Quail Run News
January 6, 2023
From the Desk of Mrs. Raymond:
January 6, 2023
Dear Quail Run Families,
Happy New Year!! I hope you all enjoyed a fun and restful holiday break. We are very excited to have the students back on campus.
We had an amazing first semester at Quail Run. We look forward to a second semester full of fun and engaging experiences as well as seeing our students showing continued success and academic progress as they move through their educational journey here at Quail Run.
Please read through this monthly newsletter to review school information and check out the video below to see what our students were up to last month. There is so much happening at Quail Run!!
I hope to see you at Sonic or Donuts with Grownups this month!
Your Partner in Education,
Vicky Raymond
Tax Credit Donations
It is easy to do this online - just visit this website! Make sure to select Quail Run Elementary School.
Making a contribution to receive an Arizona public education tax credit is simple. You can get a tax credit of up to $200 for an individual or $400 per married couple.
Tax credit eligible fees paid and contributions made to a public school from January 1 through April 15 of any calendar year may be used as a tax credit on either the prior or current year's tax return. For additional information, contact the Finance Department at 602-449-2033.
Arizona tax law allows taxpayers a credit for contributions made or fees paid to a public school for support of extracurricular activities or character education (as defined in ARS 15-719). If married, taxpayers file separate returns: Each spouse may claim one-half of the credit that would have been allowed on a joint return. Extracurricular activities such as sports, band, speech and debate, or overnight field trips are generally not fully funded by school districts, so your donation directly supports students.
See what is happening at QRES!
Welcome to Quail Run, Mrs. Arteca!
Mrs. Arteca began teaching Art this last Monday. The art room has been filled with creativity and positivity since she started. Ask your child about what they are working on in art!
We wish Mrs. Glenn, our previous art teacher, the best of luck in her new endeavors to explore a career outside of education. Thank you for your time at Quail Run!
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Kindergarten Roundup!
We will be holding Kindergarten Roundup at two different times during the school day for any families that missed our Kinder Preview Night last semester.
If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about Kindergarten or any other grade at Quail Run and becoming part of our International Baccalaureate program, please encourage them to come to Kinder Roundup or sign up for a school tour on our website.
Click here to register an incoming kindergartner for the 2023-24 school year.
Junior Hero is Back!
Junior Hero is back at Quail Run! Junior Hero is a program that makes it fun for students, parents, and teachers to serve their community and those around them. All heroes receive a t-shirt!
Steps to become a Junior Hero:
1) Take the Junior Hero Pledge.
2) Help your community through service and log your required hours (see below) on this sheet.
3) Get a signature from an adult upon completion.
4) Turn this completed sheet into your teacher before the end of the school year.
5) You will be recognized by Mrs. Raymond and receive a Junior Hero t-shirt.
Required Service Hours
Kindergarten: 3 Hours
1st Grade: 4 Hours
2nd Grade: 5 Hours
3rd Grade: 6 Hours
4th Grade: 7 Hours
5th Grade: 8 Hours
6th Grade: 9 Hours
Adults: 7 Hours
Junior Hero is a non-profit 501(c)3 that makes it fun for students, parents, and teachers to serve their community and those around them. The program is 100% volunteer-run and no volunteers receive pay at any level.
Exploring Pre-K at QR!
In order to move forward with plans for the program, we need to show intent and community interest in enrollment. If you would like more information about this program, please fill out this quick form so we can be in touch.
We are hopeful we can expand our IB learning to younger children and grow our school community!
Office Closing Early on January 10
Unplug & Play Weekend
IB Parent Corner: 6th Grade Exhibition
The IB defines the exhibition as "the culminating, collaborative experience in the final year of the PYP. The exhibition is an authentic process for students to explore, document, and share their understanding of an issue or opportunity of personal significance. All exhibitions are student-initiated, designed, and collaborative."
Some highlights regarding our exhibition at Quail Run:
- Allows children to display all aspects of the Learner Profile
- Features collective, collaborative energies & talents of all 6th graders
- Is an opportunity to show understanding of & take action regarding a topic/issue
- Follows the inquiry process with students expected to take ownership & responsibility for their own learning and outcomes
The sixth graders will create a central idea as a whole grade level while considering where their individual passions may fit into that idea. They will be given several opportunities in class to consider topics of interest before choosing a final idea in mid-February.
Just before Spring Break, students will begin to individually research all aspects of their topic, becoming experts. In April, students will need to take action regarding their chosen topic. Action takes a variety of formats - individual or small group. Children may want to write letters, create presentations to teach others, collect donations, visit a place related to their topic, or do something else based on their research.
Creating final presentations is the next step of our exhibition process and this allows students to show their learning to the entire school community. Finally, Tuesday, May 16 the students will present their learning throughout the day for feedback and in the evening will share with their parents.
