Hello Roadrunner Families,
We had so many families sign up to sponsor a flag for our breezeway during the past couple of weeks! These new flags will help us honor the 25th anniversary of DWES, by reintroducing a cherished tradition: Where in the World is Ricky? This exciting activity will take students on a virtual journey around the world, sparking curiosity and providing them with fun, engaging ways to learn about different cultures and places.
It was wonderful to see so many Roadrunners at the Falcon football game when we recognized Mr. Langley and Ms. Hammerman. On that same evening, our K-Kids started their Fall Break by volunteering at Feed My Starving Children packing meals. Thank you to everyone who took the time to support our school and beyond!
Get ready for some amazing events and opportunities coming up in October. We hope that you can join us for at least one!
Our first event is Oktoberfest this Saturday at Harold's in Cave Creek. This is not only a way to support our schools, but such a fun night for adults. There will be live music and a German buffet. Hopefully you have seen some of the photos from last year on our PTO's social media.
Next week is CCUSD Homecoming Week with the theme 'Falcons Hit the Road'. We will be joining some of the spirit days to show our Falcon spirit.
- 10/14- Nashville, TN: Dress in western wear
- 10/17- Flannel Day (prescheduled DWES spirit day)
- 10/18- Malibu, CA: Dress in beach attire (school appropriate)
DWES Fall Festival is on October 26th from 5-8pm. This event is held at our school with activities for everyone. Our amazing parent volunteer DJ keeps the cake walk going and music playing all night. There is a pumpkin patch, mystery wall, chili cook-off, and more! Check out the PTO section of the newsletter for more information about the event and how to volunteer.
We’re excited to share that we’re planning a “Love Our Schools” day on Saturday, November 2nd, and we’d love your support. We’re looking for parents who might be interested in helping with a few projects and lending a hand where needed. Additional information below.
A couple of dates to keep in mind are our Volunteer Training 10/18 and Character Day 10/31. More November events are: Boosterthon, Superintendent's Tea/Coffee, Veteran's Day, and Thanksgiving Break. Be sure to check out the DWES Public calendar to stay up-to-date.
ATTENTION: We are still looking for lunch aides. Please join the team and/or share the information with anyone you think might be interested. Apply HERE.
Roadrunner Ready,
Brandie Dunlap, Principal
Love Our Schools November 2, 2024 8am-11am
The Cave Creek School District is having a Beautification Day for all the schools on Saturday, November 2nd, from 8-11am and we need your help!
Whether you can give us an hour or two or the whole time, please let us know if you can make it. This will be a family affair so bring your whole crew with you! We couldn't do it without our community because we are always better together!
If you are unable to join us on this day, but would still like to 'Show some love'. You may support us with some of these projects:
- Providing breakfast for staff during testing
- Teacher Incentive (attendance, raffles, etc)
DWES Volunteer Training
Our next Volunteer Training will be Friday, October 18th @ 9:30am. Please RSVP HERE by October 16, 2024.
¿Que Pasa?
Every Wednesday is 2pm Dismissal
Every Friday: Roadrunner Spirit Day
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.
Note from the Health Office
We will be doing Vision & Hearing testing starting October 23. The grades being tested are PreK, Kinder, 1st, 4rd and 5th (hearing only)
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.
Counseling Corner
October Newsletter
Dear parents and guardians,
Welcome to this month’s edition of the Counseling Corner Newsletter! As we settle into the school year, we want to focus on an essential life skill: **responsibility**. Teaching our children to be responsible helps them develop independence, accountability, and the ability to make good choices. Here are some tips and activities to foster responsibility at home and in school.
Why Responsibility Matters
Responsibility is a key component of character development. When children learn to take ownership of their actions and obligations, they build confidence and trustworthiness, skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Tips for Parents
1. **Set Clear Expectations:**
- Clearly outline what responsibilities you expect from your child, whether it’s completing homework, chores, or caring for a pet.
2. **Encourage Decision-Making:**
- Allow your child to make choices and face the consequences. This could be as simple as letting them decide what to wear or how to spend their free time.
3. **Model Responsibility:**
- Share your own responsibilities with your child. Talk about how you manage tasks, meet deadlines, and learn from mistakes.
4. **Praise Efforts and Progress:**
- Recognize when your child takes responsibility for their actions, even if the outcome isn’t perfect. This encourages them to continue trying.
5. **Create a Routine:**
- Establishing a daily schedule can help children understand and remember their responsibilities, whether it’s homework, chores, or other commitments.
Fun Activities to Foster Responsibility
- **Chore Charts:** Create a colorful chart together to track daily or weekly chores. Let your child choose their tasks and take pride in completing them.
- **Goal Setting:** Help your child set small, achievable goals. This can be related to schoolwork, personal interests, or chores. Celebrate their successes!
- **Responsibility Jar:** Use a jar to collect “responsibility tokens.” Each time your child completes a task or shows accountability, they can add a token. Set a reward for reaching a certain number!
- **Team Projects:** Involve your child in family projects, such as gardening or planning a family event. Assign roles and responsibilities to help them understand teamwork and accountability.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for your continued support in helping our children grow into responsible individuals. Together, we can create a positive environment that fosters independence and accountability. If you have any questions or need additional resources, feel free to reach out!
Warm regards,
CCUSD Elementary Counseling Department
DWES PTO
Fall Festival
Fall Festival is Saturday, October 26th! Below are links to sign up for the Cake Walk, Chili Cook-Off, and to volunteer.
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!
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
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures at DWES
- Arrival at 8:45am (there is NO supervision prior to 8:45am)
- For the safety and security of all our students, we will not call students out of class between 3:00-3:30 pm
- All dismissal transportation changes need to be communicated to our office prior to 2:00 pm
- The safest way for your child to get home is by a school bus or car line pick up
- Do not park in the neighborhood and tell your child to walk to your car without supervision
- Our preschool students dismiss earlier than other classrooms and they are allowed to pull into the bus lane first. This allows our youngest students and our students requiring extra assistance time to safely get into their vehicles and exit campus
- Do not enter the bus lane until preschool has completed dismissal
- It is very important NOT to cut in the lines, as your child(ren) will not be ready for pick up
- Your specific number tells us to get your child(ren) ready for pick up
- Please stay in your car during dismissal. Show your dismissal number to our staff member
- Please have them visible. In the front car line we will unload and load 10 cars at a time
- We will only allow students to climb into cars on the passenger side of the vehicle (for the safety of your child)
- If your child needs assistance buckling their car seat please pull forward and park in the parking lot so that you can assist your child and we can keep the car line moving
- Staff and students do not buckle students
- If your child is not ready at dismissal, we will ask you to park and we will bring them out when ready
- If your child is a “home walker,” they should be walking directly to their house
- Parent Walk Up: Parents need to show family number to staff
A few reminders from the local Phoenix Police Department to follow:
- School zone speed limit of 15mph
- Use marked crosswalks (please do not wave students across the street)
- PCC 36-134 (stopping, standing, and parking regulations)
- ARS 28-815 (blocking bike lanes)