Quail Run Community Newsletter

Dear Quail Run families,

Spring Has Sprung at Quail Run! We're excited to share what's happening at school this month. Use this newsletter to keep up-to-date on school events, state testing schedules, and volunteer opportunities.

As April unfolds, we enter Autism Acceptance Month! This is a time to celebrate the incredible diversity within our school community, particularly the unique strengths and perspectives of our students on the autism spectrum. We will be sharing information about action our students will be taking to honor these students in our community. Be on the lookout for communication about a school project and special spirit day! Together, we can create a school environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and celebrated for their unique individuality.

We encourage you to stay connected with all things QR by following us on social media and checking our website regularly. Don't forget to check out the video below to see what our students were up to last month. There is so much happening at Quail Run!!

Ahead of the April 8 solar eclipse, I would like to provide you with important information before our teachers communicate safe solar eclipse viewing practices to students the week of April 1 and up until the event on April 8. The eclipse will begin at 10:08 a.m., peak at 11:20 a.m., and conclude at 12:35 p.m.

On the day of the eclipse, elementary students will eat lunch indoors and will not be able to go outside for recess during the event out of concern for student safety. While student safety is our top priority during the eclipse, we also recognize the learning opportunity it presents. On the day of the eclipse, some classes may participate in lessons based on this event. These lessons will be tailored to state and grade-level learning standards, ensuring a fun and educational experience for your child. Some teachers may have classroom activities and view the solar eclipse through online viewing in the classroom allowing them to connect with the learning materials in a safe and controlled environment.. Students will not be viewing the eclipse outside.

While we understand the educational value of witnessing a solar eclipse firsthand, student safety remains our top priority. By keeping them indoors during the event, we ensure they are not exposed to the risks associated with the event. We appreciate your understanding.

Parents and guardians who are concerned that their child may improperly look directly at the eclipse without using protective glasses are encouraged to keep their child home to remain under parent and guardian supervision. Eclipse viewing glasses that are brought from home are not permitted out of potential concern over student safety. It is essential to have a conversation with your child(ren) about the dangers of viewing an eclipse without proper viewing glasses. Parents that would like their child(ren) to have a live view of the eclipse, may sign their student out or keep them home for the day to have this experience with them.

Learn more about safe eclipse viewing from NASA

I hope this information is helpful in ensuring a safe and enjoyable solar eclipse viewing experience for students. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or me.

Warmly,

Vicky Raymond

Proud Principal, Quail Run Elementary School

AASA and AzSci

This Spring, PVSchools students in grades 3rd-8th will complete a REQUIRED state test titled, Arizona Academic Standards Assessment, AASA. Students in 5th, 8th, and 11th will also take a state science test titled, AZSci. Statewide testing is very important because it is intended to objectively evaluate whether your child has mastered grade-level standards for their specific grade level.

The AASA and AzSci will provide information that will improve how students are taught, how teachers are coached, and how we can better support students. The state test is intended to give teachers an objective measure of how students are progressing and measure how they are academically growing compared to other students in the state.

Additionally, the AASA can provide benchmarks for parents, teachers, students, and schools. All public schools are required to administer state-standardized assessments to fulfill the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act. The scores/information from these required tests is also used as a part of the formula to determine a school and district letter grade from the state.

If you would like to read more information about Arizona state testing, please visit the following website: https://www.azed.gov/assessment

Quail Run Testing Schedule:

Writing

3rd Grade- 4/4

4th Grade- 4/4

5th Grade- 4/8

6th Grade- 4/2

Reading

3rd Grade- 4/10-4/11

4th Grade- 4/9-4/10

5th Grade- 4/16 - 4/17

6th Grade- 4/16-4/17

Math

3rd Grade- 4/10-4/11

4th Grade-4/9-4/10

5th Grade- 4/16-4/17

6th Grade- 4/16-4/17

How to help your child prepare for state testing:

• Talk about the test with your child. Wish them luck and send them off with a smile each morning.
• When they take the test, ask them about it and show interest.
• It is extremely important that students are well-rested and arrive at school on time. Students at this age need nine to ten hours of sleep nightly.
• Students need to eat breakfast in order to have the energy to take the test. Research shows students who have eaten breakfast will have more endurance to complete academic activities in a successful manner.
• Please do not schedule any appointments on testing days. Please be on time for school and stay the entirety of the day. Any absences on a scheduled test day will result in makeup testing and affect classroom learning time.

