The fifth through eighth grade music students at Canyon Ridge School created a special YouTube mix of positive songs to express their gratitude for the commitment and support healthcare and emergency professionals provide to our communities during these difficult times. This gift of music was created with healthcare providers in mind as a thank you with the main goal of lifting their spirits. Students researched and assembled a collection of songs that have a positive, upbeat, or moving message. 

In addition to the compilation of songs, students created 100 cards to celebrate the Centennial year of Dysart with their notes of gratitude.  The cards and songs were shared with district school nurses and healthcare heroes around the Valley at locations including Banner Del E. Webb, Boswell, Destiny Springs, and Hospice. Newly graduating nurses at Chamberlain University will also be recipients of the music and cards. 

“We know that these students are studying hard and getting ready to step into the nursing field at an unusually challenging time, so we are hoping to provide them with some encouragement along the way, ” said Amanda Mutai, Canyon Ridge School Music Educator and Choral Director.

During the delivery of the gift, nurses were moved to tears when accepting the appreciation. 

“We really need to take this time to show our health care workers just how much they mean to us. They are tired, I'm seeing this first hand within my own family who work in healthcare. I was moved to make sure that they knew we are here to support them, too,” said Mutai.

Canyon Ridge Schools invites anyone in the community to join in and listen to the songs available on the link below.  

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL5xYwxvjQ-ouu61ArFLvXCsw4b5-b2Hh.

Justean Palmer, our Teaching Learning Specialist, did an amazing job presenting on Academic Conversations at Canyon Ridge University on Tuesday, November 17.   If you could not attend, we are sharing the Canyon Ridge University presentation  here.

Good afternoon Dysart parents and guardians,

In a press conference yesterday, Governor Ducey reiterated the importance of wearing masks on school campuses. Today, the Arizona Department of Health Services issued an emergency mandate requiring that masks be worn on school campuses, on school buses and during school-associated activities by all students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors.  

As you know, Dysart has already been requiring the use of face coverings as part of our COVID health and safety protocols. We have had great cooperation from our students, staff and community members, and appreciate your continued efforts moving forward. Thank you for doing your part to keep our campuses safe and healthy.  

Please remember that the latest updates regarding Dysart’s Coronavirus efforts can always be found at Dysart.org/Coronavirus. 

Hello Canyon Ridge families -

This morning, Mrs. Hoppe held her Coffee Talk for the second quarter of the school year.  If you missed it, you can watch it on the November 17 Coffee Talk link.  

Hello Canyon Ridge Parents -

So you can plan ahead, Friday, December 18, 2020, will be an early release at 11:15 a.m.   Please plan to pick up your student at that time.   Thank you!

We are starting to accumulate items in our school's Lost and Found.    Beginning today and every Friday during the school year, the Lost and Found bin will be moved to the front of the school near the office doors.   If your child has lost a sweatshirt, jacket, lunch box, etc., please check out the items in the bin.    At the end of the first and second semesters, all items that have not been claimed will be donated.    Thanks!

In celebration of Veterans Day 2020, Canyon Ridge School, in conjunction with Veterans of Foreign War Post 10695 in Sun City West, offered a flag folding ceremony and presentation to honor a longtime supporter of Veterans programs in the Dysart Unified School District; Assistant Superintendent Jim Dean.

The event took place at the Dysart Unified School District office in Surprise, Arizona and was attended by community members, principals, teachers, superintendents and many members of the district office staff.  The ceremony was aired live on Facebook and the flag folding was conducted by Vietnam Veterans and heroes, Mr. Dennis Grau, United States Navy and Mr. Don Burnett, United States Army. The narration and symbolic meaning of each fold of the flag was presented by Mrs. Harriett Grau of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary.

“This symbol of our country is presented to Assistant Superintendent Jim Dean for his many years of dedication to the Veterans program in this district,” states Mr. Grau.

Mr. Dean, current Assistant Superintendent of Support Services, operated for many years as a principal in the Dysart district and served at Sunset Hills Elementary School and Canyon Ridge School, during the formative years of both schools. His affiliation and support of VFW causes, such as Veterans in the Classroom, has been consistent for over a decade.

“The ceremony today is an extension of the annual Veterans Commemoration event that we have performed at Canyon Ridge School for over ten years,” said Christopher Raso, seventh grade Social Studies Teacher. “The current pandemic does not allow us to proceed with our school-wide assembly but we could not let the day pass without honoring our Veterans, presenting them with cards and letters of gratitude from students, and providing an opportunity for the presentation of  this well-deserved award to Mr. Dean.”

