DVUSD

DVUSD Board Approves Boulder Creek High School Principal

Deer Valley USD Governing Board approved the recommendation of Lauren Sheahan as the new principal of Boulder Creek High School at the February 12 th Board meeting. Sheahan will officially assume the post July 1, 2008.

Sheahan has 18 years of education experience in Arizona , Texas and Colorado . Currently, she is serving as Assistant Principal for Student Services, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment at Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix . Prior to her relocation to Arizona , Sheahan held assistant principal positions within Lewisville and Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School Districts in Texas . Her experience also includes eight years of classroom experience as a middle and high school foreign language teacher in Denver , Colorado .

A graduate of University of Phoenix , Ms. Sheahan earned a Master of Arts in Education – Administration and Supervision in 1997. She received a Bachelor of Arts in French with minors in Spanish and Dance from Colorado State University in 1997. In addition, Ms. Sheahan holds an Arizona Principal Certification and a Texas Mid-Management Certification.

Dr. Virginia McElyea Receives YWCA of Maricopa County Tribute to Women Award

Dr. Virginia McElyea , Deer Valley Unified Superintendent , was honored by the Y WCA of Maricopa County during its 15 th A nnual Tribute to Women of Achievement award ceremonies at the Arizona Biltmore on February 21, 2008 . As a member of the Honoree Class of 2008, she received the Education Leader Award.

As the first woman to serve as Superintendent in the seventy-three year history of the Deer Valley USD, Dr. McElyea was recognized as a 2008 Tribute honoree for her dedication as an educator in contributing to the development of multicultural relationships within and across the communities served by the Deer Valley Unified School District. She has set the stage to ensure that racism will cease to effect student achievement and educational success, and will no longer impact students at academic, interpersonal, and institution levels.

The YWCA of Maricopa County Tribute to Women Awards celebrates the accomplishments of ten distinguished women who have made significant contributions to their professions, communities, educational institutions or organizations, and whose accomplishments reflect the mission of the YWCA: to eliminate racism and to empower women.

Anthem School

Let's Play Ball!

The Baseball and Softball seasons have started. Congratulations to those making the Anthem teams! Those team members are:

All games start at 4:15 p.m. Regular season games are free admission and tournament games require a $3 admission for adults, DVUSD employees and students are free. This applies for all sports.

All Invited to Third Quarter Awards Assembly

The Third Quarter Awards Assembly honoring those students making Honor Roll and Principal's list will be held on March 26th. Sixth through eighth grade will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. and third through fifth will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Come join us while we honor these students.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent teacher conferences will be held the week of March 24 th , with March 27 th and 28 th being early release days. Watch for information to come home from your teacher for sign-up times and days.

Login to View Your Grades

Grades can be viewed at http://ps.dvusd.org/public If you have difficulty logging in please stop by the front office for assistance.

All State Band Members Chosen

The following students were selected for All State Band:

• 8th Grade All State
  • Randy Thomas
  • Emily Hoover
• Sarah Wong
  • 7th Grade All State
  • Buddy Martin
• 6th Grade All State
  • D.J. Suto

Congratulations to all of you!

Spring Book Fair

The annual Spring Book Fair will be held from March 24 th -28 th . Family night will be held on the 27 th . Come support your Media Center and buy some great books for you and your family!

Be Smart – Shop for SMART Boards!

SMART Boards are one of the most needed items in classrooms today—help get this valuable tool into your favorite school by shopping Outlets at Anthem---it's easy!

Starting March 1 every dollar spent at Outlets at Anthem will translate into points for the DVUSD school of your choice. After shopping, simply bring your receipts to Customer Service, located in the Food Court , and indicate which school you would like to benefit.

Schools that have accumulated the most points will receive SMART Boards! SMART Boards are an expensive addition to classrooms and shopping at Outlets at Anthem will help Deer Valley Schools gain access to these valuable learning tools.

Visit www.outletsanthem.com for the most updated point tallies, full program details and rules and regulations. Visit Outlets at Anthem and Opt-In today!

