Coyote Pride - Week of 09/08/25

This year, we’re inspired by Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg, which teaches that mistakes and surprises can spark creativity, learning, and connection. To celebrate, we’ve created a Beautiful Oops Kindness Wall where students, staff, and families can share notes about moments when someone turned a challenge into something positive or showed kindness and creativity. These uplifting messages will be proudly displayed for all to enjoy.

🌞 Hope you had a relaxing weekend!

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Watch D.O.G./M.O.M. Night. We had a fantastic turnout, and it’s exciting to see so many eager volunteers ready to support our school.

📸 Fall Picture Day – Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025

• Free Dress Day – no uniforms required (school-appropriate attire).

• Prepay online at bellphoto.com with code DesertHeightsES2526.

• ✨ Spend $30+ and get an 8x10 Specialty Portrait for just 70¢ (online exclusive).

• 🕘 Sensory-friendly session at 9:00 AM.

🔬 Learning Spotlight: 5th Grade Science
Students explored:

• “I am learning to explain how Earth’s tilt and revolution cause the seasons.”

• “I am learning to explain how Earth’s rotation causes day/night and sunlight changes.”

📅 Reminders

• Wednesday- Early Release at 2:45pm

Thank you for your continued support—together, we make Desert Heights a strong and caring community!

Mark your calendars—Desert Heights Elementary School Picture Day is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 2025!

👗 It’s a Free Dress Day — uniforms are not required (please choose school-appropriate attire).

Families can prepay online and explore package options at bellphoto.com using the Prepay Code: DesertHeightsES2526.

✨ Special Offer: Spend $30 or more and receive an 8x10 Specialty Portrait for just 70¢ (online exclusive).

Act fast to lock in special pricing and enjoy complimentary school delivery. Don’t miss the chance to capture this year’s memories!

🕘 For students who may have sensory needs, a sensory-friendly photo session will take place at 9:00 AM.

A huge thank you to all the D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) and M.O.M.S. (Moms of Marvelous Students) who joined us for our kickoff event last week! 🎉

We would love for every parent/guardian to volunteer at least one day during the school year. When you sign up, you’ll spend a full day on campus supporting our students and staff—it’s a fun and meaningful way to get involved!

📅 How to Volunteer:

1. Review the Watch D.O.G.S. schedule.

2. Contact Irene Zaraco in the office at 775-677-5444 to reserve your day.

3. Click the link below to access the volunteer application.

Thank you for helping us make Desert Heights a strong and supportive community!

Here is the updated the School/Family Handbook that contains important information about our school. Please take some time to read it over. We will update it throughout the year but this should give you some basic information about our school.

Right at School’s Early Adventures™ program is now available at our school! 🏫

🕖 Time: 7:00 AM – Start of school
💲 Cost: $186/month for 5 days/week (see attachment for discount)
(Flexible pricing for fewer days available!)

✨ What’s Included?
✅ Fun fitness games & team projects
✅ Crafts, reading, and more
✅ Homework help from RAS staff
✅ Flexible drop-off times
✅ Financial assistance available!

📲 Register now: RAS.fun/register

Let’s learn, play, and grow—together! 🌟

The PBIS video "Having Respect on the Bus" emphasizes the importance of respectful behavior to ensure a safe and pleasant bus experience for all students. Key points include: 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. By adhering to these guidelines, students contribute to a respectful and orderly environment on the bus, aligning with PBIS principles.

• Back-to-School Routines: Encourages families to set consistent routines for school success, including preparing the night before, regular bedtimes, structured mornings, homework time, and calendar use.

• Motivation Matters: Focus on building intrinsic motivation (curiosity, self-talk, positive feedback) rather than relying solely on rewards.

• Screen Time Balance: Recommends creating a family media plan to set rules for device use, content, timing, and consequences.

• Family-School Partnerships: Stresses trust, communication, and teamwork between parents and teachers to support learning.

• Reading Aloud: Provides tips to make daily read-alouds engaging and beneficial for literacy growth.

• Attendance: Highlights the importance of consistent school attendance for academic and social success.

• Downtime & Balance: Warns against overscheduling children; stresses the need for unstructured play and enough sleep.

• Social Confidence: Offers strategies for parents to help shy children make friends (role-play, playdates, strengths-based activities).

• Homework Support: Suggests ways parents can review, encourage, and positively reinforce homework habits.

• Going Beyond Minimum Work: Encourages students to put in extra effort for deeper learning and skills such as organization, responsibility, perseverance, and time management.

This issue of Autism Parenting Magazine (Issue 182) focuses on empowering girls with autism.

Featured topics include:

• Social challenges for girls on the spectrum

• Independent sleep solutions to support families

• Understanding ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)

• ASD beyond IQ, looking at broader aspects of autism

• Ritual behaviors and how they impact daily life

• Communication tools for success

• Pathways from diagnosis to connection

• Vocational training opportunities for independence

The overall theme highlights strategies, supports, and insights aimed at helping autistic girls thrive at home, in school, and in the community.

David Frydman, Principal

Chrystal Thayer, Assistant Principal

Juana Maya, Admin. Secretary

13948 Mount Bismark Street, Reno, NV, USA

Phone: (775) 677-5444