AMS Desert Sky Newsletter

Newsletter | December 2020

Message from your Desert Sky Principals

Dear Families~

It is hard to believe we are almost at the midpoint of the school year. Our Dragon Families continue to AMAZE us in the midst of a pandemic. Thank you for your continued support and flexibility. With the increase in COVID numbers in our community, we are taking extra measures to help keep our scholars and staff members as safe as possible.

Please continue to do symptoms checks at home and be sure to keep scholars home if they are sick. We ask that you notify us if anyone in your household has tested positive or has symptoms. There are many free testing locations on around the valley and we suggest anyone with symptoms get tested if possible.

We wish you all a Happy Holidays and thank you for sharing your scholars with us. We have enjoyed having our students on campus, and although we are returning to virtual learning, we are hopeful to have them back on site as soon as possible.

Please pay close attention to Class DoJo and messaging from your child's teacher for important information regarding remote learning. Whether we are in person or learning remotely, attendance is crucial for your student's success.

Have a wonderful break and Happy New Year,

Ms. Winters

Turkey Trot was a GREAT SUCCESS

Awesome job dragon families; our Turkey Trot was a wonderful event for students and staff! Kona Ice was here and we raised money for our dragon scholar that is fighting childhood lymphoma. Students had great fun and staff enjoyed cheering them on (and joining the fun run in some instances). Thank you to everyone that donated water bottles for our participants.

Distance Learning in December and January

AMS has decided to take the extra precautions in keeping our students and staff safe. Scholars will be learning remotely, from home, in January, upon returning from winter break.

Because teachers need time to prepare meaningful learning experiences for January's remote learning, we will be including December 16th, 17th, and 18th in our remote learning plan. On these 3 days, students will be completing packets and assigned work at home. Thank you for your support and flexibility.

Our Amazing Desert Sky Staff Spotlights

Cameron Netland

5th Grade ELA Teacher

I grew up in Massachusetts, in a small rural town. I earned my bachelor's in Economics and English from Connecticut College. I was inspired to travel across the country and studied at the Universidad del Pacifico in Lima, Peru, and then continue my work at a public relations internship in Santiago, Chile.

Once I finished undergrad, I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and so I immediately moved out West. I am excited to be teaching 5th grade ELA at the Academy of Math and Science! This school has a special culture that makes you proud to be a part of the Dragon family. Dragons, like Phoenix's, rise from ashes, let's bring our F.I.R.E!

Kimberley Marchisotto

Assistant Principal

I am very excited to join the AMSDS team as Assistant Principal! I have been an educator in the Phoenix area for 24 years, 20 of those in the classroom and the last four in administration. I am originally from the UK and became a US citizen this year. I am looking forward to getting to know our Desert Sky families and community, so please make sure to stop by and say hello.

Lupita Harper

Registrar

I worked as a paraprofessional for a year, then was asked to help out in front office and discovered how much I love working at the school site. I worked as an Attendance Clerk for 2 years and recently was the front office associate at AMS Avondale. I'm originally from Texas and moved to Arizona to be closer to my parents. I’ve been married for 12years and we have an 11-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter and a dog named Gizmo. I believe so much in AMS and our mission. In fact, my children are also AMS students. I’m excited to be a part of The Desert Sky Team.

Reminders

2020-21Calendar:

December SPIRIT DAYS:

Connect with the AMS Desert Sky Office Team

623-242-2597