The countdown to Spring Break is on! With just one week to go there are still important reminders, updates, and big celebrations to remain informed about!

A Long-Range Planning Committee engaged in a comprehensive review of enrollment trends, community input, and evaluated future needs to develop recommended boundary changes. Recommended attendance zone changes formed by this Long Range Planning Committee will likely be voted on by the DVUSD governing board in the regular board meeting on March 10. The public is welcome to attend this meeting, and will have the opportunity to provide public comment on the recommendations during the regular governing board meeting.

There presently is a mix of schools under or above capacity with greater variances projected in certain areas of the district by 2035. Any boundary changes approved by the Governing Board will take effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year. A report was given to the Governing Board as a Preview Item on February 17, 2026 showing the proposed boundary changes. This item is being brought back for formal consideration by the Governing Board to approve. There have been no changes to the recommendation since that time.

View Comprehensive 2025-26 Long Range Planning Committee Information

State Achievement Testing for grades 3-11 will begin after Spring Break. This includes the AASA (grades 3-8), AzSCI (grades 5, 8, 11), ACT-Aspire (grade 9), and ACT (grade 11).

Here is a calendar denoting the dates each campus will administer the assessments to their students:

🔗url.dvusd.org/StateTestingMasterSchedule

📌Please Note: The 5 comprehensive high schools will have remote learning days for non-testing students on March 31st and April 7th. On March 31st, 9th and 11th graders will report to school at the normal time to test while 10th and 12th graders complete their schoolwork in Canvas off-site. On April 7th, 11th graders will report to school at the normal time to take the ACT test while 9th, 10th, and 12th graders complete their schoolwork in Canvas off-site.

Here are some ways families can help their students be the most prepared mentally and physically for the state achievement tests this Spring.

Families are encouraged to help their student get plenty of sleep the night prior to testing.
A helpful tip could include turning off all screens (phones, tablets, TVs) at least one hour before bed. Blue light can interfere with the sleep hormone melatonin.

To avoid the morning scramble:

Handle the logistics the night before. Pick out comfortable, layered clothing.
Verify that supplies such as headphones, chromebook charger, and water bottle are ready to go.
Be sure the chromebook is plugged in overnight and at 100% the next day.
A Pro-Tip for parents is to set their own alarm 15 minutes earlier than usual tomorrow. A calm, unhurried morning at home makes for a much more focused student at school!

Set students up for testing success:

Students should have a nutritious meal the night before and drink plenty of water since dehydration can lead to fatigue and headaches.
A good breakfast the day of testing is important. Families may want to aim for protein and complex carbs (like oatmeal, eggs, or whole-grain toast) for breakfast rather than high-sugar cereals that can lead to a mid-morning "crash."
Reduce student anxiety or worry about testing. Parents should remain calm and convey a positive attitude toward testing.
Avoid high-pressure talk about scores. Instead, focus on the effort.
Remind students that this test does not define them. It’s just one snapshot of their many talents.
Avoid taking students out of school on their assigned testing days. Be sure to check the school's website or newsletter for your child's testing dates/times or reach out directly to your child's teacher.

View a complete Testing Schedule Here

Join the DVUSD family! As one of the Forbes Best Midsize employers in the state from 2020-2024 there is an opportunity for everyone in several areas of the District! Make an impact on the next generation and the community by beginning a career at DVUSD! The DVUSD Career Fair is Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. - noon at the DVUSD District Office (20402 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027).

Explore opportunities now: dvusd.org/joindvusd

DVUSD Offers:

Arizona State Retirement System Benefits
Flexible work schedules aligning with school breaks, including full-time and part-time positions
Paid holidays
Competitive Compensation & Benefits Plans
Tuition FREE Teacher Prep Program

DVUSD is proud to announce that Ann E's Closet, a free community closet for our community, is currently hosting private prom-attire appointments for all students within the district at no expense. Ann E's is located within Barry Goldwater High School. Please access the appointment calendar at Ann E's via the DVUSD website. Appointments are running on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until prom season concludes.

