A publication of Desert Sky Middle School “Building a Community of Learners” 9850 E. Rankin Loop
Dates to Remember August 2018 August 1 Girls’ Volleyball/Flag Football vs. VAHS @ CFMS - 3:45pm 1 Cross Country @ ES – 3:45pm
Principal , Katie Dabney 2 Open House – 6: 00pm – 7:30pm E-mail: 2 WEB Disney Trip Parent Meeting – Room 515 – 5:30pm [email protected] 2 NY/DC Trip Parent Meeting – Room 302 – 5:00pm 3 Picture Day Assistant Principal, 3 WEB Mo vie Night – MPR – 3:00pm – 6:00pm Rebecca Marsh 6 Girls’ Volleyball vs. ES @ OVMS – 3:45pm E-mail: 6 Football vs. ES – home – 3:45pm
[email protected] 6 Cross Country @ ES – 3:45pm
8 STEEP Screening School -wide Office: (520) 879-2702 9 Girls’ Volleyball @ OVMS – 3:45pm
Fax: (520) 879 -2701 9 Football vs. OVMS – home – 3:45pm 9 Skate Night – Hosted by WEB – Skate Country - 6:00pm - 8:00pm Website: 13 Girls’ Volleyball @ CFMS – 3:45pm http://dsms.vail.k12.az.us 13 Football vs. CFMS – home – 3:45pm 13 Cross Country @ CFMS – 3:45pm Desert Sky Office Hours: 15 Early Dismissal @ 12:00pm - Teacher Inservice 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 17 Progress Reports Mailed Home 20 Girls’ Volleyball @ RVMS – 3:45pm
Site Council 20 Football vs. RVMS – home – 3:45pm
20 Cross Country @ RVMS – 3:45pm Jon Carlyon 22 Girls’ Volleyball vs. VAHS @ OVMS - 3:45pm (Parent/Community) 22 Flag Football @ VAHS – 3:45pm
Chach Jackson 27 Cross Country @ home – 3:45pm (Parent/Community) 27 Girls’ Volleyball/Flag Football @ OVMS - 3:45pm 29 Writing Benchmark #1 Kiki Ngo 29 Early Dismissal @ 12:00pm - Teacher Inservice (Parent/Community ) September Karleene Talley 3 No School - Labor Day
(Parent/Community) 4-14 Math and Reading Benchmark #1
5 Girls’ Volleyball/Flag Football @ RVMS - 3:45pm Rayna Kruszewski 8 Father / Daughter Dance (Support Staff) 10 Girls’ Volleyball vs. ES @ RVMS – 3:45pm
Abby Jackson 10 Football vs. ES – home – 3:45pm (Certified Staff) 10 Cross Country @ RVMS – 3:45pm 12 Girls’ Volleyball/Flag Football @ CFMS - 3:45pm Melissa Thach 13 Parent/Teacher Conferences - Dismissal @ 12:00pm (Certified Staff) 14 Parent/Teacher Conferences - Dismissal @ 12:00pm 14 Report Cards Mailed Home 17-21 Science Benchmark #1
17-21 Spirit Week 17-19 Desert Valley League - Girls’ Volleyball/Flag Football Tournament 22 Cross Country Championships @ ES 24 Fall Break Begins - School Resumes on October 15
From the Principal..
Dear Desert Sky Families,
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Desert Sky families and welcome back our returning families. I look forward to getting to know each of you as we work together to continue the tradition of excellence at Desert Sky Middle School.
With the start of a new academic year, it is important for our students to consider what their goals will be for the coming year. Setting personal goals helps individuals reach an objective. It also helps young people persist through challenges and demands personal effort. May I suggest you take this opportunity to discuss with your child their academic, attitude, and, behavioral goals for the 2018-2019 school year. Perhaps even write these goals down and place them somewhere in your home where they can be reviewed periodically.
