Dunstan Newsletter

February:

• 17: NO SCHOOL FOR PRESIDENT'S DAY

• 18: On/Off Track Letters go out with permission slips

• 24: On/Off Track Letters go out

• 25: 5th/6th grade Orchestra Concert, GMHS auditorium, 6:00 PM

• 25: Career Fair for 7th grade students @ Evergreen Middle School

• 26: 5th grade Band Concert, DMS gym, 6:00 PM

• 27: Dunstan Band and Jazz Band Concert, DMS gym, 6:00 PM

• 28: On/Off Track Field Trip permission slips DUE

March:

• 4: 8th Grade On/Off Track Field Trip

• 6: 7th Grade On/Off Track Field Trip

• 7: 6th Grade On/Off Track Field Trip

• 5: PTA Meeting 6-7 PM @ DMS

• 5: 8th graders and select 6th and 7th grade students attend Mamma Mia matinee at GMHS

• 6: Choir Performance @ DMS cafeteria, 6:00 PM

• 11: 7th-12th Grade Orchestra Concert, GMHS auditorium, 6:30 PM

• 17-21: NO SCHOOL FOR SPRING BREAK

• 24: Professional Development Day for staff (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

April

• 8, 9, 10th: CMAS Testing
• 15: CMAS testing (8th grade ONLY)
• 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

• 12: Elementary/DMS Orchestra Concert, GMHS auditorium, 6:00 PM

• 13: 5th Grade Band Concert, DMS gym, 6:00 PM

• 14: Dunstan Band and Jazz Band Concert, DMS gym, 6:00 PM

• 15: Dunstan Choir Concert, DMS cafeteria, 6:00 PM

• 16: GMHS Graduation

• 22: 8th grade last day of school

• 23: Last day of school for 6th and 7th, Early Release

Congratulations to the following students who participated:

• Race Heimer (7th grade)
• Gwen Nicholas (7th grade)
• Quinn Phair (8th grade)
• Brinley Ries (8th grade)
• Mia Tormey (8th grade)

Congratulations to Gracelyn Madison, an 8th grader at Dunstan, for being selected as Dunstan's 2024-2025 Sertoma National Heritage Freedom Week Essay Contest. We are so proud of her hard work! In addition to getting her name engraved on Dunstan's Freedom Week plaque, Gracelyn was also awarded a $100.00 check and an opportunity to be hosted at a luncheon celebrating all winners.

Dear Families:

Panorama Education is a company who conducts student and family surveys in schools and districts across the country. Dunstan Middle School will be giving students the Panorama Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Student Survey 2-3 times per year.

Content. The Panorama student survey gathers information on the following areas/competencies of social emotional skills:

• Self-Awareness

• Self-Management

• Social Awareness

• Relationship Skills

• Responsible Decision-Making

You may review the survey questions by visiting this link. For more information on the SEL competencies visit this link.

The results are compiled into both individual and group summaries of social emotional skill progress. These reports are used by district leaders and school staff to guide our development of school-wide, small group, and/or individual social emotional support. You will be notified if your child is invited to join a small group or individual intervention.

It is Voluntary. Your child does not have to take the student survey.

It is Confidential. No students will be identified in any public reports or publications. Individual student information (name, student number, school and grade) will be uploaded into the Panorama system, as with other Panorama surveys. Individual student data may be shared with school staff to provide instructional and social emotional support.

Timing: The survey will be administered in the fall, winter, and optionally in the spring. It will take about 10 minutes.

Opt Out: If you do not want your child to participate in the survey, you may contact Leslie Pruitt, Social Emotional Learning Specialist, at leslie.pruitt@jeffco.k12.co.us by February 28, 2025.

Estimadas familias:

Panorama Education es una empresa que realiza encuestas a estudiantes y familias en escuelas y distritos de todo el país. Dunstan Middle School hará la encuesta estudiantil de Panorama sobre el Aprendizaje Socioemocional (SEL por sus siglas en inglés) 2 o 3 veces al año.

Contenido. La encuesta estudiantil de Panorama reúne información sobre las siguientes áreas o competencias de las habilidades socioemocionales:

• Autoconciencia

• Autogestión

• Concienciación social

• Habilidades relacionales

• Toma de decisiones responsables:

Pueden dar un vistazo a las preguntas de la encuesta en este hipervínculo. Para obtener más información sobre las competencias de SEL visiten este hipervínculo.

Los resultados se recopilan en resúmenes individuales y grupales del progreso de las habilidades socioemocionales. Los líderes del Distrito y el personal escolar utilizan estos informes para guiar nuestro desarrollo de apoyo socioemocional en toda la escuela, grupos pequeños o individuales. Se les avisará si se va a invitar a sus hijos a integrarse a un grupo pequeño o a una intervención individual.

Es voluntaria. Sus hijos no tienen la obligación de participar en la encuesta estudiantil.

Es confidencial. No se identificará a ningún estudiante en ninguno de los informes públicos ni en las publicaciones. La información individual del estudiante (nombre, número de estudiante, escuela y grado) se cargará en el sistema de Panorama, al igual que con otras encuestas de Panorama. Es posible que se comparta la información referente a estudiantes individuales con el personal escolar a fin de proporcionar asistencia con la instrucción y el aspecto socioemocional.

Tiempo: La encuesta se administrará en otoño, invierno y opcionalmente en primavera. Llevará unos 10 minutos.

