Dicken Family Newsletter
3.4.22
Principal's Corner
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, March 11 - Spirit Day: Hair Love Day
- Wednesday, March 16 - Early Release, Dismissal at 1:18
- Friday, March 28 - Spring Break begins at end of school day
- Monday, April 4 - School Resumes
Mobile Dentist
Michigan Dental Outreach's Mobile Dentist is coming to Dicken Elementary on April 11th, 2022!
"Dentist-to-School" forms will be sent home next week. Please fill them out and return them as soon as possible so that they have time to review and process your information. If you misplace your form, please feel free to fill out electronically and email back to us at dicken@a2schools.org, or print, complete, and send in. Thank you!
Dismissal Protocol
Just a friendly reminder that we need a phone call or signed note if your child needs to go home with another Dicken family after school, unless that parent is listed as one of your child(ren)'s emergency contacts. Thank you!
Parent Volunteers
We are pleased to share that we will soon be allowing parent volunteers in the building on a limited basis. The process will be guided by specific parameters outlined by the district. More on this soon!
Rec & Ed Classes - Reminder
Our AAPS Rec & Ed Department is pleased to announce upcoming opportunities for classes and camps:
Tuesdays: 3:48-5:30PM
4/19-5/24
K-5th
Class ID: 1331.302
Wednesdays: 3:48-5:30PM
4/27-6/1
K-4th
Class ID: 1401.307
Thursdays: 3:48-5:00PM
The Natural Wonders of Science @ Dicken
4/21-5/26
1st-5th
Class ID: 1395.302
Heather
Message from the PTO President
March is Reading Month is here, and I know so many of our students are excited to rack up some reading minutes! In our Dicken Parents Facebook group, parents are talking about what they’re reading and what their kids are into lately. Come join the discussion if you could use some reading inspiration!
Later this month, look for details on how to register for our upcoming racial equity challenge. Those who participated last year found the event to be very helpful. I’m hoping to see some returning participants and some new faces as well this year! We’ll hold the challenge discussion in partnership with Lawton Elementary via Zoom on April 11th from 6:30 to 8:30pm.
—Jenifer Miller, Dicken PTO President
Dicken Elementary parents’ Facebook group
Upcoming Event Dates:
Read-a-thon: *now* - March 25
Dicken PTO Board Meeting - March 17
Racial Equity Challenge - April 11
Dicken PTO Board Meeting - April 21
Dicken PTO Board Meeting - May 19
PTO Silent Auction - May 22
All PTO meetings are currently scheduled to take place over Zoom. All are welcome to attend!
Art room is in need of new crayons and markers!
The Dicken art room is in need of new crayons and markers! Ms. Erickson prefers Crayola brand, and she says, "The more, the merrier!". She's in need of regular size crayons (not the thicker ones for little hands) in any colors, plus both broad and fine tip markers. You can purchase through this wish list or feel free to pick up crayons anywhere or buy in smaller/different quantities on Amazon. You can have items shipped to the school in Ms. Erickson's name, or feel free to deliver them to the school or get them to Jenifer Miller (dickenptopresident@gmail.com) to take to school.
Updates: Read-a-thon & March is Reading Month!
Nicola’s Books Fundraiser
THERE’S ONE DAY LEFT! You still have time to go to Nicola’s Books and pick up some new reading material for March is Reading month. Through tomorrow, Saturday the 5th, 20% of purchases will be given to Dicken Elementary School when you mention the Dicken fundraiser at check out or use promo code “Dicken” when shopping online. Our librarian Ms. McHale has selected a wish list of books at Nicola’s and there is a display with books for the Dicken library. Thank you to all of the families who have already gone and supported the school this week with your purchases.
Read-a-thon Fundraiser
We are off to a great start with the Read-a-thon fundraiser with 99 Pledges. As of Friday afternoon we have raised over $3,000 and are at 16% participation. Thank you to all the families who have contributed to help support and enhance Dicken’s library, classroom libraries and literacy programs as well as Peace Neighborhood Center. The fundraiser runs through Friday, March 25th.
Here is a direct link to the Google form where students can track their reading minutes.
- every classroom that reaches 100% participation on the Google forms/reading minutes will receive a class party later this spring
- if the entire school reaches 100% participation, we will have an extra surprise for the school to celebrate this incredible achievement!
- all students and staff who track their minutes will be put into a raffle to win one of twenty $10 gift cards to Nicola’s Books. The raffle drawing will take place during the April PTO meeting, and winners will be notified the following day.
Finally, the funds raised during the Read-a-thon will:
- help support and enhance Dicken’s library, classroom libraries and literacy programs at Dicken.
- 25% of funds raised will be donated to Peace Neighborhood Center, a local organization whose services include: advocacy, emergency assistance, after-school programs, summer day camps, college and career preparation, individual and family counseling, and family enrichment
Remaining March Spirit Days:
March 11 - Hair Love Day
March 18 - Favorite Literary Character Day
March 25 - Pajama Day
See below for some photos of Dicken Dolphin School Pride Day!
WESO Registration
Dicken Silent Auction - Sunday, May 22
Save the date and book those babysitters now - The Dicken Silent Auction is back this year and will be held on Sunday, May 22nd at Bill's Beer Garden from 5:30-7. The auction committee is already busy soliciting contributions from local businesses for the silent auction. If you know of any businesses that would like to support Dicken with our auction efforts or would like to be involved with the planning committee please reach out to dickenauction@gmail.com. We welcome new members to our committee and are excited to plan a wonderful event for the Dicken community (the event is adult only).