If the flu hasn't hit your household---keep doing what your doing! But it's that time of year
and as a precaution this is a reminder to please keep your child(ren) home if they are showing symptoms such as: fever, body aches, chills, vomiting, or diarrhea. We are seeing several cases here at Desert Trails and sending students home.
This bug is highly contagious and as a consideration for other students, teachers, and staff we expect that children stay home so they can recover properly. Students need to be fever-free for 24 hours with no medication, before returning to school.
If you have questions about symptoms, Nurse Julie has posted outside her office door some information. Also, feel free to call Nurse Julie with any questions you may have that could help you determine whether your child should stay home or not.
Thank you for your attention to keeping everyone healthy during this season of passing germs!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Power Hour/Islands/Conferences/D.ream
POWER HOUR~
In an effort to be efficient with our Tax Credits we are excited to announce a new club for our Desert Trails' students. POWER HOUR will be a combo tutor/homework POWER HOUR for any student looking to have a quiet place to work while under the guidance of a Desert Trails' highly qualified teacher!!! The flyer is coming home to all students- Tuesday, Jan. 18! Be watching for it!
Islands at Desert Ridge~
Tuesday, Jan. 18th 5:00-8:00 is our PTO Family Night Out! Come have dinner with your teachers & friends, and help support Desert Trails! Side note: 6th grade parents, there is plenty of time to hit Islands, then join us for the Catalina meeting starting at 6:30!
Parent-Teacher Conferences~
Monday, Jan. 24 through Thursday, Jan. 27 we will be hosting a special time for you to meet with your child's teacher! This is a great time to check in on second semester goals and to hear the many accomplishments your child has enjoyed!
Conference forms have gone out, and teachers will soon be confirming your date and time.
D.ream T.ech Lab~
We are working feverishly to get the D.ream T.ech Lab open for the launching date--Jan. 24! Many, many, many THANKS to Mrs. McNeill for all of her time, design ideas, effort, and support to get this D.ream to come true!! Be sure to stop in and see the ipads, flip cameras, and mac books that we are anxious to put into the academic day. Also, while in the lab be sure to peek in on the up and coming Green Screen room!
Welcome to Mrs. Kristi Darnell~
Our new teacher is on board in 5th grade! We are very happy to have her join our team!
Mrs. Darnell comes to D.T. with experience teaching 5th grade in California, is a Desert Ridge resident, and looks forward to meeting our wonderful D.T. families!
In an effort to be efficient with our Tax Credits we are excited to announce a new club for our Desert Trails' students. POWER HOUR will be a combo tutor/homework POWER HOUR for any student looking to have a quiet place to work while under the guidance of a Desert Trails' highly qualified teacher!!! The flyer is coming home to all students- Tuesday, Jan. 18! Be watching for it!
Islands at Desert Ridge~
Tuesday, Jan. 18th 5:00-8:00 is our PTO Family Night Out! Come have dinner with your teachers & friends, and help support Desert Trails! Side note: 6th grade parents, there is plenty of time to hit Islands, then join us for the Catalina meeting starting at 6:30!
Parent-Teacher Conferences~
Monday, Jan. 24 through Thursday, Jan. 27 we will be hosting a special time for you to meet with your child's teacher! This is a great time to check in on second semester goals and to hear the many accomplishments your child has enjoyed!
Conference forms have gone out, and teachers will soon be confirming your date and time.
D.ream T.ech Lab~
We are working feverishly to get the D.ream T.ech Lab open for the launching date--Jan. 24! Many, many, many THANKS to Mrs. McNeill for all of her time, design ideas, effort, and support to get this D.ream to come true!! Be sure to stop in and see the ipads, flip cameras, and mac books that we are anxious to put into the academic day. Also, while in the lab be sure to peek in on the up and coming Green Screen room!
Welcome to Mrs. Kristi Darnell~
Our new teacher is on board in 5th grade! We are very happy to have her join our team!
