Hawk Happenings
October 19, 2021
I am excited to share that Desert Trails ranked #9 in the state of Arizona for Best Middle Schools (6-8th grades). This is attributed to the wonderful education provided starting in our Pre-K classrooms all the way up to 6th Grade!
October Calendar
Tuesday, 10/19 - Dine-Out night @ Chipotle
- Parent Conference Week
- Spirit Week -
(Monday-Decades Day, Tuesday-Pajama Day, Wednesday-Dress Like Your Teacher,
Thursday-Candy Corn Day - Grades K-2- Wear White, 3-4 Wear Yellow, 5-6 Wear Orange).
10/27 & 10/28 Early Release
10/29 K-8 Recess- No School
Conference Links
The sign up links for Virtual Fall Parent Teacher Conferences are now live. Please sign up by 3:00 PM Friday, October 22nd.
Teachers are excited to share your student's progress during conference week!
Arrival Reminders
- The lane closest to the building is for Kindergartners and older siblings only, as well as bike riders, bus riders, and some walkers.
- The lane closest to the field is for 1-6th graders with no kinder siblings.
Also, please do not switch lanes unless a staff member directs you to.
Dismissal Reminders
- Kindergarten - 3:00 pm
- 1st & 2nd Grades 3:05 Parents of 1st and 2nd grade students who have older siblings, please come at 3:15, not at 3:05 as this creates a backup in the car lines.
- 3rd - 6th - 3:15 Please remind your students to stay on the sidewalks. Children are trying to cross the parking lot and lanes of traffic to get to Cashman. This is a HUGE safety concern! As a reminder, Cashman Park is not a part of Desert Trails, therefore there is no adult supervision after school.
Fidgets & Toys at School
I would like you to remind students not to bring toys and fidgets to school. If your teacher allows the use a fidget during class, please limit them (1-2 per day) and remind your child to keep them in their backpack until directed by the teacher.
Pokemon Cards are considered toys and should not be brought to school.
Thank you for your help with this. It is my hope this decreases distractions for all students in the classroom!
Student Council Officers
We are pleased to announce that our Student Council is up and running. Thank you to Ms. Frank and Ms. Quinn, our new Student Council Advisors.
Congratulations to our 2021-2022 Officers:
President - Dominic Zito
Vice President - Nick Palermo
Treasurer - Collin Kindle
Secretary - Catalina Parker
2nd grade in the spotlight
Desert Trails has an awesome staff, and we want to put some of them in the SPOTLIGHT! They truly make a difference in the lives of children each and everyday!! Introducing our AMAZING 2nd Grade Team: Mrs. Wilson, Ms. Nelson, Miss Coppola, Mrs. Caccia!
Mrs. Wilson
Fun, Caring, Helpful
What is your favorite thing about Desert Trails? I have been here since Desert Trails opened 24 years ago. I have loved seeing the school grow and change. I am proud that I have been a part of Desert Trails since the opening day and I am the last remaining teacher of the originals.
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher and who was your favorite teacher? When I was little I made all my friends and my brother play school with me. I had a hard time in school so I wanted to make things easier for others who struggle. My 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Vice was my favorite teacher. She was always so calming and kind and made me believe in myself.
What is something that might surprise us about you? I am going to be a first time grandma (aka- Mimi) in February to a little boy! This is my 30th year!!!!! All 3 of my kids have gone through Desert Trails with me from kindergarten. I have taught 1st, kindergarten and 2nd.
What is your favorite sport or game to watch or play? I love watching cheerleading and dance as I was a dancer.
What is your best advice you would give to a student? Make sure you are listening in class and being respectful of all adults. Always try your best and never give up.
Ms. Nelson
Adventurous, Caring, Thankful
What is your favorite thing about Desert Trails? I have been here for 23 years and have loved watching how the school has evolved over the years. I love my team!
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher and who was your favorite teacher? I knew from the start. My mom was a 4th grade teacher and my dad was an elementary school principal so I grew up with education on my mind. Mrs. Bafaloukus was my favorite teacher. She taught 7th grade English. She is the one who inspired me to love writing. Because of her I learned how to create better writing projects and even make a small book.
What is something that might surprise us about you? During the summer months in college I traveled all over the world with a singing and instrumental group playing for many different churches and people. I played the saxophone and sang, too.
What is your favorite sport or game to watch or play? I love to watch football and play frisbee (although I'm not that good at it)
What is your best advice you would give to a student? Always look up and forward and to always do the best you can possibly do. Never say "I can't do it".
Miss Coppola
Innovative /Empathetic/Passionate
What is your favorite thing about Desert Trails? My favorite thing about DTES is the opportunity to work alongside my colleagues teaching the best students around. Thank you for making me feel welcomed in your community!
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher and who was your favorite teacher? I was inspired to teach by my grandmother Mrs. Coppola around the age of 5. Mr. Welsh was my favorite teacher! He tried his best to make meaningful connections with each student and I strive to do the same.
What is something that might surprise us about you? I played on the badminton team in high school and my dream is to own a small farm in the middle of nowhere.
What is your favorite sport or game to watch or play? I would watch Philadelphia Eagles live!
What is your best advice you would give to a student? When you know better, do better and always have a sharpened pencil ready to go!
Mrs. Caccia
What is your favorite thing about Desert Trails? The community of teachers, families and students!
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher and who was your favorite teacher? I didn't realize I wanted to be a teacher until after I graduated with a degree in Sociology and was a case worker. Most of my college friends were education majors and I envied their homework when I was busy trying to memorize dates and trials! Six months into my job, I knew I needed to return to school and follow my heart. Looking back though, I guess I should have known since as a child, I would line up my toys on the front steps and play school. Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Cobb! Hands down! I'm pretty sure I was taller than her even as a second grader. Back in the day in my small town, Mrs. Cobb would take a group of students home and we would cook dinner together. She lived adjacent to horse property and I happily remember that personal connection she made with us!
What is your best advice you would give to a student? Always have a Plan B. Oh, and a Plan C, and maybe even Plan D! It is important to be able to adapt to situations.
THANK YOU for ALL you do to help our students SOAR! Desert Trails is very lucky to have such an AMAZING 2nd grade team! Way to go!
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.
Healthy Home Check
- Students should stay home if they feel ill or are exhibiting symptoms of respiratory infection.
Parents and guardians should assess their child’s health daily prior to heading to school or the bus stop.
Daily measures you should take at home include:
Conducting a daily screening of your child for a temperature or COVID like symptoms
Keeping your child at home should they have a fever or COVID like symptoms
Maintaining a low threshold for keeping your child at home
Attendance
When a student is going to be absent from school, a guardian is expected to call the attendance line (602-449-4101) on the day of the absence, before 9:10 am.
If your child is out for COVID-like Symptoms or Exposure, it is extremely important that they are completing the work and accessing the material that the teachers are providing during their absence. Very soon, we will be launching Google Meets with our DTES staff in order to support students who are absent for COVID related reasons. More information coming soon!
United Parent Council
Upcoming Monthly Meeting
Oct. 20, 2021 (9:00-10:45 Zoom)
Join UPC for our Monthly Meeting to be followed by this month's program: "Keeping Your Kids Safe at School" with Dr. Mitch von Gnechten, Director of Student Services - Secondary. Learn about district policies and procedures that keep all students safe while they are at school.
PTO
Please take a peek at our October PTO newsletter for the latest updates and activities.
The Hawk Herald Newsletter - October 2021
~Your Desert Trails PTO Board~
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!
- Early Bird Round is 9/1/2021 - 12/1/2021.
- Open Enrollment form is Online
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