DWES Roadrunner Review 4 de abril 2025

DWES PTO

Are you ready to make a difference? We are currently seeking new members for our executive PTO board. Click on the google form to learn more about the positions. We currently are seeking every position on our board. So, gather your friends and join the board! It’s a fun way to support your school and doesn’t require too many extra hours a month. It’s amazing having your students beam with pride when you are supporting the school in such a impactful way! This year’s board members will mentor you for 6 months as you step into your new role!

Volunteers make it possible to continue doing what we do to have fundraisers and events. Please see the sign up genius for ways we could use your support as well as signing up for our open board positions. We can't wait for an awesome 2024-25 school year!

School safety is a shared responsibility between our schools and the community. We believe that by working together as a community, we can create an environment where all students feel safe, respected, and valued. We are grateful for and proud of the community members who reported the information. Please emphasize to your student(s), just as we want to emphasize to you, that if you or your student hear or see anything (online or in person) that creates an uncomfortable feeling about school safety, notify school staff immediately. See something, say something.

Health Update for Parents:

(repeat)As we are currently in the midst of respiratory illness season, we kindly ask all parents to monitor their children for signs of illness. If your child is not feeling well, please keep them at home to help prevent the spread of illness. Common symptoms to watch for include: cough, runny nose, fever, and sore throat.

In addition, please remind your child of the importance of frequent hand washing to help reduce the spread of germs.

Lice (repeat)

It is essential to check your child regularly for signs of lice, such as itching or scratching of the scalp, and take the necessary steps for treatment if needed. Please be aware that our school does not conduct lice checks or issue class notifications regarding lice cases. However, we strongly recommend that you consult your healthcare provider for guidance on appropriate treatment options. In addition to speaking with your child about not sharing hats, hoodies, hair items, stuffed animals, etc.

For more information, you can refer to resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). Both offer useful guidelines on managing lice and preventing their spread.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school community healthy and safe.

Drill Communication (repeat)

This year, we will be communicating to our families any time that we have a drill on campus. Not only does that let you know what is going on at campus, but also helps us train and prepare our students and staff and practice our procedures should a real emergency take place on our campus. The different drills that we will be practicing this year have been taught to all of our students and they are as follows:

• Hold: Keep students and staff in classrooms and out of access areas and teachers continue to teach. Why would we have a hold? Medical Emergency, Fight on Campus, etc.
• Secure: Bring all individuals into classrooms or building (secure building and lock outside access points) and teachers continue to teach. Students may or may not transition, depending on the situation. Why would we secure campus? Criminal activity in the neighborhood or a dangerous animal is on campus.
• Evacuate: Students and staff would move from one location to another for safety. Why would we evacuate staff and students? Fire, Mechanical failure, gas leak, bomb threat, etc.
• Shelter: Students and staff stay in classroom and need to be prepared for instructions. Why shelter? Weather, Hazardous materials situation.
• Lockdown: All doors locked, windows covered, everyone is quiet. Why lockdown? Threat or hazard inside of the school, act of violence on site.

PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports)

(Repeat) Spirit days fit into our PBIS system as a positive reinforcement tool, used to reward students for consistently demonstrating desired behaviors by providing a fun, school-wide activity where students can express school spirit through themed dress-up days, creating a sense of community and belonging while encouraging positive behavior.

Quarter 4: Building Coping Skills

Dear Parents,

Welcome to our quarterly counseling newsletter! This edition focuses on coping skills—essential tools that help children manage stress, emotions, and everyday challenges. Teaching our kids effective coping strategies fosters resilience and supports their overall well-being. In this newsletter, we’ll share insights, practical tips, and engaging activities to enhance coping skills at home and in our school community.

The Importance of Coping Skills

Coping skills are techniques that help children deal with difficult situations, emotions, and stressors. By learning how to manage their feelings and respond to challenges, children develop emotional intelligence and resilience, which are crucial for their personal and academic success.

Tips for Parents

Model Healthy Coping:

1. Demonstrate your own coping strategies when faced with stress. Share how you manage your emotions, whether it’s through exercise, journaling, or talking to a friend.
2. Encourage Expression: Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings. Ask open-ended questions about their day and validate their emotions to show that it’s okay to talk about how they feel.
3. Teach Problem-Solving: Help your child identify problems and brainstorm solutions. This empowers them to take control of their challenges and fosters a sense of agency.
4. Introduce Relaxation Techniques: Teach your child simple relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, visualization, or mindfulness exercises. Practice these together to make them more effective.
5. Establish Routines: A consistent daily routine can provide stability and predictability, which helps children feel secure and better manage their stress.

Fun Activities to Enhance Coping Skills

• Coping Skills Toolbox: Create a physical or digital “toolbox” filled with coping strategies. Include activities like drawing, reading, taking a walk, or listening to music. Encourage your child to choose a strategy when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
• Feelings Journal: Encourage your child to keep a journal where they can express their thoughts and feelings. This can be a great outlet for processing emotions and reflecting on daily experiences.
• Mindfulness Activities: Incorporate mindfulness exercises into your family routine. Try short meditation sessions, mindful breathing, or yoga to promote relaxation and awareness.
• Emotion Charades: Play a game of charades where each family member acts out different emotions. This fun activity encourages recognition of feelings and can lead to discussions about coping strategies.

