The Dunstan Biweekly Newsletter
November 11th
Principal's Corner
Greetings parents and guardians,
I hope you and your family are enjoying the transition from fall to winter! Even though the roads and your commute might be challenging, I want you to know that your students are happy, warm, and healthy at Dunstan. Our heat works well and teachers continue to move instruction forward even on snowy days. Whenever it is 20 degrees or warmer we will go outside. Students have the option to remain in the cafeteria or go outside to get fresh air during their lunch time. If it is colder than 19 degrees we stay inside and our 6th and 7th graders can access the gym. We are currently working to adapt our 2nd semester master schedule so our 8th graders could also access the gym on inclement weather days. While my ideal is to be outside every day, your students handle inside days well. Please let us know if you ever have questions.
Jeffco recently provided an additional .5 funds for us to post a Social Emotional Learning Specialist position for the remainder of this school year. After discussing this with our leadership team, we are adding funds for another .5 to make this a position a 1.0 for the rest of this school year. Part of the impetus behind this decision is related to reducing our counselor to student ratio, which was 470:1 before these funds and is now 314:1. Given the social emotional needs of our teens, having an effective counselor is critical to the success of many. These additional funds are available to this school year only and will likely not occur next year. As a result, next year our mental health team will return to the structure of 2 counselors, 1 SEL, and 1 Licensed Clinical Social Worker. This shift will return the ratio to 470:1 for the 2020-2021 school year.
It is important to highlight the incredible opportunities that many of our teachers are taking advantage of to include resources in their instruction. Most recently this has included Mr. Minard including engineers in the pre-engineering class. As a leader I whole heartedly believe in connecting content with real world examples either through guest speakers or field experiences/field trips. As the leader of Dunstan I will continue to encourage our teachers to access the wealth of resources available in the Lakewood and Green Mountain area to deepen learning and provide real world of examples for our students.
As always, please continue to provide your feedback and guidance.
With great respect,
Breaking NEWS!!!
PTA Spirit Night (Monday Nov. 18th)
Please join us for our next Spirit Night at Wahoo's on Union. Mention Dunstan from 4pm to 8pm and 50%!!! of sales will be donated back to the PTA!
Two Important Policy Reminders!
~Please have your photo ID with you when you pick up your student
in the office.
~Anyone picking up a student during the school day must be on the
student's Jeffco Connect account. If you need help adding someone
to an account, please call the office 303-982-9270.
These policies are for the safety of our students. Thank you!
Green Mountain Artic Area
On Tuesday 12/3, The Green Mountain Artic Area sponsorship at Noodle and Company on Green Mountain is going to give 30% of their profits back to the Green Mountain Articulation Area Grant.
Open House
Date change for Dunstan Open House:
From January 14th to December 5th (New time 4:30 – 6:00pm) Then please stick around and enjoy our PTA meeting from 6-7 pm.
PTA Says THANK YOU!!!
Thank you to all who attended our Gala on Saturday and those who participated in the online
auction as well! It was a fantastic night and your generosity is greatly appreciated. We raised over $7,000 for our school! Special thanks to Melissa Martini and her team for all of their hard work to put it together.
Our next PTA meeting will be Thursday, December 5th at 6pm in the Library. Our special guest will be Culum Walsh from Human by Human to speak about academic coaching. Hope to see you there!
The Logo
Dr. Pennell and a Microphone
Awesome Dunstan Familes
The Teamwork that made the dream work.
Student Counsel plays the odds
Awesome Dunstan Families
Parents! What if you could shift the way you listen to your child? What if this shift allowed your child to discover something new about him/herself? Session 3 of the Life Coaching Skills Workshop for Parents is Thursday, November 21, from 7 to 8pm, in the Library of GMHS. Come and explore different levels of listening, and transform your relationship to your children! Please bring something to write with, and something to write on. We will begin and end on time. Looking forward to it!
https://humanbyhuman.com/coaching-programs-workshops-parents-students/workshop-for-parents/
Important Attendance Information
Absences
Please call the attendance line when your child is absent. (303) 982-9221
Our Tardy Policy
With snowy weather here, make sure you make adjustments to your morning commute when necessary.
The Attendance Line should be used any time your student will miss school for any reason. 303-982-9221
Prearranged Absences of 3 Days or more: This form is available in the office and on our website, go to Student Resources, then forms. Students are responsible for filling out the top section and showing it to each of their teachers to get info on missed work. Important: the form must be turned into the office when complete in order for the student to be marked excused. A copy will be made and kept in the office. Questions? Contact Gretchen, attendance secretary 303-982-9270
Appointments: You may use the attendance line to let us know you'll be picking up your studentfor an appointment or arriving late during the school day. Let us know the student's name and time they will be picked up, or arriving late at school. Always bring in your photo ID to pick up your student!
Technology
November Digital Citizenship Family Letter: Media Literacy
Book Fair Update: Thank you to everyone who shopped at Dunstan's Book Fair this year. We surpassed our goal of $2500 in sales! I am now working with our Avid Reader class to turn our profits (@$1200 in Scholastic books) into new books for our library. Thank you!!
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Lenovo Accidental Damage Protection (Only for 100e purchased this school year (2019-2020).)
Families who purchased a Lenovo 100e this school year (2019-2020) are able to purchase accidental damage warranty now until the device reaches its end of warranty (1 year). Please take a look at costs and consider purchasing this coverage so repair expenses for accidental damage are covered.
