Dear Norte Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I am excited to begin another year of learning, growth, and partnership with our incredible students, families, and staff.

This year's theme, "One School, One Goal, One World. The World is Your Classroom," reflects who we are as a dual language learning community. Every classroom is a place where students build academic excellence, develop bilingualism and biliteracy, celebrate diverse cultures, and strengthen the skills needed to thrive in an interconnected world.

At Kyrene del Norte, we believe that every student has unique strengths and limitless potential. Together, we will foster curiosity, kindness, perseverance, and a love of learning that extends far beyond our school walls. Whether students are exploring new ideas, collaborating with classmates, or connecting across languages and cultures, they are preparing to become confident global citizens and compassionate leaders. Our partnership with families is essential to our success. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and trust. Together, we create a welcoming, inclusive community where every child feels valued, challenged, and inspired to achieve their personal best.

A special welcome to our new teachers and staff to the Norte familia:

     Valentina Olguin-Celaya – School Psychologist
     Kiersten Rozenwaser – Resource Teacher
     Joy Townsend – 2nd/3rd grade English DL teacher
     Jualy Gonzales – 4th grade Spanish DL teacher
     Sandra Caraballo Roman – 5th grade Spanish DL teacher

As we begin this exciting new school year to welcome every Norte Cougar student through our doors, I am highlighting a few dates and reminders:

     *First Day of School - July 22, Playground opens at 8:40am/ First bell
          at 9:05am & PTO Boohoo Yahoo breakfast 9:00-9:45 am in the MPR

      *Back to School Party at Peter Piper Pizza (PTO) from 3-7pm

      *Curriculum Night – August 5th, 5:30-7:30 pm

READ the Arizona Healthy Schools Act flyer– important changes for this school year.

REMEMBER to keep our students hydrated in throughout the year – remember to label your student’s water bottle.

Together, we are One School, united by One Goal—ensuring every student succeeds in One World where the possibilities are endless.

Welcome back, and here's to an outstanding 2026–2027 school year!

Estimadas familias de Norte:

¡Bienvenidos al año escolar 2026–2027! Me llena de entusiasmo comenzar un nuevo año de aprendizaje, crecimiento y colaboración junto con nuestros increíbles estudiantes, familias y personal.

El tema de este año, "Una Escuela, Una Meta, Un Mundo. El Mundo es tu Salón de Clases," refleja quiénes somos como comunidad de aprendizaje de lenguaje dual. Cada salón de clases es un espacio donde los estudiantes desarrollan la excelencia académica, fortalecen el bilingüismo y la lectoescritura en dos idiomas, celebran la diversidad cultural y adquieren las habilidades necesarias para prosperar en un mundo cada vez más interconectado.

En Kyrene del Norte creemos que cada estudiante posee fortalezas únicas y un potencial ilimitado. Juntos fomentaremos la curiosidad, la amabilidad, la perseverancia y el amor por el aprendizaje que va mucho más allá de las paredes de nuestra escuela. Ya sea explorando nuevas ideas, colaborando con sus compañeros o conectándose a través de diferentes idiomas y culturas, nuestros estudiantes se preparan para convertirse en ciudadanos globales seguros de sí mismos y líderes compasivos.

Nuestra colaboración con las familias es fundamental para el éxito de nuestros estudiantes. Gracias por su apoyo, confianza y compromiso continuo. Juntos construimos una comunidad acogedora e inclusiva donde cada niño y cada niña se siente valorado, motivado y apoyado para alcanzar su máximo potencial.

Deseamos dar una bienvenida muy especial a los nuevos maestros y miembros del personal que se unen a la familia Norte:

Valentina Olguín-Celaya – Psicóloga Escolar
Kiersten Rozenwaser – Maestra de Educación Especial (Resource)
Joy Townsend – Maestra de Inglés de Lenguaje Dual de 2/3 grado
Jualy Gonzales – Maestra de Español de Lenguaje Dual de 4 grado
Sandra Caraballo Román – Maestra de Español de Lenguaje Dual de 5 grado

Mientras nos preparamos para dar la bienvenida a cada estudiante Cougar de Norte en este emocionante nuevo año escolar, les compartimos algunas fechas importantes y recordatorios:

Desayuno "Boohoo Yahoo" del PTO: 22 de julio, de 8:45 a 9:45 a.m. en el MPR.

Noche de Currículo (Curriculum Night): 5 de agosto, de 5:30 a 7:30 p.m.

Ley de Escuelas Saludables de Arizona (Arizona Healthy Schools Act): Habrá cambios importantes este año escolar.

Mantengamos a nuestros estudiantes bien hidratados durante todo el año: Recuerden enviar una botella de agua con el nombre de su estudiante.

