Dallin Digest Newsletter

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Meet the Staff: Kindergarten Paraprofessionals

11/21/2025 6:00 am

Hello! My name is Mrs.Connelly and I work part time as a Kindergarten paraprofessional. I am married, have two kids and a dog named Finn. I really enjoy working with your kiddos and seeing how they grow and learn at this age. 

 

Hi! My name is Mrs. Webber. I have been a part-time Kindergarten paraprofessional at Dallin for 10 years. I absolutely love working with Kindergartners, they bring me so much joy. They are truly magical. I have lived in Arlington my whole life. I have five boys who keep me quite busy. I love spending time with family and friends and summer days at the beach.


Hello! My name is Mrs. Kumar. I'm part of the amazing Kindergarten team. I'm from India and have two kids. I love reading books, playing board games inside and other games outside with the kids. It's amazing how much they grow and learn by the end of Kindergarten.

 

Hello! I’m Ms. Khan and I work with the amazing kindergarten and 1st grade team. I have a teenage daughter. It brings joy to me helping my little friends at Dallin. I’m from Pakistan. I like to read mystery books, also I CAN survive my days WITHOUT coffee (phew).


Hello! My name is Ms. Schwarze, and I am the full-time paraprofessional in Ms. Lewis’s class, and have been lucky to get to know most of the Kindergartners! I love reading stories with the kids and playing at recess with them. Outside of school, I love theater, riding my bike, and reading! 

 

 
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Dallin Weeks of Giving

11/21/2025 5:58 am

We're excited that Dallin's Weeks of Giving has officially started. All donation boxes are in the lobby!

 

Book Drive

We are collecting books for More Than Words. They collect all genres in gently used, good or newer condition. For reference or text books they ask that books be published within the past 5 years.

Arlington Eats Food Drive
We're working with Arlington Eats to provide some of their most needed items. If you'd like to contribute, a box will be available in the front lobby for students and families. The most needed items are:

  • coffee
  • tea
  • canola/vegetable oil
  • soy sauce
  • granola bars

If you'd prefer, you can also order directly from their Amazon Wishlist or provide a monetary donation through their website.


New Sock Donations
Arlington PTOs are all working together to re-supply highly-needed items for the Welcome & Resource Center. At Dallin we will be collecting:

  • New socks of all sizes! (Please leave socks in the packaging.)
  • Grocery store gift cards (Any amount, any local grocery store)

There will be a box in the main entrance of the school where students and families can drop off new socks (in packaging), and gift cards can be left at the front desk in the office.


We will be running these collections from November 12- December 12.

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From the Student Council: Pajama Day!

11/21/2025 5:56 am

Dear Dallin families, 

 

To celebrate our students' accomplishments this past fall, we will have a special day. On Wednesday, November 26, this special day will be pajama day. 

 

For pajama day our students can wear pajamas or other comfy clothes, slippers, and/or a stuffed animal. We hope everyone can join our Dallin schoolwide spirit day!

 

Thank you and have a great day,

 

Dallin Student Council

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Say My Name Initiative

11/21/2025 5:54 am

Hello Dallin School Community:

 

I am reaching out to share that the Say My Name Initiative is off to a great start. We have had around 90 families submit a survey response so far. 

 

This initiative was developed out of data gathered by the School Council last year. From Family Empathy Interviews, a key theme that emerged was the importance of name pronunciation. Learning and using each person’s name correctly honors their identity, culture, and heritage, which in turn strengthens our sense of belonging. The Dallin School Council believes an initiative like this would have an impact on building greater school-community connections and student belonging. 

 

I would like to encourage more of you to participate in this initiative. This link will give you access to the survey and includes additional information on the initiative. 

 

Thank you for your time.

 

Link to Say My Name Survey

 

Rye Daily

Dallin PE Teacher and Initiative Lead.

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Annual Fund update: 20% raised!

11/21/2025 5:52 am

We have hit 20% of our Annual Fund goal! Thanks so much to the families who have already donated.
 
Your family can donate through the website, through our Venmo, or by dropping off a check in the front office that says "Annual Fund." Donations of any amount are welcome!
 
The PTO supports many essentials that enrich the student experience. At Dallin, the PTO covers the cost of student field trips for all families, adds cultural and STEAM enrichment through assemblies and workshops, and supports teachers with both classroom supplies and numerous appreciation events throughout the year. We invite you to review our budget for full details!
 

The Dallin PTO is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your donation is tax-deductible. If your employer has a matching program, your dollars can be multiplied! The Dallin PTO Tax ID number for employer paperwork is 13-4238630.

Thanks for helping to support our students and teachers!

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Teacher Appreciation Projects

11/21/2025 5:50 am

As part of our ongoing teacher appreciation this year, the PTO is helping to refresh the staff bathrooms and restock the teachers' lounge!
 
You can help by purchasing any of these items from the wishlist. If you have a gently-used bathroom storage cabinet at home that you would like to donate instead of purchasing please email Jamie Fisher (jamiejacee@gmail.com).
 
Thanks so much for helping to make our teachers feel appreciated!
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 🎁 Help Us Wrap Our Teachers in Appreciation!  🎁

11/21/2025 5:48 am

Let’s show our amazing teachers some holiday cheer! We’re collecting wrapping paper (ANY type - doesn't need to be holiday-themed!) and Scotch tape for a fun winter appreciation event — because our teachers deserve to unwrap a little joy this season! ✨

 

Here’s how you can help:

  • 🎀 Drop off donations in the school lobby beginning Wednesday, November 12th

  • 📦 Shop our Amazon Wish List and have items sent straight to the PTO

  • 🗓️Collecting now through Thanksgiving!

