Surprise News
)
Information about Prop 421
The Dysart Unified School District Governing Board has placed Proposition 421 on the November 3, 2026 ballot to maintain safe, functional learning environments, and support continued growth. The estimated tax impact to the community is $3 per month, or $36 per year.*
If approved, here are a few of the ways our schools and community needs will be supported:
- Replacement of aging air conditioning systems and fire panels
- Renovation of aging facilities
- Construction of a new elementary school
- Land for a high school
Get registered to vote in this mail-in only election by October 5 at Elections.Maricopa.gov and learn more at Dysart.org/Prop421.
*Based on an estimated $0.17 tax rate on an average assessed home value of $215,435. Assessed value is determined by the Maricopa County Assessor's Office to calculate property taxes, and is not the same as the market value that a home would sell for. Tax rates are an estimate and are influenced by a variety of factors including Maricopa County assessed valuation fluctuations.
)
Picture Day Friday, September 4th
Please see parent square for more information. Proofs will be sent home after picture day and will include instructions on how to purchase
)
Cross Country starts Tuesday, September 8th
- Enroll online on registermyathlete.com before September 8th
- All students must be registered and cleared before they can start practice
- Grades 3-8
- Practices Tuesday and Thursday
- Meets: Mondays & some Saturdays
- Bring a water bottle
- Have Fun!
)
Title 1 Family Engagement Night
- September 10, 2026 5:00 - 6:30pm
- Location: Cafeteria
- Parent Portal Tutorials: Get hands-on help navigating grades and attendance
- 21st Century Table: Explore exciting opportunities such as before-school tutoring and after school programs
- PTA BINGO: Enjoy fun, friendly rounds of classic Bingo with your family and friends! PTA will be selling concessions for a small fee.
- PTA contact information: surpriseazpta@gmail.com
)
)
Title I at Surprise Elementary
At Surprise Elementary, we believe every CUB deserves the opportunity, resources, and support needed to succeed.
As a Title I school, we receive additional federal funding to strengthen academic achievement and provide learning opportunities for our students.
What is Title I?
Title I is a K–12 program that provides additional academic support to schools serving higher percentages of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
The goal of Title I is to help ensure all students have the opportunity to meet or exceed state academic standards.
How Title I Supports Our CUBS
Title I resources help Surprise Elementary:
Increase academic achievement by providing additional resources and targeted learning opportunities.
Provide direct instructional support to students who may need additional time, instruction, intervention, or practice.
Invest in our teachers through professional learning and resources that strengthen high-quality classroom instruction.
Promote family education and engagement by creating opportunities for families to understand, participate in, and support their child's learning.
Families Are Essential Partners
Family engagement is an important part of our Title I program. Throughout the year, families will have opportunities to learn more about our academic goals, participate in school events, provide feedback, and discover ways to support learning at home.
Together, our students, staff, and families are Setting the Gold Standard for learning at Surprise Elementary. By working together, we can ensure every CUB has the support and opportunities needed for success!
Check out all our Title 1 resources for our school community.
)
Fall Middle School Athletics
Dysart Schools is excited to kick off Middle School Sports with the fall season.
Sports for the fall season including baseball, softball, cross country, and chess.
Tryouts begin August 31. The cost is $60.
Interested athletes should visit dysart.org/aktivate (formerly Register My Athlete) to update their current account or create a new one.
Contact us for additional details!
)
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Even if you aren't sure your family qualifies, we encourage every family to complete an application each school year.
✅ Create or log in to your SchoolCafé account.
Be sure to select Surprise Elementary as your child's school.
Complete and submit your Free & Reduced Meal Application.
Why is this important?
🍽️ It helps determine your family's meal benefits.
💛 It provides additional funding and resources that support our students and school programs.
📚 It helps ensure Surprise Elementary receives the resources needed to help every Cub succeed.
A few minutes today can make a big difference throughout the school year!
.png?w=1600&h=600&mode=crop&scale=both&crop=(0,663,1080,1068))
Annual Student Update
Complete your Annual Student Update through the Parent Portal!
This quick but essential step ensures your Cub is ready for success on the very first day of school by providing immediate access to school technology and ensuring we have the most up-to-date information for your family.
Please verify or update:
🚨 Emergency Contacts
📱 Phone Numbers & Home Address
💊 Health & Medication Information
💻 Student Technology Access
Your students will lose technology access if not completed by August 29th.
Together, we're building a safe, connected, and prepared school community.
Thank you for partnering with us as we continue Setting the Gold Standard for every Cub!
