Dunstan Newsletter
October 27th
Letter from the Principal
October 27, 2023
Greetings Wonderful Parents and Guardians of Dunstan Students,
I hope you are enjoying the change in the seasons! Colorado and Lakewood are beautiful places to live and I feel so blessed to be surrounded by the many opportunities we have to ground ourselves in our surroundings! If you have not already done so, please take some time to go outside and soak up our sunshine and our beautiful community!
This week has been productive and joyful for your students. I’ve had the opportunity to begin formal teacher and classroom observations. During these I have seen creative lesson designs from our teachers that intentionally engage students. One lesson in particular had students writing effective short, fast fiction stories. Their word count was limited to 55 words so students had to work to find the most effective words to convey their ideas. Additionally, students had a few options of prompts to choose from or they could create their own. The creative prompts and then guidelines for writing caused the students to think creatively but within boundaries. Students in this class clearly had fun with this assignment and were highly engaged.
Starting November 1st, we are conducting targeted Social Emotional Learning lessons on Wednesdays in Advise. The first lesson will focus on empathy and the importance of developing empathy and understanding of others. Empathy and caring for others is a significant component of having a caring culture, which we constantly strive to promote with our staff and students. The second SEL lesson occurs the following week and is focused on intent vs. impact. In this we are trying to help our students understand that they cannot excuse or dismiss their choices by saying that’s not what I meant. While explaining their intent is important, it is also important to listen and understand the impact on others, especially regarding words. The third lesson on November 15th focuses on dehumanizing language. This lesson will include the importance of not using racially-based, disrespectful language. It will also provide some historical context regarding where some racially-based language originated. The last lesson in this series is on November 29th, which will focus on gratitude. Students will be encouraged to write one, quality thank you note to a person who is making a positive difference in their life.
Prior to these lessons occurring, we are offering a parent session on Wednesday, November 1st from 6:30-7:30 in the Library. Please feel free to join us if you would like to learn more about this effort and the focus/purpose of these lessons.
For students who are Advanced Learning Plans, we will be hosting them in the Cafeteria on __ to review information about the process by which Jeffco identifies students as gifted learners. Additionally, we will also have them set their ALP goals for this school year. If your student is on an ALP, we would appreciate you having some follow up conversations about their goals and the information they learned during this session. We believe knowledge is power and knowledge of self is an important concept middle school students work on throughout the years they are with us. To help address the needs of our advanced learners, we added more leveled classes in all content areas within the last few years. Additionally, some of our explore classes also offer multiple levels so students can increase their depth of knowledge in particular content areas. At Dunstan we are determined to balance opportunities for learning with similar peers and classes where all students are mixed together.
Thank you to those of you who have attended our recent band, orchestra, and choir concerts! Fall concerts serve as a strong baseline for growth that students make throughout the school year. I am proud of our students and their preparation and performance for these events!
I want to make you aware of our annual lockdown practice drill that is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1st in the afternoon. This drill was scheduled before this school year began. Prior to the practice, students review a video from Jeffco Safety and Security and then practice lockdown procedures. Jeffco Safety and Security staff members will be here to help us with this drill. If you have any questions or concerns about our annual lockdown practice please feel free to contact me.
In preparation for the change in seasons and weather, please send your students with appropriate clothing for the weather. As a reminder, we open the doors at 8:35 for breakfast in the Cafeteria and 8:40 to enter the hallways. If the temperature is 20 degrees or below, or if significant precipitation is falling, we will let students into hallways where they can stay warmer at 8:40. If students are being dropped off much earlier, please anticipate they will need to wait outside until 8:40. Thank you for your understanding that the new start and end times shifted our teacher meetings to mornings from 8:05-8:40. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing adaptation to our new start and end times.
