Stetson Hills Golf Tournament fundraiser will be at Westbrook Village Golf Club. All proceeds go to the

school to support project 2021. The tournament will be a “scramble” type event. The projected entry fee

for each participant will be $75. This includes your entry fee, a golf cart, range balls, a sleeve of golf balls and

lunch to be served after the tournament. Participants will need to be ages fourteen or older, with partici-

pants aged fourteen through seventeen paired with a parent. In an effort to determine the number of par-

ticipants in the tournament, we would appreciate your response by contacting: Gina Meyer at 623-445-5300

or Gina.Meyer@dvusd.org . Thank you!

AIMS APRIL 12 - 15

I N S I D E

TH I S I S SUE :

Emergency Buckets 2

Suns Game 2

Tardy info. 3

Character Counts 4

Second Grade

News

5

Journalist Reviews 7

Free Breakfast 8

The staff of Stetson Hills is so proud of our students. Our teachers and staff have worked extremely hard in assisting our

students in understanding the standards and demonstrating proficiency. We applaud your child’s and our staff’s efforts in

assuring their success with the AIMS testing.

Please note: Testing begins Tuesday, April 12, 2011

AIMS (grades 3rd – 8th) and SAT10 (grade 2) testing will be as follows:

AIMS 3-8

Day 1 – Writing – April 12

Days 2, 3, 4 – Reading and Mathematics –April 13, 14, & 15

Stanford 10 2nd grade

Day 1 – Reading and Language Arts – April 12

Day 2 – Mathematics – April 13

Testing times are approximately 9:00 – 11:00 each of the days above. Neither the AIMS

nor the Stanford 10 are timed tests so ending times are approximate.

A few reminders:

• Please be on time to school and present on all test days!!!

• Please do not plan doctor/dentist appointments during AIMS testing.

• Get a good night’s sleep

• Eat a healthy breakfast

• Please leave cell phones at home. If it is necessary for safety to bring it, please ensure it is OFF and in a backpack,

not in a pocket.

• Be positive about your child’s abilities and state your belief in your child.

• It is important we maintain an environment conducive to testing.

• Office staff will not call any teachers room during testing. Messages will be taken and delivered upon completion of

testing.

Parents are not allowed to enter classrooms in which students are testing.

And…

• Most important—do your best!

F E B R U A R Y A N D M A R C H 2 0 1 1

APR I L DATES

• 1st 7th/8th Panoramic

• 1st 7th/8th Dance

• 8th Early Release

• 9th 6th Grade Pageant of

Bands

• 11th—15th AIMS

• 18th BBQ Tickets Pre-sale

• 21st Field Day 1st—6th

• 22nd NO SCHOOL

• 27th NJHS Induction

• 28th Spring Choir Concert

• 28th 7th/8th Band Concert

• 29th School BBQ

AIMS TESTING

P A G E 2

AIMS

TESTING IS

ONE WEEK

AWAY

Please help us to be

prepared for any

emergencies at our

school

Replenishing Emergency Bucket We are in need of several items to enhance the safety of our classroom for our students. We are replenishing our

Emergency Buckets that are located in each classroom on campus in the case of a lock down situation. Over the course of the past few years, many of the items have been utilized. We would be extremely grateful if

you donate the some or all of the following items:

Students recognized at

Suns game

Congratulations to Giorgio Thomas and Allisa Miller. These

two outstanding 8th graders were recognized February 17 at the Phoenix

Suns game, during halftime. Giorgio and Allisa were celebrated for their

achievements and wonderful character at Stetson Hills.

Item needed: Number needed:

Large bucket for storing items 5

Large heavier plastic garbage bags 5

Flashlight 5

Batteries for flashlight 15 (sets)

Latex free gloves 17

Wet ones 30

Paper towels 5

Toilet paper 15

Kleenex 25

Anti-bacterial hand gel 5

Non-transparent shower curtain 10

Assorted band-aids 15

Small first aid kit 15

Hand towel 40

Zip lock bags 25

Heavy tape 10

We have continued to work with our teachers over the past few years to look at various school practices Through our conversations with class-room teachers it became clear that one obstacle we continue to face is that many students are not in classes throughout the entire day; they are walking into the classrooms late as well as being signed out early. It makes it extremely difficult for us to plan rigorous, highly-engaged lessons at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day when there are multiple students being signed in late and out early. We need your help to change this…we want to be able to provide great instruction from bell to bell.

