Hawk Happenings
August 14, 2021
We did it! We had a great first week of school! Students learned all about SOARing behaviors and already started earning SOAR cards for being Safe, Open-Minded, Always Kind, and Responsible! You will learn more about how we SOAR and our PBIS framework on Curriculum Night. We even practiced our first fire drill and lock down drill.
We had lots of successes this week, but we do have some wrinkles to iron out. Please read these important updates to help us make things run a little smoother moving forward.
At Desert Trails, we are SOARing to Success ~Every Child, Every Day!
Smiles,
Sarah Torrilhon, M.Ed
Proud Principal, Desert Trails Elementary School
August Calendar
- Curriculum Night 8/16
- UPC 8/18 (virtual)
- Picture Day 8/19
- Early Release 8/31
Walkers & Bikers
- Enter through the front office doors, or designated perimeter gate
- Do NOT cross through the the drop off lanes
- Use sidewalks and crosswalks only
- 3rd graders and above can ride bikes to and from school
Drop Off Car Lane
- Left lane is for 1st through 6th graders only
- Right lane is for Kinder & SunKids (plus older siblings) only
Pull all the way forward until you come to a stop
Students will exit the vehicles on the correct side
Have children open the car door themselves.
Parents, please do not get out of the car for any reason
Do not pass a stopped car
- Pre-K may enter the Kiss and Go lane after 8:55 and buses have unloaded
Dismissal
Families with older siblings will have the OLDEST child meet the YOUNGEST child at their designated location. We will hold the younger siblings until the older siblings are released, so that families do not have to go through 2 or more dismissal procedures.
Please be sure to discuss with your child how they will be getting home before you drop them off in the morning.
Car Pick-up:
It will continue to get better and begin to move more quickly as we get into our routine!
- It is very helpful if cars do not arrive early; this is what creates a back up
- Display a copy of this paper to leave on the dashboard
- Kinder parents, please add your child's first name on the paper as well
Walkers:
- ONLY parents of Kinder and 1st grade walkers pick up from their designated location (Kinder- outside beside the office; 1st grade- Kinder playground)
Traffic:
- Please drive on the correct side of the street
- Do not pass the crossing guard while they are crossing students in the middle of the street
- Please follow our traffic cones and signs. They are there for your child's safety
Please be calm and patient, especially the first few weeks of school as we train new kids and parents and get back into our daily routine.
Curriculum Night
In-Person 5:30 - 6:10 PM
Virtual 6:15 - 6:55 PM
We are providing 2 options - an in-person session and a virtual session. Though it may not be ideal if you would like to attend both in person or both virtually, it provides options for our community and limits the number of people on campus at one time.
If you have more than one session to attend, we suggest that you:
Pick one class to attend in person, and join the other online (from your phone in your car, or from home if you have a short drive)
Divide and conquer with another adult
View a shared copy of the virtual presentation at your convenience (will come from your teacher)
Picture Day
Picture Day is Thursday, August 19th
Please see the digital flyer from Dorian for more information.
2 masked parent volunteers will be assisting in lining students up at their designated time.
Healthy Home Check
- Students should stay home if they feel ill or are exhibiting symptoms of respiratory infection.
Parents and guardians should assess their child’s health daily prior to heading to school or the bus stop.
Daily measures you should take at home include:
Conducting a daily screening of your child for a temperature or COVID like symptoms
Keeping your child at home should they have a fever or COVID like symptoms
Maintaining a low threshold for keeping your child at home
Annual Update & Immunizations: Action Required
Please Complete the Annual Update Online. Use the following link to access a smartcard with instructions: Annual Update Instructions
Please refer to the state of Arizona's requirements for vaccinations by clicking on the attachment here. Students must be compliant before school resumes. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Attendance
When a student is going to be absent from school, a guardian is expected to call the attendance line (602-449-4101) on the day of the absence, before 9:10 am.
PTO
Family Partnership
Help us feather our nest with your support! Our PTO family partnership is off to a great start. DTES PTO is offering frozen treats to the top 4 classes with the highest family partnership rate on 8/23.
Your family partnership donation is tax-deductible and supports programs that improve our school, such as Accelerated Reader, Social Studies Weekly, STEM activities, and supplies for the school nurse and classrooms.
Join us as we soar to new heights with your support by completing our online form
Community Ed Enrichment
After School Classes Are Back!
As students are returning to school this fall, Community Education is excited to share that there will be after-school classes as well. A variety of classes have been planned to offer engaging opportunities throughout the week at each school. Please visit pvschools.net/enrichment to view the Fall 2021 Program Catalog. Registration will begin on August 9th.
Cell Phones & Smart Watches
The presence of mobile phones for social use is known to have a negative impact on learning. The mere presence of a cell phone can undermine a student’s ability to focus, dividing his/her attention. This distraction reduces a child’s ability to engage with learning tasks and focus on the lessons presented. When we overtax the working memory by providing distractions, learners are unable to process all of the information presented.
When we are on campus, cell phones must be kept in backpacks throughout the day. We ask that during class, students turn off cell phones keeping them out of sight and out of mind in backpacks or bins. Please consider the following suggestions to guide conversation with your child:
Cell phones must be kept out of sight and out of mind during class time.
Cell phones should be kept in the student’s backpack during class time.
Smart watches will be in silent mode while on campus.
I agree to keep my cell phone in my backpack while on school campus, unless directed
Taking pictures, videos, and recording conversations unrelated to school assignments is prohibited during school hours and/or on school grounds.
UPC: The Opening Bell with Dr. Bales
August 18, 2021 9:00-10:45 AM
Please Join the first UPC meeting of the school year: "The Opening Bell." This is the annual presentation from the PVSchools' Superintendent that lets parents know what to expect as we prepare for the new year. This meeting will be held virtually. Visit the UPC Page: http://www.pvupc.org/ for the meeting link and additional information.
PVSchools Website
DTES PTO
SOARing to Success
About Desert Trails
Location: 4315 East Cashman Drive, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-449-4100