There is a huge selection of brand new and like-new dresses in sizes 0-Plus. Fresh stock of new young men's dress shirts, bowties, and skinny ties. Please consider this valuable resource. Available to DVUSD students only.

Schedule Your Appointment!

Canyon Springs' Bright Beginnings gifted program is growing! Starting in the 2026-27 school year, we are officially launching 2nd Grade Bright Beginnings!

Why Bright Beginnings?

🚀Next-Level Learning: Students in K-2 explore enriched academic content with curriculum designed for gifted and advanced learners.

🚀Thematic Excellence: A unique approach that fosters depth and complexity across all core subjects.

🚀Enriched Experience: Specifically designed to ensure growth and development for our youngest scholars.

Is your child eligible?

Students who score at the 90th percentile or higher in any state-approved area (Verbal, Quantitative, or Non-Verbal) are eligible to apply.

Click this Link or the button below to Learn More👇

Learn More Here!

Thank you to the families who participated in the recent parent survey.Your voices and experiences are crucial when making future decisions for DVUSD. An overview of the results are now available.

Review the Results

Recently, 150 Mountain Ridge students competed at the Arizona DECA State Career Development Conference (SCDC) against more than 2,000 students from across Arizona in business, marketing, finance, hospitality, and entrepreneurship events.

The results were historic for the Mountain Ridge DECA program.

110 students were named State Finalists
44 Top 4 / Top 5 placements were earned
63 students qualified for DECA’s International Career Development Conference (ICDC)

Program & Chapter Recognition

Lori Beth Horton was named Arizona DECA New Advisor of the Year, a statewide honor recognizing one outstanding new advisor within their first three years. Her leadership and dedication have been instrumental in this chapter's success.

Shamitha Doki and Nithil Balamurugan were elected Arizona DECA State Officers, one of the highest honors in Arizona DECA. It is rare for a school to elect two state officers in the same year, and they will represent over 6,000 members statewide next year.

Mir-Aedrees Sekandari earned a $1,000 Arizona DECA Scholarship.

Additional chapter recognition included:

Diamond Chapter Recognition
Membership & Promotional Campaign Awards (earning 4 THRIVE Leadership Academy spots at ICDC)
Gold-Certified School-Based Enterprise Award recognizing the success of Cub’s Corner

This year, our students earned:

11 State Championships
44 Top 5 overall placements
24 Test Medals (80%+ exam score)

What’s Next: ICDC – Atlanta, GA

Qualified students will now represent Mountain Ridge at DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, where over 20,000 students from across the country and internationally compete.

This is DECA’s highest level of competition and an incredible opportunity for our students.

The success of our DECA program reflects the strength of the entire Ridge community. The research, writing, analytical thinking, presentation skills, and professionalism students develop across all disciplines empower them to excel in environments like this.

Boulder Creek High School's Choir ensemble, Heart and Soul, was named grand champions of the Heart of America treble division competition in Nashville, Tennessee. They received a caption for their vocals.

The Boulder Creek Bella Voce performers were named grand champions of the concert choir division, and Honor Choir was first runner-up. Bella Voce received a caption for musicianship, and Honor Choir received a caption for complex music literature. Broadway Bound was the 4th runner-up in the competition.

The Honor Choir and Bella Voce groups were selected to record their vocal selections at the Honorary Studio B in Nashville.

Broadway Bound and Heart & Soul performed at the Grand Ole Opry plaza and were broadcast on the Opry’s longest-running radio station.

For the third consecutive year, students in Boulder Creek High School's Mandarin Immersion program delivered an outstanding performance at the Arizona Chinese Speech Contest. Seven students representing Boulder Creek advanced to the final round. This is a reflection of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to learning.

