Dunstan Newsletter
November 3rd
Letter from the Principal
November 3, 2023
Greetings Parents and Guardians of Dunstan Students,
Please join me in thanking our PTA for sponsoring the Reflections Contest this school year! Last night we held an open house and had an opportunity to interact with many of the students who submitted entries of what makes them hopeful! Our students have a lot to say and submitted entries in the form of video, writing, and visual art. Last year, one of our student’s writing went to the national competition, so we are excited to see where these entries will go.
On Wednesday night our Assistant Principal, SEL, and I hosted parents to review the upcoming SEL lessons for the month of November. This Wednesday Advise teachers conducted the empathy lesson and students had a very positive response. Our staff believes we need to talk more about empathy and belonging. Please anticipate more lessons that inspire students to connect with and learn more about each other!
Next Wednesday’s SEL lesson focuses on intent v. impact. Together, we are learning that our words matter as we interact with other people throughout our day. The following Wednesday is the lesson that addresses dehumanizing language or language that intends to point out differences and is disrespectful towards others. The lesson that occurs right after Thanksgiving Break encourages each student to write a well-written thank you note to a person who is making a positive difference in their life. Thank you for supporting this content! Our students are growing up in a generation that is very diverse and it is important that they are open to learning about others and appreciative of a variety of differences. Should you have any questions about this content, please reach out to me.
If you have not yet seen the Patriot Post, this link is included below. This is a newsletter that is written by 6th grade students in a class they have with Mr. Orthun (who is an exceptional teacher). Please take a few minutes and see the quality of writing many students are producing.
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During the month of November and December, our PTA is supporting several families with gift cards to afford holiday gifts for their children. Last year, we adopted 14 families. We are aiming to adopt the same number this year. Please participate if you are able to do so.
Please look for upcoming events such as our field trip to Google, which will include 40 students. Also look for information about a field trip for some students to the Santa Fe Arts District in Denver to participate in Dia de los Muertos celebrations.
As always, it continues to be a joy to serve the Green Mountain Community! Thank you for your support of our schools!
With much love and respect,
Jen Pennell
Winners of the Advise Halloween Door Decorating Contest
6th grade: Ms. Arias
7th grade: Ms. Waterhouse
8th grade: WEB Advise
All Grade Levels: Ms. Blackman's Advise
Halloween Fun!
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
Tuesday, November 14th
- Dominican Republic 2025 information meeting (see below for more details)
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)
Scan the QR code below for more information
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.
Events and Opportunities
Green Mountain Lacrosse Clinic
Colorado School of Mines Physics Fest
CLICK THE PIC BELOW FOR A VIDEO from Mr. Masterson
Social Emotional Learning at Dunstan
Hello!
This week, students engaged in a lesson on Identity and Empathy. This is part of our month-long series of targeted SEL lessons aimed at addressing dehumanizing language. Students were given 5 cards and asked to write down their name, race/ethnicity, and three words used to describe them and their identity. After doing this, students had to discard two of their cards so they were only left with three. After this activity, classes engaged in excellent conversations with the following prompts given:
- What cards do you have left?
- Is this okay with you?
- How does it feel to have portions of your identity taken away?
- How would it feel if someone else decided which two cards were taken away from you?
- How can this apply to situations in school where de-humanizing language is used?
The feedback from our staff is that this was an engaging, eye-opening lesson for our students and resulted in positive conversation about empathy and identity. Next week, students will be learning about impact vs. intent.
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
Next PTA Meeting is November 8th
The next PTA meeting will be on November 8th from 5:30-6:30p in the Dunstan library. If you can not attend in-person, please email ptadunstan@gmail.com for the link to join virtually.
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.
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#/
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