The best resource for school information is the district website at www.lesd.k12.az.us

Mailing address: 553 W. Plaza Circle, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
Physical address: 2801 N 135th Ave, Goodyear, AZ 85395
Office hours: 7:30am - 3:30pm	School hours: 8:00am - 2:45pm
Attendance Line: 623.535.6403	School Office: 623.535.6400
School colors: Teal, Black, White	School Mascot: Thunderbird
Principal: Mrs. Sarah Pearson

We encourage students to take pride in their attire as it relates to the school setting. The final decision as to the appropriateness of dress shall be determined by the administration. Visitors and guest are also encouraged to abide by the the dress code. The following clothing/garments/articles ARE NOT permitted on campus or at any school activity:

• Low-hanging or sagging pants, including, exposure of any undergarments. Pants and shorts will be worn covering the buttocks.
• Hair nets, skull caps, "do-rags" and bandanas.
• Strapless, spaghetti-strap, razor-back or backless dresses or blouses, halter tops. All undergarments must be fully covered.
• Blouses or shirts of a transparent or mesh material revealing a bare midriff or shoulders.
• Tops which are so short they cannot be tucked in.
• Muscle shirts and oversized tanks that over-expose the body must have a t-shirt worn underneath.
• Spandex shorts, side-split shorts, or brief shorts. Shorts will cover the buttocks.
• Pajamas of any kind (exception if Spirit Week - PJ day only).
• Bare feet and slippers are not acceptable.
• No clothing, hats, jewelry, or accessories that display inappropriate messages or symbols; no clothing which promotes alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gang affiliation, nudity or profanity; no clothing with messages or pictures referring to death, violence, Satanism, racism, weapons, sex, profane or obscene statements.

Adapted from the LESD Student Handbook 2009-2010

Student drop-off and pick-up happens on the west side of the school. The entrance is the southern-most driveway on the west side of the school, off of 135th Avenue. The north driveway is exit only. When you pull in, you can choose either the drop-off line (closest to the school) or the parking lot. The parking lot is not a drop-off zone and it is dangerous to let your child out of the car in this area unless you are parked in a parking spot. There is no parking on 135th Avenue at any time. If you need to park your vehicle and the west parking lot is full, please park in an adjoining neighborhood and use the appropriate crosswalk. Teachers and school buses are the only vehicles allowed in the parking/drive area on the south side of the school (off Palm Valley Blvd). Additionally, it is illegal to drop your child off on the street curb from either 135th Ave or Palm Valley Blvd and this action is subject to ticketing by the Goodyear police.

For the safety of our children, please SLOW DOWN in the school zone! It is also a good idea to stop talking on the phone while driving in or around the school so that your undivided attention can be focused on safety. Here is a summary of school zone rules from the West Valley View 8/4/09 edition:

• Fines double for traffic violations in school zones.
• There is zero tolerance in a school zone. You can be cited for going 16mph in a 15mph zone.
• When children are crossing, wait for the crosswalk to be completely clear before proceeding.
• Passing is not permitted in a school zone, not matter how slow another vehicle is traveling. It is considered passing if you go around a car that is waiting to turn.
• Once you have driven entirely past the posted signs, you may resume the normal speed for that street.
• Do not park or stop in a bicycle lane.
• Do not pass a school bus that has its red light flashing and its stop-arm extended. The law allows vehicle to pass a stopped school bus when there is a raised median between lanes of traffic.

The first bell rings at 7:50am and all children should begin lining up to enter the school at that time. The tardy bell rings at 8:00am. If you child arrives after 8:00am, he/she is considered late and you must park your car and walk your child into the office to sign them in.

To view the school calendar, follow the link under the Resources tab of the PTO website to the Palm Valley Elementary website and click on the PVES Calendar link.

As required by state law, all visitors must first report to the school office to sign the register and receive a visitor's badge. In addition, all visitors must have documented permission to be on campus. All visitors meeting students must be listed by the child's parent or guardian on the Emergency Contact List on file with the school registrar. To change your Emergency Contact List please visit the school office. All visitors are required to show a valid ID and abide by school dress code.

Visitors are encouraged to inquire into the operation of the school, to visit classrooms and the cafeteria, and to familiarize themselves with school programs. We ask that arrangements be made with the school at least one day prior to visiting the classrooms. All visitors are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

Adapted from the LESD Student Handbook 2009-2010

Parents are encouraged to come to school and eat lunch with their children. As always, you must first report to the school office to sign in and receive a visitor's badge. Ask your child's teacher or the school office for your child's lunch time. There are parent tables set up on the south side of the cafeteria where parents may sit with their children. In addition, there are peanut free tables for those with peanut allergies. We request that only those with peanut allergies sit at these tables. Birthday parties are not allowed during lunchtime (cakes, balloons, etc).

