Dear Jaguar Families,

It's hard to believe we are nearing the end of the first quarter.

A few reminders:

• P/T Conferences are this Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Teachers sent home digital sign-up forms via their email blasts. Please sign-up as soon as possible to ensure you secure a spot for yourself and your child.
• Report cards will be presented at P/T Conferences. They will go home with students on Friday for parents who are unable to attend. They are also always available on Parentvue.
• You will see a summary of our Standard Response Protocols as well as the training video we use with staff. Students watch a more student-centered video that shares the same information.
  
• School begins promptly at 8:50 am. If students are not in their seats by 8:50 they are considered tardy. Any student who arrives at school after 8:50 without an adult to sign them in is considered unexcused. Students with more than two unexcused tardies in one week will receive an after-school detention. Parents will be notified by their child's advisor after the first two unexcused tardies. Thank you for your help with this.
• Please see the message below about a concern that was brought to my attention by the local Albertson's store manager. We need your help to end some unwanted behavior occurring on the premises.
• Communication is crucial to your child's success. Please use the staff directory and information below for support.
  

Staff Directory

8th Grade Advisor-Ms. Baczynski- baczynski@lesd.k12.az.us

7th Grade Advisor-Ms.Hale- hale@lesd.k12.az.us

6th Grade Advisor-Mr. Whitman- whitman@lesd.k12.az.us

To reach Ms. McQuarrie or me, please reach out to Ms. Adair, our Office Manager, at adair@lesd.k12.az.us.

Thank you and have a great month!

Respectfully,

Mrs. Tassin and the Wigwam Creek Staff

SRP Protocols-Below is a summary sheet of our Standard Response Protocols used throughout all classrooms on campus and throughout the district. Teachers are required to review the protocols with all homerooms this week. In addition, the following video is also used to help train teachers and staff on what to do in each situation.

The video for students is slightly different and geared more towards middle school and high school students.

I encourage you to discuss these protocols with your child at home. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Locking Office Doors-

As an extra safety measure, the front office doors will be locked. There is a doorbell on the right side of the door.

Thank you for your assistance in making Wigwam Creek as safe as possible for our students.

We are having a serious problem with vandalism in our bathrooms. Last week resulted in over $1,000 in damage and two boys' bathrooms that are shut down for repairs. Please talk to your child about the seriousness of vandalism. We are using our handbook as a guide for issuing consequences. Please see the matrix below.

TAX CREDIT: HOW DOES IT WORK?

A Tax Credit, which is the dollar-for dollar reduction of your tax liability, is better than a tax deduction, which only reduces your taxable income before taxes are computed.

Instead of sending all your state taxes to the State of Arizona, you can make a contribution to a public school. A.R.S. §43-1089.01 allows taxpayers a TAX CREDIT up to $200.00 for “Single” or “Head of Household” tax filers and up to $400.00 for “Married Couple Filing a Joint Return” when contributing to EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES in public schools. This gives you the opportunity to help your local school. The tax credit is available to all taxpayers, regardless of whether they have children in school. It would be advisable to consult your tax advisor regarding your specific tax status.

What is an EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY?

Extracurricular activity means any optional, non-credit educational or competitive school-sponsored activity that supplements the education program of the school. Activities such as sports, visual and performing arts, field trips, outdoor education or character education programs can be funded with tax credit money. Extracurricular activities do not include any events that are recreational, amusement or tourist activities.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
You may select which school and which program you would like to support. The amount of the tax credit you take does not have to be for the total allowance. You can make a difference in our schools with just $50.00, $75.00, or $100.00. In addition, the credit may be split between one or more schools and/or one or more programs.

HOW CAN I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX CREDIT?

Complete the attached form and return to the school of your choice by April 15, 2023 or mail to the District Office prior to April 15, 2023 in order to take it off your State of Arizona taxes at the time you file for 2022.

Arizona Tax Credit Donation Form
Create an online payment by going to this link

It is easy! The District will provide you with a receipt verifying that you have contributed to an eligible extracurricular activity.

For more information contact the District Office, 623-535-6000.

I received a call from the Albertson's (at Dysart and Indian School) Store Manager at the end of September, about the trouble the employees are having with some of our Wigwam students. There are groups of up to 30-50 children who are coming into the store and committing acts of vandalism, theft, and disruption. I am working with the manager to review surveillance cameras. Please talk with your child(ren) about the seriousness of these actions. The store will prosecute any and all crimes that are committed on their premises.

Food delivered by any delivery service (ie. Door Dash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, Seamless, etc.) will NOT be accepted by our front office staff. Several services now require confirmation codes and this is a huge disruption to our office and more importantly to our students' learning environment. Thank you ahead of time for your understanding with this.

It is very helpful when parents/guardians call our attendance clerk for absences and tardies. Please be sure to reach out to Ms. Barron when your child is going to be absent or tardy.

The attendance line is 623-547-1103.

Ms. Barron's email address is barronk@lesd.k12.az.us

We appreciate your support with this.