DVUSD News - Around Our Schools, April 26, 2010

From: "DVUSD News" <no-reply@dvusd.org>
Subject: DVUSD News - Around Our Schools, April 26, 2010
Date: April 28th 2010

Around Our Schools
April 26, 2010

Deer Valley Elementary Schools

Canyon Springs School
Canyon Springs was visited by Senator David Braswell on Wednesday, April 28 to meet with the fourth grade classes. The classes toured the capitol a few weeks ago and Senator Braswell could not meet with them at that time. He contacted one of the fourth grade teachers and asked if he could visit the Canyon Springs campus to meet especially with the fourth graders.

Diamond Canyon
Diamond Canyon School will be hosting the following events in May:

May 4 Restaurant Night: Pinata Nueva 4-7 p.m. (a portion of proceeds benefit Diamond Canyon School)

May 10 Book Exchange: Students will receive a ticket for every used book they donate at the school gate. Tickets can then be used May 13 - 14 to �purchase� books from those collected. Contact Maren Rosendahl for more information e-mail marenrae@msn.com.

May 13 PTSA Meeting: 9 a.m. in the Media Center

Highland Lakes
Highland Lakes and the PTA will be sponsoring a new recycling program for the 2010-2011 school year which includes placing two recycle bins in each classroom and office throughout the campus for cans and plastic bottles and paper.

Las Brisas
Last month, in honor of Earth Day 2010, four Girl Scout Troops representing 36 students from Las Brisas used a portion of their cookie money to purchase and plant two Palo Verde trees in an open area near the portable buildings at Las Brisas Elementary. Las Brisas students included:

Amma Sarkodee-Adoo; Audrey Covington; Caitlin Cooper; Carli Holocher; Elizabeth Barker; Madalyn Williams; Natalie Novak; Brooke Bradigan; Kimberly Diaz; Kristin Gage; Samantha Hubbard; Mandy Moisoff; Amber Pinto; Savhana Shipley; Samantha Yates; Kaylin Diaz; Theresa Pinto; Sydney Yates; Denver Caldwell; Sophia Caldwell; Nikki Hazelett; Hailey Hillsten; Sierra Johnston; Eden Karlen; Lauren Kisicki; Becca Kittridge; Cassidy Moore; Kylie Sweeney; Sariah Aldrete; Kayla Andrews; Kate Flaherty; Sage Hemstreet; Makenna Kroulik; Emily Lucas; Shannon McBreen; and Ashley Wickham.

Mountain Shadows
Mountain Shadows sixth grade teacher Tracy Brody was selected as a KNIX Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week and was surprised with an award on Thursday, April 22 by Carolyn Coffey, KNIX's morning show personality. Tracy was nominated by one of her students for her dedication and passion for teaching.

New River
New River has created the �Running Club,� an after school club sponsored to help students improve their health and practice for the district sponsored track and field event that will take place in May.

The New River students experienced a show by Magician Richard from Arizona Project Wet about water conservation on Tuesday, April 20.

New River first graders were the winners of the school recycle contest. They brought in the most recycle goods from home and will receive an ice cream party.

Patience Monroe from Maricopa County Solid Waste Program taught New River kindergarten and first grade students about recycling and the benefits that it provides to Earth on Thursday, April 22.

The New River Spring Band and Chorus Concerts will be held Tuesday, May 4 at 7 p.m. in the Media Center.

Sierra Verde
Sierra Verde has been awarded a $5,000 SRP Learning Grant. The funds will be used to provide students in grades 6-8 with an energy efficient wind turbines project for the upcoming school year. The grant was submitted by seventh grade teacher Hilary Blanchard.

Stetson Hills
The Stetson Hills sixth grade band received a �Superior with Distinction� rating at the Arizona Pageant of Concert Bands Festival sponsored by the Arizona Music Educators Association. Stetson Hills was the only band to receive this rating in Deer Valley. The event was held at Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe earlier this month.

Stetson Hills School was selected as a �Readers Are Leaders Award� winner, receiving a $1,000 grant for its school library by McDonald's Owner/Operators of Arizona and the Arizona Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Stetson Hills PTSA is one of ten Arizona PTAs receiving $1,000 grants for its literacy programs from McDonald's Readers Are Leaders Award program. The grant program provides funding for the books and reading materials for school libraries to enhance book collections and offer titles that kids will want to drop everything and read. The grant money will be used to purchase popular award-winning books to inspire students to read even more.

West Wing
West Wing PTSA held it�s first ever annual Spring Carnival last month. The community turnout was very successful. Families enjoyed games, activities, food, and music. The PTSA raised $15,000 which was used to purchase additional Smart Boards for the school and classroom supplies.

Deer Valley Middle Schools
Desert Sky Middle
Deer Valley Middle School will be hosting its annual sixth grade �Parent Orientation� on Monday, May 10, at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria. All feeder school parents are encouraged to attend to receive information regarding middle school expectations, club, athletic, and academic opportunities. There will also be a special presentation by �NOT MY KID� at 7 p.m. concerning internet safety.

