September 25 4:30- School Accountability Meeting- Library (date change from previously advertised)

September 26  Transportation and Construction GIRL Day

September 27 Warren Tech Field Trip for 8th grade

Aug/Sept Calendar

Student Benefits Application

Complete your student benefits application today!  Not only does this application help those who may qualify for free and reduced lunch, it also provides school based funding for our school and fee waivers for various activities. 

By completing this application, you may also help our school secure additional state and federal funding, which can be used for:

• Family engagement events and activities

• Reducing class sizes

• Supplemental literacy and math resources

• Hiring additional staff based on the school’s needs

• Professional development and training for staff

• Before/after-school tutoring programs or summer interventions

Additionally, some families may be unaware Federal benefits for many students may have been reduced or eliminated, which previously automatically qualified them for student benefits (fee waivers). If this applies to you, it is essential to complete the application as soon as possible to ensure that your student’s school benefits remain in place. If you have any questions regarding the application process please reach out to Food Services at freeandreduced@jeffco.k12.co.us.

Your participation helps us provide the best possible resources for our students and staff, and we appreciate your support.

See the flyer for the Student Benefits Application HERE (Spanish).

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, and let’s continue to make this a great school year!

October Count Attendance

Dear Drake families,

It’s official – October Count Day this year is Tuesday, October 1. 

The most important action you can take to support school funding is to make sure your student attends school on that day. Much of public education funding from the State of Colorado is based on student count, so we encourage you to make sure your student comes to school that day.

The “count window” the state observes is from Tuesday, September 24 through Tuesday, October 8, but the most important student count day is Tuesday, October 1. Help us get an accurate count by having your student participate in learning that day.

If your student will be absent on Tuesday, October 1 due to illness, please call our attendance line, 303-982-1510 to report the absence. Attendance during the “count window” will help counteract an absence on Tuesday, October 1.

Thank you for your support of Drake Middle School. Every student counts!

Sincerely,

Jill E Kline
Principal

Panorama & Pulse Survey

In Advisement on October 3rd, students will be asked to complete the Student Panorama Survey and Pulse Survey. You may review the survey questions by visiting this link. For more information on the SEL competencies visit this link. The results are compiled into both individual and group summaries of social emotional skill progress. These reports are used by district leaders and school staff to guide our development of school-wide, small group, and/or individual social emotional support. You will be notified if your child is invited to join a small group or individual intervention. 

To learn more about the Panorama and Pulse Surveys, please read this parent letter that is also available in Spanish.

Theater Parent Meeting

Parent Info Meeting for Drama Club:

Please plan to attend the parent meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 25. It will start at 7:00 PM and will be held via this google meet link: https://meet.google.com/mdo-xbhi-fyj

At this meeting we will cover:

• Fees

• Costuming

• Schedule

• Volunteer Needs

• ...and answer all of your questions.

You won't want to miss it.

If you have any questions between now and Wednesday, please let Dayna or Holly know. Thanks for supporting your child in this artistic endeavor!

Supervision at High School Football Games

It is recommended that you do not drop off your Middle School age students at High School football games at the NAAC.  High school administration and security are very busy supervising the high school students, as well as monitoring gates, teams, officials, etc.  There is essentially no supervision for younger kids who are hanging out on the north and south ends of the field.  Over the past couple of weeks, there has been an increase in concerning behavior from the students in these areas, so all schools are asking that Middle School students and younger not be dropped off and allowed to attend games without parental supervision.  Please feel free to come and enjoy the games with your students and assist us in keeping all students safe.

Regis Basketball Camp Starting Sept. 17th

DRAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAM

Offensive skills camp for kids with instruction and fun games designed to help teach basketball skills.

Who: Drake Middle School Students ONLY

Boys and Girls 6-8 Grade

What: Once per week skill sessions designed to improve offensive skill sets and understanding, and help kids get ready for basketball season. 

