Dallin Digest Newsletter
Meet the Staff: Reading Specialists!
1/9/2026 5:58 am
STEPHANIE FERNALD
My name is Stephanie Fernald. I am a reading specialist at Dallin. I have been working here since 2005. I consider myself lucky that I get to work with all the grade-levels at Dallin. I love that I get to work with so many of the families in this community. I have two adult sons who attended the Arlington Public Schools. In my free time I exercise, travel, read, and play the ukulele.
KELLY O’TOOLE
My name is Kelly O'Toole. I have worked as a reading specialist in Arlington since 2009. I love working with all grades, supporting young readers, and hopefully introducing students to their next favorite book. I live in Arlington with my husband. We have four grown children who all attended Arlington Public Schools. I love to read, crochet, travel, and take long walks. I am trying to learn Mahjong and as a student of something that is unfamiliar and hard, I am reminded it is ok to make mistakes and that everyone learns at their own pace. I have a lot of empathy for how hard our students work every day!
From the Dallin Nurse: Back to School Health Guidelines
1/9/2026 5:56 am
- Do you have to give them medication before school, to "get them through the day"? If so, that's an indicator that staying home is the best option.
- Were they up all night? Are they exhausted? A day of rest is best.
- Will they come see the school nurse at 8:01, and 15 more times during the school day?
- Will they be able to fully participate in their school day and fully access their learning?
Q3 Library Volunteers needed
1/9/2026 5:54 am
From the APS Nurses
1/9/2026 5:52 am
Please click through to the APS Nurses's Newsletter for more information on the following topics:
- Staying Home When Sick: APS Illness Guidelines
- In the News: Norovirus
- Head Lice (Pediculosis)
-
Brrr...It's cold outside!
- Documentation Required for Assistive/Orthopedic Devices
- Dressing for the Winter Weather
- Arlington Community Resources
January Webinar: Helping Kids Handle Big Feelings
1/9/2026 5:48 am
The holidays and the return to school in January can bring up big emotions for kids and parents alike. If your child is feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or struggling with transitions, this webinar is for you.
Join Cartwheel and Alex Hirshberg, Psy.D., for a free, live webinar on helping kids handle big feelings and build confidence on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 7–8pm ET. You will learn simple, practical ways to support your child through uncomfortable emotions, everyday stress, and change. Parents and caregivers will leave with tools they can use right away at home and as kids head back to school.
See the attached flyer for details and register here.
Read MoreSAVE THE DATE: AEF Grant Showcase Jan 31!
1/9/2026 5:46 am
SAVE THE DATE for the Arlington Education Foundation Grant Showcase!
What: A family-friendly and fun-filled opportunity to hear directly from AEF grant recipients (teachers AND students) about their innovative work.
When: January 31, 2026 - 10AM-Noon at Arlington High School
Who: Teachers, students, community-members, everyone who cares about Arlington Public Schools
Why: To celebrate learning, innovation, and eat fun snacks
How: RSVP here
Read MoreCommunity News
1/9/2026 5:44 am
Arlington Youth Baseball and Softball Association's spring session is open for registration for Tee Ball (ages 4-5), Baseball (ages 6-12), and Softball (ages 6-14). Visit https://www.aybsaonline.org/ for more information and registration forms.
Read MoreMeet the staff part 1!
12/19/2025 6:00 am
RACHAEL HAAR (she/her) - Hello families! I am happy to be Dallin’s new K-5 Music Teacher. This is my 6th year teaching elementary music, and my 8th year teaching overall. I love the sense of community that music brings, and I love seeing children grow into independent people throughout their elementary years. In class, we meet our objectives through singing, playing instruments, dancing, listening to music, composing, improvising, and more! Outside of school, I live with my husband and my cat, Mozzarella, and I enjoy being outside, doing yoga, and playing board games. Please reach out to me anytime via email!
STACIE GREENLAND - This is my 12th year as the Dallin Art Teacher. It’s been my dream job, and I’m thrilled to work with K-5 students in a multitude of art media. I favor a TAB approach (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) which trains young artists to: 1. do what artists do, 2. create from their own inspiration, and 3. to set up and clean up their own art studio spaces. Dallin artists teach me as much as I teach them. My hope is that all Dallin artists will be lifelong learners of the visual arts by expressing their vision, views, and passion, and by appreciating the art that is all around them! In my free time, I love being outdoors in nature, reading fantasy books, and playing video games.