Mrs. Darnell comes to D.T. with experience teaching 5th grade in California, is a Desert Ridge resident, and looks forward to meeting our wonderful D.T. families!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Report Cards Posted Online
In the Parent Portal you will now find your child's report card for second quarter grades. If you have not visited the Portal yet, you will find the links above "Sign Up &Parent Portal Info." for you to obtain a username and password. For parents who opted to receive a hard copy of the report card, they will be going home today. Feel free to contact your child's teacher or the school office at 602.449.4100 if you have any questions.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Bike Safety/Crosswalks & Zones/Stranger FYI
Bike Safety---
At Desert Trails our students must be in grades 4-5-6 to ride their bike to school. Please review these safety tips and help keep your child safe by reminding them occasionally about the rules of the road.
Here are some important tips to discuss with your child.
· Always wear a helmet.
· Pay attention. Cars are bigger than bikes and the driver may not see you.
· Ride on the right side of the road or trail in a single line in the same direction as other vehicles. Small children should be accompanied by a parent walking or riding nearby.
· Stop completely at intersections and get off of your bike. Walk your bike in the crosswalk, obeying the crosswalk signals.
· Know and use hand signals when turning and stopping.
· A bicycle bell helps pedestrians know you are nearby and helps prevent crashes.
It's the law---
Crosswalks & Zones are clearly marked and identified for drivers. Should children or the Duty Aide be in any part of the crosswalk at any time, cars are not to cross until they are on the sidewalk. Please do not park or drop off/pick up in the NO PARKING ZONE within the crosswalk area. Staggering your drop off or pick up time could help alleviate the 8:50 and 3:00 crunch.
Thank you for helping us make Desert Trails a safe place to be!
FYI---
At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 3, Shadow Mountain students were approached on 31st street south of Shea Blvd by a male with a Russian accent in a gold sedan and asked to purchase their socks. We experienced similar incidents earlier this school year. The students are safe and the incident has been reported to the Phoenix Police Department.
At Desert Trails our students must be in grades 4-5-6 to ride their bike to school. Please review these safety tips and help keep your child safe by reminding them occasionally about the rules of the road.
Here are some important tips to discuss with your child.
· Always wear a helmet.
· Pay attention. Cars are bigger than bikes and the driver may not see you.
· Ride on the right side of the road or trail in a single line in the same direction as other vehicles. Small children should be accompanied by a parent walking or riding nearby.
· Stop completely at intersections and get off of your bike. Walk your bike in the crosswalk, obeying the crosswalk signals.
· Know and use hand signals when turning and stopping.
· A bicycle bell helps pedestrians know you are nearby and helps prevent crashes.
It's the law---
Crosswalks & Zones are clearly marked and identified for drivers. Should children or the Duty Aide be in any part of the crosswalk at any time, cars are not to cross until they are on the sidewalk. Please do not park or drop off/pick up in the NO PARKING ZONE within the crosswalk area. Staggering your drop off or pick up time could help alleviate the 8:50 and 3:00 crunch.
Thank you for helping us make Desert Trails a safe place to be!
FYI---
At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 3, Shadow Mountain students were approached on 31st street south of Shea Blvd by a male with a Russian accent in a gold sedan and asked to purchase their socks. We experienced similar incidents earlier this school year. The students are safe and the incident has been reported to the Phoenix Police Department.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Happy New Year/Stranger Danger/January Events
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a very nice Winter Break. Thank you from all of us for the delicious cookies, treats, and thoughtful gifts. We appreciate your thinking of us and we appreciate your kindness!
Stranger Danger Alerts~At our last School Council meeting we decided the following:
When a Stranger Danger occurs within PVUSD I will post that information on this blog, as an FYI for you. When a Stranger Danger occurs in the surrounding areas to Desert Trails I will continue to send a letter home, and I will also post that information on this blog. All in an effort to keep parents informed and our children safe. Please see the information I received today:
This morning at approximately 7:00 AM while walking to the bus stop near 44th Street and Thunderbird, a PVHS student was approached by a male in a green pickup truck. The student describes the man as Hispanic, in his 40's and has a moustache. The student is safe and the incident has been reported to the Phoenix Police Department.
