Dallin Digest Newsletter
From the Library: Author visits!
10/9/2026 6:00 am
Dear Dallin Families,
We are thrilled to announce two wonderful upcoming author visits for our students! These events provide a fantastic opportunity to inspire a love of reading and creative writing across our school community.
Here are the details for both visits:
- Shawn Harris (visiting 3rd grade classes and 4 CH)
- When: Visit - Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026
- Book Order Deadline - Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- About the Author & Event: Caldecott Honor–winning author and illustrator Shawn Harris will be visiting to celebrate his new picture book, Duel. Known for his award-winning artwork in Have You Ever Seen a Flower? and his popular Teeny-Weeny Unicorn series, Shawn uses a clever "squish painting" technique to create symmetrical illustrations in Duel that explore symmetry, art, and cooperation.
- Special Thanks & Book Ordering: This event is made possible thanks to our partnership with Wellesley Books. You can order signed copies (deadline - Tuesday 10/13) of Duel directly through the Wellesley Books order page (https://wellesleybooks.com/shawn-harris-visits-dallin). Please note: All Dallin families are welcome to order autographed Shawn Harris books, even if your child’s class is not attending this specific visit!
- Kathryn Selvidge (visiting all students)
- When: Friday, November 20, 2026
- Book Order Deadline - Tuesday, October 19, 2026
- About the Author & Event: Kathryn Selvidge is the author of the Kloe series, which uses engaging animal characters to help children explore empathy, self-care, and friendship.
- Special Thanks & Book Ordering: This author visit is underwritten by our generous Dallin PTO. If you would like to purchase copies of Kathryn Selvidge's books for your child, please click here for an order form.
We look forward to welcoming Mr. Harris and Ms. Selvidge to our school! Thank you for your continued support in fostering a rich reading environment for our students.
Warmly,
Melissa
Read MoreDiscovery Day Is Coming — We Need You!
10/9/2026 5:58 am
Get ready for Discovery Day on November 13!
Discovery Day is our school’s annual celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). Instead of students presenting experiments, we invite parents and members of our local community to share something they’re passionate about with our students.
Presenters will host an interactive table in the gym or cafeteria where students can:
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Try a hands-on experiment or activity -
Explore technology, engineering, or science -
Discover the STEAM side of art and creativity -
Play with math, puzzles, or problem-solving -
Learn about an interesting hobby, profession, or passion
You don't need to be a scientist or engineer to participate! If you have something interesting to share and enjoy engaging with kids, we'd love to have you.
We also need volunteers to help make the morning run smoothly, from setting up tables to helping students navigate the event.
Interested in presenting or volunteering?
Please contact pkmeex@gmail.com to learn more or sign up.
Come share your curiosity, enthusiasm, and expertise—and help make Discovery Day an exciting morning of exploration for our students!
Thanks for the Coffee!
10/9/2026 5:56 am
Thank you to the almost 50 different families who sponsored coffee for a teacher or staff member last week. Everyone on our list was sponsored in time to receive coffee last Friday! We've already heard from many faculty and staff that free coffee was a wonderful surprise.
Read MoreJoin the Dallin Garden Team this year!
10/9/2026 5:54 am
The Dallin Garden Team will have its first meeting of the year on Friday, October 16 at 8am in the garden in front of the school and will plan out our activities for the school year. We need the help of the Dallin community to keep our gardens looking great and are looking for volunteers to help with a variety of activities - both big & small - no gardening experience is necessary.
Our team's goal is to provide Dallin students with opportunities to experience nature first-hand by planting in the raised beds and contributing to the expansion of the Science garden and grounds. The team runs planting lessons with Dallin students and facilitates nature-themed projects (eg., painting pollinator houses) through the art classes with Stacie Greenland. The team also assists with improvement and maintenance of the Dallin garden and grounds.
If you are interested in learning more about the team or volunteering, please stop by the garden on Friday 10/16 at 8am.
Needed: 5th Grade Celebration of Learning Team!
10/9/2026 5:52 am
Do you have a 5th grader at Dallin this year? We're looking for a couple of people to head up the committee to plan the Celebration of Learning for the 5th graders.
This would involve helping to plan a couple of meetings to get volunteers set up working on different aspects of the 5th grade Celebration of Learning, and getting the ball rolling for fundraisers. We're hoping to find 2-3 people who can come together to help organize a larger group. There is support available from folks who have led this group in previous years. Reach out to Jamie (jamiejacee@gmail.com) if you're interested or have further questions!
