District Dialogue Bi-weekly news from the Laveen Elementary School District
January 19, 2018
Fiesta Bowl donates sod to athletic complex The sod used in the Cactus Bowl has been donated to the Laveen District by the Fiesta Bowl. The turf was used at Chase Field for this year’s Cactus Bowl, held on December 26. Just days later, it was removed and transported to the David Glasser Athletic Complex where it was installed on the future football/soccer field. In addition to the field, the Fiesta Bowl is also donating a scoreboard. Laveen broke ground on the complex, which was partially funded through a grant by the Arizona Sports and Tourism Association, in November. A dedication ceremony will be held in the next few months.
Preschool is coming to Desert Meadows Laveen will be expanding its preschool program to Desert Meadows for the 2018-19 school year. Last year the district launched two preschool programs, a dual language immersion and general education preschool, on the campus of Paseo Pointe. Due to the success of both programs, the general education preschool will move to Desert Meadows. Paseo will continue to offer a dual language preschool. Both programs are tuition-based. Registration will begin February 6. For more information and to join the preschool interest list, visit the district website.
Trailside Point student honored at MLK breakfast Trailside Point seventh grader Berdina Riggs took 1st Place in Arizona State University’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. art contest. Her winning poster features a flower with the petals representing flags from various countries. The backdrop is the American flag with this year’s theme of “Look Deeper, Speak Louder” written across the stripes. Riggs was honored at ASU’s 33rd annual breakfast accompanied by her mother; principal, Sarah Zembruski; superintendent, Dr. Bill Johnson; and teacher, Betty Ehret. Her artwork was featured on a bookmark provided to attendees. .
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Fiesta Bowl grants Cash teacher’s $5,000 wish M.C. Cash teacher Lydia McBride is the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Fiesta Bowl Charities for their Wishes for Teachers program. McBride plans to use the funds to provide book bags and engaging reading texts that will enhance her students’ literacy skills. In addition to the classroom grant, she was honored during halftime at the Cactus Bowl held at Chase Field alongside other grant recipients.
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Thomas honored as GCU STEM Principal of the Month Roger’s Ranch principal Tim Thomas was recognized as Grand Canyon University's STEM Principal of the Month for the month of December. GCU’s Jennifer Johnson and program sponsor Rob Lohmeier, from SuoLL Architects, surprised Thomas at the December Governing Board meeting.
Chalhoub, Haas are November ’s Employees of the Month
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Employees of the Month for November were Jordan Chalhoub, Vista del Sur sixth grade teacher, and Marsha Haas, Vista del Sur secretary. Chalhoub is her school’s sixth grade team lead, a Certified Google Trainer, and she runs the school’s soccer program and engineering club. She is skilled in forming relationships with students and parents alike and is always looking for ways to bring people together. She puts 100% into everything she does and is willing to try new things. She rarely misses a day of school, unless it is to attend a professional development class. And, she is willing to share all that she learns with her peers. Haas has been with the district for over 10 years. She supports her school not only through her job, but as an involved community member. She is always willing to take initiative to help students, parents, and staff and works tirelessly to help the school run smoothly. She serves as a caring adult for multiple students. She communicates effectively, ensuring information is relayed efficiently to all parties.
Lululemon donates yoga mats to Laveen School Athletic wear company Lululemon donated 55 yoga mats to Laveen School’s Mindfulness yoga program. Mats were handed out during one of the school’s before-school yoga sessions. The company has also offered some of their yoga instructors to visit the school and help expand the program. PAGE 2
Paseo teacher receives science grant Paseo Pointe teacher Jessica Gutierrez received a DonorsChoose grant in the amount of $433 for her “Science in the Classroom” project. The funds will provide for numerous activities including a circuit maze, animal cell model, microscope lab, and chemistry. January 19, 2018