Desert Sky Middle will be selling corsages for Mother�s Day on May 4 and 6 � 7 from 11:30 a.m. � 1 p.m. The corsages will be selling for $2. Students and staff will be assembling the corsages on Sunday, April 25 from 2 � 4 p.m. and Monday, April 26 from 10 a.m. - noon. If you would like to help in making, selling or donating for this event, please call Rita at 623-221-2435 or email her at brientribe7@gmail.com.

Deer Valley Middle School will be hosting an end of the year �Skate Night� at Great Skate on Tuesday, May 11 from 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets are only $5 and include skate rental. Family and friends are invited to attend this event.

Hillcrest Middle School
Hillcrest Middle School has been awarded a $5,000 SRP Learning Grant. The funds will be used to provide students in grades 7-8 with �Project Lead the Way, Gateway to Technology� curriculum which focuses on showing, not telling, students how to use engineering skills to solve every day, real-world problems. The grant was submitted by principal Dannene Truett and teachers Chet Hinrichs; Denise Parrino; Jeff Herold; Jennifer Asher; Kimberly White; and Margaret Petry.

Deer Valley High Schools

Mountain Ridge High School
Earlier this month, 12 Mountain Ridge High School students competed in the Arizona State National History Day Competition (NHD). Eight out of 12 students have advanced to compete at National History Day in Washington D.C. this June. This year's NHD theme of "Innovation in History: Impact and Change." In order to get this far students competed at a school level and then a regional level, which was held at the Arizona Historical Society before advancing to Nationals. Below is a list of student winners:

No Run Nylon: Desmond Ng, Sarah Cowan, Jun-Young Kim 1st Place - Senior Group Documentary

The Violin: Taylor Scott
1st Place - Senior Individual Documentary

Oil Drill: Brett Fisher
1st Place - Senior Historical Paper

The Lens: Randy Fulford
1st Place - Senior Individual Exhibit

Tesla's Coil: EJ Radina
1st Place - Senior Individual Performance

Sanitation: Beverly Belcher
2nd Place - Senior Website

Mountain Ridge's Future Educators Association Student Chapter participated at the FEA 2010 State Spring Conference at ASU last month. The MRHS Student Chapter earned a Bronze Chapter Award for their Program of work for 2010. MRHS Student and FEA President Julie Scalise earned the Merit Level Student of the Year Award. Student and Vice President Lindsey Brass competed in the Application and Interview competition as well as the Impromptu Speaking event where she earned a score of 98%. Students Danielle Hall and Savanna Letcher also competed in the Service Project and Presentation competition. The MRHS Future Educators Association Student Chapter is led by FTA advisor and MRHS teacher Shawna Bernard.

Mountain Ridge science teacher Jason Prey has been selected as �Teacher of the Year� by the Deer Valley Education Foundation.

Mountain Ridge student Simon Jay was awarded a $1,000 scholarship and recognized as a four year member of All-State Band.

Mountain Ridge will be hosting a barbeque and silent auction on Friday, April 30 from 5:30 � 9 p.m. The cost is $10 per dinner. Funds will be used to support Mountain Ridge�s Band, Spirit Line, International Club, sports, and other extra curricular clubs and activities. Barbeque dinner will be catered by Whiskey Ranch BBQ Co.

Sandra Day O�Connor High School
On Monday, April 26 the Sandra Day O�Connor girl�s varsity softball team presented the Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona with a check for $1,000. The team raised the money through t-shirt sales and 50/50 raffles.

Eight students from Sandra Day O'Connor High School competed in the Arizona State National History Day competition. Four out of the eight students will advance to compete at National History Day (NHD) in Washington D.C. this June. This year's NHD theme of "Innovation in History: Impact and Change". In order to get this far students competed at a school level and then a regional level, which was held at the Arizona Historical Society before advancing to Nationals. Students advancing to nationals are:

The Women's Movement: Umea Raman, Zara Tariff, and Genevieve Cathedral 2nd Place - Group Performance

The Innovation of the Printing Press: Anna Freydenzon 1st Place - Individual Website

Nine Sandra Day O�Connor High School students competed in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) State Conference held on April 14-16 in Tucson. Advisor and Sports Medicine Instructor Chandler Evans led the student team of nine students to compete in their very first state competition. Five of those students placed in the top five which are:

Ryan Stikeleather - placed 2nd in Sports Medicine (qualified to compete at the National HOSA competition in Orlando Florida)

Tori Hobson - placed 3rd in Physical Therapy (qualified to compete at the National HOSA competition in Orlando Florida)

Dariush Cave-Khatiblou and Trevor Hill - placed 4th in CPR/First Aid

Ali Zaidi - placed 5th in Medical Math