Where: Drake Middle School Gymnasium

12550 W 52nd Ave, Arvada

When: Tuesdays 7:45am-8:30am

Starting September 10-November 19 (11 total sessions).

Cost: $110 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER or for more information

Yearbooks are for Sale Now!

The 2025 Drake Middle School Yearbook is on sale now.  Visit yearbookforever.com  and type in Drake into the school search bar.  Follow the prompts to purchase your yearbook today.  The cost is $50.00. 

Each year, yearbooks do sell out so please reserve yours early so your child is sure to get one! 

Please note: Yearbooks can NOT be purchased through Jeffco fees

8th Grade Parents: Baby Ads need to be purchased by Thursday, October, 31st

If you want to purchase a baby ad for your graduating 8th grader, you must do that by October 31st. Go to yearbookforever.com and click on "Create a Baby Ad." Ads cost $50.00 to offset the extra pages we must purchase. We will not sell baby ads after October 31st in order to allow us to meet our first deadline.  

Scholastic Book Fair 

Hello Drake Families! I am so excited about our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair! It will run during school hours Monday, September 30th through Friday October 4th. We will also be open during Drake's Craft Fair on Saturday, October 5th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

Here is our website for the fair that has all of the details, including a volunteer sign up page. Don't forget about eWallet which is a great way for students to pay without having to bring money to school. Sign up information on how to set up eWallet is also on our fair webpage.

Drake Book/ Craft Fair

This year the PTO is putting on a craft fair in conjunction with the Drake Scholastic Book Fair.  On Saturday, October 5th from 10 am to 2pm you can come shop from over 35 vendors.  There will be Drake students selling their artwork, student organizations fundraising for there clubs, and so many talented artists from our community. Be sure to stop by.  FLYER

8th Graders to Warren Tech (Sept. 27th) 

Attention 8th Grade Families and Students:

We’re excited to share that all Drake 8th Graders will be taking a field trip to Warren Tech High School on Friday, September 27th from 9am-1130am.  Warren Tech has 3 campuses: Lakewood, Littleton and Arvada. Drake 8th graders will be visiting the campus in Lakewood on the 27th. Warren Tech offers 36 programs, most of which offer FREE college credit to students while still in high school. In fact, last year Warren Tech students earned over 13,000 Red Rocks Community College credits totaling over 2 million dollars in free tuition.  Students can attend Warren Tech during their junior and senior years for half the day and attend their home high school for the other half of the day.

Check out this video about Warren Tech!

Our expectation is that all 8th graders attend this valuable field trip. If you prefer to opt your 8th grader out of the field trip, please fill out this form --> Opt Out Form for Warren Tech 

Drake Counseling

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. During advisement, students will participate in activities designed to promote emotional well-being. We believe these lessons are crucial for building a safe and supportive environment for all our students. Please review this Family Info Flyer to learn more about warning signs, how to support your child, and so much more! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your student's counselor. 

Drake Counseling Newsletter

SOS: Signs of Suicide Refresher for all 8th Graders: The Drake Mental Health Team will be in all math classes on October 4th and October 7th delivering a SOS: Signs of Suicide refresher lesson to all 8th graders. Please take a moment to read this letter to learn more about SOS and connect with Mandy Hodson amanda.hodson@jeffco.k12.co.us if you have any concerns about your student's participation in this lesson. 

6th Grade Counselor Check In Request Form: Mrs. Legg

7th Grade Counselor Check In Request Form: Ms. Ewald

8th Grade Counselor Check In Request Form: Mrs. Hodson 

Social Emotional Learning

There will be no Social Emotional Learning Lesson the week of 09/23/024. Throughout the month of September Advisement Time will be spent engaging in counselor- created lessons focused on suicide prevention. 

24-25 Bell Schedule

School Supplies

Student Guardian Handbook

Transportation

Drake Concerns Flowchart

Infinite Campus How to

Drake Clubs Flyer