Hawk Happenings
August 7, 2021
Desert Trails looks amazing, and we are ready to welcome back our students for the first day of school on Tuesday! It has been an exciting week planning and preparing for an incredible year ahead.
Over the summer break, we added new features to our outside space. These enhancements were made possible through voter approved funding.
- The Kindergarten playground received a new playground structure and swing set.
- On the "big" playground, the basketball courts were refinished.
- A canopy was installed over our outdoor handwashing station.
We were also able purchase and install in classrooms an additional 10 interactive flat panels, which was made possible by tax credit donations to the school.
Thank you to our amazing community for helping to enhance and support our wonderful school!
We look forward to seeing you all either at Meet the Teacher on Monday, or the first day of school on Tuesday.
Remember at Desert Trails, we are SOARing to Success ~Every Child, Every Day! We are safe open-minded, always kind, and responsible.
Smiles,
Sarah Torrilhon, M.Ed
Proud Principal, Desert Trails Elementary School
August Calendar
- Meet the Teacher 8/9, 9:00 am - 10:00am
- First Day of School 8/10, 8:45 am - 3:15
- Boo Hoo Yahoo Kinder/New Family Breakfast 8/10, 9 AM
- Curriculum Night 8/16
- UPC 8/18 (virtual)
- Picture Day 8/19
- Early Release 8/31
Welcome Back Social
Please join us as we welcome our Hawk Families on Monday, August 9th, 9:00 am - 10:00 am during our Meet the Teacher.
In order to follow mitigation efforts, we are asking families to stagger their arrival:
- Last names: A-L Meet your teacher and drop supplies between 9:00am-9:30am
- Last names: M-Z Meet your teacher and drop supplies between 9:30am-10:00am
We will have multiple entry points for your convenience and to avoid traffic jams while encouraging social distancing. Labeled maps will be provided at the event and one is posted below.
This is an optional event. You will be able to drop off supplies in the front office on August 9, from 9:00 - 3:00 PM.
Infinite Campus
Annual Update & Immunizations: Action Required
Please Complete the Annual Update Online. Use the following link to access a smartcard with instructions: Annual Update Instructions
Please refer to the state of Arizona's requirements for vaccinations by clicking on the attachment here. Students must be compliant before school resumes. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Mitigation Strategies Update
As we welcome students to the 2021-2022 school year, I recognize there are many questions about the COVID mitigation strategies in place. Updates will be provided by both the district offices and Desert Trails Elementary School. Please review the information below for the most current site-based information.
Healthy Home Check
- Students should stay home if they feel ill or are exhibiting symptoms of respiratory infection.
Parents and guardians should assess their child’s health daily prior to heading to school or the bus stop.
Daily measures you should take at home include:
Conducting a daily screening of your child for a temperature or COVID like symptoms
Keeping your child at home should they have a fever or COVID like symptoms
Maintaining a low threshold for keeping your child at home
Classroom Set-up
Seating will be arranged to maximize distance between students.
Seating will be assigned to help with contact tracing.
Students and staff will wash/sanitize hands when entering a room.
Students will be seated facing the same direction or as far apart as possible.
Disposable Health Office Passes will be utilized.
When pulling small groups, teachers will maintain as much distance as possible.
Students pulled-out for reading intervention, special education services, gifted content replacement or any other reason will be distanced from others as much as possible.
Transitions
The master schedule has been designed to minimize grade levels/students in the hallway at any given time
Teachers will educate students on the importance of keeping distance between students while in line
Teachers will emphasize the need for students to keep their hands to themselves, and to not touch nearby surfaces while passing by (walls, desks, etc.)
Specials
Students will travel to specials as a homeroom class.
Students will be assigned a seat or space within each specials class.
During High Heat days, or rainy days, PE will be held indoors.
Lunch
Students will wash or sanitize their hands prior to lunch
All tables will face the same direction
Each homeroom class will sit together in assigned rows and seats; tables will be labeled to facilitate assigned seating
Two to three students will be seated per bench to support physical distancing
Breakfast and lunch will be free of charge for the 2021-2022 school year
Arrival and Dismissal
- To help keep groups separated as much as possible, we will continue to dismiss groups of students and grade levels in staggered intervals. Please review the detailed procedures using the link below.
Masks
- State law prohibits us from requiring that students or staff wear masks. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Arizona Department of Health (ADH), and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) recommends masks for all individuals, including in schools. Given our limitations in maintaining a 3-foot distance between students at all times of the day, we strongly recommend that families consider having their students wear masks at school to help maintain a healthy environment for all of our students and staff.
- We also ask that families encourage their children to support the decisions of other students when it comes to wearing or not wearing masks. We will work to create an environment where all students feel comfortable at school and free from harassment and bullying.
