Hawk Talk
Desert Springs Preparatory- January 18, 2022
January 18, 2022
Dear DSPES Families,
Thank you, thank you for your patience the last two and half weeks as we navigated the new COVID procedures and the increase in cases. As Dr. Bales stated yesterday, I will be sending a daily communication with COVID numbers and continue to follow the elementary school procedures of contract tracing and calling parents. On campus we are also focusing on wearing masks appropriately and ensuring all students who are not marked as 'Opt Out' are wearing them consistently. Students who are close contacts of positive COVID cases need to wear masks for 10 days regardless of their Opt Out status.
This Friday, 1/21, is our Ties and Tiaras Dance. This dance will be held outside under the ramada. Girls are able to bring any adult with them- dad, mom uncle, aunt, etc. Thank you to Mrs. Nelson for planning this event!
Next week we have Conferences. We work very hard to meet with each parent as this is essentail to partner together for your child's success. Conferences can be held in person and/or online for most classes. Please keep in mind you are required to wear a mask on campus. I appreciate your attention to this so that my teachers do not have to ask you to wear one. Masks will be available in the office.
Conference Links- Please sign up ASAP!
For this year, my staff and I have decided to combine VIP Day and Read Across America Day. We will be inviting our VIPs to join us for Backyard Reading on Wednesday, March 2nd. Times will be provided soon.
February 26th is our Bingos, Baskets, and Bounce event from 3:30-7:30pm! We had an amazing time at our fall event, we hope this one will also be a success. Lori Vitagliano, who is in charge of putting together the baskets for auction, will be contacting a parent volunteer or the room parent for each class. We are asking that each class put together a basket for the auction. This is a very popular activity each year! For your reference, here are the room parents for each classroom as well.
A huge thank you to the PTA and our community for purchasing our Sensory path and PECS picture board for our students. This will support our students in getting those wiggles out as well as with communication. Both items should be installed soon!
I currently have two paraeducator positions posted to assist with math time. This posiition would support students with our online math platform, Zearn, while teachers work in small groups. If you are interested and have questions, please email me at rsolano@pvschools.net. This is a full time position.
Check out the site below for free at home COVID tests.
For more information on COVID testing options provided by PVUSD, please visit the site below.
https://www.pvschools.net/reopening/covid-19-testin
Volunteers Needed! Please check out the links below! This is a great opportunity to reconnect with your child's school and we really need the help. Thank you!
**Morning, Office, and Lunch Volunteers: I am looking for volunteers to monitor 1st and 2nd grade lines in the morning, stay and help with school related projects, and help at recess. Please check in to get a visitor badge. Recess volunteers can then go directly to the swing area and green playground structure to monitor.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0549a5a82ea0fb6-hawk
**Mrs. Popa needs volunteers for our Grand Canyon Trekkers Program!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4aaca82ca13-desert2
**Student Council Parents Only- Please sign up to help with our planned Free Dress Drives. In February for a teacher lunch, and March for art supplies.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4eaaaa2fa2f94-free
Reminders/Updates-
-Before and after school classes do not meet during conference week or on half days. Chorus will be meeting during conference week.
-Observe traffic laws around campus including Crosswalk laws. Plan for extra time for drop off and pick up.
Thank you,
Raquel Solano
Principal
Important Dates:
Mondays- 4th Grade Chorus 8am, Homework Club 3:15pm
Tuesdays- 5th Grade Chorus 8am, BOKS Club K-2 7:45am, Running Club 7:45am, Yearbook 3:15pm, Reading Club 3:15pm
Wednesdays- 6th Grade Chorus 8am, BOKS Club 3-6 7:45am, Homework Club 3:15pm
Thursdays- Running Club 7:45am, BOKS Club K-2 7:45am, Reading Club 3:15pm
January-
*Please note visitors/parents attending indoor events are required to wear masks.
1/20-Conference Sign-Up Deadline for Parents
1/21- Spirit Day-Western Day
1/21- Ties & Tiaras 6:00pm
1/24-1/28-Parent Teacher Conferences
1/26 Conferences Late Night
1/27-Early Release-12:30pm, COMETS Pizza Sales-12:30pm
1/28-Early Release-12:30pm
What's Happening Around Campus and PVUSD:
- Volunteers- We love volunteers on campus! If you are interested in being a site volunteer, please get the volunteer information and application from the front office. You can also email me or your teacher to put it in your child's folder.
- Chaperones- If you are interested in attending field trips with your child, please apply ASAP. We have a few field trips planned and this chaperone process takes weeks. Click HERE for the application.
Substitutes Needed
Did you know that certified subs now get paid $140 a day? Do you have a Bachelors degree? That is what you need to apply! When you become a sub, you can pick what days you want to work and you can set it so that you only work at Desert Springs! If you or someone you know is interested in a position, Tracy Lunn, my administrative assistant, is available to help walk you through the application process. You can call her at 602-449-7100.
Yearbook for Sale & Photos
Hurry...Order Your Yearbook Today!!!
Yearbooks are on Sale through March 10th!
Cash or Check $20 per yearbook. Checks are to DSPES
There is not an option to order online this year. An envelope went home previously but we will be sending another soon.
The process is easy.....
1. go to: Buytheyearbook.com
2. Create an account (at the top of the page)
3. Verify your email & Login
4. Click on Share your photos (at the top of the page)
5. Choose a folder (If there is not one that fits your pictures please drop them in Favorites)
6. Click to upload
If you have questions or need help please email Tlunn@pvschools.net
Structured Dress Code
Structured Dress 2021-2022 School Year
As you plan for this school year, remember that our structured dress code is mandatory. I appreciate your support in keeping the integrity of our structured dress code. It greatly impacts our learning environment in a positive way. Please note the colors listed. These are true colors, not variations.
Student tops should be a polo style shirt in red, pink, white, black, light blue or navy.
Bottoms should be khaki, black or navy.
Spirit Wear- Our PTA is transitioning to a new website, which is where you can purchase spirit wear. Check out the site below and start ordering today!
Desert Springs Preparatory Elementary School
Our Mission:
Desert Springs Preparatory Elementary, in partnership with its families and community, will empower all children in an engaging environment to be innovative thinkers and expert communicators through technology, differentiation and a challenging curriculum.
Email: rsolano@pvschools.net
Website: https://www.pvschools.net/schools/desert-springs-preparatory/home
Location: 6010 East Acoma Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Phone: (602) 449-7100
DSPES PTA
Our PTA supports our school in so many ways. We are very grateful for your support of our classrooms, events that bring us together, and so much more!
Are you interested in joining our PTA board?
Email the PTA at: desertspringsprep.pta@gmail.com to learn more!
Erin Labie- President
Jennelle Bartlett- Treasurer
Kristin Nelson- Secretary
Kristin Dematteis- VP of Membership
Amazon Smile
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way to support our school. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases. Click on the picture above to get started. Select Desert Springs Parent Teacher Group on your first visit.
Box Tops for Education
Click HERE to see how it works and how to contribute.
Fry's Community Awards
If you are a Fry's VIP member you can link your card to DSP's PTA and effortlessly earn money for our school simply by doing your normal shopping. You just have to signup once and the school will reap the benefits all year! Click HERE to link your card.