Final Results of the Competition:

Ryan Bogensberger – First Place
Vienna Chuang, Neila Ngo, and Annaliese Saunders – Second Place
Nehemiah Ford, Krista Faulk, and Natalia Salazar – Third Place

This marks the third consecutive year that BCHS students have earned First Place in the Arizona Chinese Speech Contest — a testament to the strength and consistency of the school’s Mandarin program.

In addition to his First Place finish, Ryan B. has been awarded a full scholarship to study abroad in China, an extraordinary and life-changing opportunity.

These achievements would not be possible without the continued support of Boulder Creek leadership and the Mandarin program's commitment to excellence.

The Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) program at Sandra Day O’Connor High School has earned the highest possible rating of “Exceeds Standards” following its Unit Assessment conducted on February 24, 2026.

Sandra Day O’Connor cadets have demonstrated exceptional performance and pride in achieving their unit’s goals reflecting the program’s commitment to excellence.

The O'Connor AFJROTC unit scored an impressive 97 and earned an overall rating of “Exceeds Standards” for the UA, the highest rating attainable. This outstanding achievement reflects the dedication and leadership of Major (Ret) Vaughan Whited and Master Sergeant (Ret) John Badey, who deserve special recognition for mentoring and guiding your cadets. The instructors and cadets exceeded the standard on eight assessment checklist items and had zero discrepancies—a noteworthy accomplishment.

DVUSD’s Basketball teams made impressive runs at several state titles this season! Deer Valley High School's boys' basketball has been featured in the 4A State Championship game four years in a row! The team fell just a few points shy this season and took home the title of 4A State Runner-up.

The Sandra Day O'Connor High School Eagles have proven they are a force to be reckoned with on the hardwood for both the boys and girls while taking on the Open Bracket on the AIA state competiton! The OC Boys advanced to the quarter finals this year, falling just 3 points short to Basha High, while the Lady Eagles took down #1 seeded Perry High, earning themselves a spot in the Open State Championship game. After a tough battle with Millennium High School, the Lady Eagles lost in overtime 58-52, capping a truly impressive run at the Open State Title.

RSVP Here!

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https://www.dvusd.org/departments/cia/gifted-servicescia/gifted-services-home

When families think about school districts, they often picture classrooms, teachers, and student activities. Behind the scenes, however, many dedicated professionals work every day to ensure that schools operate efficiently, safely, and responsibly with public funds.

In Deer Valley Unified School District, that work happens within the Fiscal & Business Services Department, which provides leadership and support for the responsible stewardship of district resources so that schools can focus on student success.

This article is the first in a series that will highlight the business side of the district. Our goal is to provide greater insight into the work that happens behind the scenes and help our community better understand how DVUSD manages public resources with transparency and accountability.

What Is Fiscal & Business Services?
The Fiscal & Business Services umbrella includes several departments that support schools and district operations. Each plays a critical role in making sure students have safe facilities, reliable technology, nutritious meals, transportation to school, and the materials needed for learning.

Departments within Fiscal & Business Services include:

• Finance & Accounts Payable – Manages district budgeting, financial reporting, and payments to vendors to ensure responsible fiscal management.

• Facilities – Maintains and repairs district buildings and grounds, helping provide safe and functional learning environments across all district sites.

• Food & Nutrition – Supports student wellness by providing healthy meals and nutrition education.

• Information Services & Technology (IS&T) – Maintains the technology infrastructure that supports classrooms, communication systems, and digital learning.

• Print Services – Produces instructional materials, forms, and communications used across the district.

• Purchasing & Warehouse – Procures the goods and services needed by schools and distributes supplies to sites across the district.

• Transportation – Provides safe and reliable transportation for thousands of DVUSD students each day, ensuring they can get to and from school and school activities safely.

Together, these teams ensure that district operations run smoothly so teachers and students can focus on learning.

Department Spotlight: Purchasing Services
March is Arizona Procurement Professionals Month, making it the perfect time to highlight the important work of DVUSD’s Purchasing Department.

