Gecko Gazette

Desert Sage Newsletter - April 2023

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Book Fair Next Week!

6th grade Promotion Events

Desert Sage is pleased to announce our in-person 6th grade Promotion Celebrations. The celebrations will include an awards assembly, where students receiving honors such as Principals List, Honor Roll, Super RAD Student, etcetera will be recognized. During the assembly a brief photo slide show will be shown, mini-speeches by administration and the teachers, and then presentation of the award certificates to receiving students. There will be a brief opportunity for picture taking at the end of the assembly. Then on the last day of school, the traditional Desert Sage 6th grade Clap Out will take place. All 6th graders will walk the campus for their promotional parade and then exit the building to a celebratory clap-out by staff, students, and guests.


We are limiting the guests to 4 individuals per student, to respect the need for social distancing. Also, please no balloons of any kind as we are a latex free campus.


We look forward to celebrating all of the extraordinary work and learning that your 6th grader has accomplished this year and wish them well as they promote to middle school.

  • Awards Assembly
    • When: Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
    • Where: Desert Sage Elementary School, cafeteria
    • Social Distancing: Limit 4 guests per student
  • Clap-Out
    • When: Friday, May 19, 20253 at 11:45 a.m.
    • Where: Desert Sage Elementary School, office
    • Social Distancing: No limits for guests per student for the Clap-Out event
    • Parking: Guest arriving for the clap-out must park on the school's neighboring streets. Parking will not be allowed in the school lot or in the bus lane. Please be respectful of neighborhood driveways and no parking zones.

AASA Testing is Complete!

All of the 3rd through 6th grade AASA and AzSCI standardized testing is complete. Thank you to families for ensuring your child's success during their testing times. Students arrived to school on time, were well rested, and eager to do their best. There were minimal make-up tests to complete and all have been completed. We are proud to say that we had 100% participation at each grade level for each test.


Student scores for each assessment will be available at the beginning of the new year. Parent reports will be sent home during the first quarter.


Thank you again for your support!

Kindergarten Graduation

  • When: Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Where: Desert Sage Elementary School, cafeteria


Desert Sage is pleased to announce our in-person Kindergarten Graduation Celebration. Kindergarten graduation celebration will take place on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. During the celebration a brief photo slide show will be shown, mini-speeches by administration and the teachers, and then presentations of each child's graduation portfolio (certificate with cap and gown photo). There will be an opportunity for picture taking at the end of the celebration.


We are limiting the guests to 4 individuals per student, to respect the need for social distancing. Also, please no balloons of any kind as we are a latex free campus.


We look forward to celebrating all of the extraordinary work and learning that our kindergarteners have accomplished this year.

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Mark Your Calendar - Important Dates

  • Friday, 4/28: Dismissal at 2:00 p.m.
  • Monday, 5/1: School Principal Day
  • Monday, 5/1: Spring Band Concert at 6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 5/2: Spring Choir and Strings Concert at 6:00 p.m.
  • 5/1-5/5: Teacher Appreciation Week
  • 5/1-5/5: Book Fair Week
  • Thursday, 5/4: Virtual PTO Meeting
  • Friday, 5/5: School Lunch Hero Day
  • Friday, 5/5: Dismissal at 2:00 p.m.
  • 5/8-5/10: 6th grade Friendly Pines Camp Field Trip
  • Wednesday, 5/10: School Nurse Appreciation Day
  • Thursday, 5/11: Last day for 4th quarter work turn-in
  • 5/15-5/16: Gecko Gold Store
  • Wednesday, 5/17: 6th grade Promotion at 2:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, 5/18: Kindergarten Graduation at 2:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, 5/18: Speech & Language Appreciation Day
  • Friday, 5/19: Last Day of School 12:05 p.m. release

AZ School Tax Credit for Desert Sage

Your school tax credit donations can provide Desert Sage students with opportunities to after school and summer programs, field trips, music and athletic programs or any other extracurricular activity.


  • The Arizona tax credit program (A.R.S. 43-1089.01) allows a tax credit of up to $200 for individuals and up to $400 for married couples, filing jointly, in support of extracurricular activities.
  • The tax credit reduces your tax burden to the state of Arizona, dollar for dollar.

Desert Sage Elementary

We are an A school in the Deer Valley Unified District. We educate children pre-k through grade 6 & offer Mandarin Language Immersion. We are the home of the geckos. Kristy M. Gill is the proud principal and Lindsay Race is the proud assistant principal.