We believe that if you look closely at the chart below you will conclude that there is a problem at Stetson Hills. As you can see we have a large number of our students who are walking into our front doors after the 8:45 am bell.

Stetson Hills School

Tardy Statistics

More Data: As of 3-28-11…

ο 20 students have 12-14 tardies

ο 4 students have 15 tardies

ο 7 students have 16-20 tardies

3 students have over 20 tardies

UNEXCUSED TARDIES will result in the following consequences:

On the 4th Tardy: Parent letter sent home (K-8)

On the 10th Tardy: Administration/School Counselor will make a phone call to the parents and issue a lunch detention (K-2) or an after school detention

(3-8)

On the 15th Tardy: Administration/School Counselor will require a meeting with parents and issue a lunch detention (K-2) or an after school detention

(3-8)

On the 20th Tardy: Administration will assign a one day campus suspension

On the 25th Tardy: Administration will assign a three day campus suspension

EXCUSED TARDIES:

Regular and punctual attendance is critical for student success. We understand that life gets very hectic, especially first thing in the morning, but teachers strive to begin teaching promptly. Students who arrive late often miss critical instructions. Because we want students to have every possible advantage, we

are imploring families to ensure that children arrive on time.

A tardy is defined as failure to be at a designated location at a specified time. At Stetson Hills we expect students to be in their classroom ready to begin learn-ing at 8:45 am. Please remember to request notes from the offices of dentists, doctors and others where possible if children are tardy due to appointments. Medical and dental appointments are considered “excused” tardies. With few exceptions, most tardies are considered unexcused. If you are unclear about whether a tardy or an absence is excused, you may call 623-445-5390 / 623-445-5306, or send an email to the school registrar Suzanne Murphy

(suzanne.murphy@dvusd.org).

Sept.

21

days

Oct.

20

days

Nov.

19

days

Dec.

13

days

Jan.

20

days

Feb.

18

days

March

18

days

April

20

days

May

19

days

Excused Tardies 88 34 33 26 64 32

Unexcused Tar-

dies 225 278 368 236 318 346

Total Tardies

313 312 401 262 382 378

Daily Average

15% 15% 21% 20% 19% 21%

CHARACTER COUNTS AT STETSON HILLS!CHARACTER COUNTS AT STETSON HILLS!CHARACTER COUNTS AT STETSON HILLS!CHARACTER COUNTS AT STETSON HILLS!

Congratulations to our 3rd quarter winner Ethan Choi... Ethan, a 4th grader at Stetson Hills,

had his Character Counts ticket chosen out of the huge stack that was turned in to the

office. Ethan was awarded a new bike by Jeanne Getz, from the Horace Mann Foundation.

Ethan earned his winning ticket by helping for going

above and beyond to help out in the cafeteria after his

lunch by helping to clean up.

Teachers and staff members will be looking for students to display one or more of the 6 Pillars. Character Counts tickets will be given

to students. If students receive a ticket, it will be entered into classroom drawings that will be used for the 3rd quarter, school-wide,

drawing of an iPod or bike.

Students who had their Character Counts tickets submitted to the office for the 3rd qtr. school-wide drawing were given a voucher

free kids meal at The Good Egg.

"It's not who you are, it's what you do that matters."

Todd Cloutier

Two students were chosen from each grade level to participate in a celebration of

positive character at a Character Counts luncheon for the 3rd quarter. Students

received a Character Counts t-shirt and certificate, as well as being recognized with

their parents. Congratulations to the following students who were chosen for the

3rd quarter as students who consistently display positive character:

Kindergarten: Carter Beck & Riley Janke 5th grade: Zach Pluff & Camille DeMarcus

1st grade: Alexis Klein & Sienna Corueil 6th grade: Rosie Frost & Noah Robinson

2nd grade: Teanna Meagher & Trinity Freeman 7th grade: Halle Moore & Madi Deakins

3rd grade: Isabella Read & Runxiang Yu 8th grade: Evin Schmidt & Lily Newcomb

4th grade: Tanner Meagher & Mariam Joseph

A very special THANK YOU to Sardella’s pizza for sponsoring this event!

Second Grade Happenings

P A G E 5

In Janurary, we read Dear Mr.

Blueberry. We also started a

Webquest on Whales. In

Math, we learned about time

and temperature.

This February, we finished our

Webquest and started learning

about the body. We went on a

field trip to the Orpheum

Theatre to see Bodyology. We

learned lots of stuff about our

bodies and few new songs too!

