Happy Thanksgiving

It is hard to believe that it is already the middle of November and the holidays are fast approaching.  It seems as though school has just started.  Certainly it has been a busy fall here at Dunn School during these challenging times.  Before we know it the holiday vacation will be here.  I hope that everyone is able to take time to relax and recharge next week, and we would like to wish all of our students, staff and families a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving break.

 End of Trimester

Trimester 1 ends Tuesday, November 23rd.  We would like to remind parents that now is an important time to follow-up with any concerns that might have arisen during conferences.  Please continue to check in with your student daily and contact teachers via e-mail or by calling the school at 657-5050 with any concerns.  Report cards will be sent home on Friday December 10th.

Appropriate Dress

Just a friendly reminder that as the weather turns colder students should come to school with appropriate clothing for outdoor recess.  We are seeing many students without coats or warm clothing.  Please be sure that your child is prepared for outdoor recess as we go outside most days.

Miss Lindsay’s Counseling Corner

From December 6th to December 13th, I will be visiting all 3rd, 4th and 3/4 multi grade classrooms to teach social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons on personal/body safety. This is required by Maine Law. According to the Maine Department of Education Model Policy, child sexual abuse prevention education should include: 

• Age appropriate education regarding physical and personal boundaries, including biologically accurate terminology; 
• Helps children identify unsafe or uncomfortable situations including a range of feelings, touches, or violations of physical boundaries; 
• Helps children identify safe adults with whom they could discuss unsafe or uncomfortable situations, and; 
• Helps children identify and develop skills to support a friend who may be experiencing unsafe or uncomfortable situations

I understand that families have varying degrees of comfort when it comes to having these important conversations with our children. I will be providing more information and resources on this topic to parents and caregivers when we return from Thanksgiving break. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any additional questions or would like more information. lfriberg@sad15.org

Grab & Go Food Box At Parent Pick-Up

The GNG Backpack Program will have food boxes for families available at our parent-pickup door! Drive up on Monday, November 22nd between 3 PM and 6 PM (or while supplies last), and the food box will be loaded into your trunk as you pick up your child starting at 3 PM. Items will include meat, produce and more! This is available to all Dunn families! Please contact Lindsay Friberg at lfriberg@sad15.org with any questions. 

GNG Caring Communities Holiday Assistance

GNG Caring Community is providing assistance to families in need in the GNG community. Please click on the link below to fill out the assistance form.   The deadline to submit an assistance form is December 6. https://forms.gle/ANfRx7WjhyWLK82w6

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email gngcaring@gmail.com.

From the Community

For the month of December 2021, GNG School Dept Food Pantry will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag at the Hannaford store located at 130 Shaker Road in Gray.

From the Office

Please let us know if your child will be late to school or absent.  You can email (jsouthard@sad15.org) or call (207-657-5050) at any time to leave a message.  Thank you.

From the Lunch Room

Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no charge to all enrolled students for the 2021-22 school year.  All families are still encouraged to complete the free and reduced lunch application. An accurate free/reduced count can impact a number of Federal Programs and Grants.  If you have not already completed one for this year, please take a few minutes to do so.

Dates to Remember 

Nov 22 Food Box pick up, 3 to 6 PM (see above for details)

Nov 24-26 No school:  Thanksgiving break

Dec 6 Deadline to submit an application for Christmas assistance (see above for details)

Dec 15 Early release day:  3rd & 4th grade dismissed at 1 PM, no preK classes

Dec 23-31 No school:  Winter Holiday break

Jan 3 Welcome back!  Classes resume

Updated November 18, 2021