I am Abigail Lawrence. I began my academic journey with a Bachelor of Psychology. While volunteering with children, I discovered my true calling—teaching children with special needs. Motivated by this revelation, I pursued a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education, equipping myself with the tools to make a significant difference in the lives of my students. I have been a special education teacher in the Philippines, Oman, and California.

I am guided by the wisdom of George Evans, an American cartoonist who famously said, "Every student can learn. Just not on the same day or in the same way." This quote encapsulates my educational philosophy, emphasizing the importance of personalized learning.

Outside of my professional life, I am a firm believer in embracing adventure and creativity. I love going on road trips, exploring new places, and creating lasting memories with my husband. Camping and glamping provide me with the perfect balance of nature and comfort, allowing me to recharge and find inspiration. On breezy days, you might find me flying a kite, relishing in the simple joys of life. I also have a talent for sewing, creating beautiful and meaningful pieces that reflect my artistic side.

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.

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support. It’s been a great year of growth, learning, and community here at Desert Heights!

A few important reminders and updates as we move through April:

Attendance matters every day. Being present and on time helps your child stay connected to their learning and their classmates. Let’s finish strong together!

Please continue to support our school uniform policy. Consistency in expectations helps all students feel part of our school community and keeps the focus on learning.

State and district testing is coming up for students in grades 3–5. These assessments are a chance for students to show what they know and how much they’ve grown. You can help by making sure your child gets a good night’s sleep, eats breakfast, and arrives to school on time.

It’s also time to begin registering for the next school year. If you haven’t completed online registration yet, please do so as soon as possible so we can begin planning for a strong start to next year.

In about two weeks, I’ll be sending out information on how to share your thoughts about the type of teacher and classroom environment that would best support your child next school year. While we are not able to accommodate specific teacher requests, your input helps us create thoughtful and balanced class placements.

Thank you for being such an essential part of our Coyote community. We’re proud of our students and look forward to ending the year on a high note—together.

With gratitude,
David Frydman
Principal, Desert Heights Elementary School

At Desert Heights, we believe in the strength of community, the beauty of diversity, and the importance of coming together—especially during times when the world can feel divided. Our 2025 Multicultural Night is a chance to celebrate everyone's background, identity, and story, including American culture in all of its unique and regional traditions.

We’re tentatively planning the event for Tuesday, May 20th or Wednesday, May 21st, and we need your help to make it a true reflection of the people who make our school so special.

Whether your family roots trace back generations in the U.S., come from another part of the world, or are a blend of many cultures—you are an important part of our school story. We invite you to share what makes your culture meaningful to you.

Please take a moment to fill out our short survey and let us know how you'd like to participate:

• Sharing a dish, tradition, or artifact

• Performing a dance or song

• Creating a cultural poster display

• Collaborating with others to present together

• Or offering any suggestions that help us celebrate all voices and backgrounds

🔗 Click here to complete the Multicultural Night Survey

Let’s create a night that brings us all together in the spirit of respect, joy, and community pride. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🐾

Join us for a delicious way to support our school! On Saturday, April 12, 2025, head over to Red Robin at 4712 Galleria Parkway in Sparks and enjoy a meal while giving back.

20% of food sales will be donated to Desert Heights Elementary School—just show the flyer or mention our fundraiser to your server.

Ordering To-Go? Follow the special instructions online under the “Fundraisers (To-Go Only)” section at redrobin.com/order.

Let’s turn burgers into benefits for our students! 🐾

On Friday, April 4th, our Desert Heights soccer team faced off against Alice Smith Elementary in a spirited home game. While we didn’t come away with a win, our players showed incredible passion, teamwork, and heart on the field—true Coyote spirit!

A big thank you to Todd, Marie, and Helen for coming out to support our athletes. And a special shoutout to Helen for stepping in as our referee—we appreciate you!

Let’s keep the momentum going! Our next game is an away match at Lois Allen Elementary School on Thursday, April 11th. Come cheer us on as we continue to grow, compete, and H.O.W.L. with pride! 🐺💙

📅 Practice Schedule:

✅ Monday: 3:30 - 4:30 PM
✅ Wednesday: 3:00 - 4:15 PM

🔥 Game Day:

🏆 Friday, 4/11at 11:30 AM – Desert Heights vs. Lois Allen Elementary (Away Game!)

🔹 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:

• Erickson: 204 Paws: Escape Room
• Hendrix: 152 Paws: Cookies and Story with Admin
• Hoffman: 175 Paws: Glow Party
• Kelsey: 52 Paws: Stickers
• Konyshev: 78 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.

😅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, 04/04/25:

• What do you call a realistic prankster? A practical joker.

• Why was the donkey annoying his friend? It was April Mules' Day.

• Why can't you plant spring flowers? Because you haven't botany!

This month’s newsletter encourages families to foster learning both in and out of school. Key highlights include:

• The Importance of Free Time: Unstructured play boosts creativity and brain development. Limiting screen time allows kids to explore and learn in new ways.

• April Activities: From Earth Day to Honesty Day, each April event provides a fun way to build responsibility and life skills.

• Academic Support at Home: Engage in conversations, help kids summarize what they read, and encourage analytical thinking.

• Time Management: Tips for helping children prioritize, stay organized, and balance school with free time.

• Building Confidence and Character: Celebrate effort, teach responsibility, and encourage self-control and empathy.

• Respect and Resilience: Model respectful behavior, praise it in others, and support your child in responding positively to failure or setbacks.

The newsletter is filled with practical, everyday ideas to support your child’s success at school and beyond.

he latest issue of Autism Parenting Magazine (Issue 177) covers a range of topics aimed at supporting families and individuals with autism. Some highlights include:

1. Advocacy and Acceptance: Articles like "Advocating for Your Autistic Child" by Jan Stewart and "Fostering Connection with Autism Awareness" by Danny L. McGuire focus on helping parents advocate for their children and promote autism awareness in communities.

2. Behavior Management: Leo Custodio provides insights in "Supporting Repetitive Behaviors: Tools That Work" to help parents understand and manage repetitive behaviors.

3. Communication: Mallory Griffith's article "Building Communication Through Core Words" offers strategies for parents to encourage communication development using core vocabulary.

4. Education: James Watts shares guidance in "Supporting Your Child with Autism at School" on how to collaborate with educators for optimal learning experiences.

5. Health and Nutrition: Vicky Finlayson discusses the importance of mindful eating and recognizing hunger cues in autistic children.

6. Life Stories and Success: The magazine features success stories like "Students and the Autism Quilt - Max" by Karen Kaplan, showcasing inspiring experiences from the autism community.

7. Special Topics: Additional articles explore apraxia, understanding autism spectrum levels, and navigating adulthood, including remote work options for autistic individuals.

This issue provides a well-rounded collection of resources and personal experiences designed to support families on their autism journey. Let me know if you'd like more information on any specific article!

David Frydman, Principal

Chrystal Thayer, Assistant Principal

Juana Maya, Admin. Secretary

13948 Mount Bismark Street, Reno, NV, USA

Phone: (775) 677-5444