Growing Greatness Together: November Family Updates

Dear Robles and Altar Valley Middle School Families,

As we enter November, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to help every student grow and succeed. Our shared commitment to high expectations, safe schools, and strong academic growth makes a difference every day. As we approach the middle of the school year, I want to highlight a few important reminders for all families.

Keeping Our Campus Safe

Student safety is our top priority, and it begins with all of us working together. During arrival and dismissal, please drive slowly, remain alert, and follow all posted signs and staff directions. Our parking lots and drop-off areas can become busy, and we need everyone to be patient and cautious to keep students, families, and staff safe.

Please use the designated parent drop-off lane and do not use the bus lane for student drop-off or pick-up. The bus lane must remain clear so buses can safely transport students. Please follow the established traffic patterns and avoid stopping in undesignated areas. A few extra moments of patience can make a significant difference in keeping everyone safe.

Cell Phones, Smartwatches, and Personal Devices

Altar Valley School District is implementing its student cell phone expectations in accordance with Arizona state law and district policy. To protect instructional time, promote student engagement, and support a safe learning environment, students must follow these expectations throughout the school day.

• Cell phones, headphones and smart watches must be turned off and kept in students’ backpacks.

• Tablets, electronic games, toys, and other personal items should remain at home
  
  

November Benchmark Assessments: Week of November 16

The week of November 16, students in grades 2–8 will participate in benchmark assessments. These assessments provide an important mid-year check-in on student learning and progress toward grade-level standards.

Teachers use this information to identify areas of strength, recognize skills that may need additional support, and adjust instruction to ensure students are receiving the content and interventions they need to be successful. These assessments are not just about a score; they help us make informed decisions about how to best support every learner.

Families can help students prepare by ensuring they:

• Get a good night's sleep each night.

• Arrive at school on time and attend every day.

• Eat a healthy breakfast.

• Come to school with a positive attitude and do their best.

• Remember that their effort, perseverance, and growth matter!
  
  

Please remind your child that these assessments are an opportunity to show what they have learned. We want every student to approach testing with confidence and give their best effort.

Growing Greatness Together

As we move through November, let us continue working together to build a culture where students feel safe, supported, challenged, and encouraged to achieve their full potential. Strong attendance, safe choices, responsible use of technology, and a commitment to learning all contribute to student success.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Together, we are growing greatness and building bright futures for our students!

Warm regards,

Dustie Gunn
Robles Elementary School & Altar Valley Middle School

Every Day Counts! Building Success Through School Attendance 🎒 

Growing Greatness Together — Every Student, Every Day!

📚 Being at school matters! Every school day brings new opportunities for students to learn, grow, build friendships, and develop the skills they need for a successful future. From classroom lessons and hands-on activities to conversations with teachers and classmates, students benefit from being present and actively participating in their learning. When students miss school, they miss important instruction and experiences that can be difficult to make up.

📅 What Does Our 90% Attendance Goal Mean?

Our goal is for every student to attend school at least 90% of the school year. In a typical 180-day school year, 90% attendance means a student attends 162 days and misses approximately 18 days. While 90% is an important benchmark, we want to encourage students to attend every day they are healthy and able to come to school.

Think about it: missing just two days each month can add up to more than 20 absences over the school year! That is a significant amount of missed classroom instruction. Even when students complete makeup work, they may miss discussions, teacher explanations, group activities, and opportunities to ask questions. Consistent attendance helps students stay on track, build confidence, and feel connected to their school community.

🌟 Why Is Regular Attendance So Important?

• 📖 Academic Growth: Each lesson builds on what students learned before. Being present helps students develop a strong foundation in reading, writing, math, and other subjects.

• 🤝 Friendships and Belonging: School is a place where students develop friendships, practice teamwork, and build positive relationships with teachers and peers.

• 💪 Responsibility and Confidence: Attending school regularly helps students establish routines, develop perseverance, and take ownership of their learning.

• 🎯 Opportunities for Success: Students who attend consistently have more opportunities to receive support, participate in activities, demonstrate their knowledge, and celebrate their progress.

🏡 How Can Families Help?

Families are important partners in building strong attendance habits. A few simple steps can make a big difference:

• ⏰ Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines so students arrive rested and on time.

• 🎒 Prepare backpacks, clothing, and school supplies the night before.

• 🩺 Schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.

• 📆 Plan family trips and activities around the school calendar when possible.

• 💬 Talk with your child about the importance of attending school and celebrate their efforts to be present.

• ❤️ If your family is facing challenges that make attendance difficult, please contact the school. We are here to help!

Of course, students should stay home when they are sick and need to recover. The goal is not to send children to school when they are unwell, but to avoid unnecessary absences and make the most of every healthy school day.

Together, We Can Make Every Day Count!

At Robles Elementary and Altar Valley Middle School, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potential. Strong attendance is a team effort, and the partnership between school and home makes a difference. When students show up consistently, they give themselves more opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.

Thank you for helping us make school attendance a priority. Let's continue building positive habits, celebrating progress, and working together to ensure every student has the opportunity to shine!

🌱 Growing Greatness Together — We're not stopping at growth; we're exceeding it!