This is Dance Academy 8 performing their jazz and Bollywood dances, “Move” and “Disco Khisko”. Try to imagine lovely smiles under those masks….

Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/yaIJ2_nQ6oo

https://youtu.be/omcYj0i-OxM

Thursday is Socks and Sandals day! Don’t forget to wear your craziest socks and best sandals. Come dressed as really bad fashion statement on Thursday!

EMAIL TO PARENTS – May 5, 2021

Hello DMS families,
We hope that you are all well. As we head into our final few weeks of school, it would be very much appreciated if each family could speak to their child(ren) around the importance of finishing the year strong, maintaining focus and specific to this school year, in following the COVID-19 guidelines. Thank you for your support in this as we look to finishing the year strong.

Current Parent info:
HOMESTAY FAMILIES WANTED
For more information, please see the flyer attached.

INTERACTIVE MAP OF DUNSMUIR
Are you a new student to Dunsmuir and are you wondering about the building?  Click on the link below to explore the classrooms and features of the school.  When see a Camera icon, you can click on it to see a video or picture of that area!  Have fun exploring the building and welcome to Dunsmuir.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1m7OSj-SxyzKXVGCGbi00FzQKafW-3ISTGLxHZ401Gek/edit?usp=sharing

POWER POINT PRESENTATION FOR GRADE 5 STUDENTS WHO HAVE A MINISTRY DESIGNATION OR ARE ON AN INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN (IEP)
Please see power point attached titled: Inclusion Dunsmuir Welcome
May_5_Host Families Wanted April 2021 May_5_Inclusion Dunsmuir Welcome

Previous Current Parent info:

ATTENDANCE
If your child is going to be absent, you can call and leave a message at 250-478-5548 ext 223 (Attendance line).  If this voicemail is full, please email our Dunsmuir email account at dunsmuir@sd62.bc.ca.  Please note your child’s first name, last name and their homeroom teacher.  Thank you for your cooperation in this.

GRADE 6 & 7 PARENTS – DEADLINE APRIL 22^ND
Course forms have been sent electronically to your main email address for the fall. Please complete these with your child and submit by next Thursday, April 22^nd. Course form links for incoming Grade 6 students were sent to those parents by email as well.
Course Forms for Students moving into Grade 7 in Sep: https://forms.gle/ubMgjUT3Yf8BsR3y8

Course Forms for Students moving into Grade 8 in Sep: https://forms.gle/kimfHbPiiKZVQ49XA

HATS/SUNSCREEN/ WATER BOTTLES
Please send your students to school prepared for warmer days!

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
For youth services pertaining to mental health and wellness. Visit this link for additional services and supports.  https://www.sd62.bc.ca/community-services

2021 IMMUNIZATION UPDATE
Immunization consent packages were distributed to Grade 6 students in October of 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents were then asked to fill out the consent form, return it to the school and book into a school-aged appointment at West Shore Health unit.
We are pleased to share that Public Health Nurses will be able to offer the second round of immunizations within the school later in the spring. If you have not completed a consent form for your child or have questions about their immunizations please contact the Westshore Health Unit at 250-519-3490 and ask to speak to a School Health Nurse.

ONLINE CONSENTS
With students returning throughout the year from Remote Learning, we want to remind parents the following online consents need to be done. If you need some assistance, please call the office at 250-478-5548 ext 0.
Please go to this link to complete any of the online consents: https://consent.sd62.bc.ca/apps/OnlineConsent

*Aboriginal Education
*FreshGrade Consent
*General Consent for School Fieldtrips/Activities
*Google Apps For Education Consent
*Internet Access Consent (needs to be completed each year)
*Media Consent (needs to be completed each year)
*School Cash Online Consent
*MyBlueprint Consent

PACK IN AND PACK OUT
A reminder to all parents that students are expected to bring home any refuse associated with their lunch/snacks.

UPDATED MASK WEARING GUIDELINES
Letter to families: New guidelines; Located on Parents; Community website page.

