Dicken Family Newsletter
9.16.22
Principal's Corner
Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, September 20 - Early Release 1:18 Dismissal (Buses will still run.)
- Monday, October 3 - Picture Day
- Friday, October 7 - Dicken Dash (1:30 - 3:30 pm)
- Sunday, October 9 - Dicken 5K (8:45 am - 10:45 am)
- Friday, October 28 - Pumpkin Patch (5 - 7 pm)
- Monday, October 31 - Halloween Parade 1:45
Curriculum Night
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend Curriculum Night! We had a wonderful turnout and it was lovely to have parents back in the building again. If you were unable to attend, you can view slides from our Principal/PTO presentation here. Please reach out to your child(ren)'s classroom teacher(s) to schedule a parent-teacher conference. Thank you again to our PTO for providing refreshments for the evening.
Picture Day
Picture day is scheduled for October 3rd this year! Forms will be coming home in backpack mail next week. For parents who would like to place their orders online, please go to mylifetouch.com and use code: EVTNK9T7W
Halloween Festivities
On Monday, October 31, we will hold our annual Halloween Parade around the neighborhood, beginning at 1:45. We will share the route in advance. Classroom parties organized by our Room Parents will follow the parade. Parents do not need to fill out the front office Volunteer Form for to join this type of event.
Washtenaw County CDC Covid Level
As of today, September 16, Washtenaw County is in the CDC HIGH/RED 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
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
As a reminder, please apply for Free & Reduced Lunch if your family could use financial assistance. Dicken benefits from Title 1 funding connected to this so we encourage anyone to apply even if you are not sure whether or not you qualify. The deadline to apply is September 30. Thank you!
Menus and pricing can also be found on this page as well as the website where you can set up / add money to your child's account.
- If you have an account click "My Account."
- If you need to set up an account for the first time, click "Register."
- If your family needs financial assistance, click "Apply for Benefits" for the Free & Reduced Lunch program.
PTO News
Message from the PTO President
It was great to see so many of you in person at Curriculum Night this week! Thank you to everyone who voted to approve the PTO’s operating budget for the year. We’re excited to get started on the Dicken Dash and can’t wait for classes to start taking field trips again this year.
I briefly mentioned that we’re putting together a committee to look options to spend the budget surplus that accrued over the past few years when we weren't able to host our typical events and fieldtrips. Be on the lookout for a survey next week with more info!
—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
Upcoming PTO Meetings
Thursday, October 27 - PTO Board Meeting, 6:30 - 8:00 pm (virtual via Zoom)
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 online place, click here for our PTO Google Calendar.
Another helpful link: the AAPS School Calendar.
First Community Night Out of the Year: Pizza House on September 21
Our first Community Night Out is on Wednesday, September 21 at Pizza House. Mention the Dicken PTO fundraiser when you order by phone or in person (there is no online option for this fundraiser).
Mark your calendars for future Community Night Out events!
Wednesday, October 5 - Chipotle
Wednesday, October 26 - Noodles and Company
Thursday, November 10 - Panera
Dicken Dash & the Dicken Run!
DICKEN DASH - GET READY TO DASH!
For this year's 10th Anniversary Dash, we've got some exciting new changes in the works. We'll reveal them soon! For now, we want to be sure and announce that the Dash will be from 1:30 - 3:30 on Friday, October 7th, so if you're planning on attending as a spectator, be sure to block your calendar, put in that out-of-office, cancel your dentist appointment, etc., so you can plan on attending.
An even better way to make sure you don't miss a minute of the action is to volunteer at the event. It takes a lot of help to put on the dash and we'd love to have you on the crew if you're free. Sign up here to volunteer.
THE DICKEN RUN IS ON
Along with the Dash, we’re happy to bring back the Dicken Run 5k after a two year hiatus! Our fast, fun, family-friendly 5k is a great way to cap-off our fundraiser week and enjoy a wonderful fall day to run. Open to all (so invite your family and friends), Prizes for top overall finishers and age-group awards from young to old. Come join us and find out what a “Dicken” is!
More information and registration at http://dickenrun.com
First PTOC Meeting of the Year
The PTOC is the umbrella organization supporting PTOs throughout Ann Arbor Public Schools. Each PTO and PTSO in the district is a member. Our mission is to promote excellence in our schools through communication and cooperation, and act as an advocate for member PTOs with district administration, with the Board of Education, and beyond. Together we facilitate parent involvement, share ideas, innovations, and work to advance the quality of our schools. Our monthly meetings are open to the public and often have speakers of interest to all parents, staff, and administration.
This month's meeting is virtual and scheduled for Monday September 19, 7:00-8:30.
The topic is Welcome, Introductions, and the Year Ahead.
Find links to join or view a recording of the meeting at: https://www.a2schools.org/Page/18385
National Hispanic & Latin (o, a, x, e) American Heritage Month!
National Hispanic & Latin (o, a, x, e) American Heritage Month!
https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/
We LOVE celebrating the mosaic of our Dicken community throughout the year.
Do you know how to say, “Popcorn” in Spanish? Well, it depends on the country!
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR5T7oS9/
Let's weave cultural celebrations into our everyday activities. To learn more about the PTO's enrichment activities or to offer ideas or support, please contact us. (DM, email, text, or call is fine for me or use the volunteer form to let us know how to reach you.
Learn more about the month and ways to celebrate!
· Celebrate in the Classroom
https://www.teachervision.com/holidays/hispanic-heritage-month
· U-M Activities
https://mesa.umich.edu/Latinx-Heritage-Month
· Local Community Connect
https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/video/community-connect-hispanic-heritage
· Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Congress
· State Proclamation
Interested in getting involved in celebrating our uniqueness at Dicken? Please complete the volunteer form to get involved and share ideas.
Dicken Yard Signs for New Dicken Families:
If you weren't able to pick one up at the Meet and Greet, 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)!