Mustang News
September 18, 2023
Conference Time!
Parent Teacher conferences are quickly approaching and we want every family to meet with their student's teacher!
Mark your calendar:
Wednesday, September 27 is a full day of school with dismissal at 3PM
Thursday, September 28 is Early Release 1PM
Friday, September 29 is Early Release 1PM
This special schedule allows us to hold conferences during the afternoon and evening to help us reach our goal of meeting with 100% of our families during conferences. Parents and teachers are the two biggest influences in a child's life so when we 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.
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.
Mustang Pride Assembly
Wednesday, September 27th is our monthly Mustang Pride Assembly. We will be recognizing our top academic and character students for the month of September as well as students who have earned perfect attendance for the first quarter! The K-2 Assembly starts at 8:45. The 3-5 Assembly follows at 9:15.
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 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:
- Social and Emotional Development: Attendance in elementary school provides children with the opportunity to develop social skills and form meaningful relationships with peers. Regular interaction with classmates fosters teamwork, cooperation, empathy, and communication skills, which are crucial for their social and emotional growth.
Establishing Routine and Discipline: Attending school regularly helps children establish a routine and develop discipline from an early age. By adhering to a consistent schedule and being present in school, students learn important life skills such as time management, responsibility, and commitment.
Active Participation: Active participation in classroom activities and discussions enhances students' understanding of concepts and allows them to contribute to the learning environment. Regular attendance ensures that students have the chance to actively engage in various educational experiences, such as group work and projects, which further enhance their learning and personal growth.
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.
The DVES Book Fair is Monday, September 25- Friday, September 29 in the DVES Library. We are asking that no cash is brought to school by students to prevent money going missing. You can set up an eWallet on the Book Fair website as a no cash, no fuss way for kids to shop. Once you have the eWallet you can share the link with family members who can also contribute towards books. Don't have time to go to the bookfair, you can also shop online. Books make a great gift after a successful parent teacher conference!
Link to set up eWallet and shop online for the DVES Book Fair
Sept. 25th-29th @ DVES Library
E-Wallet's only ( for students) & Cards only (No cash)
Monday-Wednesday 8:05am-2:50pm
Thursday 9/28 8:05-6:00pm
Friday 9/29 8:05- 2:00pm
Students will be able to visit the Book Fair during the school day during their Library Specials.
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.
Thanks for joining us for Grandparents Day Breakfast!
Thanks to PTO for sponsoring an amazing morning with the Mustang Grandparents!
Upcoming Events
Constitution Week Sept 17-22
DVES PTO Meeting Sept 21 in the Library 3:30-4:30
DVES Book Fair - Sept 22-Sept 28
5th grade Band Night - Sept 26 5-7 PM
FULL DAY WEDNESDAY - Sept 27 (3PM Dismissal)
Conferences - September 28 & 29 (1PM Dismissal)
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
Quarter 2 Starts - Monday, October 16
DVE School Site Council - Tuesday, October 24 3:30-4:30
PTO Fall Festival - Friday, October 27 5-7PM
Veteran's Day Assembly - November 9
Veteran's Day Holiday - No School - November 10
Turkey Trot - Come Run With US! - Tuesday, November 21
Thanksgiving Holiday - November 22, November 23, November 24
End of Quarter 2 - December 21 (1PM Dismissal)
Winter Break December 22- January 5
Spring Break March 11- 22
Spring Holiday March 29
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 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 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.
DVES PTO - Parent Teacher Organization
The DVES PTO will be meeting on Thursday, September 21 in the library at DVES from 3:30-4:30. Everyone is welcome to attend! Thank you to the DVES PTO for selling ice cream treats on Fridays during the hot weather. Our last Friday ice cream sale will be Friday, September 22nd.
DVES PTO is a non-profit organization that 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!
We hope to see you at the DVES PTO Fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse
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