The Directory Deadline is Approaching!

Still need to confirm your directory data and make your Annual Donation?  There is still time to confirm your directory data for the 2019-2020 school year, but the deadline to be included in the Print Directory is next Friday, September 13! You must confirm your current email address if you'd like to receive weekly newsletters and other school news and event details from the PTO via email. Set up your Membership Toolkit account and confirm your directory data here.

Please consider supporting the PTO with your Annual Donation. The PTO uses your donations to fund teacher grants for classroom books and supplies, sponsor special assemblies and events, fund after school clubs, support teacher appreciation events, and much more. All current Annual Donors receive:

• Access to the online Directory through their Membership Toolkit account
• Useful Diamond Daily Announcements recap via email
• Printed Directories may be purchased along with your Annual Donation of $35, and are included with Annual Donations of $60 or more
  

Thank for your attention to this important process, and for your support! If you have any questions, please email us at directory@diamondpto.org.

Employer Matching: How to Increase the Impact of your Donation to the PTO

Great News! Did you know that your company may match your Annual Donation to the PTO? Many companies match employee donations dollar for dollar. Employee matching gifts are donations a company makes to match your non-profit donations. It's a great benefit that truly amplifies the impact of your charitable donations. Check with your benefits provider to see if your company provides matching gift donations.  Diamond PTO is a registered non-profit with Benevity (a solution provider for corporate philanthropy). However, if your company offers donation gift matching, and we are not registered with their program, please reach out to diamondpto@gmail.com.

SEPAC/LexSEPTA News

The Lexington SEPAC is the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, a group of parents with children on IEPs or 504 plans who meet regularly as a group and also with the LPS administration to advise on the planning, evaluation and development of special education programs in our district.

The LexSEPTA, the Lexington Special Education PTA, supports LexSEPAC by offering parents a way of connecting with one another, planning valuable speaker events and workshops, as well as organizing social gatherings with other parents, the school committee, and more. LexSEPTA is a 501(c) volunteer-run organization.  Please visit lexsepta.org for a wealth of information about special education and available resources, including an overview of LPS programs in our district.

The Diamond MS liaisons to SEPAC/SEPTA are Carol Webb (sepac@ezzellwebb.com) and Elise Phair (eephair@yahoo.com). Please feel free to contact us.

Parents needed for Picture Day

Diamond needs 8–10 parents who will be available on Tuesday, September 24 from 8 to 10 am to assist with picture day. If you would like to help out, please send an email to diamondpto@gmail.com.  Thank you!

Volunteer Opportunity: Lunchtime Composting and Recycling

• When: slots available Monday–Friday, 10.45am–12.15pm
• Where: Cafeteria
  
• Email: greenteamdiamond@gmail.com
  

Did you know that Diamond students divert much of their lunchtime waste to compost and recycling? But they need some help from you! Come and be at the heart of the lunchroom and help students sort their compostables and recyclables, and keep the stations neat and organized. Please contact the Green Team to set up a schedule that works for you.  All volunteers must have a CORI (background check) on file. If you are unsure or don't have one please check with the Main Office at school.

Diamond Special Education Parent Coffee

• When: Thursday, September 19, 9–10am
  
• Where: Diamond Middle School, Cafeteria
  

Mike Przygoda, the new Evaluation Team Supervisor at Diamond, is hosting a meet and greet. Open to All.  No RSVP needed.

Homework Policy Revisions: Upcoming Forums

• When: Tuesday, September 24, 6pm
  
• Where: Selectmen's Meeting Room, 2nd floor, 1625 Mass. Ave
  

The school committee is reviewing the district’s homework policy. Community (students, parents/caregivers, and educators) feedback is welcome and can be submitted via a survey found here or at either of the two public forums dates listed above. Survey responses are accepted through September 15, 2019. More information can be found in Superintendent Hackett’s letter regarding the Homework Policy.

Join the Diamond Parent Google Group

• Sign Up: DiamondTalk
  
• Email: diamondtalk@googlegroups.com
  

Did you know that there is a Google Group for Diamond parents?  DiamondTalk is an email list for parents at the William Diamond Middle School: a place to share questions, ideas and information, where all families can participate and discuss community issues.  The list is informal and is not officially sponsored by the PTO or administration.  If you'd like to join, please visit the group using the link above, request membership, and please explain your link to Diamond.  Thanks for joining!