We at Desert Sky will do our best to keep you informed of school events and your child’s individual progress. Below are some ways you can stay informed and find out how your child is doing in school.
• There is Internet access to your child’s grade and behavior for each class based on our Citizenship Rubric. This can be viewed on our PowerSchool website at ps.vail.k12.az.us/public/ • On a daily basis, you can check the PRIDE section of your child’s student agenda and find out if he or she turned in his/her required assignments, brought the required materials to class, and was on time to class. • Check out your child’s teachers’ Schoology homepage. Teachers update their homepage every Monday with important classroom information, assignments, and what students will be learning for the week. The link to teachers’ Schoology page can be accessed via your parent PowerSchool portal by clicking on the Schoology link on left side menu or at schoology.com or under the Parent Resources tab on the Desert Sky website found at http://dsms.vail.k12.az.us/ • Engage your child about his/her progress in school. • Call or email your child’s teacher. Our teachers strive to return voicemails and email within 24 hours Monday- Friday. • Attend Parent/Teacher Conferences. • Our teachers will contact you should an academic or behavioral concern arise. You’ll also be contacted with positive messages about your child throughout the year.
Finally, I would like to invite you to our Open House on Thursday, August 2nd at 6:00 p.m. The evening will begin in your child’s classrooms. We will hold Site Council elections in the MPR at 6:30 p.m. Open House provides a great opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and continue to build the critical home/school partnership, which is the foundation to student success. The Food Truck Round-up will be at DSMS for Open House so come out and enjoy a great night! I hope to see you all there!
In closing, we are committed to providing your child an excellent education at Desert Sky Middle School. I am looking forward to our partnership and to a wonderful school year!
Sincerely, Katie Dabney Principal
Desert Sky Assessment Calendar 2018-2019
August 1, 2018 March 4-8, 2019 6th STEEP MAZE Practice Benchmark #3: 7th/8th Science Social Studies Classes March 25-May 3, 2019 August 7, 2018 AzMERIT Testing STEEP CBM School-wide Screening AIMS Science (8th Grade Only)
August 29, 2018 April 30, 2019 Benchmark #1: Writing STEEP CBM School-wide Screening
September 4-14, 2018 May 6-10, 2019 Benchmark #1: Reading & Math Benchmark #3: 6th Science Benchmark #4: 7th Science September 10-14, 2018 Benchmark #1: Algebra & Geometry
September 17-21, 2018 Benchmark #1: Science Writing, Reading, Math and Science Benchmarks are scheduled for the week. Exact dates and times November 7, 2018 are still to be determined. Specifics will be Benchmark #2: Writing communicated as the dates near.
December 3-14, 2018 Please do not request time off during any of the Benchmark #2: Reading & Math dates listed. Please keep these dates in mind when planning appointments, etc. Thanks! December 3-7, 2018 Benchmark #2: Algebra & Geometry
December 10-20, 2018 Benchmark #2: Science
January 8, 2019 STEEP CBM School-wide Screening
February 18- March 1, 2019 Benchmark #3: Reading & Math
February 25- March 1, 2019 Benchmark #3: Algebra & Geometry
revised 5/31/18 ***ALL DATES ARE TENTATIVE
Desert Sky’s Anti-Bullying Program
At Desert Sky, we understand that middle school can be a difficult time in your child’s life. Conflict and disagreements are a normal part of life and sometimes the most challenging part of growing up. Knowing the difference between a conflict and bullying is extremely important. Conflict is a disagreement or a difference of opinion or interest between equals. The persons involved in a conflict may disagree about a certain situation and emotions may run high. In a conflict, both sides have the power to influence the outcome.
Bullying is defined as repeated, intentional, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power. A school’s learning environment is deeply affected when instances of bullying are allowed to continue without intervention and/or consequence.
With this in mind, our staff continues to build upon its Anti-Bully Program. Desert Sky works hard to implement a program that is designed to promote skills and attitudes that increase a student’s social and school success. It helps to provide a foundation for creating a safe, respectful learning environment.
