COLT CONNECTION

Dear Colt Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We are excited to see familiar and new faces as we begin another amazing year. Our dedicated staff and I are committed to creating a supportive and enriching environment where every student can thrive.

This year, we have planned many exciting programs and activities to enhance learning and promote growth. We encourage everyone to get involved, stay curious, and make the most of the opportunities available.

Let's work together to make this school year a successful, growth-filled, and memorable one. We are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Best regards,

Ray Utter

Principal, Deer Valley Middle School

DVMS is thrilled to announce the release of our new official school logo! You may recognize it from our sports teams, as they have been using it for many years. We were able to update it over the summer and have received approval to make it our new official logo! GO COLTS!

Along with our new logo, DVMS is excited to share our school's new mission and vision! Together with our new logo and an invigorated focus on student success, our mission and vision will guide everything we do here at DVMS.

Our Mission:

We empower students to excel in academics, athletics, activities, and the arts while fostering positive behaviors for future success.

Our Vision:

Striving for excellence through innovative approaches to education and community collaboration.

Please join us from 4-6 pm on July 30th for Meet the Teacher Night. Students and families can meet their teachers and visit their classrooms. Once you arrive, stop by the gym for a map and your student's class schedule. The Transportation Department will also have a representative on campus if you have any questions or need to know your student's bus route. Once school begins, we will hold a Curriculum Night where teachers will share what students will be learning this year.

Deer Valley Middle School is one of eight schools in the district where all students qualify for free breakfast and lunch due to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). For more information please click this link: Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)

For more information about our district's food and nutrition program, along with monthly lunch menus, please click here: https://www.dvusd.org/domain/110

Bus assignments and schedules are arranged through the district's transportation office. If you have questions about transportation, please visit their website: https://www.dvusd.org/Page/204

Students must spend as much time as possible focused on learning while in the classroom and cell phones and earbuds are a major distraction. To avoid this, we do not allow students to use their cell phones or have earbuds in their ear(s) when in the classroom. If a student has their cell phone or earbuds out in the classroom, the teacher will give them one warning to put them away. If the student has either out again in the same class period, teachers have been instructed to have the student place their phone and or earbuds in a small lock box in the classroom. The phone and or earbuds will remain there until the end of class when they will be given back to the student. The reason for the lock box is to ensure the items' safety and to prevent them from being lost or stolen when temporarily not in the possession of the student.

We also understand that cell phones and earbuds are just part of life now and that cell phones in particular are a vital line of communication between parents, guardians, and their student. Students are allowed to use their cell phones and or earbuds during passing times, at lunch, or before & after school. Please try to avoid texting or calling your student when they are in class. This puts the student in a difficult situation because they do not want to upset their parent or guardian nor have their cell phone taken away. We often see this scenario play out and it can lead to conflict.

We feel this is a fair policy that allows students the freedom to use their devices while on campus but also protects instructional time, protects devices, and avoids distractions. We truly do not wish to confiscate students' phones or earbuds. Please talk with your student about the proper use of these items while at school. If you have any questions about our cell phone policy, please reach out to us.

1) As per district policy, DVMS is not responsible for students' personal items brought to school. However, if a student loses one of their belongings or it is stolen, we will help the student as best we can.

2) The following items are not allowed on our campus due to distractions or health concerns:

• Perfumes or body sprays - we often have students and staff who are allergic to these items.
• Blankets - if a student is cold they may bring a sweatshirt or jacket to stay warm. We often see students bring blankets to school, share them with others, or fight over them. Please do not bring them to school.
• Stuffed animals - these usually cause distractions on campus and in the classroom.
• Balloons - as you can imagine, these cause distractions as well. We have students who are allergic to latex and this can cause health issues for them.

3) Students are allowed to bring their lunch if they choose not to eat the food provided by the cafeteria. Parents and guardians, please do not deliver lunch to your student or have it delivered by a food delivery company.

Students will go to the gym on the first day of school before their 1st-hour class to receive a physical copy of their class schedule. Students need to follow this schedule. Staff will be available to assist students when they arrive on campus or answer any questions.

The student drop-off/pick-up lot is located to the south of our campus, just north of the BGHS student parking lot. Our gate opens to students at 7:55 am. Parents and guardians may walk their student(s) to the gate if they wish but they may not enter campus. Please do not drop off or pick up your student(s) in the bus lane or the staff parking lot in front of campus.

When dropping off or picking up your student we ask that you do so in a safe but quick manner to avoid traffic issues. There are open parking spaces available if you need to wait with your student for any reason.

Ann E's Closet & Pantry opened at Deer Valley Middle School in January 2024 to help serve DVUSD families in the region. Ann E's Closet & Pantry features new and gently used clothing for children and adults, food items, backpacks, toys, and games for children. If you would like to visit AnnE's Closet & Pantry, appointments can be arranged by emailing store management.

If you have any questions please call our front office at 623-445-3300.