Dallin Digest Newsletter
Dallin Spelling Bee, Thursday, January 30th
1/24/2025 7:04 am
Arlington SEPAC News
1/24/2025 7:03 am
Attend the Next Monthly SEPAC Meeting: February 11, 2025 | 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Zoom (info at end of newsletter)
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CANCELED (to be rescheduled) How and When to Go to Mediation Over an IEP [SEPAC WEBINAR]
January 21, 2025 | 7:30-8:30pm
Presenter: Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA)
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Supporting Children Who Struggle with Anxiety [APS Workshop]
Jan 28 and Feb 4th @ Arlington High School (7-8pm)
The APS social work department is offering a 2-part parent/caregiver workshop on the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment model. Learn more
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APS Training: Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person)
New dates added February - June
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Monday, February 3 (8:15 - 11:45am) & Monday, February 10 (8:15 - 11:45am)
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Monday, March 3 (8:15 - 11:45am) & Tuesday, March 4 (8:15 - 11:45am)
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Thursday, April 10 (8:15am - 4pm)
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Thursday, May 15 (8:15am - 4pm)
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Tuesday, June 3 (12 - 3:30pm) & Tuesday, June 10 (12 - 3:30pm)
Questions? Contact Julia Vitagliano, MPH, Mental Health Initiative Grant Program Manager jvitagliano@arlington.k12.ma.
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WEBINAR: What’s love got to do with it? Sexuality, puberty, and Autism
Feb 6, 2025 | 7:30 PM | RegisterJoin Dr. Crehan to chat about love, sexuality, and changing bodies and autism. This can be a topic that elicits some giggles and some blushing but here’s your chance to not have to google your questions or concerns and to ask Dr. Crehan directly. She will give a brief overview of some important information about disability and sexuality to consider and will share some resources, but most importantly… bring your questions! Dr. Crehan is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Tufts University and specializes in sexuality and relationships for neurodiverse populations.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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The SEPAC Annual Survey is coming! Your chance to give APS actionable feedback
The annual survey is a vital tool that helps SEPAC advocate for the best supports and services for all our children. Results are shared with APS and the School Committee; so the input of all parents and caregivers is invaluable in creating a school district that supports all learners. It will be ready by the end of the month.
============= SEPAC ZOOM INFO ==================
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/
Passcode: 378204
Join by phone: 309 205 3325
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Share Your Voice: Complete the Envision Arlington Survey by March 3rd
1/24/2025 7:02 am
Arlington Public Schools families, your feedback matters! The Envision Arlington Survey is now open, and it’s your chance to share your thoughts on important topics such as schools, town services, transportation, housing, and more. Your input helps guide decisions that shape the future of our community and schools.
The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and is available here.
Make your voice heard—complete the survey by March 3rd and help us build a stronger, more connected Arlington!
Thank you for being an engaged member of our school community.
Arlington Parents online groups
1/24/2025 7:00 am
If you'd like to connect with Arlington parents beyond the Dallin community, there are many ways to do so online in different formats. Each group has its own guidelines and norms and are not affiliated with any official organizations.
The Arlington Parents list is a long-running email list: https://groups.google.com/g/arlingtonparents/about?pli=1
There are many groups on Facebook, including Arlington Parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArlingtonParents
If you're a Facebook user, be sure to also add the Dallin PTO page:
https://www.facebook.com/dallinelementarypto
A recently created Slack group is gaining momentum now: https://arlingtonmaparents.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-2y7r50der-PU3iK_AWO75h0dJTHK6PmA#/shared-invite/email
Read MoreSTEAM Game Night Next Friday, January 24th!
1/17/2025 7:11 am
The countdown is on for the STEAM Game Night Friday, January 24h from 6-8pm in the Dallin Cafeteria. Whether you come for the board games, the prizes, or one of the other family-friendly STEAM-infused activities, join us next Friday and sign up here to be a game night helper.
Event details:
- Friday January 24h between 6pm-8pm in the Dallin Cafeteria, FREE
- All attendees can enter a raffle for a chance to win a Henry Bear’s Gift Card!
- Children should come with a chaperone, at least one adult per 3 children.
- To keep games clean, we ask you to leave food at home. Water bottles encouraged.
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 MoreCulture Night, Saturday March 15
1/17/2025 7:10 am
Thanks from the Teachers’ Lounge!
1/17/2025 7:09 am
Quarter 3 Library Volunteers
1/17/2025 7:08 am
Kindergarten Families Night Out, Thurs Jan 23
1/17/2025 7:07 am
Calling all kindergarten families!
Looking to meet other kindergarten parents, build your school community, or just enjoy a kid-free night out? Join us for Kindergarten Parents' Night Out on Thursday, January 23rd at Tavern Square from 7:30 to 9 PM(ish).
This fun social event is organized by your kindergarten class reps through the PTO to help families connect and get to know each other. The PTO will provide light appetizers and a cozy space to mingle. Drinks and additional food will be available for purchase.
We'd love to see you there! Please RSVP through our Facebook event. If you're not on Facebook, feel free to email Vanessa at porter.vanessa@gmail.com so we can give the restaurant an accurate headcount.
We hope you can make it!
Read MoreNews from the APS Nurses
1/17/2025 7:06 am
Please follow the link below for the APS Nurses' Newsletter, which addresses winter clothing, respiratory illnesses, lice, cough drop policies, extra clothes, and the APS illness guidelines:
https://secure.smore.com/n/rpa4b
Read MoreAPS 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
Read MoreFree 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.
Upcoming training dates:
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Monday, February 3 (8:15 - 11:45am) & Monday, February 10 (8:15 - 11:45am)
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Monday, March 3 (8:15 - 11:45am) & Tuesday, March 4 (8:15 - 11:45am)
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Thursday, April 10 (8:15am - 4pm)
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Thursday, May 15 (8:15am - 4pm)
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Tuesday, June 3 (12 - 3:30pm) & Tuesday, June 10 (12 - 3:30pm)
All training sessions will take place in person in the Arlington Public Schools District Offices (14 Mill Brook Drive, Arlington, MA 02476).
Registration: tinyurl.com/
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.
Read MoreArlington 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!).
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