Parent Update- September 2024

DVUSD successfully kicked off the school year last month! Our schools, the celebrations, and updates are not slowing down! Make sure to stay informed about the latest updates, important upcoming events and more by continuing to read these monthly parent updates.

Follow @DVUSD on Instagram, Facebook, X, and subscribe to the district's YouTube Channel (@deervalleyunified) to get the latest updates and check out what's going on around the district throughout the school year!

Join DVUSD for a regional election meeting in your student's school region (the region is identified by the high school the elementary or middle school students will attend as high school students). The meeting you attend does not have to be in the region where your student attends school. The same information will be presented at each meeting.

• Boulder Creek High School: Monday, September 9, 2024, Performing Arts Center

• Deer Valley High School: Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Performing Arts Center

• Sandra Day O'Connor High School: Monday, September 23, 2024, Performing Arts Center

• Mountain Ridge High School: Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Performing Arts Center

• Barry Goldwater High School: Thursday, September 26, 2024, Performing Arts Center

Do you have a question for DVUSD’s Superintendent, Dr. Finch? Are you interested in hearing the latest news about the district directly from him? Join Dr. Finch Wednesday, September 25 at 2 p.m. for a virtual “Conversations with Curt” to stay informed!

Register to receive the event link here

Submit a question for the superintendent here

This year there are eight candidates running for three open seats on the DVUSD Governing Board. On October 1, at 6 p.m. a Governing Board Candidate forum will be held to meet the candidates and give them an opportunity to interface with the DVUSD community. Please enter a question you would like to have answered by the Governing Board candidates during our upcoming forum. You may enter questions through September 20, 2024.

Leaders from our PTA/PTO groups sponsoring the forum will determine the final list of questions that are asked at the event on October 1, 2024 at 6 p.m. A meet and greet with candidates will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the DVUSD Governing Board Room at 20402 N.15th Avenue, Phoenix 85027. You can view the forum live or at a later time at youtube.com/@dvusdboard

Early Head Start is an Infant & Toddler program that provides family-centered services for low-income families with very young children from 6 weeks to 2 years and 9 months of age. These programs are designed to promote the development of children, and to enable their parents to fulfill their roles and to move toward self-sufficiency.

Tailored for the unique needs of infants and toddlers, Early Head Start promotes the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development through safe and developmentally enriching caregiving. This prepares these children for continued growth and development and eventual success in school and life. At the end of the program, 3-year-old children performed significantly better on a range of cognitive, language, and social and emotional development measures than a randomly assigned control group.

• Special Bond Election in the amount of $325 million to fund safety, security, instructional resources, technology, building renewal, conservation, buses, and student growth through the year 2029.
• Continuation of the existing 15% maintenance and operation (M&O) override. The 2019 voter approved override will be entering the phase down period, and vital funds (approximately $33 million over three years) will no longer be available after June 30, 2025.

Learn what this special bond would fund at our Bond FAQ page.

Learn what the M&O Override funds at our Override FAQ page.

Two of our very own DVUSD teachers are up for Arizona Education Foundation Teacher of the Year!!

Boulder Creek High School (BCHS)'s Emmett Burnton and Ryan Donovan were named two of the five finalists for the prestigious honor! Burnton teaches AP World History and U.S. History (Dual Enrollment) and Donovan teaches AP World History at BCHS.

A total of 625 teachers from across Arizona were nominated for this prestigious award. An independent panel of past award winners and community members narrowed the candidates down to fifteen quarterfinalists. The ten teachers with the highest scores after the application round, which included Burnton and Donovan as semifinalists. Out of that group of 15, five teachers throughout the state were named finalists for this year's award. DVUSD is the only district in the state to have two finalists! This is the first time in AEF history that two teachers from the same campus have made it into the top 10 semi-final round, and now Mr. Donovan and Mr. Burnton are making history once again as 2 of the top 5 finalists!

The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF®) teacher of the year award highlights the best of Arizona’s public school teachers. This program is the highlight of AEF’s efforts to recognize and support excellent teaching in public schools across the state.

These five finalists, known as “Ambassadors for Excellence,” are in the running for Arizona Teacher of the Year, which will be announced during the 2025 Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards ceremony on October 19th, 2024.

There are many exciting moments to come because of this incredible recognition, which include capturing a video of interviews and teaching for the awards gala, recognition by the DVUSD Governing Board on September 10th, and the AEF Teacher of the Year Gala on October 19th where the Arizona State Teacher of the Year will be named.

