WFES Newsletter
July 13th, 2020
Welcome to the 2020 - 2021 School Year!
School Starts August 5th!
Click here to learn more about Paradise Valley's School Re-Opening Plan
PVConnect vs. PVOnline
PVConnect is a virtual classroom where students will participate in full, online learning with scheduled, real-time virtual instruction from a Wildfire Elementary School teacher and interact with their WFES peers. All students will be expected to attend each day and submit assignments and participate as they would if they were attending in-person.
A student's daily schedule will mimic a day similar to a traditional in-person classroom learning experience. Students will have a daily schedule with a set math, reading, writing, social studies, science, and special areas times. Much like in a traditional in-person classroom, the learning activities will be different day-to-day. Students will participate in whole group, small group, and individual learning activities. Lunch/recess and other break times are also built into the daily schedule. Students will be expected to attend their classes, participate, ask questions, and try their best.
A student that receives Special Education, gifted, and other provided services will have these services built into their daily schedule.
Example PVConnect Schedule
8:45 - 9:00: Teacher online/student socialization time
9:00 - 9:20: Morning Meeting
9:20 - 10:05: Social Studies/Science
10:05 - 10:45: Special Areas
10:45 - 11:30: Math
11:30 - 12:30: Lunch/Recess
12:30 - 1:15: Reading
1:15 - 2:00: Intervention Time
2:00 - 2:45: Writing
2:45 - 3:15: Social Emotional Learning/Intervention
Please note, this is just a draft example schedule and a student's real schedule and times will vary between grade levels. Teachers will add additional breaks times throughout the learning day as needed. A student will not be expected to be in front of their device's screen for the full 6.5 hour school day.
What is PVOnline?
PVOnline is a full, online learning model that is self-paced with the expectation of meeting monthly progress goals.
Students in grades K-6 will be assigned to a homeroom teacher that will monitor students’ progress, be available for academic support, and communicate with students and parents.
This will not be a Wildfire Teacher.
Courses in K-6 are provided in all core areas including ELA (i.e., reading/writing), math, science, and social studies. Courses in some specials, such as art and P.E. are also available.
Click here to learn more about PVOnline and if it is the right learning model for your student(s).
Click here to complete the PVOnline Intent Form
All students will be enrolled in PVConnect unless families elect to enroll their child in PVOnline.
District Parent Survey
Does Your Student Need a Chromebook for PVConnect or PVOnline?
Wildfire Elementary School has scheduled Chromebook pick-up dates for Monday, August 3rd & Tuesday, August 4th from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Directions on where to pick-up the Chromebook(s), as well as how to log in and access district learning models, will be shared in at a future date and time.
To help us plan and prepare for the number of needed Chromebooks, please complete the Chromebook request form by clicking the button below.
Pre-School/Pre-Kindergarten Information
Little Scholars, Gifted, Montessori, Mini Scholars,and Spanish Immersion preschools are will be starting on August 5th. Preschool is going to start with the same virtual model for instruction, PVConnect, as the rest of the district. With this model students will interact with their teacher and participate in activities such as class meetings, calendar/circle time, language arts, math, music & movement, and science/art blended activities. All of this will occur utilizing the online platform, Google Classroom. The PVConnect PreK program will be taught by the same teacher that the student is going to have when in-person PreK can safely resume at a later date.
Although this remains a fee-based program, due to the nature of this programming, the tuition fee has been significantly reduced. By the end of the day on Tuesday (July 14th, 2020), parents of children already registered in a Community Ed preschool will receive a survey asking if they want their child to participate in the PVConnect PreK program starting August 5th and pay the reduced monthly tuition. No matter what a parent chooses on the survey, a currently registered PreK family will still have their spot held for when in-person learning resumes.
Enrollment Information
How to Enroll at WFES for the 2020-2021 School Year
If you or anyone you know needs to enroll a student for the 2020-2021 school year, please know we are still accepting enrollments during summer vacation.
If Wildfire Elementary School is your home school, download the PVSchools Student Registration Form, and email the completed forms and other required documents to jeolsen@pvschools.net.
Required Documents for Enrollment
- A certified copy of your child's birth certificate
- Your child's immunization records
- Proof of Arizona residency (e.g., utility bill, house payment, lease/purchase agreement)
- IEP/504 forms (if applicable)
Please note, to register for kindergarten, your student must be 5 years old PRIOR to September 1st, 2020.
You will also be required to fill in a Student Emergency Card upon registration.
Class Rosters Update for the 2020-2021 School Year
At this time, the release of class rosters is continuing to be delayed for a future date. This is due to the school being unable to administer gifted, special education, and other evaluations as well as the district and Wildfire needing to gather information from families about whether they will be returning to Wildfire and/or what learning model they will be using to start the school year.
Our class rosters will be made available to families as soon as we have them completed. We know that parents are working at creating learning and support groups for students but we do ask to continue to not request a specific class assignment as it is not possible to honor all requests while maintaining balanced rosters and learning environments.
