All Things Desert Sage
At Your Fingertips
- Contact Us
- Meet our Administrative Team
- School Hours
- Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
- School Directory
- School Parent/Student Handbook
- Classroom Supply Lists
Contact Us
Meet our Administrative Team
- Principal Kristy M. Gill
- Dean of Students Lindsay Race
- Nurse Gretchen Brunstein
- Secretary Elisa Anderson
- Registrar Lucy Rodeman
- Accounting Clerk Nicole Clipper
Principal Kristy M. Gill
Dear families,
Welcome to Desert Sage Elementary. We are an A-rated Pre-K through 6th grade Mandarin Immersion Elementary School and part of the Deer Valley Unified School District. We are excited to be a part of your child’s academic career and look forward to partnering with you throughout the journey. Our highly qualified, caring staff’s first priority is to meet your child’s needs academically, socially, and emotionally.
We have made a commitment to provide rigorous, quality, and engaging instruction to prepare your child with “future-ready” skills and knowledge. We are proud of our teachers and their ability to provide your child with a well-rounded education, but they cannot do it alone. Educational success can be achieved only through a working partnership between home and school. We hope you will take the time to visit us and become familiar with all areas of the school. We invite you to become an active member of the Desert Sage community. We offer many opportunities for parents to become involved at our school. We welcome you to become a member of our dynamic PTO, volunteer in classrooms and around the school, participate in school-wide programs, and attend informational presentations that relate to your child’s educational experience. Please be sure to inquire about the many ways to get involved by stopping in our office, contacting your child’s teacher, or reaching out to our Desert Sage PTO. You can also follow us on Twitter at @DesertSageElem to see what is happening at our school.
Thank you for choosing Desert Sage Elementary School for your child.
Go Geckos!
Kristy M. Gill
Proud Principal
Dean of Students Lindsay Race
My name is Lindsay Race. I am excited to be starting my third year here at Desert Sage. I have spent the past two years getting to know all your students, and I can’t wait to work with them again this year.
I earned my Bachelor's Degree from the University of Arizona in 2008 (BEARDOWN!). While teaching 4th Grade, I began my graduate work and completed my Master's in Educational Leadership - Principal in 2011.
This marks my 7th year in DVUSD. Previously, I served as an EL Teacher Specialist, collaborating with teachers and supporting English learners at 16 schools. Before that, I was the Writing Center Coordinator at ASU. However, my primary teaching experience comes from eight years as a general education teacher in the Washington Elementary School District, teaching 4th and 5th grade.
On weekends, I enjoy spending time with my two kids, Penelope (10) and Nicolai (8). You'll find me playing softball at Victory Lanes every Friday night. My husband Rob and I have been married for 12 years and share a love for sporting events, everything blink-182, and, of course, Disney.
I'm anticipating a fantastic school year ahead!
Mrs. Race
Nurse Gretchen Brunstein
Hi Geckos! My name is Gretchen Brunstein or Nurse Gretchen. This is my fifth year at Desert Sage. I became a nurse in 2015. I started my career subbing as a nurse in the Scottsdale School District and in geriatrics, and then I moved to pediatrics in 2017. I am looking forward to providing care and education for the students, staff, and families to keep everyone safe and healthy. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
(623) 445-4710
Secretary Elisa Anderson
Registrar Lucy Rodeman
Accounting Clerk Nicole Clipper
School Hours
General Hours
- School Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Early Release Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Half-Day Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
- Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Students are not permitted on campus until 8:30 AM when there is adult supervision or at 8:15 AM if they are participating in our breakfast program.
Lunch Times
Kindergarten - 5th grade has a 20-minute recess before lunch. 6th grade has a 15-minute recess before lunch.
Early Release PLC Fridays keep the same lunch/recess schedule.
No lunch period on 1/2 days.
- K Grade
- Monday-Friday 11:10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
- 1st Grade
- Monday-Friday 12:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- 2nd Grade
- Monday-Friday 1:00 a.m. - 1:20 p.m.
- 3rd Grade
- Monday-Friday 12:00 p.m. - 12:20 p.m.
