My name is Lisa Jasper. I am the new Resource teacher for K-2. Although I grew up in Southern California, I have called Nevada my home for over 20 years. My husband and I have two adult children who work and go to school in Boston. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, roller skating, listening to music, and spending time with my two dogs.

My journey in education began in 1990 through a college program where I tutored children in crisis, including incarcerated minors. I loved the work I was doing, so I decided to return to school to get my teaching license. Through the years, I have taught in public and private schools (LAUSD, CCSD, and WCSD). In 2016, I returned to college and completed my Masters in Science with licensure in Special Education (including certification to teach Gifted and Talented students). My love for learning has drawn me to search for the most effective practices to help students with learning differences. Each child is unique and learns at their own pace. It is especially important to honor these characteristics in students with learning differences. I truly believe that learning should be motivated by excitement and wonder. I hope to help students discover their gifts and talents as they navigate their way through their elementary school years and beyond.

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.

Desert Heights Elementary School is a uniform school, and we appreciate your support in ensuring all students adhere to our Standard Student Attire/Uniform Policy. Lately, we’ve noticed several students out of uniform, and we want to remind families of our expectations to maintain a safe and focused learning environment.

🔹 Uniform Guidelines:
✔ Shirts/Blouses: Navy blue, hunter green, grey or black with the approved Desert Heights logo (or plain).
✔ Pants/Shorts: Blue, black, or khaki jeans, slacks, shorts, leggings/jeggings (must be 85% black or khaki).
✔ Skirts/Skorts: Must be 85% black or khaki.
✔ Sweatshirts/Sweaters: Considered outerwear and must comply with the dress code.
✔ Outerwear: Jackets, coats, and zippered sweatshirts may be worn over the uniform.

📢 Spirit Days: On designated Spirit Days, students are not required to wear uniforms.

To help families, we have school logo t-shirts available for $6. If you need assistance with uniforms, please contact the front office. Thank you for helping us maintain a positive learning environment at Desert Heights! 🐾💙

Get ready, Coyote athletes! 🐾⚽ We have an exciting week of soccer ahead:

📅 Practice Schedule:
✅ Monday: 3:30 - 4:30 PM
✅ Wednesday: 3:00 - 4:15 PM

🔥 Game Day:
🏆 Friday at 11:30 AM – Desert Heights vs. Verdi Elementary (Home Game)

Let's bring our best effort to practice and show our Coyote Pride on game day! Come out and support our team as they take on Verdi Elementary. Go Coyotes! 🏆💙

Get ready for a fun-filled night at Chuck E. Cheese while supporting Desert Heights Elementary School!

Join us for a fundraiser event where a portion of the night’s sales will go directly back to the Desert Heights Soccer Team.

📅 Date: 03/07/25
🕕 Time: 3pm - 9pm
📍 Location: Chuck E. Cheese – 5000 Smithridge Drive, Reno, NV

🎟 Why Join?

• A portion of your food, game tokens, and merchandise purchases will benefit our school.
• Fun games, delicious pizza, and a chance to enjoy a night out with family and friends!
• Support our school while making great memories with your fellow Coyotes.

So bring your family, tell your friends, and let’s make this a fantastic night for our school community! Thank you for your support—we can’t wait to see you there!

Go Coyotes! 🐾💙

🔹 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! 🎉🐺💙

The 2025 Family Climate Survey is now open! This is your chance to share feedback about your child’s school and help us improve the climate and safety of all WCSD schools.

📌 How to Participate:

• Click on the button below to fill a survey out for Desert Heights Elementary
• If you have multiple children in WCSD, you can either complete a survey for each child’s school or submit just one.

🎟 Bonus! By participating, you’ll be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a prize from one of our sponsors!

📅 Survey Open: February 10, 2025 – April 25, 2025
📊 Results Available: June 2025 on the school climate website

Your input makes a difference—thank you for helping us create a positive and supportive school environment! 💙🐺

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:

• Hendrix: 126 Paws, Class DJ
• D.McMillan: 126 Paws, Class DJ
• Konyshev: 75 Paws, Eat lunch with 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.

• Listening to the Bus Driver: Students are encouraged to pay attention to and follow the bus driver's instructions promptly.
• Using Kind Language: Communicating politely with peers and the driver fosters a positive atmosphere.
• Keeping Hands and Feet to Oneself: Maintaining personal space helps prevent conflicts and ensures safety.
• Staying Seated and Facing Forward: Proper seating posture minimizes distractions and potential accidents.

😅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, 02/28/25:

• Q: Why did the student eat his homework? A. Because his teacher told him it was a piece of cake!
• Q: Why do cows have hooves instead of feet? A. Because they lactose! 🐄😂
• Q: Why don’t eggs tell jokes? A. Because they might crack up! 🥚🤣

The March 2025 edition of Parents Make The Difference! (Elementary School Edition) provides practical advice for parents to support their children’s academic and personal development. Here are the key highlights:

Academic and Personal Growth

• Physical Activity and Learning: Regular exercise improves hand-eye coordination, focus, handwriting, and reduces fidgeting.
• Math with Fractions: Everyday activities, such as measuring while cooking or analyzing car colors on a walk, can help children understand fractions.
• Thinking Skills Development: Encouraging critical thinking in language arts, math, and science can help students apply concepts to real-life situations.

Social and Emotional Development

• Resisting Peer Pressure: Elementary school students should be taught to say “no” to situations that conflict with their values and safety.
• Managing Tantrums and Self-Control: Parents can help children manage frustration by identifying triggers, taking timeouts, using deep breathing, and talking about emotions.
• Preparing for Middle School: Parents should help children become familiar with their future school by exploring its website, attending events, and discussing changes in routines.

Healthy Habits and Screen Time

• Reducing Screen Time: Tracking and limiting passive screen time helps children stay engaged in learning and develop healthier brain activity.
• Family Time Matters: Meaningful interactions, such as shared meals, bedtime talks, and one-on-one activities, contribute to a child’s success.

Study Skills and Test Preparation

• Reviewing Graded Tests: Identifying errors and studying proactively can help students improve their performance.
• Reducing Test Anxiety: Preparation, a positive mindset, and a balanced routine (adequate sleep and nutrition) can ease stress and improve test outcomes.

David Frydman, Principal

Chrystal Thayer, Assistant Principal

Juana Maya, Admin. Secretary

13948 Mount Bismark Street, Reno, NV, USA

Phone: (775) 677-5444