May 5, 2023

June 22, 2023

Dear Desert Sky Families,

The start of a new school year is almost here! I would like to share some information that will be helpful to you regarding the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.

Meet the Teacher Open House

Desert Sky will be hosting our Meet the Teacher Open House on Thursday, July 13th from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm. This is a great opportunity for parents and students to familiarize themselves with our campus, classroom locations, and teachers. Teachers will be available to meet and greet families as we continue to build the critical home/school partnership, which we know is the foundation of student success. Due to student confidentiality and time constraints, please limit your conversations with our staff. Feel free to reach out to our teachers to set up a longer meeting if needed before Parent/Teacher Conferences in September. Please understand that our teachers will be preparing for the first day of school, so classrooms may not be 100% ready.

Several local food trucks will be parked in front of the school selling dinner and desserts. We will also have tables set up for volunteer and PTO memberships, and Powerschool log-in help. Come hungry and enjoy a lovely evening out with the family. I look forward to seeing you here!

Site Council nominations will occur during our Meet the Teacher Open House at 5:30 pm in the MPR. Nominations will be accepted from the floor, so please meet us in the MPR at 5:30 if you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else. Voting will take place online via GoogleForms, sent out to all Desert Sky Families on Friday, July 14th. Voting will be open from Friday, July 14th through Monday, July 17th.

Teacher/Team Assignments and Daily Schedules

Student schedules, for new and returning students, can be found on Powerschool by July 10th. Student names, listed with their advisory teacher name, will also be posted in front of the school beginning Thursday, July 13th at 4:30 pm, through the first day of school, July 17th. Posted advisory lists will be ordered by grade level and student last name. The advisory teacher is the teacher your child will report to first, on July 17th.

Advisory teachers will have a copy of your child’s schedule available during our Meet the Teacher Open House and on the first day of school.

Chromebook Checkout for All Students

Desert Sky is a 1 to 1 Chromebook school. Students will be issued a device to use for completing assignments, checking grades, communicating with staff, testing, and more. Families will be able to pick up their Chromebooks beginning the week of July 10-14.

Chromebook Pick-Up Dates
Location: Desert Sky Middle School Gym Entrance

Monday, July 10, 9 am-2 pm
Tuesday, July 11, 7 am-2 pm
Wednesday, July 12, 9 am-2 pm
Thursday, July 13, CLOSED Due to All Day Staff Trainings
Friday, July 14, 7:30 am-1 pm

Please review and sign the Responsible Use Policy and Insurance Agreement documents attached below and at dsms.vailschooldistrict.org. The Vail School District Insurance Agreement must be signed and turned in to receive a device, even if you choose to decline the insurance coverage. If accepting insurance, cash or check are preferred methods of payment.

Responsible Use Policy

Insurance Agreement

If you have any questions or need to make other arrangements, please contact our Site Technology Coordinator Daniel Hughes at hughesd@vailschooldistrict.org .

School Hours, Campus Hours, and Student Drop Off/Pick Up

School begins at 8:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm. Please be aware that students should not be on campus before 7:45 am or after 3:10 pm (unless participating in a school-related function) as no adult supervision is available. If you will be dropping off or picking up your child from school, we ask that you please do so in the area in front of our gymnasium and continuing east along the sidewalk. Please look for Student Pick Up and Drop Off signs and painted curb areas to direct you.

Breakfast and Lunch Information

Middle school breakfast and lunch prices are still being approved for the 2023/2024 school year. If you have any questions about food services, please contact Aramark Food Services at 520-879-3913. At this time we are recommending that all families complete an application to determine their student's eligibility to receive free or reduced breakfast or lunch for the first 30 days of the 2023/2024 school year. Income guidelines change annually, and we encourage our families to apply to see if they qualify. Parents can apply online at www.mymealtime.com.

In closing, I want you all to know how excited and honored I am to work with you and your child; getting to know Cougar families is one of the many highlights of serving our school and community. Thank you in advance for supporting Desert Sky Middle School, we look forward to an exceptional year!

Sincerely,

Rebecca Marsh
Principal