Gecko Gazette

Three of our #extraordinary Mandarin Immersion program students will advance to the finals in the CLTA 2nd Annual Mandarin Speech Contest. Over 200 students competed and there are only 15 finalist. The finalists will compete at ASU on February 24th! 恭喜 Congratulations to 5th grader Olivia F., 4th grader Charlotte F., and 6th grader Julia M.! We are so proud of you!

We have recently had two school fundraiser that have been overwhelmingly successful thanks to the generosity of our fantastic Gecko families. Thank you for all you do to support our students and staff. Desert Sage couldn't be the A-rated school it is without your everlasting support.

• Sonic Family Dinner Night from 2/6: $710 was raised to assist our 6th graders to their end of year camp field trip!
• Kids Heart Challenge: We exceeded our fundraising goal of $3000 by raising $3306! This means Principal Gill will be doing the pie challenge soon with students. Yay! Look for information soon about when the "pieing" will happen.

Attendance matters every day for every child. Please ensure your child is attending school each day. If your child is going to be absent for any period of time within a school day (i.e. full-day, half-day, 1 class period, etc.) you must call the Desert Sage attendance line at 623-445-4790.

If your child is absent and you have not called in the absence you will receive an automated voice recorded message notifying you of the absence.

Arriving to school on-time also matters. Students are expected to be in their classrooms, starting their day by 8:45 a.m. Learning begins right away in our classes and if students are late, then they are missing the review of the days expectations and the beginning of instruction in vital subjects such as reading and math. If students arrive to their classroom after 8:45 a.m. they are considered tardy. Tardies are tracked by our office and students will have to get a pass to go to class. If your child is going to be tardy (arriving after 8:45 a.m.), an adult is expected to bring the student to the office and sign them in.

Please click on the info-graphics below for information about how absences and tardiness effects students learning. If you have questions regarding your child's attendance, please call the Desert Sage office at 623-445-4700.

Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.

Here’s what you need to know about the big event, which will take place:

• Where: Desert Sage school library
• When: Monday, March 4 through Friday, March 8
• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 8:15 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Before the Fair, set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Anyone can contribute! Share each child’s eWallet so friends and family can add funds and give your kids more books to enjoy.

If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Book Fair online. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Every online purchase will also benefit our school.

Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:

• https://www.scholastic.com/bf/desertsageelementaryschool5

The countdown to more Bookjoy is on! Catch you at the Fair!

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.

• Wednesday, 2/28: Family Science Night @ 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, 3/1: Read Across America Day
• Friday, 3/1: Dismissal @ 2:00 p.m.
• Week of 3/4-3/8: Scholastic Book Fair Week
• Tuesday, 3/5: 5th grade Biz Town Field Trip
• Tuesday, 3/5: Mandarin Chat @ 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 2/6: Sonic Dinner Fundraiser Night
• 3/5-3/6: Gecko Gold Store
• Wednesday, 3/6: Last day for 3rd quarter work turn-in
• Thursday, 3/7: Zoom PTO Meeting @ 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, 3/7: Kindergarten Preview Night @ 5:30 p.m.
• Friday, 3/8: Dismissal @ 2:00 p.m.
• Friday, 3/8 : 3rd quarter ends
• Week of 3/11-3/15: Spring Break, no school

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/.

We are an A school in the Deer Valley Unified District. We educate children pre-k through grade 6 & offer Mandarin Language Immersion. We are the home of the geckos. Kristy M. Gill is the proud principal and Lindsay Race is the proud assistant principal.

Website: dvusd.org/desertsage
Location: 4035 West Alameda Road, Glendale, AZ, USA
Phone: (623) 445-4700
Twitter: @DesertSageElem

Instagram: dvusd_desertsage

Facebook: DVUSD Desert Sage