Gecko Gazette
Desert Sage Newsletter - September 2023
Fall In-Person Parent Teacher Conferences
It is time to schedule your child’s fall parent/teacher conference. Below is a link to our scheduling program you will use to make your conference appointment. Conferences are being held the week of October 10 through October 13. Evening conference appointments are being provided on Wednesday, October 11. All conferences will be held in-person at Desert Sage in teachers' classrooms. Once you have scheduled your conference appointment you will receive confirmation that includes the meeting room number for your specific conference date and time.
Conference appointment scheduling link: CLICK HERE
6th grade parents: please click here for additional instructions for scheduling your 6th grade conference.
Tips for a successful parent/teacher conference:
- It is important to be timely to your child’s conference as teachers will have conferences scheduled back-to-back.
- Prior to the conference, write down any questions you may have about your child’s academics, behavior, classroom routines, expectations, etc.
- If more time is needed at the end of the conference, ask the teacher to schedule an additional conference time.
12:05 PM Early Release Days
Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13 will be 12:05 p.m. dismissal for all students. The early release is to allow additional time for parent/teacher conferences.
Please be sure to make appropriate arrangements for your child's early pickup on these days.
2023-2024 Student Council Officers
- President: Chloe K.
- Vice President: Jackson P.
- Secretary: Jordan H.
- Treasurer: Lucy M.
Fall Class Parties
Food for classroom celebrations must be organized by the classroom teacher with approval from the school nurse. This guarantees all students with dietary restrictions and allergies are taken care of and can safely participate in the celebration. Unapproved donations of food will not be accepted and returned to the donating family.
If you are interested in supporting your child's teacher with autumn celebrations at the end of the month, please reach out to them as soon as possible to begin planning with them.
Attendance Calls
Absence calls should ONLY be made to the ATTENDANCE LINE. Make sure to save this number in your phone.
24 hour ATTENDANCE LINE: 623-445-4790
2024-2025 Open Enrollment
Open enrollment is for any family living in Arizona who would like to attend a school that is outside their home school boundaries and wants their child to attend a DVUSD school. This includes families who currently are on open enrollment attending a DVUSD school and their child will be transitioning to a new school next year. These families MUST complete a new open enrollment application for the new school. For example a current 6th grader wishing to go to Hillcrest Middle School next year who is currently on open enrollment will need to reapply for open enrollment to possibly attend Hillcrest Middle School.
- Interested families must complete an Open Enrollment Application.
- Applications will be reviewed starting in January and approved if the school has availability.
- Go to https://www.dvusd.org/openenrollment for more information and to access the application.
Cafeteria Visits
Grade level lunch times, menu, and lunch prices are available on our Cafeteria/Food & Nutrition webpage.
All visitors must:
- Sign in at the office.
- Present photo I.D. when signing in.
- Wear a visitors badge while at school.
- Sign out & return the visitors badge to the office.
Grading Practices
Ensuring fair and credible evaluation of student learning from classroom to classroom and school to school will directly impact and improve student learning. Students should be held accountable for their learning. DVUSD also recognizes that grading practices can contribute to long-term student success. An emphasis on the evaluation of content standards and timely, constructive feedback are cornerstones to grading that reflect student growth and development.
See DVUSD Grading Practices for more details about grading procedures in Deer Valley Unified School District.
For more information about Desert Sage's grading practices for each grade level, click on the "Grading Practices'" picture or click here. The link will open the Desert Sage Curriculum Night Grading Practices presentation.
Culture Camp Life Skill Weekly Winners
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.
Life Skill: Problem Solving
To create solutions to difficult situations and everyday problems.
Life Skill: Initiative
To do something, of one’s own free will, because it needs to be done.
Life Skill: Curiosity
A desire to investigate and seek understanding of one’s world.
Life Skill: Courage
To act according to one’s beliefs despite fear of adverse consequences.
Life Skill: Caring
To feel and show concern for others.
Student Early Release - PLC Days
Teachers this month have been working diligently at adjusting and planning their intervention groups for reading and math. Did you know students in need of intervention for reading and/or math are provided the additional instructional support at least once a day Monday through Friday? The additional instructional support times are called Response to Intervention Time or RTI Time. Additionally, teachers have been participating in professional development regarding grading practices and the most effective strategies we use to instill best work ethic and effort in students.
If you would like more information about PLCs, please visit our DVUSD PLC website.
Mark Your Calendar - Important Dates
- October: National Principal Appreciation Month
- Thursday, 10/5: PTO Zoom meeting at 4:30 p.m.
- Friday, 10/6: Gecko Gathering at 8:30 a.m.
- Friday, 10/6: Dismissal at 2:00 p.m.
- Monday, 10/9: No school, Fall Break Day
- 10/10-10/13: Parent Teacher Conferences
- Thursday, 10/12: Dismissal at 12:05 p.m.
- Friday, 10/13: Dismissal at 12:05 p.m.
- Tuesday, 10/17: Volunteer Training at 8:00 a.m.
- Friday, 10/20: Dismissal at 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, 10/27: Occupational Therapist Appreciation Day
- Friday, 10/27: Dismissal at 2:00 p.m.
AZ School Tax Credit for Desert Sage
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/.
Desert Sage Elementary
Email: kristy.gill@dvusd.org
Website: dvusd.org/desertsage
Location: 4035 West Alameda Road, Glendale, AZ, USA
Phone: (623) 445-4700
Twitter: @DesertSageElem