Mustang News
February 2024
Thanks to the families who joined us for Pastries with Parents in January. We look forward to seeing you at the Valentine Dance, Art Night, Read Across America Week, and Parent Conferences. It is a busy month ahead!
Dear Families,
Kids Heart Challenge is off to a great start, and we are having so much fun learning how to keep our hearts and minds healthy! Has your family learned Hands-Only CPR by completing Finn’s Mission?! If not, get started today by clicking the link below.
REGISTER at http://www2.heart.org/goto/DVES and COMPLETE FINN’S MISSION TODAY!
Thank you for supporting our school and the American Heart Association! Together, we are saving lives!
You may have heard about Rooms which is the AJUSD app. It is a communication tool for keeping up with your student's teacher. Notify your child's teacher if you need your "magic code" to login. We want to help you stay connected with everything that is happening at DVES!
Attendance Matters!
Miss a Day, Miss a Lot!
We understand that illness happens and sick students need to stay home. Every family experiences this from time to time. When absences account for ten percent of the school days (18 days of our 180 day school year) it considered chronic truancy. We want to work with you if your child has accrued a large number of absences. Please contact the school if you need help with attendance before it gets to the truancy officer.
Attendance Prizes
All students who are enrolled in any AJUSD School are automatically enrolled in the Attendance Award Drawing on day one of the school year. To remain in the program, a student must have fewer than 18 days of unexcused absence at the end of the school year. At the end of the school year, all students with fewer than 18 absences will be entered to win $1,000. The drawing will be held during the AJHS Graduation Ceremony on May 23, 2024 and you do not need to be present to win. A separate drawing will be held for all students who have had perfect attendance for the 2023-2024 school year. The winner of this drawing will also receive $1,000.
DVES PTO - Parent Teacher Organization
The DVES PTO is a small but dedicated group of parents who have worked hard this year to support our teachers and students. Upcoming events include the Family Valentine's Dance and the DVES Spring Carnival. The PTO would love to have your help too! There is an easy way to stay connected with the most current information about DVES PTO Join the Facebook Page!
Want to be a volunteer for the Valentine Dance ? Sign Up NOW! on SignUp Genius.
Upcoming Events
PTO Family Valentine Dance February 9 5:00-7:00PM
School Site Council February 13 3:30-4:30PM
President's Day Holiday February 19 No School
Group Picture Day February 21
DVES Art Night February 22 5-6:30PM
Mustang Pride Assembly February 28 8:45AM K-2 / 9:15AM 3-5
Book Fair March 4-8
Read Across America Week March 4-8
Parent Conferences March 7 & 8 starting at 1:00PM
Annual Book Parade March 8 12:30PM
Spring Break March 11- 22
Spring Intersession Classes March 11-14 8:00-11:00AM
Spring Holiday March 29
Make Plans for a Trip Around the World!
We are so glad that we have ART class at DVES! Come and experience a trip around the world right here at our school. There will also be a photo booth and opportunities for hands on art activities. Help us create a community art project to represent our corner of the world.
Testing Season
There are a variety of tests that students will take in the next several months. Testing is not anything to worry about and should be seen as an opportunity to "show what you know". Teachers and administrators use the data from student assessments to help us make instructional decisions to serve the class as well as individual students. All of these tests are untimed so students can take the full school day to do their very best. We will be practicing the types of questions that are asked to ensure that students are adequately prepared for test days. It is just like athletes going to practice to build up their skills in the weeks leading up to a big game.
March 4- 6 - ELA and Math benchmark Grades 3-5
March 5 - NAEP Test Grade 4
March 26 - 28 - AZSCI Test Grade 5
April 2 AASA Writing Test Grades 3-5
April 8 & 9 AASA Math Test Grades 3-5
April 15 & 16 AASA ELA Test Grades 3-5
Reminders from the Office
AJUSD App: Download the AJUSD app and use the magic code from your child's teacher to stay connected with current events. How to vIdeo
Nurse Michael: Donations of clothing for our loaner closet are always appreciated. Gently used bottoms and tops in all sizes as well as new in package underwear help our health office have a change of clothes for students who have an accident or emergency. Thanks for supporting the health office!
Student drop off: There is no supervision on campus prior to 8:05AM so early drop offs are not permitted. Teachers and staff will open gates at 8:05 and will supervise students at that time.
Tardy: School starts promptly at 8:25am. ALL students arriving late to school must be accompanied by a parent and signed in at the Front Office.
Student Absences: Parents/Legal Guardians must contact the Front Office within 24hrs of their child's absence. Voicemail is available to leave a message regarding absences if calling after office hours or no answer. Please leave your name, child's name, date, reason for absence and teacher. Absences may also be entered through ParentVUE.
Picking Up Students: Please have your I.D. ready when picking up your child(ren). Only parents and legal guardians can pick up students. In the event of emergency, please contact the school to notify of any other arrangements. Emergency contacts are for school staff use and will be contacted if we are unable to reach a parent/guardian.
End of Day Dismissal: Instructional time is bell to bell- 8:25am - 3:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 8:25am - 1:00pm on Wednesdays. To limit interruptions, we do not allow early pick up during the last hour of the school day unless it is an emergency or proof of doctor/dentist appointment.
Transportation Changes: Any changes to transportation must be communicated to the front office by calling 480-677-7510 by 2:00pm on regular school days or 12:00pm on Wednesdays.
Special Days: As a school, we recognize student birthdays through daily announcements. Please check with your child's teacher prior to their birthday if you would like to request to bring something special in to share with the class. All food/beverage items must be pre-packaged from a store. We cannot accept deliveries for students from outside vendors. If the food/beverage items have been scheduled with your child's teacher, we will email the teacher when the items are brought in.
Lost and Found: Jackets, water bottles, and other items piled up this winter. Remind your student to stop by the cafeteria and check the Lost and Found area. Labeling your student's belongings helps finding misplaced items.
Desert Vista Elementary School
Phone - 480-677-7510
Registrar - Mallory Blackwood
Receptionist -Nicole LoRusso
Psychologist - Daniel Albert
Nurse - Michael Barrett
Principal- Heather Preston Heather.Preston@goaj.org