• Masks must now be worn at all times while indoors at school by:
• Students in Grades 4-12

• All staff
• Adult volunteers and visitors
• This requirement includes while seated/standing at desks or work-stations

Exceptions

• Masks are required to be worn unless:
  • A person is unable to wear a mask because they do not tolerate it (for health or behavioural reasons);
  • A person is unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person;
  • The mask is removed temporarily for the purposes of identifying the person wearing it;
  • The mask is removed temporarily to engage in an educational activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask (e.g. actively playing a wind instrument, high-intensity physical activity, etc.);
  • A person is eating or drinking;
  • A person is behind a barrier;

On the school bus:
Staff, adult volunteers and all Grades 4-12 students are required to wear a mask on the school bus.

Exceptions

• The direction above does not apply as follows:
  • To a person who is unable to wear a mask because they do not tolerate it (for health or behavioural reasons);
  • To a person unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person;
  • If the mask is removed temporarily for the purposes of identifying the person wearing it; or
  • While eating or drinking.

As we have just received the information, more detail regarding music and PHE classes will be available soon.

Places masks are not required
When inside their learning group, students will be able to remove their masks while outside, including at recess, lunchtime and while learning outside. As the weather improves, teachers are encouraged to look for opportunities to move their classes outside. Masks are still to be worn outside when travelling in mixed learning groups or ‘crossing paths’ with students outside of your learning group (i.e. before, after school and while traveling to and from your assigned lunch rotation station). Protocol for wearing masks outside remains unchanged from pre spring break.

WATER BOTTLES
Reminder to students to bring their Water Bottles to school. The drinking stations are all operational. Thank you.

UPCOMING DATES:
Friday, May 14^th – Non-instructional day
Monday, May 24^th – Victoria day

We have received a COVID-19 notification from Island Health for Dunsmuir Middle School.

Dates of exposure: April 27 & 28

Anyone needing to self-isolate has been directed to do so.

Please see Island Health notification here.

EMAIL TO PARENTS – April 28, 2021

Current Parent info:
BIG CHANGES AHEAD – PARENT/CAREGIVER/ADULT ALLY EDUCATION – APRIL 28^TH 7-8:30PM
FREE parent session on Sexual Health/maturation changes for middle school students via Zoom.  To register for the free online session through eventbrite: https://bit.ly/3thCUYc.  For more information, go to Parents; Community website page

HATS/SUNSCREEN/ WATER BOTTLES
Please send your students to school prepared for warmer days!

MUSIC PROGRAM – BEGINNING BAND 6 & 7
Is your child in grade 6 and didn’t get to take Beginning Band this year? Do you have a child who wants to learn a musical instrument? Next year Dunsmuir offers both Beginning Band 6 and Beginning Band 7. I have prepared a presentation which will also be shared with the current grade 5 students but please go through this yourself or with your child. It will provide some information about opportunities available to students next year in music. Click here to see the presentation: http://bit.ly/dmsmusicprogram
Sign up for the music program takes place on the course selection forms. Please let me (Fabian Duque-Park) know if you have any questions: fduquepark@sd62.bc.ca

ONLINE CONSENTS
With students returning throughout the year from Remote Learning, we want to remind parents the following online consents need to be done. If you need some assistance, please call the office at 250-478-5548 ext 0.
Please go to this link to complete any of the online consents: https://consent.sd62.bc.ca/apps/OnlineConsent

*Aboriginal Education
*FreshGrade Consent
*General Consent for School Fieldtrips/Activities
*Google Apps For Education Consent
*Internet Access Consent (needs to be completed each year)
*Media Consent (needs to be completed each year)
*School Cash Online Consent
*MyBlueprint Consent

Previous Current Parent info:

ATTENDANCE
If your child is going to be absent, you can call and leave a message at 250-478-5548 ext 223 (Attendance line).  If this voicemail is full, please email our Dunsmuir email account at dunsmuir@sd62.bc.ca.  Please note your child’s first name, last name and their homeroom teacher.  Thank you for your cooperation in this.

