From the Principal’s Office
Ms. Lindsay’s School Counseling Corner
Over the next few weeks, I will be visiting each 3rd, 4th and 3/4 multi classroom to teach an SEL lesson on Empathy and Kindness. Through games and brainstorming, students will understand what empathy means – imagining how others might be feeling, and taking action to show that you care. We will talk through different scenarios to decide how we would each want empathy shown to us if we found ourselves in that situation. We are also brainstorming in each classroom about what a kind Dunn school looks like, sounds like, and feels like. This brainstorming chart will be displayed in each classroom as a reminder and inspiration for future acts of empathy and kindness! We also discussed what WARM words are, as well as examples of each:
W – Welcoming – Words that make people feel welcomed. Example – “Do you want to be on my team?” “I missed you!”
A – Appreciative – Words that make people feel appreciated. Example – “You are one of the funniest people I know!” “Thank you for helping me on that math problem – it really helped.”
R – Respectful – Words that make people feel respected. Example – “Excuse me!” “Can I please have……?”
M – Meaningful – Words that make people feel like they matter. Example – “You make up the best recess games!” “Do you want to sit with me?”
Students have the opportunity to share their own WARM words on an interactive wall on Dunn’s midlevel floor, where they can use Post-It notes to write down their own examples of WARM words. This SEL lesson on empathy and kindness is a preview for our annual Kindness Week that will be happening from February 9th – February 13th, and will include many opportunities for students to learn and show kindness. More on that as we get closer!
Please enjoy this parenting resource – Key Strategies To Teach Children Empathy (Sorted By Age) which provides strategies for caregivers around how to model empathy, discuss emotions, help out at home and in the community, and praise empathetic behavior in children.
Have a great weekend!
Lindsay Friberg, Dunn School Counselor, lfriberg@sad15.org
MSAD15 Food Backpack Program Sign-Up: The MSAD 15 Food Backpack Program discreetly provides students-in-need with bags of healthy, easy-to-prepare food at the end of each week and prior to school vacations when the school meals they rely on are unavailable. If you feel that it would be beneficial for your family to receive a food bag each week, please complete this Google Form Sign-Up Link. All responses are confidential. If you signed your student up for this program earlier this school year, there is no need to sign them up again, as they will continue to receive weekly food bags. You may opt in or out of this program at any time. Please contact Dunn School Counselor, Lindsay Friberg at lfriberg@sad15.org or 207-657-5050 with any questions or concerns.
Dunn Student Winter Outerwear Needs? Dunn School would like to help families in need make sure that all of our students have warm winter outerwear. If your family is experiencing economic hardship and your Dunn student needs any winter outerwear, please complete this Winter Gear Sign-Up Link to indicate items and size for each item requested. We will do our best to see that your student is outfitted in new or gently used clothing for staying warm while playing outside this winter. All responses are confidential. Please contact Dunn School Counselor Lindsay Friberg with any questions: lfriberg@sad15.org or 207-657-5050.
From the PE Dept
As part of the Dunn Elementary School physical education program students get the opportunity to ice skate at Pineland. Skating has started as of this week. The school provides the skates, helmets and skating aids. Students are expected to wear a winter jacket, snow pants, and gloves while skating. Students may bring their own skates and helmets. This activity is dependent on weather, transportation, and supervision. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Kramer – rkramer@sad15.org.
From our Patriot Parents
Patriot Parent PTO Reminders:
* Community Night at Brickyard Hollow is January 20th. 5% of all sales from 5-9pm will be donated to the Patriot Parents PTO. Bring the family and join us for a great meal!
* Our Math Olympics event is happening on Wednesday January 21st! Please see the attached flyers for more information.
PreK Registration is open!
Registration is now open for our preK program for the 2026-27 school year. Please visit the PreK Program section of the MSAD 15 website (or click here MSAD 15 PreK) for information about our program and the preK teachers. Children who will be age 4 on 10/15/2026 are eligible – please click on the PreK Registration Form button to register.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 207-657-5050 or jsouthard@sad15.org.
From the Office
Please contact the office if your student will be tardy or absent: 207-657-5050 or email jsouthard@sad15.org.
Please encourage your student to check our Lost & Found for any missing clothing or gear – we have a very large collection of items down by the Library.
Dates to Remember
Jan 19 Martin Luther King Jr Day: no classes
Jan 21 Early release day: no preK classes, 3rd & 4th grade students dismissed at 1:00 PM
Jan 30 Pledges due from Math-A-Thon
Feb 11 Early release day: no preK classes, 3rd & 4th grade students dismissed at 1:00 PM
Feb 16-20 Winter break: no classes
Updated January 16, 2026