Dunstan Newsletter
December 8th
Letter from the Principal
December 8, 2023
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This week has been busy for all of us and your student(s) should be tired! We hosted our annual Open House Wednesday night for prospective students. We had a large turnout and the event had a positive vibe! We heard many compliments about the school! This event provides an opportunity for our teachers, WEB leaders, and administrative staff to showcase the school. I want to thank our WEB leaders for making large, paper snowflakes that are now hanging throughout the school. These add a festive spirit to the school!
Next week we have many concerts! Please look at the Dunstan calendar in preparation for next week because some of the concerts are hosted at the high school and others here. Our concerts are a wonderful opportunity to see the growth students make and enjoy some holiday music!
Next week our WEB leaders are working with their 6th grade students to make gingerbread houses. This is another bonding activity that allows our 68 8th grade WEB leaders to mentor our 6th graders. I am particularly proud of this program and the way it supports so many students. Our 8th graders learn what it is like to be leaders amongst their peers and our 6th graders enjoy the mentoring from our older students.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and if I don’t have the opportunity to write a letter next week, I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday! Thank you for your ongoing support and feedback! It continues to be a joy to serve the Green Mountain community!
With much love and respect,
Jen
Monday, December 11th
- On/Off Track letters go out to students
Tuesday, December 12th
- 6:00 PM: GM area Band Festival @ GMHS (Gym)
Wednesday, December 13th
- 10:00-11:00 AM: Pastries with Pennell @ DMS (see photo below for more information)
- 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
Attention 6th Grade Families
It was wonderful to see so many of you for our recent family info nights for Outdoor Lab. For those who couldn't be there, we wanted to make sure you have access to all of the information we reviewed. Here is the Outdoor Lab Parent Presentation that was discussed at that meeting. Inside the presentation, there is lots of very important information to get the process started and to start preparing your child for this amazing adventure. Please talk to your child about which group they are in and go to their Advise Google Classroom to fill in the Consent Form that is due by January 16. We want ALL 6th graders to participate, and we will work with every family to ensure that they can. For financial questions, please reach out to Beca Barnhart, our financial secretary, at Beca.Barnhart@jeffco.k12.co.us. If you have any other questions about Outdoor Lab, please reach out to Mark.Fabian@jeffco.k12.co.us, Megan.Devitt-Haggstrom@jeffco.k12.co.us, or Leslie.Walker@jeffco.k12.co.us.
Click the picture below for Dr. Pennell's Open House presentation from 12/6
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!
Holiday Community Resources 2023
Hunger Free Colorado
- 720-328-1284
- https://www.hungerfreecolorado.org/
- National Hunger Free Hotline: 1-855-855-4626
- Referrals to holiday food resources, food programs and pantries
The Action Center
- 303-237-7704
- https://theactioncenter.org/
- 8745 4th Ave., Lakewood, CO, 80215
- The Holiday Gift Shop
- Please check website to register for Holiday Gift Program
- Please keep in mind this event is for those experiencing financial hardship that are Jefferson County residents or those experiencing homelessness
- Open to children ages birth to 12
- No children are allowed at Holiday Gift Shop. If they must come, another adult must wait with them in the lobby while you shop.
Kenzi’s Causes- Toy Shop
- 303-353-8191
- www.kenziscauses.org
- National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt Street, Denver, CO 80216
Volunteers of America
- 303-297-0408
- 2660 Larimer Street, Denver, CO, 80205
- https://www.voacolorado.org/holidays
- Christmas Dinner Baskets
- To receive a Christmas Dinner Basket, you must sign up on the website
- Families and individuals are eligible
- Baskets must be picked up by the person listed on the signup
- Call for more information.
- Santa Shop for Teens
- Every year VOA gives out over 6,000 gifts at the Santa Shop during our Holiday Dinner Basket Give Out and every year we run out of gifts for teenagers first
- Call for more information.
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!
Events and Opportunities
Green Mountain Boy Lacrosse Clinic
Pastries with Pennell
December 13th from 10:00-11:00 AM at DMS
Beginning September 19th
From our P.E. department
November MVPA Leaders:
Leeburg
Period 1: Jose Velasco Moreno 491minutes
Period 2: Axel Lasinski 486 minutes
Period 4: Calvin Trick 574 minutes
Period 5: Shuki Sarah/Ashton Scheppers 503 minutes
Period 6: Megan Roalson 157 minutes
Fabian
1st: Brian Carpio Bautista 560 min
2nd: Talon Clements 491 min
4th: Eli Issacson 537 min
5th: Sawyer Barrett 496 min
6th: Ahmad Almustafa 500 min
Social Emotional Learning at Dunstan
Hello!
Over the next few weeks before break, our students are focusing on ways to give back to members of our community in a positive way. Advise classes are using their time to create holiday cards and decorate paper placemats for senior living residents at Applewood Our House and Eaton Senior Living. These are two facilities in the Green Mountain area that are very excited, and grateful, to be receiving cards and pictures during the holiday season!
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 -
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