Dunstan Newsletter

May 23, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you for a great school year! This week our students enjoyed:

• Grade level awards in which every student was recognized and had time to eat a celebratory donut with their friends!

• A BBQ lunch was sponsored by 8th grade families. Thank you parents for your many contributions, for cooking, and for cleaning up afterwards yesterday!

• 8th Grade Continuation at GMHS last night! Thank you to all of you who supported this event! Please enjoy this summer with your 8th grader(s). Once they are in high school, the next 4 years move very quickly!

Regarding next year, our Operational Leadership Team decided we should follow suit with many other Jeffco Schools and implement an away for the day cell phone procedure. We spoke with several other middle schools and read The Anxious Generation by Johnthon Haidt that summarizes the recent research on the impact of cell phones and teens, especially on developing brains. I also learned that Golden High School is also implementing an away for the day policy next year, so it will be interesting to see if other high schools shift to an away for the day procedure. Additionally, our OLT team discussed wanting students to connect with others during lunch/recess. We will also have computers and Chromebooks away for the day. We hope this will create more connections between students! More information about this is included below.

I am proud to say that our overall (6th-8th grades) MAP scores have improved in Reading and Math. Here is a quick summary of the growth for the last couple of years (measured from Spring to Spring). Note: the scores below are based on a median growth percentile, so 50 is considered making an average year’s growth.

This year has presented its challenges, but it has been joyful for sure! I have enjoyed getting to know and supporting your students! Please enjoy your summer and prioritize time with your kids as they grow up quickly! Thank you for your ongoing support!

Respectfully,

Jen Pennell

August:

• 11: 8:00-12:30 PM WEB Leader training
• 12: 8:00-12:30 PM WEB Leader training
• 19: Open House for families from 12:00-6:00 PM
• 20: First day of school for 6th grade only
• 21: All students first day of school
• 21: 6th Grade Parent Night (more info TBD)
• 22: Picture Day
• 27: Back-to-School Night 5:00-7:00 PM

September:

• 1: NO SCHOOL (LABOR DAY)
• 4: Outdoor Lab Parent Meeting 6:00-7:00 PM (Cafeteria)
• 19: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Teacher Professional Development Day)

October:

• 1: Band concert 6:00 PM (DMS Gym)
• 2: Choir concert 6:00 PM
• 3: 6th Grade Social 4:00-5:30 PM
• 7: Warren Tech Field Trip for 8th grade 9:30-11:00 AM
• 7: Orchestra concert (6th-12th) @ GMHS (Time TBD)
• 8: Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 9: Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 10: NO SCHOOL (Fall break)
• 13: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Teacher Professional Development Day)
• 15: On/Off Track Field Trip for 6th Grade
• 16: On/Off Track Field Trip for 7th Grade
• 17: On/Off Track Field Trip for 8th Grade
• 21st- 24th: Outdoor Lab for 6th Grade Week 1
• 28th- 30th: Outdoor Lab for 6th Grade Week 2

November:

• 4: Musical Audition workshop 4:00-5:30 PM
• 11, 12: Musical Auditions 4:00-6:00 PM
• 13: Musical call backs 4:00-6:00 PM
• 17: Musical cast meeting 8:30-8:45 AM
• 24th-28th: THANKSGIVING BREAK NO SCHOOL

December:

• 9: GM Area Orchestra Concert @ GMHS 6:30 PM
• 16: Choir Concert 6:00 PM
• 17: GM Area Band Festival (5th-12th) @ GMHS 6:00 PM
• 18: On/Off Track Celebration @ DMS
• 19: Early Release (schedule coming soon)
• 22nd- January 2nd: WINTER BREAK NO SCHOOL

January:

• 5, 6: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Teacher Professional Development Days)
• 7: First day back from winter break for all students

We have a significant technology policy change that will go into effect when students return to school in August that we wanted to give you some time to process and talk about with your child. Our staff Operational Leadership Team has been learning from current research related to the impacts of technology and cell phones on youth, particularly as that relates to educational settings. There has also been conversation at our School Accountability Committee meetings regarding this issue. This conversation is happening on a district level as well, as you may know from past newsletter articles inviting you to take the district's family cell phone survey. There are a wide range of impacts that technology can have on students' ability to concentrate and engage in learning.

