APS Virus Guidance Snapshot

1/17/2025 7:05 am

Core prevention strategies for respiratory illness prevention:

• Immunizations
• Hygiene
• Steps for cleaner air
• Treatment
• Stay home and prevent spread (until symptoms improve and fever-free for 24h without medications), plus 5 days of added precaution

Additional prevention strategies:

• Masks
• Distancing
• Tests

Layering prevention strategies can be especially helpful when:

• Respiratory viruses are causing a lot of illness in your community
• You or those around vou have risk factors for severe illness
• You or those around you were recently exposed, are sick, or are recovering

APS Nutrition & Wellness Policy Guide

1/17/2025 7:04 am

APS Nutrition & Wellness Policy Guide

Guideline for Healthy Decisions

NUTRITION
The district will follow Smart Snacks in School Nutrition Standards.

These standards apply to foods and beverages sold or provided to students from midnight before until 30 minutes after the official school day ends.

HEALTHY CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS

Classroom celebrations and/or rewards will be food free. School celebrations, including celebrations that involve multiple classrooms, will be considered with the approval of the building principal in collaboration with the school nurse, keeping health & safety in mind.

FOOD SOLD FOR FUNDRAISING

The Arlington Public Schools will allow only non-food items to be sold as part of school-sponsored fundraising activities during the school day. This mandate extends from midnight before until 30 minutes after the school day. Exemptions can be made for food sold only to adults during the school day.

STUDENTS BRINGING IN THEIR OWN FOOD

Parents/Guardians may send their individual students to school with whatever food they deem appropriate. Healthy options are encouraged.
Food should not be shared.

CURRICULUM BASED FOODS
Food is not to be used as a reward. Curriculum based food activities will need the building principal’s approval in collaboration with the school nurse. Family & Consumer Sciences (FACS) teachers in grades 7-12 will obtain a blanket approval from the building principals for the culinary classes.
FACS teachers will be sure to obtain knowledge of food allergies, diabetes management information, etc. from the school nurse and develop an action plan involving students with food allergies.

Full APS Nutrition and Wellness Policy: https://z2policy.ctspublish.com/masc/browse/arlingtonset/arlington/ADF

Free Youth Mental Health First Aid training for Arlington parents & caregivers

1/17/2025 7:03 am

Youth Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training for adults who frequently interact with youth. Learners receive free comprehensive materials on how to recognize common signs of mental health concerns in adolescents, the language and skills to talk to youth about suicide, how to connect youth to care, and a list of community and national referral resources. 

APS Community Budget Forum 

1/17/2025 7:02 am

Next Tuesday the 21st, APS will hold a forum to inform the community about the APS budget process and how Town funds are allocated to APS. All community members are welcome. The forum will take place from 7pm-8pm and includes a virtual option; community members can register to attend the forum virtually via Zoom here. Questions can be submitted ahead of time to this form.

Arlington Lunar New Year Celebration, Sat Jan 25

1/17/2025 7:02 am

There will be a Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, January 25th at Arlington High School! This event is free to the community promises to be a ton of fun for our students and families: please share widely!

Activities will take place from 4-6pm, with a performance from 6-8pm. The event is sponsored by several Town organizations, departments, and businesses, and will feature food stands (yummy!).

AHS Latino Student Union Movie Night, Friday Jan 31

1/17/2025 7:00 am

AHS Latino Student Union is hosting a movie night fundraiser on Friday, January 31st at 7pm at the high school.

Safe Arrival and Dismissal reminders

1/10/2025 7:10 am

As winter weather continues to impact arrival and dismissal plans, please review the safe arrival and dismissal plans  to help ensure the safety of everyone on Dallin’s campus. Campus is very busy with vehicles and pedestrians and our plan outlines the safest pattern for vehicles around school. We understand that it may not be the most convenient, but it is safest for our community members.

Most notably, George Street is a fire lane and NOT a drop-off zone for students. We know that it’s closest to our Kindergarten doors but we ask that you use the Florence Avenue drop-off zone. 

Here is the information you need to support Dallin’s safe arrival and dismissal: 

Traffic Pattern and Parking Plan for Dallin

1. Florence Avenue between Renfrew and George Streets: restricted to school buses for one block during school arrival (7:40-8:10) and dismissal (2:15-2:45) and 12:45-1:15 on Tuesdays.
2. The student drop-off area is on the west side of Florence Avenue extending from Waverly to Renfrew Street. There are traffic bollards there to designate the area. If you drive your student/s to school, use this drop-off zone and then make a left turn onto Waverly or Renfrew Streets. George Street is a fire lane and NOT a drop-off zone.
3. George Street is one-way from Florence Avenue to Rhinecliff Street; there is a “No Left Turn” except for staff needing to access the parking lot.
4. The back parking lot is for staff only. Do not park in that lot during school hours or at arrival/dismissal.
5. There are parking spaces in the neighborhood to use if you need to get out of the car with your child. Parking in or near crosswalks makes it very difficult to see children and impedes traffic flow. 

