Hello Roadrunner Families,
We are very excited to have our Kindergarten Information Night on February 13, 2025 at 5pm. If you have an incoming kindergarten student, please join us! Or if you know of someone, please invite them!
Some other events coming up are:
- Book Fair 2/13-2/21: Our Annual DWES Book Fair is nearly here and we can't wait to watch the students grow their love of reading while raising funds for the school at the same time! This year our Book Fair coincides with Readafun beginning shortly after so this serves as a great opportunity to buy books in preparation! Please see the flyer below and the link for volunteer signup and the online bookstore.
- Readafun 2/24-3/7: Support DWES during this two-week reading focused fundraiser. More information to come!
- Student-Led Conferences 3/4: Watch as students proudly share their progress and set future goals.
- Half Day Dismissals 3/6 & 3/7: Dismissal @ 12:30pm.
- Spring Break 3/10-3/14: Students return to class on Monday, 3/17.
We would like to take a moment to share with you what a vital part of our school community our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is, and we would love for you to join us in making a positive impact! The PTO plays a key role in supporting our students, staff, and community by funding essential staff, enhancing campus safety, hosting monthly spirit events for staff and students, and organizing amazing community events. By joining the PTO, you'll have the opportunity to connect with other parents and make great friends while helping to shape the programs and events that make DWES so special. Whether you can give a little time or a lot, every contribution makes a difference! Check out the PTO section in this newsletter for more information.
- Funding essential staffing such as kindergarten, lunch and library aides
A friendly reminder that there will not be school on Monday, February 17 in observance of Presidents Day. We hope that you enjoy this extra day to spend with your family and friends.
ATTENTION: We are 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
ATTENTION INCOMING KINDERGARTENERS
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!
Quarter 3: Conflict resolution
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our quarterly counseling newsletter! This edition focuses on the important topic of conflict resolution—a crucial skill that helps children navigate disagreements and build healthy relationships. Understanding how to resolve conflicts positively is essential for their social and emotional development. In this newsletter, we’ll share insights, practical tips, and activities to support conflict resolution at home and in our school community.
The Importance of Conflict Resolution
Conflict is a natural part of life, especially among children. Teaching kids how to resolve conflicts effectively helps them develop skills in communication, empathy, and problem-solving. When children learn to address conflicts constructively, they build confidence and create stronger friendships.
Tips for Parents
- Model Positive Conflict Resolution: Children learn by watching adults. Demonstrate how to handle conflicts calmly and respectfully, using “I” statements to express feelings without blaming others.
- Teach Active Listening: Encourage your child to listen to others during a disagreement. Discuss the importance of understanding different perspectives before responding.
- Encourage Empathy: Help your child recognize and validate the feelings of others. Ask them how they think the other person feels and why, fostering a sense of empathy.
- Role-Playing Scenarios: Create role-play situations where your child can practice resolving conflicts. This could involve common scenarios they may face at school or home.
- Focus on Solutions: Guide your child in brainstorming possible solutions to conflicts. Encourage them to think creatively and choose solutions that are fair and considerate of everyone involved.
Fun Activities to Promote Conflict Resolution
- Conflict Resolution Chart: Create a chart with steps for resolving conflicts, such as “Stop and Breathe,” “Listen,” “Talk it Out,” and “Find a Solution.” Display it in a common area as a reminder.
- Story Time Discussions: Read books that address conflict resolution, like “The Family Book” by Todd Parr or “Enemy Pie” by Derek Munson. Discuss the characters’ conflicts and how they resolved them.
- Emotion and Situation Cards: Create cards with different emotions and conflict scenarios. Have your child draw cards and discuss how to respond positively in each situation.
- Peace Corner: Set up a “Peace Corner” at home where family members can go to reflect and calm down when conflicts arise. Include items like journals, stress balls, or calming visuals.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for your continued support in helping our children develop essential conflict resolution skills. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where conflicts are resolved with respect and understanding. If you have any questions or would like additional resources, please feel free to reach out!
Warm regards,
CCUSD Elementary Counseling Department
CCUSD Dress Code
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.
Student Dress, Conduct, and Appearance (REF: Board Policy 5-301; 5-302)
Student attire may be regulated as necessary and appropriate to maintain order and decorum within the educational system and to avoid material and substantial interference with schoolwork or discipline.
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.
Student/Parent Responsibility
Students and their parents/guardians have the responsibility to be aware of the school’s dress code and conform to these requirements. If a student or parent has any questions about whether specific attire or accessories are in compliance with the dress code, they should contact their school administration prior to wearing such attire or accessories to ensure compliance.
Administrator Discretion
The school administration retains the final discretion to determine that the garment or accessory meets the dress code. Some exceptions may be made for uniforms, formal attire, and/or costumes.
Consequences
Any student violating this policy is subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to: warning, parent conference, detention,community service, or off campus suspension. In addition, the student will remove the garment or accessory and replace it with an appropriate alternative provided by the school, student, or parent.
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.
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.
Around the District
Artificial Intelligence Summer 2025 Intensive in Scottsdale!
Developed and Taught By Stanford and MIT Alumni and Graduate Students.
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)
Credits:
Created with images by MissPic - "February 2025 white monthly desk calendar on a table" • Yury Zap - "dress code" • wladimir1804 - "Concept of Attendance Mark Business School. Registration of absent. Attendance report." • Rawpixel.com - "Diverse Hands Holding Word Vote Concept"