Dallin Digest Newsletter
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 MoreTeacher Holiday Gifts & The Annual Fund
12/12/2025 5:56 am
Dallin Culture Festival April 11
12/12/2025 5:54 am
Save the date! Dallin's annual culture festival will take place on Saturday evening, April 11th. Start thinking about what food you would like to share from your culture and/or a performance you would like to prepare. More signup information coming soon. Questions? Feel free to reach out to Tamar at tamarbulk@gmail.com
Read MoreTeacher Appreciation: Share Some Holiday Sweetness!
12/12/2025 5:52 am
It’s one of the Dallin’s 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
Upcoming events from Dec 12
12/12/2025 5:50 am
November 12 - December 12
Dallin Weeks of Giving Food and supplies drive, lobby
Friday, December 19th
Last day for "Dallin Shining Stars Help Others" holiday gift drive
Monday December 22
Drop off cookies/desserts for Teacher Dessert Day, 7:55am
Wednesday December 24 - Friday January 2
NO SCHOOL -- Winter break
January 2026
April 11
Read MoreAdditional Community Events
12/12/2025 5:48 am
Next Saturday, December 13, from 2-5pm the Arlington Heights Community Association (AHCA) will be hosting its fifth annual Heights Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting.
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 25 storefronts. Free family fun activities will take place throughout the afternoon, including a Touch-A-Truck at the Heights Bus Depot and many indoor activities, including a Margaret Moody puppet show, a kids winter craft activity, a photo-op with Santa, and a holiday music performance. 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-4809
Read MoreMeet the Staff: 5th grade Para team!
12/5/2025 6:00 am
My name is Evelyn Rocchio, and I’m part of the amazing and super talented fifth-grade team, as well as a proud third and fourth grade Dallin mom! I lead the Cultural Diversity Club as part of our after-school enrichment program, which brings me so much joy. I’m originally from Venezuela, and I love sharing my culture and language with our wonderful community as well as learning from your children.
I work across all three fifth-grade classrooms, supporting students who benefit from extra inclusion support. In my “free” time, I’m pursuing my degree to become a Spanish teacher, I’ll be finishing in March 2026! I’m also an Arlington hockey mom, so you’ll often see me at the rink, saying hello to all the Dallin hockey kids! I truly love being part of the Dallin community, both as a staff member and as a mom. See you around!
Hi, I’m Ms. Tomaselli and this is my first year at Dallin. I work with all three 5th grade classes and have loved getting to know your children. I have taught kids from preschool through high school and really enjoy working with elementary students. I grew up nearby and have lived in Seattle, Brooklyn and Cambridge. I have two kids and two cats, and like to knit, embroider and crochet.
Read MoreMeet the Staff: 3rd Grade Para team!
12/5/2025 5:58 am
Hi! I’m Ms. S and I am a third grade para. This is my second year at Dallin, last year I was also with third grade. I love working with kids especially in artistic ways. I enjoy helping students and teachers throughout the day! I also have a small art business and love theater.
Hey there! I’m Mr. G and I am on the third grade team at Dallin. This is my first year at Dallin and I am really enjoying getting to know all the students and staff. I love to learn and I have a background in Theatre Education. I enjoy all sorts of creative outlets such as collaging, sewing, writing poetry, and drawing.
Hi! I’m Mrs. Lee and I have a daughter in the 5th grade at Dallin and a son in the 7th grade at Ottoson. After working in administrative jobs for many years in the higher education arena, I was a stay at home mom for 8 years before finding my place here at Dallin! I worked with your current third graders last year as well and have built many strong relationships. It’s a joy to see them grow!
Read MorePTO Meeting: 12/12 @ 8am
12/5/2025 5:56 am
Dallin Weeks of Giving
12/5/2025 5:55 am
We're excited that Dallin's Weeks of Giving has officially started. All donation boxes are in the lobby!
Book Drive
We are collecting books for More Than Words. They collect all genres in gently used, good or newer condition. For reference or text books they ask that books be published within the past 5 years.
Arlington Eats Food Drive
We're working with Arlington Eats to provide some of their most needed items. If you'd like to contribute, a box will be available in the front lobby for students and families. The most needed items are:
- coffee
- tea
- canola/vegetable oil
- soy sauce
- granola bars
If you'd prefer, you can also order directly from their Amazon Wishlist or provide a monetary donation through their website.
New Sock Donations
Arlington PTOs are all working together to re-supply highly-needed items for the Welcome & Resource Center. At Dallin we will be collecting:
- New socks of all sizes! (Please leave socks in the packaging.)
- Grocery store gift cards (Any amount, any local grocery store)
There will be a box in the main entrance of the school where students and families can drop off new socks (in packaging), and gift cards can be left at the front desk in the office.
We will be running these collections from November 12- December 12.
