Dallin Digest Newsletter

Arlington Heights Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting

12/6/2024 7:02 am

Saturday, December 14, 2:00pm-5:00pm (rain or shine)

 

The Arlington Heights Community Association (AHCA) in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present our fourth Arlington Heights Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 14, 2:00-5:00pm. Free for all!


Visitors of all ages are invited to stroll along Mass Avenue from Shattuck Heights Hardware to Maruichi Japanese Food and Deli and view 60+ winter-themed windows painted by Arlington residents in 26 storefronts. Free family fun activities will take place throughout the afternoon. Explore the vibrant Heights business community and support our unique variety of local shops and restaurants. Visit the Chamber website for more info on the Holiday Stroll:


https://business.arlcc.org/events/details/arlington-heights-holiday-stroll-4607

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From the PTO: Dallin Annual Fund

11/22/2024 7:10 am

Please support the Dallin Annual Fund for Giving Tuesday!

Every year, the Dallin PTO raises funds to provide essential resources and programs that directly benefit our students, teachers, and families. 

 

We rely on your generous support to fund these initiatives, and we need your help to make this year a success.

 

This year, we hope to raise $25,000 through the Dallin Annual Fund. This represents roughly 65% of our annual fundraising goal.

Here’s what the PTO provides for our community:

  • Field trip costs for all kids, ranging from the Museum of Science to Zoo New England

  • Stipends for supplies in each classroom, such as rugs, wipes, and tissues

  • Enrichment activities like the Dallin Hourglass and Menotomy Day activities

  • Library books, art materials, music supplies, and wellness/PE equipment

  • Room representative funds for teacher and specialist holiday and year-end gifts

 

Learn more about how we spend our money here; to donate, visit:

 

Our Website 

PayPal

Venmo

Checks to “Dallin PTO” can be left with Mrs. Burns.

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From the Music classroom

11/22/2024 7:09 am

Hi, my dear Dallin students. It's Ms. Kim. As I think back on my time here, I can't help but remember all the moments I shared with you––from my first day here to now. Each and every one of those moments was so valuable, precious, and filled with joy.

 

Although I'm still early in my teaching career and gaining experience every day, my biggest hope was always to make our music classes fun, meaningful, and memorable for you. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of my journey––I truly can't wait to see all the amazing things you will accomplish in the future.

 

You are all so special and incredible, and as my last message to you, I want to say this: Whatever you do, don't be afraid to take on challenges. Mistakes and failures are part of life, but they're also stepping stones to growth. Learn from them and keep moving forward––you've got this!

 

I wish everyone the best of luck in everything you do. Take care and keep making beautiful music!

 

With love,

Ms. Kim

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Specialist Teacher Winter Appreciation

11/22/2024 7:08 am

As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to help your child express appreciation for our wonderful specialist teachers and support staff. Please take a moment to complete this brief Google Form with your child, where they can give a quick kudos, leave a short note, or share a story for one or more of their specialist teachers. These messages will be compiled and presented alongside their holiday gifts. Your support in making this gesture meaningful is greatly appreciated! 
 
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TASC Turkey Trot

11/22/2024 7:07 am

TASC 4th Annual Turkey Trot to benefit The Greater Somerville Homeless Coalition.

On Tuesday, November 26th @ 3:30 the children and staff of The AfterSchool Connection will trot, run or walk around the block (Florence Ave to Rhinecliff St. to Dow Ave. to Wachusett Ave. to Florence Ave.) to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition. This is a rain or shine event. Dallin students are welcome to join us with a small donation to the coalition. A QR code can be found on the attached flyer. Thank you for your support.
Happy Thanksgiving!

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AEF Winter Stars

11/22/2024 7:06 am

The Arlington Education Foundation (AEF) is running its winter STARs fundraising campaign! 
Gift an AEF STAR to recognize an educator that shines bright! A donation of $20 to AEF purchases an ⭐ AEF STAR Certificate ⭐ for the person you choose to recognize. Recognize 4 or more people and each STAR is $15. 
 
Purchase your STAR Certificate before December 11, 2024 and your honoree(s) will receive their printed certificate before winter break. STARs can be purchased for anyone at APS - teachers, librarians, PE teachers, custodians, nurses, administrative assistants and more can all receive STARs!  www.aefma.org/stars
 
The AEF STARs program is a fundraiser that supports grants available to all APS teachers!
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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! 

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Basketball 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

 
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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


















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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!

 
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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.

Get your discussion guide

 

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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/85412052274?pwd=iKNefvVmbpbrtYAKYBEGnbEW1RhcID.1
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. 

Get the presentation

 

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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.

 

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Lost and Found Clean Out- November 22

11/15/2024 7:07 am

Come by the lost and found to claim your child’s items before Friday, November 22. After that date, all remaining Items in good condition will be donated to Cradles to Crayons. 
As it’s getting colder and you’re digging out those winter items, remember to label them. Every year we have an avalanche of name-less hats and gloves that don’t get claimed. Please help to keep the lost and found manageable. 
Stay warm!
Janet Huang
Lost and Found Coordinator 
 
Click through for more images of lost-and-found items, including clothes, water bottles, glasses, and keys.
 
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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 

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Fall Food Drive for Arlington EATS

11/15/2024 7:05 am

Fall Food Drive for Arlington EATS

 

November wishlist

 

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From the Library

11/8/2024 7:10 am

What are we reading?

We are Definitely Human

Guess Again

I just ate my friend

Facts vs Opinions vs Robots

Brown Bats

Bats at the Library

 

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

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