The IB program at Quail Run was recently featured on Episode 28 of the PVBeat Podcast.

You can check it out here.

PVSchools Parents and Guardians,

In today's world, education is a critical component of success, and for students to succeed, schools must continue to be effective. Making data-informed decisions using staff Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to support student achievement is one of the ways PVSchools remain effective.

Learn more about this support for students.

Listen to more on PVBeat, the PVSchools podcast.

To better support student success, PVSchools is collecting feedback for a possible change in process, which could include altering the school dismissal time one day per week, beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

Provide your feedback by completing the survey before April 12, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

Every wonder what your child has been doing in STEAM? P.E? Fine Art? Music?

Check out our Special Areas Monthly Update so you can see all the great things happening during Special Area time.

National Dark Sky Week

We might think the dark sky is scary and dangerous but it can help humans and animals. My name is Blake and I’m a 6th grader taking action for my Exhibition project. I hope you will join me for National Dark Sky Week and help gather data to monitor sky brightness and its effects. The goal is to raise public awareness of light pollution.

Step 1: Between March 31st and April 9th: ask your parents if you may use a smartphone to visit: https://globeatnight.org/ Scroll down to the report data area to see the directions.

Step 2: Next, go outside between 8-10 pm. Wait 10 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the sky.

Step 3: Once your eyes have adjusted, use the smartphone to fill out the form: https://app.globeatnight.org/?constellation=leo

Step 4: Once you are done filling out the information, press the submit data button.

Thank you for your help with this light pollution exhibition project.

Each year our school community joins in on 1st grade's Earth Spirit week! Feel free to join in on the fun.

Every two years we open up the opportunity for new parents to serve as representatives on the Quail Run School Council. Our school council usually schedules six meetings yearly and is required to meet a minimum of four times a year. We are seeking two parents to replace our current representatives. Thank you to Cara Rosenstein and Staci Bryant-Liang for serving as parent representatives on our School council the past two years! If you are interested in this opportunity, please email your interest to Mrs. Raymond at vraymond@pvschools.net.

Class Placement is the responsibility of the professional staff at Quail Run Elementary School. There will be new teachers and assignments next school year. Careful consideration of your child’s needs is used in the placement process. Please only use form below to provide information you would like considered for your child’s placement (learning style, personality traits, etc). This is not a request for a specific teacher.

Class placement parent input forms are available at the front desk and may be turned into the office from April 1 - 19. No forms will be accepted after this date.

The IB believes in an inclusive approach to education designed to remove or reduce barriers so that every student can fully participate in IB programmes.

Across the world, inclusive education has grown from a movement about the inclusion of students with disabilities to a holistic approach about all learners that values the diversity of the student population.

IB programmes are designed to ensure inclusivity and equitability—allowing all IB learners to have equal opportunities to learning pathways, learning experiences, and educational recognition. The IB applies these principles for programmes and subjects.

When designing and developing the curriculum, the IB aims to meet the principles of equity and inclusive education through:

• designing and developing a universally designed curriculum that is inclusive, fair, and accessible for all IB learners

• taking into consideration planned access and adaptations (inclusivity and accessibility for groups of students who would need specific access) and student well-being

• drawing upon the full range of ways of knowing and incorporating experiences, contributions, and histories from across cultures, nationalities, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives

• ensuring representation across cultures, nationalities, identities, and experiences.

The above will allow all learners to feel represented and seen in the curriculum—to feel they each belong. Students are encouraged to think critically and holistically about a subject with an awareness of their biases. This can help reduce or remove cultural bias, and expose learners to multiple co-existing narratives and ways of knowing.