Thank you for helping us keep students and adults safe while they’re on campus. 

Help our Teachers' Lounge!

1/10/2025 7:08 am

Library Newsletter

1/10/2025 7:06 am

Dallin students, along with all APS library classes, will be learning about the Caldecott Awards and reading 10 picture books with outstanding illustrations before voting for their favorites.

STEAM Game Night Friday January 24

1/10/2025 7:05 am

Game Night is back! The Dallin STEAM Team is pleased to invite you to Family Games & Puzzles Night on Friday, January 24^th from 6-8pm in the Dallin Cafeteria.

Please plan ahead for an exciting evening of family-friendly STEAM games and activities for all ages, with a focus on FUN elements of math and problem-solving. Let’s play together!

The STEAM team thanks Henry Bear’s Park for their generous prize donations. We’ll also need some helpers to make this event a success. Sign up here: Dallin STEAM Game Night Volunteers

Contact angela.l.elias@gmail.com or dallinsteamteam@gmail.com if you have questions.

Arlington SEPAC Newsletter

1/10/2025 7:02 am

From the Principal: Welcome Back and Happy New Year!

1/3/2025 7:10 am

Welcome Back and Happy New Year Dallin families,

I hope this message finds you well and that your family enjoyed a restful and joyful winter break. At the Dingman house, much flour was consumed in all sorts of forms over the last two weeks. Mainly in correlation with sugar, if I’m being honest. So at the start of 2025, like most New Years, I’m thinking about a few more miles on the bike to make up for some great time with my family.

A short week to start our new year, and then we’re excited to connect with you through upcoming Family-Teacher Conferences.

Family-Teacher Conferences Next Week!

We are excited to welcome families for Family-Teacher Conferences next week. These meetings are a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, celebrate their progress, and set meaningful goals for the remainder of the year. The schedule is:

• Early Release Days on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM.
• Evening Conferences will be held on Thursday evening from 6 PM to 8 PM.

We hope every family can find a time that works for their schedule to join us in these important conversations.

Note: For families who work with multiple educators (e.g., special education or related services), please look for communication around additional times to meet. Or, always feel welcome to reach out directly to teachers to inquire about conference structure.

MCAS 2025 Testing Dates are Released

For families of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, here are the state testing dates for this spring. There are 2 sessions of ELA and Mathematics for all students 3rd through 5th grade. There are an additional two sessions for 5th grades who will be taking a Science, Technology, and Engineering MCAS, as well.

As we enter the second half of the school year, there is so much to be optimistic about. Our teaching team is deeply engaged in implementing the EL Education curriculum, providing new content and opportunities for students to learn deeply. Definitely ask your child’s teacher more about it at conferences.

We’ll also continuing to grow our Playworks program and deepen our efforts to ensure every student feels included and safe at school. These priorities reflect our commitment to creating a supportive and safe learning community for all our students.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our school. It’s a privilege to work alongside such caring and engaged families. Here’s to a fantastic 2025 filled with growth, learning, and joy!

Be well,

Thad 

Conference dates and signups

1/3/2025 7:08 am

A reminder that family-teacher conferences take place next week. 

School will be dismissed at 11:30 am on Tuesday Jan 7 and Wednesday Jan 8.

In addition to scheduling time to talk with your child's classroom teacher, you may want to meet with our specialists. Here are links to schedule that time:

• Art: Signup link for Tuesday Jan 7th, and Wednesday , Jan 8th; Signup link for Thursday evening, Jan 9th
• Music: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4CAFAB23A1F4C34-54016483-dallin
• PE: PE/Health Sign up for Conferences

If you have any difficulty with sign ups, please reach out to the teachers directly as they maintain their own schedules.

Dallin Library Statistics for 2024

1/3/2025 7:06 am

Students checked out 7813 books from the Dallin Library this year!  There are 9244 books total in the Library.

The top ten checked out books and series were:

The Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey

Because of Mr. Terupt, by Rob Buyea (who visited the school earlier this year)

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Unraveled, by Shannon Messenger

How to Cake It: a cakebook by Yolanda Gampp

The Lego Ideas Book: unlock your imagination by Daniel Lipkowitz

The Minecraft Guide series by Stephanie Milton

National Geographic Kids Pet records : the weirdest, cutest, biggest, coolest, tiniest, and smartest pets on the planet by Julie Beer and Michelle Harris

Pokémon! super deluxe essential handbook

 The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Agents of S.U.I.T by John Patrick Green and Christopher Hastings ; illustrated by Pat Lewis ; with color by Wes Dzioba

New Year, New Spirit Wear!

1/3/2025 7:02 am