Dallin Digest Newsletter
Dallin Day at Wicked Bagel Saturday Feb 8
2/7/2025 7:06 am
Arlington SEPAC February news
2/7/2025 7:05 am
Arlington SEPAC Newsletter: February 4, 2025
Subscribe to our email list | Events Calendar | Get involved
______________________________
***Monthly SEPAC Meeting***
February 11, 2025 | 7:30pm - 8:30pm | Zoom (info at end of newsletter)
New this month! Post-meeting informal "hang-outs"! Feel free to stick around to chat more casually and/or ask questions on your mind.
______________________________
COMING SOON! The Annual SEPAC Survey of Parents and Caregivers
Be on the lookout for the annual SEPAC survey which serves to capture parent/caregiver satisfaction with the Special Education services provided in the Arlington Public Schools and to inform discussions with APS administration and the School Committee. Regardless of whether your child has a specific diagnosis or where you are in your Special Education journey, we want to hear from you!
______________________________
[SEPAC WEBINAR] What’s love got to do with it? Sexuality, puberty, and autism
February 6, 2025 | 7:30pm | Zoom
Come join Dr. Eileen Crehan of Tufts University to chat about love, sexuality, and changing bodies and autism. This can be a topic that elicits some giggles and some blushing but it is at the forefront of the minds of many parents of kids with developmental disabilities. Dr. Crehan will give a brief overview of some important information about disability and sexuality and will share resources. Bring your questions!
Register now (you will then receive the Zoom link)
______________________________
[SEPAC WEBINAR] Demystifying Dyslexia Group
February 27, 2025 | 6:30pm | Zoom
Join Dr. Ola Ozernov-Palchik and Miriam Fein, MS, CCC-SLP for a discussion on unpacking the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of dyslexia. Hosted by our Canton SEPAC friends!
______________________________
[APS PARENT/CAREGIVER TRAINING] Youth Mental Health First Aid – New dates announced!
-
Monday, March 3 (8:15 - 11:45am) & Tuesday, March 4 (8:15 - 11:45am)
-
Thursday, April 10 (8:15am - 4pm)
-
Thursday, May 15 (8:15am - 4pm)
-
Tuesday, June 3 (12 - 3:30pm) & Tuesday, June 10 (12 - 3:30pm)
Questions? Contact Julia Vitagliano jvitagliano@arlington.k12.ma.
______________________________
Arlington Youth Counseling Center (AYCC) Parent/Caregiver Group
Mondays 6:00-7:15pm | February 24 - April 21
AYCC is offering a parent/caregiver support group with clinician Amy Hoff, MA. This small therapeutic group will meet weekly to share and cultivate connections. We will build practical skills that will increase confidence in our ability to empathize with our children, respond to behaviors, and solve problems with them collaboratively.
______________________________
[EVENT] Malden and Medford High Schools Hosts Transition-to-Adulthood Fair
March 12, 2025 | 6-8pm | Malden High School gym
______________________________
[NEW RESOURCE] Crisis Intervention
Advocates created this social story at the request of APS school social workers to help children understand how the organization's mobile crisis unit works with students and families.
______________________________
The Autism Society of Massachusetts Offering Medical ID Bracelets
Medical ID bracelets play a critical role in ensuring the safety of individuals with Autism, especially in emergency situations. These bracelets serve as a vital communication tool, enabling nonspeaking individuals to convey important information to first responders when needed. Applications are open for a bracelet gift card.
______________________________
[MARKET RESEARCH] CareCostAI and Managing Medical Expenses
CareCostAI is an early-stage start-up who is building a tool to help families save on medical bills. They trying to connect with Special Ed (and adjacent) families to better understand their needs.
============= SEPAC ZOOM INFO ==================
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/
Passcode: 378204
Join by phone: 309 205 3325
Read More
PTO Meeting: Tuesday, February 4
1/31/2025 7:11 am
Join us for an informal PTO Town Hall on Tuesday, February 4 at 7pm via Zoom! Bring your ideas, questions, and topics of interest to share with the PTO. We'll have space for discussion, and we will share what the PTO is currently up to.
You can join us with the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Dallin Culture Night, Saturday March 15
1/31/2025 7:09 am
Dallin Culture Night will be Saturday March 15th. In order to make this a great event, we will need volunteers to offer foods from various cultures. Costumes are welcome.
Please sign up and let Tamar know if you would like a three-panel poster board to share about your culture.
Sign up to perform a song or a dance, or tell a short story.
