Our theme this year is inspired by the book *We're All Wonders* by R.J. Palacio, which focuses on acceptance, kindness, and celebrating differences. The story encourages readers to look beyond appearances and appreciate the unique beauty within everyone. It fosters empathy and teaches the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, regardless of physical differences.

To uplift our staff, we're inviting everyone to submit a message on our Kindness Wonder Wall. These messages, whether about specific individuals or the school as a whole, will be displayed for all to see.

Dear Desert Heights Families,

As we head into our final week of the school year, I find myself reflecting on how grateful I am for the heart, spirit, and partnership of this incredible school community. This time of year always brings a sense of pride, gratitude, and even a little nostalgia as we prepare to celebrate all that our students have accomplished.

🌟 Promotion Ceremonies
We’re thrilled to honor two important milestones this week:

• Kindergarten Promotion – Tuesday, June 3 at 10:00 AM

• 5th Grade Promotion – Friday, June 6 at 10:30 AM

Please join us as we celebrate these amazing students and their journey ahead.

📚 Final Week Reminders

• Field Day is Wednesday, June 4. Please ensure your child is dressed for outdoor activities, including water play. Don’t forget sunscreen, water bottles, and a change of clothes if needed!

• Lost & Found items will be donated at the end of the week. Be sure to check the tables by the office.

• Report cards will be sent home with students on the last day of school.

• Early Release on the final day of school, Friday, June 6.

Thank you for entrusting us with your children each and every day. The impact of this community—the laughter in the halls, the growth we’ve witnessed, and the memories we’ve built together—is something I carry with me deeply.

Here’s to finishing strong and celebrating the joy of another wonderful year at Desert Heights!

We’re excited to celebrate another fantastic school year with our annual Field Day on Wednesday, June 4! Please make sure your child is dressed for outdoor play (including water activities), has sunscreen applied, and brings a water bottle.

🟢 Primary Grades (K–2) will participate in Field Day in the morning.
🟢 Intermediate Grades (3–5) will have their Field Day in the afternoon.

All students will enjoy a brown bag lunch from the cafeteria on Field Day. Please note:

• Primary lunch (K–2): Kinder 12:05–12:25, 1st Grade 12:10–12:30, 2nd Grade 12:20–12:35

• Intermediate lunch (3–5): 4th Grade 11:15–11:35, 3rd Grade 11:20–11:40, 5th Grade 11:40–12:00

Thank you for helping make this day safe and fun for all students. We’re looking forward to a memorable celebration!

On Friday, we proudly celebrated our amazing Coyote of the Week and Coyote of Excellence recipients with a special Pizza and Ice Cream Party with Mr. Frydman! 🎉

These students earned their invitation by consistently demonstrating our Coyote HOWL Expectations:

🐾 Have Respect
🐾 Own Your Actions and Choices
🐾 Work to Succeed
🐾 Learn by Leading

Students who earned three Coyote of the Week awards or were named a Coyote of Excellence this year enjoyed pizza, ice cream, and some well-deserved celebration time. We are incredibly proud of their leadership and positive impact on our school community!

Our students are finishing up their i-Ready Diagnostic Testing this week! This assessment helps us understand each child’s strengths and areas for growth in reading and math, so we can better support their learning.

You can view your child’s results together by logging into their i-Ready Dashboard through Clever, clicking the “For Families” section, and entering the district code: LTVNST.

For more info, visit the i-Ready Family Center.

Thank you for your continued support!

As we approach the end of the school year, please take note of our adjusted release times for the final week:

🟠 Monday, June 2 – Thursday, June 5: Students will be released at 3:30 PM (standard time).
🟡 Friday, June 6 (Last Day of School): Students will be released early at 1:20 PM.

There will be no early release on Wednesday, June 4.

Please plan accordingly and help us end the year on a positive and smooth note!

🔹 Online Registration is Open!

All families must complete online registration for the 2025-26 school year through Infinite Campus. This ensures your child’s information is up to date and helps with school planning. Registration is required each year for all students, whether returning or new to WCSD.

💡 Key Steps:
✅ Log in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to register returning students.
✅ New to WCSD? Register online and bring birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of address to the school.
✅ Update emergency contact information to ensure school records are accurate.

