YOUTH

from The Foothills Focus - Zone 1 - 11.3.2021

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Extraordinary look back at previous years

BY DR. CURTIS FINCH

Superintendent Deer Valley Uni�ied School District

Despite the struggles of COVID-19 this past school year, the Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) had one of its best school years for achievements.

If there was a regional, state or national award given out, DVUSD was probably on the list! If one of the 32,000 DVUSD students, 4,000 staff, or 40 schools were eligible to compete for the award, they had a great chance of bringing home the top honors. Many of the 2020 school year awards can be found at dvusd.org/ extraordinary. DVUSD staff update the long list of awards annually and it is not unusual to have 20 pages of successful students, staff, school and/or district acknowledgements.

For example, this past school year, two DVUSD students won the District One Phoenix City Council Young Man & Woman of the Year. There were multiple honors at the state level with six AIA State Championship and four runner-up athletes and teams, 45 Career and Technical Education (CTE) State Championships, and even a U.S. Presidential Scholar. DVUSD students were offered $73 million in scholarships to further their educational, athletic, extra/co-curricular, or life journey, a direct product of performance on academic national tests and student competitions in such groups as CTE, Educators Rising, Junior Achievement, Future Business Leaders of America, Stock Market Game, Academic Decathlon, DECA Inc., athletics, music and the arts.

DVUSD staff won the Arizona CTE Administrator of the Year and the Arizona CTE New Teacher of the

YOUTH

see FINCH page 29

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BEFORE

It’s time to ‘fall’ for DVUSD kindergarten

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

It’s hard to believe, but kindergarten registration for the 20222023 school year has begun. Luckily for local families, Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) offers a free full-day kindergarten program at all of its K-6 and K-8 schools.

“DVUSD kindergarten classrooms are filled with caring, kind-hearted, and genuine certified teachers,” said Mirage Elementary kindergarten teacher Stephanie Salcido. “Teachers respect every student and provide a safe and caring space, embracing each uniqueness and the strengths that we all have as individuals.”

These teachers are not only nurturing, they are fully certified in early childhood education.

“That includes reading, math, science, social studies and writing for young children. We know teaching is a constant work in progress. Parents can rest assured their kindergartner will receive the rigorous, highest standards of teaching anywhere,” said Lisa Hoelzen, a kindergarten teacher at Copper Creek Elementary.

“At the same time, we mindfully consider the developmental stage of each child. We create learning environments that are exciting, hands-on and engaging.”

In Deer Valley, 92% of K-6 and K-8 schools are rated an A or B by the Arizona Department of Education. Teachers have helped their schools achieve these high ratings by nurturing the whole child.

Parents sending students to kindergarten for the first time often wonder what a day will be like for their little ones. “A full six-and-a-half hour day in the life of a kindergart-

Deer Valley schools, classrooms are packed with technology including iPads for every student, smart-

boards, document cameras, Apple TVs and 3D. (Photo courtesy of DVUSD) see KINDERGARTEN page 29

To enroll scan the QR code

Group Learning • Consistently A-Rated School Competitive Sports Program • Full Inclusion Classrooms Small Class Size • Kindergarten - High School

Knowing and Growing

CORE KNOWLEDGE SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION

HULAFROG’S MOST LOVED CHARTER SCHOOL

“A” RATED BY THE DEPT OF ED 8 YEARS RUNNING

KINDERGARTEN from page 28

ner looks, sounds, and feels exciting, motivating, and engaging,” Hoelzen said.

Salcido added, “A day in kindergarten is filled with love, compassion, empathy, understanding, and curiosity. There is a constant willingness to explore, overcome, and learn about the world around us.”

To support learning, across Deer Valley schools, classrooms are packed with technology, including iPads for every student, smartboards, document cameras, Apple TVs and 3D. Another way the DVUSD kindergarten program is unique is in providing special classes (art, music or PE) every day for kindergarten students at all DVUSD K-6 and K-8 schools to enhance overall learning, growth, creativity, and physical development.

Several studies have shown that classes like art, music, and physical education, increase achievement in literacy and mathematics, including a 2006 Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum study on art education, which showed a link between arts education and improved literacy skills.

Parents can learn about the DVUSD kindergarten program at dvusd.org/ kindergarten. Kindergarten Preview Event Weeks are in November and March. For a complete list of events, visit dvusd.org/kinderevents.

DVUSD offers kindergarten at K-6 and K-8 schools for a full six-and-a-half hour days. (Pho-

to courtesy of DVUSD) FINCH from page 27

Year, the Arizona Music Educators O.M. Hartsell Excellence in Teaching Award, three Arizona’s Family Silver Apple Teacher Awards, and the Changemaker Award from School Connect.

Three of the 40 DVUSD schools became A+ School of Excellence campuses this past year, joining the list of over 50% of DVUSD schools who have previously received the award.

DVUSD became a Solution Tree Model Professional Learning Community District, were awarded continued Project Momentum status from the Governor’s office, received the Hot Shot TAPI Vaccination Award, and made the Forbes list of best businesses to work for in Arizona, for the second year in a row. The finance division received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting and the Association of School Business Officials International Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting.

Where does DVSUD get this success?

A supportive community and a commitment to a data-centered and school/community-designed Strategic Plan. Staff, schools and departments align all of their efforts to that plan, enabling students to reach their full potential in a system designed for excellence and focused on continuous improvement. Education is a journey, not a destination. Awards and recognition along the path are a direct reflection of the work, but the journey is the most important part; the awards are just a bonus.

Dr. Curtis Finch is the superintendent of DVUSD and can be reached at superintendent@dvusd.org