If you have any questions regarding our IB program, please contact Mrs. Rubey, IB coordinator drubey@pvschools.net
January 18: Sonic Fundraiser & Slushie Throwdown!
There will be a SLUSHIE THROWDOWN at 6:00 pm. You can participate and race Mrs. Raymond, Ms. Baumunk, and Ms. Schrader in downing a Sonic Slushie! Anyone can compete and slushies are provided. Come join us!
January 20: Donuts with Grownups
Come enjoy a donut with your student before school on January 20. We will open the gates at 8:00 am. There is no cost for this event. We look forward to seeing you here.
We will need volunteers from 7:30 am - 9:00 am to help set out donuts, pass out donuts, and clean up the tables. You are welcome to bring your children early with you. You can sign up to help here!
Winter Spirit Week
Helpful Links
School Council meetings are open to the public and generally meets once monthly. Meeting dates can be found on our website.
If you have an item of interest you would like for the School Council to review, please complete this form. Complete the form once for every issue or interest you would like discussed.
QUAIL RUN PTA
We welcomed the Quail Run Staff back this week with a coffee bar in the staff lounge. It was very much appreciated by all the staff!
We hope you can join us for Restaurant Night at Sonic on Jan. 18 and Donuts with Grownups on Jan. 20.
Our first General PTA Meeting of 2023 will be on Feb. 15 at 3:30 pm, so mark your calendars!
Make sure you save the date for our Spring Carnival on Feb. 25 from 10 am - 1:30 pm.
Welcome Back and Happy New Year!
Amanda Bunney
Quail Run PTA President
Helpful School Reminders
If you need to relay a message to your student during school hours, you can call the office or leave a message directly on our Voicelink account at (602) 449-5465. The office staff will NOT transfer calls to classrooms, as this will interrupt important instructional time.
If your child forgets their lunch, you may bring it to the front office before 10:30 am.
Students are also not allowed to bring Starbucks drinks, smoothies, etc. on campus in the morning.
Be sure to communicate end-of-day arrangements with your student in the morning, prior to coming to school. We want to ensure all students get home safely. If there are any changes in how students get home, please notify the office and the teacher.
School hours are from 8:45 am -3:15 pm. If you are picking up a student early, please be aware that every minute counts and minutes missed accumulate throughout the school year. Also, be aware that students cannot be called to the office early for an appointment. Students will be called from class at the time you arrive to check them out.
School breakfast is available beginning at 8:15 am. Please drop off by 8:30 am at the latest if your child is eating breakfast. It is the same purchasing system as our school lunches.
Birthday treats must be store-bought and easy to pass out for the teacher. No cakes that need cutting, please. Cupcakes are allowed this year. Balloons are not allowed on campus.
You will need your ID every time you pick up students prior to dismissal.
Your student will not be released if the person picking her/him up is not on the contact list. If you need to add a friend or family member to the contact list you will need to go to Infinite Campus to update Emergency Contact information through your annual update.
You can check your child's grades by downloading the Infinite Campus app or logging on online. Click here for directions.
School Lunch
Lunch Reminders:
If your child forgets their lunch, you may bring it to the front office before 10:30 am.
There is no hot fast food allowed for lunch if you are dropping off a lunch. Visitors may bring in hot lunches (see visitor section below). Please refrain from bringing soda. Subway, Jimmy Johns, and Jersey Mikes are all good options for a special drop-off lunch.
Students are not allowed to share food.
We will have a special table for students with food allergies. Your student may be invited to join a friend at this table. If your child is invited to sit at this table, peanut butter is not allowed.
When packing your student´s lunch, please be mindful that they are able to open the food or containers themselves. No glass containers.
Lunch Visitors:
We will go back to allowing lunch visitors this year. You must sign into the front office and get a visitor sticker.
You may bring lunch for your child. If you are coming to visit and stay with your child during lunch, the lunch may be a hot lunch.
You may not bring lunch for any student other than your own.
You may not pass out treats to any students due to allergies.
Purchasing a School Lunch:
The Nutrition & Wellness Department will return to charging students for their meals based on their free, reduced, and paid meal application status during the 2022-2023 SY.The 2022-2023 Free & Reduced Meal Application is now available for parents to complete at EZMealApp.com. This paperless option is encouraged because online applications can be processed within 24 hours of their submission. Paper meal applications are available in our front office or can be printed from the Nutrition & Wellness website to be submitted to the department. All families are encouraged to apply.
It is extremely important for families to complete and submit the 22-23 SY meal application in order to avoid potential negative account balance charges.
Visit the Lunch Menu section of our website for more information about menus, meal prices, and to load money into your student´s lunch account.
Annual Update for ALL Students
The Annual Update process is completed by parents or guardians online within Infinite Campus. This allows you to update information that may have changed in your household. This replaces the earlier versions of paper forms we called Emergency Cards. We request that this information is verified/updated yearly.
For additional information please click the Annual Update Smart Card or view this presentation for step-by-step instructions. There is also a short video on the process to assist you.
