The Roadrunner Report

Greetings Roadrunners,

As we approach Thanksgiving, we are reminded daily of the incredible spirit of kindness, mindfulness, community, and integrity that thrives here at Mirage Elementary School. These are not just words on posters on our walls—they are Rocket's Rules, the core values that guide everything we do. We see these values in action every day, and it fills our hearts with gratitude for our Roadrunner Family.

From the moment your car pulls into the drop-off lane, the kindness of parents shines as you offer warm smiles and patient waves to fellow families and staff members on duty. When you take that extra moment to ensure your child is ready for their day, you’re modeling mindfulness for our students.

Our front office staff, Ms. Michelle, Mr. Will, and Ms. Lisa, greet every visitor with genuine care and a welcoming smile, embodying community in the way they ensure everyone feels valued and supported. Nurse Jodi’s tender care for our students when they are feeling unwell reflects integrity in her commitment to their well-being.

Our incredible paraprofessionals nurture and support students with boundless love, always mindful of their individual needs and creating spaces where every child feels safe and cherished. Our coaches and specialists embody a collaborative and caring community, going above and beyond to guide teachers and students alike with a helping hand each day. Our custodians and cafeteria staff take pride in every move they make, to ensure that our school is a warm and nurturing place to learn and thrive. And our teachers—what can we say about our teachers? Every day, they inspire our students, adapt to meet their diverse needs, and bring joy to learning, all while fostering a sense of belonging in every classroom.

This Thanksgiving, we are most thankful for you—our Roadrunner Family. Together, we are building a community where kindness flourishes, mindfulness guides our choices, integrity strengthens our actions, and the spirit of community ties us all together.

As you gather with loved ones this holiday season, we hope you feel the same gratitude and warmth that fills our hearts every day. Thank you for all you do to support your children and our school.

With heartfelt thanks,

Bobbi Cerro
Proud Principal, Mirage Elementary School

We are thrilled to share the success of our Step It Up fundraiser and express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who supported this effort. With the incredible support of our students, families, and friends, we raised an outstanding $5,258.00!

These funds will be used to enrich our students' experience through field trips, student incentives, and teacher appreciation items. Your generosity truly makes a difference in creating a vibrant and engaging learning environment for our students.

To celebrate everyone's hard work, we’re excited to host our Day of Awesomeness this Friday! The event will feature:

• Jump houses and obstacle courses (students must wear socks to participate).
• A DJ to keep the energy high.
• Tons of fun and excitement for our amazing students!

We are seeking volunteers to help make this event run smoothly. If you are available to assist on Friday morning, please reach out to the office at 602-467-5300.

Thank you again for your generosity and support. We can’t wait to celebrate with our students this Friday—it’s going to be AWESOME!

We are always looking for creative ways to support our students’ academic growth, especially in math and critical thinking. Did you know that puzzles and games are not only fun but also excellent tools to strengthen math skills and working memory? These activities provide a hands-on way to engage your child at home while reinforcing concepts they are learning in the classroom.

Why Puzzles and Games Matter

• Improved Math Skills: Many puzzles and games, such as Sudoku, tangrams, and card games, help children practice math concepts like addition, subtraction, geometry, and logical reasoning in an enjoyable way.
• Enhanced Working Memory: Activities like memory-matching games and multi-step puzzles challenge children to hold information in their minds while solving problems, which is essential for success in math and other academic areas.
• Critical Thinking: These activities encourage problem-solving, spatial awareness, and strategy development, skills that are foundational for advanced math and science learning.

Ideas for At-Home Activities

1. Card Games: Games like Uno, Go Fish, or War can help younger children practice number recognition, counting, and sequencing. Older children can play games like Rummy or Spades to develop strategic thinking.
2. Board Games: Try classics like Monopoly for practice with addition and subtraction or Connect Four for strategic thinking and pattern recognition.
3. Puzzles: Jigsaw puzzles and logic puzzles are great for improving spatial awareness and perseverance.
4. Online Resources: There are many math-focused apps and websites that turn learning into interactive fun. Check out Khan Academy Kids, Prodigy Math, or Coolmath Games for engaging options.
5. Math Challenges: Create simple math scavenger hunts or estimation games at home. For example, have your child estimate the total cost of groceries or the number of steps it takes to get from one room to another.

Making It Routine

Set aside a “game night” once a week or make puzzles part of your daily routine. By turning learning into play, you can help your child develop a love for math and problem-solving that will benefit them in school and beyond.

Please don't forget about our Mirage Giving Closet if you or someone you know finds yourself in need. Our wonderful counselor, Ms. Snapp, runs our Giving Closet and provides clothing and household items to anyone in need.

If you do not need anything, but instead want to help out, we are always appreciative of donations.

Please click here for more information: https://www.dvusd.org/Domain/9919

• Thanksgiving Feast: 11/21

• No School in honor of Thanksgiving Recess: 11/25-11/29

• Early Release: 11/22, 12/6