Viper Voice
January 12, 2024
Believe it or not, Tuesday of next week is already the 100th day of school! We will soon be looking into the season of state testing and are already preparing for big things coming in the 24-25 school year - so stay tuned!
Don't Miss Your Chance To Buy a Yearbook
Some reminders from our office:
- If your student(s) are currently registered at this time and you plan to return next year, you will not need to register again. Your student(s) registration will automatically roll over to the next school year.
- Open enrollment is now open for the 24/25 school year.
- If your student is attending any of our before school clubs or tutoring, please pull up to the curb in front of the office and drop them off - as our parking lot is for our staff.
- If picking up your child AFTER 2:45 PM, please park in our parking lot or you may get caught in the afternoon pick up traffic.
- Please make sure that you call the attendance line if your student is going to be absent for any reason - (623) 376-4890
- Breakfast service begins at 8:10 AM, no students can be dropped off prior to 8:10 AM - as there is no adult supervision available.
- If your student has tutoring in the morning, please do not drop them off before 8:00 AM - as there is no adult supervision available.
Upcoming Events!
- Monday, January 15 - NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, January 16
- 8:00 AM - SV Honor Choir Club
- 4:30 PM - HOME VOLLEYBALL GAMES vs. Stetson Hills
- 4:30 PM - Cross Country Meet @ Stetson Hills
- Wednesday, January 17
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM - PTSO Restaurant Night @ Kawaii Sushi & Asian Cuisine (see info below)
- 3:30 PM - Volleyball Practice
- 3:30 PM - Cross Country Practice
- 3:45 PM - Student Drama Practice
- Thursday, January 18
- 8:00 AM - Battle of the Books
- 8:00 AM - Honorary Choir Club
- 3:30 PM - Athletes in Training Club
- 3:30 PM - Bonanza Educational Club
- 3:30 PM - Cross Country Practice
- 4:30 PM - HOME Volleyball Games vs. Sonoran Foothills
- Friday, January 19
- 7:45 AM - STUCO Meeting
- 2:00 PM - EARLY RELEASE for Teacher PLC
1/16 - 100th Day of School
FIRST EVER: Mountain Ridge High School Girls Winter Youth Flag Football
4 Day Mini Camp
Our Winter Girls Flag Football skills development camp consists of fundamental skill development and
playing flag football. This camp is for improving, and increasing the skills of flag football players.
Winter Flag Football Skills Development:
WHEN: January 25th, January 27th, February 1st, and February 3rd
WHERE: Mountain Ridge High School—Practice field behind the Stadium
TIMES: 4:30 PM – 6:30PM (Thursday Evenings)
Vista Peak Fundraiser Rummage Sale
If you would like to sell items, space rentals for the rummage sale are on sale NOW! One spot is 20 dollars and two spots for 30 (you must provide your own table) OR if you would like to donate items they can be dropped off at the Vista Peak front office from 8:30-4:00 Mon-Fri.
The sale will take place on Saturday, February 10 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
Mountain Ridge 7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball Camp
Saturdays - February 3, 10, 17 from 10 AM-12 PM
This camp is meant to get the girls ready for the upcoming Spring season and prepare them for their school tryouts!!
INSTRUCTORS: Freshman Coach: Mandi McDonald
FOR ANY CAMP QUESTIONS CONTACT Coach McDonald: Mandi.Mcdonald@dvusd.org
SV Sports Updates
Our volleyball teams are on a winning streak! They have just 2 more weeks until playoffs start. We have 2 home game next week on Tuesday, against Stetson Hills and Thursday, against Sonoran Foothills. Come on out and cheer them on.
Our cross country team has a meet on Tuesday, Feb. 16th @ Stetson Hills.
Spring sports will be starting in about a month. Please make sure you have completed all "paperwork" on Register My Athlete and it says "Ready for Tryouts". Basketball will have tryouts the week of February 20th. At this time we do not have a cheer coach, so we are not sure if this sport will take place.
Mountain Ridge Middle School Track & Field will start February 26th. This is open for 5th - 8th graders. Again, please make sure everything is completed in Register My Athlete.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Cullen (Sara.Cullen@dvusd.org)
PTSO Updates
January Restaurant Night
Wednesday January 17th is SV restaurant “day” at Kawaii off of 83rd and Deer Valley. Show this flyer and we will earn 20% of your bill. Flyers will be coming home in student folders next week!
Thinking about joining our SV team? APPLY NOW
Available Positions:
- Special Education Teacher (Certified)
- Paraprofessional (Classified)
- Cheer/Spirit Line Coach/Sponsor (listed under Certified - Teaching Certificate not required)
- Crossing Guard (Classified - can also volunteer)
If you are interested and want to know more, please contact Jenny Morales at Jennifer.Morales@dvusd.org or 623-376-4800.
Bullying or Peer Conflict?
WHAT IS NOT BULLYING? Adults must realize that not every unkind thing a child does constitutes bullying. For example:
Being left out is not always bullying. It’s natural for kids to have a select group of friends. Although they should be kind towards everyone, it’s unrealistic to expect them to be close friends with every child they know, and be invited to every function or event.
Experiencing conflict is not bullying. Learning to deal with conflict is a normal part of growing up. The key is for children to learn how to solve their problems peacefully and respectfully.
Not playing fair is not bullying. Wanting a game to be played a certain way is not bullying. Children understand the concept of sharing, and should take turns being in charge of the game.
