Hawk Happenings
February 25, 2022
Read Across America
What is Read Across America Week?
NEA's Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading with the theme: Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers.Testing Dates - IMPORTANT
This Spring, PVUSD students in grades 3rd-8th will complete a REQUIRED state test titled, Arizona Academic Standards Assessment, AASA. Students in 5th, 8th, and 11th will also take a state science test titled, AZSci. Statewide testing is very important because it is intended to objectively evaluate whether your child has mastered grade-level standards for their specific grade level. The AASA and AzSCI will provide information that will improve how students are taught, how teachers are coached, and how we can better support students. The state test is intended to give teachers an objective measure of how your child is progressing and measure how they are academically growing compared to other students in the state. Additionally, the AASA can provide benchmarks for parents and teachers, students, and schools. All public schools are required to administer state standardized assessments to fulfill the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act. If you would like to read more information about Arizona state testing, please visit the following website: https://www.azed.gov/assessment
Our AASA/AzSCI testing dates at DTES will be as follows:
March 29th - 5th grade Science Testing (AzSCI)
April 6th - 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade Writing (AASA)
April 12th & 14th - 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade - Math/ELA Part 1, Part 2 (AASA)
April 18th & 20th - 6th grade & 5/6 SC - ELA/Math Part 1, Part 2 (AASA)
Please do your best to schedule all doctor and other appointments outside of testing dates.
Sights & Sounds of PV
We will have Band performances on the Field, Strings performances in the Activity Center, an outdoor stage and the PAC stage for Choir & Dance, Theatre performances in the Black Box/Theatre room, and the Large Gym will include 2D&3D art from every school. Shadow Mountain Parent Club is providing concessions like nachos and soda, and we will even have a “Kid Fun Zone” with face painting, bubbles, and chalk for the little ones. We are really hoping for a fun, family-friendly, festival vibe to celebrate our kids and come together as a community.
Infinite Campus Changes
On March 17th, 2022, we will be moving our district’s IC instance from locally hosted servers to Infinite Campus’ Cloud!
Infinite Campus will be down for a majority of the day on March 17th
What will be different for you and your students?
The URLs to IC will change on March 17th after the migration:
The DNSs (the shortcuts we use) will be redirected to the new URLs on March 17th after the migration:
Students/parents: portal.pvschools.net
What will YOU need to do?
Clear your cache to remove outdated browsing history
Update or delete any old bookmarks pointing to the old IC
Create new bookmarks (click on the URL and then click on the “star” icon in the browser bar)
What will your Students/Parents need to do?
Browser access:
Clear cache to remove outdated browsing history
Update or delete any old bookmarks pointing to the old IC
App interface:
Update mobile app
Check your Infinite Campus app for an update
User will have to log out and log back in
Verify notifications are still active
PTO
HawkFest is Coming!
Thank you to those who have already offered to help with HawkFest 2022 - parental support is vital to bringing this fun evening back for our kids!
The event is scheduled for Friday, March 25th - which is weeks away - and we are still in need of event sponsors and volunteers.
** All families that graciously connect us with a sponsor and/or auction item equivalent will receive a wristband to HawkFest for at no charge as a small gesture of gratitude!
Please check out the sign-up genius for volunteer opportunities.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084faea82da2ff2-hawkfest4
Thank you!
2022 DTES Hawk Fest Committee
Contact with any questions: dtesptofundraising@gmail.com
A huge thank you to PTO and the Movie Night Committee for putting on such a spectacular family night of fun. It wouldn't have been possible without you! I cannot wait for the next one!
2022 - 2023 PTO Board Opportunities
These are the positions currently open for next year:
President
Secretary
VP of Fundraising
VP of Family Engagement/Membership
VP of Special Events
Any of these positions can be split between 2 people if you've got a friend you'd like to team up with! If you are at all interested in any of these positions please contact Jen Kindle at dtesptopresident@gmail.com
United Parent Council - Teacher-Staff Appreciation Nominations
The United Parent Council honors PVSchools teachers and staff members annually through its Teacher-Staff Appreciation Program. Parents and students who wish to nominate a teacher or school-site support staff member who has made a difference to them this school year must complete the nomination form, including a short letter as to why the nominee is deserving of this recognition. Principals/administrators are not eligible. All teachers and staff that are nominated will receive a copy of their nomination letter and a commemorative pin.
