WFES Newsletter
July 31st, 2020
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. It will be a drive-through service and there will be no need to get out of your vehicle. You will also be able to pick-up any learning materials and/or supplies outlined by your student's teacher during this time.
We currently have a limited number of remaining Chromebooks on campus that have not already been assigned to students. We have requested additional devices from the district but are waiting for delivery. Help us plan and prepare for the number of needed Chromebooks by completing the Chromebook request form. In the event you that you request a Chromebook and we don't have a device at the time of the request, we will contact you directly to schedule an alternative pick-up date and time.
Edukit Pick-Up
If you purchased an Edukit for the upcoming school year, these are available to be picked up on August 3rd or 4th from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
Textbooks and Other Materials
Some grade level teachers may require or encourage certain textbooks, workbooks, novels, and other materials that are normally provided to students at school to help with online learning. Your student's teacher will notify you of any materials or resources that will be needed and these materials are available for pick-up from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM on August 3rd and 4th.
Class Rosters
If you did not receive a welcome letter and can not access your child's Wildfire enrollment information via Infinite Campus, please contact the Wildfire front office at 602-449-4300.
Greet the Teacher Back to School Event!
PV Assist: Digital Tech Support for Parents & Students
PV Assist is an Information Technoloy support site that is designed to help students and their families navigate logins/passwords, issues with Chromebooks, Google Classroom, and much more.
Curriculum Night is on August 10th
Please be sure to join us on Monday, August 10th for our virtual curriculum night. Enjoy learning about the upcoming school year from the safety and comfort of your own home! Parents will have the opportunity to hear from their child's classroom teacher and to learn about the curriculum students will be learning this year as well as general information about the class and grade level.
Curriculum Night Schedule
Kindergarten & 1st Grade: 5:00 - 5:25 PM
2nd & 3rd Grade: 5:30 - 5:55 PM
4th & 5th Grade: 6:00 - 6:25 PM
6th Grade: 6:30 - 6:55 PM
4th - 6th Grade Honors: 5:30 - 5:55 PM
Links to our virtual curriculum night will be published next week.
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.
Registration packets may also be brought into the school office. Please note, that when on the school campus, you must wear a mask, and please be sure to respect social distancing guidelines.
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.
Textbooks and Other Materials
Some grade level teachers may require or encourage certain textbooks, workbooks, novels, and other materials that are normally provided to students at school to help with online learning. Your student's teacher will notify you of any materials or resources that will be needed and how/when to get them from the school.
PV Connect at Wildfire Elementary School
PV Connect 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. Students will be expected to attend their classes, participate, ask questions, and try their best.
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 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. All Wildfire students/grade levels will have Lunch/recess from 12:30 - 1:30 pm. Other break times vary depending upon the grade level and will be communicated by the classroom teacher.
A student that receives Special Education, gifted, and other provided services will have these services built into their daily schedule. For example, if they receive special education reading services, their reading block will be taught by a Wildfire Special Education teacher. Speech and other services will be scheduled for specific times in the day by the service provider.
Example Wildfire PV Connect Schedule
8:45 - 9:00: Morning Meeting
9:00 - 9:30: Phonics/Intervention
9:30 - 10:00: Reading
10:00 - 10:30: Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
10:30 - 11:00: Special Areas (Rotation Schedule to include Art, Music, PE, STEM))
11:00 - 11:30: Social Studies/Science
11:30 - 12:00: Math
12:00 - 12:30: Writing
12:30 - 1:30: Lunch/Recess
1:30 - 3:15: Small group / Independent Work / Intervention / Teacher Office Hours
The time after lunch will be used by teachers in all grade levels to facilitate learning in small groups and to allow independent learning time away from the computer screen. Teachers will communicate with parents about if/when they would like to have students participate in a small group or individualized learning session. All teachers will be available for questions and help until the end of the school day at 3:15 pm.
