THE DRAKE DEETS
A weekly communication to our families on all the things Drake!Drake Middle School12550 W. 52 Avenue Arvada, CO 80002
April 12th, 2024 EDITION
April 16 SAC Meeting 5:15-6:15 (Library)
PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30 (Library)
April 18-20 Spring Musical Guys & Dolls
April 19 Coffee with the Counselors
April 24 PTO Fro Yo Day
April Calendar
IMPORTANT INFORMATION for FAMILIES
Student of the Month
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated by a teacher for being OUTSTANDING in February and March! The students' picture will be displayed in our photo case. They also received a certificate and a treat! GREAT WORK STUDENTS!
6TH GRADE (Feb): Isla B., Anya B., Isaac D., Evelyn M.
6th GRADE (March): Conner N., Parker C., Rose W., Leif S.
7TH GRADE (Feb): Meah S., Alexys M., Mason ., Emma D.
7th GRADE (March): Selena L., Jackson R., Ethan B., Eli S.
8TH GRADE (Feb): Sydney C., Emanual D., Rylee Z., Nolan M.
8th GRADE (March): Chetan S., Lily C., Alejandro P., Paige H.
Next Year Registration
This week, Drake's counselors were in your student's science classes discussing next year's transition. Please talk with your student about next year and what they need to do for classes for next year.
Current 6th graders: need to fill out this form to request electives they want. If they do not want to take any of these yearlong electives, explores will be randomly assigned to them. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rebecca Ewald (rebecca.ewald@jeffco.k12.co.us).
Current 7th graders: need to add their top 6 elective choices, and 2 alternate choices. Here is the presentation that was shared in science classes with directions to add requests. Please review this planning sheet to see the elective options students can choose from. If you have any questions, please reach out to Amanda Hodson (amanda.hodson@jeffco.k12.co.us).
NEW CLASS OPTIONS!
We are excited to offer three new elective options for 7th and 8th graders next year. If your student is interested in any of these classes, please have them complete the form!
Creative Writing with Ms. Wolf
Sports Math with Ms. Everding (students should tell their math teacher about their interest in the class)
Can-Struction
Dear Drake Families,
We are excited to be participating in the first annual Jeffco Can-Struction event. Please consider helping our students in this STEM & community service project. This is a difficult time for food banks and the demand is very high during the summer. We are partnering with several other schools and are gratefully accepting any cans of food until April 19th. Come by the Colorado Mills Mall Food court and check out all of the structures during the first week of May!
Thank you so much for your help!
Every can counts! !
Questions?
Email:
Susan Schmelzer susan.schmelzer@jeffco.k12.co.us
Harmony Jones harmony.jones@jeffco.k12.co.us
Michelle Johnson michelle.johnson2@jeffco.k12.co.us
Spring Musical Tickets on Sale Now
Tickets are on sale now for Guys and Dolls, Jr. running April 18-20. Go to onthestage.com to get yours today!
Yearbooks for Sale Until Sold Out
We are still selling yearbooks, but be forewarned, we will most likey sell out. Please don't put off your purchase and have a sad kiddo on the last day. I've seen it happen every year, and it just breaks my heart. Get yours at yearbookforever.com. They are $50.00, and we're coming in at 160 awesome pages! They're gorgous!
Drake Students in Jeffco Art Show
Congratulations to the student artists selected to represent Drake in this year's Jeffco Schools Middle School Art Exhibit. This Art Exhibit showcases excellence in the visual arts within Jeffco Middle Schools. Middle school art teachers select students’ work that best exemplifies the highest quality examples of the Jeffco Public Schools art curricula. The Show will remain on exhibit at The Lakewood Cultural Center until Saturday, May 4, 2024. For a list of the student participants, click here.
CTE Exhibit
Come by and view examples of work produced by students in Drake's Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes.
CTE is a program of study that involves a multiyear sequence of courses that combines core academic knowledge with technical and career skills, providing students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers. Classes students participate in that are CTE include: Robotics, Visual Art, Skilled Trades and Manufacturing, Family and Consumer Science, Media Arts, Computer Science, Theatre, and Yearbook.
Exhibits will be on display in the main lobby from Thursday 4/18 thru Wednesday 4/24. Please stop by and admire the work produced by our talented Drake students! Doors will also be open during the musical production.