The IB creates and maintains policies and creates resources to support equity and inclusive education in IB World Schools. Each school creates a policy reflective of this in their situation. The access and inclusion policy is designed to enable the full participation of all students across all four IB programmes in teaching, learning, and assessment (formative and summative), by reducing and removing barriers using appropriate and well-planned access arrangements. You can read the Quail Run policy on our website in the Signature Program section.

Each year tens of thousands of students with learning, physical, sensory, emotional, medical, and other long-term challenges are supported in their IB assessments (Diploma Programme, Career-related Programme, and MYP eAssessments). Students whose learning, emotional, and functional stability are impacted by personal, family, social, or other life circumstances are also supported through this policy.

The IB principles of equity and inclusive education focus on all students—equal opportunities for every IB learner. Equal opportunities in the learning journey will not mean equal outcomes, but the focus is on all IB students fully participating and engaging in IB programmes. The principle emphasizes similarities and strengths, not differences and what divides us.

As always, if you have any questions regarding our IB program, please contact Mrs. Rubey, drubey@pvschools.net

Join us for our next Restaurant night- it's sure to be a FUN one! Join us for a fun parent s ONLY event hosted by QR PTO! Scan the QR code to make reservations if you want a specific area/ time slot for your group. PROMO CODE : QUAIL2024

20% of all proceeds will be donated back to QR PTO. (includes axe throwing, bar tab, and food tab)

* You must inform host or server upon arrival that you are there for the fundraiser and when ordering food/drinks

Our last PTO meeting is this month on 4/29, please join us!

Amanda Bunney, PTO President

ptoquailrun@gmail.com

Our tax credit donations provide countless opportunities to our QR students. We need your help to replenish this fund! Please consider making your tax-credit donation to our school and speaking with family and friends to join you. Our tax credit funds have been used this year to scholarship students for field trips and provide materials for our PBIS program.

It is easy to do this online - just visit this website! Make sure to select Quail Run Elementary School.

Making a contribution to receive an Arizona public education tax credit is simple. You can get a tax credit of up to $200 for an individual or $400 per married couple.

Tax credit eligible fees paid and contributions made to a public school from January 1 through April 15 of any calendar year may be used as a tax credit on either the prior or current year's tax return. For additional information, contact the Finance Department at 602-449-2033.

Arizona tax law allows taxpayers a credit for contributions made or fees paid to a public school for support of extracurricular activities or character education (as defined in ARS 15-719). If married, taxpayers file separate returns: Each spouse may claim one-half of the credit that would have been allowed on a joint return. Extracurricular activities such as sports, band, speech and debate, or overnight field trips are generally not fully funded by school districts, so your donation directly supports students.

Want to recognize a staff member for something big or small? Please share with us using this form so we can show them some appreciation. Thanks for making our school such a positive place to be!

The QRES School Council is composed of staff, parents, and community members. The purpose of the School Council is to assist in planning, coordinating, and facilitating safety and instructional ideas that will promote and enhance the safety and learning of the students at Quail Run Elementary School.

School Council meetings are open to the public and generally meets once monthly. Meeting dates can be found on our website.

If you have an item of interest you would like for the School Council to review, please complete this form. Complete the form once for every issue or interest you would like discussed.

Looking to get more involved in your child’s education? Want to be among the first to know what is happening in the district? If so, I encourage you to attend United Parent Council meetings. Paradise Valley United Parent Council is a district-wide parent group that has been active in Paradise Valley Unified School District for more than 30 years and is a 501(c)(3) organization. Looking out for the interest of students is their primary goal. They do this by offering parents support, information, and opportunities to be influential voices in the decisions that affect their children's education. UPC meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month in the District Administration Center East/West Conference Rooms on the grounds of the PVUSD complex at 15002 North 32nd Street. Visitors are always welcome. Click here to visit their website for information on this month’s meeting.

• If you need to relay a message to your student during school hours, you can call the office or leave a message directly on our Voicelink account at (602) 449-5465. The office staff will NOT transfer calls to classrooms, as this will interrupt important instructional time.

• If your child forgets their lunch, you may bring it to the front office before 10:30 am.

