Scorpion Scoop
January 7, 2024
A Message from Principal Hann
Scorpion families,
Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful and enjoyable break. As we begin a new semester, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your child back to school. The beginning of a new semester is always an exciting time for both students and staff, as we look forward to another period of growth, learning, and achievement.
I want to take this opportunity to highlight two crucial aspects that contribute significantly to your child's success and well-being: attendance and school safety. Regular attendance is a key factor in academic success. Students who attend classes consistently are more likely to stay engaged, understand the material, and perform well on assessments. Absences, even if for legitimate reasons, can disrupt the learning process and impact a student's overall progress. Please work with your child to be at school regularly and to his/her classes on time. If there are any concerns regarding attendance or if your child is facing challenges that may affect their ability to attend regularly, please do not hesitate to reach out to administration, counseling or the respective teachers. We are here to support and work collaboratively to find solutions that benefit your child's education.
I want to remind you that the safety of our students is our top priority. Our district has been committed to implementing various measures to create a secure learning environment, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to them when on campus and reinforcing these principles at home. Please remind your child about the importance of following school safety guidelines, including:
- Adhering to the school's code of conduct.
- Reporting any suspicious activity or concerns to school staff.
- Having his/her student ID card with them at all times.
- Being aware of emergency procedures and evacuation routes.
By working together, we can maintain a safe and supportive atmosphere for all students to thrive academically and personally.
I appreciate your commitment in working with us to foster an environment where attendance is prioritized for academic success, and safety is upheld for the well-being of every student. Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to a semester filled with achievements and positive experiences.
Here's to a successful and enriching semester ahead!
Warm regards,
Gretchen Hann
Save the Date!
We Value Your Input!
Dear Parents and Families,
In the Agua Fria Union High School District, we are committed to finding purposeful and innovative ways to best serve our students and staff, while always remaining aligned with our Strategic Plan, As part of this process we are reevaluating our calendar structure for the 2024/25 school year.
Using survey data collected last year, a group of staff created four calendar drafts that reflect the top priorities revealed through that data. As a valued stakeholder, we would like to give you the opportunity to share your input on these calendar drafts via the attached survey.
Please read the instructions at the top of the survey for clarity on how to navigate through the options and share your thoughts effectively. The feedback from this survey will be reviewed and considered for making additional tweaks to the calendar proposals. Then a final calendar will be taken for Board approval in the spring.
Please complete the survey no later than Monday, January 8th at 3pm.
Thank you for participating. Your time and thoughtful input are greatly appreciated.
Library News
Volunteer Information
Community Partnerships
🙌 Huge shoutout to Raising Canes for their generous donation to Desert Edge High School! 📚🍗 Your support means the world to us and will make a big difference in our school community. Thank you for investing in our students! 🧡🦂🖤
A Message from AFHSD Food Services Department
Since July 1, 2014, the US Department of Agriculture's Smart Snacks in School rules have required all foods and beverages sold/offered meet new nutrition standards.
Under Smart Snacks in Schools, all foods must:
- Be a "whole grain-rich" grain product; or
- Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or
- Be a combination food that contains at least 1/4 cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
- Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium vitamin D or dietary fiber)
Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements:
< 200 Calories
Total fat: <35% of calories
Saturated fat: <10% of calories
Trans fat: zero grams
< 200mg Sodium
Sugar <35% of weight from total sugars in foods"
In 2022, the Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) requires a certified Food Protection Manager be present from start to finish when open food/beverage is being sold/offered on school campus. Along with a certified Food Protection Manager, any person(s) serving/providing open food/beverage must have a Food Handler's Card.
Crosswalk Reminder
Please see the attached communication from DEHS Administration regarding Crosswalk Safety.
Thank you!
Helpful Links
About DEHS
Located near the Estrella Mountains, Desert Edge High School is the third high school in Agua Fria Union High School District, opening in the Fall of 2002. Desert Edge was the first "Green" Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certificate high school in Arizona, and the fourth in the nation.
Desert Edge is an A+ School of Excellence! (2016 and 2020). The A+ School of Excellence™ Program is a comprehensive school assessment program that celebrates outstanding schools and brings to light the positive stories and successes happening in public schools every day.
Desert Edge has consistently been awarded the Washington Post's America's Most Challenging High School and US News and World Report Best High School in America. Desert Edge is the only high school in Arizona to earn gold medal status in the Beat the Odds program for the 2018-2019 school year. Additionally, Desert Edge was recognized in 2019 for building "a college-going community" with The Most Innovative Player Award from the Governor’s Office of Education and The Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education.
Desert Edge is located on Estrella Parkway and Yuma Road near the Goodyear Ballpark, Spring Training home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians.
Website: www.aguafria.org/dehs
Location: 15778 West Yuma Road, Goodyear, AZ, USA
Phone: 623-932-7500