Hawk Talk
Desert Springs Preparatory- January 31, 2022
January 31, 2022
Dear DSPES Families,
Thank you for your attendance last week at conferences. We really value our time with you to talk about your child's success and areas for improvement. Please let us know if you have any questions about what was discussed and do not hesitate to reach out to us throughout the remainder of the year.
I am excited to share some very happy news with you. I am expecting a baby boy in April of this year. While I do have four wonderful stepchildren, we are so excited to be adding a baby to our family. Our hawk community is very important to me and your support means a lot during this joyous time. I will be working until sometime in the beginning of April. Our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Rachelle Hayes, will be here full time for the remainder of the year once I go on maternity leave. I will be returning at my normal time in July for the 22-23 school year. I can't wait to introduce you to my baby hawk! Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
This week on Thursday, February 3rd, 3rd- 6th graders will be taking a Writing Field Test that goes along with state testing. We will observing a testing environment around campus. Our state testing will be completed on March 29th, April 6th, and April 19th- 21st. I will share more details soon.
Next week, February 7th, we will be holding our first COPY CATS event. For the remainder of the year, we are asking for volunteers to come in on this day and make copies, cut, glue, etc., materials for the teachers. Please plan to sign in at the office before school and wait in the library if you are able to help. The PTA will help give out jobs and directions.
Tuesday, February 22nd, is a big day! Around the nation, schools are celebrating 2/22/22! Our PTA has put together some fun plans:
- Wear Tie Dye
- Bring in 2 reams of copy paper for 2 raffle tickets for Bingo, Baskets, and Bounce.
Spirit Wear will be sold at the front tables after school for a special deal
On February 26th, we will be holding another Kindergarten Roundup Event before Bingos, Baskets and Bounce. Please share the jpeg below to your social medias, etc to help get the word out about this event and our awesome kindergarten program.
February 26th is our Bingos, Baskets, and Bounce event from 3:30-7:30pm! A flyer including Presale options was sent home. Lori Vitagliano, who is in charge of putting together the baskets for auction, has been working with a representative from each class to put together a basket. This is a very popular activity each year! For your reference, here are the room parents for each classroom as well.
I previously sent an email to 3rd-6th grade parents about Mrs. C's Lunch Bunch Groups. During Lunch Bunch she reinforces our SEL curriculum, Sanford Harmony, particularly focusing on Peer Relationships. She will be working with students who are interested in a 6-8 week rotation during his/her lunch time. Space is limited. If your child is selected, we will send home a note letting you know. If you have not yet filled it out, please do so HERE.
For this year, my staff and I have decided to combine VIP Day and Read Across America Day. We will be inviting our VIPs to join us for Backyard Reading on Wednesday, March 2nd. Times will be provided soon.
I currently have two paraeducator positions posted to assist with math time. This posiition would support students with our online math platform, Zearn, while teachers work in small groups. If you are interested and have questions, please email me at rsolano@pvschools.net. This is a full time position.
Check out the site below for free at home COVID tests.
For more information on COVID testing options provided by PVUSD, please visit the site below.
https://www.pvschools.net/reopening/covid-19-testin
Volunteers Needed! Please check out the links below! This is a great opportunity to reconnect with your child's school and we really need the help. Thank you!
**Morning, Office, and Lunch Volunteers: I am looking for volunteers to monitor 1st and 2nd grade lines in the morning, stay and help with school related projects, and help at recess. Please check in to get a visitor badge. Recess volunteers can then go directly to the swing area and green playground structure to monitor.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0549a5a82ea0fb6-hawk
**Mrs. Popa needs volunteers for our Grand Canyon Trekkers Program!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4aaca82ca13-desert2
**Student Council Parents Only- Please sign up to help with our planned Free Dress Drives. In February for a teacher lunch, and March for art supplies.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4eaaaa2fa2f94-free
Reminders/Updates-
-Students can arrive on campus at 8:30am. Please double check what time you are dropping off, as there is not proper supervision until 8:30am.
-Observe traffic laws around campus including Crosswalk laws. Plan for extra time for drop off and pick up.
Thank you,
Raquel Solano
Principal
Important Dates:
Mondays- 4th Grade Chorus 8am, Homework Club 3:15pm
Tuesdays- 5th Grade Chorus 8am, BOKS Club K-2 7:45am, Running Club 7:45am, Yearbook 3:15pm, Reading Club 3:15pm
Wednesdays- 6th Grade Chorus 8am, BOKS Club 3-6 7:45am, Homework Club 3:15pm
Thursdays- Running Club 7:45am, BOKS Club K-2 7:45am, Reading Club 3:15pm
February-
*Please note visitors/parents attending indoor events are required to wear masks.
