The end of the first quarter of the school year and Fall Break are just days away! Before heading off to your cooler weather Fall Break adventures, 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!

This year there are eight candidates running for three open seats on the DVUSD Governing Board. TONIGHT, October 1, at 6 p.m. a Governing Board Candidate forum sponsored by DVUSD parent teacher organizations will be held to meet the candidates and give them an opportunity to interface with the DVUSD community. This meeting is open to the community and all are encouraged to attend.

Leaders from our PTA/PTO groups sponsoring the forum have determined the final list of questions that are asked at the event. 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

Parent Teacher Conferences will take place across the District on October 17 & 18 for all DVUSD schools. All K-12 Students will have half-day early release days Thursday and Friday, October 17 and 18 to accommodate for conferences. Your school will provide additional information on specific schedules for those days.

Come cheer under the Friday night lights as our five high schools bring their energy and grit for Homecoming! Here is the schedule for the remaining big games and celebrations!

Sandra Day O'Connor High School

Parade, October 2, 9:40 a.m.

Football vs. Shadow Ridge, October 4, 7 p.m.

Barry Goldwater High School

October 18

Parade, 8:30 a.m.

Football vs. Ironwood, 7 p.m

Boulder Creek High School

October 25

Parade, 8:30 a.m.

Football vs. Valley Vista, 7 p.m.

Mountain Ridge High School

Parade, October 30, 9:15 a.m.

Football, November 1 vs. Barry Goldwater, 7 p.m.

As you are probably aware, there has been a nationwide trend of fake and/or false social media postings that are being reported both in Arizona and here in DVUSD. While we understand that this may be concerning, we want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority.

Throughout Arizona and the country, these fake social media postings are communicating false information to spread throughout school communities, including DVUSD. Many of these threats are spam messages circulating on social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. These messages contain generic and false threats intended to create fear and disruption.

In order to maintain safe and supportive campuses and minimize disruptions, it is crucial that schools and the community work together to address this issue. Please have a conversation with your child(ren) about the importance of not posting or reposting these messages. By doing so, we can help to reduce the spread of misinformation and maintain a safe learning environment for everyone. We urge you to please alert your campus administration if you see a threatening post or message across social media.

DVUSD remains committed to the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take proactive measures to prevent and address threats. We work collaboratively with local law enforcement agencies to investigate all threats and hold individuals accountable. Across the valley, law enforcement agencies have begun detaining individuals and pressing charges against those making threats toward campuses. We want to ensure everyone is aware of the severity of this issue.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) is proud to announce 13 students, representing four DVUSD high schools, are among the approximately 16,000 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists for 2025. These students will be considered for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26-million to be awarded this spring. The students are:

Barry Goldwater High School

• Kavi Badhwar
  
  

Boulder Creek High School

• Benjamin Heiner
  
  

Mountain Ridge High School

• Mahia Bhatt

• Pravneet Chadha

• Anjali Chokshi

• Will Dana

• Dyuthi Heroor

• Erik Potts

• Kyle Prentice

• Kaushik Venkatesh

• David Xu
  
  

Sandra Day O’Connor High School

• Lennon Hammond

• Lilah Manfredi
  
  

Over a million high school juniors were considered for the 71st National Merit Scholarship Program through their performance on the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test. To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and their high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2025 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. Visit www.nationalmerit.org for more information.

During election season, you may see or hear all sorts of misinformation. Our MythBusters are here to set the record straight! Lauren & Audry share how the bond and the override are two different but important ballot measures that help DVUSD. Get the facts at DVUSD.org/election.

October 7, 2024

Last date to register to vote

October 9, 2024

First date to vote by early ballot

October 25, 2024

Last date to request early ballot

November 1, 2024

Deadline to Vote Early In-Person

November 5, 2024

Election day

See all important election dates as compiled by the Arizona Secretary of State.

• 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.

You had questions, and our superintendent, Dr. Curtis Finch, had answers! If you missed the latest Conversations with Curt that was held virtually on Sept. 25, you can view the hour-long event now.

He covers a variety of topics based on questions that were submitted by the DVUSD community including school safety, expected growth within and around DVUSD, his experience, the upcoming bond and override election, arts, athletics, programs within DVUSD, and more!

The Ask Benji chatbot returns this year to assist senior students, parents, and educators by getting quick answers to a wide variety of questions about the FAFSA. The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for post-secondary funding opportunities at universities, colleges, and trade schools. Benji is free and easy to use responding to your confidential questions 24/7 in a matter of 60 seconds. Visit www.askbenji.org for more information about Benji, FAFSA, and other resources. Text “Help” to Benji anytime at 602-786-8171 to get started. Opt out at any time by texting "Stop." If you have further questions, contact your school counselor.

In the coming weeks, families with senior students will be receiving a text message from Ask Benji to support you in the completion of the financial aid process.

DVUSD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department is hosting the annual High School to Career Expo Thursday, October 24, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. in the DVUSD Innovation Center (20402 N. 15th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85027). Teachers and student ambassadors representing all 21 DVUSD CTE programs will be on hand to answer questions and help you learn more about each program. Now is the chance for your high school or incoming high school student (grades 7-11) to make high school experience extraordinary with career preparation and exploration experiences, excitement, and real skills for real life!

Danielle's family moved from New York to Phoenix when she was a teenager, a culture shock for her at a crucial point in her life. But landing at the brand new Sandra Day O'Connor High School helped her fit in quickly, as every student was a new student at the school. Danielle took her passion for dance, and became a dance instructor and business owner, where she now returns the favor of instructor future dance teachers. See more Portrait of a Graduate stories at DVUSD.org/portraitofagraduate.

Our first Parent Webinar will be released this Friday, October 4th, 2024; it is pre-recorded. It is titled Transition Supports and will be led by Dr. Jenny Humpal, Coordinator for Transition. This webinar focuses on middle and high school transition supports. Here is the tentative schedule for additional Parent Webinars for the 2024-2025 school year!

• October 4th, 2024 - Transition Supports.

• December 6th, 2024 - Deer Valley USD and Raising Special Kids (RSK) Discuss Transition for Students with Disabilities.

• February 7th, 2025 - What is an IEP? - A Parent Perspective.

• April 4th, 2025 - What is a Reasonable Accommodation Under Section 504?

All pre-recorded webinars are located here on the Student Support Services Parent Resources Page.

Calling the class of 2038! Future Kindergarten parents and students, join all DVUSD K-6 and K-8 schools including Aspire- Deer Valley Online Academy Nov. 6-7 at our Fall Kindergarten Preview Events! School staff will be available on all campuses to answer questions and help you register your student for this next exciting chapter in their educational journey! If you have a student ready to start Kindergarten next fall, check out the events at dvusd.org/kindergarten. You can find additional information about DVUSD’s #Extraordinary Kindergarten program and details about how to register a student at www.dvusd.org/Kindergarten. Registration for 2025-26 Kindergarten opens November 1!

Residents living in the DVUSD boundaries will have an opportunity to vote on a proposed bond to help fund DVUSD schools. What exactly does the bond fund? Dr. Finch hears from leaders in facilities, athletics, school operations, and transportation to share how past bonds have helped DVUSD grow as well as what could happen if bond funds dry up. 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!