The following topics will be covered in each grade level. For more information about our program, contact Rebecca Marsh, Assistant Principal, at 879-2715 or speak with your child’s teachers.
6th 7th Empathy and Communication Empathy and Communication Diversity Awareness Diversity Awareness Bullying Prevention Bullying Prevention Social Media and Use of Electronic Devices Social Media and Use of Electronic Devices Emotion Management Emotion Management Problem Solving Substance Abuse Prevention Substance Abuse Prevention
8th Empathy and Communication Diversity Awareness Bullying Prevention Social Media and Use of Electronic Devices Emotion Management Goal Setting Substance Abuse Prevention
Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year. My name is Jennifer Wright, and I am the Student Services Coordinator (School Counselor) here at Desert Sky.
This is my 17th year in the Vail District and 10th at Desert Sky. I am here to be a resource and offer support to students, parents, and families. I look forward to meeting new students, as well as reconnecting with our returning students. Middle school is a time of many changes for our students and I am here to support them and their families.
I can be reached by e-mail at [email protected], or you can call me at 879-2706 Monday through Friday from 7:30-3:30. I look forward to working with you and your family.
Desert Sky Middle School – 2018/2019 Certified Staff
6th Grade Team Science/Math Melissa Thach Lang. Arts/Social Studies Kryssie Beard
6th Grade Team Science/Math Michelle Jeffries Lang. Arts/Social Studies Sally Smith-Dryden
6th Grade Team Science/Math Carol Golembiewski Lang. Arts/Social Studies Rose Santos
6th Grade Team Science/Math Tammy Buchanan Lang. Arts/Social Studies Kristi Hill
Team A Math Tanya Hoose 8th Grade Social Studies Amanda Galvan Science Brandon Sherwood Language Arts Todd Hill
Team B Math Becky Tanner 7th Grade Social Studies Lisa Nussmeier Science Sharon Goldwasser Language Arts Nic Costa
Team C Math Meagan Willard 7th Grade Social Studies Melissa Sundquist Science Tina Murray Language Arts Joe Isaac
Team D Math Julie Gremel 7th & 8th Grade Social Studies Katie Vera Science Matt Ricciardelli Language Arts Abby Jackson
Team E Math Josh Little 8th Grade Social Studies Kevin Jordan Science Denise Edwards Langauge Arts Angela Bustamante
Specialists PE Sal Rodriguez, Jocelyn Hunter Choir Aubry Wilkes STEM/ELP Anna Costa Band Anka Mischel Art Sabrina Wilson Resource Deana Irvin, Desiree Vines, Seana Collier Student Achievement Teacher Stacey Couzens Advanced Math Eileen Short Behavior Specialist & ELL Sheri Aken Inclusion Micah Smith, Tory Stout Technology Coordinator Dave Jones Psychologist Celina LaForge Student Services Coordinator Jennifer Wright Speech Kelly McCormick
Welcome, New Staff Members! Support Staff Meg Hannigan - Special Needs Paraprofessional Rudy Lacroix – Campus Monitor Mike Moffett – Special Needs Paraprofessional Kayla Wactor – Special Needs Paraprofessional Cynthia Winston – Special Needs Paraprofessional
Certified Staff Seana Collier – Resource Teacher Rose Santos – 6th Grade Language Arts/Social Studies Tory Stout – Inclusion Specialist
Desert Sky Middle School Open House
Desert Sky invites you to attend Open House on Thursday, August 2nd from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. This year, parents and families are welcome to head straight to the classrooms for an informal meeting with your child’s teachers and see the classrooms where your child is learning everyday. At 6:15pm we will make an announcement inviting you to our MPR where we will hold an open forum where parent representatives will be elected to serve on Desert Sky’s Site Council. Nominations will be taken on the floor and those parents in attendance will have the opportunity to vote for parent representation on the Site Council. We look forward to seeing you at Open House!