📌 School of Choice
Families can apply to attend a school outside their zoned area through School of Choice. If space and staffing allow, requests are generally approved. Online Registration must be completed first to apply for School of Choice.

🔗 Need More Info?

• Online Registration & School of Choice details: [WCSD Website]
• Questions? Contact 775-333-6099 or schoolofchoice@washoeschools.net

Register today to secure your child’s spot for next school year! 🎉🐺💙

A big shoutout to the following classes for earning PAWS by consistently following the HOWL expectations and demonstrating outstanding behavior in their classrooms! These students have worked hard and earned some exciting reinforcements:

• Carter: 151 Paws, Cookie and Story with Admin
• Parrish: 76 Paws, Lunch with the teacher

School Wide PBIS

19 out of 21 classrooms have reached 50 Paws! When we all reach 50, we will have Fun Hat Day!!

Way to go, students! Keep up the amazing work and continue to show us how to HOWL! 🐾

The Dads of Great Students (D.O.G.S.) and Moms of Marvelous Students (M.O.M.S.) program is a volunteer initiative that encourages fathers and father figures and moms to spend time in their children's schools. The goal is to provide positive male/female role models, enhance school safety, and foster a supportive learning environment.

Key aspects of the program include:

• Volunteerism: Fathers and father figures volunteer their time to be present in their children's schools.
• Positive role models: They serve as positive examples for students, demonstrating the importance of education and community involvement.
• Enhanced safety: Their presence helps create a safer and more welcoming school environment.
• Community engagement: The program fosters stronger connections between families and schools.

By participating in the D.O.G.S. program, fathers can make a meaningful impact on their children's education and contribute to a positive school culture.

Looking to keep your child reading this summer? Check out these fun and free programs that reward reading with books, prizes, and even meals!

• Barnes & Noble – Read books and complete a journal to earn a free book.

• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – Free monthly books for children ages 1–5.

• Panda Express – Read 5 books to earn a free kids meal coupon.

• Chuck E. Cheese – Earn 10 free play points by filling out a reading calendar.

• Washoe County Libraries – Join their summer reading challenge and earn free books (for all ages—even adults!).

• Book It! – Earn a free personal pizza by reading!

📖 Let’s make reading a fun adventure this summer!

😅Every Friday is Dad Joke Friday.. On the announcements, I share some of my favorite appropriate dad jokes.

Here are the ones from Mr. Frydman on Friday, 05/02/25:

• Did you hear about the circus fire? It was in tents!
• Did you hear about the guy who invented Lifesavers? They say he made a mint!

Theme: Safety SOS

This issue of Autism Parenting Magazine focuses on safety—physical, emotional, and digital—for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, especially during the unstructured summer months.

🔐 Key Topics Covered:

• Social Safety Skills: Strategies for teaching children how to navigate social environments, recognize unsafe situations, and seek help. (McGuire & Schuweiler)

• Protecting Children from Predators: Tips for identifying grooming behaviors, teaching body boundaries, and protecting vulnerable children, especially those who are nonverbal. (Dr. Ronald I. Malcolm)

• Managing Adult Meltdowns: Understanding meltdowns in autistic adults, their triggers, and how to provide support during and after. (Alicia Trautwein)

• Dental Visits: Making dentist appointments autism-friendly to reduce stress and increase comfort.

• Following Directions: Tools and strategies to help autistic children follow directions in home and school settings.

• Workplace Safety: Addressing safety in employment settings for autistic adults.

• From Special Interests to Careers: Exploring how to turn a child's deep interests into meaningful career paths.

🗣️ Expert Insight:

• Q&A with Dr. Temple Grandin: Advice on medication use, therapy for teens with trauma, and long-term impacts of ABA therapy. Dr. Grandin emphasizes starting with non-medication strategies and understanding individualized needs.

❤️ Personal Stories:

• A touching piece by a father navigating life with his autistic son highlights the everyday joys and challenges of parenting a child with special needs. (Aidan Guertin)

David Frydman, Principal

Chrystal Thayer, Assistant Principal

Juana Maya, Admin. Secretary

13948 Mount Bismark Street, Reno, NV, USA

Phone: (775) 677-5444