• Students are also not allowed to bring Starbucks drinks, smoothies, etc. on campus in the morning.
  

• Be sure to communicate end-of-day arrangements with your student in the morning, prior to coming to school. We want to ensure all students get home safely. If there are any changes in how students get home, please notify the office and the teacher.

• School hours are from 8:45 am - 3:15 pm. If you are picking up a student early, please be aware that every minute counts and minutes missed accumulate throughout the school year. Also, be aware that students cannot be called to the office early for an appointment. Students will be called from class at the time you arrive to check them out.

• If your child is late to school, arriving after 8:45 am, a parent is required to walk them into the front office to sign them in tardy.

• No early pick-ups are allowed after 3:00 pm. You cannot sign out your student from 3:00 - 3:15. This is a change from previous years.

• School breakfast is available beginning at 8:15 am. Please drop off before 8:30 am if your child is eating breakfast. It is the same purchasing system as our school lunches.

• Birthday treats must be store-bought and easy to pass out for the teacher. No cakes that need cutting, please. Cupcakes are allowed. Balloons are not allowed on campus.

• You will need your ID every time you pick up students prior to dismissal.

• Your student will not be released if the person picking her/him up is not on the contact list. If you need to add a friend or family member to the contact list you will need to go to Infinite Campus to update Emergency Contact information through your annual update.

• You can check your child's grades by downloading the Infinite Campus app or logging on online. Click here for directions.

Lunch Reminders:

• If your child forgets their lunch, you may bring it to the front office before 10:30 am. Any student that does not bring a lunch will choose a hot lunch and their meal account will be charged.

• There is no hot fast food allowed for lunch if you are dropping off a lunch. Visitors may bring in hot lunches (see visitor section below). Please refrain from bringing soda. Subway, Jimmy Johns, and Jersey Mikes are all good options for a special drop-off lunch.

• Students are not allowed to share food.

• We will have a special table for students with food allergies. Your student may be invited to join a friend at this table. If your child is invited to sit at this table, peanut butter is not allowed.

• When packing your student´s lunch, please be mindful that they are able to open the food or containers themselves. No glass containers.

Lunch Visitors:

• You must sign into the front office and get a visitor badge.
  

• You may bring lunch for your child. If you are coming to visit and stay with your child during lunch, the lunch may be a hot lunch.

• You may not bring lunch for any student other than your own.

• You may not pass out treats to any students due to allergies.

Purchasing a School Lunch:

The Nutrition & Wellness Department will charge students for their meals based on their free, reduced, and paid meal application status during the 2023-2024 SY.

The 2023-2024 Free & Reduced Meal Application is now available for parents to complete at EZMealApp.com. This paperless option is encouraged because online applications can be processed within 24 hours of their submission. Paper meal applications are available in our front office or can be printed from the Nutrition & Wellness website to be submitted to the department. All families are encouraged to apply.

It is extremely important for families to complete and submit the 23-24 SY meal application in order to avoid potential negative account balance charges.

Visit the Lunch Menu section of our website for more information about menus, meal prices, and to load money into your student´s lunch account.

Do you have furniture needs? Purchases at American Furniture ANYTIME OF THE YEAR support our school! Please share with friends and relatives. Thanks for your support!

Do you shop at Fry's Food? You can link your Fry's VIP card to Quail Run PTA and effortlessly earn money for our school simply by doing your normal shopping. Signup once and the school will reap the benefits all year!

We welcome site volunteers on our campus as well as chaperones for field trips.

Site volunteers must be parents, guardians, or grandparents of a current student.

School chaperones perform an invaluable service, helping to ensure the safety of students attending events and field trips. Parents, guardians, grandparents, or relatives are eligible to be a school chaperone after completing a background screening. Chaperones are fingerprinted and must agree to a background check.

Apply to be a Site Volunteer or Chaperone

1. Visit the PVSchools job search page.
2. Search for "Volunteer" or "Chaperone."
3. Select the opportunity that best fits your interest.
4. Click on the "Apply Online" button.
5. Create a login and password.
6. Complete the application process.