Big Blue Box Raises Funds for DVUSD Schools

We are trying to raise $1000 per school and we have found a simple way to do it. Nothing to sell, nothing to deliver, no money for you to collect. It does require a donation - but not the kind you might be thinking of. We need clothes!

DVUSD is participating in a partnership with the Swift Charities Clothing Collection Drive. On our campuses are the big blue boxes where we are gathering donations of clothing and other small household items. For every pound of clothing we collect, we earn a donation. Our goal is $1000 per school, which we can raise quickly with everyone's support. Swift Charities also donates funds to other children's charities such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and Banner Children's Hospital. Your donation helps our students and the children who benefit from these other charities. It is a win-win situation.

Please clean out your closet today and ask your friends and neighbors to do the same thing. Donate to a big blue box - it's the easiest fundraiser you will ever do. Donation receipts may be picked up in the office or are available online at http://www.swiftkids.org/donor_receipt.php

Deer Valley Announces 2008 Superintendent's Awards of Excellence

Deer Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Virginia McElyea has announced this year's Schools of Excellence, Programs of Excellence and Red Carpet Service awards.  The Superintendent, Governing Board and District Administrators will present awards this Spring at special community and all-school assemblies. We'd like to congratulate Lorie Whittemore of Anthem School , the coordinator of the Academic Outreach Program. Thanks for all your hard work Lorie!

Anthem's Got Talent!

ATTENTION ALL ANTHEM STUDENTS: get your tap shoes, guitars, batons and vocal chords ready for the annual PTSA Anthem Idol talent show! This much-awaited event will be held at Boulder Creek High School performing arts center Saturday, April 12 th , so mark your calendars! Auditions will be held Wednesday March 26 from 3:30-5:00 pm in the Anthem School music room. You must pick up your application form in the office and return it Friday, March 14. All participants will receive an Anthem Idol t-shirt. There is no entrance fee. Tickets to the show will be $2 each. All talent acts must be family appropriate and no longer than three minutes in length. It's going to be a must see evening of dazzling Anthem student stars, so don't miss out!

Boulder Creek

SAT Practice Exam at BCHS

Boulder Creek DECA has once again partnered with the Princeton Review to provide an examination for the SAT. The practice exam will be on Saturday, April 5 th . Registration for the practice examination costs $20 and includes a follow-up score report session on the Tuesday evening following the examination. Examination and follow-up session will be held at Boulder Creek High School . For more information, and to register, go to the counseling office at BCHS, visit the Spot (Boulder Creek's school store,) or contact Boulder Creek's DECA advisor, Michelle Coots at 623-445-8722.

Vote 18 at Boulder Creek

Boulder Creek Government classes will be examining the impact and importance of voting by participating in Vote 18. Vote 18 is a national organization that educates students on the impact that increased voter participation can have on society. Students learn how increased voter turnout can impact a society by participating in voter simulation.

The Vote 18 organization is rolling out this program to Arizona and is starting with American Government classes at Boulder Creek. A representative from the Arizona Department of Education, Representative Doug Clark, and the national coordinator for Vote 18 were in attendance on Friday, February 29 th when the exciting program took place.

“It's a non-partisan attempt to get the young people of today involved in the democratic process,” explained Representative Doug Clark, He continued, “It's been incredible. I encounter people all the time who don't recognize that they have the power to make a change. It's wonderful to see students who stand up and say, ‘I want my voice heard!”

State DECA Competition

On March 3rd through 6th, thirty students from Boulder Creek High School were in Tucson competing at Arizona DECA's Career Development Conference. For their competition, each student completed a comprehensive written test and presented responses to situations that would be encountered within their specialized occupational area. Through participation in the competition, students demonstrate skills that will enable them to advance in marketing, management, and entrepreneurship careers. Students who place in the top four at state competition will advance to compete at DECA's International Career Development Conference in Atlanta , Georgia this April. For more information about DECA and the competitive events, visit www.deca.org/celisting.html or contact Boulder Creek's DECA advisor, Michelle Coots at 623-445-8722.

