Dunstan Newsletter
December 1st
Letter for the Principal
December 1, 2023
Greetings Wonderful Parents and Guardians of Dunstan Students,
Happy December 1st!
Throughout this fall many of you have inquired about Jeffco conducting a survey to gather perceptions and feedback about the new school start and end times. At our last principal’s meeting the school district leaders informed us that they are going to conduct a survey between now and Winter Break. This survey will be open for 10 days only! If you would like to provide your thoughts, please do so within this timeframe. Please watch for the link to be sent to you from Jeffco and respond to the survey if you have thoughts about the new start and end times.
This week all of our Language Arts teachers, Learning Specialist, and ELL Teacher participated in grading student writing and calibrating with each other using our rubrics. This is valuable work that helps create consistency in teaching and grading. I was able to spend some time with our group of teachers during this process as was our Instructional Coach and Assistant Principal. I continue to be grateful for the collaboration that exists here because it helps us continue to improve!
Unfortunately, we had a physical altercation between two 8th grade students at the end of the day on Thursday. Fighting automatically generates an out-of-school suspension that typically lasts multiple days. In secondary schools (middle and high school), physical alterations also often generate a ticket through the Lakewood Police Department. The decision to issue a ticket is made exclusively by our School Resource Office, Kennadee Bleak. She consistently says to students, her primary job is to keep kids safe so they can learn at school. Physical alterations compromise the sense of safety students have about their learning environment. Due to the timing of the altercation many students are aware this occurred. Please feel free to process this with your student(s) and to send any questions and/or concerns to me and/or Dylan Masterson, our Dean.
As the holidays are approaching, Dunstan is continuing its annual process of giving gift cards to 10 families in need. As many of you know, Dunstan serves a wide variety of families with varied needs. If you would like to contribute, please bring a pre-purchased gift card to the main office. Jen Baker, one of our counselors, is the coordinator again this year.
Next Wednesday, December 6th is our annual Open House from 6:00-7:30. If you have friends or neighbors who are looking for a middle school for their child, please feel free to invite them. This year, we are also adding a table with representatives from Green Mountain High School. If your student is an 8th grader and has questions about GMHS, please feel free to come by.
During these next few weeks, please regularly review your student’s grades in Infinite Campus and work that is in Google Classroom. These next few weeks are the last opportunity to complete work and raise grades for the end of 1st semester. Please encourage your student to practice self-advocacy by emailing their teachers with questions and/or concerns about grades, assignments, etc. It is better to start this process now.
I apologize for the highs and lows that are represented in this newsletter, but also believe in direct and transparent communication with our community. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions and/or concerns.
In partnership,
Jen Pennell
Tuesday, December 5th
- Colorado Gives Day - Please consider donating to the school
- MAP testing (MATH)
- 7:00-7:45 PM: Outdoor Lab Parent Meeting @ DMS
Wednesday, December 6th
- Enroll Jeffco opens
- MAP testing (MATH)
- 6:00-7:30 PM: Incoming 6th grade Open House
Thursday, December 7th
- MAP testing (ELA)
Friday, December 8th
- MAP testing (ELA)
Monday, December 11th
- On/Off Track letters go out to students
Tuesday, December 12th
- 6:00 PM: GM area Band Festival @ DMS (Gym)
Wednesday, December 13th
- 6:00 PM: GM area Orchestra Festival @ GMHS (Auditorium)
Thursday, December 14th
- 6:00 PM: Choir concert @ DMS (Gym)
Monday, December 18th
- On/Off Track Celebration @ school
Tuesday, December 19th
- Early release schedule
- Pep rally
- End of Quarter 2 report cards
Wednesday, December 20th-Friday, January 5th
- NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)
- Wednesday, January 3rd-Friday, January 5th
- No school for students due to staff Professional Development
Dunstan Adopt-A-Family Gift Card Drive
To brighten the holidays of families in our community, Dunstan PTA is sponsoring a Gift Card Drive! Gift cards allow families to shop for the items they need most. Dunstan staff have identified families that are in need of some support this season and will distribute gift cards prior to winter break. PTA will use the funds received from donations at this site: https://www.coloradogives.org/AdoptAFamily to purchase the gift cards on your behalf.
Alternatively, gift cards in $20 or $25 denominations for King Soopers, Safeway, Target, or Walmart can be dropped off in the Dunstan office by Thursday, December 14th. With much thanks for your support!
Candy Cane-O-Grams
WEB leaders will be selling candycane-o-grams this Thursday, 12/6 through Wednesday, 12/13 during lunches. This is a chance for students to send a kind message to a teacher, friend or themselves! The message will be attached to a candy cane or a cutie - their choice! Candycane-o-grams are 50 cents each, and kids can buy as many as they like. No large bills please. Candycane-o-grams will be delivered by WEB leaders during advise before winter break! Thank you!
Enroll Jeffco
Use the School Finder tool to learn more about our school, programs offered, data and more. We hope to see you next year!
Support the Dollars for Dunstan Fundraising Campaign through Colorado Gives Day!
You can make your Colorado Gives Day donation (link to https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/DunstanMiddleSchoolPTA/) any time between now and December 5. You can donate to support the PTA in general, but we encourage you to scroll down and find your kids’ advise teacher to make a gift through their fundraising page. Teachers will receive 25% of the funds raised through their page to use for specific classroom needs. The advise class in each grade that raises the most money will earn a pizza or donut party before the winter break.
We are also hoping to raise $1,000 to hire a choreographer for the spring musical, and are again providing gift cards to families in need this holiday season, so support those funds as well if you are able!
