Dunstan Newsletter

Hello Dunstan families,

We are excited to announce that we have a new staff member joining us in the role of 7th Grade Math on Team Marmots. Please join me in welcoming Barbara Copeland!

Barbara comes to us with 20 years of teaching experience from Excel Academy in Arvada where she taught both 7th and 8th grade math and coached. In her career, has taught everything from kindergarten to high school seniors. She began her teaching career at Green Mountain High School and now lives close by in the area. We are so grateful that she has a close connection to our community and has welcomed a chance to make an impact in the lives of students in the area in which she lives.

We know that the start of this year in math has been challenging for our students with the staffing shortage we have been experiencing. We sincerely appreciate their resilience through these transitions and feel strongly that we have made the right hire with a proven track record to help grow your student's math skills and support their success.

For the past week, our Instructional Coach Lauren Elder, has been in the classroom to re-norm students and review skills that students will need for the current unit on Proportional Relationships. Barbara observed in the classes on Thursday to ensure a smooth transition between instructors and then today took over instruction fully. She will be leading going forward.

Currently in the class, students have completed the Unit 1 Assessment on Scale Factor & Scale Drawings which is in process of being graded. The data from these assessments will help Ms. Copeland know what concepts from Unit 1 students have grasped and which concepts they will need review on as a group or individually. To see a comprehensive list of concepts and review materials for what was covered in Unit 1 - please see your students Math Google Classroom > Classwork > "Unit 1 Review & Resources". Students have begun Unit 2 on Proportional Relationships and seem to be off to a great start.

Supplies: Ms. Copeland asks that students please have a math folder where they can place their handouts and notes. This folder will stay in their math class along with their school provided workbooks.

Please expect communication from Ms. Copeland very soon as she shares her expectations and updates on what students are working on.

Please reach out to us with any questions that you may have. We sincerely appreciate you.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Pennell, Principal

Megan Haggstrom, Assistant Principal

Michael Kitch, Assistant Principal

September:

• 27: All On Track permission slips DUE
• 30: Dine for Dunstan at Magill's Ice Cream all day
• Week of 30th: On/Off Track Field trips (all grade levels)

October:

• 1: Choir concert @ DMS 6 pm
• 2: Band concert @ Gym 6 pm
• 3: Audition Workshop for the Musical 4-5:30 pm
• 8: Orchestra Performance @ GMHS 6 pm
• 11: 6th Grade Social @ DMS 4:00-5:30 PM
• 15: Parent-Teacher Conferences 5:00-7:00 PM
• 16: Parent-Teacher Conferences 5:00-7:00 PM
• 17: Professional Development Day for staff (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
• 18: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
• 22-25: Outdoor Lab (Windy Peak)
• 28-31: Outdoor Lab (Windy Peak and Mt. Blue Sky)
• 30: GMHS Trick or Treat Street 6:00-8:00 PM

November:

• 1: Professional Development Day for staff (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
• 6: PTA Meeting 6-7 PM @ DMS
• 25-29: NO SCHOOL FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK

December:

• 2: GMHS Future Ram Showcase 6:00-8:00 PM
• 5: Open House 5:30-6:30 PM
• 12: Band Concert @ GMHS
• 17: Orchestra Concert @ GMHS
• 19: Choir Concert @ DMS
• 23-30: NO SCHOOL FOR WINTER BREAK

January:

• 1-2: NO SCHOOL FOR WINTER BREAK
• 3: Professional Development Day for staff (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
• 6: Professional Development Day for staff (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
• 8: PTA Meeting 6-7 PM @ DMS
• 20: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF (MLK Day)

February:

• 12 and 13: Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-7:30 PM
• 14: Professional Development Day for staff (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
• 17: NO SCHOOL FOR PRESIDENT'S DAY
• 27: Orchestra Concert @ DMS

March:

• 5: PTA Meeting 6-7 PM @ DMS
• 6: GMHS Spring Musical matinee for DMS 8th graders
• 6: Choir Performance @ DMS
• 10: Orchestra Concert @ GMHS
• 13: Band Concert @ DMS
• 17-21: NO SCHOOL FOR SPRING BREAK
• 24: Professional Development Day for staff (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