Beginning February 16th - Submit a nomination online or print a form at pvupc.org/teacher-staff-appreciation
Deadline is March 23, 2021!
Kindergarten in the Spotlight
Our next amazing Desert Trails Team in the Spotlight is….Kindergarten! Desert Trails is so fortunate to have such fun and creative teachers to start out our Kindergarteners on their learning path! Introducing our Kindergarten teachers…..Mrs. Melissa Jones, Mrs. Holly Leckie, Mrs. Gail Nobles, Mrs. Charlotte Tait and Ms. Kelli Varich.
Mrs. Jones
Outdoorsy, Straightforward, Energetic
What is your favorite thing about Desert Trails? My favorite things about Desert Trails are my teammates, colleagues and overall school community.
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher? I always knew I wanted to work with children but didn't know I wanted to be a teacher until I started teaching pre-kindergarten. After which, I returned to ASU to complete a Masters in Education, and the rest is history!
What is something that might surprise us about you? As a child, I was a competitive gymnast and (last time I visited) I was still displayed in photos at Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics.
What is your best advice you would give to a student? Quoting the famous Dory, "Just keep swimming." Keep trying, ask questions and think differently. Anyone can do anything, as long as you are willing to work hard and overcome obstacles.
What is your favorite sport or game to watch or play? Race car driver, for sure! (That's a sport, right?)
Mrs. Leckie
What is your favorite thing about Desert Trails? I love my team! They are always there for me. When I need help , copies, coverage or an ear, I am truly blessed.
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher and who was your favorite teacher? I have been teaching school to my stuffed animals with old text books since I was in kindergarten! Mrs. Whitney was my first and second grade teacher. She made this huge deal about looping up with us because we were so awesome. She would pretend she didn't understand something and see if we could figure it out.
What is your best advice you would give to a student? You are awesome! You got this! (This is best advice given with a hug.)
What is your favorite sport or game to watch or play?I love to watch my boys (17 and 19) play any sport!
Mrs. Nobles
Fun, Kind and Patient
What is your favorite thing about Desert Trails? I love the feel of family at DTES. The families we serve are so giving. My team is awesome and helpful to each other and the kiddos make it fun to come to work each day!
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher and who was your favorite teacher? I've always known I wanted to teach since 3rd grade. My teacher made me realize school can be fun while learning.
What is something that might surprise us about you? I love to cook!
What is your best advice you would give to a student? Love to Read!
What is your favorite sport or game to watch or play?Football!
Mrs. Tait
What is your favorite thing about Desert Trails? The wonderful community of staff, students, and families.
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher and who was your favorite teacher? After being having my own kids, I was a homeroom parent and art masterpiece parent teacher for many years. I just loved being in the school environment and teaching young children. I decided to make a career change and went back to school for Education. I have now been a classroom teacher for 6 years. My favorite teacher was my third grade teacher, Mrs. Beddard. She noticed that I loved art. She always encouraged and complimented on my art skills. Before becoming a teacher, I went to college for art. I actually have a Master of Fine Arts degree and worked as a graphic designer for many years.
What is your favorite sport or game to watch or play? I like watching basketball, but I enjoying running and hiking.
What is something that might surprise us about you? Back in 2009, I trained and completed Ironman Arizona.
What is your best advice you would give to a student? Never give up!
Ms. Varich
Who was your favorite teacher? Even though Mr. Osborn made me cry on the first day of fifth grade (yes, I was talking instead of doing my work), he quickly became my favorite teacher. He loved art and taught us new things to draw whenever we had a little downtime. He shared so much of his personal life with us and we'd often get off on tangents when he'd tell us stories. Once I moved onto middle school, I spent afternoons in his classroom while I was waiting to pick up my little brother after the bus dropped me off - he even let me run his classroom sometimes! He was a valued guest at both my high school and college graduation parties and someone I still connect with often.