PICTURE DAY
Picture day will take place on Friday, August 3rd. Please watch for more information that will be sent home with students.
2018-2019 Sports
-1st Quarter - 2nd Quarter
Flag Football (7th & 8th grade - 6th grade try-out) Boys’ Basketball (7th & 8th grade - 6th grade try-out)
Girls’ Volleyball (7th & 8th grade only) Girls’ Soccer (7th & 8th grade - 6th grade try-out)
Cheerleading (7th & 8th grade - 6th grade try-out) Golf (6th, 7th and 8th grade)
Cross Country (6th, 7th, & 8th grade)
-3rd Quarter - 4th Quarter
Girls’ Basketball (7th & 8th grade - 6th grade try-out) Boys’ Baseball (7th & 8th grade - 6th grade try-out)
Boys’ Soccer (7th & 8th grade - 6th grade try-out) Girls’ Softball (7th & 8th grade - 6th grade try-out)
Wrestling (6th, 7th & 8th grade) Track & Field (6th, 7th & 8th grade)
Boys’ Volleyball (6th, 7th & 8th grade)
The Vail School District requires all students in grades 6-12 who participate in school athletic programs, to present evidence of having a yearly sports physical. Desert Sky Middle School supplies the exam form that your child’s doctor will need at the time of the physical. Forms are available in our front office or online at dsms.vail.k12.az.us.
Please feel free to contact me, or visit our website at dsms.vail.k12.az.us, under Activities, for more information. I look forward to another great year of Desert Sky Athletics and to working with you and your child to make athletics a positive experience for everyone involved.
Sincerely,
Sal Rodriguez, Athletic Director [email protected]
Reminder of Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy At Desert Sky
CELL PHONES & OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES – INTENTIONAL USE Students who intentionally use their cell phone on the Desert Sky campus between normal school hours (including PRIDE and remediation) will be disciplined according to the following guidelines: 1st offense – 1 day of in-school suspension; parent must pick up the student’s phone from the front office. 2nd offense – 1 day of out of school suspension; phones is kept by administration and returned to the student at the end of the semester. Further transgressions of intentional cell phone misuse will continue to result in progressive consequences.
Regular Attendance is Important Regular attendance contributes to success in school. At Desert Sky Middle School, attendance is one of our highest priorities.
A close correlation between attendance and academic achievement has always existed. Likewise, success in the job market is also dependent upon establishing good attendance patterns and work habits.
Here are just a few of the important reminders about school attendance:
When a sickness or other obligations make an absence necessary, we request that parents call the Desert Sky Attendance Office at 879-2702 by 8:00 a.m. the morning of the absence.
Please work to schedule vacations and appointments outside of the regular school day. If an absence is planned, please make arrangements with the student’s teachers for make-up work.
School administrators may deem absences for family vacations as excused as long as the absences are arranged at least 48 hours in advance and are limited to no more than five days per semester.
Unexcused absences may be deemed as truant. Truancy is a violation of state and local attendance laws and is considered a serious offense.
Regular school attendance promotes learning and achievement; therefore, students who have nine or more days of excused or unexcused absences in a semester will be required to complete 12 hours of remediation.
Parents’ strong commitment to see that their children attend school daily and arrive on time is critical.
PARKING LOT REMINDER
Please help us keep our students safe by following the directions of our parking lot monitors. When entering the parking lot, please proceed to the front of the school to drop off your student, pulling as far up to the front of the line as possible. By doing this, it helps keep traffic flowing smoothly and quickly moves the line along. Please avoid pulling into a parking spot to drop off your student. This creates a hazard for the student as they try and cross in front of oncoming traffic. Also, please avoid dropping your child off behind the school.
We appreciate your help in keeping our students safe and maintaining a smooth drop off/pick up zone.
Celebrations!