We had our Valentine’s party

where we competed in dif-

ferent events like in Minute

to Win-It. It was a lot of

fun! In Math, we learned

about subtraction with re-

grouping. In Mrs. Dinsmore’s

class, we met with our 5th

grade buddies to do some sci-

ence. We grew a Crystal Gar-

den.

For the most updated testing information please visit the district website at www.dvusd.org - click on

“Parents & Students” , then “School Programs”, then “Gifted & Talented” .

Our gifted identification testing is only for students that are currently enrolled in kindergarten through

5th grades. We do not test incoming kindergartners, preschoolers or children not registered at a

DVUSD school.

Testing for current Deer Valley kindergarteners and first graders will be held at the Deer Valley District

Office in April. Details can be found on the district website referenced above, using the Common Ques-

tions link.

Testing for students currently enrolled in 2nd through 5th grades will be held at their school. Each

school will set their own testing schedule. Please contact your child’s teacher or the school’s gifted

specialist for more information.

Submitted by Lauren

Student in Mrs. Dinsmore’s class

Gifted Identification Testing

Information

Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night was a HUGE success

Caption describing picture or

graphic.

Second Grade

is doing some

fantastic

things in their

grade level

And the winners are…

Anna Backstrom soundly defeated all those who came her way in the

chicken nugget eating contest, Cassandra Lichtenberger managed to gulp

down a chocolate shake the quickest, and Ryan Backstrom and Jasmine

Scaife held on to their title in the frozen t-shirt contest. I just wanted to

send a big thank you to anyone who attended the Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night

or participated in any way. It was another huge success, and the girls

and I really appreciate all the help we received...thanks so much, Stet-

P A G E 6

Civil Rights

Movement

8th Grade Social Studies

8th Grade Math

8th Grade Science In 8th grade science, we are learning about the basic principles of heredity and cell division. We have already learned about how we inherit traits from our parents and everything there is to know about Mitosis. After spring break we will learn about Meiosis and wrap up

In 8th Grade Math, we are working on Chapter 9 on linear functions and we

will be working on graphing lines, writing equations, finding slope, etc.

We also are being to review for the AIMES math test and will continue to

do so as we get closer to the test.

In Algebra 1-2 Honors, we are reviewing for the midterm and AIMES test

and will continue working on understanding, factoring, and solving

quadratic functions.

In Social Studies we are continuing to learn about the Civil Rights Movement – the protests, leaders, and legislation. Following the completion of the civil rights unit, we will begin to study the Vietnam War.

AIMES

April12—15

Promotion Speeches: Students who wish to deliver the 8th grade

speech at Promotion, must submit a typed copy of their speech to

Mrs. Lewis no later than Friday, April 15, 2011. A team of teach-

ers will read and evaluate the speeches submitted

8th Grade Language Arts In Language Arts, we have just completed our poetry books, and they were won-

derful and creative! Next, we will be moving on to our persuasive papers where the students will be writing about influential amendments to the Constitution. We will

also continue our literature circles as we move into our 3rd book.

P A G E 7

Liz Kokaly shares

a poem she

wrote about Ms.

Paulsen

Student Erik Godwin

gives you his review

on the movie Despi-

cable Me

JOURNALISTS ERIK GODWIN AND LIZ KOKALY Despicable Me

By Erik Godwin

This fun comedy is about an evil scientist named Gru and his

plan to steal the moon. To steal the moon he needs the help of

three little girls named Agnes, Edith and Margo who he adopts

from an orphanage. These girls turned Gru’s life upside down.

Gru’s plan is to steal a shrink ray from his rival evil scientist

Vector. Once he has the shrink ray, he can shrink the moon and

the moon will then fit in to his space ship. His plan seems to work

for a while, but then backfires as the things he has shrunk go back

to their normal size.

In the end Gru isn’t disappointed when he doesn’t get the

moon, because he turns out caring more for the three little girls

than the moon anyway.

The Best Teacher

By Liz Kokaly

Ms. Paulsen is cool

And cool she is

She makes us happy

She makes us so glad

Having her as my teacher

Makes school not so bad

Every time I see her

I jump for joy

Believe me she’s awesome

I shout “OH BOY!”

Yearbooks Are On Sale Now!!!

P A G E 8

If you would like to order your Stetson Hills yearbook, you

may order two ways:

ο Go to our school website and order your yearbook

online.

ο Turn in your order to your classroom teacher. Be sure to write your child’s name

on your order.