Free Trial Coding Classes @PenguinCodingSchool

• When: September 7–14, weekend and weekday free trial classes
  
• Where: 5 Militia Drive #101 (new location)
  
• Sign Up
  
• Questions: Contact: 781-277-2755 or info@penguincodingschool.com
  

Learn to code this Fall: Grades 1–3 Learn Scratch; Grades 4–8 Build websites and games; and Grades 6–12 Intro to Python or Java.

Dyslexia Parents Group: Back to School Kickoff Meeting

• When: Monday, September 16, 7–8:45pm
• Where: Lexington Community Center, Room 237
  
• More information
  

Join us for an evening of discussion to learn more about language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia and how you can best support your child this school year. No matter the age of your child (preschool through high school) or where you are in terms of getting services for your child's language-based learning challenges (still exploring what is going on, or receiving services), this meeting and group will serve as a useful resource for you in a supportive environment.

Save the Date: October Dyslexia Awareness Month Film Screening
Tuesday, Oct 22, 7–9pm
Location and Film Details to follow

The Anxiety Epidemic with Dr. John Dacey

• When: Tuesday, September 17, 7–8:30pm
• Where: Lexington Depot
• Cost: $10
• Sponsored by: Lexington Community Education
• Register: online or by phone (781 862 8043) with a MasterCard or VISA

Dr. John Dacey will offer an evening presentation on a new understanding of anxiety, and its causes, and new insights into the future of anxiety therapy. In this presentation, John will explain some of the causes of and solutions to “the anxiety epidemic.” Dr. Dacey received his Ph.D. in Developmental and Educational Psychology from Cornell University. He joined the faculty of Boston College in 1966 and still teaches there as Professor Emeritus in the Capstone Program of the School of Arts and Sciences.

The 5C's of Successful ADHD Parenting with Dr. Sharon Saline

• When: Monday, September 23, 7–8:30pm
• Where: Lexington Depot
• Cost: $15
• Sponsored by: Lexington Community Education
• Register: online or by phone (781 862 8043) with a MasterCard or VISA

Dr. Sharon Saline, a veteran psychologist, has extensive experience on how to better manage ADHD and discusses how listening to and working with the voices of kids diagnosed with ADHD can improve cooperation and success. Based on her new book, What your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life, Dr. Saline offers rare insights into how kids honestly think and feel about having ADHD and what best helps them. She will share her unique, strength-based approach–’the 5C’s of ADHD parenting,’ that helps families improve self-Control, Compassion, Collaboration, Consistency and Celebration. Expect to leave this evening with a clear understanding of ADHD and why executive functioning skills matter, practical tools for managing challenging behaviors, and more.

LEF's Inaugural Golf Classic: Come Play with Us!

• When: Friday, September 27
  
• Where: Pine Meadows Golf Club
  

We are inviting members of the community to LEF's Inaugural Golf Classic. This is an opportunity to connect with each other, raise awareness about LEF's mission, and raise funds that will be awarded as educator-initiated grants in Lexington Public Schools. Towards that end, Diamond's support and participation has always been very valuable and we thank you for it. You may choose to play 9 or 18 holes, and/or sponsor a hole to show your support and participate. Your donation directly funds grants that fund innovation to teaching and learning for students in our town.   We hope to see several members from each school at the event to make this a true Lexington event. More information at LexEdFoundation.org.

General Lexington Announcements are posted on the PTO Website.

• Lexington Symphony Orchestra, Music in the Garden, Sep 15, 3–5pm
• BUDA Youth Frisbee, from Sep 15
• Youth Soccer with LUSC
• LexFUN Open House Party, Sep 21, 9:30–12:30pm, More information
  
• LEF Strategic Volunteering, Sep 26, 8:30–9:30am, More information
  
• Diwali Mela, Oct 12, 3:30–9:00pm, Tickets
  

Looking for an announcement you saw last week? Recent Weekly Announcements are posted at the William Diamond Middle School PTO website.

Diamond Drum Beat Newsletter.