If you need to pick up your child early, you must come into the office to sign your child out. You cannot phone ahead to have your child "ready", as your ID must be verified in person. The adult picking up must be listed on the student's Emergency Contact List in order for a child to be released. Once your identification has been verified, the office will call your child's classroom and have them come to the office to meet you. Please allow adequate time for this process - it can take a few minutes. The cut-off for early release requests is 2:15pm, as teachers and students are occupied after that time packing up, lining up and preparing to exit the school. The safety of all children is our top priority.

You must assume sole responsibility for loss of, or damage to, your property. PVE will endeavor to protect, but is not responsible for personal property. Found articles should be taken to the lost and found area located in the cafeteria. Unclaimed articles will be given to charity during the school year. Lost articles may be claimed before or after school or during lunches. Put identification marks on your personal belongings.

Palm Valley Elementary holds an all-school Patriotic Assembly once a month in the Courtyard. The Patriotic Assembly is a chance for the entire student body, teachers, staff and parents to come together and recite pledges, sing, hear important announcements, celebrate accomplishments and show school spirit. Student of the Month Awards are given out during the Assembly. Spirit Stick and C.A.P.E. ticket monthly winners are also announced. Parents are highly encouraged to attend. The Assembly is generally held on the last Friday of the month at 8:30am.

The Spirit Stick is awarded to one class per month - the class that shows the most school spirit during the prior month's Patriotic Assembly. School spirit can be shown by wearing PV Thunderbird Spiritwear (from any year), black/teal hair ribbons, teal and black clothing, school appropriate face painting...anything that shows off school spirit is encouraged. The class with the highest participation is given the Spirit Stick to display in their classroom for one month.

C.A.P.E. stands for Character, Attitude, Principals, and Excellence. C.A.P.E tickets are awarded to your child when a teacher or staff member witnesses exceptional Character on display in the following areas: Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Caring, Respect, Fairness or Citizenship. C.A.P.E ticket recipients are announced daily on the morning announcements. In addition, once a month, two C.A.P.E. tickets are drawn at random from each grade and those students are invited to a pizza party in the second and fourth quarter of the school year. The pizza party winners are announced during each monthly Patriotic Assembly.

Dessert for the Deserving is a way to reward students for making exceptionally positive behavior choices on the playground, in the cafeteria, in the hallways, basically anywhere outside the classroom. Every month one "deserving" student is chosen from each class based on the criteria above. The selected students are invited to have dessert with our Principal, Mrs. Pearson, in the courtyard during their normal lunch time on the day of the Patriotic Assembly.

Parental involvement is highly encouraged at PVE. Please contact your child's teacher to arrange an appropriate time for you to assist in the classroom.

The PTO relies 100% on our volunteers. We have many opportunities throughout the year where you can give of your time and talents to help our teachers and students. The first step is to become a member of the Palm Valley PTO. Simply register on our website using the "login or register" button on the upper left portion of the homepage www.palmvalleypto.com Membership is quick, easy and FREE!

There is no time commitment required. You can simply become a member to receive our e-newsletters and updates on events happening around PVE. That being said, we do rely 100% on volunteers and appreciate any time you can give. Many events have 30 minute time slots for volunteers that make it easy to give a little time when you can. Check the event section of the website homepage for current volunteer opportunities or contact one of our leaders listed in the Leadership section of the website.

The Arizona Public Schools Tax Credit is a way you can show your financial support to our students, that does not cost you anything. This program provides for a 100% reimbursement of your contribution to our school. Here's how it works: You can send all your state taxes to the State of Arizona or make a contribution to a public school and receive a State Income Tax Credit for up to $200 for tax payers who file a tax return as single or head of household and a maximum of $400 for married couples filing jointly on your State Income Tax Return. A.R.S. §43-1089.01 gives you this opportunity to help your local school.

A tax credit, which is the dollar-for dollar reduction of your tax liability, is better than a tax deduction, which only reduces your taxable income before taxes are computed. The tax credit is available to all taxpayers, regardless of whether they have children in school. It would be advisable to consult your tax advisor regarding your specific tax status.

You may select which school and which program you would like to support. Palm Valley PTO is encouraging parents to make their contribution to PVE Field Trips. The amount of the tax credit you take does not have to be for the total allowance. You can make a difference in our schools with just $50, $75, or $100. In addition, the credit may be split between one or more schools.

To take advantage of the tax credit, simply complete the form "LESD Tax Credit 2009" under the Resources tab of the PTO website and return to the school office by December 15, 2009 or mail to the District Office prior to December 31, 2009. It is easy! The district will provide you with a receipt verifying that you have contributed to an eligible extracurricular activity.