Desert Willow Elementary Learning for life and loving to learn February 16, 2022

Celebrate President's Day

Wear your red, white, and blue this Friday the 18th!

DWES Families,

It has been such a wonderful week of learning and celebrating on our campus. We started the week with recognizing our Excellence Award winners at the Governing Board meeting. We are incredibly fortunate to have our Excellence Award winners Cash, Mrs. Peterson, and Mrs. Sutherland as part of our Roadrunner family! Also, don’t forget to give a shout out to Ms. Jennifer, next time you are in the office, for being recognized as our Carefree Cares recipient. It was so much fun going into the classrooms on Monday to see the excitement and all of the engaging activities based around Valentine’s Day. On Tuesday, our PTO organized a staff birthday party with the support of Mr. John McNulty of HomeSmart Real Estate bringing in Nothing Bundt Cakes. It has been a sweet week! Be sure to check out our Facebook page for pictures of our Principal’s Challenge that is happening this week. This month we are taking the challenge to the Olympics!

Respectfully,

Brandie Dunlap

Like and Follow DWES on Facebook

Like and Follow DWES on Instagram

***Make sure you register to VOTE!!!***

Preschool Tours at DWES

Future Preschool Parents can participate in a tour on the following dates & times:

March 10th from 3:45 - 4:45 PM

If you have questions about the Preschool Program, please call 480-575-2013 to find out more. The Preschool Program is run by the Education & Community Services Department.

Tax Credit

Calling all DWES families! Please support Desert Willow with your tax credit donations. We are working on improving our playground (see photos below). As we navigate through this process we will keep you informed. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Trish in the front office. Thank you in advance for your participation!

Future Falcons Event

For Who: Those who will be entering Kindergarten in Fall 2022

When: Thursday February 17th 4-5pm

Where: Desert Willow Elementary School Playground

4322 E Desert Willow Parkway Cave Creek, AZ 85331

KINDERGARTEN 2022-2023

To register online for 2022-2023 Kindergarten click here or pick up a packet in the front office of DWES.
Parents applying for admission to the Spanish Immersion program must turn in both a regular application and complete the Lottery Enrollment/Family Commitment form for Spanish Immersion.
Turn in the Lottery Enrollment and Family Commitment Form to the Educational Services Department (District Office) by Feb. 25.
Drawing for placement will occur on March 1 with parent notification by March 4.

Priority Placements for the Spanish Immersion program are:

Family with older siblings already in the program
Attend World Language preschool at Desert Willow
CCUSD Employee

Priority Placements must complete and turn in all paperwork too. There is no automatic enrollment into Kindergarten.

Attendance Reminder

If your child will be late or absent, please call the attendance line at 480-575-2800 and leave a message or email for Ms. Jennifer at jdennison@ccusd93.net. If your child arrives late they must be signed in at the front office by an adult. Students are late if they are not in their classrooms when the 9:00 AM bell rings.

Reminder: If your child is experiencing Covid or variant like symptoms we recommend you keep them home to maintain everyone's health. This includes personal time after school and weekends such as birthday parties, family events, etc. We thank you for keeping everyone's health in mind.

Valentine's Day Fun at DWES!

DWES EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

Mrs. Peterson inspires excellence in all she does. She intentionally makes choices to increase student achievement through her professional development, engaging lessons, and true kindness. She continued her education earning a Master’s degree and National Board certification. When you walk into her classroom you feel the excitement for learning in her voice, in her smile, and in the songs she always sings. Every student leaves her class with a heart full of love, a head full of knowledge, and a memory full of amazing experiences. She takes the extra time to make each and every person feel appreciated and cared for. Mrs. Peterson is a role model for all Roadrunners!

When Mollie Sutherland enters the campus at Desert Willow, a ray of sunshine comes with her! Mollie has been a great supporter of Desert Willow for many years. She is always willing to help out any way she can. Mollie has been in weekly to help our staff with the copy/laminating room. Mollie is always supportive of both the school and the district on social media. Her cheers are just the encouragement we have needed some days this year. She definitely brightens our day when she is on campus! We feel so lucky to celebrate Mollie today!

Cash Marten is a preschooler in Ms. Brandi’s class at Desert Willow! This little boy’s heart is full of compassion for others! Cash had a lemonade stand this year and told his mom he wanted to use the money to buy the teachers at Desert Willow breakfast. Yes, he’s a preschooler!! On the Monday after he had his lemonade stand, the teachers were treated to a wonderful bagel breakfast! In class, he is always the first one to volunteer to help a friend and/or staff member. He is patient and a wonderful leader to his peers. Thank you Cash for being responsible, respectful and most of all kind!!

The Pledge of Allegiance was said in Spanish and English before the February 14th Board Meeting by DWES Roadrunners, (l-r) Isabella D., Sloan M., and Cash M.

Employee of the month

Mrs. Lina Bright is an inspiration to us all with her kind demeanor and dedication to education. Mrs. Bright spends her days at Desert Willow supporting the learning and safety of our students, then goes home and studies to become a teacher, while being an amazing mom and wife. Our kindergarten class was extremely fortunate to have Mrs. Bright as their long-term substitute. During this time, she fostered a classroom of respect, engaged learning, and high expectations. Often other Desert Willow students would ask me when Mrs. Bright was going to be back in the lunch room because they missed her. It is obvious she has built strong positive relationships, not only with her colleagues, but with all of our Roadrunners. Mrs. Bright is a valuable member of our community who is a positive role model and lives our motto: Learning for Life-Loving to Learn.

