WFES Newsletter
March 13th 2020
COVID-19 Update from PVSchools
Dear PVSchool Families:
As the situation surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues to evolve, PVSchools has proactively convened a COVID-19 Response Team (CRT) to continue planning and making preparations in the event that schools may need to be closed either due to a confirmed case(s) within our district or as a preventative health precaution, as well as to consider the protocols and possibilities for additional precautionary steps.
We are actively monitoring absence and illness rates at schools and sites. We are preparing for the likelihood that schools remain closed after Spring Break and will provide updated information by March 18. The process for making this decision will include identifying potential impacts to students and staff (such as meeting requirements for instructional minutes and required testing), options for continuing to supplement learning online, and continuing to provide nutrition to students participating in our school lunch program.
While there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus within PVSchools, the CRT continues to meet regularly to ensure we have plans in place for various actions that may be required in response to the virus, and will take immediate action, as needed to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our students, families, and employees. We continue to meet daily to plan regarding the response to this pandemic.
Additionally, several of us participated in a conference call with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health yesterday afternoon. A few important items that they stressed:
- There has not been a single confirmed case at any schools within Maricopa County.
- Proper preventative measures are critical (e.g. proper hand washing, staying home if not feeling well, avoiding touching your face, covering coughs, and covering sneezes).
- Only health care providers or individuals who are actively symptomatic should be wearing masks.
- Closing of schools is not being recommended at this time.
Below are important operational changes PVSchools is implementing:
- We will be imposing a 30-day moratorium, from March 13 through April 12, for the following activities to limit large gatherings and interactions. The length of the moratorium will be re-evaluated weekly:
- Student and employee travel (e.g. field trips and conferences);
- Employee professional development trainings;
- Large group activities and/or functions (e.g. assemblies, middle school sports, carnivals, Fine Arts events);
- Use of Volunteer in Paradise (VIP) Tutoring; and
- Student performances at Governing Board meetings.
- The Arizona Interscholastic Association is meeting on March 16 to further discuss high school athletics and potential impacts. Currently, large invitationals and out-of-town travel has already been postponed. We will continue to update you as we learn more information.
- All schools and district sites will receive increased cleaning during Spring Break, including but not limited to sanitizing touch points, desks, table tops (including cafeteria), phones, counters, and sinks.
- Bus seats and handrails continue to be sanitized daily.
- District facilities rented by large groups will receive increased cleaning.
- Posters highlighting proper handwashing techniques will be posted at all schools and district sites.
- If logistically possible, schools will be arranging schedules to accommodate increased hygiene practices for students, particularly for lunchtime and recess.
- Teaching of proper hygiene practices to students will continue.
PVSchools will continue to work closely with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health regarding all potential health issues. You can also visit their website for up-to-date information at Maricopa.gov/coronavirus or by calling their public hotline at 602-747-7099.
Up-to-date information will continue to be added to the PVSchools website. It can be accessed by visiting pvschools.net and clicking on the blue button labeled Coronavirus Information. The page includes all correspondence sent to our families along with information from public health officials (in English and Spanish).
Please help us remind students about practicing healthy habits, and keep your child home when they are sick. We appreciate your partnership in helping us keep our school community safe and healthy.
As this is an evolving health issue, we will continue to provide updates with any developments that could impact you, our students and families, or schools.
Sincerely,
Jesse Welsh, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Pennies for Patients: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Arizona Fundraiser
We are so proud of our Student Government for taking on this challenge and to all our students and families for their generosity as we support one of our own students in their battle with Leukemia and all the other kids out there who need our help!
PV Schools Purchases Student Art Work
Registration for the 2020-21 School Year!
https://www.pvschools.net/enrollment
Wildfire on the Fox 10 Morning Show!
Buddy Bench Plastic Lid Collection Drive - Update
So far our Student Government has collected more than 259.2 pounds of plastic lids and are almost 65% of the way to our goal of 400 pounds! Keep bringing in those lids for our buddy bench!
Here is what we need: Your plastic caps!!!
CAPS TO COLLECT FOR BUDDY BENCH!!