Read MoreSEPAC Newsletter: October 8, 2026
10/9/2026 5:50 am
Please click "More" for details on the following stories from the SEPAC newsletter:
- First SEPAC Monthly Meeting is Next Tuesday! October 13th, 7:30pm – 8:30pm (Zoom)
- Free BSEA Mediation Supports for Families
- Virtual Workshop: Understanding School Refusal
- Fall Family & Community Forums
- Programs and services in and around the community
Calendar and additional community events, 10/9
10/9/2026 5:00 am
Saturday, October 10
Monday, October 12
NO SCHOOL -- Indigenous People's Day
Thursday, October 15
Shawn Harris author visit (3rd grade classes and 4 KH)
Friday, October 16
Dallin Garden Team meeting, garden (to the left of the main entrance), 8am
Thursday, October 29
Joint Town and School Budget Forum, AHS and Zoom, 7pm
Friday, November 3
NO SCHOOL -- Professional Development day
November 4, 5, 6
Dallin Fall Conferences
Wednesday, November 11
NO SCHOOL -- Veterans Day
Friday, November 13
Friday, November 20
Kathryn Selvidge author visit (visiting all students)
Arlington Youth Lacrosse will have Try Lax events for all children with no experience necessary, on October 18 and 25. Grades 5-8 from 3-4pm and grades K/1-4 from 4:15-5:15pm. The event will be at McClennan Park on Summer St. Register in advance at https://arlingtonlax.org/ .
Enjoyed hearing Ms. Connor at Town Day? Come to the Boston Skyline Chorus concert, "Harvest of Harmony", Saturday, Nov. 7th 3:00-5:00pm at First Parish Church, 50 Church Street, Waltham, MA. There will be a Silent Auction, Gift Basket Raffles, and Refreshments! More information and tickets here!
Read More
Custodian Appreciation!
10/2/2026 6:00 am
Friday October 2nd is School Custodian Appreciation Day! To show our appreciation to our wonderful custodians Dennis Vivieros and Eddy Maldanado, the PTO has given them each gift cards along with sweet fall treats. We thank them for all they do to keep our school community clean, safe and functioning every day. If you see them, please give them your thanks!
Read MoreOpportunities to support Art at Dallin!
10/2/2026 5:58 am
Rainbow Alliance 2026-2027
10/2/2026 5:57 am
Dolly Parton Day at Dallin!
10/2/2026 5:56 am
On September 25, we celebrated Dolly Parton Day with a special Dolly-inspired drink cart for our wonderful teachers and staff! It was a small way to say a big thank you for all they do for our students.
We’re so grateful to our Dallin families for supporting the Annual Fund, which makes these little moments of teacher appreciation possible throughout the year. Thank you for helping us celebrate the people who make Dallin so special!
Read MorePick Up at Pick Up!
10/2/2026 5:54 am
Help keep our school grounds clean with the Green Team! Join the Dallin Green Team Friday, October 2nd, at dismissal for our monthly Pick Up at Pick Up event where kids and grown ups will work together to clean up the playground and blacktop areas.
Oct. 29 Joint Town and School Budget Forum
10/2/2026 5:52 am
One Budget: Municipal and School Spending in FY28 and Beyond
All Arlington community members are invited to attend One Town, One Budget: Municipal and School Spending in FY28 and Beyond, a joint Town and School Budget Forum hosted by Town Manager Jim Feeney and Arlington Public Schools Superintendent of Schools Dr. Elizabeth C. Homan in collaboration with the Select Board and School Committee.
Date: Thursday, October 29
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Arlington High School Discourse Lab
Register on Zoom to join virtually
Have Questions? Submit them here.
Arlington Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration with the Red Hawk Singers and Dancers
10/2/2026 5:50 am
Saturday, October 10, 11-12:30 PM
Arlington Masonic Temple
19 Academy St., Arlington, MA 02476
Join us for a townwide celebration of this land’s First Peoples! This free event for all ages will feature a fun and educational performance by the Red Hawk Singers and Dancers. Through song, dance, and teachings, the Red Hawk Singers and Dancers promote traditional Wampanoag values such as humility and respect to create true connections between diverse cultures and communities.
Sponsored by the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum, Arlington Historical Society, Arlington Human Rights Commission, Old Schwamb Mill, Robbins Library, and First Parish Arlington Indigenous Justice Working Group. For more information, visit dallin.org.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Read MoreCalendar and additional community events, 10/2
10/2/2026 5:00 am
Friday, October 2
Pick up at Pick Up, blacktop and field, 2:30pm
Saturday, October 10
Monday, October 12
NO SCHOOL -- Indigenous People's Day
Thursday, October 29
Joint Town and School Budget Forum, AHS and Zoom, 7pm
November 4, 5, 6
Dallin Fall Conferences
The Cambridge Science Carnival returns on Sunday October 4, 2026 from 12-4pm in the Kendall/MIT Open Space!
A family-friendly science extravaganza, Carnival is a beloved yearly highlight of the Cambridge STEAM calendar! Over 100 activity booths, demonstrations, live music, and installations, including the ever-popular Robot Petting Zoo, come together for one day. Carnival is a STEAM-themed adventure playground for inquisitive visitors of all ages. Find out more on the Cambridge Science Carnival website.
Arlington Community Barn Dance!
Sunday October 4 and first Sunday of each month through May, 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
Enjoyed hearing Ms. Connor at Town Day? Come to the Boston Skyline Chorus concert, "Harvest of Harmony", Saturday, Nov. 7th 3:00-5:00pm at First Parish Church, 50 Church Street, Waltham, MA. There will be a Silent Auction, Gift Basket Raffles, and Refreshments! More information and tickets here!
Read More