Birthdays and other celebrations are special times, however big balloon bouquets and candy bouquets can be quite distracting in class. If you choose to deliver these items to your child during the school day, please know that we will require that the items be left in the front office until the end of the school day. If their friends choose to surprise your child, we will ask that they leave the items in their advisory class until the end of the day. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
With middle school, students are granted some new freedoms. With new freedoms, come new responsibilities. Some children need to take medication during school and those children, unlike elementary school, can carry some of these medications with them on campus. The responsibility then comes from having the proper paperwork filled out and turned into the health office. This includes all prescription and OTC (Tylenol, Advil, Midol, etc.) medication. This is a district policy to protect not only your child, but also other children on campus. If you need a form sent home, please call the Desert Sky Health Office at 879-2710 and one can be sent home with your student. Please call with any questions.
Extracurricular activities are an important component of all Vail schools. Students benefit in many ways. Students who play on an athletic team, participate in after school tutoring or join a club become better connected to their school and usually do better academically.
Much of the funding for these extracurricular or after school activities comes from tax credit money. As per Arizona Law, only activities that involve a fee are eligible to use tax credit funds. As such, we are asking that you please pay a fee of $1.00 for your child’s participation in after school activities.
While this basic $1.00 fee is required for participation in all after school activities, some of the more expensive activities (i.e., athletic and music activities) may charge an additional fee.
Thank you for supporting our schools as we work to provide extracurricular opportunities for your children. Again, we must charge a fee for activities in order for those activities to be eligible to use tax credit money.
Welcome From Your Friendly DSMS Volunteer Coordinator
Hello Desert Sky families!
My name is Denise Wactor and I am the Volunteer Coordinator here at Desert Sky. I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about our volunteer program and myself.
My husband and I have lived in the Rita Ranch area for 18+ years and I can remember researching the Vail School District as we prepared to move. My 3 children (now all adults) have been thru Vail Schools, and we feel so blessed!
I began as a monitor here at Desert Sky, and loved working in that capacity for 8 years! I have had the pleasure to see many students come thru Desert Sky, and return here as adults! Building relationships with our students here has always been the part of my job that I have enjoyed the most!
We have an outstanding tradition of Volunteerism here at DSMS and it is exciting to have the opportunity to help others discover the joy of volunteering. The Vail School District Motto is, “Where Education is a Community Effort” and we could not fulfill the motto without the help of volunteers like YOU!
There are countless opportunities to volunteer whether it be in the classroom, at book fairs, health screenings, school pictures, dances, winter wonderland, angel tree, providing food for the teachers during conferences / and holiday celebrations! If you are willing...we need YOU!!!! We need YOUR talents, compassion, time and energy! YOU are a valued piece of your student’s educational success!!!!
For the volunteer application go to: https://www.applitrack.com/vail/onlineapp/ Individuals will receive an Affidavit via email from the District Office, and will be instructed to sign electronically.
Parents or Legal Guardians do not require fingerprints. All other community members or family members will need to submit fingerprints.
Volunteers must update information each year.
Please feel free to call, email or stop by and see me! It would be my privilege to meet you and tell you more about becoming a volunteer!
Thank You!
Denise Wactor Volunteer Coordinator Desert Sky Middle School 879-2711 [email protected]
The Book Report
AUGUST 2018
Ready? Set. Go! Have you ever seen so many Math Books in one place at one time? Wow! Textbook Check Out Information
Students have all been books issued to the student are the If you have any questions, please issued textbooks. ones that must be returned in May. do not hesitate to contact me at Students, please DO NOT 879-2708, or email me at These textbooks are to be used at WRITE in these textbooks, except [email protected]. home until the end of the to put your name inside the 2018-2019 school year at which front cover. It is a good idea to Second sets of textbooks may time students will be asked to cover your textbooks, but return all of their books to the please do not use the newer be available for students who library. Each student is responsible style book cover that is need them for a second completely adhesive. This type for the proper care of all books household. Call Miss Jo at issued to them. of cover is damaging to the It is a good idea book. 879-2708 as soon as possible to for parents to You are encouraged to look request one. make a note of over these books within the the book next two weeks. If you notice number (four to any damage that has not been six digits to the noted, please notify me in the I’ll look forward to meeting you at right of the library at 879-2708. I do not want Open House, August 2nd at 6:00 barcode). The Desert Sky barcode students held financially pm. is usually found on the back cover responsible for damage that they or spine of the book. The same did not commit.
