👋 Calling all future kindergartners & families!
Join us for KINDERGARTEN ROUND‑UP — tomorrow November 19, 2025 • 5:30–7:00 PM!
Presentation begins in the MPR at 5:30 (doors open 5:15).
Does your child turn 5 by 9/1/2026? Then it’s time to enroll! 📚✨
📍9400 E Esmond Loop, Tucson, AZ
📞 (520) 879‑2302
Meet teachers, ask questions, and get excited! 🎉
Join us for KINDERGARTEN ROUND‑UP — tomorrow November 19, 2025 • 5:30–7:00 PM!
Presentation begins in the MPR at 5:30 (doors open 5:15).
Does your child turn 5 by 9/1/2026? Then it’s time to enroll! 📚✨
📍9400 E Esmond Loop, Tucson, AZ
📞 (520) 879‑2302
Meet teachers, ask questions, and get excited! 🎉
Looking for a meaningful role in education? 🌵 Join the Desert Willow family — we’re hiring a Special Education Paraprofessional.
Questions? Contact Kendra Forgacs (forgacsk@vailschooldistrict.org) or Lauren Owens (owensla@vailschooldistrict.org).
Apply: https://www.vailschooldistrict.org/page/employment-human-resources
Questions? Contact Kendra Forgacs (forgacsk@vailschooldistrict.org) or Lauren Owens (owensla@vailschooldistrict.org).
Apply: https://www.vailschooldistrict.org/page/employment-human-resources
Even with our short week we still had a full week of fun and learning here at Desert Willow! Our kindergarteners and may other classes across campus learned about why we had Tuesday off for Veterans Day. Our first graders practiced writing friendly letters. In art our fourth graders learned about and created their own color wheels. All of our grade levels, but especially these fifth grade girls enjoyed the Arizona fall weather this week on the playground!
Big week ahead, Diamondbacks! 🐍✨
Nov 17–21 snapshot:
• Wed: HALF DAY! Dismissal at 12 PM. All after-school clubs canceled. KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP — 5:30 PM in the MPR (doors open 5:15) 🎒
• Thu: Band, Vail Soccer — TSAC PIE CELEBRATION for staff (Donation Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CADA82BA6F85-60242104-dweteacher#/) 🥧
• Fri: Diamondbuck Store during Lunches
Nov 17–21 snapshot:
• Wed: HALF DAY! Dismissal at 12 PM. All after-school clubs canceled. KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP — 5:30 PM in the MPR (doors open 5:15) 🎒
• Thu: Band, Vail Soccer — TSAC PIE CELEBRATION for staff (Donation Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CADA82BA6F85-60242104-dweteacher#/) 🥧
• Fri: Diamondbuck Store during Lunches
We had an amazing first week of November here at DWE! We had tons of kiddos checkout library books recommended by our amazing teachers and staff. We also had our November Free Book Friday today courtesy of our amazing PTA! If you have any gentle used picture or chapter books at home looking for a new home the PTA would greatly appreciate donations for free book Friday!
📅 Week of Nov. 10–14 — big week at school!
🇺🇸 TUESDAY NOV 11: NO SCHOOL — We honor our veterans. Thank you for your service!
✨ Midweek highlights: tons of clubs on Wed (Garden Club at 7:30, Reading & Math tutoring, Art, Ceramics, Lego, Lexia Lab, Strings, Wright Flight, Young Rembrandt's) + an in-school opera and PTA meeting at 3 PM.
🛼 THURSDAY Nov. 14 — SKATE NIGHT @ Skate Country, 6–8 PM. Admission $5, skate rental $5.
🇺🇸 TUESDAY NOV 11: NO SCHOOL — We honor our veterans. Thank you for your service!
✨ Midweek highlights: tons of clubs on Wed (Garden Club at 7:30, Reading & Math tutoring, Art, Ceramics, Lego, Lexia Lab, Strings, Wright Flight, Young Rembrandt's) + an in-school opera and PTA meeting at 3 PM.
🛼 THURSDAY Nov. 14 — SKATE NIGHT @ Skate Country, 6–8 PM. Admission $5, skate rental $5.