Optar por no participar: si no desean que sus hijos participen en la encuesta, pueden ponerse en contacto con Leslie Pruitt y leslie.pruitt@jeffco.k12.co.us antes del 2/28/25.

Dear Dunstan Parents & Caregivers,

We’re very excited to announce that we are bringing on a fantastic “Social & Emotional Learning” program here at Dunstan Middle School. The aim of this program is to create self-discipline in your child, while teaching them skills to be successful in school and life. The name of the program is “In Control SEL,” and it covers topics through really engaging videos such as Growth Mindset, Emotion Control, Self-Discipline, Accountability, Organizational Skills, Leadership Skills and more!

We will be sending home monthly parent guides that will not only keep you informed of the monthly themes, but will give you tips on how to keep the conversation going at home.

If you have any questions or concerns, we’re absolutely here to help.

Sincerely,

Leslie Pruitt, Social Emotional Learning Specialist

leslie.pruitt@jeffco.k12.co.us

A Day Without Hate is a student-led, grassroots organization that promotes nonviolence, respect, and unity within our schools. Help your child join his/her fellow students district wide to help end school violence and promote peace. By encouraging students to be tolerant, friendly and kind, and teaching them that there are non-violent solutions to problems, hopefully as a community we can create a better world. The price of the T-shirt is $6 for S-XL, $8 for 2XLs and $10 for 3XL-5XL.

Please place your order online at www.daywithouthatejeffco.com. Please follow these instructions: 1. Click on “2025 DWOH T-shirts” on the left side of home page under “Our Categories”

2. Select either “Adult T-shirt 2025 or Youth T-shirt 2025 and enter the number of T-shirts you want to order by size and click on “Add to Cart”

3. If you want to order more t-shirts (adult versus youth or youth versus Adult) click on “Continue Shopping”.

4. Click on “Check Out” if your cart is complete

5. Click on “Purchase as a Guest”

6. Shipping Options will appear. Click on “Please choose an option”

7. Click on “No Freight Charge – Jeffco School Pickup” if you or your son/daughter attends a Jefferson County School in Colorado. Your son or daughter’s t-shirt will be delivered to his/her school free of charge.

8. Under Billing Method, please select “Credit Card” and proceed to fill in your credit card information and billing information.

9. Below billing information, type in the name of your son/daughter’s Jeffco school, his/her teacher’s name and your student’s name, and your email address. These fields are mandatory and will ensure your order is delivered to the correct school and class room. Once complete, click on “Continue” to review your order. Click “Submit” if your order is correct.

10. “Your order has been submitted” along with an order number will at the top of the next page. You will receive an email confirmation from 4impact and the email from Authorize.net with your credit card charge. Your order will be delivered to your student’s school/classroom. He/she can proudly wear it on Thursday, April 24th.

11. Select “UPS Regular Ground” if you want to pay for UPS shipping and have your order shipped to your home. Complete your ship-to information and then follow Steps 8-10.

ORDER DEADLINE: MARCH 14TH 2025 If you encounter any issues placing your order, please contact support@4impactinc.com

Please click HERE for more information about this event and a link for how to register.

Why do boys and girls think, act, and respond so differently? Brain imaging reveals striking differences in neurology, hormones, and processing, which shape everything from bizarre behaviors and mystery communication to radically different emotional responses.

In this session, parents will gain a science-based understanding of biological differences and how they impact every social interaction, daily decision-making, and everyday idiosyncrasies. Once you understand fundamental differences, the practical strategies to navigate challenges make sense. You will want to learn the difference between healthy development versus bad behaviors, which will allow you to protect your child’s mental health and motivation.

Discover how small shifts in communication and parenting approaches can make a big difference—helping kids thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. You will want to learn if a behavior that seems bizarre or normal or if it is a sign of a troubling challenge, but once you understand the brain science behind them, the path to connection and growth becomes much clearer!

The differences in the male and the female brain may offer surprising insights and allow for engaging conversation that will transform the way you perceive and interact with not only your child, but everyone of the opposite sex. Mental health, relationships and innovation are dependent upon our ability to interact and maintain our socio-emotional balance with one another.

Please see the following signup to show our staff some love during the month of February! Link to sign up HERE. Thank you!!

"The Social Justice Group is hosting a movie night on February 28th to raise funds for the school garden, which will be starting this spring. Snacks will be available for a small donation, so come enjoy a great film while supporting a greener future for our school!"

All 8th grade students and select 6th and 7th graders, based on Exploratory classes, will have an opportunity to attend a matinee showing of Mamma Mia at the high school during school hours. More information coming in the future!

Last call for career fair presenters!

On February 25, 2025 the following schools will have a joint Middle School Career Fair for 7th grade students: Evergreen Middle, Dunstan, Bell, and West Jeff middle schools, hosted by Evergreen Middle School.

If you are interested in showcasing your career or company, please sign up to join us at the event (and/or any others in the Middle School Career Fair Series!). See flyer linked below.

Event flyer

Event Options and Sign Up

If you are interested in volunteering in another capacity at the career fair (supervising students, helping with set up/break down, keeping refreshments stocked for presenters, etc.), please reach out to Leslie Walker.

Questions about presenting or specifics of the event? Contact Miranda Ziegler at Miranda.Ziegler@jeffco.k12.co.us

Questions about Dunstan 7th graders’ participation? Contact Leslie Walker, 7th grade counselor at Leslie.Walker@jeffco.k12.co.us

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.