Dallin Digest Newsletter
Robbins Farm Park Reopening
11/22/2024 7:05 am
The Recreation Department and the Park and Recreation Commission cordially invite you to attend the ribbon cutting for the (partial) opening of Robbins Farm Park.
When: Saturday, November 23rd at 9:30 a.m.
This will be the Town's first playground utilizing universal design principles and is intended to be accessible for individuals with varying abilities. The renovation project is primarily funded by the Community Preservation Act, American Rescue Plan Act funds, with support from the Friends of Robbins Farm Park, community members, and local businesses
Speakers Include
Eric Helmuth, Arlington Select Board member
Sue Doctrow, Co-Chair, Community Preservation Act Committee
Natasha Waden, Recreation Director
James Hampe, Friends of the Robbins Farm Park
Julia Kenerson, Arlington Resident
The landscape architects, Agency Landscape and Planning and the contractor J.J. Phelan & Son Company will be in attendance.
Coffee and donuts will be served and the park will be open to all.
The event is rain or shine
No RSVP required, just show up and enjoy the fun!
Read MoreBasketball Free Throw contest
11/22/2024 7:04 am
Basketball Free Throw Contest
Location: Arlington Boys & Girls Club, 60 Pond Lane, Arlington, MA
Hosted by: Arlington Lodge of Elks Lodge # 1435
Date: Sunday, November 24th, 2024 Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm Register at 12:30 pm
Director: Barbara Lynch Contact: 617-776-8575
For ages 8 to 13. More info visit: elks.org/hoopshoot
From the Assistant Principal: PTO-supported assemblies
11/15/2024 7:15 am
Dallin families,
Our students have experienced some wonderful assemblies in the last month thanks to your financial support of Dallin’s PTO. Here are some highlights:
An Irish music and dance troupe from County Clare visited Dallin in late October. Tigh na Coille, which is made up of 22 students ages 11-19 and 2 teacher leaders, did a whole-school performance - they played a variety of instruments, sang traditional Irish music, and performed several dances. Rounding out our time together, their leader asked everyone to join in a dance and many students and staff joined in. It was a joyful way to end our time with them.
Much to my surprise, they got almost everyone up and dancing - safely!
Following the performance, they transitioned into a 2nd grade music class where they demonstrated instruments and taught students some Irish dances.
The PTO then fed them pizza and they were off to begin their two-week tour.
Here is a video of the Irish teens who came to Boston on tour in Bulgaria last Spring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7dIzBYhalQ
Our wonderful librarians, Ms. Troja and Ms. Aaronson, brought in an engaging local author, Rob Buyea, who was a hit! He shared several stories that got big laughs from the students (and had at least one administrator hoping that they weren’t listening too closely). He has a handful of series that your student may enjoy reading, especially if they are reluctant readers.
And finally, last Friday author Jason Viola joined Dallin for 3 assemblies that highlighted how he got interested in drawing and writing comics (Garfield), where he gets his ideas, and how his books get to print. He began drawing comics when he was about 8 years old and finds his inspiration in the natural world through the lens of pop culture.
Several Dallin actors got to do a quick reading.
So, Dallin families, thank you for making these opportunities available to our students (and adults). We always learn so much with our visitors and it enriches our days at school.
Best,
Sam
Winter Gear Swap & Garden Clean-up Tomorrow
11/15/2024 7:09 am
Join the Dallin community for a joint Winter Gear Swap & Garden Clean-up at Dallin this Saturday, November 16th from 9am - 11am.
For the Winter Gear Swap: donations can be dropped off in the labeled box in the Dallin lobby today or bring to the event. Please share unwanted gear in children's sizes, washed and in good condition. We are accepting the following items: winter gloves, winter hats, winter boots, winter jackets, snow pants, heavy socks, scarves and neck warmers. If you have any questions about acceptable items or if you would like to arrange a house drop-off, please contact Anne Hurley at Alehurley@gmail.com.
For the Garden Clean Up: a range of activities around the Dallin grounds including mulching, winterizing the garden beds, planting bulbs, weeding, raking leaves and cleaning up Florence Field are planned. Please bring your own garden tools (wheel barrows, gloves, shovels, trowels, & rakes for both mulching and leaves). Stay for as little or long as you can!
Resources and events from Arlington SEPAC
11/15/2024 7:08 am
The Arlington Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a parent group that acts as a resource for parents and advises the district regarding meeting the needs of students with disabilities.
[RESOURCE] Preparing Your Child for the New IEP Process
There is a new IEP rolling out this school year! A new element includes making students part of the process with the goal of supporting an asset based mindset and ensuring each child has the opportunity for self-advocacy. This helpful resource from one of our very own APS staff members can help your child prepare! Got questions about an upcoming IEP meeting? Please contact your Team Chair.
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[SEPAC WEBINAR] Next week! Advocating for your Child – Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Students in School
Wednesday, Nov. 20th | Zoom (info below)
Arlington SEPAC is hosting the Parent Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) who will give parents/caregivers a foundation for advancing their advocacy skills throughout their child’s Special Education journey and during the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. Topics include: how to identify, document and communicate your concerns, evaluations, support plans, team meetings and letter writing with the focus on the student’s emotional/behavioral/mental health challenges and the support that students may need to access the curriculum and life of the school.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 854 1205 2274
Passcode: 378204
Join by phone: 309 205 3325
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[RESOURCE] Basic Rights and Legal Protections in Special Education
The Somerville SEPAC has generously shared the slide deck for a recent presentation regarding basic rights and legal protections for parents who have concerns about their child’s education. It also discusses the evaluation process and responsibilities of district and school staff as well as the role of parents. Arlington SEPAC will be hosting a basic rights webinar in January.
