Dicken Family Newsletter
11.8.20
Principal's Corner
Dear Families,
I hope this finds you well after quite an emotional week of politics. Regardless of your political position, this is a great civics lesson as history was certainly made. Our teachers are prepared to address questions and facilitate conversations about the election in a neutral and developmentally appropriate way.
While I’m certainly not in everyone’s homes and I know things vary from day to day, I do believe we have gotten much more consistent day to day. We are experiencing fewer technology issues and I’m seeing wonderful connections among classroom communities. Thank you again for all your support at home.
Supply Distribution
We will hold our next distribution this Tuesday, November 10th from 3:00 - 6:00 at Dicken. We will be distributing recorders to 4th grade, instruments to 5th grade, writing packets to Kindergarten, and Volume 2 Math journals to grades 1 - 5. Anyone who was unable to come to the last distribution can pick up art supplies as well. Huge thanks to our PTO who purchased new recorders for our fourth graders.
Spirit Week
The Student Lighthouse Team is proud to announce our first Dicken Spirit Week of the year!
Monday, November 9: Wacky Hair/Hat Day
Tuesday, November 10: Fancy Pants Day
Thursday, November 11: Comic Book or Superhero Day
Friday, November 12: Pajama Day
You are invited to send photos to Mrs. Halabu to post on Twitters and our school website. halabu@aaps.k12.mi.us Thank you!
Thanksgiving Assembly
We will be having an assembly for the Dicken Community on Monday, November 23 at 1:30. Our Student Lighthouse Team will be leading the assembly. Zoom link will be shared in an upcoming newsletter.
AAPS Math Webinar
Do you want to understand more about your Elementary child’s math education? Do you struggle to help your child with their math work? Join us for a one-hour webinar that will provide you with an introduction to Elementary math instruction at AAPS, and resources and suggestions for supporting your child’s learning! Join us Monday, 11/9 at 7:30PM, or Friday 11/13 at 1:30PM. Register here!
Free Academic Support Resources
A number of local groups and organizations are offering free academic support for AAPS students. These free resources are primarily provided by U-M students and community volunteers. View Free Academic Support Resources Here.
Connecting Together: An AAPS Parent/Guardian Support Group
Twice-a-month Drop-in support groups for parents and guardians of students in AAPS. Groups meet on the 2nd Tuesday (7:30-8:30 PM) and 4th Thursday (1-2PM) of the month. Connect with other parents to find support and get ideas about how to face the challenges of 2020. Please register here. Last year, parents who participated in an AAPS parent support group consistently reported that they found it helpful, and appreciated hearing from and connecting with other parents going through similar struggles.
Winter Walk
Students will need their white bags this week for art class. The date for displaying the luminaries is coming soon!
Inspiration
Thanks to Mr. Harper for sharing this incredible video of the You Can Be ABCs. I'm sure your children will enjoy it!
Tech Support
Please remember that you can always email or call the Tech Family Help Desk with any issues:
family_techsupport@aaps.k12.mi.us
734-997-1222
Ayuda en Español: 734-997-1246
Families who need access to better Wifi can complete the Student Mobile Device Hotspot Form
Attendance Notes
If your child(ren) will be absent from school, please report all absences to dicken@aaps.k12.mi.us or leave a voicemail message at 734-994-1928.
Wishing you a wonderful week!
All the best,
Heather
PTO News
Have an item for the blast? Email it to dolphinsblast@gmail.com. Blast items kindly requested by 5 p.m. Friday.
PTO Meeting Thursday, November 12th
If you are interested in attending, our next Dicken PTO meeting will be held Thursday, November 12th from 7-9pm
Zoom link: https://a2schools.zoom.us/j/91599625018?pwd=Z21SZEhwcGxsMmtNckl1QjBRZzFiUT09
The Fall Family Fun Scavenger Hunt
Thank you so much to all of the families that participated in the Fall Family Fun Scavenger Hunt. Winners of our great prizes will be drawn live during our PTO meeting on Thursday, November 12th and will be notified via email on Friday.
Staff & Student Directory
The final copy of the Student and Staff Directory 2020-2021 is now available. We hope you find this a welcoming tool to connect with our Dicken Dolphin Community.
Fall Fundraiser: The Dicken Read-a-thon
Dicken readers, get ready! Since we are unable to hold our usual fall fundraiser, the Dicken Dash, this year we have decided to try something new. Starting next week, the Dicken community will be beginning our first fundraiser of the year – a read-a-thon. The read-a-thon will go from Sunday, November 15th through the end of the month. We will be sending out more details over the next week, but we hope that this is a fun opportunity for students to spend more time reading this month and raise money to help support our school.
The goals of the Dicken Read-a-thon:
Goal #1: To motivate children to read for fun, enjoy reading more, overcome reading obstacles, and find more time to read.
Goal #2: To encourage parents to read to their children and to encourage children to read to each other.
Goal #3: To encourage children to help their school and raise funds to support our Dicken community.
Each student will have their own website page on 99pledges that parents will be able to send out to friends and family to pledge support during the read-a-thon. More details about the read-a-thon will be coming in the next week!
The Dicken PTO knows that Dicken is a community where student learning thrives and children feel good about the place they call their school. We believe that this is because of the incredible students that attend our school, the awesome staff who believe that relationships with students are key to optimal learning, and more importantly the incredible support of our families. We could not engage in the wonderful learning opportunities and the fun things we do here without your monetary support. Please know that no amount is too small. Your ongoing backing and support are both truly appreciated.