Donate to the Dallin Auction, Friday April 11
1/31/2025 7:08 am
Get excited! We’re gearing up for the Dallin Auction on Friday, April 11, at Arlington Town Hall. It’s one of Dallin’s most beloved and successful fundraising events. This year’s theme is the Blue & Gold Gala, highlighting our school colors and spirit.
We can’t wait to see everyone for a magical evening of delicious food, drink, and community. And we need your help!
Donations from Dallin families are the heart and soul of our auction. In the past, members of the Dallin community have donated fun experiences, skills, or physical items such as:
-
Carpentry services
-
Interior design consulting
-
Custom artwork
-
Private yoga classes
-
IT troubleshooting
-
Helicopter flights
-
A night in a vacation house
-
Family photoshoots
-
Theater or sports tickets
-
Restaurant gift cards
-
Themed baskets (e.g.. 5th grade families are working on a “mystery library” basket)
-
Cooking classes
-
…And employer contributions! We’ve welcomed packages from iRobot, Bose, Ghirardelli, and more.
Funds raised directly support our PTO’s mission to provide enrichment, classroom materials, community events, teacher supplies, and so much more.
Donate here! We’d love contributions by Friday, March 14.
If you’d like to contribute as a sponsor or to volunteer for the event, please email dallinschoolauction@gmail.com.
Student Science Expo, Wednesday March 26th
1/31/2025 7:07 am
Calling all future scientists and engineers! Get ready for the 2025 Student Science Expo!
- Students in all grades (K-5) may participate and participation is voluntary.
- Students are encouraged to select a project that answers a question using the scientific method OR solves a problem using the engineering design process.
- Students may work individually or in teams of up to 4 students.
- K-2 students may work with parents, guardians or caregivers.
- Offering food as part of the poster presentation is not allowed.
- A tri-fold poster board will be provided for each project.
- Each project should be registered online here: Science Expo Registration Form by Wednesday, March 16th.
- Extra resources helpful in selecting, planning and presenting projects can be found here:Science Expo Resources
- New this year: 4th and 5th grade students will have opportunities to work on their projects after school with a teacher at Dallin. Details will be shared following registration.
PTO Appreciation Month at Mathnasium!
1/31/2025 7:06 am
APS Pride Logo Competition
1/31/2025 7:05 am
The APS Pride logo competition is open to all APS students. Last year's winners were 5th graders from Brackett! Entries can be submitted at https://tinyurl.com/2025PRIDELOGO by March 28. The winner and finalists will be honored at the APS Pride Fair on May 10th and merchandise with the logo on it will be available all year through Etsy.
Arlington Youth Baseball and Softball Association registration open
1/31/2025 7:04 am
Registration is open for Spring baseball and softball programs for players starting at age 4 with Arlington Youth Baseball and Softball Association (AYBSA). Winter Clinics running now. Spring programs begin April 1. Summer Programs begin in late June. Fall programs begin Sept 1. Learn more and register at https://aybsaonline.org
Girls on the Run
1/31/2025 7:03 am
Girls’ self-confidence begins to drop by age 9 and their physical activity levels decline beginning at age 10. Girls on the Run is changing that.
Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a nonprofit after-school program designed to inspire and empower young girls*. Our fall and spring seasons run for 8–9 weeks, with teams meeting 2x/week for 90-minute sessions led by dedicated volunteer coaches. The program’s curriculum emphasizes social-emotional learning, building self-confidence, promoting physical activity, and encouraging healthy habits. This spring, we’re excited to welcome Arlington girls as part of the 2,500+ participants joining us across Eastern Massachusetts!
*Open to 3rd-5th grade female-identifying, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students.
Spring '25 Details:
Practice Schedule: Practices will take place throughout April & May on Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00pm. (The first practice will be Monday, 3/31.) There will be no practices the week of April vacation.
End-of-Season (Regional) 5K: Sat. 5/31 or Sun 6/1 (TBD)
Location: Based at Calvary Church, 300 Mass Ave.
Cost: $225 with financial assistance available.
Registration Opens: Monday, Feb 3rd (Team Max = 20 girls)
Learn more at www.girlsontherunboston.org and/or reach out to Steph Gendron, Stratton/Ottoson mom and GOTR Greater Boston Program Director at steph.gendron@girlsontherun.org.
Read More
Camp Swiftie August 2025
1/31/2025 7:02 am
Era two: August 18-22, 2025 9am to 3pm
Era three: August 25-29, 2025 9am to 3pm
STEAM Game Night Tonight!
1/24/2025 7:10 am
Whether you come for the board games, the prizes, or one of the other family-friendly activities, join us any time between 6 and 8pm TONIGHT!
