Gecko Gazette
Desert Sage Newsletter - November/December 2023
❄️☃️ Happy Holidays! ⛄❄️
Holiday Message from Principal Gill
Hello Desert Sage families,
In one of my favorite childhood books, “Winnie the Pooh,” A. A. Milne wrote, “Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” Our little pink friend was grateful for the abundance he had in his life; great friends, a warm place to sleep and a few tasty “haycorns” to eat.
As 2023 comes to a close, and we break for the winter holiday, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who help make Desert Sage an amazing place to be. We are a community with many gifts and talents, which we share daily with one another and most important, our students. From the classroom, to our living room and all points in-between, our collective efforts to raise the whole child are filled with passion, commitment and a willingness to make decisions that may be hard in the present, but will have a positive and lasting influence in the future for all.
Parents and guardians, of course, are such a critical part of all we endeavor to accomplish for our students. I am grateful to you for doing what I know is the hardest, most rewarding and joyous job of all. Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious gift. I am grateful to our wonderful, talented, creative, inquisitive, and resilient students. Often, they make us laugh, sometimes they make us cry, but always they make us think. Most of all, they make us better.
In the spirit of the season, I want to extend my thanks to all of you for everything that you do for our school. As we enjoy the upcoming holidays, it is my wish that each of you have a festive holiday filled with good family and friends.
It is also during this time that I am reminded of my own good fortune to serve as the proud principal of Desert Sage. My career as a public school educator has afforded me vast, varied and richly rewarding opportunities to teach and to learn from students.
Of course, I believe the faces of our children best express the true meaning of this holiday season. They radiate a sense of enthusiasm, hope and joy for life and the opportunities that await them. To the parents and friends of the Desert Sage community, please have a safe and joyous holiday season.
I look forward to seeing everyone in the new year.
Seasons Greetings,
Ms. Gill
12:05 p.m. Early Release on Friday, 12/15
Friday, December 15th will be 12:05 p.m. dismissal for all students. Please be sure to make appropriate arrangements for your child's early pickup on these days.
DVUSD Honor Band Participants
We have two 6th grade students who have been accepted into the DVUSD Honor Band. This year is a special honor as the audition and selection requirements have changed. It is the first time in which 6th grade students had to submit a video audition which was adjudicated by other band directors in the district (including high school and middle school directors).
Congratulations to this year's DVUSD Honor Band participants who will be proudly representing Desert Sage!
- Magdalena P. (Clarinet)
- Eva G. (Clarinet)
Extraordinary teachers with amazing AASA student growth!
Mrs. Bramlett
Highest student learning growth in English Language Arts for her 4th grade students last year.
Mrs. James
Highest student learning growth in English Language Arts for her 4th grade students last year.
Ms. Coleman
Highest student learning growth in English Language Arts for her SAGE 6th graders and in Math for her Walk-Up-To-Math students last year.
Running Club
Desert Sage Running Club begins Friday, January 5, 2024! Join Ms. Douglass and other teachers each Friday morning starting at 8:00 a.m. on the field for some fun and exercise.
- Permissions slips to participate must be turned in by this Friday, December 15th.
- Each Running Club day be sure to wear tennis shoes and be on time to the field.
- Parents/guardians are welcome to join their kiddos.
Annual Spelling Bee
It was a great time at the annual Desert Sage Spelling Bee on December 12th. Spelling the winning word of "replica". 5th grader Jackson P. will be representing Desert Sage at the upcoming district-wide Spelling Bee competition.
6th grader, Alexa R. will be the Desert Sage alternate.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING: YOU WANT TO DO THIS!
Desert Sage welcomes our community to volunteer to support our students and staff. There are a variety of opportunities for volunteerism at Desert Sage. This includes chaperoning field trips, classroom activities support, teacher copy assistant/project prepper, office support, school events support (picture days, field days, etc.).
If you decide to volunteer, you will need to attend a mandatory district volunteer training before you are able to volunteer in any capacity for the school. Desert Sage offers in-person training in our media center throughout the year (usually one time a month). All of Desert Sage's volunteer training dates are on the school calendar and begin at 8:00 a.m. If you cannot attend these dates or are in need of another training date, you can attend any volunteer training provided at a DVUSD school campus or you can reach out to our Desert Sage Secretary Elisa Anderson at elisa.anderson@dvusd.org.
District Volunteer Information with Training Dates
Thank you for considering volunteering at Desert Sage!
Extraordinary Honor Choir Concert
Congratulations to our DVUSD Honor Choir participants for an outstanding performance at the DVUSD Honor Choir Concert on November 13, 2023.
- 4th grade: Cora H.
- 5th grade: Amelia G., Hartley D.
- 6th graders: Emily R., Jayden G., Julia M., Luci L., Madison N.
Our Desert Sage representatives collaborated with other DVUSD choir students from across the district for the concert. They worked diligently throughout the school day with Music directors from across the district, perfecting their performance songs before finally performing for an auditorium full of friends and family.
Thank you Honor Choir participants for representing Desert Sage proudly!
Culture Camp Life Skill Weekly Winners
This year as part of Desert Sage’s efforts to build our student’s social-emotional skills we are highlighting a specific Life Skill each week. Throughout the week, students participate in class meetings that we call “Fireside Chats” as we are doing a camp theme this year. During these Fireside Chats the Life Skill of the week is defined and discussed to learn how to recognize and build this skill. Additionally, students hear information that supports the Life Skill of the week on the morning announcements and other instructional moments with their teachers.
We are taking the time each week to also recognize one student from each class, who has best exemplified the Life Skill of the week. This student will receive a certificate and a Gecko Pride Culture Camp sticker when they are recognized by Principal Gill and Assistant Principal Race.
Life Skill: Responsibility
To respond when appropriate; to be accountable for one’s actions
Life Skill: Effort
To do your best
Life Skill: Integrity
To act according to a sense of what’s right and wrong
Life Skill: Resourcefulness
To respond to challenges and opportunities in innovative and creative ways.
Life Skill: Creativity
To create something original or redesign through imaginative skill.
Life Skill: Perserverance
To keep at it.
Life Skill: Common Sense
To use good judgement.
Life Skill: Courage
To act according to one’s beliefs despite fear of adverse consequences.
Life Skill: Curiosity
A desire to investigate and seek understanding of one’s world.
Mark Your Calendar - Important Dates
- Friday, 12/15: 2nd quarter ends
- Friday, 12/15: Reindeer Run
- Friday, 12/15: Early release at 12:05 p.m.
- 12/16/23-1/2/24: no school, Winter Break
- Wednesday, 1/3/24: School resumes, 3rd quarter begins
- Thursday, 1/4: PTO Zoom Meeting @ 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, 1/5: Running Club @ 8:00 a.m.
- Friday, 1/5: Dismissal @ 3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, 1/11: 4th grade MIM Field Trip
AZ School Tax Credit for Desert Sage
Your school tax credit donations can provide Desert Sage students with opportunities to after school and summer programs, field trips, music and athletic programs or any other extracurricular activity.
- The Arizona tax credit program (A.R.S. 43-1089.01) allows a tax credit of up to $200 for individuals and up to $400 for married couples, filing jointly, in support of extracurricular activities.
- The tax credit reduces your tax burden to the state of Arizona, dollar for dollar.
Make your tax credit donation to Desert Sage at: https://az-deervalley.intouchreceipting.com/.
Desert Sage Elementary
Email: kristy.gill@dvusd.org
Website: dvusd.org/desertsage
Location: 4035 West Alameda Road, Glendale, AZ, USA
Phone: (623) 445-4700
Twitter: @DesertSageElem