January Events
1/3 School resumes
1/10 School Council meeting 7:45am
1/10 PTO meeting 7pm
1/11 Half Day School Out at 12:30 (No lunch)
1/13 Gov. Board meeting 7pm
1/17 MLK Day No School
1/18 6th grade parents Catalina meeting 6:30pm
1/18 PTO Nights Out @ Islands
1/24 D.ream T.ech Lab opens! Be sure to stop in!
1/24-27 Parent~Teacher Conferences
1/27 Half Day School Out at 12:30 (No lunch)
1/28 Half Day School Out at 12:30 (No lunch)
Stranger Danger Alerts~At our last School Council meeting we decided the following:
When a Stranger Danger occurs within PVUSD I will post that information on this blog, as an FYI for you. When a Stranger Danger occurs in the surrounding areas to Desert Trails I will continue to send a letter home, and I will also post that information on this blog. All in an effort to keep parents informed and our children safe. Please see the information I received today:
This morning at approximately 7:00 AM while walking to the bus stop near 44th Street and Thunderbird, a PVHS student was approached by a male in a green pickup truck. The student describes the man as Hispanic, in his 40's and has a moustache. The student is safe and the incident has been reported to the Phoenix Police Department.
January Events
1/3 School resumes
1/10 School Council meeting 7:45am
1/10 PTO meeting 7pm
1/11 Half Day School Out at 12:30 (No lunch)
1/13 Gov. Board meeting 7pm
1/17 MLK Day No School
1/18 6th grade parents Catalina meeting 6:30pm
1/18 PTO Nights Out @ Islands
1/24 D.ream T.ech Lab opens! Be sure to stop in!
1/24-27 Parent~Teacher Conferences
1/27 Half Day School Out at 12:30 (No lunch)
1/28 Half Day School Out at 12:30 (No lunch)
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Winter Break/Calendar/D.ream Lab/Tax Credit
Snow
Snowflake beautiful
Skating, sledding, skiing
Ice sculptures are gorgeous
Snowfall
(shared by Mason C.M. 3rd grade, Mrs. Sanders)
Winter break Dec. 20-Dec. 31 School resumes Jan. 3
I wish you and your family a safe and magical holiday season!
A link above has been provided for you to have access to the 2011-2012 school year calendar!
The D.ream Lab is being painted and prepared for our Jan. 24th Opening! Ipads are still on tour, MacBooks have arrived, and the flip cameras are capturing school activities!
15 days to get your Tax Credit in!!You don't need to bring it to school, but can simply mail it to Desert Trails, with your check dated no later than Dec. 31, 2010. We will send you a receipt! Your Tax Credit goes toward the before/after school programs and field trip scholarships! Thank you!
Snowflake beautiful
Skating, sledding, skiing
Ice sculptures are gorgeous
Snowfall
(shared by Mason C.M. 3rd grade, Mrs. Sanders)
Winter break Dec. 20-Dec. 31 School resumes Jan. 3
I wish you and your family a safe and magical holiday season!
A link above has been provided for you to have access to the 2011-2012 school year calendar!
The D.ream Lab is being painted and prepared for our Jan. 24th Opening! Ipads are still on tour, MacBooks have arrived, and the flip cameras are capturing school activities!
15 days to get your Tax Credit in!!You don't need to bring it to school, but can simply mail it to Desert Trails, with your check dated no later than Dec. 31, 2010. We will send you a receipt! Your Tax Credit goes toward the before/after school programs and field trip scholarships! Thank you!
Friday, December 10, 2010
McTeacher's Technology Night/SpeakUp/Feedback to Grow
WOW! We are still sailing high here at school today from last night's awesome turnout for McTeacher's night!! THANK YOU~THANK YOU~THANK YOU parents for your support last night!
