THE DRAKE DEETS
A weekly communication to our families on all the things Drake!Drake Middle School12550 W. 52 Avenue Arvada, CO 80002
November 3rd, 2023 EDITION
Upcoming Events
November 7 NJHS Induction ceremony (more info below)
November 8 Drake Travel 2025 Meeting at 6pm Postponed TBA
November 10 Veteran's Day Celebration
November 13 No School- Teacher Work Day
November 14 Future Dragon Night
IMPORTANT INFORMATION for FAMILIES
Veteran’s Day is drawing near and we are looking forward to honoring those that have served and are currently serving our country.
Please help us create a Drake Wall of Honor by completing and returning the attached form to the main office as soon as possible. The Wall of Honor will be on display throughout the month of November.
The Drake Community is invited to a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Friday, November 10th, 2023 at 9:15 in front of the school.
Drake will then be hosting a reception in the library from 9:50 am- 10:30 am. We also cordially invite ALL veterans and current service men and women to join us and be recognized during our program. In order to honor those veterans in attendance, please RSVP here.
If you are picking your student up midday, it is very helpful if you call ahead preferably before 2pm. This gives us time to send a pass for the student and have them in the office when you arrive. It may take up to 20 minutes to retreive your student if they are not called in ahead of time.
If students are checked out early and miss class they are responsible for making up all missed material. The best action a student can take when they know they'll have an early release is to let the teacher know in advance (preferably 24hrs) and make a plan with that the teacher.
If your child is sick and needs to be picked up from school, you will receive a call from the clinic. If your child calls and says they don't feel well and need to be picked up, please encourage them to go to the clinic.
If you are wondering if your child is too sick to come to school or if they can return to school after an illness, please check out these guidelines: How sick is too sick?
We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are postponing the Drake Travel meeting until after Thanksgiving Break. Be on the lookout for an update with the new time and date.
Thank you!
The Drake Drama Club will proudly present The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Nov 1-Dec 2. Tickets are on sale now at onthestage.com. Get your tickets soon. We will probably sell out.
The Induction Ceremony for all NJHS will take place Nov. 7th from 8:00am- 8:40am in the Auditorium at Drake Middle School. Family members are welcome. There will be refreshments in the library following the ceremony.
Candy fundraiser for Treats for Troops until Nov. 11th. Donate your leftover or unwanted candy to our troops! Students can bring in this candy to their access classes.
Future Dragon Night is for families who are considering having their student attend Drake next year for the first time (Incoming 6th graders, move-ins, choice enrolls, etc.). There will be informational presentations, as well as a self-guided tour.
Please spread the word if you know of someone who is considering Drake! Flyer
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:
Basketball Tournament Sign-Up
Battle of the Books
Lost and Found Fashion Show
Treats for Troops
Drake Travel Night
Halloween Social Music Video
Miss an episode? Click Here to visit our archive!
Drake will have OUTSIDE mornings and recess when the "feels like" temperature is 20 degrees or above. This means that students are responsible for wearing clothing that is warm enough that they can wait outside before school.
Students in clubs are allowed in the buillding from 7:45- 8:00. Students will not be let in to the building early or late.
We had the best time at the fall social! Thank you to all of the parent volunteers, teacher chaperones, student who were all their fun selves and on their best behavior and a special thank you to Ms. Johnson and the Leadership students! This was a great way to kick off fall and fun was had by all! Pictures from the social below.
Like many schools across the nation, we find ourselves in need of additional support in our classrooms, and are actively seeking individuals to fill vital roles as Guest Teachers in our school.
We invite individuals looking for work and a passion for contributing to the lives of our young learners to join our team. While prior experience is appreciated, it is not mandatory. I assure you that our school will work closely with you to ensure you are well-prepared and supported. We believe that with the right tools and a supportive environment, every individual can make a positive impact in our students’ lives.
Guest teacher pay rates start at $160/day and increase up to $190/day, depending on how many days you work or if you are in a long-term assignment. Learn more at https://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/employment/jobs/substitute_positions.
If you have questions about this role, feel free to email me at jill.kline@jeffco.k12.co.us
MENTAL HEALTH
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!
Mental Health Resources
Free Counseling for JeffCo Students - Hazel Health
Jefferson Center Collaborative Care Clinic
"Why am I Feeling This Way?" Teen Mental Health Misconceptions
Twelve Talks to Have With Teens- Marijuana - Link
Created by the Jefferson County Communities That Care Coalition
On November 9nd, our school will be participating in the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS). This survey is very important to help us understand our students’ health and wellness. Below is a link to information about the survey.
The SEL lesson for next week will be Veterans Day Activities.
FROM THE LIBRARY
FROM 6TH GRADE
FROM 7TH GRADE
FROM 8TH GRADE
Mr. Hippley and Mr. Kelsey's 8th grade science classes are studying the different types of chemical reactions and how the chemical energy stored in the bonds of molecules is released as light, heat, and kinetic energy during a chemical reaction. In this demonstration, a pumpkin exploded.
From PTO
NEXT PTO MEETING
Please join us for our next PTO meeting on November 28th at 6:30 in the Drake Library. This is directly after the SAC meeting that starts at 5:15 if you would like to make it to both.
DINE OUT FOR DRAKE at Chipotle - November 15th from 4 - 8pm.
What’s for dinner? Stop by Chipotle on 64th & Ward on your way home from school on November 15th. You can help PTO raise funds that all support Drake Middle School. Be sure to tell them at checkout that you are with Drake. If you are ordering on the app or website, use the promo code 7F2NQEZ
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
Interested in Mixed Martial Arts classes? The Genesis Training Center is open to Drake students interested in joining the class. Refer to the flyer for additional contact information.
5255 Xenon Drive Arvada, Co 80002
Call: (443) 857 - 4527