ACCEPTABLE CAPS:
Medicine bottle caps, drink bottle caps, milk jug caps, flip-top caps (ketchup, mustard) detergent caps, spout caps (mustard), hair spray caps, spray paint caps, toothpaste tube caps, ointment tube caps, deodorant caps,
Go-Go applesauce caps, baby food caps, Stonyfield yogurt pack twist-off caps
caps w/ RECYCLE NUMBERS of (2) ( 4) (5)
ACCEPTABLE LIDS:
Cottage cheese container lids, cool whip container lids, mayonnaise jar lids, coffee can lids, yogurt lids, cream cheese container lids, peanut butter jar lids, butter container lids, ice cream bucket lids under 8", Pringles lids, Prescription bottle lids
Tax Credit Donations
Tax credit eligible fees paid and contributions made to a public school from January 1 through April 15 of the calendar year may be used as a tax credit on the prior year's tax return. For example, qualifying contributions made to a public school between January 1, 2019 and April 15, 2019 may be used as a tax credit on either your 2018 or 2019 Arizona income tax return. (Pub 707 AZDOR). For additional information, call (602) 449-2049.
Arizona tax law allows taxpayers a credit for contributions made or fees paid to a public school for support of extracurricular activities or character education (as defined in ARS 15-719). If married, taxpayers file separate returns: Each spouse may claim one-half of the credit that would have been allowed on a joint return.
Math Resources For Help At Home
Math Family Resource Website: https://sites.google.com/pvlearners.net/family-resources/home
Homework Helper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8GkYGS888IicU5JVzFLRnhIcWlqY1lvOThXZXdQRl9taXJF/view
2020 Census
Please be sure to fill out your census and help our state and schools receive the funding we need.
Amazon Smile
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way to support our school.
The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases. Click on the picture above to learn how to donate.BOX TOP$ for Education
Box Top$ for Education is now digital! No more cutting and collecting box tops.
Click here to see how it works and how to contribute.
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!
School Information
School Hours Reminder
School Hours
Kindergarten - 6th Grade: 8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
PreK: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Students are allowed on school grounds at 8:15 AM. There is no supervision prior to that time. Student's in 1st through 6th-grade report to the main playground area and Kindergarten students to the Kindergarten playground.
Student are not permitted in the building prior to 8:45 AM, unless permission has been given by the school administration or classroom teacher.
Students arriving after 8:45 AM must be checked in by a parent in the front school office.
Dismissal time for 2nd - 6th grade is 3:15 PM and Kindergarten and 1st grade is 3:10 PM. We ask that parents make every effort to pick their student up on time.
Morning Student Drop-Off Update
Attendance Matters!
How is daily attendance calculated?
- Daily attendance of students is determined by the number of minutes a student is present at school during the day. To learn more about how daily attendance is calculated click here.
- Daily attendance rates of students is one of the measures used in determining Wildfire's school letter grade.
- Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence. In the state of Arizona, any student missing more than 18 days of school is considered truant, regardless of if the absence is excused or unexcused.
- When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.
- Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back.
- By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
Attendance Information
Please report any student absence to our attendance line: (602) 449-4301. A message can be left on the attendance line 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Please make every effort to have your student(s) to school on time and limit unnecessary absences.
On the Calendar
Important Upcoming Dates
- Spring Break - NO SCHOOL: March 16th - 20th
- 4th Grade Grand Canyon Field Trip: Postponed
- 5th & 6th Grade Awards Ceremony: Postponed
- Kindergarten Field Trip to Wildlife World Zoo: Postponed
- Firebird Festival: Postponed
- 3rd Quarter Award Ceremony: Postponed
- AzMERIT Writing Test - 3rd/4th Grade - April 1st
- AzMERiT Writing Test - 5th/6th Grade - April 2nd
- Early Release Day - April 7th
- AIMS Science Test - 4th Grade - April 8th
- NO SCHOOL DAY - April 10th
- School Council Meeting - 5:30 PM on April 14th
- 6th Grade Human Growth and Development Parent Meeting - 6:00 PM on April 14th
- PTO Meeting - 6:30 PM on April 14th
- AzMERIT Reading Tests for 3rd - 6th Grade: April 15th
- AzMERIT Math Tests for 3rd - 6th Grade: April 16th
- After School Treats: April 17th
- 5th Grade BizTown Field Trip: April 20th
- Wildfire Family Night Out at Cafe Zupa: 5 - 9 PM
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