MELISSA MALDONADO - Hi! This is my first year at Dallin, and I am beyond excited to join this incredible community of readers. I grew up on the Texas-Mexico border and have lived in Cambridge for 18 years with my husband, three sons, and beloved dog.
I aim to make our library a dynamic space where every child finds joy, embraces curiosity, and feels empowered. I foster an environment of care and kindness while students develop critical thinking and information literacy skills essential for success while also nurturing their love of reading.
When not surrounded by books or my family, I am a medium format photographer, quilter, and baker. I am also the co-founder of a Cookie Club that has been baking through cookbooks since 2019, making me an avid collector of them!
JEANNETTE CHRISTENSEN or Ms. C in PE as students know me - This is my 7th year in Arlington and 5th at Dallin teaching Physical Education and Health. I love getting to know all the students and what brings them joy. We try to plant the seed that movement can be fun in PE for all learners. Outside of Dallin I love baking, photography, watercolor painting, learning about different cultures, and puppy playdates with my new puppy.
RYE DAILY - This is my 5th year at school and every year is just awesome. I really enjoy being a teacher in Arlington. I am from Maine, big on skiing and outdoor activity, and an overall sports fan. I am aspiring to become a school leader and feel very fortunate to be working with Mr. Dingman on this professional goal. I am a dad of two little guys (4 and 1) and we have a lot of fun everyday. My hope for Dallin students is that they learn to have fun with movement, play well with others, and be excited about lifelong activity.
Read MoreMeet the staff part 2!
12/19/2025 5:58 am
SARAH JUUSOLA
Hi Dallin Families! I am Ms. Juusola or Ms. J. I grew up in Arlington and attended Dallin and AHS, where I was an avid dancer and soccer player. I earned my Bachelor of Science and a Master’s degree from Lesley University and began my professional career at Dallin as an assistant teacher supporting Kindergarten students. I later worked in a substantially separate school. Then I transitioned to Watertown, where I started a self-contained social, emotional, and behavioral program and earned a second Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. While in Watertown, I had the opportunity to take on multiple roles, including serving as Team Chair, which enriched my leadership and collaborative skills. In 2024, I was thrilled to return to Dallin, my “home” school, and am grateful to give back to the community that inspired my educational journey. In my free time, I like to read, travel, drink coffee, and talk about my French Bulldog, Onni.
KATIE WILSON
Hi Dallin families! My name is Katie Wilson, and this is my third year as a teacher in the Supported Learning Center (SLC) at Dallin. I feel so lucky to be part of such an amazing community here at Dallin! Before joining the Dallin community, I completed my student teaching through my master’s program at Boston College at an elementary school in Wellesley, MA- where I grew up! I believe strongly in meeting students where they are and celebrating every milestone, big or small. Outside of school, I enjoy staying active through yoga, Pilates, and walking my dog, Ranger.
ALLISON RYAN
Hello Dallin Families! I’m Ms. Ryan, Dallin’s Speech-Language Pathologist. This is my third year here, and I feel so lucky to be part of such a welcoming community. I love getting to know students across all grade levels—meeting them where they are and learning about their passions and interests. A favorite part of my week is displaying the fabulous student artwork that finds its way to my desk. It brings so much personality and joy to my office! Outside of school, you can usually find me thrift shopping, hanging out with my feline niece and nephew, or curled up with a good book.
RACHEL QUARRELL (she/her)
Hello Dallin community! This is my third year as School Social Worker here at Dallin, and my 11th year in Arlington Public Schools. As Dallin’s resident “Feelings and Friends Teacher”, I have a deep passion for supporting students’ social emotional growth. Some of our young learners would say I love to solve problems, and that’s true! But more importantly, I love helping students build crucial soft skills; the skills that support them in managing their own emotions and solving their own interpersonal problems. In my free time, I love to spend time outdoors, hang out with my 2 year old niece, and play music with my band.