Please be aware that this application can take up to 12 weeks to clear, so be sure to get it in early. Please contact our front office if you have any questions.

If you or anyone you know needs to enroll a student for the 2024-2025 school year, please know we are still accepting applications for students both inside and outside of our school enrollment boundaries. Open enrollment enables Arizona students to attend public schools outside their district attendance areas or outside their district of residence. It is open to all Arizona-based students. All open enrollment questions may be directed to tsorenson@pvschools.net.

Click here to enroll for the 2024-2025 school year.

Required Documents for Enrollment

• A certified copy of your child's birth certificate

• Your child's immunization records

• Proof of Arizona residency (e.g., utility bill, house payment, lease/purchase agreement)

• IEP/504 forms (if applicable)

Please note, to register for kindergarten, your student must be 5 years old PRIOR to September 1st, 2024.

You will also be required to complete an Annual Update on Infinite Campus. Please visit the PV Assist website for links and more information.

Apr. 2: 6th Grade AASA Writing Test

Apr. 4: 3rd/4th Grade AASA Writing Test

Apr. 4: PVSchools Governing Board Meeting at 6:30 pm

Apr. 8: 5th Grade AASA Writing Test

Apr. 9: Student Council Meeting at 8:00 am

Apr. 9-10: 4th Grade AASA Reading and Math Test

Apr. 10-11: 3rd Grade AASA Reading and Math Test

Apr. 12: Yearbook Club Celebration at 8:15 am

Apr. 12: QR Spirit Day - Wear your QR or Junior Hero shirt

Apr. 15-19: Earth Day Colors Spirit Week

Apr. 16-17: 5th/6th Grade AASA Reading and Math Test

Apr. 18: PVSchools Governing Board Meeting at 6:30 pm

Apr. 22: K-12 Recess, No School

Apr. 25: 4th Grade Field Trip to fine arts performance at Shadow Mountain High School

Apr. 26: Spirit Day - Autism Acceptance (details TBA)

Apr. 26: 1st Grade Recycling Presentation

Apr. 26: Parent's Night Out at The Mighty Axe from 5 - 10 pm

Apr. 29: PTO Meeting at 3:30 pm

Apr. 30: 2nd Grade Storybook Playhouse

May 2: 1st Grade Puppet Show at 9:15 am

May 2: School Emergency Response Team Meeting at 9:15 am

May 2: School Council Meeting at 3:30 pm

May 2: PVSchools Governing Board Meeting at 6:30 pm

May 3: 6th Grade Gifted Field Trip to Cerreta's

May 6 - 10: Staff Appreciation Week

May 7: UPC Teacher Appreciation Event at North Canyon High School from 6 - 8 pm

May 9: Band Concert at 6:00 pm

May 10: Kinder Journey Field Trip at 9:00 am

May 13: 6th Grade Exhibition Presentations at 5:30 pm

May 14: Student Council Meeting at 8:00 am

May 15 - 17: 6th Grade California STEAM Adventure

May 16: PVSchools Governing Board Meeting at 6:30 pm

May 17: PTO Spirit Day - Wear QR or Junior Hero shirt

May 20: Spirit Day: Disney Day

May 20: Kinder Water Day at 1:30 pm

May 21: Spirit Day: Sports Team Day

May 21: Kinder Alphabet Parade at 9:15 am

May 21: Yearbook Signing Party at Peter Piper Pizza from 4 - 8 pm

May 22: Spirit Day: Lookalike Day

May 22: Kinder 180 Days Smarter Celebration at 2:00 pm

May 23: Early Dismissal at 12:30, Last Day of School

Attendance Line: 602-449-4401

Nurse Celeste: 602-449-4403

School Cafeteria: 602-449-4407

Principal, Quail Run Elementary School

Email: vraymond@pvschools.net
Quail Run Website
Location: 3303 E. Utopia Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85050
Phone: 602-449-4400

Assistant Principal, Quail Run Elementary School

Email: jsanborn@pvschools.net

Quail Run Website

Location: 3303 E. Utopia Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85050
Phone: 602-449-4400