Mrs. Jill Hoppe, principal of Canyon Ridge School stated, “Our Veterans have given so much of themselves to our country and continue to foster patriotism in us all.”

Photo Gallery

Facebook Livestream

Please mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:

Please remember Every Monday is early release.  We release 1 p.m.


Canyon Ridge Boys Soccer and Girls Volleyball Season is in progress.  Game and playoff information can be found on the Calendar on the Canyon Ridge website.  Please remember that there are only allowed two guests per player at every game due to Covid 19 restrictions.

Cross Country practices are held every Tuesday and Thursday in through December 3, 2020 at 7:15 a.m. at the back gates.


Monday, November 16 - Friday, December 4 -
Canyon Ridge Activity Bag Drive - 
Collecting toys, coloring books, crayons, small books, crafts, puzzles, playdough, etc. for children in the hospital.   All items must be new.   Drop off bins will be in the hallways.  


Saturday, November 21 -
Cross Country Meet at Ashton Ranch; 8:00 a.m.

Monday, November 23 -
Canyon Ridge School Spelling Bee

Wednesday, November 25 - Friday, November 27
No School - Thanksgiving Recess

Saturday, December 5 -
Cross Country All District Meet - 8:00 a.m. at Shadow Ridge High School

Monday, December 7 -
Boys Soccer and Girls Volleyball Playoffs begin

Wednesday, December 9 -
Dysart Virtual Governing Board Meeting; 6:00 p.m.

Friday, December 11 -
Video Submissions for talent show auditions due to Mrs. Mutai today

Saturday, December 12 -
Canyon Ridge Winter Band Concert; 12:00 p.m. at Heritage Park

Thursday, December 17 -
Reindeer Run will be held all day long during each grade level's Specials time.  Sorry, no Visitors will be allowed on campus for this event.

Friday, December 18 -
Early Release at 11:15 a.m. - Winter break begins
Canyon Ridge Winter Choir Concert Recording Release; 7:00 p.m. - More information will follow

Have a safe and happy holiday and winter break!  We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, January 4, 2021


Attendance Reminder -
The Attendance Line - 623-523-8453 - is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   If you know your child will be absent, please remember to call in their absence by 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. Please always contact the Attendance Line even if you have spoken with your child’s teacher.  Thank you.

Drop Off and Pick Up -

Arrival
Students are not to arrive on campus BEFORE 7:55 a.m., unless they are attending a previously scheduled activity.  After the 8:10 a.m. bell, students will have to enter campus through the front office.  Gates and all other external doors will be locked at that time.
Students may begin arriving at 7:55 a.m.  Canyon Ridge will be on a soft start schedule for all grade levels, and upon arrival, all students will report directly to their homeroom class.

Dismissal
Students are to leave campus as soon as the 3:00 p.m. bell rings.  Both teacher and parent permission is required for students to remain on campus after 3:00 p.m.  Students will need to be picked up NO LATER than 3:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. for Mondays).  Please call the front office if you will be late picking up your child. 

During the 2020/2021 school year, teachers will follow a staggered release schedule to reduce hallway congestion.   
Grades K, 3 and 4 will release at 2:50 p.m., 
Grades 1, 6 and 8 will release at 2:55 p.m., and 
Grades 2, 5 and 7 will release at 3:00 p.m.
The parking lot in the back of the school is for STAFF only,  please refrain from dropping off or picking up in this area.

Traffic Safety -
The speed limit in the school zone is 15 mph.   For the safety of our students, parents and staff, we ask that you please adhere to this speed limit at all times.  
 

Canyon Ridge NEHS members are collecting activity bags for the children at Banner Thunderbird Hospital. 

The drive will be from November 16 - December 4!  
 

• Dates: November 16 - December 4
• What: Collecting toys, coloring books, crayons, small books, crafts, puzzles, playdough, etc. for children in the hospital.  All items must be new.   
• For: Banner Thunderbird Hospital
• How it works:  The winning classroom with the most bags will earn an ice cream sandwich party!  
• Activity Bags:  Enclosed in a gallon sized ziplock bag please include: NEW coloring books, crayons, puzzles, small books, toys, crafts, playdough, etc.  These bags will be given to children ages 4-12 who spend time in the hospital and cannot leave their rooms. 

**You may drop off bags with your child’s homeroom teacher!  Thank you in advance for your support for this very worthy cause!

Hello Canyon Ridge families -

Just a friendly reminder - please make sure your student has everything they need for the school day when they leave home in the morning, including lunches (if they don't buy hot lunch), chromebooks, homework assignments, bottled water and snacks, etc. 

Because of the current Covid situation, we are trying to limit the number of visitors to campus and the number of trips by students to the front office.

Thank you so very much for your support!