GRADE 6 & 7 PARENTS – DEADLINE APRIL 22^ND
Course forms have been sent electronically to your main email address for the fall. Please complete these with your child and submit by next Thursday, April 22^nd. Course form links for incoming Grade 6 students were sent to those parents by email as well.
Course Forms for Students moving into Grade 7 in Sep: https://forms.gle/ubMgjUT3Yf8BsR3y8

Course Forms for Students moving into Grade 8 in Sep: https://forms.gle/kimfHbPiiKZVQ49XA

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
For youth services pertaining to mental health and wellness. Visit this link for additional services and supports.  https://www.sd62.bc.ca/community-services

2021 IMMUNIZATION UPDATE
Immunization consent packages were distributed to Grade 6 students in October of 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents were then asked to fill out the consent form, return it to the school and book into a school-aged appointment at West Shore Health unit.
We are pleased to share that Public Health Nurses will be able to offer the second round of immunizations within the school later in the spring. If you have not completed a consent form for your child or have questions about their immunizations please contact the Westshore Health Unit at 250-519-3490 and ask to speak to a School Health Nurse.

PACK IN AND PACK OUT
A reminder to all parents that students are expected to bring home any refuse associated with their lunch/snacks.

STUDENT LEARNING SURVEY – DEADLINE APRIL 30^TH
To take the survey, click the link Student Learning Survey – Province of British Columbia (awinfosys.com)
Located on Parents; Community website page.

UPDATED MASK WEARING GUIDELINES
Letter to families: New guidelines; Located on Parents; Community website page.

• Masks must now be worn at all times while indoors at school by:
• Students in Grades 4-12

• All staff
• Adult volunteers and visitors
• This requirement includes while seated/standing at desks or work-stations

Exceptions

• Masks are required to be worn unless:
  • A person is unable to wear a mask because they do not tolerate it (for health or behavioural reasons);
  • A person is unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person;
  • The mask is removed temporarily for the purposes of identifying the person wearing it;
  • The mask is removed temporarily to engage in an educational activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask (e.g. actively playing a wind instrument, high-intensity physical activity, etc.);
  • A person is eating or drinking;
  • A person is behind a barrier;

On the school bus:
Staff, adult volunteers and all Grades 4-12 students are required to wear a mask on the school bus.

Exceptions

• The direction above does not apply as follows:
  • To a person who is unable to wear a mask because they do not tolerate it (for health or behavioural reasons);
  • To a person unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person;
  • If the mask is removed temporarily for the purposes of identifying the person wearing it; or
  • While eating or drinking.

As we have just received the information, more detail regarding music and PHE classes will be available soon.

Places masks are not required
When inside their learning group, students will be able to remove their masks while outside, including at recess, lunchtime and while learning outside. As the weather improves, teachers are encouraged to look for opportunities to move their classes outside. Masks are still to be worn outside when travelling in mixed learning groups or ‘crossing paths’ with students outside of your learning group (i.e. before, after school and while traveling to and from your assigned lunch rotation station). Protocol for wearing masks outside remains unchanged from pre spring break.

WATER BOTTLES
Reminder to students to bring their Water Bottles to school. The drinking stations are all operational. Thank you.

UPCOMING DATES:
Wednesday, April 28^th – BIG CHANGES AHEAD – APRIL 28^TH 7-8:30PM, via Zoom
Friday, April 30^th – Student Learning Survey Deadline
Friday, May 14^th – Non-instructional day
Monday, May 24^th – Victoria day

For the MS Teams meeting link,  Click here to join the meeting

Hey Dunsmuir, do you like to travel? Do you miss going on vacation? Next Tuesday is Tacky Tourist Tuesday! Come dressed for your favourite vacation spot, the tackier the better. Do you like the beach? Wear swim shorts and a snorkelling mask! Do you ski? Put on your winter jacket and toque! Where do you want to travel to next?!

DMS is very proud to announce that our Dance Academy has been awarded not one, not two, but THREE major awards (which is a record!) in The Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Dance Section !