Each grade level in K-6 will have a similar schedule as outlined above. The day will start at 8:45 AM and all direct, whole group instruction will be completed by 12:30 PM. While the day-to-day lesson in each subject area will determine how long students will need to be online for each subject, students will not be expected to be online in front of the screen for the entire period. For example, on Monday the reading lesson may require 20 minutes of teacher-led direct instruction, and then on Tuesday, it may only require 10 minutes of teacher-led direct instruction.
Grade level teachers will provide a class schedule to families in their communications prior to the start of the first day of school.
Frequently Asked Questions
You are welcome to exchange your previously checkout Chromebook to the school for a replacement. You may return it and pick up a new one during our August 3rd & 4th pick-up dates. If you have further questions or needs, please contact our media specialist, Kelli Mineo at kmineo@pvschools.net
What school supplies are needed for PV Connect?
Our teachers recognize that not all students may have the supplies at home they normally would have during an in-person school setting and will plan lessons taking this into account. Students will need basic supplies such as paper, pencils, crayons, rulers, etc. Any supplies that are outlined in the school supply lists would be preferred and can be brought to school when in-person classes resume. Teachers will notify parents and students if they will be needing to pick up textbooks, novels, or other resources from the school.
What is "intervention" and "social-emotional learning" time"
"Intervention" time blocks are a set time where the teacher decides the subject and focus of the lesson and it will generally vary from day-to-day. For example, If the teacher feels students need more time to review and learn a concept they have been working on in math class, that will be their focus for the class period.
The "Social-emotional learning" block is a time dedicated to building a classroom community and allow time for students to get to know one another and their teacher. It is a focus on the social and mental well being of our students. This is facilitated by our classroom teachers in conjunction with our new school counselor with district-provided resources.
Will the classes in each grade follow the same classwork/schedule?
Yes, each grade level will have a specific schedule where they will have their math, reading, writing, etc. blocks each day. All students at WFES will have lunch/recess time from 12:30 - 1:30 each day. The afternoon time block will be dedicated to small group and individualized learning opportunities that will be scheduled by your student's teacher.
Will there be substitute teachers available for teachers during online learning?
Yes. In the event that a teacher is unable to be present during their online classes, Wildfire Elementary School (and all PV schools) have plans in place to allow students to continue their online learning.
Will printables and other work be available online or prior to the week of work?
Yes. Some grade levels will be sending homework and have it available to print online and will make it available at the earliest possible time. Your student's teacher will communicate information about any packets or print materials needed.
How will disruptive behavior be handled?
Just as an in-person school setting, we have the expectation that all students will be respectful, courteous, and not interfere with the learning or safety of others. Teachers do have the ability to mute students and participants. If a student is continuously disruptive teachers will communicate those concerns and work with parents to end the disruption.
How will attendance be taken?
The finalized details of how attendance will be taken is still being developed but the expectation is that students attend their classes as they would in an in-person school setting. The school knows that internet problems, appointments, illnesses, etc. happen and will be flexible. If you know your student will be unable to attend all or some of the school day, we ask that you please notify your teacher and/or call the school attendance line at 602-449-4301.
Will breakfast or lunches be available for students?
Beginning August 5, our meal distribution sites during distance learning will resume at 20 school sites. Details, site locations, dates, and times can be found on the district’s website, www.pvschools.net/reopening as well as the flyer attached below.
For other frequently asked questions regarding health, safety, and other logistical concerns, please visit the PV District FAQ website at: https://www.pvschools.net/reopening/reopening-faq
Amazon Smile
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The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases. Click on the picture above to learn how to donate.BOX TOP$ for Education
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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:
- August 3rd, 2020: Chromebook Check-out/Supply Pick-Up from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- August 4th, 2020: Chromebook Check-out/Supply Pick-Up from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- August 4th, 2020: Greet Your Teacher from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- August 5th, 2020: First Day of School!
- August 10th, 2020: Virtual Curriculum Night
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