This week we celebrated our Excellence Winners at the Governing Board meeting. Coach Rohde, Ms. Jen and Valerie Handly (PTO co-president) were honored for their dedication and service to our students and community. Their calm commitment in a sometimes chaotic school year is so very appreciated. They are just three of the reasons Desert Willow is such an amazing place to be!
~Staci Wiese, Principal
Honor Society In Action
Although our Honor Society isn't meeting in person on campus, they still manage to log in lots of volunteer hours. Above are some members volunteering at Better Piggies Rescue, St. Mary's Food Bank and Triple R Horse Rescue. Way to go Roadrunners!
Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Lottery Paperwork
Spanish Immersion paperwork is due back to us on February 25. All lottery participants will be notified via email of their status, whether in the class or on the waitlist, by March 2nd.
Parents of students in our preschool or who have an older child in Spanish Immersion, you must still fill out the SI paperwork to confirm your interest. Please stop by the front office and pick it up any school day. Paperwork must be returned by February 25 in order to reserve your SI spot.
Kindergarten Registration 2021-22
It's that time again! If you or someone you know has a child who will be 5 before September 1, 2021, they are eligible to register for kindergarten. Packets are available in the front office and may be picked up any school day between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Hurry, spots are filling up fast! Registration packets are due back as soon as possible to hold your spot. Items required for registration include: original birth certificate (we will make a copy), immunization record, parent identification and proof of residence (such as a utility bill).
It's Time to Make Your Tax Credit Donation
Did you know that you can make your tax credit donation online? Arizona's tax law (ARS 43-1089.01) allows families a tax credit of up to $400 and individuals can give up to $200. Contributions made on or before April 15, following the close of the taxable year, may be applied to either the current OR preceding taxable year and is considered to have been made the last day of that taxable year. Here's the link for more information.
6th Grade SI Cooking Video
They're back! Our 6th grade SI chefs are at it again. Enjoy the latest recipe by clicking on the button below.
VISIT THE PTO WEBSITE FOR ALL OF YOUR PTO INFORMATION
Like us on Facebook @DWESPTO
Like us on Instagram @ DWESPTO
KEY DATES
- 2/10/21: Re-stock the Teacher's Lounge
- 2/12 - 3/7/21: Read-A-thon
- 3/2/21: Dr. Seuss Day
RECENT NEWS
PTO Executive Board - The PTO Executive Board is retiring at the end of the school year. We are making room for a new board with fresh ideas and a willingness to make a difference in the 2021/22 school year. Please view the sign up genius here!
Read-A-Thon - Friday, February 12th your student will receive a packet with your student's username and password along with step-by-step instructions on how to get started. In lieu of the Owl Store, there will be great incentives and prizes the students can WIN along the way! 90% of funds raised go directly to DWES!!!
Dr. Seuss Day - Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday on March 2nd and dress up like your favorite character!
Help us Stock the Teacher's Lounge - Here are some of the wonderful comments we've received from teachers and staff and also a new Sign-Up Genius.
- What a delightful surprise! Thank you!!
- Muchas gracias por tan lindo detalle!
- Thank you so much for taking such good care of us!!
- Thank you! The snacks are very thoughtful and sweet surprise.
- You are all much appreciated!!! Thank you so much! :) And yes, it helps us feel loved! :)
- Thank you so very much!
- Thank you so much! That is greatly appreciated!
Purchase Your Yearbook Today! Order Deadline 4/2/21. Go to Ybpay.lifetouch.com and use Yearbook ID Code: 13226521
Yearbook - If you have great pictures of your student you'd like to share, please send them to dwesyearbook2@gmail.com or tialucchesi@gmail.com.
Teacher's Lounge - PTO is continuing to stock the teacher's lounge with tasty treats and energizing snacks every week! We will send out another Sign Up Genius soon! Thank you in advance for your support
QUICK LINKS
See all fundraising opportunities
FUNDRAISING
Shop for everyday supplies while helping earn money for DWES! Here's how.....