1st NJAHS Art Market
Join us for the first-ever National Junior Art Honor Society! On Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM, select from glass jewelry, sushi dishes, wind chimes, spoon holders, and more. Any money earned will go to NJAHS and the Art Department for tools and materials. We can accept cash and Venmo only. If you are already coming to the play, stop by the Art Market in the front lobby and get a head start on Mother’s Day.
Drake TV
Drake TV is here to keep our community Connected, Informed and Entertained.
Click Here to enjoy this week's student-produced broadcast, featuring the following segments:
Can-Struction
Civics Bee
MLB Opening Day
Science Fair
Miss an episode? Click Here to visit our archive!
Community Closet
Drake is starting a Community Closet that any student can access for a wide array of personal hygiene supplies, clothing, and school necessities free of charge. No student should ever have to worry about lacking the basic essentials for success, and the Community Closet ensures that every student has equitable access to these crucial items. Whether it's a helping hand during tough times or simply a convenient resource for those in need, the Community Closet is here to serve and uplift the entire student body.
If you could use any clothing, shoes, hygiene supplies, or school supplies, please contact Rebecca Ewald (rebecca.ewald@jeffco.k12.co.us) or encourage your student to see her in her office to look through the Community Closet!
Face Your Fears Anxiety Small Group
We're excited to run a mini "F.A.C.E. Your Fears" small group for the last few weeks of school. This curriculum is a new initiative that helps reduce student anxiety and promotes better mental health outcomes.
Key Benefits:
Enhanced Detection and Support: We'll be better equipped to identify and support students with anxiety-related issues.
Immediate Skill Development: Students will gain practical skills to manage their anxiety effectively.
Universal Approach: The program offers tier 2 small group support for a wide range of students.
If your student is interested in participating in our small group, please reach out to Bonnie Legg (bonnie.legg@jeffco.k12.co.us) or Rebecca Ewald (rebecca.ewald@jeffco.k12.co.us). The group will be held during Access on Wednesday mornings, starting on April 17th.
Jeffco Community Music Education Award
Congratulations to Jeffco who was awarded Best Community for Music Education for the 5th consecutive year!
Now in its 25th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.
Spring Social
The Spring Social will be on Wednesday, May 1st from 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. It is open to Drake Students only. We will have a Silent Disco, Teacher Dunk Tank and much more. The theme will be 80's neon. More details about cost, etc. will be coming soon. Students with 2+ F's will not be able to attend.
End of School Year Schedule
The last day of school for students in 6th & 7th grade is Friday, May 24. Dismissal time on this day will be 2:30.
In addition, Drake will have grade level field trips and fun on the scheduled dates:
May 17- 8th grade field trip- see details below
May 23- last day for 8th grade- 11:30 release
7th grade field trip- details to come
6th grade field day- details to come
FOR 7TH GRADE
Growing and Changing Parent Night
7th grade parents, if you have questions about the upcoming Growing and Changing unit, please join our science teachers on April 17 from 5:30-6:30 in the Drake Library. Please contact Megan Motley or your student's science teacher with questions.
FOR 8TH GRADE
8th grade continuation speakers
We are looking for two 8th grade students who are interested in giving a 2-3 minute speech to your 8th grade peers at continuation!
If you are interested, please fill out this form BY Monday, April 15. You will receive more information by email after we determine interest.
We will have auditions for speakers on Thursday April 25 between 4:15-5:15 pm in the auditorium.
Panorama Picture
Hello 8th Grade Families:
Your Panoramic Class Pictures will be taken on THURSDAY, APRIL 25TH in the gym. Remember - this is the ONLY time pictures will be taken of your whole class, so DON'T MISS OUT! You only have one chance to be a part of this special event, so BE THERE on APRIL 25TH!"
> ALL laminated photos come with a 5-year money-back guarantee!
> Order BOTH the formal and the funny photos laminated and SAVE 20%!
Please email the photographer, BestClassPicture@gmail.com, if you have any questions. Thank you for your support."
Continuation/Awards Ceremony invite & RSVP
All 8th grade students and their families are invited to attend our first Continuation/ Awards Ceremony. All 8th graders will be acknowledged at the ceremony and our traditional special awards will be presented. Please see this invitation for details, and be sure to RSVP by May 15.