Community of Caring 5KM Fun Run/Walk: 3/29

Four Peaks Racing and Boulder Creek Community Leadership Council (BCCLC) are very pleased to announce their partnership for the Anthem Days Community of Caring 5km Fun Run/Walk. Boulder Creek staff, students and community members are invited to participate in this event to be held Saturday, March 29 beginning at 8:00 am.

There are many sponsorship packages available. By sponsoring this event, you will not only draw visibility to your business, you will also be demonstrating your community support. Donations, all sponsorship money and two dollars of each entry fee will be given directly to the Boulder Creek Community Leadership Council to benefit the regional schools' (Anthem, Boulder Creek, Desert Mountain, Diamond Canyon, Gavilan Peak, New River, Sunset Ridge and Canyon Springs) Character Education Programs. For sponsor information, contact Tricia Graham, tricia.graham@nr.dvusd.org or 623-376-3500.

For race details or (day of the event) volunteer opportunities, contact Karen Black, karen.black@bc.dvusd.org and www.4peaksracing.com.

High School Dance Festival

Select Boulder Creek High School dancers will be attending the High School Dance Festival at South Mountain High School on March 29 th . Students will participate in master classes of varying styles with fellow high school dancers and will attend an afternoon concert performed by their peers.

Guinea Dance and Drumming Lessons

In collaboration with AZ Drum and Dance, Boulder Creek High School Dance hosted guest artists Mabiba Baegne and drummer and drummer to teach two full days of Guinea Dance and Drumming. World-renowned teacher and performer, Mabiba was at Boulder Creek High School on February 13 th and 14 th . Additionally, North Valley Regional Library hosted Mabiba as she taught about how dance and music fit into the African culture.

Canyon Springs

Mark Your Calendars…

March 17 th – 21 st SPRING BREAK

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held March 27 th and 28 th

Annual Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Duncan Evans, winner of the annual Canyon Springs School Spelling Bee. Runner up was Ray Hoffman. Duncan participated in the District-wide Spelling Bee.

Mrs. B's Storytime With a Twist

PTSA and our Canyon Springs Student Council sponsored “Mrs. B.'s Storytime With a Twist” at Canyon Springs on Friday March 22. Students in grades 1-8 were entertained by Mrs. B's storytelling, songs and their teachers' participation!

Read Across America

Canyon Springs has several exciting activities planned to celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday and Right to Read Week beginning Monday March 2 thru Friday March 6 th .

Parents have an opportunity to be a guest reader in their child's classroom sometime that week. Tuesday is Hat Day, (student can bring in $1 and wear a hat to school. All money goes toward books for the library).Wednesday is Book Exchange Day. Students may bring in 1-2 gently read books and exchange for another donated book. On Thursday, the entire school will be reading outside. Our celebration will conclude on Friday with Whoville Hair and Crazy Sock Day.

Birthday Book Club

New members for our February Birthday Book Club are:

• Rachel Becker
• Saul Ramirez
• Sage Erskine
• Max Mcwilliams
• William Yaouldassis
• Austin Starr

These students have donated money to the library in honor of their birthdays. The money goes toward the purchase of a new book for the library. The student gets to be the first one to check out the book and a donation sticker goes inside the book to let everyone know who donated it. In addition, a birthday candle with that student's name goes up on the wall in the library.

CS Band and Chorus

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent the entire state in the all-state honor band:

Rebekah Martin, AJ Goodroad, Jessy Martini, Aubrey Nelson, and Syyed Sweiss

Pom and Cheer

The Canyon Springs Cheerleaders received 3 rd place in their very first cheerleading competition on January 26 th . Way to go Wolves Cheerleaders!

Baseball/Softball

The CS baseball and softball teams began their seasons on Tuesday, February 26 th . Check the Sports Schedules on the Canyon Springs website at http://canyonsprings.dvusd.org/ and come out to support your Wolves!

Gavilan Peak

Spring Break: March 17-21 st

There will be no school the week of March 17 th for a much-needed break from school!

Anthem Days Character Counts 5K Race: 3/29

Join fellow students, teachers, and neighbors as they race through Anthem for the “Community of Caring” race held during Anthem Days. A portion of the entrance fee and corporate sponsors will be donated to the Boulder Creek Community Leadership Council will supports and sponsors the character education program (Character Counts!) at Gavilan Peak and other local schools. Sign up on www.active.com . Race is $20 and starts at the Anthem Community Center .

