Message from Our Superintendent

Superintendent’s Message

Geocaching to AASA: The Hunt for Success

Dear Altar Valley Families,

I hope everyone had a chance to get out and enjoy some fun over Spring Break! The Dumon family took a few days to head up to Prescott for some hiking, eating, shopping, and geocaching. It was a great opportunity to enjoy a change of scenery—and a little cooler weather.

Geocaching is always a favorite family activity. I like to imagine I’m Indiana Jones on a grand adventure, but in reality, we’re probably more like Scooby-Doo and the gang—working our way through a series of ups, downs, and missteps. Somehow, though, we usually manage to find the treasure!

During our geocaching adventures, I took the opportunity to talk with my daughter about the upcoming state assessment, the Arizona Academic Standards Assessment (AASA). We made some fun connections between geocaching and test-taking strategies:

• Take your time searching for the treasure → Take your time on the test
• Read and reread the description → Read and reread each question carefully
• Pay attention to hints and clues → Look closely at all parts of the question and answer choices
• Avoid “muggles” (distractions!) → Eliminate answers you know are not correct
• Log your find → Choose the best answer—even if you need to make your best guess

Most importantly, we talked about doing your best and maintaining a positive mindset.

As we move into testing season, I want to encourage all of our students to approach the AASA with confidence. Our teachers and staff have worked hard to prepare them, and this is simply an opportunity for students to show what they know. Families can help by ensuring students get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, and arrive at school ready to do their best.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools. Let’s finish this spring strong!

Happy Treasure Hunting!

Dr. Dave Dumon
Superintendent
Altar Valley School District
ddumon@avsd.org
520-822-1484
#AllStarsRead

DR. DAVID DUMON COMPLETES AASA NATIONAL SUPERINTENDENT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) selected 30 superintendents from across Arizona to participate in the National Board Certification Program, a 20-month professional experience designed to bolster the effectiveness of superintendents across the nation. The program followed a cohort model and supported leaders with the knowledge, skills, and practices to advance, guide and support superintendents to be future-ready as they enhance learning opportunities for students. The AASA National Superintendent Certification Program provided a real-time focus on key issues that superintendents are facing today. Congratulations, Dr. Dumon!

CONGRATULATIONS, DR. DUMON!

Congratulations to Dr. David Dumon for being selected to receive ASA’s All Arizona Superintendent Award for the Small Size School Districts.

Dr. Dumon is superintendent of the Altar Valley School District in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Dumon and the Governing Board have developed a strong rapport that centers on common goals around students achievement and an understanding that the schools are social and cultural anchors in the small community of Three Points. Within the first year, he and his board created a strategic plan that focused on students achieving both personal and academic excellence. The strategic plan has guided the district toward their goals and is revisited frequently with stakeholders.

Dr. Dumon identified, adopted, and implemented a comprehensive core reading program during the beginning of his tenure. He led the restructuring of the K–8 literacy instruction to include rigorous Tier I instruction and targeted Tier II and Tier III interventions.

He is involved with professional development, instructional coaching, and implementation of DIBELS benchmark screening for teachers and administrators. He believes data should be used to guide teaching, learning, and professional development.

The district is a key partner in the annual Three Points Community Festival where Dr. Dumon serves on the planning committee. At this annual event, the Three Points community, a rural, unincorporated area 25 miles west of Tucson come together. Board members, staff, and community partners come together each Thanksgiving to cook, serve, and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner for families in need. During the pandemic Altar Valley School District partnered with Pima County and provided fresh food boxes to more than 30 families each month.

He is guided by the word of Lewis Carroll, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” Dr. Dumon cares deeply about teaching and learning. He appreciates school isn’t easy for everyone (him included) and that each child has a right to quality instruction. He visits classrooms, playgrounds, and attends extra-curricular events and enjoys taking on the role of motivator-in-chief. You may see him as Professor “Dumon”-dore from Harry Potter, reminding Altar Valley School District students that they have the magic within them to succeed, the Last Jedi inspiring students to find the force within themselves to achieve, or putting the “Super” in Superintendent as Altar Valley Man.

Altar Valley School District is a social and cultural anchor in the Three Points community. It serves nearly 600 students, encompassing nearly 700 square miles of high Sonoran Desert and mountains situated between metro Tucson and the Tohono O’odham Nation.