Thunderbolt Times
February 2021
Happy February Thunderbolts!
As we continue to implement mitigation strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we would like to remind parents and students that Valentine's Day treats, flowers, gifts and balloons are prohibited on campus
There is an Important schedule change for February 5th. On our school calendar this is listed as a 90 minute early release day (1:30pm) however, this has been changed to a half day release (11:35am) to allow for our staff to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.
Parent Teacher conferences and AZ Merit testing are coming up, please stay tuned for more information. Click here for a link to our website.
Covid-19 Information
DVUSD continues to record and compile current COVID-19 cases, which can be viewed on our COVID-19 Dashboard.
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, or has come into contact with someone who is positive with COVID-19, please read about the COVID-19 Reporting Procedures on our website at www.dvusd.org/covidreporting and make a report as soon as possible at this link: https://url.dvusd.org/COVID19ReportingForm. Please be sure to upload proof of a positive test in the tool, as it could shorten your child’s future quarantine requirements during contact tracing. We are not accepting COVID-19 home test results at this time.
Next, parents can visit www.dvusd.org/quarantine for a user friendly visual to better understand the early release provision to the revised quarantine rules from Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH). Remember that this provision is only for those who are in quarantine due to being a close contact, it does not shorten the isolation period for someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
DVUSD continues to support COVID-19 Testing, including every Wednesday afternoon in February at our District Office. More information on that and other testing events in our area can be found on the website at www.dvusd.org/CovidTesting.
Chipotle Fundraiser
Congratulations to Our 2020-2021 DSMS Student Council Board
Vice President: Jared Buckley
Secretary: Jessica Eason
Treasurer: Tim Spruill
Historian: Erin Steele
Spirit Directors: Megan Blatecky & Johanne Relampagos
Sgt. at Arms: Patrick Lester
Yearbook Sales
The cost is $30.00 and accepted payments are cash and check payable to Desert Sky Middle School. We currently do not have online ordering available.
Art at DSMS
Thank you to Ms. K for guiding our students to find their own creative voice.
Important Dates
February 5- Half day release (11:35 am)***
February 9- DVUSD Governing Board Meeting (7 pm)
February 12- 90 min early release (1:30 pm)
February 15- President's Day- No school
February 23- DVUSD Governing Board Meeting (7 pm)
February 23 & 24 - Spring Pictures during Social Studies classes (see below *)
February 25- Parent Teacher Conferences (virtual) & half day release (11:35 am)
February 26- Half day release (11:35 am)
March 2- DVUSD Governing Board Meeting (7pm)
March 5- 90 min early release (1:30 pm)
March 12- 90 min early release (1:30 pm)
March 15-19- Spring Break- No school
March 23- DVUSD Governing Board Meeting (7pm)
March 26- 90 min early release (1:30 pm)
April - AZ Merit testing this month
April 2- Spring Break Day- No School
April 13- DVUSD Governing Board Meeting (7pm)
April 27- DVUSD Governing Board Meeting (7pm)
April 30- 90 min early release (1:30 pm)
*If your student is currently in DVOA and would like to be photographed, please click here to complete the Google form.
**All DVUSD Governing Board Meetings begin at 7 pm and are being held virtually.
Please click here for the link to the Governing Board web page to view agendas, past meetings, and to view the live stream.
Community and Business Partners
McDonalds (59th and Bell)
Chipotle (Deer Valley)
Mission Bell Church
Mission Bell Food Assistance
"out on a mission"
4645 W. Bell Rd. Glendale 85308]
FOOD KITCHEN
Every Saturday from 9am until 11am
Entrance is on the west side of the campus
FREE fruit-vegetables-bread-sweets-other goodies
FOOD PANTRY
First and Third Sunday from 8am until 9:30am
Entrance is on the east side of the campus
FREE non-perishable food items
The Heart of Mission Bell Methodist Church is to serve the community.
Pease wear a mask and social distancing is observed
Mrs. Bondurant- Spanish 1-2
I earned a State Explorer Post silver medal in wrestling 105 lb. weight class in 1975.
What college or university did you attend?
I graduated from Ball State University.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Indiana.
What hobby or activity do you enjoy?
I play bridge in 2 card groups for fun.
Email: Jennifer.Bondurant@dvusd.org
Website: https://www.dvusd.org/Domain/7069
Location: 5130 West Grovers Avenue, Glendale, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-467-6551
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Desert-Sky-Middle-School-692163910897548
Mr. Reilly- Physical Education
I am starting my 39th year of Teaching, and all of those years have been here at Desert Sky.
I began teaching Biology at “Sky” back in 1983, and then in 1995 I made the switch to Physical Education. I have coached Soccer, Wrestling, Cross Country and Track. In Cross Country, we were the boy’s and/or girl’s conference champions for 18 years in a row. In track not only were we the boy’s and/or girl’s conference champions for 18 years in a row we also won the State Championship in 1997 (Girl’s) and 1999 (Boy’s) and finished 2nd in 1997 (Boy’s) and 2000 (Boy’s) and had a 3rd place finish in 1990 (Girl’s)
I hail from Kentucky and graduated from the best college in Arizona…that would be “THE Northern Arizona University!”
I look forward to communicating with you to ensure a successful school year for all of our Thunderbolt students.
What is a fun fact about you?
I Went to 11 different schools (1st through 6th grades.) Teaching at Desert Sky since 1983. I taught Biology from 1983-1995, then switched over to PE.
What college or university did you attend?
"THE" Northern Arizona University.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, but grew up in many different states as I moved around A LOT!
What hobby of activity do you enjoy?
Riding motorcycles and RV "Glamping" with wife and dogs.
Email: bill.reilly@dvusd.org
Website: https://www.dvusd.org/Page/28378
Location: 5130 West Grovers Avenue, Glendale, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-467-6531
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Desert-Sky-Middle-School-692163910897548
Mrs. Murphy, M.Ed- Language Arts
Hello! My name is Penny Murphy and I teach seventh grade Language Arts and co-teach in the general education Language Arts classrooms. I graduated from Arizona State University in 1999 with a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education. In 2014, I graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Reading. Before I was a Bolt, I served as a Director of Education at Sylvan Learning Center for three years. I also taught Special Education classes at Western Sky Middle School in Litchfield for five years. I have been at Desert Sky since 2008. Go Bolts!
On a personal note, I am married and have two beautiful daughters. Sydney is entering 12th grade and Mackenzie will be in 9th grade. In my spare time, I can be found cheering for my girls at their school and club basketball games, playing with our two dogs, Bailey and Belle, or enjoying the outdoors.
What is a fun fact about you?
I can be recognized at a distance by my curly hair and laugh.
What college or university did you attend?
Arizona State University for my Bachelors and Grand Canyon University for Masters degree.
Where did you grow up?
Arizona native!
What hobby or activity do you enjoy?
Kayaking at Lake Pleasant with Miss LaForest, camping, and I'm a beginning gardener.
Email: penny.murphy@dvusd.org
Website: https://www.dvusd.org/Page/7204
Location: 5130 West Grovers Avenue, Glendale, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-467-6500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Desert-Sky-Middle-School-692163910897548