Echoes: Edition 10, Volume 4
May 21, 2023
Principal's Messages
Summer Fun
In just a few days, the busy demands of homework and school will end, and students will begin to enjoy the lazy days of summer. We hope that you will take advantage of time to spend with friends and family, and also find some time to continue practicing those important skills of reading, writing, and math.
During the summer months, your children will still have access to iReady, Lexia, and other free academic websites they have used throughout our school year. These online academic support programs are designed to individualize and personalize learning for children in all grade levels.
Over the summer months, we hope that families can help to make learning fun!
- Send postcards to friends and family as you enjoy summer travels and excursions.
- Under an adult's supervision, email family and friends a summer journal filled with stories and adventures.
- Instead of the traditional card game "War," flip two cards each and add, subtract, or multiply, depending on the age and skill of your child.
- Play the Alphabet Game during car trips – long or short! Find the alphabet letters in order using store signs, freeway signs, license plates, etc. Add some competition to see who can complete the alphabet first.
- Map your travels, keeping a summer journal that tracks your journeys. Note the place you visited, miles traveled, and highlights from your experience. Build math skills by tracking the total distance accumulated after each trip.
- Create picture collages showcasing the fun you had with each adventure.
Looking for more ideas? Please speak with your classroom teacher or with me prior to the summer break. We are happy to help!
Terry Worthington
Principal
Reminders
Friday, June 9, the last day of school, is a minimum day.
- ASD and Integrated Preschool classes will dismiss at 12.50pm.
- TK-5th grade classes will dismiss at 1pm.
Campus Happenings
Island Jam Family Fun Night - A Great Success!
Last Friday's Island Jam Family Fun Night was a smash! A spectacular turnout of the Deer Canyon community enjoyed carnival games, inflatable obstacle courses, Art Adventures, DJ Jerry, Sweet Street, and Pie Face. And plenty of families came dressed for the fun!
It truly takes a village to run this beloved event. Special thanks to all Westview High School volunteers; Avery Doctor, Eva Fortenberry, Brooke Lanski, and Quinn Padgett - a DC alum - who ran Sweet Street; and staff who braved Pie Face: Lupita Martinez, Terry Worthington, Sandra Quinn, Carla MacDougall, Keri Welty, and Sarah Parks.
Thank you parent/family volunteers: Gina Chan, Chunyuan Fei, Yoyo Galvez, Heather Hall, Catherine Kong, Eve Latham, Amit Nainani, Khamsay Nainani, Khanh Nguyen, Aryel O’bannon (DC alum), Kristin O’bannon, Tasneem Patel, Shannon Sebeckis, Juveria Shaikh, Jennifer Surban, Ramesses Surban, Lisa Thakkar, Karthik Thangavel, Cassandra Thurston, Kristin Ting & husband, Trey Ustick, Shino Yamada, Stacy Zhang, and Wendy Zhang.
Special thanks to Maha ElMeniawy for the always-present extra hand.
We will be looking for new committee chairs to join in the fun of planning next year’s Family Fun Night! The more, the merrier.
Lynne Do & Melissa Doctor
Family Fun Night Co-Chairs
Honoring Our Volunteers
Every year at Deer Canyon, we are lucky to host a wide range of programs and events inside and outside the classroom because of the help of family volunteers. Whether they assist at a class party, staff the book fair, plan an art lesson, or spend hours organizing a fundraiser, they are sincerely appreciated and valued, as they all help Deer Canyon be the place it is today.
We shared appreciation for our volunteers during a recent annual volunteer tea party, from first-time volunteers to veteran committee chairs. Yummy treats were enjoyed by all and words of praise and appreciation were shared by Mrs. Worthington, along with our PTA and Foundation presidents. It was a lovely event, and we hope more volunteers can join us next year to be celebrated.
Various awards were handed out to honor a wide range of stand-out volunteers, including:
Lifetime Achievement - the grandest award for those leaving DC, who gave endless hours of service and care to students, staff, and teachers during their years here.
Impact Award - for those who continue to make an impact, either in a formal officer role or committee, or for consistently helping with programs and operations.
Consider It Done - for those who made a significant contribution behind the scenes.
First Impression - for those who are new to DC or took on a role or project for the first time and made a positive difference in the school and student experience.
Outstanding Staff - for staff who played an important role in helping PTA & Foundation achieve their goals.
Dedicated Years of Service - for retiring staff and outgoing principals for their years of service.
Volunteer of the Year - selected by staff for dedication, impact and countless hours of service.
Please see the attached list of award winners and fabulous volunteers, including room parents, Art Adventure socents, Character Counts reps and more.
Every little bit of help makes a meaningful difference. Thank you so much to everyone for a wonderful year and for helping to provide a fun and enriching environment for our students!
Reflections Art Contest Finalists
Deer Canyon is proud of our Reflections Art finalists: Penny Harris & Naomi Presley.
- The Ninth District PTA Palomar Council Award of Excellence for dance was awarded to Penny Harris for her dance, “Let’s Go.”
- The Palomar Council of PTA’s Award of Merit in the category of Dance Choreography was awarded to Naomi Presley for her dance, “Wild at Heart.”
Congratulations to these two talented students. And a big thanks to our 2022-23 Reflections Art Chairperson, Ashley Park
Penny Harris
Naomi Presley
Update: Deer Canyon Robotics Club
Thank you to everyone who attended our information session last week on the Deer Canyon Robotics Club FLL Challenge 2023-24 Program. See attached for more information on next year's program.
Families that missed the session can view a video recording here: https://youtu.be/XJy72xmaRZU
Online Registration form due by: Monday, June 5: https://tinyurl.com/dcr2023-24
Update: DC Staffing Plan 2023-24
We had a few last-minute changes to our 2023-24 staffing plan. Please see the updated list below. Reminder: Summer enrollment and last-minute staffing changes can always be made.
Lost & Found
Please check the Lost and Found racks before the start of summer break. Any items left after June 9 will be donated.
Support the DCES Library: New Titles Needed
Please help us diversify our library collection and support our new Character Counts Book Club! We are in need of the following titles. Your family will be credited and recognized for your book purchase donation! Thank you for your support!
June: Citizenship
PUSD Updates
Register Now: 6th Annual Robotics/STEM Annual Summer Camp
For 4th-8th graders
Saturday, June 10, 2023
8:30am-1pm @ Poway High
Cost: $20
Register here.
Team Spyder (Poway High School Robotics Team) would like to invite you to our 6th annual Robotics/STEM Summer Camp! Our goal is to make learning STEM and robotics a fun and inspiring experience for younger students. We encourage all interested students from grades 4th-8th to join us.
Fun workshops include metal cutting with water, laser cutting and engraving, and mousetrap car races.
Please share with other parents, friends, and students. Any student in San Diego County is welcome to attend — even home schoolers, online schools, charter, public and private.
If you have any questions, please contact rdohm@powayusd.com.
New Student Enrollment: 2023-2024 School Year
Upcoming PUSD & Community Events
Westview Speech and Debate Summer Camp
Learn speech and debate from student instructors in August 2023. The camp is open to all students, and financial aid is also available upon request. The deadline to register is June 9.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3xwxemj7
- Westview Speech and Debate
Calling All Golfers!
The 2nd Annual Mt. Carmel Football Golf Tournament will take place on Sunday, June 4. Please see flyer for more information. All proceeds benefit the Mount Carmel High School Football Program.
To learn more: http://www.fightonmcfootball.org/
SPANISH Teen Positive Parenting Workshop In Person – Seminar 3
Valley Elementary School
Thursday, June 1, from 6 to 8pm
*Childcare provided for school-aged children