DSA Families,

We had a wonderful January, and I have been impressed with our students' positivity and kindness towards others. I even had a new student share how welcoming and kind our students are at DSA. As a principal, this makes my heart happy. Please enjoy the pictures below and review the upcoming events for February.

Thank you again for your ongoing support for CCUSD and Desert Sun Academy.

Sincerely,

Kelly Zywczyk

Principal, Desert Sun Academy

Congratulations to Carrie McKeon, our employee of the month! She always comes to DSA with a smile and demonstrates patience, guidance, and kindness at our site.

Spring Picture Day is right around the corner. Mark your calendar for February 4th. Students can be dressed in their spring best. (Uniforms are not required this day). Keep a lookout for more information.

01/29- Early Release-Dismissal at 2:00

01/30- 5th Grade Field Trip to Biztown

01/31- Be You Day

02/03- Site Council Meeting

02/04- Spring Picture Day- Individuals and Classroom Group

02/05- Early Release- Dismissal at 2:00

02/07- 3rd-5th Grade Field Trip to Harkins

02/10- 3rd Grade Field Trip to The Capital Museum

02/11- 2nd Grade Field Trip to The AZ Science Center

02/11- Governing Board Meeting

02/12- Early Release-Dismissal at 2:00

02/14- Student Council Meeting

02/17- No School- President's Day

02/18- PTO General Membership Meeting

02/19- Early Release- Dismissal at 2:00

02/21- Dance With The Stars-5:45PM-MPR

02/25- 5th Grade Field Trip to The Tea Room (Ms. Clark's Homeroom)

02/27- Volunteer Training- 4:00

02/27- Student Council Meeting

02/28- Be You Day

If your child has a fever, has thrown up, or has diarrhea they need to remain home. Students have to be fever free WITHOUT the assistance of medication for 24 hours before returning to school. Same with vomit or diarrhea, they need to be free of symptoms for 24 hours prior to returning to school

Coaching Opportunities at DSA

We have exciting coaching opportunities here at DSA in the new school year. Each club is a season of 10 sessions and 1 culminating district activity. Typically these clubs are held before school but could happen after school. Coaches will be compensated for their time and energy. Please reach out to our P.E. Teacher Shaunna Baldyga if you are interested or have any questions. sbaldyga@ccusd93.net

Mar/Apr: Track & Field

Thank you for your patience in getting this program going! We're excited to confirm a start date of 1/28. The students will meet T/TH's, 8:00-8:45 AM, starting in the gymnasium with warmups. There will be four practices before the first intramural meet on 2/7 and four more before the second meet on 2/25. There will not be practice on 2/25 because their second meet is that afternoon. But, they will meet on 2/27 to celebrate their individual successes, improved run times from the first to the second meet, and also feed their love for running - an excellent activity that supports other sports and one's health for years to come!

The coach will be from Athletes In Training. They are excited to participate in this intramural experience with the DSA students!

Elementary Cross Country meets are scheduled for the following days at Cactus Shadow HS. Participants are encouraged to arrive at 4pm. .

Friday 2/7

Tuesday 2/25

Are you interested in giving time to DSA students and teachers? We would love to have you! Below are some volunteer opportunities here at DSA:

• Classroom parent
• Classroom parties
• Field Days, picture days, and bookfair helpers
• Small group help in the classroom
• Chaperoning field trips

Per our District Office, we will be offering volunteer training sessions monthly in the front office conference room. In order to volunteer in any of the above mentioned capacities, volunteers are required to take one of the trainings. Unfortunately, if you do not attend one of the sessions you will not be able to volunteer at DSA. Please see the dates and times listed below and RSVP to Dot Silva at 480-575-2901 if you would like to volunteer.

• February 27th- 4:00 PM
• March 27th- 9:15 AM
• April 24th- 4:00 PM

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF DSA!!

• Teshya Hutchison- President
• Amy Kessinger- Vice President
• Kylee Steier- Secretary
• Kelsi Westhoff- Treasurer

Wednesday, January 29th from 2:00-2:45~ BIG FLASH SALE on spirit shirts. $2.00 each! Get them before they disappear.

"Thanks to a generous donation, CCUSD is thrilled to be able to partner with SmartSocial, an online platform that helps parents understand tech and social media to keep kids safe and successful online. SmartSocial hosts live online Q&A events that address different themes each month. You can watch these events live, or watch them after the fact when it fits your schedule! With over 400 online resources at your disposal, SmartSocial can help parents navigate the challenges associated with technology, including parental controls, screen time, online safety, and more. CCUSD parents can register with SmartSocial using this link: https://smartsocial.com/members?org=cavecreekunified

Your subscription is free when you register through CCUSD. We believe that this will be a valuable resource for our families and encourage you to register and see what they have to offer!"

Information for Voluntary Student Accident and Sickness Insurance plans for purchase including plans for athletics can be found at https://myers-stevens.com/enrollment/

Arizona 's tax law (ARS 43-1089.01) allows families a tax credit of up to $400 if they contribute to extracurricular activities in public schools. Individuals can give up to $200. Contributions that are made on or before the fifteenth day of the fourth month (April 15), following the close of the taxable year, may be applied to either the current or preceding taxable year and is considered to have been made the last day of that taxable year.

(Please see the picture below to show the simplicity of how it works)

Extracurricular activities are school-sponsored activities that may require enrolled students to pay a fee, including fees for:

• Extracurricular activities, such as field trips, student council and our amazing science lab!
• Character education programs.

From and after June 30, 2019 through June 30, 2024, these items are also Tax Credit eligible:

• Capital items (example: furniture, furnishings, athletic equipment, computer software, pupil & non pupil transportation vehicles & equipment, textbooks, instructional aids, library books)
• Student consumable health care supplies (example: tissues, hand wipes, bandages)
• Playground equipment, shade structures for playground equipment

A single individual or a head of household can use the tax credit for $200. A married couple filing a joint return can use the tax credit for $400. Tax credit donations made on or before April 15th may be applied to either the current or preceding tax year.

How to contribute in a few easy steps!

1. Write a personal check to the school of your choice
   (checks CANNOT be accepted from Partnerships, S Corporations, Regular Corporations, Trusts, Estates and LLCs)
2. Mail or deliver the check to the school with a completed tax credit form.
3. You will be provided with a receipt verifying your contribution.
4. You can claim your tax credit of up to $400.

Email: kzywczyk@ccusd93.net
Website: https://www.ccusd93.org/dsa
Phone: 480-575-2900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Desertsunacademy
Twitter: @CCUSD_93