who are vaccinated can protect them from exposure at home.
We strongly recommend everyone in your family plans to get tested for COVID-19 within three days of the first day of school. An opportunity sponsored by AAPS will be announced soon. No-cost testing is also widely available at many locations in our community.
Make sure your students are up-to-date with all required childhood immunizations so that we can keep other communicable diseases out of our classrooms. More info here: www.a2schools.org/immunizations.
Once the school year begins:
Keep your students home from school when they are sick. Seek testing if they have symptoms or if anyone in the household has symptoms. Be available to pick up your child if they become ill at school.
Be careful outside of school. Avoid or limit your time indoors with anyone unvaccinated. When in doubt, wear a mask.
AAPS Extended Day Program, 2021-22
AAPS is offering Extended Day programming through our Rec and Ed department. AAPS Extended Day after-school enrichment program includes a wide variety of class offerings and exciting new community partnerships with A2 Symphony Orchestra and others.
Extended Day After-school Enrichment Classes, Fall 1 Session (Sept - November)
Class descriptions and other information are available at aarecedonline.com.
A list of classes by school and day of week is available on the website above and also here.
Registration opened on Monday, August 16, at 8:01 am.
Scholarships are available! Call (734) 994-2300, ext. 0 to find out more.
PTO News
PTO News
It was great seeing so many faces—both familiar and new— at the meet & greet this week! All parents and guardians of Dicken students, along with all Dicken teachers, are automatically part of the PTO. Please reach out if you have any ideas, questions, or concerns that the PTO can help with. I hope to meet as many of you as possible over the coming months.
—Jenifer Miller, Dicken PTO President
Here are some easy ways you can be involved at Dicken this year:
Read this email every week to stay up to date on school happenings!
Join our Facebook group or check out our PTO website
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
Attend a PTO meeting! They occur on the 3rd Thursday every month. We will include reminders in our upcoming Dicken Newsletters.
Fill out our form for parents to indicate availability to volunteer with school events, fundraising, or serving as a room parent for your child's classroom.
Click here to fill out the volunteer form.
Those interested in being Room Parents can also contact Emma Boley (see note below).
Help raise money for Dicken!
Click here to see some easy ways to support Dicken.
Mabel’s Labels:
If you are still looking for labels for your kids' school supplies, please consider shopping with Mabel’s Labels this year. 20% of your purchase will come back to Dicken to help our PTO support our students! There is free shipping on all orders too and you can save 10% off your purchase with the promo code: BTSEVENT10
Go to campaigns.mabelslabels.com, type in Dicken Elementary and then get shopping! Thanks for your support!
Call out for Room Parents
If you are interested in being a room parent for your child's classroom, please email Emma Boley (emmagboley@gmail.com). This is a great opportunity to get involved in your child's class and get to know the teacher and school better. No experience necessary. :) Thanks!
The Dicken Directory
- Want to know what other students are in your class(es), how to reach other parents to arrange playdates or discover who from Dicken lives nearby?
- Fill out our form for your family to be included in Dicken Directory!
- Click here for the form to be included in the Dicken Directory.
Dicken Yard Signs for New Dicken Families:
- Have you seen all the "Home of a Dicken Dolphin" yard signs around the neighborhood? It's a fun way to show your Dicken community spirit and get your child excited for the upcoming school year, and see where fellow Dolphins live.
- If you weren't able to pick one up at the Meet and Greet on Thursday evening, we still have more available.
- Please reach out to Hallie Jewell (halliestover@gmail.com) and she will help coordinate a time for you to get your yard sign (while supplies last)!