In partnership,
Jennifer J. Pennell
Information about Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
10/20/2023
Dear families,
Our school has been selected to participate in the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) on Friday, November 3rd. HKCS is Colorado’s widely-administered survey on the health and well-being of young people and school health policies and practices that support youth health. Families can opt-out of the survey using THIS FORM. (You must complete the Opt-Out form by Thursday, November 2nd.) Participation is voluntary and students can decline to participate or answer questions in the survey. Explore Survey FAQs here.
Information about the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey:
HKCS is an optional-participation survey given to 6-12 graders in Colorado
HKCS is Colorado's most comprehensive survey on the health and well-being of young people.
The survey is voluntary, anonymous, and happens every two years in the fall.
The survey is administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado School of Public Health (CSPH).
The HKCS has a rigorous policy to protect confidentiality and anonymity of student data
Students take the online survey during one class period
Families can preview the survey questions here.
Please contact Jeffco Healthy Schools with any questions regarding your school’s participation in the survey.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Pennell
Principal, Dunstan Middle School
Tuesday, October 31st
- Halloween (costumes are allowed, please see expectations below)
Wednesday, November 1st
- Lockdown DRILL during 5th period
- Alternative schedule today ONLY
Friday, November 3rd
- Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) during science classes
Tuesday, November 7th
- 9:30-2:30 PM-WLC Field Trip
Wednesday, November 8th
- 5:30 PM PTA meeting (in-person and virtual)
Friday, November 10th
- 9:30-3:00 Tech theater field trip
Monday, November 13th
- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
- Professional Development day for teachers and staff
Wednesday, November 15th
- 9:30-1:00 PM 6th Grade On/Off Track Field Trip
Thursday, November 16th
- 9:30-1:00 PM 7th Grade On/Off Track Field Trip
Friday, November 17th
- 9:30-1:00 PM 8th Grade On/Off Track Field Trip
Monday, November 20th-Friday, November 24th
- Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)
School Enrollment Survey
Please take 10-15 minutes to complete the School Enrollment Survey. Share with us what matters most to you when choosing a school for your student. Your feedback will help us improve the school enrollment process and provide programming to meet your family’s educational needs. The survey is open through Friday, November 17.
Bicycle Colorado Donated 30 Bike Helmets to DMS!
Bicycle Colorado, a nonprofit advocacy organization championing the interests of all bicycle riders statewide, graciously donated 30 bicycle helmets for our students to have. With plenty of students who bike, scooter, and skateboard to school, we are so happy to provide helmets for students who need them at no cost. Thank you again, Bicycle Colorado!
Click the picture to learn more about DMS Halloween Expectations
Events and Opportunities
Green Mountain Lacrosse Clinic
Colorado School of Mines Physics Fest
Message from the PTA
Dear Dunstan families,
Let's show some gratitude for our incredible Dunstan Staff with a delicious grab and go breakfast before Thanksgiving break. Since food needs to be at school between 6:25 and 6:30 am on Thursday, November 17th, your student can drop off food off in the office on the 16th or earlier in the week. PLEASE be sure to label items STAFF BREAKFAST. If you want to bring food the day of, please arrive by 6:15am.
Link to Sign Up Genius - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849ADAD2CA6F9C70-45229951-thankful#/
Link to list of Dunstan's Favorite Things - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uER5xM3kfzQls4YD6W54VoEoYwsMjwfxujVA4UxlaOo/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you so much!
PTA
Social Emotional Learning at Dunstan
Hello!
This week, students continued to work on decorating their Advise class doors for our annual Halloween Door Decorating contest! It has become such a fun, group-building activity for our students and I'm so happy we are doing it again this year. Winners for each grade-level will be announced on Monday. Stay tuned for pictures of our amazing, spooky doors in the newsletter next week! Have a safe, snowy weekend!
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
From the Dunstan PTA
Next PTA Meeting is November 8th
The next PTA meeting will be on November 8th from 5:30-6:30p and will be held both in-person and virtually.
Click on the Picture Below to Join the PTA
Looking for Halloween Fun?
Click here for a list of events happening throughout the Lakewood area.
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.