Please Remember:For your children to be SAFE and Have Fun on campus they should not wear sandals or crocks. We have had students in the office with foot cuts, punctures and blisters from unprotected feet. Thank You!!!!
Cold Weather:We've begun to have very chilly early mornings at Desert Star School. Many students are arriving at school with no outer clothing of any sort.
Please make sure that your child is dressed warmly when it's cold. If students layer clothing, they can be comfortable as the day warms up.
Parking Reminder:This is a friendly reminder about parking at Desert Star School. If you are dropping off or picking up students,
please do not park in the circle area and leave your car. If you need to speak to the teacher or go to the office, park in the lot. One abandoned car in the circle can back up multiple cars.
Playground:A change has recently been made to the play areas behind the school. All of the wood chips that we're underneath the play structures have been removed to other parts of the playground. Pea gravel has been placed under the play structures to replace the wood chips. The gravel creates a much better landing surface when the students fall or jump off the structure. The new gravel has been excitedly received by students of all ages. Students have been observed breast stroking in the gravel, rolling it down the slide, building cone-like structures and letting it pour through their hands. I caught a kindergartener placing a few small rocks in his friend's ear! Hopefully, the novelty will soon wear off. - Susan Simon
We are putting the word out:Our Playground Wish List - *10 Youth Soft Ball Gloves
* Tennis Balls
* Badminton birdies and racquets and net
* 4 Square Balls
* Volleyball and net
* Adobe Cement Paint
* Dodge Balls
* Hopscotch Rubber Tiles
* Jump Ropes or Cotton Rope to make 20 Feet jump ropes
for double Dutch
* Hoppity Balls
* Picnic Table and Beach Umbrellas
Please call the office if you can donate any of the above.
928-282-0171. Or, support the school through purchasing through our AMAZON.com link on our school web site:
www.DesertStarSchool.org Have your items sent directly to the school.
Teacher Highlight - 
Zenna MacGregor
" I have the most fun job ever; I get to paint, form clay, draw and do visual art lessons with your child once per week at Desert Star! "
- Zenna MacGregor.
"Every child is an artist" -Pablo Picasso
Besides the fact that creating art is fun and enjoyable, there are many great reasons that art benefits children.
Art is one of the ways that children define who they are and connect with others. It is through their feeling life, that children connect with one another.
Sharing stories about struggles and victories of famous artists by examining art history, helps nurture empathy and understanding. We imitate the works of others artists, also putting a bit of our own personal choices of color, feelings, symbols, metaphors, and meaning into the art projects.
Once the students have learned skills and styles of other artists they are asked to create original paintings. By learning and practicing, children's self-confidence in the ability to create pleasing art soars. Once they have skills and self-confidence, their artistic expression becomes an important and essential aspect of their humanity. This is self-expression at its finest!
Learn more about Zenna MacGregor by visiting her web site:
http://www.artforkidssedona.com 