- 4th Grade
- Monday-Friday 11:30 p.m. - 11:50 p.m.
- 5th Grade
- Monday-Friday 12:20 p.m. - 12:40 p.m.
- 6th Grade
- Monday-Friday 11:45 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Developmental Preschool Hours
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Arrival to Campus
- Staff will be on duty in yellow/pink safety vests with class lists. They will be prepared to direct students through campus and safely to their classrooms.
- Reminders:
- Campus does not open until 8:30 a.m. Students are NOT allowed to be dropped off or arrive before 8:30 a.m. There is no supervision on campus until 8:30 a.m.
- Parents are not allowed to walk on campus. Parents will be welcome to walk their child to the main blue double gate.
- School tardy bell rings and instruction begins at 8:45 a.m.
Dismissal from Campus Procedures
- K-2nd grade teachers will tag your child’s backpack with how they will be going home (i.e. walker, bikers, drive-thru pick up, bus, etc.).
- Staff will be on-duty in yellow safety vests escorting students to the appropriate location for their dismissal. Please be prepared to show ID if asked by staff, when picking up your child.
- Reminders:
- Parents cannot park on campus and walk onto campus to pick up. Please use the student drive-thru pickup or park along Alameda Road and wait in the “Parent Waiting Zones”.
- School dismissal is at 3:30 p.m. (PLC Fridays is at 2:00 p.m.), please be timely in your arrival to pick up your child.
School Directory
Name |
Position |
Phone |
Developmental Preschool |
(623) 445-4749 |
|
Developmental Preschool |
(623) 445-4747 |
|
Kindergarten Teacher |
(623) 445-4753 |
|
Kindergarten Teacher |
(623) 445-4750 |
|
Kindergarten Mandarin Teacher |
(623) 445-4752 |
|
Kindergarten Teacher |
(623) 445-4748 |
|
First Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4756 |
|
First Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4757 |
|
First Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4754 |
|
First Grade Mandarin Teacher |
(623) 445-4755 |
|
Second Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4743 |
|
Second & Third Grade Mandarin Teacher |
(623) 445-4739 |
|
Second Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4745 |
|
Second Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4741 |
|
Third Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4733 |
|
Third Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4738 |
|
Third Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4742 |
|
Fourth Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4735 |
|
Fourth Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4734 |
|
Fourth Grade Mandarin Teacher |
(623) 445-4722 |
|
Fourth Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4736 |
|
Fifth Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4766 |
|
Fifth Grade Mandarin Teacher |
(623) 445-4767 |
|
Fifth Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4768 |
|
Fifth Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4765 |
|
Sixth Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4770 |
|
Sixth Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4769 |
|
Sixth Grade Teacher |
(623) 445-4771 |
|
Sixth Grade Mandarin Teacher |
(623) 445-4772 |
|
Band Teacher |
(623) 445-4760 |
|
Music Teacher |
(623) 445-4761 |
|
P.E. Teacher |
(623) 445-4759 |
|
Art Teacher |
(623) 445-4762 |
|
Mandarin Teacher |
(623) 445-4764 |
|
School Psychologist |
(623) 445-4720 |
|
Speech & Language |
(623) 445-4717 |
|
Speech & Language |
(623) 445-4717 |
|
Occupational Therapy |
(623) 445-4717 |
|
Occupational Therapy |
(623) 445-4717 |
|
Special Education Teacher |
(623) 445-4732 |
|
Special Education Teacher |
(623) 445-4763 |
|
Special Education Teacher |
(623) 445-4727 |
|
Special Education Teacher |
(623) 445-4728 |
|
Special Education Teacher |
(623) 445-4758 |
|
Gifted Services |
(623) 445-4773 |
|
Gifted Services |
(623) 445-4773 |
|
Reading Specialist |
(623) 445-4702 |
|
Library |
(623) 445-4713 |
|
EL Services |
(623) 445-4729 |
|
Gecko Corral |
(623) 445-4797 |
|
Cafeteria Manager |
(623) 445-4714 |
|
Secretary |
(623) 445-4704 |
|
Registrar |
(623) 445-4706 |
|
Accounting Clerk |
(623) 445-4705 |