Cash or check made payable to Stetson Hills in the amount of $25. Please ensure your

phone number is written on your check.

All students are invited to join us on Friday, April 8, 2011

for a FREE breakfast meal.

Breakfast will be served from 8:00 AM– 8:40 AM.

We will offer a choice of entrée (Scrambled Eggs and Hash Browns , cereal, whole

wheat breakfast bun) served with milk, juice and fresh fruit.

If you haven’t tried breakfast at school, now’s your chance!

on

The end of the

school year is

quickly

approaching.

Don’t forget to

order you

yearbook.

reakfast REE on riday

To help ensure we have plenty,

Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, April 6th

By returning this form or

by email: katie.primc@dvusd.org phone: 623 445 5314

# Students attending (free): ________ # Pre-School Children and/or Adults ($1.00 charge)

Box Tops and Campbell’s Soup Label Collection

P A G E 9

Thank you very much for everyone’s support on the Box Tops and Campbell’s Soup Label Collec-

tion!

I submitted the Box Tops from the most recent collection and we will receive a check in June for

approximately $850.

The students in each grade who collected the most won a $10 gift card to Yogurtology. The win-

ners are:

Kinder – Brian Stoner (Craig) 1st – Alexis Klein & Travis Durand (Dew & Insel)

2nd – Lauren Lynch (Eddleman) 3rd – Natalie Matyskiel (Hatcher)

4th – Hannah Eddleman (Dominguez) 5th - Grace Bellan (Diaz)

6th – Taryn Chester (Streetz)

The pizza party goes to Tina Craig’s class for collecting the most overall. Thank you, Tina!

All K-6 teachers will receive new collection bags shortly for our next deadline on May 13.

Your students might enjoy some fun photos of the collection facility for Box Tops on the “Box Tops

for Education” Facebook page (look on the photo tab). They receive so many packages that they

have their own post office station.

Congratulations to Caroline Pappalau, Sterling O’Ray and Sasha Why! Their art

work won at the state level of the Reflections Art Contest and will now proceed

to the National level of competition. Caroline entered a photograph; Sterling en-

tered a drawing and Sasha entered a flute composition. Way to go ladies! This is

an awesome honor and we are so proud of you!

May 2nd through the 6th is Teacher Appreciation Week! This is an entire week where we as a school community

recognize the hard work teachers do for our children throughout the year. Each day, we will provide either

breakfast or lunch or treats for our teachers. In addition, I’d like to provide them with small tokens of apprecia-

tion. We can use all of the help you are willing to offer. Here are some ways you can help:

--Donate small items as gifts (Mary Kay, Avon, Candles, etc.)

--Call for food donations

--Cook/donate food

--Set-up

--Clean-up

--Be creative and help with planning!

Please contact Anndi Kawamura at askanndi@yahoo.com or 623-322-0650.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Reflections News from the PTSA

Talented students at Stetson

Hills participate in Reflections

We have FABULOUS

teachers at Stetson Hills.

Remember to show your

appreciation

May 2nd—May 6th!

Stetson Hills has added some new

character to the school. I’ve decided

to take a picture of the new additions

to see how observant you are. Each

month will feature a new picture of a

painting, sign or display that you need

to tell me where you find it. The first

email I receive with the correct an-

swer, that student will have their

picture taken and will appear in next

months newsletter! Who’s up for the

challenge? I hope to hear from you

soon. Email me with your answers

to:

Carrie.Finch@dvusd.org

Stetson Hills School

25475 N. Stetson Hills Loop

Phoenix, Arizona 85083

Main number: 623-445-5300

Fax number: 623-445-5380

Attendance number 623-445-5390

Office hours: 7:30—4:30

School hours: 8:45– 3:30 1st—8th

KAM 8:45– 11:30 KPM 12:45– 3:30

Early release: 8:45-12:05 1st—8th

KAM 8:45–10:15 KPM 10:35-12:05

Stetson Hills School believes…

Excelling Staff…

˜Meet the social, emotional and differentiated academic

needs of all students.

˜Implements rigorous curriculum with high expectatiions.

Successful Students…

˜Take responsibility for their own learning.

˜Respect themselves and others.

˜Strive to achieve their highest potential.

A Collaborative Community…

˜Promotes actively involved families.

˜Engages community partnerships.

An Embracing School Culture…

Where can you find me?

Where is this sign located? Charles V. from Mrs. Smith’s

classroom had the first correct

email to the location of the music

notes.