Upcoming 8th grade Field Trip
8th grade students will be going on a science related field trip to Skate City in late April or early May. On the field trip, students will learn the science involved in playing roller hockey.
Students will eat lunch at Skate City as well as have time to skate. Students should bring a bagged lunch or bring money to buy lunch. Students will go with their Access teacher on one of the following dates: 4/22, 4/23, or 5/3. Please check the permission form for the day your Access teacher will be attending.
We will leave school in the morning at 10:00 am and return to school at 3:00 pm. Buses will be provided for transportation to and from Skate City. The cost of the field trip is $16 per student. You can pay your field trip fee online.
Please complete the permission slip linked here so we can get an accurate number of students participating in the field trip. Permission slips for the field trip are due Monday, April 15th. We are looking forward to an exciting and fun field trip with your student!
8th Grade End of the Year Field Trip
We are going to Elitch Gardens!!!
Friday, May 17th
The cost is $30
Food is not included in the fee.
Parents can pay the fee online.
Teachers will NOT collect any money.
You CAN be uninvited from this trip. Please keep doing your best. Remember 37 days left!
We will ride the light rail to and from Elitch’s.
MENTAL HEALTH
Drake Counseling Department
Drake Counselor Trimester 3 Newsletter
Drake's Mental Health Team will be hosting their 3rd Coffee with the Counselors event for this year. We will discuss what next year will look like, review what the counseling team has done this year, and ask for feedback for next year’s counseling program. Please RSVP here.
Social Emotional Learning
-Social Emotion Learning Questions for Families for the 04/15/24 Lesson
-Day Without Hate shirts can still be order individually on April 11th and 12th at daywithouthatejeffco.com
From PTO
Important Info from PTO
NEXT PTO MEETING
Please join us for our next PTO meeting on April 16th at 6:30 in the Drake Library.
8th GRADE CONTINUATION
A new tradition is being started this year! It is an exciting opportunity for the 8th graders to be recognized for all their hard work. Please click on the flier to learn more, please RSVP by May 17th.
TEACHER AND STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
Teacher and Staff appreciation week is Monday May 6th through Friday May 10th, and with your help, the Drake PTO is going to appreciate the heck out of our Drake teachers and staff!. If you're able, please donate any amount to help us with all the appreciation events throughout the week. Anything you donate will go to showing the entire staff THEY ROCK! All funds donated will be applied to the Teacher Appreciation event costs. Thank you for all you do and let's have a great finish to the school year.
SPIRIT GEAR (NEW)
We have four fun spirit gear items for sale through April 12th.
Available items: Decal - Water bottle - Mug - Lip balm holder: All with the Drake Logo!
All items will be delivered to Access Teachers by April 26th.
FROYO DAY ON APRIL 24TH - 5TH period
Treat your student to a Frozen Yogurt from Bliss during 5th period on April 24th. Each FroYo is $5. There are 4 flavors to choose from! Cake batter, Chocolate, Cookies and Cream and Mango Sorbet. ORDER HERE!
We have to get our order to Bliss a week before, so orders must be placed by April 17th.
We appreciate your support in this fundraiser for Drake PTO. All funds raised go to help the school. We understand not all kids will be able to participate due to circumstances beyond their control. PTO will donate one FroYo per class for the teacher to raffle off. If you would like to help us with donations we would appreciate that. If you have questions about nutrition and allergies please visit the Bliss Website. Any other questions please email drakemiddleschoolpto@gmail.com
DINE OUT FOR DRAKE - MAY 16th
Join us at the Colorado Tap House on Thursday, May 16th between 8:30am and 9pm and order snacks and beverages. Show the attached image and 25% of your purchase gets donated back to our school. The Colorado Tap House is located at 14982 W. 69th Ave. in Arvada (just off of Indiana and 69th Ave)
WISH YOUR STUDENT A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Wish your student a Happy Birthday on the Drake digital marquee!
Get your student a "Happy Birthday!" with their name to rotate through the messages on the marquee throughout the day you choose (located at the entrance, off 52nd Ave.).
The cost is $20, with all funds going back to Drake PTO. We need a minimum of three days to get the message scheduled and uploaded to the marquee. Click here to order today!