We raised over $1500.00 in 3hours, and all for our D.ream T.ech Lab!!!
With the District matching funds, this makes a grand total of $3000.00. The Technology Team and myself can't express our gratitude enough. I told the students on morning announcements that at Desert Trails once teachers ask ~~ our parents support!!! Thank you!
Speak Up!
Since 2003, over 1.85 million K-12 education stakeholders have participated in the annual Speak Up National Research Project which collects and reports on the authentic, unfiltered views and opinions of K-12 students, parents and educators on critical 21st century education issues. Speak Up is facilitated by Project Tomorrow® (www.tomorrow.org). Data findings are shared each year with federal, state and local policymakers to inform education programs and funding.
Arizona has always been well-represented in responding to this survey and last year was the state with the second-most participation in the nation, with only Texas having more students participate than us. The information and trends that are provided are valuable in helping inform our state leaders about the use, attitudes, and effect of technology on education in Arizona. Due to our high usage of the Speak Up Survey, the Ed Tech unit at ADE receives aggregate data that is compared to the national average. This data is invaluable to us.
One trend it has highlighted is that Arizona teachers prefer and participate in online professional development more than their colleagues in other states.
Another trend shows that Arizona teachers have more obstacles using technology in their schools than teachers around the US and that Arizona teachers use less technology in their classrooms to increase student achievement. The data also shows that our middle school students have less access to technology outside of school and have less access to high speed internet connections at home.
We hope you will join the conversation about the use of technology for learning through Speak Up and take advantage this data collecting opportunity. The online survey is open to students, educators (including future educators) and parents; it’s quick and easy to get involved.
The survey is posted above and the password is: future
Feedback to Grow!
A link above has been provided 24/7 for you to share any concerns, ideas, and thoughts with us that will enable us to improve what we do. The nucleus of a school community is an ever changing hub of many activities, goals, and objectives. We want to hear from you!
Please take advantage to share your thoughts with us!
We raised over $1500.00 in 3hours, and all for our D.ream T.ech Lab!!!
With the District matching funds, this makes a grand total of $3000.00. The Technology Team and myself can't express our gratitude enough. I told the students on morning announcements that at Desert Trails once teachers ask ~~ our parents support!!! Thank you!
Speak Up!
Since 2003, over 1.85 million K-12 education stakeholders have participated in the annual Speak Up National Research Project which collects and reports on the authentic, unfiltered views and opinions of K-12 students, parents and educators on critical 21st century education issues. Speak Up is facilitated by Project Tomorrow® (www.tomorrow.org). Data findings are shared each year with federal, state and local policymakers to inform education programs and funding.
Arizona has always been well-represented in responding to this survey and last year was the state with the second-most participation in the nation, with only Texas having more students participate than us. The information and trends that are provided are valuable in helping inform our state leaders about the use, attitudes, and effect of technology on education in Arizona. Due to our high usage of the Speak Up Survey, the Ed Tech unit at ADE receives aggregate data that is compared to the national average. This data is invaluable to us.
One trend it has highlighted is that Arizona teachers prefer and participate in online professional development more than their colleagues in other states.
Another trend shows that Arizona teachers have more obstacles using technology in their schools than teachers around the US and that Arizona teachers use less technology in their classrooms to increase student achievement. The data also shows that our middle school students have less access to technology outside of school and have less access to high speed internet connections at home.
We hope you will join the conversation about the use of technology for learning through Speak Up and take advantage this data collecting opportunity. The online survey is open to students, educators (including future educators) and parents; it’s quick and easy to get involved.
The survey is posted above and the password is: future
Feedback to Grow!
A link above has been provided 24/7 for you to share any concerns, ideas, and thoughts with us that will enable us to improve what we do. The nucleus of a school community is an ever changing hub of many activities, goals, and objectives. We want to hear from you!
Please take advantage to share your thoughts with us!
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