Digital Learning Academy Newsletter
April 2021
Dear DLA Families,
Please help me in congratulating Natalie Stangle, 5th grade PVE DLA teacher, Molly Rider, 7th grade DLA VMS teacher, and CSE 3rd grade DLA teacher Christine Oram. All were named Westside Impact Teacher of the Year! They are so deserving of this special honor!
Wishing you well,
Marlene Capristo
Administrator
LESD Digital Learning Academy
Should your child need additional support outside of your home, we partner with Touchstone Behavioral Health Services who provided "school based services" for the students in LESD. For more information on Touchstone, please see the bottom of the newsletter. We have recently added more resources!!
This newsletter is live so it may update throughout the month of April.
Important April Dates to Remember
- Friday, April 2, 2021 - MS Honors Applications Due
- Monday, April 5, 2021 - Beginning of AzM2 State Testing window
- Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - LESD Governing Board Meeting - https://www.youtube.com/user/LESD79
- Thursday, April 22, 2021 - Midterms go home
Information on AzM2 State Testing - DLA Students
As you may know, we are approaching the mandatory state-wide assessment administration window for AzM2 in writing, math and reading, and would like to emphasize the importance of testing all students, whether on the grade-level appropriate AzM2 assessment or the alternate assessment, MSAA. In order to have a successful administration, the state has mandated that all state assessment activities take place in person; there is not a remote assessment option. This will require that all remote learners eligible to take the AzM2 assessment in grades 3 through 8 attend in-person test sessions that will begin the week of April 5, 2021. Families will need to provide transportation.
We understand that bringing students back to school and then immediately testing may be a challenge but the administration of state-wide standards based assessments is legislatively mandated in Arizona Revised Statutes 15-741, 743, and 746. Furthermore, the Attorney General Opinion issued October 9, 2015, reaffirmed “that parents may not withdraw their children from Arizona’s required standardized tests.” We appreciate your willingness to participate in this very important endeavor.
Please be assured the Litchfield Elementary School District has strict mitigation protocols in place to keep our students and staff safe and healthy in the midst of this pandemic. Mitigation strategies include, but are not limited to:
Physical distancing with masks at all times. Mask breaks are provided throughout the day when students can safely remove them.
Increased disinfecting of classrooms, student desks, student-used devices, and playground equipment.
Increased availability of hand sanitizer.
Procedures for increased hand washing.
Conscious Discipline for DLA
Need Technology Support?
LESD Grading Practices
Touchstone Behavioral Health Services
Contact Information
Josette Heuseveldt heuseveldt@lesd.k12.az.us - 6-8 Student Advisor
Alison Wood wood@lesd.k12.az.us - K-5 Instructional/Behavioral Coach
Jason Keele keelej@lesd.k12.az.us - K-8 Ed Tech Coach