Social Distancing
Desert Trails will continue to promote social distancing within our school. Students will have assigned seats throughout the day to facilitate social distancing. Some of our areas of focus include:
Maintaining a grade-level cohort as much as possible.
Limiting the number of students at a lunch table.
Where possible, arrange student seating to maintain social distancing guidelines.
Reducing large group gatherings, such as school assemblies and book fairs that allow for social distancing.
Supporting transitions to reduce interactions.
Health and Wellness
We will continue our practice of encouraging healthy habits with students and staff:
Maintain hand sanitizer stations in lobbies and campus main entries.
Frequent hand washing/cleaning will be encouraged at regular intervals throughout the day with both soap and water or hand sanitizer.
Encourage staff and students to bring their own water to minimize use and touching of water fountains.
Ensure signage is in place throughout the school or building to assist with identifying symptoms and explaining hygiene practices to prevent spread.
Students, teachers, and staff are instructed to stay home when they have signs of any infectious illness and be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care. Please do not come to campus if experiencing any symptoms or signs of infectious illness.
We ask that you contact attendance AND the nurse if your child is sick. We need to track and provide guidance on return dates.
Volunteers
Access to campus by visitors or volunteers will be limited to those supporting our education programs. Classroom teachers will notify parents if volunteers will be used in the first semester.
PVConnect/PVOnline
PVSchools offers two online options for students:
Students enrolled in PVOnline will participate in a self-paced virtual learning experience. Students, who have access to the curriculum at all times, will work independently. There is also access to PVSchools teachers through a teacher-supported learning environment; however, students do not meet with teachers daily. PVOnline offers IEP/504 support for students with special needs, as well as services for gifted students.
Students enrolled in PVConnect will participate in full-time, online learning with scheduled virtual instruction through Google Meet. All students will be expected to attend each day, submit assignments, and participate as if they were attending school in-person. PVConnect students are considered students of Sweetwater Community School and no longer associated with their formerly assigned school. Teachers will share curriculum resources and assignments with students through Google Classroom. PVConnect will offer IEP/504 support for students with special needs, as well as services for gifted students and English Language Learners.
Grades K-6 will participate in a structured virtual classroom each morning. Afternoons will consist of independent learning activities, scheduled small groups, and individual instruction.
Families interested in participating in either of these programs will need to register directly with the PVOnline or PVConnect office.
Transportation
Per federal guidelines, face masks will be REQUIRED at all times while on the bus. Seating charts will be established and enforced for ALL bus riders to ensure accurate contact tracing. Buses will be sanitized twice daily.
Cell Phones & Smart Watches
The presence of mobile phones for social use is known to have a negative impact on learning. The mere presence of a cell phone can undermine a student’s ability to focus, dividing his/her attention. This distraction reduces a child’s ability to engage with learning tasks and focus on the lessons presented. When we overtax the working memory by providing distractions, learners are unable to process all of the information presented.
When we are on campus, cell phones must be kept in backpacks throughout the day. We ask that during class, students turn off cell phones keeping them out of sight and out of mind in backpacks or bins. Please consider the following suggestions to guide conversation with your child:
Cell phones must be kept out of sight and out of mind during class time.
Cell phones should be kept in the student’s backpack during class time.
Smart watches will be in silent mode while on campus.
I agree to keep my cell phone in my backpack while on school campus, unless directed
Taking pictures, videos, and recording conversations unrelated to school assignments is prohibited during school hours and/or on school grounds.
Attendance
When a student is going to be absent from school, a guardian is expected to call the attendance line (602-449-4101) on the day of the absence, before 9:10 am.
Community Ed Enrichment
After School Classes Are Back!
As students are returning to school this fall, Community Education is excited to share that there will be after-school classes as well. A variety of classes have been planned to offer engaging opportunities throughout the week at each school. Please visit pvschools.net/enrichment to view the Fall 2021 Program Catalog. Registration will begin on August 9th.
Boys & Girls Club Transportation Update
UPC: The Opening Bell with Dr. Bales
August 18, 2021 9:00-10:45 AM
Please Join the first UPC meeting of the school year: "The Opening Bell." This is the annual presentation from the PVSchools' Superintendent that lets parents know what to expect as we prepare for the new year. This meeting will be held virtually. Visit the UPC Page: http://www.pvupc.org/ for the meeting link and additional information.
PTO Information
Family Partnership
Become a partner with the PTO and join as a member today for the 2021-2022 school year!
Click here to join!
Help us support our amazing teachers and Desert Trails community! Our PTO recently funded the full remodel of the gorgeous DTES library and used our funds to provide the playground equipment. Your dollars will be hard at work to strengthen the awesome experience that our kids receive at Desert Trails!
PVSchools Website
DTES PTO
SOARing to Success
About Desert Trails
Location: 4315 East Cashman Drive, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-449-4100