Our amazing dancers earned:

1. GVPAF Middle School Shield (top Middle School overall)
2. The Step Above Sheild for Young Choreographers for ‘Fire on Fire’ (well done, ladies!) – this is only the second time that Dunsmuir dancers have won this trophy in Academy history!
3. Sheila Blake Ethnic Dance Shield – for Academy 7’s Ukrainian piece,”Gypsy” – we’ve never won the ethnic trophy, ever, so this is super awesome and quite the accomplishment !

And….to top it off….

We’ve earned placement of 5 of our dances (also a Dunsmuir record!) in the GVPAF Highlites Concert (which is currently being produced and will be released in May)

If you have dancers in your class – please give them a huge round of applause for their hard work and amazing accomplishment!

EMAIL TO PARENTS – April 21, 2021

Hello Dunsmuir families,

As you are aware, we were notified of a COVID exposure yesterday, April 20^th. All families should have received a general notification from the school district. If you did not receive this email, please check your SPAM folder as it seems to have found its way into some peoples SPAM folders. The district is working to resolve this for future notifications (hopefully there are no more).

Please know that in the event of an exposure, we work extensively with Island Health. Island Health directs our communications and subsequent actions as it pertains to a public health concern. If you have a child who was deemed high risk, please know that you would be contacted by Island Health or myself immediately and most likely prior to any notifications go out. If you do not receive a call or email from Island Health or myself, your child is not considered high risk.

So far, we have found that Island Health, through their extensive contact tracing combined with the protocols at Dunsmuir do work to mitigate the spread of COVID. We will continue to ensure that our school is safe as possible during these times. We thank the parent community for continued diligence, flexibility and understanding as we work through these times. I would also like to extend a huge thank you and acknowledgement to the staff of Dunsmuir Middle School who continue to do tremendous work during these dynamic times.

Please see below for more information/details:

Current Parent info:

ATTENDANCE
If your child is going to be absent, you can call and leave a message at 250-478-5548 ext 223 (Attendance line).  If this voicemail is full, please email our Dunsmuir email account at dunsmuir@sd62.bc.ca.  Please note your child’s first name, last name and their homeroom teacher.  Thank you for your cooperation in this.

BIG CHANGES AHEAD – PARENT/CAREGIVER/ADULT ALLY EDUCATION – APRIL 28^TH 7-8:30PM
FREE parent session on Sexual Health/maturation changes for middle school students via Zoom.  To register for the free online session through eventbrite: https://bit.ly/3thCUYc.  For more information, go to Parents; Community website page

GRADE 6 & 7 PARENTS – DEADLINE APRIL 22^ND
Course forms have been sent electronically to your main email address for the fall. Please complete these with your child and submit by next Thursday, April 22^nd. Course form links for incoming Grade 6 students were sent to those parents by email as well.
Course Forms for Students moving into Grade 7 in Sep: https://forms.gle/ubMgjUT3Yf8BsR3y8

Course Forms for Students moving into Grade 8 in Sep: https://forms.gle/kimfHbPiiKZVQ49XA

MUSIC PROGRAM – BEGINNING BAND 6 & 7
Is your child in grade 6 and didn’t get to take Beginning Band this year? Do you have a child who wants to learn a musical instrument? Next year Dunsmuir offers both Beginning Band 6 and Beginning Band 7. I have prepared a presentation which will also be shared with the current grade 5 students but please go through this yourself or with your child. It will provide some information about opportunities available to students next year in music. Click here to see the presentation: http://bit.ly/dmsmusicprogram
Sign up for the music program takes place on the course selection forms. Please let me (Fabian Duque-Park) know if you have any questions: fduquepark@sd62.bc.ca

SUNSCREEN/HATS/WATER BOTTLES – Please send your students to school prepared for warmer days!

