Monday, October 31, 2011

Parent Input

If you missed the opportunity to share your input by filling out the survey during Parent~Teacher Conferences, I've created a link with the same form.
Please simply go to this pvlearners site CLICK HERE and answer the two questions regarding our Special Areas. Your feedback is important! If you already completed the survey, please do not fill it out again. We would like to have the most reliable feedback as possible.
THANK YOU!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Solar/Red Ribbon Week/

Moving forward to save money- You will soon see solar structures at Desert Trails! We are very excited to be one of the first in the state to take advantage of this savings incentive by APS and the Arizona Corporation Commission. To make sure you have accurate information, I have attached articles at the top of my blog that you may read, should you want more information. Remember, you must go to my actual blog to get to the articles. They are located at the top under the solar headings. In Paradise Valley we are proud of our fiscal management, and want you to know in these tough economic times the district is doing everything we can to maximize the money we receive from taxpayers.

Red Ribbon Week Happenings-
Monday~ Winner's Don't Do Drugs! Kick off the week with a fun run-wear your team jersey!
Tuesday~ Give Drugs the Boot! Western Wear!
Wednesday~ Drugs Are No Match For Us! Mismatch day!
Thursday~ Peace Out to Drugs! Wear peace signs!
Friday~ Just Say No! Wear Red! Helicopter arrives at Desert Trails!!! (9:30ish)
THANKS to Andres O. for all of her hard work putting together this special week.
Please find an article, provided by Andrea, that you may find helpful!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

New Faces/Proud % AIMS/Football/Nov. Events

For nearly 8 weeks, it was my pleasure to fill the gap of crossing guard, before school & after! It always started & ended my day on such a happy note with the waves & shouts of good mornings/good byes from students and parents! However, my corner reign has come to a close-- You are now seeing Mr. Michael our new crossing guard! He has stepped in and is doing a wonderful job! Be sure to keep the waving up to make him feel welcomed at Desert Trails!!! Next- be looking for our new Campus Assistant, Mr. Lane. Lane has recently joined the Desert Trails' team to be our jack-of-all-trades! You will see him on the playground, in the classrooms, outside parking lots, cafeteria and also the office doing what needs to be done! Be sure and say hello to him! Last- but not least, in the cafeteria we have two new wonderful moms who have decided to make a positive difference at Desert Trails. Mrs. Deb & Mrs. Beth are in the cafeteria helping students eat and get outside to play! They have been awesome help!
These pro-active people have decided to roll up their sleeves and help support wonderful kids and an outstanding school. WE couldn't do it without THEM!

We are very proud of our 2011 AIMS results and I would like to share a glimpse of the outstanding work our dedicated teachers do on a daily basis.
2nd grade Math 84% (tied for 1st in the District) Meet & Exceeded the Standards/Reading 68% Meet & Exceed the Standards (tied for 3d in the District)/Writing 67% Meet & Exceed the Standards (tied for 2nd in the District).
3rd grade Math 85% Meet & Exceed/Reading 93% Meet & Exceed the Standards
4th grade Math 88% Meet & Exceed/Reading 96% Meet & Exceed the Standards/Science 92%
5th grade Math 80% Meet & Exceed/Reading 91% Meet & Exceed the Standards
6th grade Math 75% Meet & Exceed/Reading 98% Meet & Exceed the Standards
We are always working to improve what we do, and this information will be incorporated into
collecting further data, so teachers can continue to collaborate in Professional Learning Communities and work together to improve Best Practices at Desert Trails!

Football at Desert Trails is under construction, as I work with Students, Coach E., Teachers, and Duty Aides to move in a direction where students can play, be safe, and have fun. Football can get intense, and we have some very competitive students who like to win! Our challenge has been to direct that competitive spirit toward good sportsmanship, following rules, and being a leader instead of displays of physical aggression.
Coach E. has been working on foundational school wide rules, and he has been teaching students in grades 4, 5, & 6 these rules during P.E. classes. Duty Aides have met to review and give input to the rules, and teachers are meeting after Parent~Teacher Conferences to also do the same.
Our grades 4, 5, & 6 Football Assembly will launch playing football at Desert Trails this year.
I will visit classrooms next week in preparation of our assembly, and at that time rules will be coming home for parents. I am optimistic that our students can work together to make recess enjoyable and safe for all!

Nov. Events
11/1-11/4 Red Ribbon Week
11/4 Grades 4-5-6 Football Assembly 10:30am
11/4 PTO Movie in the Park 5:30-7:30
11/11 Veteran's Day ***No School
11/15 Catalina Chaperone meeting 6:00pm School front lobby
11/16 Strings Concert @ D.T. 7pm
11/17 STAR Student lunch with Mrs. Lee
11/23-11/25 Thanksgiving Recess ***No School

Thursday, October 20, 2011

EXCELLING & A/Conferences & Survey/Principal Nathan's Report

The "good news" has been released by the State, and Desert Trails once again claimed the Excelling status and achieved the letter grade A. We still have much to do and remain determined to improve our practice, procedures, and meet our student's needs.
CONGRATULATIONS DESERT TRAILS on this exceptional performance!

Parent~Teacher Conferences are next week- Oct. 24-27. Please remember that Wednesday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 27 are half days- students are dismissed at 12:30 (no lunch will be served) and Friday, Oct. 28 is a K-8 Recess (no school).
As you attend your conference please be sure to take the time to complete the Parent Survey from School Council. We depend on gathering your input to assist us with decisions that come up during the school year. Parent Surveys will be outside classroom doors and also in the office.
Thank you from School Council- your input is valued.

Principal of the Day~ Nathan P. shares his day... "I had a great time as principal for the day although I got embarrassed a lot because I had to do everything. I got to go to a meeting in the morning (at 8am!), do morning announcements, listen and announce the student council speeches, manage the school, go to the cafeteria and watch, go to the classrooms to tell them the dress code, watch students work, do papers, and go to lunch with Mrs. Lee. Everybody greeted me like I was famous! My favorite part of the day was seeing all the kids!"

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Grade/McTeacher Night/Coming Events

Today, at 2:30 p.m., the Arizona Department of Education will be releasing the first "grades" for all Arizona public schools. The state is transitioning out of the model, known as Legacy, that featured labels such as "excelling" or "performing," to letter grades that are calculated in a totally new way. The new formula focuses far more heavily on student growth, from year to year. ADE has created a very nice (and somewhat easy to understand) explanation of how the "school grades" are assigned. You can read this information by clicking grade.

Once the information is released you will see the results of dedication, effort, time, and elbow grease by Desert Trails' students, teachers, and parents! It truly is, all about working together for these kids!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to DESERT TRAILS! I am proud to be serving as your principal and have a part in leading this school and impacting students in a positive way! Thank you for entrusting your child(ren) to us on a daily basis. We work diligently every day to make every student successful! I think you'll find the state agrees!

Picture Re-Takes will be Oct. 27

Coming Events
10/12 TONIGHT McTeacher Night at McDonalds Tatum & Bell 4:30-7:30
10/15 Media Fest at PV Mall
10/20 STAR Student lunch with Mrs. Lee
10/24 - 10/27 Parent Teacher Conferences
10/31-11/4 RED RIBBON WEEK
11/3 School Council meeting 7:45 Principal's Office
11/11 Veteran's Day K-12 Recess