Dicken Family Newsletter
1.19.24
Principal's Corner
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, January 30 - Winter Walk! (Inclement Weather Back Up Date: Thursday, February 1)
Wednesday, January 31 - Early Release, 1:00 Dismissal
NWEA Testing
Our NWEA testing began this week and will continue over the next couple of weeks. Teachers will continue to keep you updated on testing dates, as we needed to reschedule one due to one of the snow days this week. Please let us know if you have any questions!
Driveline Reminders
A few safety reminders for parent drop off / pick up:
- Please avoid jumping the line while waiting for your child(ren) at Driveline, unless directed by a staff member to do so due to a major backup.
- As much as possible, please have your child(ren) enter the car from the righthand door (closest to the sidewalk).
- Please exit the parking lot driveway slowly and pay close attention to our crosswalks.
Thank you!
Lost and Found
Our Lost & Found is very full!! Please stop by when you have a moment if there are items you are missing at home. Our Lost & Found can be found just inside the main entrance. Thank you!
AAPS Enrollment for 2024-25 Open
A reminder that enrollment for the 2024-25 school year opened on Monday, January 8th. The first application window for AAPS In-District Transfer and the ONLY application window for the Community High Lottery and Ann Arbor Open Lottery is Monday, January 8, 2024, to Wednesday, February 14, 2024. This first AAPS In-District Transfer Window only applies to those seeking a placement other than their geographically assigned school for the fall of 2024 at the following levels: Young-Fives, Grades 9 & 10, and Grade 11 for IB. Enrollment is open for new families to apply to their neighborhood school for next year as well. More information about enrollment can be found here.
***If you have a child who will be enrolling in our Young 5s program, please apply during this enrollment period. Spaces can fill up quickly. This includes families who live in Dicken’s attendance area. You MUST apply during this window as well. More information on Young 5s and Kindergarten can be found here.
The Character Effect
Between MLK Jr. Day and the Snow Days, this was of course a short week! Our focus for this week was "Intentional" which is one of the traits that is revisited a few times throughout the year. Practicing intention can be tied to creating goals for oneself and living with purpose. Below is another family idea connected to this character strength.
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All the Best,
Heather
PTO News
Message from the PTO President
Happy Friday, Dolphins!
What a wild week! I hope you were all able to stay safe and warm during the dangerously low temperatures this week. The PTO had our monthly board meeting last night, and discussed all the exciting things that are upcoming at Dicken. Just a reminder that these meetings are open to the entire community. If you would like to get a better understanding of what we do and how you can get involved with the PTO, we would welcome your participation. We will be recruiting for new board members for the 24-25 school year in the upcoming months, so if this is something you might be interested in, please reach out to current board members or friends about what the responsibilities are and how you can be involved!
First up this winter is our annual Dicken Winter Walk (Tuesday, January 30, from 6:30-7:30pm). It is one of the best nights of the year and we hope that everyone can join us in celebrating our Dicken artists! Sign up to volunteer here and get a peek at last year's event through this video.
Have a great 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.
All Dicken community members are welcome to attend PTO meetings.
Click here for the Zoom link.
Thursday, February 15
Thursday, March 21
Thursday, April 18
Thursday, May 16
Thursday, June 20
More Helpful Links:
WESO Registration is open!
You've all been waiting so patiently while we worked with facilities to secure rooms for the various WESO events and we finally have approval for each event so it is time for us to open registration! Descriptions for all events are listed on the registration form.
The Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympics (WESO) will be taking place in person at Pioneer High School on Saturday April 20, 2024. WESO is a fun and educational competition where 2nd-5th grade students from throughout Washtenaw County can get together and compete in a variety of science disciplines. Practice times and locations are determined by the individual event coaches. Location for practice is at Dicken unless otherwise specified. This year Dicken will be participating in the events listed below and we’d LOVE to have your student join a team!
This year teams will be limited to the number of children who can actually compete in each event, plus one alternate. Registration will be first come, first serve, with coaches’ children being guaranteed a spot on their team. To register your child for WESO 2024, please complete the following registration form. Groups will not start meeting until February and the specific start date will be communicated by the coach.
ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN ADULT COMPLETE 4 HOURS OF VOLUNTEERING DURING THE EVENT ON SATURDAY APRIL 20. THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL.
If you have questions you can contact Alex Harman (248-599-2539, esotericthinks@gmail.com) or Colleen Diedrich (207-240-5542, clmaloney3@gmail.com).
Thank you!!
Colleen Diedrich and Alex Harman,
WESO Head Coaches for Dicken Elementary
Saturday, January 20th: Movement Under the Microscope Family Day
With over 30 trillion cells in the human body, there are more cells inside you right now than there are stars in the Milky Way galaxy. You may be standing still, but inside your body—your cells are moving.
Join us for an interactive day to learn how cells move—on the inside. Meet U-M scientists and learn about their research. Can you move like a cell does? What do trains have to do with cellular locomotion? Learn what makes up a protein, get crafty with origami, and attend a screening of “Movement under the Microscope,” a cell-ebratory performance featuring U-M students.
Made possible with support from the National Science Foundation.
Appropriate for ages 5 through adult.
Click here for event info.
Save your Used Books for the Spring Dicken Used Book Swap/Sale!
Cleaning this winter break? SAVE your books for Spring Dicken Used Book Swap/Sale. More information to come after break, but please keep any great reads to share. Both children and adult books will be welcome!
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!