When observing the unkind behaviors your child experiences, be sure to label them correctly. This will help you know how to handle the situation appropriately so that your child can learn and grow from it.
(Ref. Policy JICK, JICK-R, JICK-EA, JICK-EB)
Bullying may occur when a student or group of students engages in any form of behavior that includes such acts as intimidation and/or harassment that:
has the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm or damage to property,
is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that the action, behavior, or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive environment,
occurs when there is a real or perceived imbalance of power or strength, or
may constitute a violation of law
SRR handbook 2023-2024 (pages 2-4)
Connect with Us!
Volunteer Opportunities
We are always excited to be able to welcome our parents/guardians back to help volunteer and visit at SV. If you would like to visit, we welcome you to come and eat lunch with your child in the MPR. Please arrive on time, and bring lunch only for your student - as we cannot have lunches passed out to other student or friends in the MPR for their safety. If you are interested in volunteering, we will soon welcome you back in our classrooms once we have our classroom procedures setup and in place. Mandatory volunteer training dates (required for all NEW volunteers) are listed below! If you are already a trained volunteer, please be sure to stop by the office to update your information.
As a reminder, we require all parents to follow our school rules and dress code on campus and ask that you do not use any cell phones or tablets in the MPR or around our students.
PBIS Rewards
Our PBIS store is OPEN! Students can use their points earned for being a Problem-solver, being Engaged, being Accountable, and being Kind to purchase fun items. These items are delivered on Fridays. If you are interested in tracking your student through our PBIS Rewards app, download the PBIS Rewards for Family app and ask your child's teacher for their unique QR code.
If you are interested in donating to our PBIS store, we have a PBIS Store Amazon wishlist. You can also drop off any donation items to our office - new/gently loved stuffed animals are always a popular item.
1. We need parent volunteers to help keep inventory and package PBIS rewards for students.
2. The store needs rewards! There are many ways to donate – new and gently used toys, party favors – anything that kids would be excited to receive!
3. Help stock the PBIS Store Rewards Store by purchasing Rewards directly on Amazon. If you purchase from our PBIS Rewards wishlist it will ship directly to campus and our kids can purchase immediately. Stock our store here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2YZ9H9VV492G3?ref_=wl_share
If you have are available to donate your time or have questions about our PBIS program, please contact Mrs. Stephanie Hoffpauir in the front office.
Pick Up & Drop Off Procedure Reminders
- Make sure that all adults who will be picking up students at 3:30 have a purple placard with the student's Last Name and Grade clearly written in marker bold and big so we can read them. Placards are available in the office. Take as many copies as you need (one for mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, etc......).
- Please pull forward and follow all staff directions around the pick up loop, don't stop short, and stay in your car.
- We will load you kids, if they need help buckling, pull up and around the loop to the buckle zone past our bike rack
- We do not have any supervision of students until 8:30 am so please do not drop off or leave any kids unattended before 8:30 am.
- Please be patient and be kind to staff and other drivers as it takes a few weeks for all to learn our procedures. Remember out staff is out in 100+ degree weather keeping all our kids safe, and everyone's safety is more important than any individual's convenience
- If you do not have a kindergarten student, you must use the front loop for morning drop-off. We do not have enough spaces for additional vehicles, and our front loop is much more efficient and safe for our 1st-8th graders.
- Do not cross any streets outside of the designated and manned crosswalks in the am or pm. We have had some very close calls and pedestrians almost struck crossing rose garden illegally.
- If picking up on 74th, please be sure that you are not parking or waiting in the "no parking/loading zone" and please do not block any private driveways
- Please pull all the way down the loop before dropping off. Your student should not be getting out of the car when the line slows down
- Do not enter the parking lot through the EXIT
Policy Reminders
- All 1st-8th grade students should be dropped off in the front traffic loop, parking in the lot is reserved for Kindergarten parents only. It is also not permissible to park and cross Rose Garden or 74th Ave at any point other than our crosswalks.
- 8:45 is the start of our academic day, kids who are not in class at 8:45 will need a tardy pass.
- We cannot sign students out after 3:15.
- Do not text your students during the school day, phones are available for use at the office with staff permission.
- We will not interrupt instruction to relay messages or deliver items left at home (unless medically needed)
- Attendance warnings will be sent home for students who are absent more than 10% of days in session or who have accumulated 5+ tardies
- If you have a concern or question regarding progress, grades, or behavior, address the classroom level teacher per our DVUSD Problem Solving Guidance
- School staff and administration are not available to meet on demand, appointments will be made to set up meetings or phone calls for administrators and teachers. Walk-in appointments are not an option.
- SV teachers adhere to an email curfew. They will check emails Monday - Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM only
- SV staff will respond to emails within 48 hours, excluding weekends & holidays.
Food & Nutrition
For the 23-24 school year, we will once again be charging for school meals, to apply for a free or reduced meal application visit https://secure.ezmealapp.com or stop by Sierra Verde for a paper application (though the online process is much quicker). See the complete information from DVUSD Food & Nutrition below.
We will not be allowing outside food or drink for any reason on campus. DVUSD has a birthday bucket order form that will be the only method of birthday treats for 23-24. You can fill out an application for a birthday bucket and work with our Cafeteria Manger Mrs. Debbie Jasperson to arrange these birthday treats. The Birthday Bucket application is on our homepage and is linked below as well.
In order to keep meal account balances topped off, you can put money on the student account with cash or check. Please drop off any cash or check in the office, or use E-Z school pay. EZ School pay also has an app available to download and track your balance.