What is your favorite sport or game to watch or play? San Jose Sharks! My dad took me to my first Sharks game when I was three weeks old, and it's been a shared passion ever since. I plan my trips home to the Bay Area during the hockey season based on how many games I can get to. I'm currently figuring out if I'll be there during spring break to see them play the Coyotes. Go Sharks!
What is something that might surprise us about you? About four out of five days a week after school you can find me at Cyclebar! After three years of taking classes, I took the leap last fall to become an instructor and completed my training before winter break. I love the loud music, dark room, and the opportunity to move my body. It's been really interesting to see how my classroom teaching experience translates to leading spin classes, and I love learning from other instructors on the days I'm just to ride.
THANK YOU for ALL you do to help our students SOAR! Desert Trails is very lucky to have such an AWESOME Kindergarten Team! Way to go!
Did you know PVSchools is now using a text messaging system to connect with families?
Text notifications are limited to parents and guardians listed in the district student information system, so please contact your school if you need to update any contact information.
You can opt-in at any time by texting the word "YES" to 67587.
The district’s mass notification system does not charge any text message fees; however, wireless carriers typically do. Please contact your wireless carrier for more information about text messaging fees.
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Old News - But Still Good Information
Sculpture Garden
Our sculpture garden will soon be growing. Our 6th grade class of 2020’s piece is nearly complete, and this year’s 6th grade’s sculpture is in production.
As a reminder, these works of art are made in collaboration with DTES 6th graders and PV High School welding students. They are not for climbing or touching. Thank you for keeping your little ones off of them.
Safety Reminders
Visitors
We are excited to begin to have vistors back on campus. Please be sure sign in at the front office and get a visitor’s sticker. At this point in time, all visitors must be masked while in the building.
Fire Lanes & Handicap Spots
If you are dropping off or picking up by car, use the car drop-off/pick-up lane. If you choose to park and walk your student, you can do so in the big lot only. The lot by the Kinder playground is staff parking only, as it is a bus loading zone. Please refrain from parking in the fire lane as well as in handicap spots without a placard.
Community Education - Important Registration Dates
Mascot and Preschool Registration:
February 18 - Staff Registration
February 22 - Returning Families registration opens
February 24 - Preschool Universe (Virtual)
February 28 - Registration is open to the public
High School Summer School:
February 23 - Summer School Registration opens
Thank You!
We want to take this opportunity and thank you and all PVSchools' voters for continuing to support student excellence by passing our bonds and overrides!
Bonds have been able to keep our schools in top-notch condition and help to maintain a safe and secure learning environment. These projects and annual maintenance would not be possible without the generous support of our community. Here at Desert Trails, voter-approved bonds have made a new Kindergarten play structure, swings, and soft surface ground cover possible. Security cameras and upgrades to our fencing and basketball courts are just a few other things Desert Trails has benefited from through your support.
Desert Trails Staff Shout Outs!
Please take a moment to share your child's positive experiences in class and/or some of the fabulous things your child's teacher is doing. Your response will be shared. Thank you in advance for your submission.
PVUSD is Hiring
Potential candidates can view and apply for open positions at www.pvschools.net/hiring. If assistance with the online application is needed, please call 602-449-2000.
PVUSD Open Enrollment for the 2022/2023 School year is here!
- Open Enrollment form is Online
USNews Best Schools
I am excited to share that Desert Trails ranked #9 in the state of Arizona for Best Middle Schools (6-8th grades) and #21 for Best Elementary Schools in Arizona!
Best Elementary Schools in Arizona
PVSchools Website
DTES PTO
Desert Trails Elementary
Every Child ~ Every Day!
About Desert Trails
Location: 4315 East Cashman Drive, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-449-4100