The Presidio staff engaged in some cheeky shenanigans in November, including Presidio’s annual Team Turkey vs. Team Reindeer game. Let me share the back story…

Mr. Phil (IT Support and Services Manager) and Ms. Moreno were debating holiday decorations a few years back. Mr. Phil said that, in a school setting, he prefers to put up Christmas decorations after Halloween because there is not a lot of time between Halloween and Christmas. Ms. Moreno, however, felt that the “bird should have his due.” This debate sparked a division into Team Turkey vs. Team Reindeer and was ignited when Ms. Kim “secretly” spurred it on with buttons, decor in various offices, etc. Thus began the tradition of Team Turkey vs. Team Reindeer. Some of the friendly pranks included reindeer poop (milk duds) on desks, turkey window decals, Christmas cards that continue to play Meowy Christmas until the battery died… The list goes on and on and it is/was all in good fun!

I share this with you because we can all use some fun during what can be a very stressful time of year. I hope you all take some time to enjoy each other, this season, and some cheeky shenanigans this month.

Happy December!

Mrs. Montierth, Principal

Presidio is pleased to announce that our Annual Giving Tree is up and running. The Giving Tree directly benefits Presidio families in need and is a wonderful way to build community and support our #PresidioFamily. If you would like to participation pick from an anonymous list of requested gifts, then bring purchased items to the 1695 E. Fort Lowell main office on or before 4:00PM on Friday, December 9, 2022. Items don't need to be wrapped, however, we do ask that you place a tag on the gift with identifying information so we can ensure that donations make it to the family in need.

We would like to thank you for helping our Presidio Families during this holiday season. We are so grateful that we have such an awesome community here to help out the families in need.

PRESIDIO SCHOOL PTSO

 Please join us for our next PTSO Meeting on Thursday, December 8th at 5:00 pm in the Dreamcatcher Library.

What is PTSO?

PTSO stands for Parent Teacher Student Organization.

What is the Purpose of the PTSO?

• To be a relevant resource for families and communities
• To serve as a strong advocate for the education and well-being of every student
• To serve as a type of forum where parents, teachers, administrators, staff, students, and other concerned community members discuss ways to promote quality education, strive to expand the arts, encourage community involvement, and work for a healthy school environment

The Presidio Winter Showcase will be Friday, December 9, 2022.
9am - Dance and Kung Fu (grades: Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6B, 7A)
1pm - Music and Art (grades: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7B, 8A)

Tickets are on sale now!
Tickets may be purchased for $1 per ticket with a maximum of 4 tickets per family. Seating is limited.

Thursday, December 8, is the dress rehearsal for students ONLY to attend. Students may not be pulled out of class to attend with families on December 9.

Refunds/exchanges are available on a case by case basis.

Presidio School is having a Holiday Bazaar from 4 PM - 7 PM on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. To help fundraise, the PTSO will be collecting donated items to sell during this event. Please help us spread the holiday cheer by donating items that could make great gifts or holiday decorations for someone to purchase. Drop off any donated items at the main front office between now and Monday, December 12th. Any unsold donations will be added to the future Buffalo Exchange event hosted by the CCCR.

Donation Item Ideas:
- Holiday Decorations
- Toys & Games
- Clothing, Shoes, & Jewelry/Accessories
- Crafts
- Books
- Home & Kitchen
- Sports & Outdoors
- Electronics
- Pet Supplies
- Fitness
- Haircare, Skincare, Nail Care Sets

Uniforms and Colder Weather

Students are required to wear Presidio School uniform shirts provided by and purchased from Presidio School. When there is a need for a student to wear a jacket over the uniform shirt due to cold weather (below 75 degrees Fahrenheit) students may wear a jacket or zipped sweatshirt over the uniform while outside. A Presidio School uniform sweatshirt/hoodie may be worn over uniform t-shirts and uniform polo shirts. Pullover sweaters, sweatshirts, or any other article of clothing covering the Presidio School uniform are not permitted inside or outside of the classroom as it defeats the purpose of a uniform.

National Honor Society

The high school National Honor Society students volunteered at the Boo at the Zoo event at Reid Park Zoo. They passed out candy, played games with children, and dressed up in costumes in themed scenes. Their professionalism, responsibility, and care for the community shown brightly!.

High School Biology, Chemistry, & Anatomy

The high school biology students have been learning about cell division and genetics. They completed a virtual lab to learn more about how breast cancer is diagnosed and treated, modeled mitosis and meiosis at stations, and completed dihybrid crosses. The high school chemistry students learned about electron configurations and their relationship to light by completing a flame test lab, visited interactive stations to review types of chemical bonds, and are currently mastering chemical nomenclature. Finally, the high school anatomy students learned about ligaments and tendons by dissecting chicken feet, tested their senses at interactive lab stations, made brain "hats", and memorized the major structures of the brain, eyes and ears.

On Nov. 3rd, a handful of 9th and 10th grade students attended the Southern Arizona Construction Days event at Kino Sports Complex. This was an interactive experience to show high school students career options focused on construction. Students participated in interactive city and construction planning, got to use some of the machinery and ask questions of experts in their field. It was a great experience!!

In an effort to promote recreational reading among the middle school students at Presidio, the teaching team has teamed up with Fantasy Comics, a local comic shop, to come up with a bold incentive. While some may consider comics without merit, comics can help students engage with multiple types of literacies and help make connections between their existing interests and reading. What may appear to some as the stuff from the back of obsolete newspapers offer a range of complex literary variety that can reinforce concepts such as narrative awareness. In this spirit, Fantasy Comics donated comic books which were then hidden in the classrooms for the students to find. At first, the students were not told of the hidden donations which only resulted in more fanfare once the first few comics were found. After this, students began searching through school supplies and bookshelves in a new light searching for the next prize. The students proudly shared their comics with their peers and read out loud together before and at the end of classes. This ELA teacher already considers the effort a success and hopes to continue to see a love of the written word appreciated by a younger generation.

Indigo Holm
6/8th Grade Language Arts

Over the last month, 1st and 3rd graders learned about Georges Seurat with pointillism, while 5th graders were introduced to Van Gogh and got to paint their own version of a vase of flowers.

7th grade art students learned how to recreate images by using a grid method to execute their drawings. Their "before" and "after" artwork will be shown during our upcoming Winter Showcase on December 9th.

High School Visual Arts class researched & presented art pieces from different art movements, discussed their art analysis, and spent some time making a few greeting cards that they are donating to fundraise for Presidio at the upcoming Holiday Bazaar (December 14th).

Last, but not least, a big thank you to all of the families who have donated art supplies and/or recycled materials this school year! Our kids love to explore their ideas and see what things they can create.