THE DRAKE DEETS
A weekly communication to our families on all the things Drake!Drake Middle School12550 W. 52 Avenue Arvada, CO 80002
December 15th, 2023 EDITION
Upcoming Events
December 19 Coffee With The Counselors @ 7:45 - Drake's Library
Dec. 20- Jan 3 Winter Break
Jan 4- Jan 5 No school for Middle School students
January 11 Community Conversation with Superinendent Dorland (details below)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION for FAMILIES
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Here at Drake, our vision statement states “Drake students and staff feel supported, respected, and safe to learn and grow.” Unfortunately, not all Drake students feel that this vision is being met, and we need your support. Students and staff are reporting an increase in students making derogatory jokes, racial slurs, microaggressions, and discriminatory comments about race, gender identity, and religious affiliation. Drake staff receive yearly training on what to say and how to approach and educate students when these comments are heard. However, students often make these discriminatory remarks on the bus, at recess, and in the hallways, places that are out of earshot from Drake staff.
Therefore, we are asking for your help. Please talk to your children about the negative impacts of racist and derogatory statements made towards others. Let your child know that race is never a topic to joke about. If you are unsure of how to start this conversation, here is an article that discusses ways to talk to your child about race. Additionally, please let your child know that Drake staff are here to help. If they hear racist and derogatory comments being made, they should report them to a Drake staff member immediately. Together, we know we can achieve our vision of making Drake a safe and supportive environment for all students.
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated by a teacher for being OUTSTANDING in November! The students' picture will be displayed in our photo case. They also received a certificate and a treat! GREAT WORK STUDENTS!
6TH GRADE: Bridger C., Lexi L., Emmet K., Anna P.
7TH GRADE: Kesten G., Dylan S., Charlize R., Drew B.
8TH GRADE: Quinn B., Lela C., Parker H., Mia R.
On Tuesday, December 19th, from 7:45am-8:30am in Drake's Library, Drake's Mental Health Team will host a Coffee With The Cousnelors. We encourage parents to attend to learn more about our team and resources that are available! We will be joined by our JCMH Therapist, Director of Student Services, and Coordinator of Crisis Recovery & Suicide Prevention to discuss mental health supports available to JeffCo students. Please RSVP with this form so we know how many parents to expect!
If your student is interested in possibly auditioning for our spring musical, "Guys and Dolls," he/she should attend our informational meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19th in the auditorium during advisement/access. There they will get all the information on how to successfully audition, where to access audition materials, and time commitment information. They should also join our Google Classroom with the following code: dgtvtpt.
Classroom Jounalism
During our ELA/Scales & Tales class, we have been working on hooks, figurative language, nonfiction features, interviewing skills, recording answers, taking pictures and adding captions, factual reporting, and getting to know our new friends and colleagues here at Drake this start of the 2023 school year. You will notice our six examples of figurative language (Simile, Metaphor, Hyperbole, Personification, Alliteration, Onomatopoeia) along with extra credit given for an idiom that fits!!! Our goal was to embed (or bury) them into our writing so that they help add “pizzazz” to our writing while not sticking out like a sore thumb (an idiom for you, that has been around for several hundred years!!). Enjoy meeting our new dragons!
Join Superintendent Tracy Dorland for 90-minute conversations focused on family and community feedback and provide an opportunity for community members to discuss important and current initiatives impacting Jeffco.
Middle School Career Fair
We strive to provide quality opportunities for students to engage in the exploration and connection of classrooms to careers.
This winter Drake will host a Career Fair for our 7th and 8th grade students, in partnership with the district on Wednesday, February 7.
We invite our community members who are passionate about their work to come into the school and share with our students. One of the best career exploration activities is for them to hear a little about what different people do for work, what kind of skills and training it might take to work in any given field, and what you find rewarding about your work.
If you, or someone you know, might be interested, please Click Here to fill out our form.
Drake Chess Club Registrations for Spring
Drake Chess Club registrations are up and running for the spring session. Chess club runs (almost) every Monday starting January 22nd in room 212. Sign up at the link below:
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:
2023 Annual Holiday Special!
Miss an episode? Click Here to visit our archive!
MENTAL HEALTH
F.A.C.E. Your Fears Parent Training- a program JeffCo is using to help support students to develop skills to overcome anxiety, not just avoid or adjust around it. On Tuesday, December 12th, Drake counseling offered a training for parents to partner with us to support students experiencing anxiety. If you were unable to attend, or are interested in your student joining a small group in January, please watch the recording of the presentation while following along with the PowerPoint. Jeffco has created a website with parent resources and more information. Please send any student requests to be in the small group to Rebecca Ewald or Matt Schacht.
Tips and Tricks For Helping Anxious Children and Teens
Hazel Health
We are so excited to start offering Hazel Health session opportunities during the school day! Hazel Health is an optional support students/families can participate in to get free telehealth support. Drake has partnered with Hazel Health to offer sessions during the school day to make it more accessible to all families. Please check out JeffCo's Hazel Health website to learn more about this amazing support!
Check out the Mental Health Team newsletter on all things related to the upcoming Trimester 2. This version highlights student schedule changes, upcoming events and classroom curriculum.
Our Healthy Kids Colorado Survey results have arrived! 883 Dragons answered questions on physical health, belonging and climate, mental health, and substance use. These results help inform the supports we provide our students. We hope that they prompt healthy discussions with your students on these concerns.
From PTO
HOLIDAY TEACHER AND STAFF APPRECIATION
PTO would like to give a gigantic thank you to our Drake Community!!! Thanks to the generous donations for Staff Holiday Appreciation we are able to show our love and gratitude to the teachers. They will each receive $50 in gift cards, be served a burrito and a specialized drink from a personal barista on Friday Morning, as well as have their break rooms stocked with K-cups and other goodies. They are going to feel appreciated for sure! We hope you all have a great Holiday!!!
VOLUNTEERS AND FOOD NEEDED FOR DECEMBER 18th
Another big big thank you! We have had a wonderful response for volunteering for the Hearing and Vision Screening that will be at Drake on December 18th. There is only one spot left if anyone still wants to help. Please sign up here.
CARPOOL BUDDIES
If you are interested in carpooling and wondering who lives around you that wants to carpool too, please fill out this Carpool Buddies form. Help save your time and make friends!
We will share the Carpool Buddies Spreadsheet with only those who have filled out the form. Then it’s up to you to find someone who lives near you and contact them. We hope this can help make a fantastic year!
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
National Civics Bee® for Middle School Students
The National Civics Bee® for middle school students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades will take place in Arvada on April 11, 2024 in partnership with the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. In the first round of the contest students will participate in an essay competition. Judges will then select 20 finalists to participate in the local competition: a live quiz event testing civics knowledge with cash prizes with the top 3 students advancing to the state competition.
Applications are open now through January 8, 2024 with more information online at www.ArvadaChamber.org/NationalCivicsBee