Learning for Life~Loving to Learn
Aprender para la vida - Amar el aprender
Hello Roadrunner Families,
Our annual Roadrunner RoundUp was a great success thanks to our PTO, volunteers, staff, and families! Thank you so very much for your support, it goes directly back to our students. We are also very appreciative and proud of our guest speaker, Ethan, who started out as a Roadrunner and now is an accomplished senior at Cactus Shadows. His speech was heartwarming and very supportive of our Spanish program.
As we celebrate 25 years of excellence, growth, and community at DWES we look back to honor the strong and passionate staff who built the foundation of this school. The educators and leaders whose dedication laid the groundwork for everything we do today.
We also celebrate the incredible team we have now, who are talented, hardworking, and deeply committed to our students and families. Whether it’s the first year or the twenty-fifth, our staff continues to carry the same torch of dedication and heart.
What truly sets our school apart is the sense of community that’s been woven through every classroom, breezeway, and PTO event over the years. It’s a bond created not just by staff, but by families who partner with us every day in support of their Roadrunners.
I am so proud to be a member of such a vibrant and dedicated school that is committed to being life-long learners.
Roadrunner ---Ready for many more years to come.
As the end of the school year nears, we have many events occurring on campus to celebrate the year. We thank you for completing the RSPV forms, bringing your IDs, and your patience as we sign everyone in and out of campus.
Grade level performances, Wax Museum, talent show, flash mob, OH MY! As the school year winds down, exciting end-of-year events are in full swing, with teachers and staff working hard to create meaningful moments and share with families. What a great way to wrap up a fantastic year filled with growth, discovery, and learning!
We would like to thank all of our amazing families for such a great Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. 🍎Your kind words, treats, and gifts made each day so special.😊 Thank you to our out-of-this-world PTO for organizing this wonderful week and feeding us EVERY day! 💙💛
Roadrunner Ready,
Brandie Dunlap, Principal
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.
END OF YEAR INFORMATION
All medication needs to be picked up from the Health Office by May 21 @12:30. There will be no medication held over the summer.
Health Update for Parents:
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.
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
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures at DWES
- Arrival at 8:45am (there is NO supervision prior to 8:45am)
- The front parking lot is for parking only, not a drop off student area
- 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)
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