Dicken Family Newsletter
10.6.23
Principal's Corner
Dear Families,
Many thanks to all who came out to support our Dolphins in the Dicken Dash, and for all of your generous contributions. Huge thanks to Emma and Rob Boley for organizing the Dash this year! We are so grateful for the ongoing support and generosity of our community.
Upcoming Dates
Friday, October 13 - Monday, October 16 - No School, Fall Break
Friday, October 27 - Pumpkin Patch
Tuesday, October 31 - 9:30 All School Halloween Parade
Tuesday, October 31 - 1:00 Early Release Day
The Character Effect
This week classrooms were introduced to the strength of "Self Control". Below you can find a snapshot of the language we use with the children and a prompt you might discuss with your child(ren) at home.
EduStaff Substitute Teacher Positions
As we are headed into the Winter season, which also may be known as cold/flu/COVID season, the Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) is looking for substitute teachers and paraeducators to support our classrooms. If you are a passionate person who enjoys connection with students EduStaff is looking for you. Substitute positions are necessary and meaningful work that enriches the lives of students in our community. If you, your family or friends are interested in making an impact, we encourage you to support the AAPS team as a substitute teacher or paraeducator. Start your application at https://www.edustaff.org/
Updated Covid Protocols
- Parents/guardians, staff, and volunteers must report COVID cases to the district as soon as possible using the appropriate form below. Information is kept confidential and only used for outbreak monitoring.
- Students: bit.ly/StudentCOVIDCase23-24
- Staff/Contractors/Volunteers: bit.ly/StaffCOVIDCase23-24 (no longer works) Use this instead → https://forms.gle/FTP4voain6FDq1vNA
- Be sure to report your student’s absence due to any illness to your school office.
- Read What to Do if You Test Positive for information on caring for a sick person, isolation and returning to school or work. Students and staff returning from isolation are strongly urged to wear a well-fitting mask on days 6-10.
- Schools may have home rapid antigen tests to send home if there are clusters or concerns.
- Masking is always welcome in our schools, particularly when students, staff, and volunteers have respiratory symptoms. Masking is strongly urged when returning from isolation.
- If there is a cluster of COVID cases at school, an outbreak investigation will occur in consultation with the WCHD. Parents/guardians, staff, and volunteers will be informed via email if an outbreak occurs in their classroom, team, or activity.
Noon Hour Volunteers
We are still looking for parent volunteers to help at lunch. This can be once or twice a week. If you are interested, please fill out the Parent Volunteer Form and email our noon hour coordinator, Jean Kim: kimhy@aaps.k12.mi.us Thank you!
~~~
All the Best,
Heather
Fall Family Day—Hands-On History: Ancient Technologies, Modern Discoveries
Join the Kelsey Museum of Archeology for our fall Family Day as we explore the theme of “Archaeology and Technology” in honor of International Archaeology Day!
PTO News
Message from the PTO President
Happy Dash Day!
What a great day for our 11th Annual Dicken Dash. Thanks to all who organized, volunteered their time and resources, sponsored the Dash through their businesses and for all of you able to join us on this beautiful afternoon to cheer on our Dolphins! It was so great to see all the kids who participated in spirit week over the last few days!
I would also like to thank our Dash Committee: Rob & Emma Boley (co-chairs), John Schultz, Kathleen & Stephen Weinberg, Erin Wright and our PTO volunteer coordinator Katie Bryant for all of their help over the last two months in organizing this event! If you are interested in joining the Dash Committee next year, please reach out as we would welcome new participants.
Please remember that we are still collecting contact information for the Dicken Elementary Family Directory! Families opt-in to share contact info - you can use this to contact parents or guardians for other kiddos in your classes to arrange get togethers, send out birthday party invitations, and more. The directory is entirely optional.
The PTO is excited that students will have their first assembly on Monday! The Black and Brown Theatre's newest show will give a fresh twist to the classic Puerto Rican tale of Juan Bobo. This bilingual show will use both English and Spanish, creating a fun, culturally-enriching experience for the entire community.
Have a wonderful weekend!
—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 via Zoom.
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.
Please Add Your Contact Info to the Dicken Directory!
Help us Reduce Lunch Waste!
We are still seeking parent volunteers for our push to reduce waste at lunch. If you’re interested in learning more or available to help with these efforts during noon hour, please reach out Abby Rosenbaum - abbylynnrose1980@gmail.com or (734) 846-2852.
Dicken Pumpkin Patch
🎃 🎃 🎃 Save the Date! 🎃 🎃 🎃
This year's Dicken Pumpkin Patch will take place on Friday, October 27. Get ready for outdoor fall fun and maybe even a return of the haunted house of years past??
Stay tuned for more info - and a call-out for volunteers! 😉
Friday, Oct 27, 2023, 05:00 PM
Dicken Elementary School, Runnymede Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Dicken Dash - Donations Under Way and Volunteers Needed!
Today was the Dicken Dash! We hope that your Dolphin had a great time running and celebrating their school this afternoon. Thank you to all the families who have supported the dash through class outfits and accessories, healthy snacks for our runners, donating your time to volunteer today to help out and those who have already contributed to our fundraising goal! The more we raise at the Dash, the more the PTO will be able to do for our students this year!
The Dash Fundraising Website will close on Sunday, October 8th, so there is still time to support our Dolphins and the school’s fundraising efforts if you haven't already. We are currently at 70% participation, which is amazing! Thank you all for your support of the Dash and our PTO.
The funds raised at the Dicken Dash will help the PTO do all the activities that we do throughout the year, like paying for field trips, assemblies, community events (like the Pumpkin Patch, Super Science Day, The Winter Walk and Ice Cream Social), purchasing books for each student during Reading Month, funding teacher grants, yearbooks, academic achievement and much more.
If you would prefer not to donate online, you can write a check (made out to: Dicken Elementary PTO) or give cash. Cash and check donations should be put in an envelope and dropped at the Dicken office. Please know that no amount is too small. Your support is truly appreciated. Go Dolphins!
Mabel's Labels Fundraiser!
Support our Fundraiser - Dicken Elementary PTO
Buy Mabel's Labels waterproof, durable labels to help reduce classroom mix-ups and keep your items coming home!
Use code: BTS10 for 10% off your purchase
Search Dicken Elementary PTO (Ann Arbor) on the Mabel's Labels website for a portion of your purchase to go directly toward our school!