)
Arrival and Dismissal
At Surprise Elementary, the safety of every Cub is our highest priority. Working together, we can create a smooth, safe, and positive arrival and dismissal experience for all students, families, and staff. Please take a few moments to review the following maps and procedures before the first day of school. Your partnership helps us ensure every student begins and ends each day safely.
School Hours
Breakfast: 8:35–9:00 a.m.Campus Gates Open: 8:35 a.m.
School Begins: 9:00 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:45 p.m. (Tuesday–Friday)
Early Release Mondays: 1:45 p.m.
For student safety, please do not drop students off before 8:35 a.m. Staff supervision begins when the gates open.
Thank You for Partnering With Us!
Together, we can make arrival and dismissal safe, efficient, and welcoming for every Surprise Cub.
Thank you for helping us honor our legacy, elevate our future, and continue Setting the Gold Standard for the next 50 years!
Help Us Keep Everyone Safe
As you review the arrival and dismissal maps, please remember:
- Follow the directions of staff members—they are there to keep everyone safe.
- Always use designated drop-off, pick-up, parking, and crosswalk areas.
- Students should enter and exit vehicles from the passenger side only.
- Please remain in your vehicle while using the drive-through lane.
- Park only in marked parking spaces if you need to walk your child to campus.
- Never double park, block crosswalks, or stop in fire lanes or bus areas.
- Stay off your phone while driving through campus.
- Be patient, courteous, and model kindness for our Cubs.
Bike & Scooter Riders
Students riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards should:
- Walk their equipment while on school grounds.
- Lock bikes and scooters in the designated bike racks.
- Remember that the school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Kindergarten Our Kindergarten Cubs have a special arrival area!
Arrival
- Please park in the Kindergarten parking lot and walk your child to the Kindergarten playground gate.
- Kindergarten students arriving with an older sibling will also enter through the Kindergarten gate.
- Please follow the map below for the designated entrance.
Dismissal
- Kindergarten students will remain in their classroom until a parent or guardian arrives at the Kindergarten Pick-Up Gate.
- Families will receive a Kindergarten Name Tag with their child's name and teacher. Staff will use this tag to notify the classroom that you have arrived.
- Older siblings picking up their Kindergarten sibling should report to their sibling's classroom door in the Kindergarten hallway.
Arrival
- Students may be dropped off in the main drive-through lane off Dysart Road.
- Students will enter through the courtyard gates and doors and proceed directly to their classroom.
Dismissal
- Students will wait in their designated grade-level pick-up area with their teacher.
- Please pull forward as directed by staff, and students will be dismissed to their vehicle.
Drive-Line Safety: To help everyone arrive safely:
- Students must exit from the passenger side of the vehicle only.
- Drivers should remain in their vehicle while using the drive-through lane.
- If you choose to walk your child to the gate, please park in a designated parking space in the front parking lot.
- Students may only cross at the crosswalk with an adult.
- Please do not park along the curb at any time.
Walking Students
- Students who walk to school and enter through the back gate should enter through the back doors and proceed directly to class.
- Students in 5th–8th grade should use the back staircase to access their upstairs classrooms.
- Students in 1st–4th grade will exit through the back doors to the designated walking gate.
Bus Riders
- Exit the bus safely.
- Enter the school through the back doors and proceed directly to your classroom.
- Students in 5th–8th grade should use the back staircase to reach their upstairs classrooms.
- When dismissed, students should proceed directly to their assigned bus.
Bike, Scooter & Skateboard Riders
- Use the courtyard bike racks to lock your bike or scooter.
- Bikes, scooters, and skateboards must be walked at all times while on school property.
- Be sure to lock your equipment.
- Please note that the school is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
.png)
)
Meet The Teacher
Meet the Teacher
August 4th, 2026
5:00-6:30
Welcome back cubs! Setting the GOLD standard for our students future begins August 4th, as we partner with families to inspire a lifetime of learning and success.
Surprise Strong Structure:
🏆10 Minute Rotations
🏆Classrooms remain open for the last 15 minutes
🏆Parents will enter through the cafeteria
🏆Resource and Support tables located in the cafeteria (Parent Portal, ParentSquare, Bus Rider Info, PTA, Food Services, Annual Student Update)
🏆Class lists will be posted in cafe and hallways.
Time Rotations:
⏰5:05-5:15
⏰ 5:20-5:30
⏰5:35-5:45
⏰5:50-6:00
⏰6:05-6:15
⏰6:15-6:30
)
Sign Up Today for our Kinder Experience
🐾 Kinder Experience Is Coming to Surprise! 🎒
✏️ Do you have a future CUB getting ready for kindergarten?
Join us for our Kinder Experience, July 20–23 from 8:00–11:00 a.m.!
