I am happy to welcome you to the 2020-21 school year at Desert Meadows! The Desert Meadows faculty and staff are dedicated to working with you to ensure that all students on our campus can achieve their highest potential. Over the years, Desert Meadows has had a rich history of providing students with an amazing academic and social experience. During the school year, we will continue to build upon and refine our proven foundation of good work, honored traditions, and continued excellence in education.
Desert Meadows School’s vision is to have all students reach their academic and social potentials, with technology serving as a catalyst to learning. And, to reach that goal, the school has launched a number of technology initiatives throughout its classrooms.
Meadows has created a blended learning environment where technology is used along with traditional learning strategies to keep students fully engaged. Teachers use Google Classroom to build assignments, ask questions, and create discussions for their students to access online. This also allows them to create a “flipped classroom” where students review the lesson online at home and complete projects and exercises in class with their peers. Middle school students use digital portfolios to set goals and show academic growth to their families.
Our special area schedule enables us to have a full-time technology integration teacher who will travel to classrooms and work with homeroom teachers to integrate computer science and coding instruction into daily lessons. At Desert Meadows, technology is not only found in the core academic areas but has been integrated into special area classes as well. In grades 6-8, our students will have a variety of computer science and coding electives to choose from. Additionally, iPads are used in music and art, and there are coding and media clubs that further promote the use of technology.
I encourage each of you to be an active part of the Desert Meadows PTA. Through the years, this organization has accomplished many wonderful things that have enhanced the quality of our students’ education. Becoming a member of the PTA is a great way to get to know what is going on at your child’s school.
If you have any questions or concerns during the year, please let us know. A key to a successful year is having open communication between parents/guardians and staff. It will help your child experience success at school if we are all headed in the same direction. We look forward to a great year!
Sincerely,
J.P. Ketcham, Principal