Dunstan Newsletter
November 17th
Letter from the Principal
November 17, 2023
Happy Thanksgiving Break everyone! I hope you have a restful and joyful time with your family! We are hosting my spouse’s family from Tacoma, Washington so our house will be filled and busy! Here is a summary of the past couple of weeks at Dunstan.
This week Ms. Haggstrom and I met with our students who are on ALPs (Advanced Learning Plans) to review how they were identified for an ALP, what that means for their learning and their future, and what they can do to continue to learn and grow. Middle school is an exciting time in which students learn more about themselves, especially areas of true interest and passion. During middle school years their brain begins to specialize in what they will likely do for a career. The latest research on the teenage brain discovered that the teenage brain actually develops more synaptic connections in these specific areas. Our presentation followed by goal setting hopefully helps students understand more about themselves and their aptitudes. Here is the presentation we used with students in case you want to review it:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xst7-kjC-2DAkRcNZbqursl4sgEEgBLDrzDPiHQhYfY/edit?usp=sharing
During some of our recent parent meetings, I have offered some Dunstan-specific statistics that highlight the pace of work at Dunstan. Here are a few that might be of interest:
166 average times the main door to the school was opened for a visitor each day.
15,000 steps - the average number Ms. Devitt-Haggstrom takes in a day.
600 breakfasts served weekly.
2,600 lunches served weekly.
35 instructional planning meetings are held between our instructional coach and teachers weekly.
10 lessons (5 per class per week) taught by Mr. Gordon who is an 8th grade Social Studies teacher for Honors Social Studies and 8th Grade Social Studies.
12,000-15,000 average number of daily steps taken by Ms. Ashley, a AN Center Para Professional.
15 lessons taught by Ms. Golgart who teaches Computer Programming, Video Game Design/Graphic Design, and Intro to Computers.
18,000-24,000 average number of daily steps taken by Mr. Taylor Sanders, our Campus Supervisor.
50-75 students who meet with Mr. Cole, our 7th Grade Counselor each week.
Our most recent staffing update includes the official announcement of retirement for two beloved staff members, Ms. LaVon Whipple, our Office Manager for the past 24 years and Mr. Greg Romero, a Social Studies Teacher for 23 years at Dunstan. We will be honoring both staff members on December 18th from 8:00-9:00 am. Please feel free to join us for a reception to honor their service to Dunstan, the Green Mountain Community, and Jeffco School District.
We have hired Mr. Andrew Reynolds from Addenbrooke Academy to take Mr. Romero’s place after Winter Break. Mr. Reynolds knows the Green Mountain community and has wanted a teaching position in our area for several years! I am proud to announce he will be joining the Dunstan Staff and greater Green Mountain Area!
We are in the process of selecting a new Principal’s Secretary and will have interviews after Thanksgiving Break.
I am also excited to announce that we will have a new JCMH School-Based Clinician Ms. Marlie Gooren joining us after Thanksgiving Break! She has previous experience as a school-based clinician and is moving to Dunstan. Like many fields, JCMH has been experiencing staffing shortages and has not been able to fill our position until now. Please join me in welcoming her to our school!
In February 2024, Dunstan will be hosting a Career Fair for our area and for other middle schools to attend. This is an opportunity for our school to showcase the variety of career fields that exist in Lakewood, Golden, and the greater Denver Metro areas. As I have worked in this area, I have learned that we have parents who work at Google, Lockheed Martin, Martin Marietta, NREL, St. Anthony’s Hospital, etc. If you are interested in having a table and interfacing with middle school students throughout the entirety of one school day, please respond to a form that will be included in an upcoming newsletter. Middle school is an excellent opportunity to keep our students focused on their future and opportunities for employment that exist in our beautiful community.
Last Friday on Thursday this week our GMHS Football Team players welcomed our 7th and 8th grade students into the school. They played music and high-fived our students as they walked into the school. Thank you to the athletes who greeted our students!
Last week we had two GM High School seniors meet with each 8th grade team to explain the athletic opportunities at GMHS as their senior capstone project. They discussed each sport and explained eligibility required to participate in terms of grades, attendance, and behavior. There is a positive correlation between success in school and being involved in your school community - in some activity, club, or athletic opportunity! Please encourage your kids to participate in an activity - it makes a difference in terms of their engagement. Here is their presentation if you are interested in viewing it:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Ij4HmSDbQGqcX82ho622Hk0R2anaemn2g-xUAmUnAkQ/edit#slide=id.p
I apologize for the long-winded letter, but we also ended to honor all that is occurring here at DMS! With much love and respect - enjoy your break and holiday!
Jen Pennell
Monday, November 20th-Friday, November 24th
- Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)
Monday, November 27th
- On/Off Track letters go out to students
Thursday, November 30th
- 6:30-7:15 PM: Outdoor Lab Parent Meeting @ DMS
Tuesday, December 5th
- 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
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!
Scan the QR code below for more information
ALP Update
In middle school, the process for supporting students with Advanced Learning Plans is a diverse mix of differentiation in classrooms, opportunities to participate in Explore classes aligned with students' individual strengths and interests, and guided support for students to set, monitor and reach their own individual ALP goals. Students who have ALPs will be meeting with Mrs. Haggstrom and our Gifted and Talented Resource Teacher, Marla Caviness-French, during Advise class on Tuesday, 11/14 for an overview of the process. They will then meet in smaller groups either Wednesday, 11/15 or Friday, 11/17. At this time, they will set their individual goals aligned with their ALPs, which we will monitor together throughout the year. More information about this process and each student's individual goals will be shared with families after these goal-setting sessions. If you have questions, please contact Megan Devitt-Haggstrom at mhaggstr@jeffco.k12.co.us or 303-982-9817.
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
CLICK THE PIC BELOW FOR A VIDEO from Mr. Masterson
From our P.E. Department
Congratulations to our Top MVPA (Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity) Students for the month of October:
Leeburg:
Period 1: Leyton Hessel 343 minutes
Period 2: Jenaya Baca 330 minutes
Period 4: Dawson Charlton 418 minutes
Period 5: Ashton Scheppers 447 minutes
Period 6: Ava Dolan-Stevens 247 minutes
Fabian:
Period 1: Eirk Moreland 523 minutes
Period 2: Talon Clements 411 minutes
Period 4: Eli Issacson 501 minutes
Period 5: Mason Miller 435 minutes
Period 6: Tyler Bennett 540 minutes
Social Emotional Learning at Dunstan
Hello!
This week's SEL lesson focused on gratitude. What gratitude is, why it's important, how it helps us, and how we can practice it. Each student took some time at the end of the lesson to write a thank you note directly to someone who has made a positive impact on their life and for whom they are grateful. I am grateful for all the community support that Dunstan receives. I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving break! We look forward to seeing students when we get back.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about Social Emotional Learning at Dunstan Middle School, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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
PTA Reflections Winners
Thank you to all the Dunstan Students and families that attended the PTA Reflections open house and for all the students that submitted an entry. We have some incredible artistic talent at Dunstan!
Congratulations to the following students moving on to Jeffco Reflections:
Surra Vasisht
Jack Herrera
Zech McDowell
Brooklyn Riggs
Bailey Damron
Leah Cameron
Max Boryenace
Ashlyn Douglas
Angeline Sarazin
Savannah Plumley
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.
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
Join the PTA
Click here to find out what PTA does and how you can be involved