Two of my favorite October things: Parent~Teacher conferences & cooler weather!
Mark your calendar Oct. 26-29 for our first 09-10 Parent-Teacher conferences. Communications will be coming home soon seeking your choice of day and time! This is always a wonderful time for teachers to share student progress, goals, and showcase student work!!!
Authentic grading continues to be a focus as we work through Ken O'Conner's book "Repair Kit for Broken Grades." As I mentioned at the PTO meeting, I will be sharing our study with parents via the monthly eNews. Our November eNews will launch the first online parent~staff book study. Currently Desert Trails is not grading homework and we have eliminated zero. We are allowing students to make up any incomplete work, missed work or late work. Grades will not be reduced due to any of these "behaviors" but the knowledge demonstrated is what will be graded. Be watching and learn along with us!
October events:
Oct. 1 Governing Board meeting 7 pm
Oct. 2 Student Council speeches
Oct. 9 STAR Citizen lunch with Mrs. Lee at Mimi's Cafe 11:30
Oct. 12 No school~K-12 Recess
Oct. 14 UPC meeting 8:30
Oct. 15 Governing Board meeting 7 pm
Oct. 19 School Council meeting 7:45 am
Oct. 19 Red Ribbon Week
Oct. 23 DEA helicopter fly in
Oct. 24 PTO~ Pizza in the Park
Oct. 26-29 Parent Teacher Conference Week
Oct. 28& 29 12:30 dismissal
Oct. 30 No School~ K-8 Recess
School Council Bites
At the last School Council meeting some of the discussion focused on spreading the word about Tax Credit! Using our phone blast, teachers generating ideas for new classes, setting a goal for this year and many more ideas were shared. The Council is seeking input as to what parents would like to see offered before or after school! Please email me with your ideas! Another item School Council is seeking input is for our school grounds improvement. The district is gathering data to see where and what the greatest needs are surrounding the issue of maintenance. If you know of something on our campus that needs to be replaced or updated, please email me your input. The Council also established the 2009-2010 meeting dates: 10/19-11/16-12/14-1/11-2/8-3/15-4/19-5/17
Also, Mollen Health clinic will be at Desert Trails offering the flu and swine flu shots to students. Dates and permission slips will be coming home soon. Next meeting the Council will continue Tax Credit & school improvement ideas! For further information check out our School Council page on our school website @ http://cmweb.pvschools.net/dtesweb/
Red Ribbon Week
This year Desert Trails' students will have a thrilling and exciting opportunity to watch not only the arrival of a DEA helicopter, but also the landing!!! That's right, the DEA helicopter will land in the Desert Trails' playground. The engine will be shut off, and the DEA agents will emerge! Students will then be able to walk down to the playground and around the helicopter. Thanks to a Desert Trails' parent with great connections and our wonderful PTO, this will be a great day for our students!!! Permission slips will be coming home soon.
After School Enrichment Classes
Are you looking for extra academic support for your child? Desert Trails offers after school Tutoring and Homework Club. Perhaps you are looking to keep your child active?
Take a look at the brand new class offered by Coach E. ~
First Semester Activities
1st-6th Grade Boys and Girls Basketball
1st-6th Grade Boys and Girls Cross Country Activities
Get involved in an outstanding opportunity for grades 4-6 boys and girls to learn great fundamental skills such as running, passing, catching, agility, teamwork, and strategy. This is a chance to enhance and showcase your skills, while developing your level of physical fitness. The continual movement will strengthen your aerobic capacity without realizing how much movement is occurring. Most importantly, you will have fun while learning. We have 40 spots open for this activity but they will fill up rapidly. Signup quickly to secure your spot!! To be eligible, please return the Parent Permission and Medical Release form to Coach E. before the deadline of 10-9-09. The fee is $50.00, which is non-refundable. Check or cash is acceptable.
Important Dates and Times to Remember:
Last day to return paperwork is 10-9-09
Scheduled days are Tuesdays and Thursdays
Times are from 3:00 – 4:00
Students MUST be picked up by 3:55 OR PROMPTLY at 4:00
Activity dates for Basketball are 10/13, 10/15, 10/50, 10/22, 10/27, 11/3, 11/5.
Activity dates for Cross Country are 11/17, 11/19, 11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/17.
School Office hours 8:00-4:00 Phone # 602.449.4100 Attendance # 602.449.4001
Desert Trails Elementary
4315 E. Cashman Dr. Phoenix, Az 85050
Paradise Valley Unified School District