1 - Help your kiddos remember to charge their devices overnight so they are able to fully participate in classroom activities
2 - Late work will not be immediately be put in IC. If you have questions about classroom grades and late work please give some wait time and then contact your student's teacher.
Chromebooks
We still have 30 Chromebooks for sale for $223.
Please contact the financial office to purchase one, first come first serve (303-982-9270).
Watchdog Program
Dunstan WATCHDOG Program is up and running smooth! WatchDOGS are Dads or any father figure that serve as a positive role model for students, and help support staff duties. Sign up to volunteer between 10:10am - 12:50pm, before or after school. The students and staff greatly appreciate you!
Colorado Ski Country USA
Attention 6th grade parents: The Colorado Ski Country USA 6th grade passport provides 6th graders with 4 days of skiing or snowboarding at each of the 22 participating Colorado ski resorts. This is a total of 88 days of skiing for only $110. Apply online today at https://www.coloradoski.com/passport
Tutoring Opportunity @ Green Mountain High School
Dunstan students are welcome to GM High School for help in math and science.
Link to Tutoring Calendar
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13BfhoGYF7wN1VrX_h02s7VygRUdQ4-lltRxhgmUj7XY/edit?usp=sharing
School Pics
Reflections Contest Winners
Thank you to all who participated in this year’s Dunstan PTA Reflections contest! Congratulations to this year’s Award of Excellence winners whose work will advance to represent Dunstan at the county level!
Music Composition: June Dempsey & Savannah Primak
Literature: Maggie Gavin & Faith Parker
Photography: Lucy Klein & Sean Thomas
Visual Arts: Kiera Bishop & Abby Brown & Emma Schmucker
Volleyball on One Side of the Gym
Volleyball on the Other Side of the Gym
Tech Fair
More Tech Fair
Minard and Assist
Mr. Cole Learns About Science
Drama Rehearsal
Drama Rehearsal
Stairs??? Who needs stairs???
Dunstan Comic Strip - by our very own JAMES NGUYEN
PTA Announcements
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0d4da4ab2faa8-teacher
*Be sure to like the official Dunstan Middle School and PTA Facebook Page for school info and updates. Look for @dunstanmiddleschoolPTA on FB.
* We need you! We are just over halfway to our goal of 100 members. Please join the DMS PTA and help support our amazing school.
Workshop for Parents - humanbyhuman.com
What if there were a way that parents could take a break from being the expert on their children? Basically, in this workshop for parents, you can stop solving the problems, and coach your children to solve their own problems.
Box Tops for Education Fundraising
- Students can begin bringing in Box Tops starting this Friday to their advise class. There will be an envelope in each Advise Teacher’s classroom for these to be placed in.
- There is a contest in which the Advise class (1 per each grade) that generates the most Box Tops will win a Pizza Party. The deadline for this is December 13th.. (See brochure below)
- As this deadline approaches, Student volunteers will be needed to help cut and count the Box Tops turned in. This time will count towards Honor Society requirements.
- Encourage family, friends, and neighbors to help contribute Box Tops to help Dunstan earn additional money.
- In addition to the physical Box Tops on items, the program is also introducing the Box Tops For Education App (available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play store).
- Once you download the app and create a login for this, select Dunstan Middle School (you can search for this by the school name or the school’s zip code). For items that are valid for this program (specific products will note this on the box/package), you can just scan your receipt (i.e. Walmart, King Soopers, etc..) and Dunstan Middle School will earn instant credit for this item.
Questions can be directed to Drew Hughes at Denver_drew@hotmail.com.
Green Mountain Bike Team
Please follow the link below.
https://sites.google.com/jeffcoschools.us/gmhsmountainbiketeam
School Trips
Explore Europe
What: World War II and the Western Front tour
When: July 2020
How long: 14 days
Where: Multiple countries
Please contact Sarah Mehmen @ sarah.mehmen@jeffco.k12.co.us if you are interested.
Have you ever been interested in traveling to Iceland?
Now is your chance! Ms. Murphy and Ms. Reese will be leading an educational tour of Iceland Spring Break 2020.
There is limited space available on a first-come, first-served basis for this opportunity. Your student has received information at school and there will be a meeting March 5th at 6:00pm in the DMS library if you are interested in finding out more information about this amazing opportunity! Below is a flyer with further details and contact information for any questions you may have. We hope to see you there!
More Information -
LOST AND FOUND
Dear families,
Lost and found will be given to charity monthly. At the end of each month all items will be bagged up and taken away. Please have your students check our lost and found.
Thank you,
Dunstan Office Staff
Upcoming Dates
Thursday, November 14th - Fall Play "Game of Tiaras" @ 6:00pm
Friday, November 15th - Fall Play "Game of Tiaras" @ 6:00pm
Thursday, November 21st - Honor Choir Rehearsal @ 4:00pm
Friday, November 22nd - Pep Rally
Monday, November 25th - 29th - NO SCHOOL THANKSGIVING BREAK
Thursday, December 5th - Dunstan Open House (4:30-6:00pm) Followed by a PTA Meeting
(6:00-700pm)
More Details Found on the Dunstan Website
Dunstan Middle School
Home of the Patriots!!!
At Dunstan Middle School, we aspire every minute of every day to:
- Engage students in dynamic, rigorous learning activities.
- Inspire students to explore their interests through innovative electives, content courses and after-school activities.
- Empower students with restorative practices in a safe, supportive learning community.
Website: https://dunstan.jeffcopublicschools.org/
Location: 1855 South Wright Street, Lakewood, CO, USA
Phone: 303-982-9270