Dear Coyote Families,

We are planning for an upcoming school beautification day in November called "Love our Schools". We would like to hear from you before we begin designing our projects that align with our 2024-2025 goals. Our vision is to strengthen relationships with our community by supporting our school-based strategic plans to support teachers, academic achievement, college & career pathways, student behaviors, and engage our parents/community.

This survey's purpose is to better understand what strengths, professions, and any support that our own families possess to fulfill our dreams for our campus. Please take a couple of minutes to complete the below survey. Once we have a good idea of our expertise on our campus, we can contact you for additional support.

Parent Engagement Survey

DSA would like to invite families to join their students for lunch on September 24th. Please see the information below for details.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be here before we know it. Teachers will be communicating information about conferences during the month of September.

Sincerely,

Kelly Zywczyk

Principal, Desert Sun Academy

We currently have two Focus Groups meeting on our next calendar cycle and on facilities.

The CCUSD Calendar Focus Group, composed of parents, teachers, and administrators has been meeting since May to discuss the next 3-year cycle for the academic calendar. The group is being facilitated by Dr. Patty Jensen, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. The purpose of this group is to explore possibilities and provide recommendations to CCUSD leadership on our calendars. The two priorities they are basing their decisions to make any recommendations are that:

1. It has to be in the best interest of our students, and

2. It has to promote financial stability and sustainability for the District

This group will be sending a survey to parents in the coming weeks to gather parent input regarding 3 different calendar concepts: two 5-day/week calendars that feature early release day Wednesdays, and a 4-day/week with no early release days. Be on the lookout for this survey September 4-11. District leadership expects to present a final calendar based on the focus group’s recommendations for approval by the Governing Board by December.

The CCUSD Facility Focus Group, composed of parents, teachers, administrators, and community members, is currently in the exploratory phase, reviewing critical data regarding district enrollment trends, building capacities, and life cycles. The group is being facilitated by Dr. Frank Hendricsen, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. The purpose of this group is to explore possibilities and provide recommendations to CCUSD leadership on our District-wide facility usage. The two priorities they are basing their decisions to make any recommendations are that:

1. It has to be in the best interest of our students, and

2. It has to promote financial stability and sustainability for the District

The group recently met with the district demographer and a facility management consultant to analyze current district enrollment and other essential data. The Facility Focus Group’s recommendations will be presented to district leadership, who will work through and present final recommendations to the CCUSD Governing Board.

Wednesday, August 28th- Early Release- Dismissal at 2:00 PM

Friday, August 30th- Be You Day

Monday, September 2nd- No School-Labor Day

Wednesday, September 4th- Early Release-Dismissal at 2:00 PM

Monday, September 9th- Site Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 11th- DSA Dines Out-The Creek Patio Grill- 11:00 AM-9:00 PM

Wednesday, September 11th- Early Release-Dismissal at 2:00

Thursday, September 12th- Fall Picture Day

Wednesday, September 18th- Early Release-Dismissal at 2:00

Tuesday. September 24th- Volunteer Training at 9:15 and BBQ Lunch starting at 11:30

Wednesday, September 25th- Early Release at 2:00

Thursday, September 26th and Friday, September 27th-Half Days-Dismissal at 12:30

Friday, September 27th- Be You Day

Are you interested in giving time to DSA students and teachers? We would love to have you! Below are some volunteer opportunities here at DSA:

• Classroom parent
• Classroom parties
• Field Days, picture days and bookfair helpers
• Small group help in the classroom
• Chaperoning field trips

We will be offering volunteer training on a monthly basis at 9:15 AM in the front office conference room. Please see the dates listed below and RSVP to Dot Silva at 480-575-2901 if you would like to volunteer.

• September 24th
• October 22nd
• November 19th
• December 17th
• January 21st
• February 25th
• March 25th
• April 22nd

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF DSA!!

Welcome to Kid Account! Please be prepared to present your ID every time when coming onto campus to volunteer or visit. This is the only way we can process a visitor or volunteer badge. Also, please make sure your contacts are updated in PowerSchool, as we WILL NOT release your child(ren) to anyone not listed in Powerschool. They too will have to present their ID and use the Kid Account to sign them out.

