Superintendent's Message
November Message from the Superintendent
Giving Thanks and Celebrating Progress at Altar Valley
Altar Valley Families,
I hope this message finds you well as we transition from the hot days of the past few months into the cooler weather of fall. With the chill in the air each morning, it’s a reminder that the holidays are just around the corner, bringing with them the spirit of gratitude. At this time, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for our incredible Altar Valley family. It is truly a privilege to serve as the Superintendent of the Altar Valley School District, and I am constantly reminded of how fortunate we are to have such dedicated students, parents, and staff.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s a wonderful day to gather with family and friends, enjoy favorite foods, catch up with one another, count our blessings, and watch the Detroit Lions play! Go Lions! It is also a time to reflect on all the things we are grateful for. As we approach Thanksgiving, it's the perfect moment to focus on the importance of gratitude. We encourage our students to practice gratitude, and it’s just as important for us as adults to lead by example. By demonstrating gratitude, we teach our children the values of appreciation, kindness, and empathy. I encourage you to take a few moments this season to talk with your children about the people and things you are thankful for and to invite them to do the same. Personally, I am incredibly proud and thankful to be a part of the Altar Valley family!
I am thrilled to share some exciting news that fills our district with pride. Thanks to the collective efforts of our dedicated staff, motivated students, and supportive families, Robles Elementary has achieved a 'C' label, and Altar Valley Middle School has maintained its ‘B’ label! This is a tremendous accomplishment that reflects our unwavering commitment to providing a high-quality education for your children. With continued hard work, collaboration, and a focus on excellence, I am confident that we will continue to build, grow, flourish, and succeed as we reach even greater heights.
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
- November 8 – Veterans Day Luncheon honoring our local veterans
- November 11 – Veterans Day, No School
- November 27–29 – Thanksgiving Break, No School
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Build, Grow, Flourish, Succeed at AVSD!
Dr. Dave Dumon
Superintendent
Altar Valley School District
ddumon@avsd.org
(520) 822-1484
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.