Juntos somos Una Escuela, unidos por Una Meta: asegurar que cada estudiante tenga éxito en Un Mundo lleno de oportunidades.

¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Les deseamos un extraordinario año escolar 2026–2027.

Atentamente,

Jaime Soto
Principal / Director
Kyrene del Norte Dual Language Academy

Thank you families for making our morning and afternoon dismissal areas go smoothly. If we work together as a team we will make sure we have safe and efficient arrival and dismissals.

A few reminders as we start our first week of school:

1.  Morning Drop Off – Make sure you drop off your student in the designated areas. If you need to help your student with their seat belt, please park in the middle lanes and then walk the student across the small parking lot crosswalk. When leaving the Family Drop Off area, we need all vehicles to turn right on Juniper. This will help the flow of traffic for all families.

2.  Morning Drop Off– Due to the high heat index in our weather patterns, we may experience limited recess periods. There will be days where the recess period before school begins is limited to 10 minutes. This may mean that we begin lining up our students at 8:50 am or other times before 9:05 am. The playground gate leading into this area will close soon after we begin lining up students. If you happen to be approaching this area to drop off your student on these day, there will be a sign by the Redfield crosswalk to let you know the playground gate is closed.  please drive to the front of the school to drop off your student by the A door. The student will not be marked late any time before 9:10 am. After 9:10 am, we ask that you come in to the office with your student.

3.  Family Drive Up Area dismissal – during High Heat Advisory days we will use the alternative dismissal protocol while the heat index is high and keeping students inside until they are called
to go outside to meet their family vehicle.

4.  Be courteous and patient when driving in our school neighborhood. Everyone needs to get somewhere but we need to prioritize safety for all. Respecting traffic signs and neighborhood driveways is appreciated by both our neighbors and anyone coming to visit our school during
the dismissal time periods.

5.  ALL Dismissal Changes must be communicated to the Front Office (and you can email/ message your student's teacher as well).

DOWNLOAD THE NEW COMMUNICATIONS APP:

Catch up on the latest news, events and other updates from Kyrene School District and Kyrene del Norte Dual Language Academy with our NEW app. It’s everything Kyrene and Norte, in your pocket. If you haven’t already, download the app for free on Google Play or the Apple App Store today!

Arizona Healthy Schools Act (Important changes for the 2026-27 school year)

Arizona's new Healthy Schools Act changes laws governing food in schools, to help kids stay healthy. The law identifies 11 banned ingredients, and schools participating in federal meal programs cannot serve or sell foods with any of the ingredients. Additionally, food brought to campus during the school day must not contain any of the banned ingredients.

Important! These new rules do not apply to parents packing their child’s individual lunch or snacks. You can still pack any lunches, snacks, or treats for your individual child. However, the new rules do restrict the foods allowed during classroom parties and other celebrations during the school day. For a full list of banned ingredients, answers to frequently asked questions, and additional information, visit Kyrene.org/healthyschools.

POLICY FROM KYRENE FAMILY HANDBOOK:

Pets and Other Animals
For the safety of all students, please do not bring pets on campus. An adult may bring a pet to the classroom for a class period and for educational purposes only if the teacher has obtained written permission from all students’ parents. Animals cannot be transported on school buses. If a pet follows a student to school, the office will contact
the student’s home to arrange for pet pick-up.
(Policy 3-202).

Please make sure your students' immunizations are up to date and that a health care plan is completed along with a medication consent form if your student is using an inhaler, has an epi pen, is taking daily medication or has a health condition.  Any student taking daily medications must have a medication consent form signed by the provider.  

All over the counter medications must now have a medication consent form signed by the provider, and medications must be left in the health office.

All medications must come in the original box/packaging - cannot be opened and must not be expired.  

There is no Tylenol in the health office this year.  

Please call Patricia Sowden in the Norte Health Office if you have any questions at 480-541-4820.  

Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)

Before and after school youth enrichment classes for children ages kindergarten through middle school are held on campuses throughout the Kyrene School District and enrollment is open to students at Kyrene del Norte Dual Language Academy.

All classes are taught by qualified, experienced professionals in the after school environment. Kyrene is partnered with both local and national enrichment vendors to bring a wide variety of enrichment opportunities including Science, Technology, Engineering, Sports, Art, Dance, Language, and more! We also provide a number of enrichment classes taught by our own certified Kyrene teachers. Complete course descriptions can be found online.

Kids Club & After Hours 2026-27 Registration Now Open! Looking for a safe, engaging place for your child before or after school? Kyrene offers outstanding programs for both elementary and middle school students, right on campus. Kids Club provides a structured, welcoming environment with activities designed to keep your child engaged, and After Hours gives students a safe place to connect and explore new interests. Check out the 2026-27 Kids Club and After Hours times and locations, and secure your spot today. Programs fill up fast!