Fry's Community Rewards Program- If you shop at Fry's Food Grocery Store, please link up your Fry's V.I.P. card to Desert Willow or enter organization number WM786. Fry's Community Rewards Program will automatically donate to DWES on your behalf from your purchases! Here is a link to Fry's Community Rewards Program to link your card.
Amazon Smile - is a simple and automatic way for you to support DWES every time you shop at amazon.com, at no cost to you with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to DWES. Select Desert Willow PTO as the charitable organization and every eligible purchase you make on Amazon Smile will result in a donation to our school Here is a link to shop!
Tuft & Needle - Need a new mattress? Buy one the easy way - online and with FREE shipping! Tuft & Needle has partnered with our school and will donate 25% back to DWES on every purchase. You can order through Tuft & Needle Gives Back or on the Tuft & Needle website and enter Desert Willow Elementary School, it's as easy as that!
Click here to see ALL of the unique and easy ways you can immediately help raise funds for DWES while you shop!
PTO PROUD SPONSORS
M2 Enterprise is a home remodel construction company specializing in bathroom remodels, custom showers, kitchen remodels, flooring, mudrooms, and more. Owned and operated by Mark DiGianfilippo, M2 Enterprise serves Cave Creek, North Scottsdale, North Phoenix, and Paradise Valley. M2 is licensed, bonded, and insured and offers free consultations. ROC #311513 #312046. www.m2az.com 480-256-8165 Follow us on Instagram at @m2enterpiseaz
Thank you to the Guseman Family: Thad, Lauren, Henry and Leo!
Complete Eye Care - Comprehensive eye exams and high quality vision care for the whole family. 33717 N Scottsdale Rd, #110, Scottsdale, AZ 85266. 480-488-7007. www.completeeyecareaz.com.
Young athletes' bodies are works in progress. Their care requires a different approach. Phoenix Children's Sports Medicine has nationally recognized sports medicine physicians and physical therapists who collaborate with athletic trainers, coaches, and families to offer a full range of care that gets young athletes back to the sports they love, all while lowering the risk of re-injury.
Center for Pediatric Orthopedics and Sports Medicine - Phoenix Children's Hospital
p(602) 933-3033/f (602) 933-4311 www.phoenixchildrens.org
IN PROGRESS
Ricky Roadrunner Resale Shop - If you have children moving on to middle school or have outgrown their spirit wear items, we are collecting DWES Spirit Wear that have been gently used in the front office.
- Co-Presidents: Valerie Handley and Lori Mathesius - dwespresident@gmail.com
- Vice-President: Sandy Lacy - dwesvp@gmail.com
- Treasurer: Virginia Sierra - dwestreasurer@gmail.com
- Secretary: Melissa Adelson - dwessecretary@gmail.com
- PTO Website: http://desertwillowpto.org/
- 2/15/21: President's Day - No School
- 2/16/21: Professional Development - No School for Students
- 2/25/21: SI kindergarten lottery paperwork due!
- 3/12/21: 3rd Quarter Ends
- 3/18 & 3/19/21: Early Release at 11:50 a.m. for Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 3/22 - 3/26/21: Spring Break - No School
- 4/2/21: Spring Recess - No School
- 4/7/21: Early Release @ 11:50 a.m.
- 4/28/21: Early Release @ 11:50 a.m.
- 5/20/21: Early Release @ 11:50 a.m. - Last Day of School!
Roadrunners are Respectful, Responsible, & Kind
This month, our school wide theme is empathy. We’ll be reminding students to have empathy, identify their own and others’ feelings, notice and respect the same and different feelings, and show compassion. When students can identify, understand, and respond in a caring way to how someone else is feeling, it helps create a positive and accepting school climate.
You can extend this idea at home by talking about your own feelings and modeling empathy for others.
Credits:
Created with an image by JillWellington - "valentine's day valentine cookies"