Site Volunteers/Chaperones
Site volunteers must be parents, guardians, or grandparents of a current student.
School chaperones perform an invaluable service, helping to ensure the safety of students attending events and field trips. Parents, guardians, grandparents, or relatives are eligible to be a school chaperone after completing a background screening. Chaperones are fingerprinted and must agree to a background check.
Apply to be a Site Volunteer or Chaperone
- Visit the PVSchools job search page.
- Search for "Volunteer" or "Chaperone."
- Select the opportunity that best fits your interest.
- Click on the "Apply Online" button.
- Create a login and password.
- Complete the application process.
Please be aware that this application can take up to 12 weeks to clear, so be sure to get it in early. Please contact our front office if you have any questions.
Fry´s Food Community Rewards
Smile.Amazon.com
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support Quail Run Elementary every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones.
On your first visit to smile.amazon.com, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization. Select Quail Run PTA (make sure it is the one that says Phoenix, AZ. There is also a QR in CA! Every time you shop on Amazon simply start at smile.amazon.com and the school earns 0.5% of every purchase. It's that easy to make a difference! Ask your friends, family, and co-workers to participate too! As always, Thank you for your support!
United Parent Council
District Committee Call: Parent Input Needed
We are looking for volunteers to serve on the new district work team for "Professional Learning Communities (PLC)." The PLC Initiative is part of the district's Strategic Plan that was adopted by the Governing Board last year. This work team's goal will be to devise a district-wide plan to protect time during the school day for PLC implementation. The work team will make recommendations to the Superintendent's Cabinet. Meeting times are 4:00pm-5:30pm in the District Training Center on the following dates: January 17 January 31 February 7 February 21 March 7 March 21 **Additional dates may be added if needed. We need a total of 8 parents from across the district to serve on this work team and provide input from their perspective as parents about how possible changes to the school day schedule could impact students, parents and families. If you would like to volunteer and are able to commit to attending the work team meetings, please email president@pvupc.org with your name and the school(s) your student(s) attend by Monday, January 9th so parent names can be submitted to district next week.
Enroll at Quail Run
If you or anyone you know needs to enroll a student for the 2022-2023 school year, please know we are still accepting applications for students both inside and outside of our school enrollment boundaries. Open enrollment enables Arizona students to attend public schools outside their district attendance areas or outside their district of residence. It is open to all Arizona-based students. All open enrollment questions may be directed to tsorenson@pvschools.net.
Click here to enroll for the 2022-2023 school year.
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, 2022.
You will also be required to complete an Annual Update on Infinite Campus. Please visit the PV Assist website for links and more information.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Jan. 9: National School Resource Officer Day
Jan. 10: Early Release at 12:30 pm, Office Closes at 1:00 pm
Jan. 12: PVSchools Governing Board Meeting at 7:00 pm
Jan. 13: PVSchools Spelling Bee at 9:00 am
Jan. 16: MLK Day, No School
Jan. 18: School Council Meeting at 3:30 pm
Jan. 18: PTA Restaurant Night at Sonic from 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Jan. 20: Donuts with Grownups at 8:00 am
Jan. 23 - 27: Spring Conference Week and 100th Day of School Spirit Week
Jan. 25: Kinder Botanical Garden Experience at 1 pm
Jan. 26-27: Early Release at 12:30 pm
Feb. 2: PVSchools Governing Board Meeting at 7:00 pm
Feb. 3: Parent Coffee Chat (School Safety) with Mrs. Raymond at 8:00 am
Feb. 3: PTA Spirit Day: Wear your QR or Jr. Hero T-shirts
Feb. 9: School Emergency Response Team (SERT) Meeting at 9:30 am
Feb. 10-12: Unplug and Play Weekend
Feb. 15: 6th Grade Exhibition Kickoff at Shiloh
Feb. 15: PTA Meeting at 3:30 pm
Feb. 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day
Feb. 20: Presidents´ Day, No School
Feb. 22: School Council Meeting at 3:30 pm
Feb. 23: PVSchools Governing Board Meeting at 7:00 pm
Feb. 25: Spring Carnival
Feb. 27: Spring Picture Day: Group Class Photos and Group 6th Grade Photo
Feb. 28: Early Release at 12:30 pm
Feb. 28: PTA SkyZone Fundraiser, 1:00 - 7:00 pm
Important Phone Numbers
Front Office: 602-449-4400
- Front Office Hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm)
Attendance Line: 602-449-4401
- Open 24/7 for attendance messages
School Nurse: 602-449-4403
- Nursing Office Hours (8:45 am - 3:15 pm)
School Cafeteria: 602-449-4407
Connect with Mrs. Raymond
Email: vraymond@pvschools.net
Website: https://www.pvschools.net/schools/quail-run-elementary/home
Location: Quail Run Elementary School, East Utopia Road, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-449-4400