Burchard A. Dunn School

Welcome Back

It has been a great start to the school year.  Students and staff have done a nice job of transitioning back into the routine and school, and have now settled in for the year.  

NWEA Assessments

Beginning the week of October 2nd we will be administering the NWEA assessments.  These assessments in Math, Reading and Language Usage are required by the state and help us to make instructional decisions for individual students and groups.

Conferences

As we go through the year I would encourage parents to communicate with their child’s teacher about their student’s academic progress and any other items that might need to be discussed. In that vein, our parent/teacher conferences will be the week of October 9th.  Teachers will be sending information in the coming weeks to sign up for conferences. Conferences can be through Zoom or in-person.

Classroom Food and Celebrations

A reminder that only curriculum based foods will be allowed in the classroom and will be offered in cooperation with individual student allergy and healthcare plans. Unsolicited food will not be permitted.  Personal snacks from home are permissible.  Classroom celebrations are only permitted at the request of the teacher and will follow MSAD 15 guidelines.  Thank you in advance for helping us adhere to this policy.

Ms. Lindsay’s Counseling Corner

It has been wonderful to get into all of the 3, 4, and 3/4 multi classrooms this week to introduce myself to students, talk to them about my role as their school counselor and how they can access my support if they are having strong feelings that are impacting their ability to focus and learn. In the coming weeks, I will be starting up lunch bunch groups for students who are new to MSAD15 schools, and I will also be heading back into classrooms for our October social-emotional learning (SEL) lesson on coping strategies. 

As we have been easing into the school year, it is common for students to have ups and downs throughout their week as they are adjusting to new routines, teachers and peers. Oftentimes, kids are able to “keep it together” at school, but may struggle with their choices and/or emotions at home. Attached, you will find a helpful 1-pager from Big Life Journal with tips on how parents and caregivers can build their child’s self-esteem. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. 657-5050 or via email lfriberg@sad15.org.

Have a lovely weekend!

Lindsay Friberg, Dunn School Counselor

From the Health Office

Happy back to school season!  We will be hosting a flu vaccination clinic and a fluoride treatment day in the coming weeks.

The flu clinic date is October 17th from 8:00 – 10:30 AM.  Afternoon preK families are invited to bring their child during that time.  The fluoride dates are TBD but will most likely begin in October.  Please see the attached flyers for more information and sign up links.  Please contact our nurse Tonia Gilley-Pratt with any questions:  tgilley-pratt@sad15.org or 207-657-5050.

School Picture Day:  next Tuesday Sept. 26!

Welcome to the new school year!  Every student will be photographed, and parents will have an opportunity to purchase portraits.

STUDENTS!  Wear your favorite outfit and let’s have FUN! Everyone will get three head-and-shoulder poses. Clothing in solid-colored pastels or whites makes for a truly unique portrait.

PARENTS: NO MONEY REQUIRED IN ADVANCE! We will have portraits in the on-line gallery about a week after the photography date. You will have the opportunity to purchase portraits AFTER previewing them. There’s no obligation! Your satisfaction with the finished portraits is guaranteed.

PortraitEFX appreciates the opportunity to photograph your student! Questions? Please call PortraitEFX of Maine at 207-657-6372.

From the MTSS Team

This year we would like to start recognizing specific individuals for their hard work! The MTSS team has created two awards, the Most Improved award and the Student of the Month award. Most Improved students will demonstrate significant growth either academically or behaviorally. Student of the Month awards will be given to students who continually demonstrate exemplary behavior. Students from each team will be nominated by their teachers for these awards. 

If your child earns an award, they will receive a certificate, their picture will be displayed on the TV at the main entrance, and they will receive an “All About Me” sheet to fill out at home. These sheets will be displayed near the entrance of our school so that we can learn more about our amazing students!

From the Music Room

3rd and 4th grade students will be learning to play the recorder this year!  Please see the attached flyer for a note from Ms Libby with all the information and ordering details.  If you are ordering a recorder through the school, checks should be made payable to Dunn School.

Dates to Remember 

Sept 26 Fall picture day, no pre-orders required

Sept 27 Early release:  no preK classes, grades 3 & 4 dismissed at 1:00 PM

Oct 6 In-service day:  no classes

Oct 9 Indigenous Peoples’ Day:  no classes

Oct 17 Flu vaccination clinic, 8:00 – 10:30 AM

Oct 18 Early release:  no preK classes, grades 3 & 4 dismissed at 1:00 PM