DSA Families,

I wanted to share a message from Mrs. Silva below—DSA will certainly miss her, but we’re so excited for her new adventure!.

As we head into the last part of the school year, our staff is busy planning some special events to celebrate. If you have a 5th or 6th grader, keep an eye on your inbox for a "Save the Date" email with details about a celebration breakfast and the 5th/6th grade farewell parade. We’re also thrilled to announce our Celebration of DSA on Friday, May 16th—mark your calendars!

Next week, families are invited to open houses at HSTE, BMES, and DWES. I’ve attached the flyers below for more details.

March is shaping up to be a busy and exciting month, with student-led conferences, spring break, field days, and the start of AASA testing for grades 3-6. Be sure to check out the important dates listed below.

Thank you for your continued support of CCUSD and Desert Sun Academy—we appreciate you!

Best,

Kelly Zywczyk

Principal, Desert Sun Academy

Hello DSA Families! I just wanted to take a minute and let you all know what a wonderful privilege it has been for me to spend time with your child(ren) during these last seven and a half years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the well wishes, cards, snacks, flowers and gifts that you all have showered upon me. I will miss these amazing kids so much.

Thank you once again!

Love,

Mrs. Dot

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

02/25- 5th Grade Field Trip to The Tea Room (Mme Fisnot's Homeroom) and 3rd and 6th - ELA Benchmark

02/26- 4th & 5th - ELA Benchmark

02/27- Volunteer Training- 4:00

02/27- Student Council Meeting

02/28- Be You Day

03/03- Site Council Meeting

03/04- 5th Grade Field Trip to The Tea Room (Ms. Clark's Homeroom) and 3rd and 6th - Math Benchmark

03/05- Early Release, Dismissal at 2:00 and 4th & 5th - Math Benchmark

03/06- StuCo Meeting

03/06- Parent/Teacher Conferences- HALF DAY- Dismissal at 12:30

03/07- Parent/Teacher Conferences- HALF DAY- Dismissal at 12:30

03/07- Howling Coyotes Assembly

03/10-03/14- School Closed- SPRING BREAK

03/19- 5th-grade AzSCI Assessment and Early Release- Dismissal at 2:00

03/20- StuCo Meeting and 5th-grade AzSCI Assessment

03/21- Flag Raising

03/25- 5th Grade to Tour STMS and PreK-3 Field Day

03/26- Early Release- Dismissal at 2:00 and 4-6 Field Day

03/27- Volunteer Training- 9:15

03/28- 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

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

"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!"

Developed and Taught By Stanford and MIT Alumni and Graduate Students. See the link below.

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

Check out the information below from Mathnasium!

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