From the PTO Treasurers: Annual Fund update
12/19/2025 5:56 am
The PTO treasurers are glad to report that we have reached one-third of our $39,000 Annual Fund goal for the year. Annual Fund donations from families are the primary source of the PTO budget that pays for:
• School field trips and assemblies
• December and year-end gifts for our teachers and staff
• Books and other items to refresh classrooms
• STEAM, music, art, and other special activities and supplies
If you haven’t yet contributed, it’s never too late to do so. Donations are accepted all year as one-time or recurring contributions. The PTO is a non-profit; donations are tax deductible and may be eligible for corporate matching programs.
A contribution of $100 per student helps cover the basics, but any amount is welcome and makes a difference. Thank you for your support!
Cultural Diversity Club
12/19/2025 5:55 am
Dear Dallin Parents and Guardians,
We are happy to announce that Dallin Elementary’s Cultural Diversity Club will be returning in January 2026 for its third year, led by Mrs. Rocchio and Mrs. Kumar. This club celebrates the many cultures represented in our school community and offers students a fun, welcoming space to learn about and appreciate different traditions from around the world.
The Cultural Diversity Club will meet every other Monday, beginning January 12, 2026, from 2:40-3:40 PM. The club is open to 3rd-5th grade students, with space for 15-20 participants. Families will receive an email confirming their child’s spot once registration is complete.
As we enter our third year, we are excited to introduce new activities, including a special participation during Family Culture Night, which will be April 11th, 2026. Club meetings will be relaxed and interactive, featuring food, crafts, games, and hands-on activities that highlight cultures from around the world.
Family involvement is what makes the Cultural Diversity Club truly special. Students love sharing their own backgrounds and learning directly from parents and caregivers. Each session will focus on a different culture, and we warmly encourage families to sign up to share something meaningful from their background. This could include preparing a dish, teaching a craft, leading an activity, or hosting a short Q&A. These experiences help students build connections, curiosity, and respect for one another.
If you would like your child to participate, please complete the registration form by January 8, 2026. Families interested in sharing a cultural activity, food, or tradition are encouraged to indicate this on the form.
We are looking forward to another vibrant and enriching year of cultural exploration and hope your family will join us. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Happy Holidays!
Mrs. Rocchio & Mrs. Kumar
Read More
Lost and Found clean out 12/28
12/19/2025 5:54 am
Come by to claim items before Tuesday 12/28.
See last week's message for detailed photos of the current contents of the lost and found!
Read MoreTeacher Appreciation: Share Some Holiday Sweetness!
12/19/2025 5:52 am
It’s one of the Dallin staff's favorite days of the year! Whether homemade or store bought, bring a batch of cookies/dessert to our Teacher Dessert Day. Drop-off is Monday, Dec 22nd at the front of the school at 7:55am. Please label any major allergens (nuts/dairy/gluten). If you’d like to help collect dessert, set up or clean up, please email Frankie at francescoolidge@gmail.com
Read MoreMeet the Staff!
12/12/2025 6:00 am
JACQUELYN AURELI-Hello Dallin Families! It has been a pleasure to be the Literacy Coach at Dallin for the last 4 years. Before coming to Dallin I was a reading specialist at Peirce for 12 years and before that I taught first grade! I LOVE supporting staff and students with reading. In my free time I love going on adventures with my husband Dan and my two daughters Daniela, 14 and Amelia, 12. We also have an awesome Goldendoodle named Ciccio. I love to craft, go for walks and hikes, and spend time outside.
DANIELLE JENSEN - I LOVE children's literature, especially picture books! After sharing my love of reading with the students at Hardy Elementary School for the past seven years, I am excited to share my passion for books with the readers at Dallin this year as well. You can find me in the Dallin library on Mondays and Thursdays, usually with a book (or several) in hand.
Holiday Gift Drive
12/12/2025 5:58 am
As part of our "Dallin Shining Stars Help Others" Drive, we invite your family to support members of our school community this holiday season. In the front office, you’ll find a display of stars, each labeled with a gift a Dallin student has wished for. Families are welcome to stop by, choose a star, and help brighten a child’s holiday.
If you select a star, please purchase and wrap the gift and attach the star to the outside of the gift (so we know whose it is), then return it to the Dallin office by Friday, December 19th. We appreciate that it's a quick turnaround! Dallin families have been so generous with all of our drives this holiday season; this gift drive is one more way for our community to come together in support of our students and families.
We deeply appreciate your generosity and care in helping all Dallin Stars shine a little brighter this season.
Read More