2/1- Student Council 8am
2/3- Writing Field Test- Please note there are some schedule changes around campus
2/7- 2/10- Student Council Selling Free Dress Ticket at Blue Tables, Funds go to teacher Valentine’s breakfast, Selling Valentine's Grams $1 at Blue Tables before school
2/7- COPY CATS All Day
2/8- School Council 8am, PTA 3:30pm - This month's meeting will be in person.
2/9-2/10- Yearbooks sold before school at blue tables
2/11- Wear Free Dress for those that purchased, 6th Grade Field Trip- Feed My Starving Children 11am, Last Day to get your yearbook for $20!
2/12- Honors Orchestra 1:00pm Horizon HS
2/14- Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Leja Party 2:15pm
2/15- Early Release 12:30pm, Intermediate Field Day 9:15am, Birthday Book Club 9am, COMETS Pizza Sales 12:30pm
2/21- No School
2/22-3/11- Kid’s Heart Challenge Fundraiser
2/22- Whole School ZOOM Assembly for Kids Heart Challenge 2:40pm
2/22/22 Special Spirit Day- Wear Tie Dye, Bring 2 packs of copy paper to the office and get two raffle tickets for a basket at Bingo, Basket and Bounce, 2 for $22 on select short sleeved spirit wear sold out front after school
2/23-2/24- Book Fair Preview
2/24- Kinder Cap and Gown Pictures
2/25-3/4- Scholastic Book Fair Buy Days
2/26- Kinder Roundup 2:30pm, Bingos, Baskets, and Bounce 3:30- 7:30pm
What's Happening Around Campus and PVUSD:
- Spirit Wear- Spirit wear is available for purchase at all times at the site below: https://desertspringspta.memberhub.com/store
- Volunteers- We love volunteers on campus! If you are interested in being a site volunteer, please get the volunteer information and application from the front office. You can also email me or your teacher to put it in your child's folder.
- Chaperones- If you are interested in attending field trips with your child, please apply ASAP. We have a few field trips planned and this chaperone process takes weeks. Click HERE for the application.
Substitutes Needed
Did you know that certified subs now get paid $140 a day? Do you have a Bachelors degree? That is what you need to apply! When you become a sub, you can pick what days you want to work and you can set it so that you only work at Desert Springs! If you or someone you know is interested in a position, Tracy Lunn, my administrative assistant, is available to help walk you through the application process. You can call her at 602-449-7100.
6th Grade Greek Olympics
Student Council Fundraiser for Christmas Angels
Sebastian Lai- District Spelling Bee
Ties and Tiaras Dance
Ties and Tiaras Dance!
Birthday Book Club
Yearbook for Sale & Photos
Hurry...Order Your Yearbook Today!!!
Yearbooks are on Sale through March 10th!
Cash or Check $20 per yearbook. Checks are to DSPES.
After February 11th, the price goes up to $25.
There is not an option to order online this year. An envelope went home previously but we will be sending another soon.
The process is easy.....
1. go to: Buytheyearbook.com
2. Create an account (at the top of the page)
3. Verify your email & Login
4. Click on Share your photos (at the top of the page)
5. Choose a folder (If there is not one that fits your pictures please drop them in Favorites)
6. Click to upload
If you have questions or need help please email Tlunn@pvschools.net
Structured Dress Code
Structured Dress 2021-2022 School Year
As you plan for this school year, remember that our structured dress code is mandatory. I appreciate your support in keeping the integrity of our structured dress code. It greatly impacts our learning environment in a positive way. Please note the colors listed. These are true colors, not variations.
Student tops should be a polo style shirt in red, pink, white, black, light blue or navy.
Bottoms should be khaki, black or navy.
Spirit Wear- Our PTA is transitioning to a new website, which is where you can purchase spirit wear. Check out the site below and start ordering today!
Desert Springs Preparatory Elementary School
Our Mission:
Desert Springs Preparatory Elementary, in partnership with its families and community, will empower all children in an engaging environment to be innovative thinkers and expert communicators through technology, differentiation and a challenging curriculum.
Email: rsolano@pvschools.net
Website: https://www.pvschools.net/schools/desert-springs-preparatory/home
Location: 6010 East Acoma Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Phone: (602) 449-7100
DSPES PTA
Our PTA supports our school in so many ways. We are very grateful for your support of our classrooms, events that bring us together, and so much more!
Are you interested in joining our PTA board?
Email the PTA at: desertspringsprep.pta@gmail.com to learn more!
Erin Labie- President
Jennelle Bartlett- Treasurer
Kristin Nelson- Secretary
Kristin Dematteis- VP of Membership
Amazon Smile
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way to support our school. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases. Click on the picture above to get started. Select Desert Springs Parent Teacher Group on your first visit.
Box Tops for Education
Click HERE to see how it works and how to contribute.
Fry's Community Awards
If you are a Fry's VIP member you can link your card to DSP's PTA and effortlessly earn money for our school simply by doing your normal shopping. You just have to signup once and the school will reap the benefits all year! Click HERE to link your card.