Parent Update- November 2024

It's almost turkey time! In the last month DVUSD has had lots to celebrate and there is more to look forward to before Thanksgiving Recess arrives in a few short weeks. Thank you for continuing to read these parent updates and staying informed on the latest news from around DVUSD!

Tomorrow is Election Day! There are two important measures relating to DVUSD as well as three open seats for DVUSD's Governing Board.

In the last election in November 2023, only 9% of our DVUSD parent population turned out to vote. Ensure your voice is heard by casting your vote by Tuesday, November 5th.

During election season, you may see or hear all sorts of misinformation. Our MythBusters are here to set the record straight! One of the biggest and oldest myths about the DVUSD bond and M&O override as that they are some kind of new tax or they will raise your taxes. Our Mythbusters will BUST that myth as both the bond and the override are designed to not increase your taxes.

Nolen and Kellen spend some time explaining how this bond is designed to not increase the tax burden on residents within the DVUSD boundaries. And the override, as has been the case since it was first approved by voters in 1991, is designed to not increase the tax burden of any resident living within the DVUSD boundaries.

Watch the MythBuster videos and get the facts at DVUSD.org/election.

Follow @DVUSD on Instagram, Facebook, X, and subscribe to the district's YouTube Channel (@deervalleyunified) to get the latest updates and check out what's going on around the district throughout the school year!

The DVUSD District Office (20402 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix 85027) is serving as a ballot drop-off and polling location through Election Day.

District Office Voting Location Schedule Tues - Nov 5 - 6:00 am - 7:00 pm

The two important measures relating to our school community on the ballot during this election are:

• Special Bond Election in the amount of $325 million to fund safety, security, instructional resources, technology, building renewal, conservation, buses, and student growth through the year 2029.
• Continuation of the existing 15% maintenance and operation (M&O) override. The 2019 voter approved override will be entering the phase down period, and vital funds (approximately $33 million over three years) will no longer be available after June 30, 2025.

Learn what this special bond would fund at our Bond FAQ page.

Learn what the M&O Override funds at our Override FAQ page.

AP World History and U.S. History Dual Enrollment teacher Emmett Burnton, from Boulder Creek High School, was named the 2025 Arizona Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Educational Foundation. Burnton now becomes Arizona’s official candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

He is in his ninth year of teaching AP World History and U.S. History Dual Enrollment at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem. As a student, he went from suspensions, fighting, and being labeled as academically troubled, to now helping the next generation channel their energy into a positive medium, ensuring students of all backgrounds and levels learn how to take ownership of themselves.

The Arizona Teacher of the Year Award is our state’s highest state-level recognition for public school educators. The program has been coordinated by the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) for the past 41-years, with AEF serving as the State Coordinator of the National Teacher of the Year program. Burnton will join other State Teachers of the Year from across the country in a year of professional learning and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like meeting the U.S. President and visiting the Oval Office, training at Google Headquarters in California, to learning to be an astronaut at International Space Camp.

Out of the 625 teachers from across Arizona who were nominated for this prestigious award, Burnton was one of five finalists, known as “AEF Ambassadors for Excellence”. The list also included fellow Boulder Creek High School History teacher and close friend, Ryan Donovan. This was the first time in the award’s history that two teachers representing the same school were finalists for the award.

DVUSD is once again an "A" rated District by the Arizona Department of Education and State Board of Education!

Beyond this accomplishment the district had many schools improve their letter grades as well as a historic number of "A"s awarded to DVUSD schools!

For the first time in DVUSD history all five DVUSD high schools earned an "A" letter grade. These five "A" ratings factored in to a district-best 27 A Rated schools throughout DVUSD.

Arizona Revised Statutes § 15-241 requires the Arizona Department of Education, subject to final adoption by the State Board of Education, to develop an annual achievement profile for every public school in the state based on an A through F scale. The system measures year to year student academic growth, proficiency on English language arts, math and science, the proficiency and academic growth of English language learners, indicators that an elementary student is ready for success in high school and that high school students are ready to succeed in a career or higher education and high school graduation rates.

In addition to the bond and override there are three positions open on the DVUSD Governing Board this year.

If you missed any part of the DVUSD governing board candidate forum from October 1, you can learn more about the candidates that were present.

Board members serve a four-year term, and the board sets policy for the management of the district. All eight candidates were invited to participate.