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[WEBINAR] Cartwheel Webinars on Mental Health and Resilience
Can We Talk? How to Have Conversations with Kids about Mental Health
Nov. 13 @7pm | Registration link
Raising Resilient and Confident Kids in the Age of Achievement Culture
Dec. 4th @7pm | Registration link
About Cartwheel: Cartwheel partners with APS to provide students and families with rapid access to mental health assessments, evidence-based therapy, medication management and consultation, and parent/guardian guidance. To learn more about Cartwheel's services, please contact a member of your school’s counseling or guidance team.
Read More
Lost and Found Clean Out- November 22
11/15/2024 7:07 am
Thanksgiving Pie Fundraiser
11/15/2024 7:06 am
Thanksgiving Pie Sale! To support 5th grade Celebration of Learning, pre-order a Thanksgiving pie by 11/15 for pickup of frozen pies at dismissal on 11/27 (11:30am). 10" options include Pumpkin, Apple, Pecan, Chocolate Cream, or Boston Cream for $15 each. Order here or contact Julie Hansen with questions at julie.kristian@gmail.com
Read MoreFrom the Library
11/8/2024 7:10 am
What are we reading?
Look What we Learned
In K-2 grade we have been learning about library expectations and how to take care of our library books. We are learning about Fiction and Non-Fiction books and discussing the difference between Facts and Opinions.
Older grades have discussed how to choose a book, banned books and censorship, our Chromebook technology promise and how to access the online catalog and Sora for checking out e-books and audiobooks.
Ask your Kid
What is the difference between a Fiction and Non-Fiction book
What is the difference between a Fact and an Opinion?
W/hat are some of the rules for using the chromebooks?
Third, fourth, and fifth graders had an author visit from Rob Buyea.
Have any questions? Contact me at atroha@arlington.k12.maa.us
Read MoreNovember 16: Winter Gear swap and Garden Cleanup
11/8/2024 7:08 am
Library Volunteers: additional Q2 slots
11/8/2024 7:06 am
Quarter 2 "enrichment" library classes are starting on November 12.
Dallin Discovery Day
11/8/2024 7:05 am
We are excited to announce our annual Discovery Day on the morning of Friday, November 22nd from 8:00am - 10:40am and we need your help! The format of this event is for all Dallin students to participate in a variety of short hands-on STEAM activities/demonstrations run by volunteer parents & caregivers and members of the Dallin community in the cafeteria and gym.
We are currently building the list of activities to include in Discovery Day. Activities can encompass any STEAM (science, tech, engineering, arts & math) discipline. If you are interested in organizing and running an activity or know of any individuals or organizations (eg., local departments, companies, non-profits, academics, etc.) who may be willing to participate, please contact:
or
In addition, we are also looking for volunteers to run pre-planned activities, no science background required. Please contact Jesse or Elizabeth if you are interested in running a Discovery Day activity.
Read MoreFrom the Nurse: October update
11/1/2024 7:10 am
As October comes to a close, we have completed our vision and hearing screenings for all of our students, and will be completing our vision screenings for students in grade 5 in November.
Coughing, sneezing and fevers are making the rounds, as cold and flu season has started right on time. We have seen cases of strep, walking pneumonia, and a myriad of upper respiratory infections all throughout the district. This is a great time of year to review our district’s Illness Guidelines in order to know when to keep your child home due to symptoms. “Walking pneumonia” is a general term for a mild case of pneumonia, which can be caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. The CDC has recently reported that a type of bacterial infection that can cause walking pneumonia, called Mycoplasma pneumoniae, has been increasing in prevalence in the past few months and especially affecting young children. Read more on the CDC website here about this illness and what to watch for. While most people will recover without medication, some will develop pneumonia, so it is important to see a healthcare provider for persistent symptoms, like coughing, fever and fatigue. This condition can be especially tough for children and adults with a history of asthma or other respiratory conditions.
If a certain threshold, or number of cases, of a specific communicable illness is met in a classroom or any related group of students, a note is sent home to the caregivers to inform them. Generally, the threshold is three cases within ten days. Please reach out to me directly to report any diagnosed illness such as strep throat, influenza, Covid, or pneumonia so we can track this data and make informed decisions on notification.
Halloween is right around the corner, so I wanted to remind our families about candy and school. Please remind your children that one of our school rules is to not trade or share food. Many candies have peanut and treenut based ingredients, which many of our students have life threatening allergies to. We ask that you check what your child brings to school, and remind them to only eat what they bring and do not trade or share.
APS had great turnouts at their vaccine clinics that were held at most of the schools. If you missed out and would like to get a Flu or Covid vaccination, you can search on https://www.vaccines.gov to find a clinic near you, or call your healthcare provider.
Other important information:
2024/25 SNAP Health Portal Information
Mandated School-based Screening Information 2024/2025
When to Keep your Student at Home
Read MoreGreat Pumpkin Rescue Monday, November 4th
11/1/2024 7:09 am
Dallin families are invited to bring their pumpkins to the collection pile at the front of the school on
Monday, November 4th, 2024. during school drop off and up until 1pm when Black Earth Compost will arrive to pick them up.
Pumpkins and gourds of any size will be accepted. Remove candles/tea lights. Pumpkins with paint or bling will NOT be accepted -if you can cut those pieces off, Black Earth Compost will accept the rest.
Why are we doing this?
Pumpkins can not go in yard waste as they are considered food waste. They are heavy and water-filled and we do not want them going in the trash to be incinerated and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Composting pumpkins allows them to be naturally processed to help gardens, trees, and new food to grow.
Election Day Bake Sale!
11/1/2024 7:05 am