This special experience is designed to help our newest CUBS feel comfortable, confident, and excited about starting school!
🌟 Students will explore reading and math while learning important school routines, procedures, and expectations. They’ll also practice making friends and becoming part of our CUB community.
Our goal is simple: a smooth and successful transition into kindergarten! 🐻💛🤎
📅 July 20–23
⏰ 8:00–11:00 a.m.
📞 Register by phone: 623-876-7400
💻 Register online by clicking the link➡️ : dysart.org/Surprise
📲 Or scan the QR code on the flyer!
Register through July—we can’t wait to welcome our newest CUBS! 🐾
)
2026-2027 Optional School Supplies
✏️ Get Ready for a GOLD Standard Year! 🏆
We are excited to welcome our CUBS back for another incredible year of learning! 🐾
Below are the optional school supply lists by grade level to help families prepare for the year ahead.
Important Note: Arizona law requires public schools to provide all supplies required for academic success. All materials required for your child’s education will be provided by the school district. The items below are general, optional supplies families may provide at their discretion.
✨ Please check with your child’s teacher at Meet the Teacher before purchasing supplies.
)
New Student Enrollment Open for 26-27 School Year
Dysart Unified School District is accepting new PreK-12 student enrollment applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Parents and guardians can complete the necessary registration information online at Dysart.org/enroll at any time. Within the enrollment application, parents are able to select their home school, or request their child attend another school outside of their boundary school, including Freedom Traditional Academy, through Open Enrollment. Preschool enrollment options are also available on the main enrollment link above, as well as at GrowingMindsPreschool.org. Learn more at Dysart.org/Preschool.
For in-person enrollment assistance between June 8th and July 1st, families may visit the District Office Monday through Thursday at 15802 N. Parkview Place in Surprise, Arizona from 8am-4:30pm. All K-12 school offices will reopen for in person enrollment on Wednesday, July 8.
Please note that in order to finalize registration the following documents will be required: government issued photo identification; birth certificate; proof of residency; and immunization records. To keep up with their child’s academic progress, parents are encouraged to sign up for the Parent Portal at Dysart.org/parentportal or via the Campus Parent app, available as early as 24 hours after registration is finalized. To find out if your child is eligible for transportation, visit Dysart.org/Transportation.
Dysart Schools looks forward to serving the community by providing an outstanding preschool through high school experience for students. For additional assistance with student registration, families may contact their local school beginning July 8, call 623-876-7151, or email SISTeam@dysart.org.
)
.png?w=1600&h=600&anchor=topcenter&mode=crop&scale=both&crop=(0,16,1024,400))
Field Day
May 13th:
K-2: 9:00 - 11:45
3rd-4th: 1:00 - 3:30
May 15th:
5th - 6th: 9:00 - 11:30
7th - 8th: 1:00 - 3:30
)
Field Day May 13th & 15th
- May 13th
- K-2: 9:00 am - 11:45 am
- 3-4: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
- May 15th
- 5-6: 9:00 am - 11:30 am
- 7-8: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
- Don't Forget!
- Bring sunscreen, towel & appropriate school attire
- NO Bathing suits will be allowed!
- You should consider bringing a change of clothes in your backpack
- Parent are welcome to come and Observe - please sign in the front office
PTO will be selling snacks! Be sure to bring money on snack day
Wednesday May 13th
Kindergarten: 1:30 - 3:30
6th Grade: 1:30 - 3:30
7th Grade: 1:30 - 3:30
8th Grade: 1:30 - 3:30
Friday May 15th
1st Grade: 1:00 - 3:30
2nd Grade: 1:00 - 3:30
3rd Grade: 1:00 - 3:30
4th Grade: 1:00 - 3:30
5th Grade: 1:00 - 3:30
)
Early Dismissal & Office Closed
May 20 & 21 are a 12:00 Dismissal and our front office will be closing at 1:00 pm both days. Please plan accordingly to have students picked up on time.
Any questions please call the front office at (623) 876-7400
)
NJHS Spring Induction Ceremony:
Thursday, May 7, 2026 in the Surprise Elementary Cafeteria. Please by here by 5:15 pm. We will start at 5:30 pm. Thank you!
)
Teacher / Staff Appreciation Week May 4th - 8th
As we take time to celebrate Staff and Teacher Appreciation, we want to recognize the incredible dedication, care, and hard work that each of you brings to our school every day. Your commitment to supporting students, fostering a positive learning environment, and going above and beyond does not go unnoticed.
Thank you for the many ways you make a difference—both big and small. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom, and we are truly grateful for all that you do.
We appreciate you today and every day!