Mr. Burnton and Mr. Donovan don't just teach in the Social Studies Department together-- they are a part of the same collaborative team that meets on Fridays during district PLC time. Their collaboration around student learning and growth in the AP Social Studies vertical team has grown both of their practices over the years. This collaboration time has allowed them to unpack standards, skills, and AP course curriculum as well as time to share strong instructional practices to support student growth and learning.

Since Mr. Burnton and Mr. Donovan have been collaborating, they have strengthened one another's practices while also increasing student success in AP World and AP US History. During the 2024 AP Exams, BCHS had the most students test in AP World and AP US since 2018 with the highest score averages in the last 5 years! Teacher collaboration has been a definitive part of the success of our Arizona Teacher of the Year finalists!

Tune in on October 19, 2024, for the final results!

Congratulations, Brittany Sutton (Boulder Creek High School Principal) and Scott Larter (Hillcrest Middle School Assistant Principal) for being named the DVUSD Principal and Assistant Principal of the year.

Boulder Creek High School's principal, Brittany Sutton, has led one of DVUSD's largest comprehensive high schools since 2017 with unwavering commitment and a clear vision. Under her leadership, the school has maintained its standards and continually reached new heights.

The school achieved a notable milestone by winning the A+ Award of Excellence during the 2023-24 school year. This accolade is a direct reflection of her efforts and the culture of excellence she has fostered. Academic achievement at the school has consistently risen over the years, showing her effective leadership and focus on student success.

The positive and enthusiastic environment she has cultivated means that employees are genuinely excited to be part of her team, contributing to a vibrant and positive school culture. Students report a positive culture as well with large numbers of students participating in the fine arts, activities and athletics.

Scott Larter, Hillcrest Middle School's Assistant Principal, was recognized as DVUSD's first ever assistant principal of the year!

His adoption of the mindset we seek with Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Behavioral Health & Wellness (MTSS-B), understanding that what we do for academics should also apply to behavior. His approach has helped create a more supportive and effective environment for all students. As an active member within both the O’Connor and Mountain Ridge regions, he consistently shares valuable insights about what is working and what is not for MTSS-B, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

He is an active participant in district assistant principal meetings, where his input and experiences help shape our collective strategies and practices. Additionally, his commitment to professional growth is demonstrated by his initiative to participate in state-level administrator trainings.

Applying for free or reduced-price meals is as EZ as ABC! If your child currently receives free or reduced-price meals at his/her school, last year’s meal applications are due to expire September 12. To avoid any lapse in meal and other benefits, please submit a meal application online at www.EZMEALAPP.com by September 11.

Students at Constitution Elementary School, Deer Valley Middle School, Esperanza Elementary School, Mirage Elementary School, Park Meadows Elementary School, Paseo Hills School, Sunrise Elementary School, and Village Meadows Elementary School DO NOT need to apply as their meals are paid for through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) this school year.

Learn more at DVUSD.org/foodandnutrition

Ten DVUSD schools have been honored by the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports of Arizona (AZPBIS) for their work providing a positive and safe learning environment for students and the community.

The annual AZPBIS Awards recognizes schools for successful implementation and outcomes with school-wide systems of Positive Behavior Interventions. Awards are presented in four levels celebrating schools that are building a culture that is more positive, proactive, and supportive for all students so that they can become successful citizens and leaders.

Earning the highest Level IV award as a ‘Model PBIS School’ is Park Meadows Elementary. Level II award-winners are Desert Sage Elementary, Diamond Canyon School, Esperanza Elementary, Hillcrest Middle School, Inspiration Mountain School, Las Brisas Elementary, Stetson Hills School, Sunset Ridge School and Village Meadows Elementary. List of all award-winning schools

In this episode of The 'Supe Scoop Podcast, you'll get to know Union Park teacher Brenda Western, who overcame challenges early in her life and is now paying it back by helping neighbors who literally became her family. And you'll meet Copper Creek custodian Howard Massey, who at 87 years old drives the extra miles to make students and staff on campus feel at home. Listen to more episodes at DVUSD.org/supescoop.

If your child is between the ages of 3-5 and not yet enrolled in Kindergarten, sign them up for DVUSD’s Big Kid Book Club! We will periodically send your child a free book in the mail along with activities and helpful advice for parents and guardians that will help them prepare to be a student at DVUSD!