Dicken Family Newsletter
3.8.24
Principal's Corner
Upcoming Dates
Friday, March 8 - Community Night Out - Taco King, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Saturday, March 9 - Staff Read Alouds @ Schuler Books (Schedule below)
Sunday, March 10 - Daylight Savings Begins
Friday, March 22 - Report Cards sent home
Friday, March 22- Last day before spring break
Monday, March 25 - Friday, March 29 - No School - Spring Break
Monday, April 1 - School Resumes
Wed. April 3 - Sat. April 6 - Used Book Festival
March is Reading Month - Remaining Spirit Day Fridays
- Friday, March 15: BLUE day / DOLPHINS read all month! Wear something blue or wear something with a dolphin/Dicken spirit wear.
- Friday, March 22: RAINBOW day / SNUGGLE UP and read! Wear any or all colors of the rainbow or pajamas/comfy clothes, bring your favorite book and stuffed animal. Get cozy today while you read.
Middle School Math Testing Out
Please take a look at the Middle School Math Testing Out Website for helpful information. Standards that will be tested are linked to the website, and information describing the testing process. A video is also linked at the bottom of the page with information about middle school acceleration in AAPS. DreamBox is a helpful tool for strengthening skills in math and working beyond a student's current course placement. More information will be coming soon from the district.
2024-25 In-District Transfer Window Open
In-District transfers are required for students who wish to attend a school that is not their neighborhood zoned school. The window is currently open until March 29. All currently approved AAPS Schools of Choice and Non Resident Child of Employee students rising into grades 6 and 9 for the 24-25 school year are required to apply for in-district transfer. Current AAPS students who are approved in-district transfer rising into grades 6 and 9 will be automatically assigned to attend their zoned middle and high schools. If you wish for them to attend a school different from your zoned school, then you MUST apply for an In-District Transfer. The pre-enrollment application can be found at www.a2schools.org/enroll. Please click on the blue button that says "Apply for 2024-25" to complete the application. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out by emailing the Student Accounting and Enrollment office at enroll@a2schools.org or calling (734) 994-2249.
Noon Hour Volunteers
We are in need of noon hour volunteers on Thursdays and Fridays. If you are able to help out once or twice a week, we would be most appreciative! Those interested, please contact noon hour coordinator Jean Kim at kimhy@aaps.k12.mi.us. Thank you!
The Character Effect
This week, students learned about the character strength of "Fairness". Here is what was shared by our SLT members on the announcements this week: "The strength of the week is Fairness. Fairness is defined as, I believe everyone should have the same opportunities. Fairness is all about balancing logic and Kindness, putting yourself in the shoes of others as you make decisions about what is right. Use your head and your heart when practicing Fairness."
All the Best,
Heather
PTO News
Message from the PTO President
Happy Friday Dolphins,
We certainly have a lot going on this week!
Our March is Reading Month fundraiser is off to a great start. As of Friday morning we are almost to 25% of our goal of raising $12,000 with 10% of community participation. Ms. Posey's class is currently leading with participation at 24% and Ms. Thomas' class has raised $780! There is still lots of time to support our school and the fundraiser. Community members can also contribute to our fundraiser without supporting an individual student by donating to the general fundraising fund here.
Don't forget that tomorrow Dicken teachers and staff will be at Schuler's Bookstore to read a story, They will be at the back of the store by the children's section so please check them out for story time:
Saturday is also the final day of our shopping dollars at Schuler Bookstore coming back to the Dicken PTO. Please mention Dicken at checkout, the funds we raise during this fundraiser will go directly towards the purchase of next year's March is Reading Month student books.
If you don't feel like cooking this evening, remember that we have a Community Night Out at Taco King (2231 W Liberty St) today. Taco King will donate 20% back to Dicken on all Dine-In, Takeout & Delivery orders --simply order in store/by phone and mention Dicken Elementary PTO!
Have a great weekend,
Hallie
—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.
