We are very excited to usher in a new school year continuing to grow as a community and offer your child and family a wonderful and holistic learning experience at Steele. This year we are excited to announce that we are officially a PreK thru 6th grade school community. In this letter you will find key pieces of information about the upcoming school year.

Important Upcoming Dates:

• 7/23 & 7/24 Kinder Readiness Meetings (by appointment for all kindergarteners)
• 7/27- Impact Tucson resource fair- Palo Verde High School (see flyer below)
• 7/31- Meet the Teacher 5:00-6:00pm (Drop in style)
• 8/1- First Day of School K-6 (7:40-1:55)
• 8/1- Meet the Principal for Kinder and New Families 7:55am in Library
• 8/20- Open House 5:30-7:00- Cafeteria & Classrooms
• 8/21- No School for all TUSD students- Professional Learning Day
• 9/2 - No school Labor Day

Parents are welcome to walk their students to class on the first day of school, we ask that parents give their hugs and kisses at the classroom door and allow students to have a quick transition into their new classroom community.

For families of our kindergarteners and new students, Principal Harris and Ms. Seabolt, our new guidance counselor will be hosting a meeting in the library at 7:55am to share information about our school community and answer any questions you may have.

We understand that this is a big moment for kindergarteners and their families. We honor that by having our families help their children line up and enter the classroom, but we ask our families for a quick exit to help their little ones learn the start of day routine on the first day. We will have team members available to support those little ones in the classroom that need some extra TLC for the first week of school.

• Drop off window is 7:15-7:40am
• Do not drop students off prior to 7:15am.
• If your child will be eating breakfast, please ensure they are dropped off no later than 7:30 so they have time to eat. The bell rings at 7:40am and students need to be lined up and ready to start class at 7:45am otherwise they will be considered tardy.

Pick Up: 1:55pm M, T, Th, F and 12:55 every Wednesday.

• During the first week student will receive a colored card with their first name/teacher to put into your vehicle window. Having these name cards in vehicle significantly speeds up the release process for everyone.
• When you pull up, we will call your child via radio and load your child in a quick and safe manner.
• If you would like to walk and pick up children, you are welcome to park in the Kenyon lot and line up down by the Sarnoff entrance doors so the staff member at the door can call your child out of the cafeteria. Please make sure to get in line so that our staff can call your student out as quickly and orderly as possible.

• Students load and unload on the passenger side of the car, if necessary to load on the driver’s side only do so with staff assistance.
• Adults stay in your vehicle, staff will assist student in exiting and entering vehicles. Only load and unload in the zone where adults are present.
• Do not unload down the line and pull out.
• Follow traffic laws with regards to making U-turns in and out of the pick-up/drop-off line.
• DO NOT drop students off in the Kenyon parking lot, unless you park and walk them to the door. Follow staff directions during drop-off and pick-up. This is a parking lot with cars moving in and out and is UNSAFE to drop children off here.
• Always use the crosswalks if parking across Sarnoff on Kenyon to pick up students.
• Always model patience and kindness for our students.

We are excited to welcome visitors and volunteers back on campus, all guest on campus during school hours must sign-in through the front office. Families are welcome to come onto campus and join their child for breakfast in the cafeteria or before school recess and line up with their child without signing in. If a parent is staying past the school bell to volunteer, they must sign in through the front office.

Volunteering around the school and attending field trips: To ensure the safety of our students, all parent and non-parent volunteers must complete or update their application each school year.

Link to volunteer application below. Please contact our office staff if you need assistance. Plan ahead and fill out applications 2-3 weeks in advance to ensure you will be able to volunteer.

TUSD & Steele have partnered with the City of Tucson to provide low cost, on campus child care for grades K-6. Applications are online on the link below, registration opens July 18, 2024 8:00am. Don't delay, spots fill up fast. KIDCO will be offered every school day from dismissal to 6pm for children who have registered through the City of Tucson program (including half days and early dismissal Wednesdays).

If you are in need of financial assistance for the afterschool program, discount applications are available for City of Tucson residents only and must be submitted prior to registering your child online. Go to any City of Tucson Recreation center in person to apply.

Eastside centers are: Clements Center 520-791-4355 or Udall 520-791-4931

Steele will provide all the school supplies your children need while they are at school. Throughout the year, teachers may have donation requests for special projects and events. They will communicate through their Class Dojo page.

If you need assistance with getting your child a backpack or academic supplies for home, please contact our front office staff, and they will assist you.

Additionally, if you're interested in donating to your child's classroom, feel free to reach out to their teacher to discuss donation opportunities. Your support is always welcome and appreciated.