Contact Miss Jo during school hours at 879-2708 or by email, [email protected]
The revised school meal handbook can be viewed on the school district website at www.vailschooldistrict.org under the School Meal Program tab or visit your child’s school website. School lunch information may also be included in the student/family handbook.
Students in grades PreK-8 cannot be refused a school meal. If a student in grades PreK-8 has reached a negative student meal account balance equivalent to three charged meals, they will then receive an alternate healthy meal. An alternate healthy meal will contain a sandwich, a piece of fruit, a vegetable, and milk. The alternate healthy meal will be charged to the student’s meal account which will increase the negative balance.
High school students will not be permitted to charge a meal if the student meal account has a negative balance. A high school student will only receive a meal if their student meal account has a positive balance, or if they pay with cash.
Your family may qualify for free or reduced cost school meals. You can complete an application online at www.mymealtime.com; or pick up an application in person at the school or District’s Food Service. Families are responsible for student meal account charges made before the free or reduced price meal application is approved – the approval is not retroactive. Please remember that a new free or reduced school meal application must to be completed every school year.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the District’s Food Service Office at (520) 879-3913 or (520) 879-2015 or email [email protected].
Thank you, Vail Schools Food Service
Vail School District No. 20 Approved 12/12/17
PK-8 STUDENT CALENDAR 2018-2019
July August September October S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 1 2 3 4 5 6
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 B Y C C 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28 29 30 31 Y 30
November December January February S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 4 5 1 2
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Y C C 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Y VPD 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 T 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 Y 30 31
March April May June S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 1
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 T/E 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
31 30
B/E = Beginning/End of school Y = Inservice for Teachers - 1/2 day for Students C = Parent/Teacher Conferences (1/2 day for Students) VPD = Vail Pride Day T = Teacher Grading Day (1/2 day for Students) = Holidays/Vacations (No School for Students)
SCHOOL ZONES AND CROSSWALKS! DO YOU KNOW THE LAWS?!
Child!safety!is!of!the!utmost!importance!to!us.!! School!zone!violaWons!are!increasing!as!the!school!year!progresses!and!drivers!are! becoming!more!impaWent!with!the!school!zone!restricWons.!!These!violaWons!are!pu_ng! our!children!and!crossing!guards!at!risk.! Always!make!safety!your!first!concern!when!driving!through!a!school!zone.!!! ! We!would!like!to!review!the!laws!pertaining!to!school!crosswalks!and!clear!up!some!misconcepWons!about!the! laws.! Let’s!start!with!the!laws!that!are!confusing!and!of!greatest!concern.! !! 1.###NO!PASSING!
Stop#Line#
Extra#points# !! *!A!school!zone!is!denoted!by!a!portable!sign!indicaWng,!“NO!PASSING,!15!MPH,!FINES!DOUBLED,!SCHOOL!IN! SESSION”.!!When!these!signs!are!not!in!place,!the!crosswalk!will!be!treated!as!a!standard!crosswalk.!! !! *!There!is!a!solid!white!line!(STOP!LINE)!printed!on!the!roadway!before!the!crosswalk.!!This!is!where!you! should!be!stopping!when!persons!are!in!the!crosswalk.!!!Vehicles!should!not!roll!forward!while!persons!are!in! the!crosswalk.!!! !! *!Vehicles!can!proceed!parallel!to!the!crosswalk!while!persons!are!in!the!crosswalk!but!may!never!turn! through!the!crosswalk.!