Deer Canyon Echoes
December 8, 2023
To Do
- DCES Spirt Wear is here - order now!
- Sign up to perform in our Winter Music Recital. Auditions are Jan. 23.
- Sign up to perform in our spring DC Talent Show.
- Check out the minutes from this week's PSO meeting. Have a question or comment for the PSO? Please submit through Deer Deck.
Save the Date
- 12/13 - DC Dining: The Stand
- 12/22 - Minimum Day (1pm dismissal)
- 12/25 to 1/5 - Winter Break (no school)
- 1/23 - Auditions for the Winter Music Recital @ 3:15 pm
Principal's Message 📚
Good evening, Deer Canyon Families:
Another fantastic week has come and gone at Deer Canyon. With some warmer, dryer weather came a lot of positive energy on campus!
This week, some classes attended their first two Global Languages sessions. Students are learning about the Filipino culture and language under the guidance of Kuya Matt. We are excited to have GLES back at Deer Canyon!
Additionally, thanks to the PSO, the entire school had the opportunity to attend an assembly on Wednesday, where we learned about music and teamwork. Drumperks had students drumming, clapping, singing, and shouting.
On Thursday, students participating in Musical Theater performed Pinocchio for a robust crowd. Great job, all!
We capped the week off with FUNky Friday, where Mrs. Macdougall and Mrs. Presley recognized and celebrated many of the amazing things happening at Deer Canyon: birthdays, Mileage Club milestones, students Caught Being Kind, and more! As always, our DC 3rd graders and guest Westview Ambassadors knocked their performances out of the park.
PUSD Safety Summit
On Tuesday, 12/5, I attended the PUSD Safety Summit with parents from the DC Safety Committee. A panel discussed Social Media & Online Safety. Guest speaker Jamie Nunez, western regional manager at Common Sense Media, shared a practical guide that focused on media choice, digital literacy and citizenship, as well as habits and skills that give young people agency over their digital lives and help them succeed online and in life. View the recording here (1 hour).
PUSD Equity Advisory Committee
Interested in serving on the PUSD Equity Advisory Committee? CLICK HERE for more information and/or apply HERE.
Attendance Reminders
With the holiday season and Winter Break approaching, I wanted to send a reminder about the importance of school attendance. School attendance is one of the most important factors in student academic and social-emotional success. Please be mindful that while some work can be made up after an absence, the classroom learning experience is unable to be replicated. Students (even as young as Kindergarten!) who attend school regularly are significantly more likely to achieve proficient academic levels in reading and math, do better on tests, as well as more likely to graduate and be successful in future endeavors.
Missing just 2 days a month means your child misses 10% of the school year. Over the course of their K-12 education, this amounts to the equivalent of missing one entire school year! Excused or not, these missed learning days matter. Students missing 2 days per month are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school and graduate from high school..
We care about our students and when they are in school, we know they are healthy, safe, and learning. Chronic absenteeism impacts students, no matter their age or grade.
We understand that some absences are unavoidable and/or related to religious observance. Please communicate all absences with our Attendance line as soon as possible, so we can document excused and verified absences. See the Deer Canyon attendance webpage for more information.
We have another week of fun ahead with many exciting December activities, including Global Languages and X-Ploration. Let’s round out 2023 immersed in joyful learning and community!
Katie Bendix
Principal
Upcoming Events
DC Dining @ The Stand on Dec. 13
Join us for DC Dining at The Stand on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Thanks to The Stand, 20% of your food and beverage purchase will come back to the DCPSO. See details below.
Sign Up: Winter Music Recital
Students, it's time to sign up for winter recital tryouts!
We're excited to see our DC students perform solos, duets with another student, or a musical piece with a few other students. (Family members may perform with the student in group numbers only.)
Auditions: Tuesday, Jan. 23 @ 3:15 pm in the MPR
Recital: Thursday, Feb. 1 @ 6 p.m. in the MPR
Please review our sign-up form for more details.
DC: The Eras Tour - Annual Talent Show
It’s time for the annual Talent Show!
This year, our 5th graders decided on the theme DC: The Eras Tour. And they will perform a fun dance to Taylor Swift’s "22"!
Please take a moment to review the Talent Show guidelines.
- Students TK-5th: Sign up for auditions HERE.
- Submit your child’s music for auditions to Talent Show Music. (5th grade crew & dancer sign-ups will be completed in class)
Questions? Email us at deercanyontalentshow@gmail.com
News from the DCPSO
DCES Spirit Wear - Order Now!
Our Deer Canyon spirit wear is here, just in time for the holidays! Choose from a variety of size, color and design options for youth and adults. Spirit Wear makes a great holiday gift!!
Online orders can be placed now. All orders placed by Sunday 12/10 will be delivered to your child's classroom on Friday 12/22.
The Spirit Wear shop will remain open all year, and orders can be placed at any time. If you'd like Spirit Wear before the holidays, please order by Sunday, Dec. 10.
If you have any questions, please contact Razan Lin @ rbattikha@gmail.com.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Shop - Thank You!
Thanks to all the volunteers who stepped up to help at the Winter Wonderland Holiday Shop!
Our gratitude goes to to Mari M., Trey U., Melissa Davis, Cara W., Emily E, Kristina K., Lisa T., Joanne H., Phoebe C, Michael M, Donna C, Eunjung H, David C, Kumiko C, Harmony W, Cassandra T, Shalini R, Julie I, Supavee A, Nithya P, Stacy Z, Tracy V, Shino M, Darleen R., and all others who popped in to give us a hand.
Check out some of the feedback we received which captures exactly why we love the Holiday Shop:
- "I don't usually get to do the money myself. This so cool!" -- DC 2nd grader on choosing his family's gifts
- "He loves the winter shop so much...gives him a sense of agency and independence with money." -- DC parent
- "Thank you so much for having this. I love seeing my child budget and make choices. She is so proud to show us what she picked out for us HERSELF! It's one of my favorite events here at DC." -- DC parent
- Your Holiday Shop co-chairs Heather, Maha & Razan
A Note for Parents
ESS Holiday Gift
We’re gathering a holiday gift for Deer Canyon’s awesome ESS staff! If you are part of the ESS family, please consider participating. For more information or to donate, fill out this form.
Deadline: Monday, December 18
Questions? Please contact Lea Smoot: