Burchard A. Dunn School

We are headed into the last three weeks of school and it is a very busy time of year.  Please be sure to review our upcoming events for important dates and times. 

On Thursday, May 28th students will be dismissed at 1:00 so that those families and staff that want to attend the Gray-New Gloucester High School graduation may do so.  During the school day Dunn School students will participate in field day activities.  Please be sure that your student comes to school with appropriate clothing for the weather and activity, and is wearing closed toe shoes for safety.

On Tuesday, June 2nd, the Dunn School will be holding a parent information night for parents of next year’s 3rd grade students.  The meeting will be held at 5:30 in the Dunn School gymnasium.  Parents are encouraged to attend. If there are any questions regarding the parent information night please do not hesitate to contact Geoff Robbins, Principal, at 657-5050 or by email at grobbins@sad15.org.  We hope to see you there and look forward to having your students at Dunn School next year.

We will be having an end of year barbeque on June 5th at 11:45 – 1:00.  Families are invited to attend.  The cost is free for Dunn School students.  There is a charge for family members.  An information form with the schedule and registration link is attached – please note registration is due by May 29th.  Come join us as we celebrate the end of a great school year!  

Toys at School

We have started to see toys from home becoming a real distraction here at school.  Things such as stuffed animals, Poke-Man cards and squishies have all caused distraction and conflict.  I would ask that those items be left home.  Students have access to a variety of games and activities here at school for when they have a recess.  I appreciate everyone’s adherence to this.  

Ms. Lindsay’s School Counseling Corner

This week, we welcomed 2nd graders from Russell School and Memorial School for their step-up day visit to Dunn School! 2nd grade classrooms got to link up with a Dunn Buddy Classroom to learn more about what to expect as they enter 3rd grade in the Fall, as well eat lunch in the gymnasium and explore Dunn’s playground! It was great to start getting to know our incoming 3rd graders, and wonderful to see our 3rd and 4th graders act as role models to our younger friends. 

Upcoming Middle School Transition Activities For 4th Graders:  Gray/New Gloucester Middle School Counselors, Andrew O’Connell-Shevenell (grades 5 & 6) and Marty Lynch (grades 7 & 8), along with a small group of middle school students, visited with our 4th Graders at Dunn School today! Our middle school friends gave a slideshow presentation to 4th graders about life at the middle school, provided advice and answered lots of questions. In chatting with our 4th graders following this visit, they were able to learn about what they can expect when they transition to GNGMS in the Fall, and reduce a bit of those new-school jitters!

On Tuesday, June 2nd, ALL 4th grade students and their Dunn teachers will be attending a step-up visit to Gray/New Gloucester Middle Middle School (GNGMS). 4th grade students and staff will take MSAD15 buses that will leave Dunn School around 9:30am to travel in-district to GNGMS. Once we arrive, 4th graders will have the opportunity to tour the building, meet current middle school students, teachers, administrators, school counseling staff, and eat an icy treat provided by the middle school. All 4th graders and Dunn staff will board MSAD15 buses around 11:15am to return to Dunn School. 4th graders will eat their lunch back at Dunn on their regular schedule. The purpose of this visit is to help our 4th graders gain more familiarity and comfort with their transition to 5th grade in the Fall! 

4th Grade Day Trips To University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond:  This June, all 4th graders will have the opportunity to attend a full day field trip with their fellow 4th graders and teachers up to the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Students will participate in outdoor team building, leadership, and conservation preservation activities to support communication, goal-setting and problem-solving through team experiences. Outdoor recreation also helps students connect with their own potential, and as a result, can boost self-esteem, self-reliance, and confidence as they transition together to 5th grade at GNGMS in the Fall. We are so fortunate to have MSAD 15’s Patriot Parents group fund this annual field trip for us, at no cost to participating students! 4th graders from the following classrooms will participate in this full-day field trip on the following dates:

• Wednesday, June 3rd – Audette, Gillis, Gamage, Skilling, Robash
• Thursday, June 4th – Fecteau, Marzilli, Keepes, Rausch, Carr, Dyer

Thank you to all of our 4th grade caregivers for promptly completing the packet of paperwork that went home with your child, so that they may attend this special day trip! 4th grade students will need to be dropped off by their caregivers at Dunn School for 7am on their assigned field trip day. Students and staff will leave Dunn on MSAD15 school buses to head up to camp promptly at 7:30am. Caregivers should pick up their child at Dunn School between 6:30pm/7pm later that evening. Lunch and snacks will be provided by U-Maine 4H Camp & Learning Center. 

There is a lot going on this time of year. Please be in touch with any questions or concerns. 🙂

Best, Lindsay Friberg, Dunn School Counselor, lfriberg@sad15.org

From the Health Office

Hello and happy spring from the Health Office! Did you know that Mainely Teeth provides dental services at school? We are beginning to sign up students for the 26-27 school year so that Mainely Teeth can adequately prepare. They accept many forms of insurance, as well as patients without dental insurance. Please take this opportunity to sign your child up for the 25-26 school year!

Also, save the date for our fall vaccine clinic taking place on October 1st. Many vaccines will be available through CVS on that day.

Have a happy and safe summer!

From the Library

All Library Books are due next Friday, May 29th. Lost books do need to be paid for. Thank you for your help with this. 

Thank you to everyone who helped make our spring book fair a great success!  

From our Patriot Parents

Patriot Parents are excited to help sponsor the 4th grade trips to Bryant Pond coming up in June.  Thank you for your support of recent activities such as Art to Remember and Staff Appreciation Week.

From the Office

Please contact the office if your student will be tardy or absent:  207-657-5050 or email jsouthard@sad15.org.  If you are leaving a voicemail or sending an email, please include your child’s full name in your message.

Our Lost & Found continues to grow – please encourage your students to check for any missing coats, gloves, sweatshirts, water bottles, etc.  Any items left at the end of the school year will be donated.

Dates to Remember 

May 25 Memorial Day:  no classes
May 28 * GNG High School Graduation:  Early dismissal for gr 3 & 4 at 1:00 PM, no preK classes

* This is a change from the calendar published last spring

May 29 Standard full school day for all grades (NOT an early dismissal day as originally scheduled)
May 29 Sign up deadline for June 5th Family & Friends BBQ
June 2 Parent information night for incoming 3rd graders: Dunn gym, 5:30 PM
June 3 & 4 4th grade trips to Bryant Pond:  please see Ms Lindsay’s section above for the schedule
June 5 Dunn Family & Friends BBQ:  please see the attached flyer for info, schedule, sign up link
June 9 4th grade celebration
June 9 Last day of classes for preK
June 15 Last day of classes for grades 3 & 4:  dismissal at noon

Updated May 26, 2026