Event details:
- Friday January 24h between 6pm-8pm in the Dallin Cafeteria, FREE
- Children should come with a chaperone, at least one adult per 3 children (bring a friend!).
- To keep games clean, we ask you to leave food at home. Water bottles encouraged.
- All attendees can enter a raffle for a chance to win a Henry Bear’s Gift Card!
The PTO STEAM Team has partnered with the Dallin Math coach and TASC to bring you a FUN, FREE event with a range of classic games and new activities perfect for families with students in grades K-5.
We aim to make STEAM fun and accessible to all ages with:
- Giant interactive Connect 4 and Jenga (Strategy and Engineering)
- Traditional board games and card games like Sorry! and UNO (Counting and Arithmetic)
- One-person and group puzzlers, mazes, and game sheets (Geometry and Spatial Relations)
- Prime Climb, Qwirkle, Countdown, and MORE!
Contact dallinsteamteam@gmail.com if you have questions.
Read MoreFrom the students: The Dallin Hourglass
1/24/2025 7:08 am
Hello parents and/or Guardians,
You might have already heard from your child about this, but... The Hourglass is back! For those of you who need more details or would like to know more about it don’t worry, this article will cover most, if not all, of your questions. The Hourglass is a school literary collection with pieces by students, for students. They can submit stories, poems, essays, comics, and artwork.
These are some of the guidelines: Pieces must be original,
(Can do a how to draw but must not trace). Pieces must be in black, white, or gray, but not color, Pieces must be school appropriate, Your child can submit
Up to 1 piece of artwork, Up to 2 pieces of writing
up to 5 handwritten pages or 2 typed pages for writing
When the child submits their piece at school there will be a slip that goes with it.
We do not want their names on the piece (Only on the slip) because we want everyone to get an equal chance, and to be judged fairly. We advise making a copy of your piece if it’s writing because, unlike art, they will not get it back. Everyone who’s piece makes it in gets a copy of the year’s edition. Your child should attach a submission sheet to work; envelopes are in your classroom (give to your teacher); deadline Feb 14, 2025.
Any student can work with a friend if they would like. Unfortunately, not every piece will be chosen but you can submit again next year; parodies and new stories with familiar characters are alright.
This next section only applies to 5th grade students
-
They may submit cover art
-
Cover art must not be on lined paper
-
Included in the design it Must say 2025 or 2024-2025
-
Must include the name The Hourglass
-
It is not required but would be nice to add "Dallin Elementary School”
-
Deadline for cover art is also February 14
-
Cover art does not count as 5th grader’s 1 piece of art
If you have any questions you may contact fifth grade teacher Ms. Bench, the Hourglass advisor at jbench@arlington.k12.ma.us. Participation is not mandatory. But we’d love to see your art and writing in the Hourglass. Remember the deadline is February 14, 2025.
By: Maddie G., Hourglass Editor in Chief, 2025
Read More
Donate to the Dallin Basket for Beats for EATS
1/24/2025 7:06 am
Dallin School will be once again contributing a gift basket to Arlington EATS’ annual fundraising auction. This year the fundraiser will be held in person at Arlington Town Hall on March 22nd. Please help us fill up our “Book Lovers” themed basket! All donations are due by February 28th.
Here are a few ways to contribute:
- Send monetary donations via Venmo to @Kenneth-Simmons-21 with the note “Dallin EATS basket” or e-mail Katie Simmons at chamb2ka@hotmail.com to arrange for another option. Monetary contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated and will be used to purchase gift cards from local book shops and purchase remaining items on the Amazon wish list.
- Order from the Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1ROQMEXF4DM9X?ref_=wl_share
The themed baskets that the schools have made each of the last several years have been a huge hit. Beats for EATS is Arlington EATS' largest annual fundraiser and is critical to their mission of feeding hungry neighbors. Let’s fill our basket, Dallin!
To learn more about Arlington EATS, please visit arlingtoneats.org.
February Vacation lunch support from Arlington EATS
1/24/2025 7:05 am
Arlington EATS will be offering free pre-packed bags of groceries to any family with kids in Arlington schools who could use extra food support over February break. Vacation lunch bags packed with with nutritious, easy to prepare, kid-friendly foods will be available to pick up on Thursday, February 13 and Friday, February 14 at Arlington EATS, 117 Broadway. Sign up here by February 10 or call 339-707-6757 ext. 6 to find out more.
Visit Arlington EATS at arlingtoneats.org to learn more about getting help with food, how to volunteer, and other ways to address food insecurity in Arlington.
