Dunstan Newsletter
Aug 3rd
Welcome Back!!!!
Letter from the Principal
August 3, 2023
Hello parents and guardians of Dunstan Middle School students,
It is with tremendous joy that we welcome you to the 2023-24 school year! Our staff is excited to welcome your student(s) to Dunstan!
During this summer we renovated our main entrance to include a double, secure entry. This means visitors will be screened through the first door where they can drop off deliveries, sign their student in or out of school, etc. Visitors need to have a larger/greater purpose to be screened through the second secured door such as a parent meeting, school event, etc. Jeffco School District has been installing double secure entries at all secondary schools for the past few years. Please note, the addition of the second secure entry required us to reconfigure our main office so it will look different when you come into the school. Also, each classroom in the older section of the school has new lights that allow for three different settings. Our band/orchestra and choir rooms also have new lights. In short, we had some significant renovations this summer and are getting the building put back together for the return of staff next week and students the following week.
I am very proud to announce that Dunstan is fully staffed except for 1 learning specialist/special education teaching position. Our staff includes teachers, administrators, para-educators, para-professionals, food service workers, and our facilities crew. For those of you who closely follow our schools and education, you know that we have struggled to have our schools fully staffed for several years. Dunstan continues to be blessed and we have nearly a full staff for your student(s)!
As the principal of the school, we are here to partner with you and welcome your ongoing partnership throughout your student’s middle school years. This is a critical age to maintain engagement with your student(s). While middle school students say they would prefer parents not be as engaged as in elementary school, please maintain regular weekly grade checks and daily conversations with your student about how their transition into this school year is going. Please reach out earlier rather than later as we get this school year underway.
Please read this issue in its entirety because it includes many important details regarding the return to school.
Regarding my summer, I traveled to Europe with my 25 year old daughter and 17 year old daughter. We truly enjoyed the time and adventures together! This was an important summer for us to travel because my 25 year old recently graduated from law school and is now studying for the bar exam that she will take in February. She intends to become a youth counsel who represents foster youth - because she was a child who was in the foster care system. Our 17 year old daughter is now entering her senior year of high school, which is a significant year before college. So this summer was a good time in all of our lives to slow down our pace and spend some quality time together. My husband joined us for part of the trip this summer, but then returned to Colorado. He continues to teach at Ralston Valley High School and to chair the Board of Trustees for Colorado’s public retirement system - PERA. While we continue to be busy, we are very fulfilled by our lives here in Colorado.
As always, please reach out if you have any questions and/or concerns. We are happy to work alongside you!
Respectfully,
Jennifer J. Pennell, Principal
Tuesday, August 8th
- WEB leader training (From 8-12:30)
Wednesday, August 9th
- WEB leader training (From 8-12:30)
Friday, August 11th
- Student schedules will be released by 4pm
Monday, August 14th
-
Community Open House from 2:00-4:00 pm so that all students can bring their school supplies and organize their lockers. This event is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Parents/guardians are encouraged to come with 6th grade students to help them learn how to open the lockers; we will also have staff on hand to help. If you are unable to come at this time, it’s ok! Students will have time on Wednesday, August 16 at the start of the day to get settled in and should bring their supplies then.
Tuesday, August 15th
- First Day of School 6th GRADE ONLY - (NO SUPPLIES - ONLY Water bottles)
Wednesday, August 16th
- First day of school for ALL STUDENTS (6th, 7th, 8th)
Friday, August 25th
- Picture Day for all students and staff
Tuesday, August 29th
- 5:00 PM: Back to School Open House
Monday, September 4th
- Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)
Bell Schedules
Helpful Info
Arrival:
- Grade-level entrance doors open at 8:45 AM (see map below for locations)
- Students should use this time to go to their lockers, put things away, and be prepared to start class at 8:55 AM
- Please do not have students arrive earlier than 8:35 AM if they are planning to eat breakfast or 8:45 AM for students who need extra time to get ready for the day. There will be no supervision for students until 8:35 AM.
