AUGUST 17, 2018
IN THIS EDITION Your Emails = Public Record Who Loves DVUSD? Meet our 7 New Principals Out & About with Dr. Finch Peanuts in the Classroom!
We are #Extraordinary The Deer Valley students, teachers, and staff have truly lived up to the District motto of Extraordinary! Visit www.dvusd.org/extraordinary to view the 2017-2018 Extraordinary Achievements. We have packed this 9-Page publication with hundreds of local, state, and national honors celebrating academic, fine arts, and athletic achievements, honors for extraordinary teaching, and recognitions for community involvement. You will read about our 11 students who scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT, 30 students with perfect AzMERIT scores, 15 Nationally Board Certified Teachers, 7 state sports champions, 14 A+ Schools of Excellence, 16 A-rated Schools, 24 academic state champions… and much more! We are simply #Extraordinary! DEER VALLEY VOICE - AUGUST 17, 2018
How do we find out about all of this #Extraordinary stuff? All year, we collect good news, awards, honors, grants, and recognitions from DVUSD Staff. Just go to the Quick Find on the Portal homepage or click this link: Submit Good News. Make sure your deserving students and colleagues aren’t left out of the next #Extraordinary publication!
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CALENDAR CORNER
Your Emails are a Public Record
Any person may request to view or receive copies of the District’s public records. Public record means any recorded information that is made, maintained, or kept by, or is in the possession of the District. Records include things like minutes of Governing Board meetings, financial records, and emails sent and received through the District’s email server. When a community member makes a public records request for emails, IS&T retrieves them from the District server. The communications staff reviews and redacts any personal, confidential, and/or student-protected information prior to releasing them to the public.
Our core values are the foundation of our district, essential to our success. Today, we highlight the Core Value of Respect and Esperanza Band, Orchestra, and Music Teacher Chris Bucher who was nominated for a DV Star for showing Respect:
Christopher Bucher has been incredibly welcoming and helpful, assisting me with any questions I have as a new teacher. He has walked me through technology, given me a tour of the school, answered all my questions, and so much more. He has gone above and beyond to help me feel comfortable in my first year of teaching!
Nominate District employees for a DV Star when you see them demonstrating one or more of our Core Values: Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Student-Driven, and Excellence. Visit this page on the Portal located on our Portal Home Page Under QuickFind to give a DV Star! DEER VALLEY VOICE - AUGUST 17, 2018
Aug 24 – Early Dismissal for Staff Development Aug 28 – Regular Governing Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m. Governing Board Room. Within 24 hours of a meeting Click here to view Agenda Sept 3 – Labor Day – Schools and District Offices closed Sept 10 – Fall Break Day – Schools and District Offices closed
Classified staff: How do you know if a non-school day is a work day, unpaid day, or a paid holiday? Check the 2018-2019 Work Day Calendar linked in the Portal homepage or visit Departments >> Payroll/Benefits >> Work and Pay Calendars. There, you will find calendars plus the DVUSD Classified Work Day Clarification page. You can also find this info on page 7 in this Deer Valley Voice and by clicking this link for the DVUSD Classified Work Day Clarification.
CONGRATS TO MAY-JULY DV STARS REGIONAL WINNERS:
Tracey Heath, Counselor, West Wing/Stetson Hills, Sandra Day O’Connor Region; Michele Nichols, Register, Mountain Ridge HS, Mountain Ridge Region; Brett White, Craft Maintenance, Facilities, District Office Region; Roxanne Thompson, Teacher, Highland Lakes, Deer Valley Region; Selena Mattern, Teacher, Boulder Creek HS, Boulder Creek Region; Sierra Corbett, Teacher, Paseo Hills, Barry Goldwater Region 2
NEW FOR THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022!
Grading and Reporting Committee Update and Invitation Last spring semester, the Grading and Reporting Committee embarked on a journey to develop more standardization with grading practices among DVUSD teachers and to ensure that grades are authentic representations of the knowledge and skills students have acquired. The work will continue this year with a focus on addressing some key elements of grading, such as grading scales, homework, late work, extra credit, re-assessment, and behavior grades. The team will also work on creating a grading guidebook for DVUSD teachers. Since procedures may need to be differentiated for elementary and secondary levels, there is a PreK-6 team and a 7-12 team addressing grading components from their perspectives. If you would like to be a part of this process and have a say in determining the grading policies that every teacher will soon be required to follow, there is still an opportunity to get involved! Email Paul Strauss, one of our teacher representatives on the Leadership Committee that is overseeing this process, if you are interested in joining one of the Grading & Reporting Grade Band Groups or if you have questions. Meeting dates are: Wednesday, September 5 at 4:00-7:00pm @ BGHS Wednesday, October 17 at 4:00-7:00pm @District Office Governing Board Rooms Wednesday, November 7 at 4:00-7:00pm @District Office Governing Board Rooms Wednesday, December 5 at 4:00-7:00pm @District Office Governing Board Rooms Wednesday, March 6 at 4:00-7:00pm @District Office Governing Board Rooms Wednesday, May 1 at 4:00-6:00pm @District Office - Governing Board Rooms
STAFF PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES The DVUSD Governing Board recognizes the rights of its employees, as citizens, to engage in political activity. However, school time or resources may not be used for political purposes. You can read more about this in Board Policy GBI and by clicking here to view the AMG located on the Portal. DEER VALLEY VOICE - AUGUST 17, 2018
Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, all students will be required to take at least four courses during both semesters of their senior year. The courses can be taken on a DVUSD campus, with Deer Valley Online Learning, with other DVUSD flex learning options, or at a WestMEC program facility. This updated policy represents the district's commitment to prepare students for college and career and to provide a more comprehensive educational experience during our students' senior year. For more Information, go to: https://url.dvusd.org/f6315df7.
