HOWLer
10/9/2026
A Message from Principal Holly Murray
Dear Mountain Shadow Families,
What a fantastic conference week! It was wonderful to connect with so many of you and celebrate the growth and participation of our incredible students.
We capped off the week with our very first Quarter 1 Spirit Assembly, and it was a blast! Our Spirit Squad did an amazing job leading the event and filling the whole room with school pride and high energy.
As we head into Fall Break next week, we want to share a quick reminder to help us keep our classrooms focused when we return: please ensure all stuffed animals, toys, and other play items stay safely at home.
Enjoy a restful, wonderful Fall Break with your families! We look forward to welcoming all of our students back to campus on Monday, October 19th.
With Joy,
Holly Murray
A Message from MSPTSA
🎃Trunk or Treat! Looking for a spooky way to volunteer? Please consider
signing up to host a trunk on 10/23. We have 25 spots that still need to filled! Click here for more details and to sign
up:
Trunk or Treat Sign Up for volunteering at stations HERE
Don’t forget to collect Box Tops throughout the year for an easy way to
support our PTSA and campus! After a grocery trip be sure to scan your
receipt into the Box Tops app you have and choose Mountain Shadows!
Interested in joining the Parent Teacher Student Association?
https://mountainshadowsptsa.givebacks.com/shop
Follow us on socials:
OUR CANDY DRIVE IS BACK!
We’re collecting candy for our Mountain Shadows Trunk or Treat on October 23rd!
Weigh-ins: Oct. 2 • Oct. 9 • Oct. 22
Any type of individually wrapped candy is welcome!
We have a total of 155 lbs collected. We are trying to beat last year's total of 700 lbs!
1st place: Sparks
2nd place: Horn
3rd place: Felix
If your student is going to retakes, please bring in original picture packet.
Veterans Day Photos Needed
Dear Mountain Shadows Families,
On Friday, November 13, 2026, Mountain Shadows Elementary will hold our Annual Veterans Day Assembly as we come together to honor and celebrate the Veterans who have served our country.
We would love to recognize the Veterans who are part of our Mountain Shadows family by featuring them in a special video during our assembly.
If you have a Veteran in your family whom you would like us to honor, please email a scanned photo of the Veteran to Mrs. Yanez by Friday, November 6.
Please include the following information with your photo:
- Veteran’s Name
- Student’s Name and Grade
- Relationship to the Student (grandparent, parent, aunt/uncle, sibling, etc.)
Please email photos and information to nicole.yanez@dvusd.org.
We are honored to celebrate the brave men and women who have served our country and are grateful for the opportunity to recognize the Veterans who are part of our Mountain Shadows community.
Thank you to all of our Veterans for your service and sacrifice!
Awards Assemblies
Our Awards Assemblies, which includes Honor Roll, Principal's List, Leadership, and Rising Coyote, will be on 10/23.
1st-2nd: 9:00-9:30
3rd-4th: 9:30-10:15
5th-6th: 10:15-11:00
Teachers will contact parents if their student is receiving a Leadership or Rising Coyote award. Parents can look on Powerschool to determine if their child is receiving Honor Roll or Principal's List.
If attending, please park in the main parking lot.
DVHS Informational Parent Night for TSW
TSW Informational Parent Night
Wednesday, October 28th
5:00–6:00 PM
DVHS Hospitality Room
Representatives from VR (Vocational Rehabilitation), DDD (Developmental Disabilities Division), and ALTCS (Arizona Long Term Care System) will be joining us to share valuable information with families about the programs and services available to support students as they prepare for high school, graduation, and the transition into adulthood.
Learning about and pursuing these services during the teen years can be extremely beneficial. Having supports in place early can provide students and families with access to additional resources, services, and opportunities as students move toward greater independence and life after high school.
For Our 5th-8th Graders
Help Us Raise Funds with the Marquee Birthday Shout-Out!
Click Here to fill out the information form.
Before & After School Care 26-27
Register at: dvusd.arux.app
Upcoming Dates
Early Release at 2:00: 10/2, 10/23, 10/30
10/20: Picture Retakes
10/23: Awards Assemblies
10/30: Character Parade
Volunteer Training/Annual Registration
Click Here for the training.
School Information
School Hours
Campus opens at 8:30 am daily.
Regular Hours Start Time Release Time
Kindergarten-6th Grade 8:40 AM 3:30 PM
Morning Pre-School 9:15 AM 11:45 AM
Afternoon Pre-School 1:00 PM 3:30 PM
Half Day Schedule 8:40 AM 12:05 PM
Early Release Schedule 8:40 AM 2:00 PM
School Information:
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Registration Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Main Number: 623-445-4300
24 Hour Attendance Line: 623-445-4390
Health Center: 623-445-4310