Let’s make this season merry, bright, and full of gratitude for our wonderful teachers! ❤️ Any questions, please reach out to Kim at kimberly.settelen@gmail.com 

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Make Magic! Give teachers an AEF STAR by 11/30!

11/21/2025 5:46 am

Dallin teachers and staff make magic happen every day — now it’s your turn! Give them an AEF STARs Certificate to show your appreciation. Your gift supports grants that inspire innovation and creativity in APS classrooms. Say thanks and make an impact! Click: Honor Teacher and Staff STARS - Arlington Education Foundation

 

You still have time to thank a teacher for their hard work this holiday season with an AEF STARs Certificate! All proceeds from STARs contribute to funding grants and advancing creativity, innovation and technology in our schools. So go ahead and say Thank You AND Make a Difference! STARs purchased by November 30th will be delivered before winter break. Available to purchase online at: Honor Teachers and Staff (Stars Program) - Arlington Education Foundation

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Upcoming events from Nov 19

11/21/2025 5:44 am

November 12 - December 12

Dallin Weeks of Giving Food and supplies drive, lobby

 

November 12 - November 26

Donate wrapping paper and tape for teacher appreciation, lobby

 

November 17

Book drive for More than Words starts, lobby

 

Tuesday November 25

Warm Up for Winter event, AHS, 1PM–6 PM.

 

Wednesday November 26

Pajama Day

Early release, 11:30am

 

Thursday November 27-Friday November 28

NO SCHOOL -- Thanksgiving break

 

November 30

Deadline for AEF Stars

 

Monday December 8

APS New Student Registration information session

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New Student Registration Information Session on Monday, Dec. 8 | 12PM–1PM

11/21/2025 5:42 am

Dear Arlington Public Schools Families,

 

We are pleased to invite you to the New Student Registration Information Session hosted by the Family Welcome and Resource Center. This virtual event is open to all families and is designed to provide guidance and support for those registering a new student entering the Arlington Public Schools. The registration form for the 2026-2027 school year will launch in early January.

 

Event Details:

To attend the forum and submit questions in advance, please register by completing the New Student Registration Information Session form.

We look forward to supporting your family through this important milestone. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions in advance.

 

Best regards,

 

Weslie Etienne Pierre
Director of Communications and Family Engagement
welcomecenter@arlington.k12.ma.us |  781-316-3332

 

Registration Resources 

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Fundraising Fighters game night, Dec 7, 4-7pm, AHS

11/21/2025 5:40 am

The Fundraising Fighters Club at Arlington High School is hosting a game night on December 7 from 4-7 PM at the high school to raise money for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society.

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Meet the Dallin staff: 1st Grade Para team

11/14/2025 6:00 am

Dallin families,
 
We have some incredible staff members who work with your children every day and it's important that you get to know them too! Over the coming weeks, we'll highlight different teams so you'll be able to put faces with names and learn a little bit about who they are.
 
In no particular order, we're kicking it off with the paraprofessionals who work with our first graders. 
 

1st Grade Para Team

 

Hi! I’m Ms. Hersey, and I’m part of the amazing first-grade team. I’m a classroom hopping pro, spending my days between all three classrooms. I’m a mama to two kids - a son who is all grown up and a daughter who is in 7th grade at Ottoson. I love coming to work every day and hearing the kids' excitement as they share their day with me and seeing their faces light up. It makes my heart so happy.

Hello Dallin families! My name is Mr. Bryan, and I’m part of the first-grade team. This is my first year at Dallin – and I’m new to teaching! After a lengthy career in public relations, over the summer, I served as a kindergarten teaching assistant at Peirce in the APS’ Extended School Year Program. I’m grateful to be part of the Dallin community, and I love supporting students across all three first-grade classrooms. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and hiking, and I’m a long-time assistant coach with the Association of Blind Citizens Boston Renegades. The team competes in the sport of “beep ball,” an adaptive version of baseball designed for blind and visually impaired athletes.

Hello! I’m Ms. Khan and I work with the amazing kindergarten and 1st grade team. I have a teenage daughter. It brings joy to me helping my little friends at Dallin. I’m from Pakistan. I like to read mystery books, also I CAN survive my days WITHOUT coffee (phew).

 

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Upcoming events from Nov 14

11/14/2025 5:58 am

November 12 - December 12

Food and supplies drive, lobby

 

November 17

Book drive for More than Words starts, lobby

 

Tuesday November 25

Warm Up for Winter event, AHS, 1PM–6 PM.

 

Wednesday November 26

Early release, 11:30am

 

Thursday November 27-Friday November 28

NO SCHOOL -- Thanksgiving break

 

November 30

Deadline for AEF Stars

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From the Library: Quarter 1 newsletter

11/14/2025 5:56 am

Dear Dallin Families,

Welcome to the latest edition of The Library Dispatch, the Dallin School Library Quarterly Newsletter! We know your time is precious, so we'll be completely honest: this newsletter is packed with information and runs a tiny bit long. However, we promise the extra scroll is worth it! Inside, you’ll find a wider scope of what students have been learning in quarter 1 along with important library program information and reminders (please help children return books). Think of it as a behind-the-scenes peek into your child's learning journey. Happy reading!

 

Best wishes,

Mrs. Maldonado (Mrs. M)

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Great Pumpkin Rescue Report

11/14/2025 5:55 am

The Great Pumpkin Rescue was a success! We saved approximately 30 cubic yards (an estimated 8 tons!) of pumpkins from going in the trash and getting incinerated. This giant pile of pumpkins will instead turn to compost and help new plants grow.
 
Thank you to everyone who contributed and especially to the students, families, and staff who helped toss the pumpkins onto the truck last Friday! 
 
Please join the Dallin Green Team for more events, including a monthly Pick Up at Pick Up on First Fridays where kids and grown ups will work together to clean up the playground and blacktop areas.  
 
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