🌟 Exciting Opportunity Alert! 🌟
Join the Desert Willow Family as a Special Education Paraprofessional! If you’re passionate about making a difference, we want to hear from you! Have questions? Reach out to Kendra Forgacs at forgacsk@vailschooldistrict.org or Lauren Owens at owensla@vailschooldistrict.org.
👉 Ready to apply? Click here: https://www.vailschooldistrict.org/page/employment-human-resources
Let’s make an impact together! 💪🐍
Join the Desert Willow Family as a Special Education Paraprofessional! If you’re passionate about making a difference, we want to hear from you! Have questions? Reach out to Kendra Forgacs at forgacsk@vailschooldistrict.org or Lauren Owens at owensla@vailschooldistrict.org.
👉 Ready to apply? Click here: https://www.vailschooldistrict.org/page/employment-human-resources
Let’s make an impact together! 💪🐍
This was an amazing Red Ribbon Week! We had our October Buddy Day where students in different grade levels met and completed a collaborative math assignment. We also had an amazing Halloween at school there were many fall and Halloween crafts and activities all day! We were also so impressed with all the creative costumes we saw today! We hope that you have a safe and fun Halloween and we will see you on Monday!
🎉 Exciting week ahead!
We have so many clubs and activities going on, check out the calendar to see if you kiddo has something scheduled!
Food Drive starts Nov 3rd! 🥫 Join us in supporting local families during the 2025 Holiday Food Drive from Nov 3rd - Nov 21st. Every shelf-stable donation counts!
We have so many clubs and activities going on, check out the calendar to see if you kiddo has something scheduled!
Food Drive starts Nov 3rd! 🥫 Join us in supporting local families during the 2025 Holiday Food Drive from Nov 3rd - Nov 21st. Every shelf-stable donation counts!
Desert Willow Families,
We understand that many of you may be experiencing the effects of the current government shutdown, and we want you to know that our school community is here to support you. At Desert Willow, we are committed to caring for each other, especially during challenging times.
If your family has been affected, please be aware that resources are available on our campus that may assist you. One vital option is our Free Meals Program, which ensures your child receives healthy meals each day. Families can apply (or reapply) for this program at any time.
You can find the application here: https://www.mymealtime.com/. If you need assistance with creating an account, please feel free to contact our front office at (520)879-2302.
Thank you for letting us be partners in your child’s education and well-being.
We understand that many of you may be experiencing the effects of the current government shutdown, and we want you to know that our school community is here to support you. At Desert Willow, we are committed to caring for each other, especially during challenging times.
If your family has been affected, please be aware that resources are available on our campus that may assist you. One vital option is our Free Meals Program, which ensures your child receives healthy meals each day. Families can apply (or reapply) for this program at any time.
You can find the application here: https://www.mymealtime.com/. If you need assistance with creating an account, please feel free to contact our front office at (520)879-2302.
Thank you for letting us be partners in your child’s education and well-being.
This week was such a blast! We are highlighting two very special Desert Willow traditions: The Caught in the ACT Breakfast and our Kindergarten Community Helpers Parade. At the Caught in the ACT breakfast the winners of the Caught in the ACT Assemblies spend time with each other and our amazing principals. This morning our kindergarteners paraded through campus dressed as what they want to be when they grow up. Our Diamondbacks have such bright futures!
We have a great week planned next week! It will be Red Ribbon Week and we will be having a spirit week! See the picture below for details about our spirit week and double check the DWE Halloween costume guidelines if you are choosing to send your kiddo to school Friday in their costume!
Diamondback Families! Tomorrow, Wednesday October 22nd is a Half Day! School will be dismissed at 12pm (noon).
At dismissal tomorrow our incredible PTA will be selling will be selling DWE merch, stop by their table if you need some more DWE spirit wear!
At dismissal tomorrow our incredible PTA will be selling will be selling DWE merch, stop by their table if you need some more DWE spirit wear!
This first week back from fall break was awesome! We had so much fun and celebration throughout the week. We kicked off our week with our Caught in the ACT Assemblies where so many acts of kindness and outstanding attendance was celebrated.