Dunstan's goal always is to prioritize students' learning. Part of this work next year will be new policies regarding cell phones, ear buds, and Chromebooks. Teachers have already been working hard to engage students in other classroom activities and opportunities that do not require them to be on their Chromebooks; some classrooms use them only a few times a week. Our next step as a community will be to have an "Away for the Day" policy for cell phones and earbuds/airpods/headphones. This means that students will be expected to put all of these devices in their lockers at the beginning of the day and will not be allowed to take them out again until after school. At the moment, these devices are sometimes used in classrooms and are allowed at lunch time; this will no longer be the case. In addition to this policy, Chromebooks will only be allowed in classrooms, meaning students will not be able to have them at lunch. Not only do we feel this will help students focus more intently on their academics but will also help students engage socially in healthy ways. Obviously, if a student has a medical monitoring need that is dependent upon having a cell phone, that will be allowed.

To recap, for the 2025-26 school year:

• Cell phones and airpods will not be allowed at all (unless it is a medical monitor) from 8:55-3:55.

• Chromebooks will only be in classrooms; they will not be allowed at lunch.

As we introduce this next year, we will also be including more details regarding the consequences for students who do not follow the new policies. If you have questions or concerns at this point, please reach out to one of our administrators: Jen Pennell, Michael Kitch, or Megan Devitt-Haggstrom. Thank you for your support as we implement these changes next Fall. We hope everyone has a safe and rejuvenating summer!

Hello Dunstan Families! Students’ schedules for next year are in the works! Our goal is to release first semester schedules on Thursday, August 14th. Stay tuned for more information as that date approaches! Have a wonderful summer!

Ryan Cole, 6th grade counselor 2025-26

Jen Baker, 7th grade counselor 2025-26

Leslie Walker, 8th grade counselor 2025-26

Click HERE to access a slideshow containing pictures of every 8th grade Advise class

Continuation

We are here today to center students and honor their journey. We also honor our families and community members, as it truly does take a village.

We are Grateful - for traveling this road together

And have Gratitude - for your courage to grow.

As I reflected on this year’s continuation, I started with a deep thought. “What IS school all about anyway?”

School is about cultivating good citizens and growing our young individuals’ ability to think, communicate, and bear the responsibilities waiting for them in the future.

Students, as you go to high school, I would like to leave you with a useful mental model.

This is but one way to organize thoughts about life.

I hope it’s useful.

What makes us uniquely us are our experiences, skills, and attitudes.

Experiences -

Seek healthy experiences. Ones that enrich your life. Take thoughtful chances and risks. When trying new things, Honor failure as the wisest of teachers. This is because failure hurts. Yet there is a simple life cheat code. Pain + reflection = growth.

Healthy experiences are what you want to seek. The ones that improve your mind, body, and spirit.

Collect mentors and see that there is a student and teacher in everyone and every situation. You can go fast alone, but you go farther with a team.

Skills -

Become masterful at something. Really anything. Once you understand how to build skill in a single area, you can become skillful in all your passions.

Master something. Practice failing, practice more, and earn wisdom through the process. Know that self-doubt and handling haters is the price you pay for greatness.

Attitude -

While you can’t control others, you can fortify your attitude to be productive. Cultivate a way of being that serves you.

Know the difference between how you think about failures and traumas. Your mindset can either hobble you and create resentments or unlock resilience, perseverance, and achievement.

-------------------------------------------------

Become the people others look to in the hard times. Be the light that guides yourself and others toward possibilities. Because one day your generation will hold this world together.

Our job was to help you cultivate a way of being that will prepare you for the unknown challenges ahead.