All Dicken community members are welcome to attend PTO meetings.
Click here for the Zoom link.
Thursday, March 21
Thursday, April 18
Thursday, May 16
Thursday, June 20
More Helpful Links:
March is Reading Month Updates
Thank you for an excellent first week of March is Reading Month! Currently, we're at 23% of the fundraising goal of $12,000! Many thanks to the Dicken parents and guardians for setting up their 99Pledges fundraising sites.
Next Friday’s spirit day theme is BLUE day / DOLPHINS read all month! Wear something blue or wear something with a dolphin/Dicken spirit wear. How about the Dash shirt from last fall?
Tomorrow, Saturday, March 9, we have an amazing line-up of teachers and staff at Schuler Bookstore for read-a-loud. Please stop in for story time. Tomorrow is the final day of our shopping dollars at Schuler Bookstore coming back to Dicken PTO. Please mention Dicken at checkout!
See below for the read-a-loud schedule:
10:00 AM – Ms. Harris
10:30 AM – Ms. Kairys
11:00 AM – Ms. Concannon
11:30 AM – Ms. Gargaro
12:30 PM – Ms. Brogno
1:00 PM – Ms. Licata
2:30 PM – Principal Halabu
3:00 PM – Ms. Rossi
We received 5 Bingo sheets this week (from 5 Kindergartners!) for Shuler gift card drawing. Looking forward to seeing more bingo cards and book cover drawings turned in in the coming weeks!
*TONIGHT* Community Night Out Event - Friday, March 8
Taco King - Friday, March 8
2231 W Liberty Rd, Ann Arbor
Grab dinner at Taco King on Friday, March 8, and 20 percent of sales will be donated back to our school!
Give Kids a Smile Day: Saturday, March 16.
Give Kids A Smile Day will be taking place again this year on Saturday March 16th, 2024 from 8am-noon at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. This is an annual event held countrywide run by faculty, dental students, and dental hygiene students to provide free dental care for children regardless of insurance status. Our mission is to provide the underserved pediatric populations of the southeast Michigan community with much needed oral health care as well as the education to prevent dental disease and promote lifelong oral health.
On Saturday March 16th, from 8am to noon, dental exams, cleanings, x-rays and possibly sealants will be provided for free regardless of insurance status for children ages 4-14 on a first-come, first-serve basis by qualified dental students and hygiene students.
Our website is www.gkasumich.org and all children must be pre-registered using this form.
New Musical, Luna Vacía, Presented Totally In Spanish!
Black and Brown Theatre proudly presents a new musical: Luna vacía presented entirely in Spanish. The musical is based on a traditional Caribbean folktale similar to The Giving Tree which explains why the moon only appears at night and why it turns to sliver. The new music is a mix of Latin Pop, R&B and Funk which makes for a fun event for the whole family regardless of what language audiences speak.
Luna vacía performs Saturday March 30 at 3pm at the Ypsilanti Lincoln Performing Arts Center: 7425 Willis Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Admission is free and open to the public but early arrival is encouraged as seating is first come, first serve. Run time is approximately one hour and is recommended for ages 5 and up. Luna Vacía is presented thanks to a generous donation from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.
For more information, please visit: www.blackandbrowntheatre.org or follow @bandbtheatre on social media.
Dicken's USED BOOK FESTIVAL is Happening! Mark your Calendars: April 3-6
READ. SHARE. REPEAT.
Dicken Used Book Festival will be April 3-5th and Community Shopping on Saturday April 6th. To close March is Reading Month and celebrate Earth Day, our used book festival will promote recycling those books! In that spirit, let's love the Earth and share good stories!
STEP 1 is to Gather those Books!
Between March 1-31st, dropff all books (adult, kid and baby), to the Registers' house @ 1737 Sanford Place. Please leave them under the carport.
As we approach April, keep an eye out in this newsletter for further information, including volunteer sign up!
Questions? Feel free to email erin7register@gmail.com
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!
