Welcome Rattlers!!
Where Rattlers Reign!!
From Principal Davis
Dear Rattler Families,
I hope you and your family are enjoying summer break. August 4th is our first day of school, and our staff is getting ready for a school year we hope is as normal as possible. Desert Ridge Junior High School is committed to building relationships, educating the whole child, and student growth. We are so excited for our 8th graders to return as leaders and to see our new gym floor. Our returning 8th graders are depended upon to lead the way for all our new students and be the example we boast - RATTLERS REIGN!
We know a new school can be a tough transition and we are ready to welcome all the 7th graders and new 8th graders to our campus. Our teachers and staff are committed to making the first few weeks social. It has been an odd two years and very difficult to socialize and make friends. We will be working with students to make connections and encourage all students to try new things and get involved in school activities/athletics. On Tuesday, July 27th we are hosting a 7th grade orientation/ New to the school 8th grade orientation from 9 - 11 AM at DRJHS.
The COVID-19 shopping for school clothes experience last year was difficult. Students could not go into stores to shop, and when they could they could not try on the clothing. The dress code was a little more forgiving last year due to those factors. As you shop for clothing this year please reference the district dress code for guidance. I know it seems like a lot, but it still allows for individuality and keeps us away from school uniforms.
Here are a few quick reference items:
Tops should have a 2 inch minimum strap-width on each shoulder.
Shirts and tops should be long enough to cover the midriff.
Clothing must modestly cover the underarm, back, cleavage, and chest area.
Clothing must cover the undergarments and entire buttocks.
Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be modest in length.
Pants and shorts must be worn to fit, with no bagging or sagging.
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to clothing identified by a school administrator or law enforcement as:
Negative or gang-affiliated
Reference drugs or alcohol
“Cookies”
Offensive / Inappropriate symbols
“Playboy”
Inappropriate messages on
Clothes
Backpacks
Binders
Jewelry
On July 15th student schedules became available in Infinite Campus. That is mostly a feature for HS students and families this early in July. Our schedules are available, but our master schedule is not complete yet, and we have a few teachers left to hire. Please be patient with requests to change classes until we get closer to August 1st. Students will receive a BLUE printed schedule on August 4th when they arrive at school, and that will be their official schedule.
I would like to introduce you to our administrators. Heather Preston will be our Dean of Students this year and will work closely with our 8th graders. Mr. Louzek is our Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. He will work closely with our 7th graders
We will send another message out to families with more information prior to August 4th. This newsletter is to provide some important information and to get you excited to come back.
Rattlers Reign!
Mr. Davis
Principal
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Office Hours
Beginning Monday, July 26th, our front office is open Monday - Friday from 7:30am - 4:30pm.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up
Learning Schedule
IMPORTATANT!! Annual Update - Please Complete
Failure to do so may result in break of communication via email and/or text messages. Completing the Annual Update also assures that Desert Ridge Junior has the most current health updates available. Thank you!
Chromebook Information
(Students who have purchased the DPP and have not had a claim for damage to their device during the school year, will have their protection rolled over to the upcoming school year and their device will remain covered under the DPP. The yearly roll over of the original DPP purchase will remain in place until the student is no longer a GPS student or has a claim. Devices will be periodically inspected to ensure the device is in good working condition and a claim is not being avoided)
Paying for the Device Protection Plan in Infinite Campus/InTouch
Need technology help? Contact Technology Services Helpdesk: 480-497-3417
School Supplies & School ID
Desert Ridge Junior High - Recommended Supplies
Students will receive a free school ID when school pictures are taken. Replacement ID's can be purchased for $5 in the front office.
!!mark your calendar!!
New Rattler Orientation - ACTION/Registration Needed
Click Here to Register for New Student Orientation
Tuesday, Jul 27, 2021, 09:00 AM
10211 East Madero Avenue, Mesa, AZ, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Rattler Day
P.E. Clothes -
Combo / $35 (shorts,shirt,lock)
Individually
-Shorts / $14
-Shirt / $13
-Lock / $8
Yearbook / $40
DPP / $25
Activity Pass / $15
Happy Birthday on Marquee / $5
Information about transportation, clubs, athletics and more will be available.
Cash, check & credit/debit cards are accepted.
Wednesday, Jul 28, 2021, 09:00 AM
10211 East Madero Avenue, Mesa, AZ, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Yearbooks can also be purchased at Rattler Day (7/28/2021) and at the DRJHS front office. Cash, check and credit/debit cards accepted.
Walk the Campus Night
We encourage our 8th grade families to attend from 4:00 - 5:00 PM, and our 7th grade families from 5:00 - 6:00 PM. It is very informal - three administrators and a few student ambassadors will be here to greet you and the campus is open to walk your schedules. You will want to have your schedule on your phone (Infinite Campus), or print one off at home. The school nurse, schedules and schedule changes will not be available that evening. It is an informal campus walk, so avoid the rush by coming anytime during the hour for your grade. A typical walk is between 15 - 30 minutes.
Tuesday, Aug 3, 2021, 04:00 PM
10211 East Madero Avenue, Mesa, AZ, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.