Breakfast:
- 8:35-8:50 AM
- Any student who wants to eat breakfast needs to enter through the back cafeteria ONLY
Dismissal:
- 3:55 PM and all students need to be off campus by 4:05 PM
- Adult supervision will end at 4:05 PM
- Please be aware there is no parking on the west side of Wright Street due to student safety and driver visibility, and no parking in the bus loop
School Meals
Dear Jeffco Public Schools Staff and Families,
All students in Jeffco Public Schools will have access to free, healthy and nutritious school meals beginning in the 2023-24 school year thanks to the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program approved by Colorado voters.
What Families Can Expect for the 2023-24 School Year
- We encourage all families to complete the HSMA Combination Form. This form will be available on Saturday, July 1. To access this form, you must log in to School Café or set up a new School Café account (you will need an account and may not complete a form as a guest).
- Completion of this form will help with additional education funding for schools and may allow for waivers of school-related fees.
- All household income information provided through the HSMA Combination Form is strictly confidential and protected by law. Please note: Only one form is required for all students in the household.
- Forms will be available July 1. While online forms are preferred, paper forms will be available at the Food & Nutrition Services office located at 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and also at your student’s school.
- Additional meals or a la carte items may be purchased by a student using cash or their School Café account.
- Contact Katie Jeter, Director of Resources, Food & Nutrition Services at 303-982-6879 with questions about applications.
What Meal Service Will Look Like in the 2023-24 School Year
- Students will go through the line and eat in the cafeteria.
- Students will scan their District ID card; middle and high school students’ name badge will serve as their ID card. Elementary students will be provided ID cards at their school.
- Menus will be posted on School Café, as well as in the schools.
- On School Café, you may also place restrictions on your student's account regarding what and/or how frequently they may purchase a la carte items.
- Contact Erika Edwards, Director of Operations, Food and Nutrition Services at 303-982-6678 with questions about meal service.
Sincerely,
Jeffco Public Schools
Watch D.O.G.S. M.O.M.S.
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) welcomes M.O.M.S. (Moms of Marvelous Students)!!!
The Watch D.O.G.S. program was established nearly 25 years ago. Moms and mother figures have always been allowed, but the focus has been to purpose fathers and father-figures, not traditionally found on school campuses as much as the moms and female counterparts. The national program recently put out a statement wanting to continue to engage fathers and father figures. But also, to recognize the dedicated commitment of our M.O.M.S. So, going forward, the program wants to recognize and pay tribute to the many thousands of mothers and other guardians, educators, and support specialists who are vital to the success of our students. MOMS, DADS, any parents, guardian, family member - are all welcome and encouraged to sign up and participate. WELCOME M.O.M.S.!!!
As our school year at Dunstan is coming to a close, there are still many spots for Watch DOGS. We'll have next year's sign up genius sent out in the fall before the 2023-2024 school year. There's still time to volunteer this year!!!
Sign up to volunteer between 10:30 am - 12:30 pm to cover lunch and recess on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Lunch/recess is between 9:45 and 11:50 on Wednesdays.
My name is Steve Clayton. Please feel free to email if you have any questions about our program. WatchDOGS is a national program that has been in our local schools for over a decade. You can email Steve at:dunstanwatchdogs@gmail.com
Here's the sign up link:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D44AAAA2AA6F85-dunstan2
If you want to help cover the crosswalk before or after school also, just add that in the comment section of the sign-up genius.
From the Dunstan PTA
Welcome to the incoming PTA board members! We still have two open positions, please email ptadunstan@gmail.com if interested.
2023-2024 PTA Board
President - Christine Fielder
Vice President - Open Position
Secretary/Newsletter - Wendy Economou
Fundraising - Susan Adams, Leanna Marsh
Treasurer - Wendy Economo
Staff Appreciation - Elisharae Waller
Reflections - Joanne Sarazin
Social Media - Susan Fleming
Health and Wellness - Open Position
Ongoing fundraising opportunities!
Please remember this summer you can still make a difference by shopping at King Soopers.
Sign up here - https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards