DVUSD News Message

October 18-22, 2010

 

 

Arrowhead Elementary was one of only six Deer Valley recipients of the 2010 Energy Star Award for energy conservation. This distinguished honor was presented at the October 12^th board meeting from U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency.  

 

 

Bellair PTA is sponsoring a Peter Piper Family Night on Thursday, October 28 from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. at the Arrowhead Peter Piper (75^th Ave and Bell). This fun evening gives students and families to enjoy a pizza while participating in silly activities. Staff members will participate in an obstacle race as well as work behind the counter and prepare pizza. The PTA will receive 15% of the sales to fund PTA sponsored activities for the Bellair Elementary Students. The PTA will also earn 15% for any sales at Peter Piper that day; just remember to say “Bellair” when ordering anytime on October 28, this will also count on take-out orders. Bellair would like to thank everyone for participating in this worthy cause.

 

“Johnny Appleseed” (AKA as Speech Language Teacher Dave Mires) was recently sighted visiting the Bellair preschool classes of Mrs. Sharilyn Miller. This interactive visit was well received by students as they tasted different kinds of apples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Grade students in Mrs. Currier’s class have gone back in time to Europe during the middle ages. They have been studying how the Fall of Rome led to a new Europe. Students have been working hard to earn their “Knighthood” honor as they follow the class “Code of Chivalry”. At the end of the Middle Ages unit, students with participate in a Knighting Ceremony as Principal, Sue Clark bestows the level of Knight upon those students reaching that level.

 

Ms. Squire’s fourth grade and Mrs. Silverstein’s first grade classes won the PTA Spirit Day last week by having the highest number of students wearing school shirts or school colors on Friday, October 15. These two classes will be entered n a drawing for a pizza party provided by Peter Piper Pizza. They will also receive posters to hand on their door indicating they are classes with school spirit.  

 

Congratulations to Mr. Tom Clarke, seventh/eighth grade math teacher and Mr. Scott Warner, seventh grade math teacher for being awarded a DVUSD 2010-2011 Computer Innovation Grant. This award will provide the teachers’ math classes with Netbook laptops to support 21^st Century Learning in math. Both teachers will be showcasing their implementation results at the DVUSD Technology Showcase in May.

 

Mrs. Tibbs’ second grade class is learning about air and weather in science. They have learned through experiments with balloons, bottles, parachutes and thermometers that air is matter, takes up space, has force, resistance, temperature and is directly connected with the weather. They are really enjoying becoming reporting meteorologists, watching types of clouds, and recording the amazing variety of weather we have had lately.

 

“Canyon Springs Choraliers” (fourth, fifth and sixth grade chorus) meets every Tuesday or Thursday after school from 3:10-4:10 p.m. in the music room. Tuesday, September 14^th the “Canyon Springs Choraliers” with the aid of the “Singing Sensations” performed the Star Spangled Banner for National Anthem Day. Over 125 singers also got to listen to the lovely voice of choral parent and Canyon Springs staff member, Mrs. Miller, sing the Star Spangled Banner a cappella.

 

“Singing Sensations” (seventh and eighth grade choir) meets first hour Monday through Friday. Songs from Grease, Phantom of the Opera and other choral works are in their repertoire. Several of our outstanding seventh and eighth grade vocalists auditioned for the “Upscale Singers!” vocal scholarships. 

 

The first performance of the performing group will be at the PTSA Pumpkin Walk on Thursday, October 28. The winter concert will be Thursday, December 9. All are invited to the event.

 

 

Student of the Month and Pillar Pride recipients for the month of September were recognized last Friday, October 15 with cookies and juice with Principal Stephanie Tennille and a special certificate. Student of the Month is awarded based on academics and Pillar Pride is awarded based on character.

 

Kindergarten: Darlene Espino, Alijandra Valeriano, Sophia Alvarez, Anthony Glassey

1^st Grade: Angel Rosas, Ivan Ochoa, Rose Marquez, Adrien Garcia

2^nd Grade: Estefani Mendoza, Yessica Acosta, Amy Bautista Najera, Sandy Torres

3^rd Grade: Jakeb Burris, Manny Carrasco, Jacqueline Ramos

4^th Grade: Litzy Merrieta, Angel Desiderio, Jazzlyn Julian, Rutilo Avila

5^th Grade: Brenda Ramirez, Lizbeth Fernandez, Cesar Avalos, Delmar Zamora

6^th Grade: Cindy Rogel, Victoria Baca, Anthony Cornell

 

Kindergarten: Janet Olaguez, Abel Isais, Tianna Lester, Kaylie Cargill, Lajla Zahirovic

1^st Grade: Valeria Espino, Chirstopher Soria, Genesis Rodriguez

2^nd Grade: Gelsey Valenzuela, Nathan Castrejon, Sean Hoover, Jozeph Al-Tamimi

3^rd Grade: Jacqueline Trujillo, Tammy Ortega, Niya Araiza

4^th Grade: Veronica Gonzalez, Cynthia Rojas, Daniel Ionel, Melissa Serna

5^th Grade: Elideth Arrieta, Sandra Suarez, Destiny Booker, Samantha Diaz

6^th Grade: Manuel Reyes, Elvira Alvarado, Karla Carbajal

 

Deer Valley Unified School District and Eight-Arizona PBS Educational Outreach are providing a series of six free Family Literacy Workshops at the Constitution Elementary campus on Tuesday afternoon workshops from 1 – 3 p.m. on October 12, 19, 26 and November 2 and 9. Childcare will be provided for children birth to age five.

 

The series will enhance understanding of reading and language development for children birth to five years of age. Parents are provided many free materials to enhance literacy with young children. Registration is required at www.azpbs.org/workshop or by calling 602-496-7004. Workshops available in Spanish. Space is limited. Workshops funded by a grant from First Things First North Phoenix Regional Partnership Council.

 

Constitution Elementary will be holding a Scholastic Book Fair on October 26-29 in the Library Media Center. Families are invited to attend the book fair during the annual PTSA Fall Festival on Friday, October 29 from 5 – 7:30 p.m.

 

In an effort to increase an awareness, likeness, and excitement for poetry in the classroom, Constitution is having a Secret Reader on the morning announcements each Friday. Secret Readers will be various staff members, and the first home room class to name the Secret Reader each day will have the honor of displaying a special award in their classroom.

 

Constitution is featuring a children’s author every month by sharing a biography of that author on the morning announcements, highlighting that author’s books and posting the author’s photo in the library media center. This month’s author is Patricia Polacco, author of “The Keeping Quilt” and “Chicken Sunday,” to name a few.

 

 

Earlier this month, Copper Creek students celebrated Walk & Bike to School Week.  Each school day had a theme encouraging students to participate in this event and tokens were given to participating students.  Glendale Police Department along with McGruff, the crime dog were on hand to encourage physical fitness and to make walking and biking a new habit.

 

 

Desert Sky is having a Family Fun Night at Great Skate on Friday, October 22 from 5 – 7 p.m. It is only a $5 admission cost and includes regular skate rental. Teachers skate FREE and receive a slice of pizza and a drink. Non-skating adults are FREE.

 

Congratulations to September Students of the Month: Sabrina Balyan, Cody Brown, Kylee Ferris, Kyle Livingston, Bryce McGowan, Cora Stoops, Hiris Vela Garza, Bailey Schroeder, Daemin Ward, Olivia Wilkens, Jared Wilkins, and Amber Zehner.

 

Congratulations to September Adult of the Month: Mrs. Dawn McKinney, Math Department Chair and teacher, has been selected by her peers as Desert Sky’s Adult of the Month. Mrs. McKinney was applauded for assuming a leadership position on our campus and demonstrating her insight and ability to lead peers, as well as her commitment to the math department and her contributions to Desert Sky’s CIP goals.

 

Desert Sky is participating in a partnership with the Swift Charities Clothing Collection Drive. On the campus there is a blue collection box where we are gathering donations of clothing and other small household items. For every pound of clothing collected Desert Sky earns a donation. The goal is $1,000 which can be raised quickly with everyone’s support. Swift Charities also donates funds to other children’s charities such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and Banner Children’s Hospital.

 

 

Mrs. Giurgiu’s second grade class has been learning about maps. As a culminating project her students made salt dough and used it to make landform maps of the United States. The second grade applied learned skills such as map keys, mountains, valleys, hills, and bodies of water including lakes and oceans to complete their maps.

 

Desert Winds first grade teacher Linda Slavick was awarded a $2,000 grand for an ING Unsung Heroes Grant for the Math Centers in the Wild project. Mrs. Slavick will be presented with a check from ING representative Teresa Paul on Tuesday, November 2.

 

Desert Winds’ sixth grade students looked on attentively as dentistry students explain the effects of tobacco and drugs. Students participated in small group classroom discussions with dental students from Midwestern University Dental Institute. The dental students will return in the Spring to provide a school wide dental screening.

 

 

 

 

McTeacher’s Night at McDonald’s was a great success. The students were thrilled to see their teachers, the PTSA was promoted, and the community was informed about the upcoming override. Cookie and apple pie "sales people" made $26 dollars in tips while McDonald's made $1,600 in sales during the two hour Desert Winds’ McTeacher’s Night, which means the PTSA earned $240. 

 

Desert Winds held their 3^rd Annual Walk to School Day with the City of Phoenix to promote safety and exercise on Friday, October 22 at 7:30 a.m. The walk began at 7:45 a.m. with the Desert Winds’ drummers leading the way. A short assembly followed in the Desert Winds courtyard.

 

Desert Winds’ Fall Festival will be held on Friday, November 5 at 5 p.m. Dress in your favorite cowboy/girl attire and come enjoy dinner (hot dog, chips, cookie and drink) for only $4, carnival games (tickets 4 for $1), a pie eating contest, goodie basket raffles, a cupcake walk, the book fair, and much more.

 

 

 

Esperanza’s Renaissance Academy teachers Ms. Cherry Dellios and Mrs. Kim Potts are having their first, second, and third graders write a photo autobiography. It is a collection of their memoirs called "Keeping Our Stories Alive". They are writing about nine pictures they brought from home and it's put into an album with the picture on one side and the memoir on the other. Students have been taught keyboard and Word, so they are also publishing it on the computer.

Mrs. Sue Sprankle's first grade and Mrs. Karen Herman's third grade class learned about Johnny Appleseed.  Both classes met in the cafeteria where various learning stations were set up. The children had the opportunity of graphing, measuring and weighing different types of apples, making a time-line of Johnny Appleseed's Life, making their own apple book, and a variety of other hands on learning activities.  Other activities included making an apple pie, and homemade applesauce. 

 

Dow Kump, an action/adventure novelist for young readers visited Esperanza Elementary earlier this month presenting a 3-D animated PowerPoint presentation introducing his novel Project 00. Music, exciting storytelling, and colorful illustrations brought the book to life. During his visit, Mr. Kump spoke about the writing process and about becoming an author himself. He outlined the steps to engaging readers with good writing and rewriting, and encouraged students to follow the steps to becoming star writers themselves.

 

 

Greenbrier students received a visit from the Phoenix Coyotes on Friday, October 15 to help kick of the hockey season.

 

 

The Highland Lakes boys cross country team placed second in the North Valley Middle Level Conference on Monday, October 18. The boys placed four runners in the top ten which helped them secure the runner up trophy. Placing in the top ten were Nate Haines (4th), Jon Hrovat (7th), Justin Koehler (8th) and Lukas Vogt (9th). Coach Dunn is extremely proud of the runners progress throughout the year.

 

Legend Springs kicked off its “Character Counts” week on Monday, October. 18. Throughout the week the school held assemblies, a poster contest, dress themes and a canned food/pet food drive. Children learned about the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. 

 

Ms. White’s fifth and sixth grade music students performed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance for the school and it was a huge hit. Students will be viewing the DVD of their performance and critiquing it in a short paper

 

 

Please join this annual Fall Festival celebration on the evening of Friday, November 5. This is a family event, so please make sure that all children under the age of 18 are accompanied by an adult. Please contact PTSA board members if you are able to volunteer during this event by calling 602-467-5300.

 

Mirage will be hosting sixth grade Family Parent Night on Wednesday, November 3 in their classrooms from 6-7 p.m.

 

The Mirage student body selected their Student Council officers for 2010-11. Congratulations to the new officers:

 

Horace Mann representative Jeanne Getz donated a 24 inch Road Master Mountain Bike to Mountain Shadows for the October Coyote Cash drawing.  Students earn "Coyote Cash" for demonstrating good character.  The "cash" was put in a big container and one bill was drawn and that lucky student won. The lucky student was a fifth grader in Mr. Will's class, Tatum Hayes, she was presented with her new bike by our principal Mrs. Debra Roets. 

 

 

 

 

 

All PTSA members are invited to join Mountain Shadows for a free dinner at the October General Meeting Thursday, October 28 from 6-7p.m.  Please join them to see what they are working on for the year ahead.  The school will be hosting its "Trunk or Treat" event.  This is a safe alternative to trick or treating in the neighborhood.   If you would like to "Trunk or Treat" with the school please feel free.  

 

 

 

K-kids will be collecting the pink lids from yogurt containers to help fight cancer. The lids will be donated to Susan G. Koman Foundation.

 

After completing a unit on bowling the sixth grade students in Wendy Ellis and Michelle Warburton’s classes had the opportunity to put their skills into action. They visited AMF Bowling and had a great time bowling with the help of Coach Cathy Dudzinski for arranging this trip. 

 

 

2010-2011 Bookmark Design Contest Winners Announced. Congratulations to this year’s winners: Alan Jenson, Amad Hamid, Yenlinh Nguyen, Anthony Dahdal, Callie Patrick, Marie Everett and Kayla Anderson.

The 2^nd annual Library Media Center bookmark contest is complete. PTA President Kathi Cross, and Park Meadows Art teacher Emily Wash, selected one bookmark from each grade level. More than 140 students participated this year, so the selection of only one from each grade level was difficult. 

 

Each student received a free Brunswick bowling card compliments of M&I Bank and their choice of a book for their new bookmark. Bookmarks are available throughout the school the LMC for students and staff.

 

 

Paseo Hills School is celebrating its sixth annual Veteran’s Day Celebration on Wednesday, November 10 from 9-11 a.m. This event is open to all interested community and family members. Musical and other presentations are made by the entire student population including the Paseo Hills Band and Choirs. Local veterans are encouraged to attend. Several veterans are presenting and speaking in order to honor those who have served as well as provide a real life experience to Paseo Hills students and families.

The campus will be full of fire trucks, motorcycles, SWAT personnel, police, and other community service people. A “Wall of Heroes” is a moving visual tribute featuring everyday heroes whom our own students choose to honor. Deer Valley High School’s ROTC color guard will help set the tone of our patriotic celebration. Lunch is provided, following the regalia, free to all veterans and at a small cost to interested families. If you have any questions or want to participate please visit the Paseo Hills School website, https://paseohills.dvusd.org/.

 

Sierra Verde celebrated the end of the first quarter with a school wide “Excelling Assembly” on Friday, October 15. Together students, teachers, administration, community members, parents, and honored guests including Superintendent Virginia McElyea celebrated Sierra Verde’s sixth year in a row earning the Excelling in Education Award. 

 

Music teacher Mrs. Jamie Showers directed the choir in the opening song “Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night” and the Sierra Verde band, under the direction of Mr. Elliot Speidell, played the very appropriate song, “Don’t Stop Believing.” Mrs. Michelle Thomas and the Sierra Verde Jump Rope Club showed off their finest jump roping skills. NJHS students handed out roses to each teacher as a thank you for the dedication Sierra Verde teachers give to students. Each grade level had the opportunity to write an original grade level chant showing Viper pride. 