Previous Current Parent info:

DUNSMUIR PAC MEETING ON MS TEAMS – APRIL 27^TH
DMS PAC next meeting is on April 27 @ 6:30 pm. If you interested in getting involved and perhaps considering taking on a position next school year, please feel free to attend the next meeting. All of the contact info for DMS PAC is on our school website should you be looking for more information or to attend the online meeting.  The link for this meeting will be given at a later date.  For more information, please click the link to our website: http://dunsmuir.web.sd62.bc.ca/parents/parent-advisory-council/

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
For youth services pertaining to mental health and wellness. Visit this link for additional services and supports.  https://www.sd62.bc.ca/community-services

2021 IMMUNIZATION UPDATE
Immunization consent packages were distributed to Grade 6 students in October of 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents were then asked to fill out the consent form, return it to the school and book into a school-aged appointment at West Shore Health unit.
We are pleased to share that Public Health Nurses will be able to offer the second round of immunizations within the school later in the spring. If you have not completed a consent form for your child or have questions about their immunizations please contact the Westshore Health Unit at 250-519-3490 and ask to speak to a School Health Nurse.

PACK IN AND PACK OUT
A reminder to all parents that students are expected to bring home any refuse associated with their lunch/snacks.

STUDENT LEARNING SURVEY – DEADLINE APRIL 30^TH
To take the survey, click the link Student Learning Survey – Province of British Columbia (awinfosys.com)
Located on Parents; Community website page.

UPDATED MASK WEARING GUIDELINES
Letter to families: New guidelines; Located on Parents; Community website page.

• Masks must now be worn at all times while indoors at school by:
• Students in Grades 4-12

• All staff
• Adult volunteers and visitors
• This requirement includes while seated/standing at desks or work-stations

Exceptions

• Masks are required to be worn unless:
  • A person is unable to wear a mask because they do not tolerate it (for health or behavioural reasons);
  • A person is unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person;
  • The mask is removed temporarily for the purposes of identifying the person wearing it;
  • The mask is removed temporarily to engage in an educational activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask (e.g. actively playing a wind instrument, high-intensity physical activity, etc.);
  • A person is eating or drinking;
  • A person is behind a barrier;

On the school bus:
Staff, adult volunteers and all Grades 4-12 students are required to wear a mask on the school bus.

Exceptions

• The direction above does not apply as follows:
  • To a person who is unable to wear a mask because they do not tolerate it (for health or behavioural reasons);
  • To a person unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person;
  • If the mask is removed temporarily for the purposes of identifying the person wearing it; or
  • While eating or drinking.

As we have just received the information, more detail regarding music and PHE classes will be available soon.

Places masks are not required
When inside their learning group, students will be able to remove their masks while outside, including at recess, lunchtime and while learning outside. As the weather improves, teachers are encouraged to look for opportunities to move their classes outside. Masks are still to be worn outside when travelling in mixed learning groups or ‘crossing paths’ with students outside of your learning group (i.e. before, after school and while traveling to and from your assigned lunch rotation station). Protocol for wearing masks outside remains unchanged from pre spring break.

WATER BOTTLES
Reminder to students to bring their Water Bottles to school. The drinking stations are all operational. Thank you.

UPCOMING DATES:
Thursday, April 22^nd – Earth Day
Thursday, April 22^nd – Course forms Deadline
Tuesday, April 27^th – PAC Meeting on MS Teams, 6:30pm
Wednesday, April 28^th – BIG CHANGES AHEAD – APRIL 28^TH 7-8:30PM, via Zoom
Friday, April 30^th – Student Learning Survey Deadline

Dear Families,

Please see attached letter from VIHA about a COVID-19 exposure at Dunsmuir Middle School. The dates of possible exposure occurred April 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 14, 15.

VIHA General Notification Letter: Dunsmuir Middle School 

SD62 will no longer be using an automated call to alert you to check your email. 

Medium-Risk letters: these may also be sent by SD62 on behalf of VIHA to certain classes or cohorts. VIHA decides who these are sent to.

High-Risk letters: If VIHA decides that your child had high-risk to exposure, you will receive a high-risk letter and telephone call from school admin AND Island Health. 

Subsequent letters (medium-risk and high-risk) are sent out very quickly. So far, VIHA has completed their contact tracing within four hours. This time may change as case loads increase for VIHA. SD62 will do its best to communicate with you, but please understand that ALL direction comes from VIHA. 

If you have any questions, please call 8-1-1. 

Thank you, 

Mark Kaercher
Principal