Join our Volleyball Club designed for students, boys and girls, in grades 4-6! This club is all about having fun, learning the fundamentals of volleyball, and enjoying the game with friends. Whether you're new to the sport or have some experience, our club focuses on skill-building, teamwork, and plenty of playtime. Come and spike your way to a great time! Culminating CCUSD Tournament will be Tuesday October 15 @ BMES

Volleyball (Grade 4-6) DSA TC - Education & Community Services (eleyo.com)

Coaching Opportunities at DSA

We have exciting coaching opportunities here at DSA in the new school year. Each club is a season of 10 sessions and 1 culminating district activity. Typically these clubs are held before school but could happen after school. Coaches will be compensated for their time and energy. Please reach out to our P.E. Teacher Shaunna Baldyga if you are interested or have any questions. sbaldyga@ccusd93.net

Nov/Dec: Basketball

Jan/Feb: Cross Country

Mar/Apr: Track & Field

Please join us on September 24th for our BBQ Lunch. You are welcome to join your child(ren) during their lunchtime for a delicious lunch of hamburgers or hot dogs, sliced apples, and carrots along with a bag of chips. The adult price will be $4.15 cash or check only. (Change cannot be provided).

2024-2025 Lunch Times

11:30-11:50- 4th and 6th grade

11:55-12:15- 5th grade

12:20-12:40- K, 1st and 2nd

12:45-1:05- 3rd grade

A Medication Authorization Form must be completed and signed before the school is allowed to administer any medications (prescription and over-the-counter) to your child. Students are not allowed to carry medications without a note on file from the student's physician stating they may self-carry, self-administer. A parent/guardian must bring in any medications, in the original packaging or labeled prescription container. Please do not send any medications (prescription and over-the-counter) with your child, as it will be confiscated and destroyed. Our top priority is keeping all of our students and campus safe. We appreciate your understanding on this matter.

Hearing and Vision screenings are generally initiated at the beginning of the school year but continue as needed throughout the year in conjunction with the Arizona State Law and Department of Health Guidelines. Screenings performed in the health office are not equivalent to a comprehensive hearing/ear or vision/eye exam.

If your child was sent home with a change of clothing from the Health Office, please wash and return them promptly.

Sincerely,

Kari Wedge, Health Clinic Assistant

Angella Dittberner, R.N., CCUSD District Nurse

Kelly Zywczyk, Desert Sun Academy Principal

• Teshya Hutchison- President
• Amy Kessinger- Vice President
• Kylee Steier- Secretary
• Kelsi Westhoff- Treasurer

Information for Voluntary Student Accident and Sickness Insurance plans for purchase including plans for athletics can be found at https://myers-stevens.com/enrollment/

Arizona 's tax law (ARS 43-1089.01) allows families a tax credit of up to $400 if they contribute to extracurricular activities in public schools. Individuals can give up to $200. Contributions that are made on or before the fifteenth day of the fourth month (April 15), following the close of the taxable year, may be applied to either the current or preceding taxable year and is considered to have been made the last day of that taxable year.

(Please see the picture below to show the simplicity of how it works)

Extracurricular activities are school-sponsored activities that may require enrolled students to pay a fee, including fees for:

• Extracurricular activities, such as field trips, student council and our amazing science lab!
• Character education programs.

From and after June 30, 2019 through June 30, 2024, these items are also Tax Credit eligible:

• Capital items (example: furniture, furnishings, athletic equipment, computer software, pupil & non pupil transportation vehicles & equipment, textbooks, instructional aids, library books)
• Student consumable health care supplies (example: tissues, hand wipes, bandages)
• Playground equipment, shade structures for playground equipment

A single individual or a head of household can use the tax credit for $200. A married couple filing a joint return can use the tax credit for $400. Tax credit donations made on or before April 15th may be applied to either the current or preceding tax year.

How to contribute in a few easy steps!

1. Write a personal check to the school of your choice
   (checks CANNOT be accepted from Partnerships, S Corporations, Regular Corporations, Trusts, Estates and LLCs)
2. Mail or deliver the check to the school with a completed tax credit form.
3. You will be provided with a receipt verifying your contribution.
4. You can claim your tax credit of up to $400.

Email: kzywczyk@ccusd93.net
Website: https://www.ccusd93.org/dsa
Phone: 480-575-2900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Desertsunacademy
Twitter: @CCUSD_93