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Sandpiper Elementary School Update!
November 17, 2023
Dear Sandpiper Families,
I know that I didn't write much in my personal message last week due to coming back from the AstroCamp field trip, so although late this week, for Veterans Day last Saturday, I would like to send out a huge thank you to all of our Veterans in our Sandpiper community for their service to our country. I hope that our students were also able to thank a Veteran.
A reminder that this second quarter is going fast, as we are already at or near the midway point of the second quarter. Please make sure that you monitor your child's academic progress in Infinite Campus frequently. If you see a discrepancy in a grade and/or have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to their teacher.
As we head into our short Thanksgiving week, I want to take the time to thank our amazing staff at Sandpiper Elementary School for all that they do for our students, our parents and community, and also for our direct Sandpiper Family (we truly are a family here). Whether it be our staff going that extra mile with our students, making that extra effort to communicate with our families, or lending a helping hand to other staff members, I am so grateful to have such a positive, supportive and community focused staff working with our prized and precious students. They really are amazing.
I am also thankful for you, our Sandpiper families. I know I say it a lot, but it truly takes a village to educate and raise children, and it is a pleasure to work with such positive and community minded families in this process. Also, a huge thank you to our always amazing Sandpiper PTO for not only their support of our staff, but also for their forward thinking ways of bringing so many community events to our school. Trust me when I say that a lot of time, energy, and hard work goes on behind the scenes to make these events happen.
I hope that you and your children are able to take some time during the long Thanksgiving weekend and into the holidays to reflect on what you are thankful for as well. Thank you for all that you do for your children and for our Sandpiper community.
Have a great weekend and a great Thanksgiving week ahead, Super Estrellas!
Hasta Luego,
Shawn Varner
Principal, Sandpiper Elementary School
Direct Giving Update:
The PTO is still hard at work processing corporate matches and finalizing all Direct Giving activities. We have almost reached 100% of our fundraising goal thanks to your generous donations. What an incredible community we have! This has been one of our best Direct Giving Weeks ever. We are celebrating our school community sucess with a Direct Diving Celebration Day on November 21st!
Mark your calendars for November 21st!
- Every student will enjoy an otter pop at lunch on 11/21.
- Direct Giving Swag will be distributed to families based on donation tiers (don't forget to check backpacks).
- Glow Party poster winners will announced, prizes will be awarded.
- Individual class parties will be scheduled by teachers and will take place on a different date.
- Principal Varner will be dressed as a unicorn, all day long!
Thank you Sandpiper!!!!
NO SCHOOL 11/22/2023 THROUGH 11/24/2023 FOR THANKSGIVING RECESS
There is no school on Wednesday, November 22nd, Thursday, November 23rd, and Friday, November 24th for Thanksgiving recess.
SPES SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR, 11/27--12/1
The SPES Scholastic Book Fair is coming the week of 11/27/2023. Visit sandpiperpto.org to sign up
SPES PTO Movie Night Is on Friday, 12/1/2023
Our SPES PTO is hosting a Movie Night on the SPES north field on Friday, 12/1/2023. More information to come from PTO. PTO has asked that students vote with their parents for the following movies to be shown using this survey
LOST 'N' FOUND
Is your child missing a jacket, lunchbox, water bottle, or anything else? If so, please stop by the Sandpiper Cafeteria between 8:45-3:15 to take a look at all of the lost items.
All remaining items will be donated on Tuesday, November 21 at 3:15.
Dutch Bros Discount to all Students of Sandpiper
6th Grade - DSMS Orientation & Open House
6th Grade-Pinnacle Peak Middle School Showcase
NO LOADING & UNLOADING
SCHOOL BUS ZONE ONLY
BUS ZONE LAW
Effective Monday, October 16, 2023 no passenger vehicles are to be in the designated bus loading zone at school sites.
Per Arizona Minimum Standards 13-13-104, Section 10 & 11, no other vehicles (parents, daycare vehicles, Boys & Girls Club vans) are not permitted to be in the same area where school buses are being loaded or unloaded.
Girls on the Run (3rd-5th grade) and Heart & Sole (6th grade) are coming to Sandpiper starting in January 2024. Registration begins November 1, 2023 at www.gotrmc.org
Please contact Mrs. Denise mkoerperick@pvlearners.net with any questions.
PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP INFORMATION
SPREAD THE WORD
REMINDER UPDATE FROM NURSE SARAH
Hello Sandpiper Families!
We have recently had a few cases of COVID in our school so I wanted to remind everyone of the current COVID protocols.
If a student develops symptoms, consider taking a COVID test.
○ If the COVID test is positive, they must stay home and isolate for 5 days from the onset of symptoms, they may return on day 6. It is highly recommended that they wear a mask for an additional 5 days.
○ If the COVID test is negative or you choose not to test, the student must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications and symptoms improving to return to school.
Take Precautions to stop the spread
● Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
● Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
● Stay home when you are sick.
● Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
● Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
When to Seek a Medical Provider (Emergency warning signs)
● Trouble breathing
● Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
● New confusion
● Inability to wake or stay awake
● Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds
Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Call or email me, Nurse Sarah, if you have any questions!
602-449-6303
ANNUAL UPDATE REMINDER
Please follow these steps to update your child's Annual Update online:
- Go to Portal.pvschools.net
- Select "More" and then "Annual Update." (You may also click the Annual Update link on the Announcement page.)
- Click "Start" on "2023-2024 school year EXISTING Student Annual Update."
Please complete this as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
There are still approximately 50 families who have not completed this update.
Thank you.
AASA State Testing
This Spring, Sandpiper students in grades 3rd-6th will complete a REQUIRED state test titled Arizona Academic Standards Assessment, AASA. Students in 5th grade will also take a state science test titled, AzSCI. Statewide testing is very important because it is intended to objectively evaluate whether your child has mastered grade-level standards for their specific grade level. AASA and AzSCI testing will take place on the following days:
AZSCI (5th only): Monday, March 25 Wednesday, March 27th Thursday, March 28th
Writing (3-6): Tuesday, April 2nd
ELA 1 (3-6): Tuesday, April 9th
ELA 2 (3-6): Wednesday, April 10th
ORF (3rd only): Thursday, April 11th
Math 1 (3-6): Tuesday, April 16th
Math 2 (3-6): Wednesday, April 17th
If you would like to read more information about Arizona state testing, please visit the following website: https://www.azed.gov/assessment.
Would you like to nominate a Sandpiper Teacher for the
EARLY BIRD OPEN ENROLLMENT
Spread the Word! Early bird open enrollment for new students to Sandpiper Elementary School begins September 1st and goes through December 1st for the 2024/2025 school year.
IF YOUR CHILD IS LATE TO SCHOOL--REMINDER
If your child is late to school please have them check in at the front office. Teachers in the outside classrooms do not open their locked doors to knocks after the school day begins for safety reasons.
CALL 602-449-6301 TO CALL OUT YOUR STUDENT FOR AN ABSENCE OR IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE LATE
PVUSD UNITED PARENT COUNCIL NEEDS YOUR HELP
UPC is looking for volunteers for District Committees. Below is a link to the general interest form UPC has for committees as well as the interest form that is specific to a current committee. Currently, the K-12 Supplemental Resources Committee has a spot available!
PV Assist & Infinite Campus Parent Portal--Reminder
Pvassist.pvschools.net is a great resource for parents! Links provide additional information on Infinite Campus Parent Portal, retrieving their portal password and more!
Parents, need more help with PV Assist & Infinite Campus Parent Portal? (602) 449-2375
SANDPIPER PTO INFORMATION
Welcome Parents!
Register for the PTO Website TODAY!
Want to make sure that you are "in the know" on what's happening at Sandpiper each week? Be sure to create a family account on our website. We provide families with important information on PTO events, school wide news, and access to grade level message boards. Registering also subscribes your family to our biweekly newsletter! You'll find out about spirit days, volunteer opportunities, upcoming events and more! Go to the Sandpiper PTO website https://www.sandpiperpto.org to sign up!
Keep in Touch and Up-to-Date!
Sandpiper PTO Website: www.sandpiperpto.org
Official Sandpiper PTO Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/SandpiperPTO/
Question? Email us at PTOSandpiper@gmail.com
Sandpiper Elementary Dual Language Immersion Program
Email: trgriffin@pvschools.net
Website: https://www.pvschools.net/schools/sandpiper-elementary/home
Location: 6724 E Hearn Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Phone: (602) 449-6300