Transitioning to a New School Year: Family Support Beyond the Classroom 

Unlock the secrets to raising a confident, adaptable child in today's fast-paced world. Discover how your child's brain grows and gain practical, stress-free tools to help them bounce back from challenges, manage big emotions, and thrive through life's ups and downs.

Presenter: Joronda Montano

Date and Time August 19, 2026: 6:00pm-7:00pm

Location: Zoom

In Partnership with TEMPE COALITION

Registration is still open for all new student or current student school change requests. New to Kindergarten families and NEW to Norte families can enroll HERE.

JULY 22:  First Day of School
                      (Full day - dismissal at 3:55pm)

                 *PTO - Boohoo / Yahoo Breakfast in MPR
                      (9:00am - 9:45am)

JULY 24:  Peter Piper Pizza Back to School Party
                     (3-7pm @ Baseline & McClintock)

JULY 31:  Be Kind Assembly

AUG 5:   Curriculum Night:  5:30pm - 7pm      

AUG 11:  Watch D.O.G.S. Info meeting @ 5:30pm
                    in Library

AUG 13:  NNO - Zzeeks Pizza / PTO Meeting
                    @ 4:30pm

AUG 14:  Friday Early Release @ 1:55pm
                     (Teacher planning)

AUG 17:  NO SCHOOL - Staff Development Day

AUG 23:  NNO - D-Backs game @ 1:10pm

AUG 24:  Student of the Month Celebration 9:30am

AUG 27:  FALL Picture Day

SEPT 3:    FALL Picture RETAKE Day

SEPT 7:   NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

SEPT 9, 10, 11:  Parent Conferences 
                   (Early Release all 3 days at 1:55pm)

SEPT 9, 10, 11:  Scholastic Book Fair in Library

SEPT 9, 10, 11:  PTO - NNO - What's the Scoop

SEPT 24:  NNO- Skateland 5-7:30pm

SEPT 25:  End of Q1 (Fall Break: Sept. 28-Oct. 9)

 (LINK TO STAFF FAVORITES)

In addition to InTouch Receipting and cash/check payments, families may now use LINQ Connect—a website and mobile app that allows instant deposits, spending limits, alerts, sibling transfers, and more.
Learn more at the Food Services webpage. 

Please remember you must re-apply for Free and Reduced Meals each year.

Students may bring cash to pay for their meal account – please remember no change is provided back to the student, the entire amount is applied to the student’s account. Cash or checks should be brought to the office so money can be applied to the account before lunch.  

If a student does not have enough funds on their account, after two (2) meals (breakfast or lunch) they are provided an alternate meal as per District policy. The student may still get side options and salad bar along with their milk.

Using the mobile app?

The ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps have a new version, and the older one is no longer supported. When you log in, you may be prompted to update — it takes less than a minute. After updating, you'll reconnect to Kyrene School District and then select "Already Activated" to get back into your existing account.

If you have any questions or need help accessing your account, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Parent Resource Link

Playground opens: 8:40AM 

First Bell Rings: 9:05AM

School Begins: 9:10 AM 

Students dropped off after 9:10AM need to be signed in at the front office. 

ATTENDANCE LINE: 480.541.4801 
The attendance line is open 24/7

Parents/guardians are required to call the attendance line day their child is absent, indicating the student's name, grade, and there must be a reason for the absence.

Please call before 8:30 AM to ensure the student is accounted for. 

For student safety, it is essential that we verify that you are aware that they are not in school. 
For extended absences, administration approval is needed. School attendance is not only a good habit, but state law requires it. 

To keep families informed regarding their student's attendance, letters will be sent to families when a child has been absent 4 days,
8 days, 13 days, and when a student has reached chronic absenteeism which is more than 18 absences. 

NOTE: Due to the busy end-of-day activity in
the office, we request that all students being checked out early, be done so at least 20 minutes before the end of the school day.

NEW!! In addition to calling in an absence on the attendance line, you can now report your child’s absence through ParentVue by following these steps:

1. Log into ParentVUE

2.  Click the Report Absence button

3.  Enter Absence Information (details)

4.  Click Save to submit to the attendance office.

Kyrene del Norte

1331 E. Redfield Road

Tempe, AZ 85283

Phone: (480) 541-4800

Fax: (480) 541-4810

Attendance: (480) 541-4801

School Hours: 9:10 am - 3:55 pm

Early Release Wed: 1:55 pm

Office Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Wednesday: 8:00 am - 2:30 pm