Carrillo Community Update
September 3 - 9
Message from Ms. Bittel
I hope each and every one of you enjoyed the long weekend in honor of Labor Day. Whether you managed to get out of town to escape the heat, or whether you stayed in town, I hope you found time to read and enjoy time with family.
As we start our second month of school, we do as a newly re-certified National Magnet Schools of America Certified Demonstration Magnet School. This certification recognizes the most exemplary magnet schools in the nation. It recognizes magnet schools that provide high-quality, innovative curriculum and instructional programs that promote choice, equity, diversity, and academic excellence for all students. The certification process is based on the five pillars of magnet schools and the National Magnet School Standards of Excellence. These standards define the essential elements and characteristics of high-quality magnet programs. The certification is a testament to the ongoing hard work and dedication of the faculty, staff, students, parents, and community. Thank you for all that you do to make Carrillo the truly amazing place that it is!
Let's make this week an incredible one!
-Ms. Bittel
Save the Date
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, September 13 - PTO Meeting online (6 - 7:00 pm)
- Tuesday, September 19 - Literacy Night (5 -7:00 pm)
- Wednesday, September 20 - Friday September 22 - 1/2 Days for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Kind Campus Weekly Activity
Kindness in Action: Belonging
School News and Updates
Ballet Tucson Partnership
Carrillo has a new partnership with Ballet Tucson! In the spring, dancers from Ballet Tucson will work with students from select grades to learn some of the basics of ballet. To help generate excitement for this opportunity, Ballet Tucson is making tickets available to Carrillo families free of charge.
The first opportunity to see one of these shows is Thursday, September 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Fox Theatre when they present "Footprints at the Fox." Tickets are first come, first served and are available through Ballet Tucson's Outreach Ticket page.
For more information about the show, visit the Ballet Tucson webpage.
Parent-Teacher Meetings
The teaching staff is quite busy preparing for daily instruction in the morning. Thank you for emailing to schedule a meeting time with them rather than just dropping in. Teacher email addresses can be found on our staff webpage. Thank you for your help!
Follow these signs.
Thank you for exiting via S. 11th Ave.
Volunteers / Visitors
We encourage all parents to register as volunteers on the TUSD website (https://jobs.tusd1.org/volunteer) as the process takes a few weeks to complete. Parents cannot volunteer on field trips without completing this in advance.
We ask non-parental volunteers (grandparents, aunts, uncles, community members, etc.) to contact the office before registering as a volunteer so we can explain the process and help identify volunteer opportunities.
Kindergarten Wishes
Ms. Castro and Ms. Morales have discovered an amazing tool to help our kindergarten students learn to write correctly. If you are able to help, this item is available on Amazon and would make a difference in their stuents' ability to master writing.
The kinder wish list is available on their Amazon Wish List page.
Cafeteria Offerings
We are encouraging every family to apply for Free/Reduced Lunch. The number of accepted applications directly impacts our Title I funding, so thank you for taking a moment to complete it, even if your student doesn't plan to eat school lunch. The application is located on the TUSD Meals website.
The Food Services website also has a page dedicated to this month's breakfast offerings as well as this month's lunch offerings. You can even even get a mobile app for your phone online.
Carrillo Online Spirit Store
Looking for Carrillo spirit gear? Look no further, the new 2023-24 Carrillo Spirit shirt will be available to preview at Open House on August 22nd! After Open House, check back here for the new link to order directly from Big Frog.
Carrillo Student Council Elections Begin this week!
Congratulations to the classroom-level Student Council Officer winners. This week finalists will have an opportunity to hang posters and begin campaigning. Elections will be held on Friday after the student speeches in the morning.
Transporation and Parent Pick Up and Drop Off Remidners
TUSD Busses
For more information, visit Transportation's website to see if your student qualifies for FREE transportation and to begin routing.
Morning Drop Off Reminders
Just a friendly reminder that the earliest students can be dropped off is 7:35 am at 17th Street. The office does not open until 8:00 and while Ms. Bittel is usually on campus well before 8:00, she is often in meetings or other parts of the building and unable to hear the doorbell. From 7:35 - 8:00 the only safe drop off is 17th Street. Thank you for helping us to keep all our cougars safe in the morning,
Affter school Pick-Up Updates and Request
We know that the 17th Street area can get a bit congested at pickup. To help alleviate the situation, the City of Tucson has installed new signs to direct traffic and changed the direction of Samaniego Street.
The City of Tucson is requesting that families picking up on 17th Street exit the neighborhood using the following route.
- Travel west on 17th Street
- Turn south on 11th Avenue
- Turn west to access the frontage road or turn east to return to Main Avenue and 22nd Street.
Our neighbors kindly ask that you leave the driveways and corners open when you park so they can enter and exit their homes safely. If you do wait in your car along Samaniego, thank you for waiting at the bottom of the hill on the east side of the street so the roadway is clear for all vehicles and families crossing the street.
We are also asking families to arrive no earlier than 2:35 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and no earlier than 1:35 on Wednesdays. Parents of intermediate students, if you plan to arrive at 2:50 or 1:50, that will give the primary students time to load up and reduce your wait time.
Thank you also for being patient, driving slowly, and watching the road carefully. The streets behind Carrillo are narrow and we want to avoid any further accidents. Thank you for helping us keep our Cougars and our community safe.
Attendace and Absence Reporting
Attendance Reporting Made Easy
- Log into ParentVue from App or Computer
- Click the "Attendance" tab on the left column on the computer or on the App as soon as you log in the blue "report absence" with a small bell icon is there.
- On the top right corner of the page it will have a blue link that says "Report Absence" click on this
- Use the calendar to select dates and the drop-down for the reason for the absence.
- You may also add notes or upload a doctor's note and hit "save".
Of course, you may still give Ms. Diane Quiroz a ring at (520) 225-1200 if you prefer. Thank you for reporting all absences!
PTO News and Volunteering Opportunities
PTO News
To help support PTO financially, you can join us at the first fundraiser on Tuesday August 22nd. A percentage of revenue from dining at El Minuto between 4:00 and 7:30 pm e will go to the PTO.
Box Tops for Education
The Top Classes are...
- #1 - Grade 4 with 48 box tops
- #2 - Grade2 with 18 box tops
Calling all Art Volunteers!
Hello all art volunteers,
There are sewing kits ready for cutting in the new Volunteer Room. There are example kits to show you what they have in them. Feel free to use the material you choose (included). The felt is for the dog ears. If you have any questions send me an email or stop in the room in the morning before 9 am.
Thank you so much,
Stephanie Dal Pra
Art Teacher
Community Events
Please check back here to learn about upcoming community events of interest to Carrillo families.
Stay in Touch!
Stay current on our events by visiting our Facebook Page as well as the school website. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns please reach out. It is our mission to provide all students with a first-rate education in a kind and respectful environment.
Email the Principal:
Visit Our Website:
Location: 440 South Main Avenue, Tucson, AZ, USA
Phone: (520) 225-1200
Like Us On Facebook:
Mission Statement
Carrillo K-5 Communication and Creative Arts Magnet School engages children's minds, bodies, and senses using multiple modes of learning, thought, and self-expression.
Vision Statement
At Carrillo K-5 Communication and Creative Arts Magnet School, students become 21st Century leaders in a diverse world, through the development of a strong academic core, communication skills and creative arts abilities.