Field Days

Our annual day of friendly competition and field events for the entire school. Grades 1 st -3 rd Grade will have Field Day on March 27 th , Grades 4 th -6 th on March 28, and Kindergartners on April 2 nd . Junior High students will be on April 11 th .

Parent Teacher Conferences: 3/27 and 3/28

Parents can meet with their student's teachers on Thursday and Friday, March 27 th and 28 th . Students will have early release (12:05pm) each day. Contact your teacher for an appointment.

AIMS Tests : 4/7-4/10

State-wide AIMS testing will take place the week of April 7 th . Students are encouraged to get a good night sleep, have a healthy breakfast, and arrive to school on time.

PTA Elections: 4/17

Elections for PTA board positions (which are held for one year) are scheduled for April 17 th at 9:30am at the picnic tables on campus. If you are interested in one of the positions, contact the Gavilan Peak PTA. Your help is needed to make PTA successful and there is a role for everyone.

7th Grade Parent Night: 4/30

Parents of incoming 7 th graders are invited to come spend an evening and learn about the middle school at Gavilan Peak . Meet teachers, learn about the curriculum and expectations. More information to come.

GPS Wins Fundraising Awards

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation recently awarded Gavilan Peak School with two awards---the Bronze Fundraising Award for raising almost $4,000. The other award is the “Super Sneaker Sellers” award in which Gavilan Peak placed second for all participating school teams. The Gavilan Peak School elementary student council sponsored their annual fundraiser to support Juvenile Diabetes. Teacher sponsor Mrs. Chittick, and the six Gavilan Peak children affected by diabetes, spent one week visiting classrooms. During their short visit, they explained, answered questions, and personally shared their experiences with juvenile diabetes. GPS students responded with caring and generosity. The 7th and 8th grades had a ‘penny war' that netted over $1,300. MidFirst Bank partnered with the school and brought their coin counting van and matched up to $1500. When combined with money from K-6th grades, we were able to contribute $3,720. to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Questions? Email gavilanpeakpta@hotmail.com or www.gavilanpeakpta.org

New River

Important dates to remember:

Community of Caring 5KM Fun Run/Walk: 3/29

Spring Break begins 3/17

Arizona All-State Band

Zack Fallon and Victoria Leventin have been accepted into the Arizona All-State Band, and Katie Becker, Nancy Dominguez, Emiele Eardley, Courtney Kinderman, and Victoria Leventin have been accepted into the All-State Choir. Sixth Grade musicians from across Arizona are nominated for this honor. It takes a high level of musicianship and commitment to be in these ensembles. Those chosen will travel to Highley High School in Gilbert to perform on March 15 th with the All-State Band and March 22 nd for All-State Choir.

Sunset Ridge

Spring Break Camp

Sunset Ridge will host a Spring Break Camp. The camp will run from March 17 through March 22, from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day for $25 per day per student, with 10 percent off second student. The tuition includes an a.m. and p.m. snack, sack lunch is required. Space is limited. Please call Lisa at 623-687-1201 to register.

Relay for Life

Several 8 th and 9 th Grade Sunset Ridge and Boulder Creek High School students are joining teachers Dina Pawling and Colleen Fitzpatrick for Relay for Life, an overnight fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society on Friday, April 11, at Paradise Valley Community College . Students have committed to raising at least $100 each as well as some group fundraising efforts. This is the third year that students have joined Mrs. Pawling for this event.

Author Visits

Sunset Ridge hosted three authors in the first part of March. These authors included Diane deGroat, author and illustrator of more than 120 books ( www.dianedegroat.com ), Barbara Gowan who discussed “Desert Digits: An Arizona Number Book” (www.barbaragowan.com ) and Michael Moorehead, the young author of “The Student from Zombie Island” ( www.fivestarpublications.com/zombie ) All of the events were coordinated by PTA parent Cheryl Rosser. A very big “thank you” to her for all of her hard work!