Staff Shout Out

Ms. Jeffer's passion and enthusiasm for teaching is obvious any time you speak with her. And if you want to see someone actually beam with pride, just ask her about her students. Ms.Jeffer's support extends out of her classroom to staff and students across the entire campus. Her can-do attitude, positive outlook, and keen problem-solving skills are invaluable to the success of Desert Willow. Thank you Ms. Jeffer for always being Desert Willow’s cheerleader!

DWES VOlunteers

6th Grade SI Cooking Video

Counselor's Corner

Click this link for information and tips from our Counselor, Victoria Markowicz.

Upcoming Events

This Friday, 2/18/22, is the LAST day to order a yearbook. Don't miss out!

Buy yours today! https://buytheyearbook.pictavo.com/

School ID - 705046

Questions? Email dwesyearbook2@gmail.com

STAFF APPRECIATION

Staff Appreciation

Click on the Signup Genius button to support the staff with snacks!

DATES TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR *Read-A-Thon: 2/14/22 - 3/4/22 *Mother / Son Event: 3/12/22

Read-a-thon is in full swing. We need to raise $15,000 to go towards school aides next year. There are lots of fun incentives! Let's get reading, Roadrunners!

Click here for the Read-a-thon

Mother-Son tickets are on sale. The last day to purchase shirts is 2/28/22 and the last day to purchase tickets is 3/4/22. The event will be a blast and we look forward to seeing you there!

Click here to purchase!

Mother / Son is in a few weeks! Who is ready to get messy? Join us to paint a rock for a new garden on campus, jump in an inflatable obstacle course, and participate in a Holi day inspired color run/throw on the basketball court. There will be games, ice cream, and a silent auction too. See you there!

We are looking for dads, grandparents, older siblings (6th grade +), and moms of girls to volunteer at the Mother-Son event. Credit will be given for Honor Society hours if desired. All volunteers for Mother-Son will receive a free DWES Roadrunner spirit shirt! There are a few donation needs as well. Thanks for helping make this a great event!

Click here to volunteer for Mother/Son run

Purchase your DWES Spiritwear

We now have adult DWES tee shirts for sale click here.

VISIT THE PTO WEBSITE FOR ALL OF YOUR PTO INFORMATION

Check our new website: https://desertwillowpto.org/

Like us on Facebook @DWESPTO

Like us on Instagram @ DWESPTO

RECENT PTO NEWS

Membership Drive: sign up here

Volunteer Your Time - Check out the new and improved PTO sign up genius for next year! Click here.

Meet your New 2021-2022 PTO Board Members:

President: Sandy Lacy - dwespresident@gmail.com

Vice President: Jodi Seitz - dwesvp@gmail.com

Secretary: Katrina Harrold - dwesptosecretary@gmail.com

Treasurer: Jenny Forbes - dwestreasurer@gmail.com

Marketing & Communications: Lisa Buelna - dwespto@gmail.com

.

QUICK LINKS

Become a PTO Member

Click Here to Donate & Specify Where your Money Goes

Volunteer for PTO

View Upcoming PTO Events

See all fundraising opportunities

PTO Website

FUNDRAISING

Shop for everyday supplies while helping earn money for DWES! Here's how.....

Fry's Community Rewards Program- If you shop at Fry's Food Grocery Store, please link up your Fry's V.I.P. card to Desert Willow or enter organization number WM786. Fry's Community Rewards Program will automatically donate to DWES on your behalf from your purchases! Here is a link to Fry's Community Rewards Program to link your card.

Amazon Smile - is a simple and automatic way for you to support DWES every time you shop at amazon.com, at no cost to you with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to DWES. Select Desert Willow PTO as the charitable organization and every eligible purchase you make on Amazon Smile will result in a donation to our school Here is a link to shop!

Tuft & Needle - Need a new mattress? Buy one the easy way - online and with FREE shipping! Tuft & Needle has partnered with our school and will donate 25% back to DWES on every purchase. You can order through Tuft & Needle Gives Back or on the Tuft & Needle website and enter Desert Willow Elementary School, it's as easy as that!

Click here to see ALL of the unique and easy ways you can immediately help raise funds for DWES while you shop!

PTO PROUD SPONSORS

Nina Bella Photography is a local Cave Creek photographer specializing in families, milestones, and newborns. I am passionate about my work and having happy clients who truly treasure what I can do for them. www.ninabellaphotography.com

The Craftsman specializes in traditional, comfort food dishes with a global twist. Visit their website at thecraftsmanaz.com/

M2 Enterprise is a home remodel construction company specializing in bathroom remodels, custom showers, kitchen remodels, flooring, mudrooms, and more. Owned and operated by Mark DiGianfilippo, M2 Enterprise serves Cave Creek, North Scottsdale, North Phoenix, and Paradise Valley. M2 is licensed, bonded, and insured and offers free consultations. ROC #311513 #312046. www.m2az.com 480-256-8165 Follow us on Instagram at @m2enterpiseaz

Complete Eye Care - Comprehensive eye exams and high quality vision care for the whole family. 33717 N Scottsdale Rd, #110, Scottsdale, AZ 85266. 480-488-7007. www.completeeyecareaz.com.

Thank you Christofferson and Legge families

February 17th - Club Group Pictures and 6th grade Panoramic Picture
February 18th - Last day to order yearbooks
March 12th - Mother & Son Color Run 4:00-6:30 PM
AASA Testing (Formerly AZ Merit) April 4th-April 22nd

Click on buttons below

Tax Credit Online

Parent Portal - Grades

Preschool Registration

Register to Vote

Dr. Cort Monroe - Superintendent

Remember to Vote!

Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by geralt - "heart love wood" • TheDigitalArtist - "mount rushmore monument america" • Skitterphoto - "play wooden blocks" • zzmmcgui - "planner calendar schedule"