Desert Willow Elementary School

Ready to make a difference in students’ lives? 🌟

We are hiring a Special Education Paraprofessional! Join a caring school community and support learners who need it most.

Have questions? Reach out to Kendra Forgacs at forgacsk@vailschooldistrict.org or Lauren Owens at owensla@vailschooldistrict.org.

Apply today: https://www.vailschooldistrict.org/page/employment-human-resources

This past Thursday we had our second annual AASA Family Night! This night was an incredible event where 3rd-5th grade students and parents got to sit down and preview the AASA sample test and ask questions of the teachers facilitating the event.

A huge thank you to PTA for providing pizza, and drinks for this event and thank you to the teachers who spent their evening supporting our families!

If you were unable to attend and would still like to see the sample tests you can find all of that info on the Desert Willow website here: https://dwe.vailschooldistrict.org/o/dwe/page/aasa

This week was a field of dreams here at Desert Willow! Our Kindergarten classes went on a field trip to the Reid Park Zoo to learn about ecosystems and life cycles of animals. The Fourth Grade Classes went on a field trip the the Empire Ranch to learn about the history of the ranch and what ranch life was like in the past and how ranch life is now and how they are different.

Today we had our annual Field Day! It was such an amazing time and we have so many people to thank for this successful time! We are thankful to our wonderful volunteers and Specials team who ran stations and worked behind the scenes to make Field Day run smoothly. Field Day would no happen without the planning and organization of our incredible PE teacher Mrs. McCabe! Thank you all so much for this wonderful day!

Even with a three day week it was packed with fun! One of our 1st grade classes had a cooking exploration day and we sent several of our 4th and 5th graders and their grown ups to California and they had an edifying and exciting time on their trip!

Next week is bound to be one for the books! We have so many exciting things going on: we have our AASA Snacks, Strategies, and Support Night for our 3rd-5th graders and their families, and we've got lots going on Friday. We will have our Field Day, Free Book Friday from the PTA, and StarBase Graduation for Mrs. Rios' Class.

RSVP for our AASA Night here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZlkHlj8JohI1LgatO65Fo57aQw1QuVkTwKUbZ46cBN33qiQ/viewform

Order your Yearbook here: https://www.balfour.com/arizona/tucson/desert-willow-elementary-school

Looking for a mid-day job that supports students? Join the Desert Willow family as a Campus Monitor! 🐍✨

Apply now: https://www.vailschooldistrict.org/page/employment-human-resources Questions? Email forgacsk@vailschooldistrict.org or owensla@vailschooldistrict.org

We had another great week at DWE! Our Gifted and Advanced Learners were challenged to see who could make the longest paper chain with one sheet of paper. The 4th graders put on an amazing concert this week including a ukulele performance!

Next week is going to be short but sweet with our Rodeo Break on Thursday and Friday. Because of Rodeo Break many clubs and activities are cancelled so please check out the calendar below to see if your child's activities were cancelled this week!

If your child participated in the Read-a-Thon, please log back into the Read-a-Thon portal to claim your prizes! (https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/FYFKVG/1?utm=email)

The Vail School District Parent Survey is also running now. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey for every student that you have enrolled at Desert Willow. (https://vailschooldistrict.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6y8DJT05BvsfOeO)

We had another incredible week here at DWE! Mrs. Coleman and some incredible NEHS students hosted a Valentine's Day themed Diamondbuck Store, some of our first grade classes did some Valentine's Day themed math projects, and many classes across campus celebrated connections and friendship as they celebrated Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day wasn't the only celebration this week in honor of the Winter Olympics one of our 5th grade classes did an Olympics in the classroom bobsledding project!

Next week is sure to be a busy one! We have benchmarks, the 4th grade concert, and the Read-a-Thon Slime Assembly.

If your child participated in the Read-a-Thon, please log back into the Read-a-Thon portal to claim your prizes! (https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/FYFKVG/1?utm=email)

The Vail School District Parent Survey is also running now. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey for every student that you have enrolled at Desert Willow. (https://vailschooldistrict.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6y8DJT05BvsfOeO)

We had such an amazing Love of Reading Week this week! It was so fun to see everyone dress up for our Love of Reading Spirit week and so many people from Desert Willow and the whole school district shared their love for reading with our Desert Willow students.

We are so thankful to Mr. Carruth, and all the other staff from the district office who came to read at DWE this week!

We also appreciate all the high school athletes, Desert Willow staff, and NEHS students who took the time to read to our classes as well. Thank you taking the time out of your day and sharing you love for reading with our students

Next week we have lots of clubs and activities that are back on after being cancelled last week, please check the calendar to see if your child's club is back in session! Our Read-a-Thon ends Monday so make sure you get your child's last minute reading minutes logged on the website! Our PTA is also having a meeting for the Family Prom Planning Committee, even if you did not sign up for the committee you are welcome to join the planning for this exciting event! Friday will be a half day for students and dismissal will be at 12 pm (noon).

📣 Parent‑Teacher Conferences — February 5 & 6

Early dismissal both days at 12 PM (noon). The Book Fair will be open until 6 PM on Thursday, and the Science and Engineering Showcase will be in the MPR both days — don’t miss it!

If you need to make changes to your child's transportation call the office at (520)879-2302. 📚🕛✨

We had a great week this week! In some of our kindergarten classes the kids did some science explorations of gummy worms and earth worms. We also had our January Buddy day! Through out campus classes at different grade levels met to make connections with kids they might not interact with normally during the school day. Today we had our Diamondbuck Store that was rescheduled from last week after it got rained out. A big thank you to Mrs. Coleman who puts together the store and all the parent volunteers who help her run it every month.

There is so much in store for us next week Diamondbacks! We will be celebrating Love of Reading week with a spirit week, guest readers on the broadcast everyday, and so much more!

In conjunction with Love of Reading Week the DWE Media Center will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair! You can set up and e-Wallet for your student and find tons of other book fair information here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/desertwillowelementarysch2 and Book Fair hours are listed on our weekly calendar below!

Our PTA Read-a-Thon will also continue next week! We have had such a strong start so keep up the great work Diamondbacks! (More Read-a-Thon information here: https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/FYFKVG/1?utm=email)

Next week we will also be having our Spring Parent Teacher Conferences. Both Thursday and Friday next week will be half days for conferences. School will dismiss at 12 pm (noon) both days.

Looking for a meaningful career in education? 🌟 Desert Willow is hiring for next school year (2026-2027) — we’re seeking a passionate 3rd Grade Teacher to join our family!

Have questions? Reach out to Kendra Forgacs at forgacsk@vailschooldistrict.org or Lauren Owens at owensla@vailschooldistrict.org. Ready to apply? Visit: https://www.vailschooldistrict.org/page/employment-human-resources

Know someone who’d be perfect? Share this post or tag them below! 🍎✨

Tomorrow is a half day Diamondbacks!! Our incredible PTA will be out front at dismissal selling DWE shirts and other swag! See the flyer below for more info.

We had a whole week's worth of fun and learning in our four day week! Our second graders practiced for their musical rain or shine this week and in our some of our classes stamped license plates on watercolor painted back drops. Stay dry this weekend Diamondbacks and we will see you Monday!

Next week is sure to be a busy one! Our Read-a-Thon starts Monday (register your reader here: https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/FYFKVG/1?utm=email). Second Grade will be having their annual concert on Tuesday at 6:30 PM at Mica Mountain High School. Wednesday will be a half day and school will dismiss at 12 pm (noon). Spring Pictures will be on Thursday and Friday; check the calendar below to seen when your child's class is signed up for pictures.