The Dickinson/Explorer PTSA would like to welcome you all back to school this year. We are looking forward to an exciting year with our new principal, Mrs. Barker, at the helm. It promises to be a year of transition, as we will say goodbye to our 5th and 6th graders in June. The PTSA will continue to provide exciting and enriching programs for our students and would like to invite you to take part by volunteering your time and skills for the benefit of our school community. Have a great year!
- Wendy Woolsey and Amy McElfresh, PTSA Co-Presidents

Welcome back!  I know you are all busy getting those last minute items ready for school, and soaking up the sun that was late in arriving this year. While you are doing that, the staff at Dickinson is working hard to be ready for you all to have a wonderful school year! Next week we will be training together as a staff to make sure that we are ready to deliver an excellent educational program for all students.
Please note that the class lists will be posted on WEDNESDAY, August 31 at 4pm. The hard-copy letter contained an error.
I am looking forward to seeing you all during the Meet & Greet on Thursday, September 1 from 10:30-11:30. Please come by and introduce yourself, as I am anxiously waiting to begin my challenge of learning every student's name this year!
Sincerely,
Karen Barker
Principal, Dickinson/Explorer Learning Community

Wednesday, August 31st, 4pm 

Class lists will be posted this Wednesday at 4pm. You will be able to see the list with your child's teacher and classmates before Meet and Greet on Thursday. The lists are posted on the outside of the school building, so will be available until school begins.  

Wednesday, August 31st, 6-7pm

Please come to the Dickinson Library on Wednesday at 6pm for Kindergarten Orientation. Principal Barker will make a presentation and you will have the opportunity to meet the Kindergarten teachers and see their classrooms. The PTSA will be offering school tours to help everyone get familiar with our school campus.  

Thursday, September 1st, 10:30-11:30am 

Please join us at school on Thursday to Meet and Greet your child's new teacher! The teachers have been working hard to get their classrooms ready and can't wait to meet their students. This is also a great time to drop off school supplies.

Tuesday, September 6th, 9am 

The first day of school is fast approaching! We will have our first day on Tuesday, September 6th, starting at 9am. Remember, if your child is most often going to ride the bus, it is a good idea to have them get used to it by riding the bus on the first day. You can always drive to school yourself if you'd like to get any of those great First Day of School photos.  

Tuesday, September 6th, 9am

Our Welcome Back Tea for Parents will be held on September 6th, at 9am. This is a wonderful time to reconnect with old friends, make new friends, welcome new families to our school and meet Principal Barker. It's a great opportunity to learn about the different clubs and activities in our school and the many volunteer opportunities that exist. Please join us for coffee and light breakfast snacks in the Commons. Younger siblings are welcome; we will have an activity table for them. We look forward to seeing you there!

There are many ways you can participate in your child's education in the classroom as well as with the PTSA. Please look for the Volunteer Form in your First Day Packet, where you can learn more about the various ways to help out. We will no longer be having sign up sheets at the Welcome Tea or Curriculum Nights, so please send in your Volunteer Form to get involved.

The school district requires that you reapply every two years to be an approved volunteer. There is a form online, or you can pick one up at the school office. You will not be able to volunteer in the classroom or on field trips unless your volunteer application is current.

Thursday, September 1st, 11:30am 

Got a spare hour on Meet 'N Greet Day? Immediately after Meet and Greet ends on Thursday, September 1, at 11:30, we will literally be "assembling" in the Commons to put together the First Day Packets. Any and all help would be appreciated! Hint: This is a great opportunity for sixth graders to get a jump start on their Community Service hours. Please let Susan Seabrooks know if you can make it. Drop-ins also welcome!

We have a star in our midst! Our very own Sue Carter was named this month's Lake Washington School District Staff Star of the Month! She is featured on the LWSD homepage.

Congratulations Sue! We appreciate all that you do.

If you do any of your Back to School shopping online with Amazon.com, please remember to use this link. Every time you click this link before shopping, the PTSA will receive cash back from your purchase! The link is also available on our PTSA homepage. Thank you so much for supporting your PTSA.

School Supply lists are posted on the Dickinson website.

• 1st through 4th Grade Boys - You're Invited to Join Cub Scouts! Cub Scout Pack 546 will have our first pack meeting of the year and "Joining Night" on Monday, September 12th, 6:30pm in the Dickinson Commons. Our special guest entertainment is Mad Science--"Up, Up and Away!" This event will illustrate the principles of air pressure. For more information on Cub Scouts contact Holly White (425-836-8727) or pack546@hotmail.com.

Please remember to add messenger@dickinsonptsa.org to the safe senders list of your email provider.  For help, go to www.safesenderslist.com. 

- Dickinson PTSA