Purchasing professionals are responsible for acquiring the products and services needed for schools to operate, from classroom materials to large construction projects, while ensuring taxpayer funds are spent responsibly. A common misconception is that public school purchasing is simply about finding the lowest price. In reality, Arizona public school procurement laws are designed to ensure fair and open competition for government funds, allowing districts to obtain the best overall value while maintaining transparency and accountability.

The Scale of DVUSD Purchasing
Each year, the Purchasing team of four buyers manages thousands of transactions that support classrooms and operations across the district. In Fiscal Year 2025, DVUSD issued 87762 purchase orders $120,073,387. These purchases support everything from instructional materials and technology to maintenance supplies and services that keep schools running every day.

Together, they help schools navigate procurement requirements, manage vendor relationships, and ensure the district follows state law and governing board policy when spending public funds.

Looking Ahead:
In future parent updates, we’ll continue highlighting the work of the Fiscal & Business Services departments to give families a better understanding of how the district manages resources that support student learning.

From maintaining school facilities and managing technology systems to transporting students safely and ensuring schools have the supplies they need, these teams play an essential role in helping DVUSD deliver a high-quality educational experience for every student.

Maricopa County Public Health works daily to learn new ways to make our community a thriving place to live, learn, work, and play. To do this, it is important that we understand the health needs and experiences of community members and those serving the community. Check out this short video to learn about the impact of the CHNA.

The county wants to hear from you and everyone you know! You can support our survey efforts by:

· Taking the survey at Community Health Needs Assessment 2026

o The survey is open to Maricopa County residents ages 13 years and up, from February 2, 2026 to April 30, 2026.

§ Survey responses are anonymous, and no personal information is collected.

o Survey will be available in English and Spanish.

· Sharing the survey.

o By encouraging others to take the survey, you can help gather the diversity of responses needed to ensure inclusive representation of all communities.

o Share the survey with family, friends, employees, stakeholders, or community members you work with who live in Maricopa County.

· Visit maricopahealthmatters.org to learn more about past CHNA results!

If you have questions, please email maricopahealthmatters@maricopa.gov

Take the Brief Survey Here!

Camp Tatiyee works to enrich the lives of individuals with special needs by providing a life-changing summer camp experience that promotes emotional health, independence, self-esteem, and confidence, entirely free-of-charge.

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Long Range Planning Update Long Range Planning Update

State Testing Updates & Helpful Tips State Testing Updates & Helpful Tips

DVUSD Career Fair April 18 DVUSD Career Fair April 18

Visit DVUSD's Ann E's Closet for Your Prom Attire Needs! Visit DVUSD's Ann E's Closet for Your Prom Attire Needs!

✨ BIG NEWS at Canyon Springs STEM Academy! ✨ ✨ BIG NEWS at Canyon Springs STEM Academy! ✨

Parent Survey Results Parent Survey Results

MRHS DECA Dominates State Competition MRHS DECA Dominates State Competition

Sweet Sounds of Boulder Creek Choir Program Impresses National Judges Sweet Sounds of Boulder Creek Choir Program Impresses National Judges

Boulder Creek Mandarin Students Wow at Arizona Chinese Speech Contest Boulder Creek Mandarin Students Wow at Arizona Chinese Speech Contest

O'Connor ROTC Program Earns Highest Ranking O'Connor ROTC Program Earns Highest Ranking

DVUSD Basketball Teams Go Hard in the Paint! DVUSD Basketball Teams Go Hard in the Paint!

Upcoming DVUSD Events Upcoming DVUSD Events

Gifted Program Information and Testing Gifted Program Information and Testing

Get to Know DVUSD Finance Get to Know DVUSD Finance

Maricopa County Health Needs Assessment Survey Maricopa County Health Needs Assessment Survey

Camp Tatiyee 2026 Camp Tatiyee 2026

Community Programs & Events Community Programs & Events