Yesterday, we had our Day of Awesomeness to celebrate the whole school's incredible success of our Kindness Challenge Fundraiser that we had last quarter. A huge thank you to the PTA for organizing our fundraiser and our Day of Awesomeness, an extra special thank you to all the volunteers who came out to make sure all students had an awesome and safe day!
Today, during lunches, students with a birthday in October were able to choose a book as a part of our Free Book Friday that our amazing PTA puts on every month! Another extra special thank you to everyone who donates books for this program and to Mrs. Kendryna who volunteers every month to help during Free Book Friday Lunches.
Yesterday, we had our Day of Awesomeness to celebrate the whole school's incredible success of our Kindness Challenge Fundraiser that we had last quarter. A huge thank you to the PTA for organizing our fundraiser and our Day of Awesomeness, an extra special thank you to all the volunteers who came out to make sure all students had an awesome and safe day!
Today, during lunches, students with a birthday in October were able to choose a book as a part of our Free Book Friday that our amazing PTA puts on every month! Another extra special thank you to everyone who donates books for this program and to Mrs. Kendryna who volunteers every month to help during Free Book Friday Lunches.
We have had an amazing first week back from break and have so many amazing events coming up throughout the rest of this month and this quarter!
Tomorrow is our Make a Difference Day, during this event we come together as a community to beautify and spruce up our campus. No special skills required and there will be jobs that everyone can help with! Check out the flyer for more information!
Wednesday the 22nd we will have a Half Day and School will be dismissed at noon!
Friday the 24th we will be having our annual Trunk or Treat Event! Dress up and come on out for a fun time! Pre-order pizza for dinner at Trunk or Treat here: https://dwepta.givebacks.com/shop?category=3cc78822-626d-4efa-b30e-bd8e665c02fa
We hope you had a restful and fun Fall Break Diamondbacks! We have a fun filled week planned for our first week back! We will be starting the week with our Caught in the ACT Assemblies and ending the week with picture retakes and Make a Difference Day.
We can't wait to see you again Monday Diamondbacks!
We can't wait to see you again Monday Diamondbacks!
We had the best last week before Fall Break! There was so much spirit all across campus this week with our spirit week. We also had the Diamondbuck store, and our PTA Free Book for everyone with September birthdays!
We hope you have a safe, and fun break Diamondbacks and we will see you on Monday, October 13th!
We hope you have a safe, and fun break Diamondbacks and we will see you on Monday, October 13th!
🍂✨ Fall Break Alert! ✨🍂
Fall Break starts next week and the Desert Willow Elementary office will have limited hours this fall break, see them below.
📅 Sept 22-24: 7:30 AM - 3 PM
🚫 Closed: Sept 26 - Oct 3
🕗 Oct 6-9: 8 AM - 12 PM
Need to meet outside these hours? Email our Office Manager, Amanda Moore at mooreama@vailschooldistrict.org! 🧡🎃
Fall Break starts next week and the Desert Willow Elementary office will have limited hours this fall break, see them below.
📅 Sept 22-24: 7:30 AM - 3 PM
🚫 Closed: Sept 26 - Oct 3
🕗 Oct 6-9: 8 AM - 12 PM
Need to meet outside these hours? Email our Office Manager, Amanda Moore at mooreama@vailschooldistrict.org! 🧡🎃
🐍 Join the Desert Willow Family! 🐍
We're excited to announce that we're hiring! Open positions include:
✨ Certified 4th Grade Teacher
✨ Special Education Paraprofessional
Got questions? Reach out to Kendra Forgacs at forgacsk@vailschooldistrict.org or Lauren Owens at owensla@vailschooldistrict.org!
Ready to make a difference? Apply now: vailschooldistrict.org/page/employment-human-resources
This week we are highlighting one of the special programs, StarBase, all of our 5th grade students get to participate in this program throughout the school year. This week we had the graduation for our first two classes (Mrs. O'Dell and Ms. Sussen) it is so neat to see what our students get to do throughout their time in StarBase. StarBase is an amazing program that is housed on the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and our students get to participate in tons of hands on STEM activities over 5 days.
