Deer Canyon Echoes

Good evening, Deer Canyon Families:

This week at Deer Canyon, our Monday Message focused on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s contributions to our nation and world. Class STEAM Lab visits restarted, we hosted PUSD Directors and Executive Directors for instructional walks, and our Mt. Carmel Ambassadors brought the energy for another rockin’ lunch playdate!

I spent three lunch periods reviewing DCES rules for field games, and implemented new equipment check-out systems. We collectively continue to work toward positive, safe lunch and recess experiences for all. Students worked on i-Ready diagnostics and rounded out the week with an exciting VAPA Day today! Next week, we will host our annual hearing and vision screening, as well as a Family Picnic and Paper Drive on Friday at lunch.

Family Picnic & Paper Drive This Friday, Jan. 24

We are excited to host a Family Picnic & Paper Drive this Friday, January 24! If possible, please join us at your student’s lunch time to eat alongside them and their friends. It’s a great opportunity to see life through your student’s eyes and engage in joyful play!

Please also consider donating one ream of 8.5 x 11” paper as you join us for Family Picnic. At halfway through the school year, we are in need of copy paper for classrooms and the Staff Workroom. We will have pallets available at the gate for stacking your donation as you arrive. Thank you for your support and consideration.

Parents will be admitted onto campus 5 minutes prior to their student’s lunch. TK/K parents will enter through the Preschool gate, while parents of students Grades 1-5 will enter through the ESS gates.

• TK/K - 10:50 to 11:30 am
• 1st - 11:15 to11:55 am
• 2nd & 3rd - 11:35 to 12:15 pm
• 4th & 5th - 11:55 to 12:35 pm

Parents/Guardians, if you plan to purchase food alongside your student, please bring a check for $6.50 per adult meal. No cash is accepted.

Wellness Week: April 28 to May 2

Deer Canyon will be participating in a Wellness Week, a 5-day focus on Environmental, Intellectual, Social, Physical, and Emotional Wellness. Please email Ms. Bendix at kbendix@powayusd.com if you have community connections, bright ideas, or are interested in partnering in the planning of Wellness Week at DCES!

Current Tk-4th Grade Families: Continuing Student Family Surveys

It is hard to believe, but our district has already begun planning for the 2025-2026 school year! In an effort to help us provide the most accurate information about the number of students who will be returning next year, please complete THIS SURVEY no later than Sunday, January 26, 2025. This will provide us with the number of returning students as well as those who will be leaving Deer Canyon, and will ensure that your child(ren) is enrolled correctly for the 2025-2026 school year. Please submit one form per student.

Note: **This is NOT considered continuing student registration. Continuing student registration will take place February 28 to March 31 and needs to be completed for ALL students enrolled in PUSD for the 2024-2025 school year. Visit PUSD Continuing Student Registration for more information.

Families do not need to complete the form for current 5th-grade students because they will be automatically enrolled in 6th-grade at their school of residence.

Attendance

While we navigate a tricky time of winter colds, flus, and the like, please take care of yourself and your family. Ensuring that your student gets ample sleep, consumes nutritious meals, and practices good personal hygiene (like handwashing) are important to keep not only your family healthy, but others as well. DC staff will continue to utilize available resources to promote airflow, handwashing, and overall health. Thank you for the part you play in keeping our community safe and healthy!

As long as your child is healthy, please encourage and emphasize the importance of positive attendance while school is in session. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as to connect to their peers and teachers.

I am excited to announce the relaunch of our Positive Attendance Initiative at Deer Canyon. This comprehensive program will include enhanced parent education, implementation of an Attendance Intervention Team, and positive incentives for students with strong attendance records. Research consistently shows that regular attendance in elementary school is crucial for academic success and social development. According to a study by Attendance Works, students who miss just two days of school each month are more likely to fall behind in reading, writing, and math.

In light of this, we are committed to supporting our students' consistent attendance. Please be on the lookout for upcoming communications detailing the importance of attendance and the specific support measures DCES will be implementing. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive academically and socially.

Special Education Parent Ambassador Knowledge & Network Upcoming Events:

Join Life Planning Specialist Wendy Smith for an insightful presentation on why creating a plan matters, how to take the first steps, and where to find support along the way. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with fellow parents, gaining valuable insights and support. Start building a strong foundation for your child's future today! Flier found here.

On February 27, at 6 pm, Valley Elementary School will host PUSD's first-ever IEP Basics training exclusively in Spanish. In collaboration with the Exceptional Family Resource Center, this event is designed to support PUSD Spanish-speaking families of students with IEPs. More details are available in the event flier.

Have a wonderful LONG weekend, Deer Canyon!

Katie Bendix

Principal

Taryn, Adelle

Carson, Zoe, Maira

Sammy, Brennan, Vance, Noah, Camden, Xavier, Ben

Ethan, Yazhini, Theo, Josiah, Frank, Jibreel

Alex, Michael

Daniel

Hello, Deer Canyon. I hope 2025 is off to a good start for you all.

This week we began the trimester’s small counseling groups. These winter session groups will primarily be focused on emotional regulation or growth mindset. We will meet 6 times – once a week for 30 mins each. If your child has been considered for a counseling group, you will receive a permission slip with more details. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Mrs. W and I continued our Second Step lessons, diving deeper into the Emotional Management curriculum. We discussed how students can recognize the onset of strong feelings in their bodies and how to cope with them – stressing that, in life, it is necessary for a person to control his or her emotions, not let the emotions control them. We looked at what happens inside our brains and bodies when we experience intense feelings and how the amygdala can get us into trouble if left unchecked.

We then showed how students can regain control of their rational thinking by, first, using a “stop signal” to get their own attention, and then identifying the emotion they’re struggling with. By doing so, they can start to re-engage their cortex, helping them to start to calm down. Next lesson we will take a look at using a variety of different calming strategies.

DC Leaders are still working hard and looking good. There are lots of projects in the works, including Kindness Week, coming up in February. Hopefully you’ve noticed the new uniforms, by now. There are a few members who have still not received their uniforms yet. Parents, if your student is an active member on one of our wonderful teams, you should have received an email with payment instructions. If you did not get my email, please contact me at thiggins@powayusd.com. If your students already got his or hers, thank you for your prompt attention.

The Spring DC Leaders will begin their duties on February 3! The Spring Squad rosters will be posted next week. It looks as if all of our incoming Leaders will get their first choice of committee assignment, as well.

Remember, PUSD’s Caring Connections Parent Education website has new and exciting courses being offered this Fall. Each term they have different parenting education courses. We recommend periodically checking the website for the new courses offered to parents, families, and our school community. Click HERE to view the CCC Parent Education Fall Courses.