I am thrilled to embark on my 7th year as Principal at Steele, a community that has become dear to my heart. With starting my 23rd school year in TUSD, my journey has included roles from teacher, coach, club sponsor, school counselor, learning supports coordinator and assistant principal. I am privileged that my journey has given me the opportunity to lead the Steele community, focusing on both academic preparation as well as nurturing social-emotional learning for all students.

Outside of school, I cherish time with my family: Sean, my partner, my kiddos, Millie, a 7th grader, Avery a high school junior, and my oldest Parker begins college this fall! Yoga, hiking, gardening and savoring nature's beauty rejuvenate me, along with treasured moments shared with family and friends, including my two husky dogs!

I grew up in Tucson and was a TUSD kid. I have two fantastic children, Olivia will be a sophomore at the University of Arizona and Carter will be a junior at Catalina Foothills High School. I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends and an occasional movie. I loved my first year at Steele last year, can’t wait to dive in to my new role here. How could I forget, I’m a huge Wildcats fan, Bear Down! See you in the office!

When I'm not at school, you can find me exploring Arizona with family and friends, perfecting my chocolate chip cookie recipe, or curling up with a good book.

I'm Ms. Patrice, and taking care of the Steele family is a true joy! But my own family is what keeps my heart full. Between my wonderful husband, 11 children, 14 grandchildren, and two dogs, there's never a dull moment. I'm especially proud of my two daughters who are serving our country in the military.

For the past 14 years, I've been here at Steele Elementary as your Health Assistant/Nurse. Caring for all our community is incredibly rewarding. But I'm also working hard to further my education – I'm currently attending Pima Medical Institute and on track to graduate with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2025! When I'm not busy with work or school, you can find me spending time with my amazing grandkids, shopping, traveling, or dancing! In fact, keep an eye out on Friday afternoons – you might just catch me dropping some moves as I wave goodbye to our students and wish them a fantastic weekend!

Welcome New Staff & Returning Staff with New Roles!

Tom Beech – Band (itinerant)

Kathy Conley- RTI Teacher

Lee Ezrre- Preschool Teacher

Jennifer Ferrell- Office Manager

TBD-PM Custodian

Sarah Howard- OMA- Art grades K-3/CCP/CCI

Samantha Munsey -Attendance & Registration Tech

Amy Rocha- Teacher-6th grade

Karen Seabolt- School Counselor

TBD- TA Preschool (Robertson- Ex. Ed. Inclusion Pre-School Program)

TBD- TA Preschool (Robertson- Ex. Ed. Inclusion Pre-School Program

Welcome Back Returning Staff!

Robin Bizub- TA & Monitor

Courtney Braren- Teacher- 3rd grade

Julie Christy- Speech Language Pathologist

Angelica Dotson- Teacher ELD (itinerant)

Kim Ducsay- Cafeteria Manager

Emily Freed- Curriculum Support Provider/Testing Coordinator

Camella Gabato- 3rd grade teacher

Patrice Gant- Health Assistant

Ava Han -TA Preschool (Ms. Lee’s classroom)

Kristin Kamell- 5th grade teacher

Shayla Knight – Ex. Ed-Gen Ed. TA

Eusebia Limones- Day Custodian

Kim Lonsway – Occupational Therapist (itinerant)

Jolene Luquin (Gen. Ed. TA/small group interventions-part time)

Vanessa Matthews- TA- CCP Program

Meghan McClafferty- Gen. Ed. TA

Emily McDuffie- Counselor (part time)

Melody Morehouse – School Nurse (Itinerant)

GATE- itinerant- Judith Moritz

Susan Montgomery- Lunchtime Monitor (2hrs)

Hannah Norville 4th grade

Christina Payette Library Asst. & Monitor

Jessica Paz- TA- CCI Program

Robin Reddix- Teacher Kindergarten

Victoria Reyes- TA CCP Program

Estella Robertson Preschool Teacher Ex. Ed. Inclusion

Cynthia “Cindy” Serafini – Teacher Ex. Ed. Resource

Peter Shibuya-School Psychologist- (itinerant)

Kimber Silva-Munsey- MTSS Facilitator

Ira Stenlund - CCI Teacher

Marie Taylor- Teacher 2nd grade

Raiden Thaler -Violin & Orchestra grades 4-6th

Katherine “Kate” Woll- Teacher – CCP Program

Brianna Zittlosen- Teacher 5th grade/Site Council Facilitator

Celeste Zylks – Teacher 1st grade