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Calling all DWES families! We understand that this new school year’s supply list isn’t typical compared to previous years.  PTO has worked with your children’s teachers to come up with a “Return to School Wish List”.  This is a list of items needed to help our teachers and children return to school safely and comfortably. We’re all in this together and it will take a great community like ours to ensure the best possible learning and teaching environment for our children and staff members! Any donation is appreciated and items can be dropped off at the front office.   https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/FGK6R5UM0PDL?ref_=wl_share

Welcome to the new 2020-2021 school year! Returning and new DWES parents, please join us for a PTO sponsored Coffee & Kleenex (to laugh and/or cry) at SaddleCreek Coffee Company after dropping your littles off for the first day of in-class learning!  We will be meeting on Sept. 8th from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Let’s all enjoy the first time in awhile you will get to drink coffee while it’s still hot…

PTO is thrilled to announce that we are partnering with DWES family businesses this year!

• Karla and Co.  is our new Spirit Wear partner (  Roadrunner Spirit ) .  Get yourself some fresh merchandise (and don’t forget that certain levels of PTO membership include a $25 gift card).
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Beanz is our new branded mask partner (Peanut Butter and Jelly Beanz) . Masks will be available for purchase through the Membership Drive.  Donate an additional mask to a DWES Staff Member or family in need.

We are thrilled to be supporting the local community and all purchases help the PTO!  A win- win for everyone!

The next school calendar year is fast approaching and it’s going to be a great one! Coming off the heels of this school year, how could it not!?!

We are looking for people like you, who are interested in becoming more involved with the school, initiating new ideas, promoting a positive environment, having fun and more! There are numerous volunteer opportunities and some of which can be performed from home, over the summer, on campus or only during events. Please consider helping DWES be even greater!

Click here to go to the sign up genius.

Want to make you child feel extra special on their birthday? If they have an upcoming birthday, we can put a special message on the marquee in the front of the school. We just need a 24 hour notice.

The cost is $10 and you can give the money to Jill in the office and fill out the form. You can also make checks payable to DWES PTO.

2019 marks the 20th Anniversary of our amazing school and we are asking for your support in commemorating this milestone! We have lots of fun events planned for our students and staff (including an assembly) as well as the community!

Here is how you can participate:

1. Attend our Spirit event at the Horny Toad on 11/6. Mark your calendars now!
   20% of tickets will be donated back to DWES from 12pm-close.
   Diners must tell Server that they are with Desert Willow Elementary.
2. Donate to our $20 for 20 campaign!
   Each $20 donation enters you into a raffle to win a lunch with Principal Wiese and a picture of the event for our 20-year time capsule that will be buried on campus. To donate, visit our DIRECT DONATION page or send cash or a check to the PTO office.
   Your donation helps set DWES up for another 20 years of success!DWES truly is a special school within a special community. This celebration is for all of us!

Thank you in advance for your support. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Desert Willow Elementary School is 20 years old!
Did you know these 20 fun facts about DWES?

• The boundary lines as they exist today are the same ones that were used when the school opened.
• DWES sits on 8 acres, compared to the normal 15 of other schools in the area at the time. That is why it was built as 2 stories. It was the first CCUSD school to be built as a 2 story campus.
• DWES was K-5th Grade when it opened. It was not until 2010 (with the closure of Desert Arroyo Middle School) that 6th graders attended any CCUSD elementary campus.
• Five Time Capsules were buried on property to celebrate the opening. They are still buried. As part of the 20-year celebration, a commemorative Time Capsule will be created and buried on campus.
• Beth Hatcher, current CCUSD Board Member, completed her entire teaching career at DWES (including student teaching).
• DWES PTO has raised over $1,000,000 for DWES since the school opened. This has funded many items on campus, such as the playground shade structures, smart boards and projectors for classrooms, the Accelerated Reader (AR) program, Chrome books, and the Library aide, Kindergarten aide, and Lunch aide salaries.
• The Spanish Immersion program started based off of the suggestion of a parent at DWES who had recently relocated from Utah and participated in similar programs there. Parent input has always been welcomed at DWES.
• Although groundwork was laid before, the Immersion program as we know it today began in 2003 after the school was awarded a FLAP Grant from the Federal government. Cristina Ladas, current CCUSD World Language & Immersion Programs Director, was a parent at DWES at the time and wrote the winning Grant application.
• When the Immersion program started, it was the first of its kind (1-way immersion) in the State of Arizona. Many Immersion programs in the state (and beyond) have been modeled after DWES.
• Jill Machin, current DWES Records Secretary, was a parent of a Kindergartener and 5th grader at DWES when the school opened.
• Eight current staff members opened the school and have been with DWES for 20 years: Trish Verde (Assistant to the Principal), Tahlie Peterson (1st Grade), Melody Carpenter (2nd Grade), Lisa Tibbits (2nd Grade), Sara Jahns (3rd Grade), Kristine Ketchen (5th Grade), Eric Niebch (5th Grade), Tiffany Daniels (6th Grade).
• DWES was inducted into the International Spanish Academies Network in 2017.
• DWES was accredited by the Embassy of Spain in 2018.
• Dr. Jana Miller, current CCUSD Associate Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, was the first Principal of DWES. She held that position for 9 years before moving into CCUSD Administration.
• An average of 600 students have attended DWES each year since 1999.
• DWES has promoted over 2,000 kids to Middle School/Junior High.
• Ricky Roadrunner (DWES mascot) visits a new Country each week and introduces DWES kids to new places and cultures.
• DWES uses PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) as “a system or framework for supporting the social, emotional and behavioral needs of all students in school. “– Koi Education
• Mrs. Tahlie Peterson, an original DWES teacher and current 1st Grade teacher, holds a National Board Certification in the category of Early Childhood Generalist.
• ‘Celebrate Learning’ was the motto used when DWES opened.

You can pre-order this year’s yearbook online. It’s easy & convenient. Reserve your copy today at ybpay.lifetouch.com using the Yearbook ID Code 13226519.

We also have a few extra yearbooks from last year: $15 for soft cover and $20 for hard cover.

If you have photo submissions for this year, please send them here.

As you prepare to do shopping for friends, families, and yourselves this holiday season, remember that DWES PTO school receives 25% back on all orders, including mattresses, pillows, sheets, duvets, frames, and much more from Tuft and Needle.

Please join us for the annual DWES Turkey Trot! We need volunteers to help along the course, donate water, and we would like to invite you line the course and cheer on our kids as they chase Dr Egan dressed as a turkey through the neighborhood. Families and friends are also welcome to run the course with their students. Click here to sign up.