The advise class in each grade that raises the most money will earn a pizza or donut party before the winter break.
This is the only school-wide fundraising event the PTA hosts, so please share with your family and friends and help make a difference in our Dunstan community!
6th grade Families--Outdoor Lab is Coming!
We invite ALL 6th grade families to attend one of the family information meetings that we will be holding to prepare you for our Outdoor Lab trips in March. This is an amazing opportunity for students to experience four days and three nights in one of Jeffco's two mountain Outdoor Lab Schools, Windy Peak and Mt. Blue Sky (formerly Mt. Evans). Here, they will experience hands-on learning in contents such as biology, astronomy, and conservation and enjoy many other fun outdoor activities. As a 6th-grade tradition in Jeffco schools that goes back for almost 6 decades, this is a lifetime experience your student won't forget, and we are committed to ensuring that ALL students may participate, taking into account each family's unique needs and situations. We want ALL of our Dunstan 6th graders to participate. Please plan to attend one of the following meetings with your 6th grade student for more information:
- Thursday, November 30, 6:30-7:15pm
- Tuesday, December 5, 7:00-7:45pm
If you have any questions regarding these meetings, please contact Mark Fabian (303-982-9264) or Megan Haggstrom (303-982-9817).
Events and Opportunities
Green Mountain Boy Lacrosse Clinic
Pastries with Pennell
December 13th from 10:00-11:00 AM at DMS
Beginning September 19th
GMHS Band Fundraiser
GMHS Holiday Concert
Rooney Ranch Holiday Market
Congrats DMS Volleyball Teams!
Quick shout out to both of our 6/7 teams that beat Creighton earlier this week and to our 8th grade team that beat Creighton just before Thanksgiving break!
Social Emotional Learning at Dunstan
Hello!
We had a lovely first week back from Thanksgiving break---it's so good to see everyone! This past week, Advise classes participated in their final SEL lesson addressing dehumanizing language. We created a specific 45-minute Advise schedule to accommodate the longer time needed due to the subject matter. It was a great lesson, with a lot of student participation and feedback. It has been lovely to see some students take leadership roles in this area by encouraging other students to join them in stopping dehumanizing language at Dunstan.
Leslie Pruitt, Social Emotional Learning Specialist
leslie.pruitt@jeffco.k12.co.us
303-982-9439
Click the Picture to Access Past Editions of Dunstan's Patriot Post
The Patriot Post is Dunstan's online newspaper established in the 2022/23 school year. Mr. Orthun facilitates the creation of each edition through his Media Literacy elective. The Post is back again this year, and will be better than ever. Clicking the picture will take you to past editions and we encourage you to check them out. Thank you all so much and we hope you enjoy our future editions!
Watch D.O.G.S. and M.O.M.S.
Welcome back Dunstan students! AND....
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) and M.O.M.S. (Moms of Marvelous Students)!!!
DADS, MOMS, any parents, guardians, family members - are all welcome and encouraged to sign up and participate.
Sign up to volunteer between 11:00 am - 1:15 pm to cover lunch and recess. Monday - Friday.
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.
PS - more dates will be added to fill out the school year.
The Watch D.O.G.S. program was established nearly 25 years ago. A program to help get fathers and father figures into our children's schools. 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. Last year, in 2022, the national Watch DOGS program wanting to continue to engage fathers and father figures and add our M.O.M.S.
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
Looking for an Idea to Show Gratitude for a Dunstan Staff Member this Holiday Season?
Here is a link to a list of Teacher's and Staff's Favorite Things - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uER5xM3kfzQls4YD6W54VoEoYwsMjwfxujVA4UxlaOo/edit?usp=sharing
Please come out and support Dunstan on January 3rd. This is a great way to meet and connect with other Dunstan familiies.
Help Dunstan Create a Zen Den for Students
The PTA would like to help support the ZEN DEN at Dunstan led by Ms. Hyrup.
The ZEN DEN stemmed from a Cap Stone project started by a GMHS Senior, a room dedicated as a tool to help teach self-reflection, redirection, emotional regulation, and many other life skills.
We would like to help supply the ZEN DEN with the remaining items needed to create this space and we need your help. The ZEN DEN is in need of Mental Health Posters, Journals, Fidgets, Counting Blocks, Emotional Regulation tools and Small Creative learning projects or kits.
We have included the Amazon Wishlist link below, of suggested items:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/12K9US8GWW9VY?ref_=wl_share
Donations may be dropped off at the office, there is a box labeled ZEN DEN.
Are you interested in being more involved in health and wellness in Jeffco Schools?
Jeffco District Health Advisory Council (DHAC) is looking for additional community members. DHAC works to elevate family/parent and community voices regarding wellness in schools and is responsible for the development, implementation, and review of the Jeffco School Wellness Policy. The group meets three times per year on Wednesday mornings. Email healthyschools@jeffco.k12.co.us to learn more.
Looking for an easy way to support Dunstan at no cost to you?
In the second quarter of 2023, Dunstan PTA earned $471.06 through the King Soopers Community Rewards program. Linking your King Soopers card to the Dunstan PTA is an easy way to support our school - at no cost to you! Simply log in to Community Rewards and search for us: https://bit.ly/2R6y1mk.
Thank you for your support!
Sign-Up to Bring Treats for Teachers and Staff
Hello Dunstan Middle School Families! Let's show our appreciation for our amazing teachers and staff by keeping their break room stocked this year. Please review the available slots below and contact Dunstan PTA (ptadunstan@gmail.com) if you have any questions. Treats can be dropped off to the front office during open hours.
Here is the link to sign up.
Join the PTA
Click here to find out what PTA does and how you can be involved