April

• 16: 5:00-6:30 PM SEL Resource Fair for incoming 6th grade students and families
• 25: Professional Development Day for staff (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

May:

• 7: PTA Meeting 6-7 PM @ DMS
• 9: 8th Grade Dance
• 16: GMHS Graduation
• 22: 8th grade last day of school
• 23: Last day of school for 6th and 7th, Early Release

Our awesome WEB leaders are planning a 6th Grade/WEB Leader, Fall-themed social for your students! We would love a little help with some of the items to make this a bigger success! Please see the signup genius Here for items that we need. Thank you so much for your support, in advance!

Here are the details of the social:

When - Friday, October 11th from 4:00-5:30pm

Where - Dunstan’s cafeteria

Cost - FREE to all 6th grade students!

• There will be food, music, games, dancing and prizes!

• No fancy dress code! Just come as you are!

• Please make sure students have a ride for after the social at 5:30pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Jen Baker at jemsmith@jeffco.k12.co.us.

Thank you!

• October 15th and 16th from 5:00-7:00 PM
• Drop-in style format
• Maximum of 5 minutes per conference
• Teachers will be set up in either their classroom or their doorway
• Students are encouraged to attend!
• Please come prepared with your student's schedule printed and/or saved as a photo on your phone
• Tips and Tricks for Parent Teacher Conferences

Dear Dunstan families,

It’s official – October Count Day this year is Tuesday, October 1.

The most important action you can take to support school funding is to make sure your student attends school on that day. Much of public education funding from the State of Colorado is based on student count, so we encourage you to make sure your student comes to school that day.

The “count window” the state observes is from Tuesday, September 24 through Tuesday, October 8, but the most important student count day is Tuesday, October 1. Help us get an accurate count by having your student participate in learning that day.

If your student will be absent on Tuesday, October 1 due to illness, please call our attendance line, 303-982-9221, to report the absence. Attendance during the “count window” will help counteract an absence on Tuesday, October 1.

Thank you for your support of Dunstan. Every student counts!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Pennell
Principal

Estimadas familias de Dunstan:

Es oficial: este año, el martes, 1 de octubre es el día de conteo estudiantil.

La acción más importante que pueden tomar para apoyar al presupuesto escolar es asegurarse de que sus hijos asistan a la escuela ese día. Una gran parte del financiamiento de la educación pública por parte del estado de Colorado se basa en el conteo estudiantil, por esta razón les pedimos se aseguren que sus hijos asistan a la escuela ese día.

El “período de conteo” de estudiantes que contempla el estado va desde el martes, 24 de septiembre hasta el martes, 8 de octubre. Sin embargo, el día más importante de este conteo es el martes, 1 de octubre. Ayúdennos a lograr un conteo preciso asegurándose que sus hijos participen en la instrucción ese día.

En el caso de que sus hijos no vengan a la escuela el 1 de octubre debido a una enfermedad, por favor, llamen a nuestra línea telefónica de asistencia, 303-982-9221, para comunicar su ausencia. La asistencia durante el “período de conteo” ayudará a contrarrestar una ausencia el martes, 1 de octubre.

Gracias por el apoyo a Dunstan. ¡Cada estudiante cuenta!

Atentamente,

Jennifer Pennell

Director/a

The Patriot Post is Dunstan's online newspaper created by Mr. Orthun's Media Literacy elective class.

Read current and past editions here.

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!

Parents and Guardians of Dunstan Middle School,

Please consider contributing or donating to meals for staff for Parent-Teacher conferences, which are on October 15th and 16th. Links are below. Thank you!

Link for October 15th

Link for October 16th

"Happy creating, dancing, writing, and more representing the theme "Accepting Imperfection." Once your entry is ready, please complete the entry form here and turn your physical entries into the library by Friday October 4th! This is an awesome way to represent Dunstan and share your talents outside of the classroom. Our goal is to get entries from all 6 categories this year. Read more here!"

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.