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Awest Cheer- Incoming 9th graders
CALLING ALL INCOMING FRESHMAN! The Arvada West Cheerleading program will be hosting Evaluations for the 2023-24 season on April 22nd-25th. Please visit the following link to read through the Evaluation Packet where you will find all of the information needed to be prepared for and participate in the Evaluation process. Please register and keep up to date on all reminders and information on our social media @arvadawestcheer
Reach out to Coach Biddle at mckenna.biddle@jeffco.k12.co.us with any questions.
Link to Evaluation Packet: EVALUATION PACKET
AWest HS Summer Youth Athletic Camps
Arvada West Summer Track Program
Arvada West Summer Fast Cats Program is back. Register through the following link: Fast Cats Information or through their website: https://fastcatstrack.com/
Arvada West Summer Youth Wrestling
Arvada West summer youth wrestling starts May 2nd. Register through the following link: Wildcats Youth Wrestling or through their website: https://catswrestling.teampages.com/
Mustang Soccer Academy Camp 2024
Mountain Biking at RVHS
Join us at our spring information and recruitment meeting to learn about the Ralston Valley HS/Arvada West HS Mountain Bike Team. April 10, 6:00 pm, RVHS Cafeteria
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OsyABbAnTGZ08zudzXb68sgBU7sJgmZU/view?usp=sharing
Girls Love Dirt Clinic: This FREE clinic is for all girls who are interested in learning more about the Colorado League and local high school team.
Learn some skills & have a FUN ride! Get your FREE tickets here.
Flag Football at RVHS
We are excited to announce our upcoming Flag Football Middle School Clinic, scheduled to take place on May 18, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This clinic promises to be an enriching experience for all participants, providing valuable skills development and a fun-filled day of flag football action!
Here are the key details you need to know:
Date: May 18, 2024 Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Ralston Valley High School Cost:
Early Registration (Until April 26): $45 per person
Regular Registration (After April 26): $45 per person
This clinic is open to any middle school female currently in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade who is eager to learn and/or enhance their flag football skills. It’s a fantastic opportunity for players to develop their abilities, learn from experienced coaches, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow athletes.
To secure your spot, please register online at bit.ly/rvhsgff/middle-school-clinic. Early registration is encouraged to take advantage of the discounted rate!
If you have any questions or require further information, feel free to contact us at chris.jonson@jeffco.k12.co.us.
We look forward to seeing you at the Flag Football Middle School Clinic for a day of fun, learning, and growth on the field
Flag Football at RVHS
We are excited to announce our upcoming Flag Football Middle School Clinic, scheduled to take place on May 18, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This clinic promises to be an enriching experience for all participants, providing valuable skills development and a fun-filled day of flag football action!
Here are the key details you need to know:
Date: May 18, 2024 Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Ralston Valley High School Cost:
Early Registration (Until April 26): $45 per person
Regular Registration (After April 26): $45 per person
This clinic is open to any middle school female currently in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade who is eager to learn and/or enhance their flag football skills. It’s a fantastic opportunity for players to develop their abilities, learn from experienced coaches, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow athletes.
To secure your spot, please register online at bit.ly/rvhsgff/middle-school-clinic. Early registration is encouraged to take advantage of the discounted rate!
If you have any questions or require further information, feel free to contact us at chris.jonson@jeffco.k12.co.us.
We look forward to seeing you at the Flag Football Middle School Clinic for a day of fun, learning, and growth on the field
RVHS AND Awest Color Guard and Marching Band
Ralston Valley and Arvada West High Schools have openings on their Marching Band for Color Guard (flags and dancing) and other instruments. Come check out the activity on April 13th for AWest and April 20th RV if you would like to be a part of this group!
RV Flyer for Kickoff Day
Awest Flyer for Try it Day
Pomona Youth Summer Camps
We have our lifting/speed camp Tuesday Thursdays June 4-July 18. Here is the link to register. This is open to all incoming 5-8th graders, not just football players.
We also have our youth football contact camp July 15-18. Here is the link to register.
WELCOME, FUTURE DRAKE DRAGONS!
Drake welcomed our incoming 5th graders at Dragon Day on Friday. We can't wait to see all of you again in the fall!