DVUSD News - Around Our Schools - December 14, 2009

From: "DVUSD News" <no-reply@dvusd.org>
Subject: DVUSD News - Around Our Schools - December 14, 2009
Date: December 15th 2009

Around Our Schools
December 14, 2009

Deer Valley Elementary Schools

Canyon Springs
Canyon Springs fifth grade teacher Elizabeth Daniel was recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for instilling a sense of national pride in students. She placed first in the K-5 teacher category at the local VFW Post (Anthem/ Daisy Mtn.) and took second place in state level for K-5 teacher category in the Phoenix area. Daniel was nominated for organizing the Veteran�s Day activities for the last three years which include organizing a troop drive for soldiers in Iraq and writing letters to veterans in the VA hospital and other U.S. hospitals as well.

Highland Lakes
Students at Highland Lakes held a coin drive this month and diligently hauled in their pennies and coins and raised $2,404.41 to donate to one of their own, Hannah Burnett, a five year old kindergartner at Highland Lakes who has not yet learned to walk due to her cerebral palsy. Burnett�s physical therapist recommended the gait trainer to help her learn the motion of walking, so that she may realize her dream. Hannah is one step closer to achieving that dream with the help of her fellow students and teachers. The donated money will go directly toward the purchase of Hannah�s new Meywalk 2000 gait trainer.

New River
Earlier this month, New River was visited by author, Barbara Gowan during the Heritage Day to mark the 75th anniversary of the school. Ms. Gowan shared her book �Desert Digits during presentations for every grade level.�

As a part of the Heritage Day festivities a group of Docents from Pioneer Living History Museum visited the school. They shared what life was like for the earlier settlers to the area. In addition to hearing about pioneer life the students had the opportunity to pan for gold.

This month sixth grade students participated in the �Inventors Wax Museum� and presented their project to parents, visitors, and fellow students. Each student selected an inventor to research and learn about, then prepared a speech, and dressed the part of their inventor.

Sunset Ridge
Sunset Ridge art teacher Camille Obert-Goralski and her students were selected for an arts and crafts demonstration which was showcased on channel 12�s brand new life style show with Tram Mai. The show will also include a �Rockin Refrigerator Art� segment displaying school artwork that students and teachers e-mail to the show.

West Wing
West Wing third grade teacher MaryKate Grant and her class adopted a family of five from Constitution School. In only two weeks Mrs. Grant�s class donated over 50 gifts to the family. The class collected clothes, shoes, books, beauty supplies, and toys for the mother and her four children. The students worked in teams to wrap and label all the gifts for the family. Parent volunteers brought the gifts and a student made card to Constitution so that they could be delivered to the family.

Deer Valley High Schools

Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater students Courtney Haley Shipley, Jazmin Spangler, Kevin Helms Jr., Max Cudily, and Patricia Magnusson have been selected to participate in this year�s AAA Cares Program sponsored by district business partner AAA Glendale Member Services Center. AAA Cares is a 20 week after school program offering students training and hands-on experience in basic business skills and practices.

Sandra Day O�Connor
The Sandra Day O�Connor Air Force JROTC unit was recently evaluated by the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Headquarters and received an overall unit assessment score of �Exceeds Standards,� the highest rating attainable. The JROTC unit is led by Lt. Col John Simmons and MSgt Willie Carmicle. The purpose of this visit was to evaluate the operation, administration, and effectiveness of the overall AFJROTC program and the individual units for contractual compliance, cost, and performance.

Tax Credit Donation Deadline is December 31st Whether your child is in school or not, you can take advantage of the credit. Everybody wins. You gain a tax credit and the school of your choice gains up to $400. If you don�t have a particular school in mind, you can make your tax credit donation directly to DVUSD. Funds contributed in this manner will be distributed to underserved schools within the district.

Keep in mind, to be eligible for an Arizona state tax credit, your contribution must be postmarked by December 31, 2009. You can make your donation online at http://dvusd.mytechsupport.com