WHY DO I LOVE DVUSD? “The collaboration between teachers and schools is amazing! Such a professional learning community!”
Debbie Moore, MRHS TOA Tell us why you love DVUSD at the I Love DVUSD link and receive a lanyard and pin through District mail.
Deer Valley Voice is an eNewsletter designed for DVUSD staff, published every other week on pay days. To make comments, email monica.allread@dvusd.org. Thanks for reading the Deer Valley Voice!
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DR. FINCH – VISITS SCHOOLS…
Follow Dr. Finch on Twitter @DrFinchDVUSD. Follow the District @DVUSD
... BOARD MEETINGS… EVENTS… ETC. Maricopa Co. Supervisor Bill Gates (A DVHS Graduate!) presents a $288,421 check!
DEER VALLEY VOICE - AUGUST 17, 2018
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DVUSD Welcomes Seven NEW Principals for the 2018-2019 School Year! Las Brisas Elementary School welcomes their new principal, Mrs. Mara Kurasch. She has been in Education for 18 years now and has been a part of DVUSD since 2003. She looks forward to getting to know her students, families, staff, and community to build relationships and work together as a team. Read more about Mrs. Mara Kurasch
Mrs. Amy Hardy has been named the new principal of Legend Springs Elementary School. This year, she is entering her twelfth year in Education, including three years as an Assistant Principal. Mrs. Hardy is excited to build relationships with the students, staff, and community and promote a higher standard of teaching and learning for the staff and students at Legend Springs. Read more about Mrs. Amy Hardy The new principal at New River Elementary School is Ms. Courtney Fredlund. She started her career in the Deer Valley District, which is where she went to school, volunteered, interned, and became a classroom teacher. She returns to DVUSD after teaching and working as an Assistant Principal in the Kyrene District. Making the best of each day and keeping children at the heart of every decision are key for her as a Principal. Read more about Ms. Courtney Fredlund Mrs. Jamie Hood has been named the new principal of Paseo Hills School. She served as an Assistant Principal in Ohio for three years and as an Assistant Principal at Paseo Hills School for the past three years. Her goals include continuing to build long-lasting relationships with her staff, students, families and community. Read more about Mrs. Jamie Hood Sierra Verde School is happy to introduce their new principal Mr. Tony Galietti. He has worked in Fountain Hills, as well as in the United Arab Emirates as an academic Vice Principal at a public high school in Abu Dhabi. Mr. Galietti sees his goals as principal this year as that of the “lead learner� as he builds on the tradition of excellence. Read more about Mr. Tony Galietti The new principal of Sonoran Foothills School is Mr. Dennis Chartier. Mr. Chartier is entering his 37th year in education, including eight years as a Physical Education/Health Education Instructor in Wisconsin. Mr. Chartier also served as a Superintendent in Michigan for 14 years and as Physical Education Instructor for the past seven years at Norterra Canyon in DVUSD. He is eager to learn and build positive relationships with staff, students, parents and community members. Read more about Mr. Dennis Chartier New Sunset Ridge School Principal Mrs. Cassie Hauck is thrilled to return to the Deer Valley family. During her 18 years in education, she spent 11 years teaching in DVUSD. She has also served as an Instructional Coach to support instruction and continuous improvement efforts in Deer Valley. In 2015, Mrs. Hauck received an Assistant Principal position in a neighboring district where she spent three years in this role. Mrs. Hauck is looking forward to serving the Sunset Ridge school community. Read more about Mrs. Cassie Hauck DEER VALLEY VOICE - AUGUST 17, 2018
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FROM THE MAIL BAG…
After Dr. Finch sent out his Welcome Back email, we received back a very enthusiastic email from a DVUSD staff member. We are sharing part of her letter below with her permission! Thank you for sending out this (Welcome Back) letter... I am so looking forward to next Tuesday, August 7th, standing on my corner at Arrowhead and Rose Garden, doing my Crossing Guard Duty… I am also looking forward to working in the cafeteria… We had a staff meeting this morning with our new Principal Tony Galietti and myself as well every teacher and other staff members present, were so impressed with him and his core values for Sierre Verde… A GREAT choice was made in hiring him. In between my Crossing Guard Duty, I will be volunteering for all the second grade teachers … I am so blessed to be a part of Sierre Verde and I am looking forward to another great year, especially with doing Crossing Guard. I never thought I would like it, but I LOVE it and I am thankful for Paula Tenuis for asking me if I wanted to be a Crossing Guard last year. Thank you… Dr. Finch again for letting me be an employee with Sierre Verde........GO VIPERS!!!!! Judy Legg, Crossing Guard, Cafeteria Helper, and Volunteer
Peanuts in the Classroom!
Follow DVUSD on Facebook & Twitter for a daily pick-me-up!
@dvusd DEER VALLEY VOICE - AUGUST 17, 2018
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DEER VALLEY VOICE - AUGUST 17, 2018
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