My favorite quote is. Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.

You are more resilient than you know. More capable than you think. And the only way is forward. And we and the world need you to be all you can be.

We send you off with hope and love. You’re hero's journey is before you. All you have to do is pick up the responsibilities in front of you, and take it.

Student IDs - Keep them!

Our kitchen staff just wants to send out a friendly reminder that you should KEEP your IDs from this year to use when getting lunch at the start of next year. You will get your new IDs next year fairly early in the fall, but you can use your old ID until you get the new one. Thank you!

In an effort to recognize our students, and truly make them feel like they belong, our staff has been working on sending postcards to students all year. We hope that receiving a notecard from someone at school, letting them how much we appreciate them, brightens our students day! Be on the look out for some postcards for your students from staff :)

We all know how hectic back-to-school season gets. Avoid the crowds, skip the stress, and order your school supplies today!
🎒 Everything your grade level wants, in one box — no running from store to store!
👉 Order Here: 1stDay.sale/18369

8th Grade:

1st Place:

• Kaelyn Molina
• Callum Lyman
• Casper Collin
• Eira Plute

2nd Place:

• Maia Young
• Lindsey Flanagan
• Luke Jones
• Vera Steinbrunner
• Alexis Chavez

3rd Place:

• Mabel West

7th Grade:

1st Place:

• Nadia Moon
• Caroline Frank
• Claire Lucero
• Jade Sandoval
• Emmy Adams
• Nikolai Plotkin

2nd Place:

• Oscar Montiel
• Norah Watters
• Gabriel Martinez
• Jaxon Adams
• Heaven Ingraham

Honorable Mention:

• Eve Howard
• Norah Shawcroft
• Emma Lippard
• Isabelle Gerou
• Kamdyn Calzoncinth
• Beckett Holcomb
• Ryker Briscoe

6th Grade:

1st Place:

• Delilah Piernik
• Ivey Jackson
• Emelia Stedeford
• Elaina Laird
• Victoria Cardenas

2nd Place:

• Adelaide Carpenter
• Ghadeer Mustafa
• Locklyn Erickson
• Bristol Wilson
• Iann Janiszewski
• Conor Ross
• Madison McWhirter
• Cora Osborne

Dear Middle and High School Parents,

We invite you to an important and eye-opening forum on social media, hosted by the School Resource Officers (SROs) of Bear Creek High School and Green Mountain High School. In today's digital world, our students are navigating complex online landscapes that many of us, as parents, may not fully understand. Kids often have more knowledge about the latest platforms, trends, and hidden features than we do.

This forum is designed to address the real challenges and potential risks our children face online. Our SROs will share crucial information and insights into the social media world your kids inhabit, including:

• Emerging platforms and apps that students are using.
• Current online trends and their potential impact.
• Cyberbullying, online predators, and other safety concerns.
• Privacy settings and digital footprints.
• Tips and strategies for parents to effectively monitor and discuss social media use with their children.

Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to help your child make safe and responsible choices online. This is a unique opportunity to learn directly from law enforcement officers who are on the front lines of student well-being.

Please join us, and RSVP below, for this vital conversation. Your participation is key to fostering a safer online environment for our entire school community.

June 4, 2025

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Bear Creek High School

We look forward to seeing you there.

https://forms.gle/X2cAtM7Xo3Q8Unqy7

CLICK the Picture for the Honors newsletter.

Learn about what's going on at the high school.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, things you would like to add to the newsletter or if you notice any errors, please reach out directly to Leslie Pruitt at leslie.pruitt@jeffco.k12.co.us or Michael Kitch at michael.kitch@jeffco.k12.co.us. Thank you!

We are looking for volunteers to fill important roles on the Dunstan PTA next school year:

• President
• Vice President
  
  

Learn how these PTA roles support our community at https://sites.google.com/view/dunstanpta/about-us

You can support the Dunstan PTA even through the summer by linking your King Soopers card to the PTA. It's 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.