Closing Thoughts

Thank you for your partnership in helping our children build effective coping skills. Together, we can create an environment that supports emotional growth and resilience. If you have any questions or would like additional resources, please feel free to reach out!

Warm regards,

CCUSD Elementary Counseling Department

Around the District

Spring Break (Q4) Reminder for ID’s at the elementary school

Parents,

We will continue to expect our K-6th grade students to wear their student ID’s throughout the day while attending our school. As safety continues to be our top priority, wearing visible identification plays a crucial role in maintaining a secure environment.

Identification and Security: ID cards help our staff quickly identify individuals who belong on school premises. This is particularly important in emergency situations or when we have visitors on campus.

• Access Control: ID cards will be incorporated into purchasing lunch, checking out books, and moving from one location to another on some campuses.
• Attendance and Accountability: Wearing IDs helps us accurately track attendance, especially during emergencies and drills. It also encourages a sense of responsibility amongst students for their own safety and well-being.
• Community Standards: By wearing IDs, students contribute to a positive school culture where safety and respect for rules are valued.

We kindly request your support in reminding your child to not only wear their ID daily, but also to take care of this ID. This is not something that students should be defacing, chewing on, bending, etc.

Wearing your ID at school helps keep everyone safe by ensuring only authorized students and staff are on campus. It also makes it easier to identify each other and access important resources. Keep your ID visible—it's a simple way to promote security and school spirit!

As always, thank you for your continued support and commitment to the safety of our students.

Attendance Matters

(repeat) School attendance is not only a good habit, state law requires it. Arizona State Law (15-802.E, 15-803.) and CCUSD board policy 5-103, requires every person who has custody of a child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall make sure the child attends school for the full time school is in session unless unable to attend due to illness or another legitimate reason.

Your child is expected to be at school every day, unless there is an excused reason not to be. An absence is defined as a minimum of one missed class period per day. An unexcused absence will count as a truant day as defined by law. A student is “habitually truant” if he/she has five or more unexcused absences from school. A student that is absent more than ten percent of the required number of school days per year (18 days) is considered to have “excessive absences” whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

The intent of this communication is to be sure that you are aware of our district policy. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our school's records clerk, Ms. Jennifer. Thank you for your attention and consideration in this matter.

Please make sure you are calling the attendance line daily if your child will be absent unless prior notification has been made to the front office.

Dress Code

(repeat)As the temperatures begin to warm up, we want to take a moment to remind everyone about our district-wide dress code. Our goal is to ensure that all students are dressed appropriately for a comfortable and focused learning environment.

Please take a moment to review the dress code with your child and ensure that their attire meets the guidelines. We appreciate your support in helping students make respectful and appropriate clothing choices for school.

Attire may be prohibited when it:

• Significantly interferes with the District's ability to maintain order; such as disrupting schoolwork, school programs and activities,creates disorder, or prevents any student(s) from achieving educational objectives.
• Affects the health or safety of students, personnel or visitors.
• Conveys affiliation with a criminal street gang.
• Exposes the wearer's midriff, undergarments, or undergarment areas.
• Contains or conveys obscene language, symbols or messages.
• Promotes or depicts the unlawful use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
• Violates the constitutional rights of any other person(s).
• Is inconsistent with or prohibited by the course, program, or activity.

KidAccount Sign in/out Procedures (repeat)

Starting October 7, 2024, elementary schools will be introducing a new procedure for signing students in and out with KidAccount. During parent-teacher conferences, you will receive KidAccount cards for each of your students. If you are unable to attend parent-teacher conferences, you can pick up your cards at the front office.

Instead of searching for your child’s name in the system, these cards will be used to streamline the process.

Important Details:

• Each family will receive two KidAccount cards.
• The cards can be reused year after year, so please keep them in a safe place.
• If your cards are lost, replacements are available for $5.00 and can be obtained at the front office.

Thank you for your cooperation as we implement this new procedure!

Attendance (repeat)

If your child will be absent, please remember to call our attendance line at 480-575-2800, selecting #1. The line is available 24 hours a day for your convenience. Informing your child's teacher is always helpful, especially if you are requesting homework.

Regular attendance is crucial for your child's success in school. Being present every day helps students stay engaged, build strong learning habits, and make the most of their educational experience.

CCUSD Telecommunication Policy (repeat)

As a reminder, there has been an important update to be aware of are about student telecommunications and devices, including but not limited to cell phones, smartwatches, and non-medical listening devices. Beginning this school year and beyond, students in possession of telecommunications devices will adhere to new guidelines regarding use on school grounds. Please click HERE to read through the updated policy. Remind your Roadrunners to keep their tech in their backpacks.

KIDAccount (repeat)

We have a new sign in/sign out platform for students and visitors. You will notice that we have 2 new white tablets in the lobby for this process. Parents/guardians must always scan their US driver's license and complete the questions on the tablets for signing in a student and signing out a student. No student will be released without the ID being scanned or shown every time.

2024-25 Previous Roadrunner Reviews