Desert Valley Elementary School

Tomorrow, July 31, Peoria Unified will be closed as all staff are on a furlough day. During a furlough day, all district schools and worksites are closed to the public, employees do not work and are not paid.

Last November, the community did not approve the override funding for our schools, resulting in a loss of approximately $11 million from this year's operating budget, or our maintenance and operations fund. This, coupled with declining enrollment has caused the district to cut a total of $21 million from our current budget. One way the budget shortfall will be addressed is with three furlough days this school year: July 31, February 12 and May 12. These furlough days will result in an average pay decrease of 1.5 to 1.7% for all staff members.

All school and district offices will reopen for normal hours on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, for the first day of school.

Learn more about Peoria Unified's fiscal reality at peoriaunified.org/fiscalrealities.

Look for our PTSA Board members at Meet the Teacher tonight. They will have a membership table in the Multipurpose room.

As back-to-school shopping approaches, please consider donating to the DV Den! Check out our Amazon Wishlist using this link. Your generous donations help us keep the student store sustainable for our students!

Check out my list on Amazon

Hello Desert Valley families,
Desert Valley would like to welcome our new TLC teacher Alex von Gunten.
My name is Alex von Gunten and I am your new TLC teacher.
This will be my 10th year in PUSD teaching TLC (14th year of teaching overall). I have my Bachelor's degree in business administration and Master's degree in education. I have taught at Sundance, Ira Murphy, and Foothills in the past and am currently still at Canyon for the split teaching position.
As for hobbies, I am very active and like to exercise whether hiking, golfing, or going to the gym. Also, I really enjoy all sports and played baseball in college.
I am really looking forward to starting a new school year and getting to know all of you.

Mr. von Gunten
Canyon/Desert Valley Elementary
TLC

Desert Valley would like to welcome our new 5th grade teacher Sunshine Palmer.
Hi! My name is Sunshine Palmer. This is my first year at Desert Valley and I’m looking forward to teaching 5th grade math and science! I have worked in Peoria Unified School District for 3 years, but had left and am excited to be back. I have a few years background in jr high science and with 5th graders as well. I’m super excited to be apart of the Desert Valley team and for this upcoming school year!

Desert Valley would like to welcome the newest member to our Jr. High team.
Hello, my name is Amy Wicks, and I’m excited to begin my twenty‑fifth year of teaching in the Peoria Unified School District as part of Desert Valley’s junior high team. For the past 24 years, I’ve taught junior high ELA and Social Studies at Pioneer Elementary, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and enthusiasm to a new school community.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy traveling, reading, scrapbooking, camping, and watching sports—especially basketball and football. As a proud graduate of the University of Arizona, I’m an avid Wildcats fan.

When I’m at school, being part of the community in which I teach is important to me. I look forward to supporting my fellow Diamondbacks through sports, clubs, and school events and getting to know the students and families who make Desert Valley such a special place.

Desert Valley would like to welcome out new Band teacher Lizeth Gil-Biswas.
“Hi! My name is Lizeth Gil-Biswas, and I’m excited to join Desert Valley as the band teacher! This will be my 7th year teaching and 5th year in the district. I’m a proud PUSD alum, attending Cheyenne Elementary from kindergarten through 8th grade before graduating from Peoria High School. After two years at Glendale Community College, I earned my bachelor’s degree in music education from Arizona State University.

Outside of school, I enjoy crafting, making pottery, baking, traveling, and exploring new coffee shops with my husband. I am looking forward to a fantastic year of making and learning music together!”