Please take note that the end of the grading period is October 9th. Make sure you are reviewing your child's Infinite Campus account and keeping up with the work assigned. Google Classroom also provides the ability to receive weekly reports to monitor your child's assignments.

Included below is the most recent communication sent out last week by Dr. Welsh. The memo explains the specifics surrounding criteria for when we can return to school.

Dear PVSchools Families:

I continue to be encouraged with the decline in numbers related to COVID-19 within the boundaries of our district and surrounding areas. The consistent downward trend in the last few weeks shows our collective efforts to mask up and practice social distancing are working.

As we shared in our August 12 update, we do not have a firm date for returning to in-person classes at this time. We have established criteria for a “green light” for in-person learning in alignment with the recommendations by the Arizona Department of Public Health and medical experts. Those are:

1. Two weeks of testing positivity below 5% and

2. Two weeks of cases fewer than 10 per 100,000 population.

We continue to monitor progress toward these criteria on the Maricopa County Department of Public Health School Reopening Dashboard. The dashboard is updated each Thursday at 4 p.m. and provides data specific to our district by searching “Paradise Valley Unified School District” in the search bar.

We have also committed to providing families and staff with transition time before moving to in-person learning so that lesson plans can be adjusted, childcare options can be put in place, and safety protocols can be established. The earliest return to in-person learning would be in early- to mid-October. We will continue to monitor the data and will provide updates regarding trends as we approach a “green light.” As a reminder, details regarding our reopening criteria can be found by visiting the district’s website at pvschools.net/reopening. This webpage will also be updated every Thursday afternoon with the latest metrics.

Here are a few other updates I would like to provide:

• Meal Distribution: Due to the Labor Day holiday (Monday), we will be distributing two days worth of meals on Friday, September 4. Our regular distribution schedule will resume on Wednesday, September 9. Meal distribution information can be found at www.pvschools.net/reopening.

• Fall High School Athletics: We are continuing to move forward with athletics with the safety of our student-athletes and families in the forefront. Last week, we began Stage 2 conditioning. Much like our surrounding districts, volleyball and badminton will start on Monday, and football is scheduled to begin on September 7. The district continues to monitor public health data and information set forth by the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA). The AIA timeline and stage/phased workout timeline can be found at www.pvschools.net/reopening. Athletic directors are in continuous conversations with coaches in order for coaches to provide the most up-to-date information to our high school sports families.

In the next few weeks, we will be providing details on what can be expected once in-person learning resumes, as well as information about learning options that will be available to best accommodate all of our families.

Sincerely,

Jesse Welsh, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Gifted in Paradise - August 2020 - Spanish

Gifted in Paradise - August 2020

All Desert Cove students have reviewed the school-wide behavior expectations for the classroom. The following expectations are displayed in every classroom for immediate reference.

SETTING: Virtual Classrooms/Learning Environments

• SKILLS: To Practice kindness, Act respectfully, make Wise and responsible choices, and Stay safe.

• Use kind and appropriate language

• Are helpful

• Follow all adult instructions & be a good listener

• Treat others with respect

• Be considerate of learning space

• Use time wisely

• Have all materials ready

• Give your best effort

• Following directions of your teacher

• staying out of unsupervised chats

• Use materials and equipment correctly.

Mission statement: Desert Cove provides a collaborative culture that supports and celebrates student diversity, lifelong learning, and engagement in a global community.

Vision: To prepare and motivate students to achieve their personal best, to embrace learning, and build their emotional, social and physical well-being, enabling students to flourish as contributing and healthy citizens in our community.