 

Sierra Verde would like to thank the following honored guests for attending the Excelling Assembly:

 

Congratulations to Carson Flood and Todd Carlson for earning the first quarter Character Counts Award. These students earned this award for exemplary role modeling of the character traits of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The award was given to the boys during the Excelling Assembly on Friday, October 15. 

9 am. – Noon in the school parking lot. The event organized by the City of Glendale and the Glendale police department. The focus of the event is bike safety.  There will be five stations set up. Students and community members are encouraged to come and participate in the different obstacles sit up to challenge and teach participants about bike safety. There will be a bike helmet fitting station and an opportunity to purchase helmets.  Jamba Juice and Sierra Verde NJHS will have a refreshment booth set up.

 

5- 6:30 p.m. Students, families and community members are welcome to enjoy STEM and literacy activities. STEM projects will be on display in the multipurpose room, a REMAX hot air balloon will be in the field, night sky observations will be held, and Jamba Juice will be available for purchase..

 

 

West Wing hosted its second Annual Mustang Round Up Hoedown/Picnic in the Park on Friday, October 22 which was sponsored by the PTSA.  This was a free family/community event with face painting, pie eating contests, dancing, prizes and fun for all ages.  

 

The West Wing third grade has been adopted by the Peoria Fire Department for their "Books in Boots" Program. This is a reading incentive program that helps promote students to read books. 

 

West Wing fifth grade teachers were awarded the Computer Innovation Grant. This grant will provide all fifth grade students with 28 Notebook computers.

 

Interact Club was assigned one house to paint in the "Building Together" Rock n Roll Paint a Thon on Saturday, October 23. The club asked for four houses but there were not enough houses to go around for all groups who volunteered. 

 

The house is located at 3024 N 64th Drive (67th Avenue and Camelback area). The owner of the house is 86 and is disabled. The Interact Club is in need of 30 people to paint the house in order to finish the house within six hours. If you are interested please contact Brenda Moore at Brenda.moore@dvusd.org.  

 

The Barry Goldwater Bulldog Varsity Chess team defeated Bourgade, North Pointe and Carl Hayden on Saturday, October 16. The Bulldogs have secured a berth at the AIA state team tournament November 5-6 at Tempe High School.

 

The Alternates were also impressive with their 2-1 results for the day. Overall the Bulldogs finished regular Region II play 8-1, second to Alhambra.

 

 

October 29-30 BG hosts the Region II Individual Qualifier. The top 15 individuals will qualify for the AIA state individual competition to be held November 19-20 at Blue Ridge High School.  

 

 

Deer Valley High School junior Alyssa Homsey received two scholarships at the Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase.  One was for a partial tuition waiver for a summer intensive for Inside Chicago Dance in Chicago and the second was for a full tuition waiver for any Tremaine Dance Convention of her choice.

 

 

The Mountain Ridge High School Band attended the Barry Goldwater High School Invitational and was named: Grand Champion with a Superior rating 80.6. The band was also received “Outstanding” for Auxiliary Performance, Music Performance, Visual Performance, General Effect, and Percussion Performance. 

 

Mountain Ridge High School won the award for the largest high school team for Race for the 2010 Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure held on Sunday, October 10. 

Mountain Ridge High School is currently collecting money in Social Studies and Freshman Language Art classes in support of sending three Arizona WWII Veterans to Washington D.C. to see their memorial.  Because it took 59 years to build, most have not seen the memorial and many will never see it because of finances or physical disabilities.  Honor Flight flies these vets to D.C. to honor them for their service.  The veterans were celebrated at sporting events on October 14 and 15.

 

Mountain Ridge is honored to have four Semi-Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program which are: Sarah Cowan, Brett Fischer, Andrew Liu, and Taylor Scott.

 

In October 2009, 1.5 million juniors in high schools all across the nation took the PSAT. The National Merit Scholarship Program selects the top 1% of the highest scorers in each state and recognizes them as Semi-Finalists for the National Merit Scholarship.