Supply Lists for the 2020 - 2021 School Year
School Supply Lists for the 2020-2021 school year can be found and printed from the following links. These supplies can be found at any major retail store (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) and brands can be substituted. The list will also be sent to local Target and Wal-Mart stores so they have them on-site. The list is also be posted on our school Webpage.
If you purchased an Edukit for the upcoming school year, these are scheduled to be delivered to the school at the end of July and may also be picked up August 3rd or 4th during our Chromebook pick-up times. More information to come.
Staffing List for 2020-2021 School Year!
We have several new faces on our staff for this coming year as well as several grade level changes and new staffing assignments. To view the entire staff roster and assignments for next year, click the button below.
2019 - 2020 Yearbook Update/Spring Picture FAQs
Our Yearbook team of students, teachers and parent volunteers have once again worked throughout the year to create a meaningful yearbook for our families. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 related factory shutdowns, delivery to the school has been delayed. A Yearbook Distribution Date during the summer will be announced once it is known.
Student Personal Items from 2019-2020
Checked Out Library Books?
News from the Nurse's Office
Immunization Clinic
To prevent outbreaks of vaccine preventable disease, the CDC recommends continuing to vaccinate while following social distancing and cleaning measures related to the COVID-19 control guidelines. We are excited to collaborate with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to ensure our students are protected from vaccine preventable diseases and ready to start school when school resumes.
Immunization Clinic for ALL Students - Preschool through Grade 12
(Students with private insurance, without insurance or on AHCCCS)
DATES/TIMES: Monday, July 20, 2020 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday, July 25, 2020 - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Greenway Middle School
3002 East Nisbet Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032
To ensure safety, we will:
● Practice social distancing and monitoring the amount of people in the building at one time
● Ask only the person/s needing vaccine(s) and only one parent/guardian to accompany children. Everyone else is asked to remain outside of the building while practicing social distancing.
● Ask families to maintain social distancing while waiting.
● Will clean the area and items between families.
● Ask families to avoid coming to the immunization clinic when you or your child is sick with COVID-19 symptoms, which may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Families will be asked to:
● Bring their own pen
● Wear a mask, if possible
● Bring the immunization record for the person being vaccinated**
● Bring the insurance card if available
● Complete the consent form prior to visit if possible
Questions are directed to Contact Maricopa County Public Health at 602-506-6767
Immunizations:
Now, more than ever, we can see the importance of immunizations and protecting ourselves and our children. Returning students needing immunization(s) for compliance purposes must provide proof of immunization prior to or on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 (the first day of school). In accordance with AZ state law and PV District guidelines, students not in compliance on the first day of school will be allowed to attend but will be excluded beginning the second day until proof is received.
Please note that:
Tdap and Meningococcal immunizations are due at age 11. If your child has turned 11 years old and has not yet received these immunizations, or will be turning 11 years old over the summer, he/she will need them before the first day of school. I know that many doctors’ offices may have restricted hours now but as soon as you are able to get an appointment, please do so. You can email proof of immunization to me, have your doctor fax a copy to me at (602) 449-4305, or bring to school.
If you received a previous notice or email from me regarding any other immunizations, for example Hep B or Polio, those immunizations are due asap.
Chronic Conditions
If your child has a chronic health condition (life-threatening allergy, asthma, diabetes, seizure) and will need specific care or medications while at school, please be sure to see me when we return to school so you may complete the necessary forms and drop of any medications. These forms must be completed annually. I cannot yet forward the forms to you as they are all being revised/updated. Please check back with me closer to the first day of school if you would like to “get a jump” on completing the forms. I will be happy to email them to you and I will also post them on my website as soon as I can.
Over-the-Counter Medications
I will continue to offer ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), Benadryl, and cough drops; however, you must annually sign an over-the-counter medication consent form.
If you have any questions about any of the above, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Looking forward to seeing everyone when we return to school! Stay healthy, stay safe, and if your child develops any new medical issues over the summer, please be sure to inform me.
Nurse Royce
Royce Hirsh, BSN, RN
(602) 449-4303 phone
(602) 449-4305 fax
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 learn how to donate.BOX TOP$ for Education
Box Top$ for Education is now digital! No more cutting and collecting box tops.
Click here to see how it works and how to contribute.
Fry's Community Rewards
If you are a Fry's VIP member you can link your card to Wildfire PTO 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!
Important Upcoming Dates:
- July 15th - 17th, 2020: WFES Building is Closed Due to Maintenance
- August 3rd, 2020: Chromebook Check-out from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- August 4th, 2020: Chromebook Check-out from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- August 5th, 2020: First Day of School!
Wildfire Elementary School Firebirds
Email: wfes@pvschools.net
Website: https://www.pvschools.net/wfes
Location: 3997 East Lockwood Drive, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: (602) 449-4300
Facebook: facebook.com/WFESFirebirds
Twitter: @WFESFirebirds