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October 12, 2026
October 12, 2026
Highlights Ahead
Wear pink to school for Pink Out Day - Tuesday, Oct 13
Coffee with the Principals/PTSA Meeting - Friday, Oct 16 (8:15 am)
Dana Family Fun Night - Friday, Oct 16 (6:00 PM)
Dana's 1st Walk-t0-School Wednesday
Dana's 1st Walk-t0-School Wednesday
Our first National Walk to School event had 86 students participating! A big thank-you to our ASB students for helping run the event and to our PTSA for planning it. We’re looking forward to our next Walk to School event on Wednesday, November 4, which also happens to be National Candy Day!
October Walk to School Wednesday Raffle Winners:
DOLPHINS: Savannah Cheung
BULLS: Ivan Van
LIONS: Lillian Yang
RAMS: Danielle Jankly
WOLVES: Tobias Shay
EAGLES: Antonio Abreu
Dana Family Fun Night!
Dana Family Fun Night!
LCAP Parent Reps
LCAP Parent Reps
We are looking for two parents from Dana to attend our three district LCAP meeting this year. The first one is Dec 1 from 6:30-7:30 PM. These meetings are a great chance to give input and feedback about AUSD and the future of the district. Email Mr. Long if interested - tlong@ausd.net
Vision Screener Volunteers
Vision Screener Volunteers
We are seeking two volunteers to assist with our upcoming Vision Screening on Thursday, October 29, from 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Thank you and we appreciate your time and support! -Dana PTSA Sign-up
Join Us for Coffee!
Join Mr. Long and Ms. Sambilay, along with our Dana PTSA Team on October 16 after morning drop off in the staff lounge for coffee, treats, and time to chat with other Dana families. Our APD School Rescurce Officer will also be in attendance. The October PTSA meeting will follow immediately after. All are welcome!
Final Week for Reflecti0ns
Final Week for Reflecti0ns
All Dana students in grades 6–8 are invited to participate in this year’s Reflections Art Program. The theme is “What My Culture Means to Me.”
Show us what your culture means to you through Dance, Film, Literature, Music, Photography, or Visual Arts. Be creative, share your story, and express yourself!
Entry link: https://forms.gle/n4kVLX9d1pF2FQ3aA
Deadline: October 19, 2026
BJ's Fundraiser This Week
BJ's Fundraiser This Week
PTSA is excited to share that we’re hosting a restaurant fundraiser at BJ’s Restaurant on Thursday, October 15. This is a great chance to enjoy a meal with your family while supporting our school at the same time.
When you dine at BJ’s on 10/15, a portion of your purchase will be donated back to Dana Middle School. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch, dinner, or even a take‑out order, your participation helps us continue providing meaningful programs and opportunities for our students.
Please remember to show the fundraiser flyer when you order so your meal counts toward the event.
We truly appreciate your support, and we hope you’ll join us at BJ’s on October 15! Use this link
Pink Out Day - Tuesday
Pink Out Day - Tuesday
Be sure to wear something pink to school this Tuesday, Oct 13. This is a simple way to show support for all of those who have, or are currently battling breast cancer. Thank you to the Dana ASB for organizing this day.
Check out the Sora library app!
Check out the Sora library app!
All AUSD students can download audiobooks and ebooks from our district collection and the Arcadia Public Library by using their school ID and password. You can login from your Chromebook (Go to soraapp.com) or by downloading the app to your mobile device. (Look for the Sora app with the cute rocket critter!)
Sora will ask you for your school, so let it use your location or search for “dana” and choose Dana Middle School in Arcadia to get started. Login with your @students.ausd.net account and you will land on the home page. Then click on the Explore binoculars and see all the books and audiobooks you can borrow and enjoy!
There are lots of great features in Sora that Mrs. Tarsala will share in future bulletins. For now, just give it a try!
Promo Form
Promo plans are underway! 8th grade families, please complete the form and review the party information at https://bit.ly/4y0G9nr . Students who turn in their forms will be entered into monthly raffles through January. Turn in your form early for more chances to win!
Halloween Dance!
Garden Donations Needed
The Dana Garden Club is seeking your help. Mr. Smith and our students are preparing our garden beds for our fall crops. If you would like to donate a bag of soil or a small financial donation, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you -bsmith@ausd.net
Giving Away Board Games?
If you have any board games or card sets you're not using anymore, consider donating them to Dana. We will use them with our lunchtime Connect 20 collection. Students can check out games any day of the weekduring lunch.
8th Grade Spring Break
8th Grade Spring Break Trip: Give your student the opportunity to explore Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston this spring break! The trip price includes flights, buses, hotels, and food. The deadline to sign up is December 1. Please email Mrs. Hamblen with any questions or for more information.
Info Meeting for Current 7th Graders
2028 8th Grade Spring Break Trip: Current seventh grade families, please mark your calendars for our introductory meeting about the 2028 8th Grade Spring Break Trip! Join us on November 3 at 6:00 PM in Room 13 to learn more about the trip and all the fun we have planned. We hope to see you there!
Student Study Center
The Dana Student Study Center is open for business! We have a great group of peers who are ready and willing and assist your students with all of their homework needs. We meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in room 2 for 45 minutes right after school.
Fall Clubs 2026.pdfASB Calendar
Last Week's Survey Response
What do you like best about the fall season ?
uhh go to a drive in, wear a cozy sweater OF COURSE, eat smores, drink hot cocoa, ABSOLUTELY put up some fairy lights i love fairy lights, roast marshmallows like eminem, visit a renaissance faire, watch a classic movie, and drink chai tea😋
Watch classic movies
Eat smores
Eat food and smores
I would want to volunteer
watch a classic movie
Cooler weather
eating pumpkin seeds
play softball
Make scarfs for my bunnies
bake
halloween
The weather and seasonal flavors of foods and drinks.
halloween
being cozy in cold weather and it's also my b-day month!
hoodies and sweaters :)
Eat food yum yum
replay all my indie games
playing mario kart at the Thanksgiving gathering
s'mores and hot cocoa
redecorate room
drink hot chocolate
football
most
none
Staying cozy in bed under a warm blanket, while eating cookies and watching spooky or old movies.
it's getting colder, you can jump on the leaves, and I get to hang out with my friends and family
trick or treating
Pumpkins
Go to a JJBA pop up store that's happening right now.
Halloween
Learn to crochet, Built campfire, Build a pillow fort
eat turkey and ham
Hi. I am Ezra Lao, one of the Emerson Award Recipients. I would choose out of all of there options to eat some s'mores, bake a pie, make a pot of chili, do a random act of kindness, and help out a neighbor. I would also like to remind people that you should always choose kindness, even when the person doesn't look like they need help. Always do the right things in life to be real and to be honest with yourself. If you are reading this, ask yourself today; "Have I been kind and wholesome to others this month?" Answer honestly and ask others about how you can change. Thank you for your patience.
The smell of the fall candles.
cooler weather, Thanksgiving, and apple pie
Bake cookies, pick a Halloween costume,
melt in the heat
This Week's Survey
📺 Dana News
📺 Dana News
🏠Dana House Points
🏠Dana House Points
Dana has 6 Houses, all of which compete for team spirit and competition points each semester for our House Trophy and prizes. Each House has 6th-8th grade team members which are based on a student's Advisory teacher. Houses gather together throughout the year.
Rams
Rams
34 pts
Eagles
Eagles
60 pts
Dolphins
Dolphins
51 pts
Bulls
Bulls
48 pts
Lions
Lions
68 pts
Wolves
Wolves
58 pts
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