DVUSD News Around Our Schools - August 23, 2010

From: "DVUSD News" <no-reply@dvusd.org>
Subject: DVUSD News Around Our Schools - August 23, 2010
Date: August 25th 2010

DVUSD Around Our Schools - August 23, 2010

Deer Valley Elementary Schools

Canyon Springs

Canyon Springs School hosted a ribbon cutting event on Friday, August 20 to celebrate their new shade structure donated by the Anthem Lions Club. Canyon Springs was presented with a check in the amount of $6,931 by Anthem Lions Club member Kerry Freeman.

This was a year long fundraising effort made by the Anthem Lions Club along with the help of Anthem Wal-Mart and Canyon Springs Parent Teacher Student Association. The shade structure will be installed at the main gate to provide shade for students and parents who are waiting before and after school and for fundraisers throughout the year.

Copper Creek

Below is a list of upcoming events at Copper Creek: Thursday and Friday, August 26 - 27, Mass Vision Screening-Nurse's Office Staff Wednesday, September 1, Development-Early Release Day 12:20 p.m. Friday, September 3, “Popsicle Sale” during student lunches Preschool & kindergarten Curriculum Night-times to be sent home by teachers

Esperanza

Esperanza started out the school year with a successful “Meet the Teacher Night”. Students and parents were able to find out about all the changes for the new 2010-2011 school year. Families who attended were able to view the new Six Pillars of Character murals painted in the cafeteria by art teacher Lindsay Boggs from Anthem School. Funds for the mural were raised by the Esperanza Parent Teacher Student Association.

Esperanza will be participating in the “Breakfast in the Classroom Program.” At the beginning of each school day every student will be provided with a free breakfast in the classroom.

Gavilan Peak

Gavilan Peak principal Dr. Mai-Lon Wong recently joined elementary and middle-level educators and leaders from across the country in the nation’s capital during the National Association of Elementary School Principals’ National Leaders Conference this summer to advocate for new policies for shaping long-term school improvement.

Dr. Wong took the critical needs of Arizona schools directly to lawmakers on Capitol Hill during meetings with legislator representatives Jeff Flake, Ann Kirkpatrick and John Shadegg to discuss legislative and new policies that strengthen professional development for principals and include standards for comprehensive early childhood programs and high-quality leadership mentoring programs.

Las Brisas

Las Brisas School has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) prestigious ENERGY STAR, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. Deer Valley has earned five ENERGY STAR awards to date including Materials Distribution Center, Village Meadows, Deer Valley, and Sandra Day O’Connor High School.

Legend Springs
Legend Springs School was recently awarded a $2,000 grant from Target to fund an artist in residence. Sixth grade students will study about ocean life while working in small groups with an artist to paint a mural using a large piece of plywood. The finished artwork will hang in the Multi-Purpose/Cafeteria with a recognition plaque dedicated to Target.

New River
The New River Staff and Community are happy to welcome new staff members for the 2010-2011 school year: Wendy Ellis, sixth grade teacher; Trevor Sanchez, psychologist; Michelle Zorger, intervention specialist; Alice Salazar, paraprofessional; Pauline Preiss, monitor; and Carmen Marquez, monitor.

This is the first year New River begins Core Knowledge. The kindergarten through fourth grade teachers spent five days in training to prepare for this new curriculum. The Core Knowledge Sequence provides students the opportunity to learn content grade by grade so that knowledge, language, and skills will build cumulatively from year to year. Enrolled students receive a broad base of knowledge in science, basic principles of government, important events in history, essential concepts in math, widely known masterpieces of art and music, and a rich vocabulary necessary for higher levels of learning.

New River Elementary celebrated the beginning of the school year with an Open House on Thursday, August 12. The evening started with a dinner sponsored by the PTSA and special merchandise and information about the New River “Green Team.” After a greeting by the principal and staff introductions, families were invited to visit the classrooms to meet the teacher.

Sierra Verde
Sierra Verde recently received school supplies valued at over $300 from school business partner Arrowhead Martial Arts Academy.

Terramar
Terramar students in grades K-8 practiced their first mock fire drill of the year on Friday, August 19.

Deer Valley High Schools

Boulder Creek High School

• Boulder Creek HS was again rated an excelling school for 2010, making it three consecutive years as an excelling school.

• Boulder Creek HS has been awarded the Confucius Classroom Grant, receiving $10,000 per year, renewable for three years. This grant will be used to meet Project 2021 goals, including an audio/iPod Language lab and expanded technology for the campus.

• Boulder Creek HS has over 1,100 students in the Honors Program for 2010-2011, including honors, dual enrollment, and advanced placement courses in all departments for students in grades nine through 12.

• Boulder Creek seniors with an attendance rate above 98% are eligible to win a 2011 Chevy Cruze from Midway Chevrolet. This award program is through graduation.

• Boulder Creek HS Music Program earned an Honorable Mention from Phoenix Magazine for 2010.

• Boulder Creek HS Spirit line earned 1st place for both Cheer and Dance at the Universal Cheerleaders Association Summer Camp as Camp Champs.

• Boulder Creek HS has again been recruited by MTV, who will return to BCHS on August 26 for another casting call for their reality show MADE.

• Boulder Creek HS CTE Program has earned the Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) Outstanding Career and Technical Education Chapter Award.

Upcoming Events-

•       Home Games begin the week of August 30:  
o       Girls’ Volleyball August 31 at 6 pm
o       Swim and Dive September 1 at 3:30 pm
o       Men’s Golf September 2 at 3:30 pm
o       Varsity Football September 3 at 7 pm
o       Women’s Golf September 8 at 3:30 pm
•       Applicants for the Graduating Class of 2011 Certificates of Academic Distinction are due September 3. 
•       Homecoming Week will be October 18-23. 

Mountain Ridge High School

Seventy-five members of the Mountain Ridge HS band and band director George Hattendorf attended the “Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA)/Diamondbacks Band Night” on Saturday, August 21at Chase Field. The massed band did quite well but the real crowning moment was when the five MRHS Wind Ensemble trumpets assembled at home plate to perform the Star Spangled Banner prior to the first pitch.

Mountain Ridge HS marketing and DECA advisor Renee Woodruff was awarded the "Distinguished Service Award" which was presented to her last month at the 2010 Association for Career Technical Education of Arizona Summer Conference.