Calling the class of 2038! Future Kindergarten parents and students, join all DVUSD K-6 and K-8 schools, including Aspire- Deer Valley Online Academy, Nov. 6-7 at our Fall Kindergarten Preview Events! School staff will be available on all campuses to answer questions and help you register your student for this next exciting chapter in their educational journey! If you have a student ready to start Kindergarten next fall, check out the events at dvusd.org/kindergarten. You can find additional information about DVUSD’s #Extraordinary Kindergarten program and details about how to register a student at www.dvusd.org/Kindergarten.

Registration for 2025-26 Kindergarten opened November 1!

Any family living in Arizona who would like to attend a school that is outside their home school boundaries may apply for Open Enrollment into a DVUSD school. Please view the School Boundary Maps to determine if the school you are applying for is not currently your home school.

Applications will be reviewed starting in January and approved if the school has availability.

Families will be notified by email if the completed application has been approved, denied, or placed on a wait list. Upon an approved email notification, you must register online to the approved school no later than 10 days after the notification of the approval, or the student forfeits the approved Open Enrollment and will need to reapply.

Jaime Hansen, STEM Specialist at Canyon Springs STEM Academy, was named the Arizona Science Teachers Association (ASTA) Middle School Science Teacher of the Year.

This award recognizes and honors one teacher at the elementary level, middle/junior high level and one at the high school level who exemplify quality science teaching.

Jaime Hansen's dedication to STEM education shines through every day at Canyon Springs. Whether she’s empowering students in her Makerspace classroom, working with teachers to bring the Engineering Design Process to life, or leading our STEM Professional Learning Community, Mrs. Hansen makes STEM accessible, engaging, and relevant at every grade level.

Beyond her classroom, Mrs. Hansen inspires with initiatives including: Chief Science Officers Club, STEM Career Day, and STEM Night, bringing together students, teachers, and industry professionals. Last year, she led Canyon Springs STEM Academy through a successful STEM recertification, ensuring Canyon Springs STEM Academy remains a leader in STEM education. Her passion, energy, and dedication to her school and STEM education is incredible!

You had questions, and our superintendent, Dr. Curtis Finch, had answers! If you missed the latest Conversations with Curt that was held virtually on Oct. 25, you can view the quick, 20 minute event now.

He covers a variety of topics based on questions that were submitted by the DVUSD community including what the bond and override funding truly helps within DVUSD schools, what may be cut or adjusted if the bond and override do not pass, school security improvements with bond funding within DVUSD, school/district letter grades, district growth projections, AEF Teacher of the Year celebration and more!

ABC15 partnered with local school and law enforcement leaders to hold a town hall on school safety as hundreds of school threats have impacted students, educators, and their families in recent weeks. The community conversation was hosted in partnership with DVUSD at Barry Goldwater High School and included DVUSD Superintendent, Dr. Finch.

The following individuals took part in the "School Threats: A Community Conversation" event:

Dr. Curtis Finch | Superintendent, Deer Valley Unified School District

Dr. Scott Menzel | Superintendent, Scottsdale Unified School District

Dr. Jason Reynolds | Interim Superintendent, Paradise Valley Unified School District

Dr. Carlos Perez | Director of Safe Schools and SEL programs, Cartwright Elementary School District

Sergeant Kane Kimble | Violent Crimes Bureau, Phoenix Police Department

Commander Cindy Ewer | Criminal Investigations Division, Apache Junction Police Department

Melissa Girmscheid | Teacher, Tolleson Union High School District

Trina Berg | Teacher and President of Peoria Education Association

Kendall Catalon Songer | Social worker, Osborn School District

Joshua Kolsrud | President and CEO, Kolsrud Law Office

Samantha Huizar | Student, Phoenix Elementary School District

Adelina Martinez | Parent, Phoenix Elementary School District

Stacy (Dodt) Rustico needed a focused challenge in high school, in part to combat ADHD that could easily distract her. Finding a love for math and science, Stacy became a pediatric endocrinologist through an opportunity with the U.S. Navy.See more Portrait of a Graduate stories at DVUSD.org/portraitofagraduate.

As we prepare for the holiday season be sure to check out the wind down of fall sports after an impressive regular season!

Many schools are also preparing fine arts performances including: Theater performances, band, choir, and dance performances and more!

If your child is between the ages of 3-5 and not yet enrolled in Kindergarten, sign them up for DVUSD’s Big Kid Book Club! We will periodically send your child a free book in the mail along with activities and helpful advice for parents and guardians that will help them prepare to be a student at DVUSD!