Good afternoon,

Thank you for reading the Dazzler each week. December is busy with winter testing, field trips, spirit week, and our winter concert. Please review the upcoming December events and the around CCUSD section below.

I hope you enjoy all of the pictures of our happy students below!

Sincerely,

Kelly Zywczyk

Principal, Desert Sun Academy

Congratulations to Mrs. Kozlowski our DSA Employee of the Month!

We are lucky to have her at DSA.

Thank you to Officer Chitwood for visiting our 6th-grade class yesterday. Our students were excited to give Officer Chitwood the baskets of snacks they collected to show their appreciation for his service. They also asked great questions.

12/06- Movie Night- Doors open at 5:45

12/10- 1st grade field trip and CCUSD Governing Board Meeting at 6:00 PM

• ELA Benchmark for 3rd and 6th grade

12/11- Video Announcement Club Meeting at 8:00 AM, Early Release at 2:00 PM, Choir Showcase at 3:00 PM, and Winter Band Concert at 6:30 PM

• ELA Benchmark for 4th and 5th grade

12/12- Student Council Meeting at 8:00 AM and Kinder Field Trip

12/13

• Math Benchmark for 3rd and 6th grade

12/16-12/20-DSA Spirit Week- Please see the flyer below.

12/17- Volunteer Training- 6:00

• Math Benchmark for 4th and 5th grade

12/18- Early Release at 2:00 PM

12/19- Winter Concert at 2 pm

12/20- Half Day-Dismissal at 12:30, Howling Coyote and End of Quarter 2

12/23-01/03/25- No School- Winter Break

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

Jan/Feb: Cross Country

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.

• December 17th- 6:00 PM
• January 21st- 9:15 AM
• 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

Please join us on Friday, December 6th for Movie Night! See the flyer below for more information and the RSVP form.

Let your friends and family know that when they purchase a Dave & Buster’s Power Card before December 20, 2024, 50% of the purchase will be donated to support Desert Sun Academy!

Here is our link to join: https://grouprai.se/davebusters5T8F6Ze

Whether it’s a family or friend outing, or a fun date night–enjoy a day of games, fun, and excitement at Dave & Buster’s while contributing to a great cause. Simply purchase your Power Card at the link above, then head to your nearest location to redeem and play–all while supporting Desert Sun Academy!

Thank you,

Teshya
Desert Sun Academy

Hello Amazing DSA Families,

Here is a sweet treat for you and your family to share over the holidays! This little treat will help DSA raise money and cure a sweet tooth! Ms. Clark's class is still in the lead so far! Remember to attach your homeroom teacher's name when submitting the BoxTops! The competition ends on Dec 13th and the winning class wins a PIZZA PARTY!

Hello DSA Families, Please see the below information from Mr. Dolezal:

For the past several months the CCUSD Facility Focus Group has been meeting to review current and future enrollment in the district, evaluate facility usage, and to evaluate current and future facility needs. At the upcoming special meeting of the CCUSD Governing Board, the Focus Group will be presenting their findings from the research, including recommendations for possible school closures, school boundary adjustments, and grade reconfiguration. This presentation is only the first step in the process. No action will be taken at this informational meeting. To view the presentation go to: https://www.ccusd93.org/about-ccusd/governing-board. Click on Boarddocs - Governing Board Meeting Information.

At the December 10, 2024 CCUSD Governing Board Business Meeting, district administration will request approval from the Governing Board to initiate community forums to discuss possible school closures, school boundary adjustments, and grade reconfiguration. These community forums will provide parents, staff, and community members an opportunity to review recommendations, ask questions, and provide input and feedback to district administration.

Upcoming Dates and Events:

December 3, 2024: Facility Focus Group Governing Board Presentation

December 10, 2024: Governing Board Community - Forum Approval

January 8, 2025: Community Forum: Pending approval

January 9, 2025: Community Forum: Pending approval

January 13, 2025: CCUSD Public Hearing regarding School Closures: Pending approval

January 28, 2025: Governing Board Meeting- potential vote on school closures and boundary changes.

Beginning December 4 more information can be found on our website at: www.ccusd93.org

Help Falcon Foundation "Stuff the Bus" with school supplies for our amazing CCUSD teachers! Please donate classroom essentials to the bin in the front office from December 9th-19th. Your donations will make a big difference in our classrooms!"

CCUSD is pleased to invite you to an important presentation on Tuesday, January 21st where national speaker Officer Jermaine Galloway, aka “The Tall Cop” will present his insights of our community and how we can keep our community safe and informed in regards to drugs and alcohol. Officer Galloway will share data from our own community and cover topics on how to recognize signs of substance use, prevention strategies, and resources available for support.

We believe that coming together as a community, we can make a significant impact in addressing this critical issue. Your participation and engagement are vital to our shared efforts.

We hope you will join us in learning and discussing how we can protect our loved ones and strengthen our community. We will provide food and drinks prior to the presentation as well.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 8th. You can use the QR code in the flyer or click on this link: https://forms.gle/7uDxs2ipDJwrqxWy9

Thank you for your continued commitment to the well-being of our community.

My name is Jessie Spencer, and I am proud to serve as the president of the Cave Creek Unified Education Foundation (CCUEF).

I’m reaching out today to personally invite you, your family, and your friends to join us for our 4th Annual CCUEF Run the District 5K on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the beautiful CSHS campus. This fun and energetic event directly supports our annual grant program, and we’d love to see as many of our incredible staff members there as possible. Please see the link below to sign up!

Sign up here: https://ccuef.org/run-the-district-5k/

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

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