Dunstan Newsletter
October 13th
Letter from the Principal
October 13, 2023
Dear Dunstan Parents and Guardians,
Thank you for your patience and support as we navigated going into Lockdown status due to a suspected weapon in the community near our school today.
Today was further complicated because we had many parents, students and community members in or near Dunstan for the Green Mountain Homecoming Parade.
When we received notice that something was occurring in the community, all students, parents and staff members responded quickly and respectfully. They came into the school and followed safety protocols and procedures during the Lockdown. I truly respect this community and your responsiveness!
After some time of being in Lockdown, we received communication that we could leave Lockdown status and go into Secure status. This is called a step down protocol. As a reminder, Secure status is called for when there is an issue in the neighborhood, outside of the school like police activity in the area. During Secure status, students are conducting business as usual inside; it is simply that access in and out of the school is restricted. If you would like more information about the district's emergency procedures, you can review them here.
I want to personally thank the members of our community who were at our school when this happened; they helped hand out snacks and water to everyone. Thank you for following directions and being patient while Jeffco’s Department of School Safety and Lakewood Police Department responded.
When we have events such as these, please know we will send communication to you as promptly as possible. Also if you elect to come to the school to pick up your student(s), this requires significant patience because the lines that form are long and we are required to have parents sign students out and provide proof of identification. This is required to ensure the safety of our students.
If you have feedback and/or questions please feel free to reach out to me.
With much respect,
Jen Pennell
The Band Brought it Thursday Night🎉🎉🎉
Monday, October 16th
- Musical Auditions 4-6:30 PM @ DMS
Tuesday, October 17th
- Musical Auditions 4-6:30 PM @ DMS
Thursday, October 19th
- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Fall Break)
- Professional Development Day for staff
Friday, October 20th
- NO SCHOOL (Fall Break)
Monday, October 23rd
- On/Off Track letters go out to students
- On/Off Track eligibility for field trip (Permission slips for On Track students go out)
Tuesday, October 24th
- Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Field Trip - Per 2-3 and start of period 4.
- Articulation area Accountability meeting- 5:30 PM @ DMS
Wednesday, October 25th
- Trick or Treat Street @ GMHS from 6-8 PM
Thursday, October 26th
- Choir Concert- 6PM @ DMS (Gym)
Friday, October 27th
- On/Off Track Field Trip Permission slips DUE
AVID Readers Field Trip to Tattered Cover
Information regarding drop off and pick up
Dear Dunstan families,
We have noticed that families are wanting to either drive behind the north end of the building to drop off their students and have been parking in the bus lane to either drop off or pick up.
We have Park and Ride dropping off a limited number of students behind the north end of the building. We would deeply appreciate if you have been dropping off your student that you, please pick an alternate place. Please do not park at any time in the bus loop.
Thank you so much for your understanding and kindness.
Calling on Crafters!
The Dunstan Theatre Department needs YARN! We need to make a whole lotta of pom poms for Seussical! If you have any leftover yarn, especially in bright colors (but we'll take it all!), please consider donating it to the Dunstan Theatre Department. You can drop it off for Ms. Waterhouse anytime this semester.
Thanks!
Events and Opportunities
Helping Kids Thrive
GMHS Craft Fair
November 11th from 10:00-4:00 PM in the commons
Beginning September 19th
Attention 7th grade parents
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We are happy to share information about a new program starting at our school and throughout Jeffco Schools for students in grades 5-12. It’s called Signs of Suicide (SOS) for Students and includes classroom lessons and check-ins with our mental health professionals, based on student request. Youth suicide is a public health issue affecting many youth across the nation, including students in the Jeffco community. According to the most recent statewide Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 22.8% of participating Jeffco Middle School and High School students anonymously reported considering suicide in their lifetimes. Through SOS for Students we will discuss suicide prevention and teach students about warning signs and risk factors for suicide, as well as the lifesaving measure of seeking adult help.
Over 1.5 million students throughout the US receive SOS lessons annually. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts. Students report that after taking the SOS lesson, they are 64% less likely to make a suicide attempt.
Through the program, students learn:
that depression is treatable and they are encouraged to seek help
how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult)when there is a suicide concern
who they can turn to at school for help, when needed
Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what steps to take when you have a concern about suicide. Following the discussion, students will complete exit slips and specify if they’d like to speak with an adult about a concern. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student who asks for support. These discussions will take place during 7th grade science classes on Monday, October 23rd and Tuesday, October 24th. They will be presented by our 7th grade counselor, Ryan Cole, and our Social Emotional Learning Specialist, Leslie Pruitt.
We encourage you to visit the SOS Parent & Guaridan Site for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.
We are including:
An infographic (Spanish) with ACT
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation, or would like your child to opt out of this program, please contact Leslie Pruitt at 303-982-9439 or leslie.pruitt@jeffco.k12.co.us.
Social Emotional Learning at Dunstan
Hello!
This week, 6th and 7th grade Advise classes kicked off our second week of Unit 2 of Second Step, which focuses on bullying prevention. All 8th grade Advise classes are receiving the evidence-based Random Acts of Kindness curriculum and their lessons this week also focused on bullying prevention in the form of inclusion and how to include others.
- For 6th grade students:
- This week’s lesson helped your child understand the difference between bullying and joking around, and that joking can escalate and become bullying. Helping students understand when joking becomes bullying can reduce negative impacts on others.
- Tell your child about a time you witnessed or experienced bullying. Describe how this made you feel and ask your child what they might have felt.
- For 7th grade students:
- In this week’s lesson, your child learned how to recognize the difference between sexual harassment and flirting so they can make informed decisions about how to respond.
- Remind your child that it's important that they tell you if they experience sexual harassment. If you feel comfortable doing so, share an example of sexual harassment you or another person has experienced and how you or the other person dealt with it.
- For 8th grade students:
- In this week's lesson, your child learned about what it means to be included and ways we can include others, even if it's a small gesture like asking someone new to sit with them at lunch.
- Talk to your child about ways they can help include others and encourage them to try something new around helping others feel like they belong.
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
Click on the Picture Below to Join the 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.
Dine for Dunstan is on October 26th
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.