Mustang News
September 5, 2023
Paper Run
Our annual DVES Paper Run collected over 43 cases of paper during the month of August. The winning class for the DVES Paper drive is Mrs. Nunan's class with 121 reams. Second place was Mrs. Martinez's class with 109. Third place was Mrs. Edwards' class with 99 reams. Each of these classes will get a reward. Thanks to Grammy Mary Newman for sponsoring the Pizza Prize for 1st place.All of that paper collected has saved our school budget over $1000. Thank you to everyone for helping contribute to the paper drive.
Student Council
If you have students in grades 3-5 who are interested in joining student council, please have them pick up an application from the office. The applications must be turned in to Mrs. Price and applicants must have teacher recommendation and parent permission.
Tutoring
Tutoring is offered at DVES Monday through Thursday. If you feel your student would benefit from additional help, please contact your child's teacher. Transportation is available within the district routes. If you are interested in being a tutor please fill out the volunteer application on the AJUSD website.
Intersession
Intersession classes will be held at DVES for the first 4 days of fall break October 2, 3, 4, & 5 from 8AM-11AM. Classes will be taught by DVES teachers using whole group, small group, and independent instructional strategies. This is a 3-hour intense focus on reading and math skills targeting students with the greatest academic need. Our goal is to provide 4 days of reinforcement to help bring student skills up to grade level. Parents will be notified if their child is selected for intersession by Sept 21. If a family declines the opportunity for intersession classes, we will invite the next student on the list so that each class has a max of 15 students.
Attendance Matters
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 that it considered chronic truancy. As we look at our school records, your student’s attendance in the past two school years is considered chronically truant.
Attendance is crucial for elementary students as it plays a significant role in their overall academic and personal development including:
Building Good Habits: Regular attendance sets the foundation for good habits that can benefit students throughout their lives. By attending school consistently, students develop a sense of accountability, punctuality, and reliability, which are qualities valued in future educational pursuits, careers, and personal relationships.
Reduced Achievement Gap: Consistent attendance plays a crucial role in narrowing the achievement gap among students. Children who have high attendance rates are more likely to perform well academically, while chronic absenteeism has been linked to lower academic achievement and increased risk of dropout.
School Resources and Support: Regular attendance allows students to access various resources and support services provided by schools. Teachers, counselors, and other staff members can identify and address any academic or social challenges more effectively when students are present consistently.
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.
Math Hall of Fame
What is the Math Hall of Fame? If a student is able to demonstrate that they can do 50 addition problems (sums to 20) in a minute they can win the "Principal's Addition Award". They will also have their name added to the Math Hall of Fame sign hanging in the cafeteria.
It is a district expectation that all students complete a 1 minute math drill each day to help them commit their math facts to memory. The drills will look different from grade to grade and class to class but all of them emphasize students improving their speed over time. Students can graph their progress as they recall more facts each week. The timed practice is not included as part of their report card grade but it will definitely help them be more efficient with their math problem solving.
Don't worry if your student is not able to do 50 math facts in a minute yet. Kindergarten and first graders should start with memorizing sums up to 5 then move to sums up to 10. Second grade might start with sums up to 10 and go up from there. This is a task that parents can work on at home with flash cards and timed practice pages. Once students memorize the addition facts then they will move on to subtraction, multiplication, and division to earn more Principal's Math Awards and move up in the Math Hall of Fame.
Conference Time
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming at the end of the quarter. Wednesday 9/27 is a full school day and Thursday & Friday 9/28 & 9/29 are 1:00PM early release days for conferences. Look for a message from the teacher to help you pick the time and date that best works for you.
We would love for 100% of our families to meet with their student's teacher. When parents and teachers cooperate, everyone benefits! Partnering with the teacher can lead to higher test scores, improved grades, better attendance, and improved attitude toward learning.
At the parent-teacher conference you will be able to review the results of our various assessments that students have been taking. The IXL snapshot will show student levels in both reading and math
Tips for a great conference:
- Listen carefully and take notes if needed. The 15 minute appointment will be filled with information.
- Ask about your child's strengths as well as weaknesses.
- Find out how you can support learning at home.
- Ask questions about any unfamiliar terms or programs.
- Offer your perspective. You know your child best. The teacher will appreciate your observations or suggestions.
- Stay in contact after the conference. Regular communication throughout the school year is important.
Happy Grandparents Day! We want to thank our Nanas, Pops, Abuelas, Mimis, and Grandads for the knowledge and joy you bring to the lives of everyone around you! Grandparents of our DVES Mustangs are invited to come to school for breakfast with their grandchild on Friday, September 8. We will have donuts and milk on the patio from 7:45-8:15. Please enter through the main gate and get a visitor's badge.
AJHS is celebrating our Armed Services at Homecoming!
Our students have been making patriotic decorations to hang at the upcoming AJHS homecoming game Friday, September 8. We hope our community will come out to celebrate the rich history of Apache Junction High School at the annual Homecoming Game. In addition, we will be honoring our Military at this game and hope that current and retired Military will be in attendance so that we can thank you for your service! It's going to be a night not to miss!! During the pregame, a musical medley will play over the speakers with songs representing each branch of the military. Veterans and service members will stand where they are in the bleachers to be recognized during this time.
Upcoming Events
AJHS Homecoming - Military Appreciation Game Friday, September 8
DVES Site Council Tuesday, September 12 from 3:30-4:30
Bus Evacuation Training part 2 Wednesday, September 13
Constitution Week Sept 17-22
DVES Book Fair - Sept 22-Sept 28
Conferences - September 28 & 29
Fall Break - October 2- 13
Intersession Classes at DVES - Mon-Thur October 2-5 8AM - 11AM
Student Wellness Fair Saturday, October 14 from 9-3
From the 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 cases of emergency, please contact the school to notify of any other arrangements. Emergency contacts are for school staff use and will be contacted in case of emergency 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 1:00pm 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.
PTO - Parent Teacher Organization
Thank you to the DVES PTO that not only provided a delicious meal for teachers but also passed out free hot dogs, chips and water to all of the families who attended Math Night!
DVES PTO supports teachers and classrooms by holding fundraisers and contributing much needed resources. They host annual evening community events including Fall Festival, Family Valentine Dance, and Spring Carnival. If you are interested in becoming involved in PTO everyone is welcome to attend the monthly meetings.
PTO Facebook Page
Want to stay up to date with the most current information about DVES PTO? Join the Facebook Page!
Desert Vista Elementary School
Phone - 480-677-7510
Receptionist -Nicole LoRusso
Psychologist - Daniel Albert
Nurse - Michael Barrett
Behavior & Academic Interventionist - Stephanie LaClair
Principal- Heather Preston Heather.Preston@goaj.org