District Dialogue Bi-weekly news from the Laveen Elementary School District
February 17, 2017
Tim Thomas honored with prestigious Milken Educator Award Rogers Ranch principal Tim Thomas was honored with the prestigious Milken Educator award by the Milken Education Foundation at a surprise school assembly on February 15. Thomas was asked to hold an assembly where the Arizona Department of Education could announce new initiatives in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) as Rogers Ranch is a STEM school. As the assembly kicked off, the purpose quickly changed when Mr. Lowell Milken, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Milken Family Foundation, took the microphone. Milken discussed leadership, the strive for excellence, and the importance of education before announcing the recipient of the coveted Milken Educator Award. Thomas was selected by the Milken Family Foundation for the positive changes he has made at Rogers Ranch in his three years as principal as well as his previous school. He greatly increased student achievement while creating a supportive environment for teachers and students to thrive. “Where others see challenges, Timothy Thomas sees potential. He knows how to level the playing field and provide educational opportunities for achievement, regardless of the socio-economic conditions of the students or school he serves,” said Lowell Milken. “To turn around one school is quite a feat, but to turn around two schools is exceptional and a roadmap for others to follow. Timothy is that special type of leader all schools deserve.” The Milken Educator Award, known as the “Oscars of Teaching” comes with additional benefits. Not only will Thomas become a member of the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 top principals, teachers and specialists dedicated to strengthening education, he receives a financial prize as displayed by several Rogers Ranch students. Five students were brought up each holding a card representing $2,500. A Milken staff member soon joined the group carrying another zero to represent the $25,000 Thomas will receive. Thomas is one of only 34 educators across the nation to receive this honor this year and the sole recipient from Arizona. Holding back emotion, Thomas thanked his staff, “I steer the ship, but you power it,” he said. .
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Photos courtesy of Milken Family Foundation .
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Governing Board approves opening school boundaries At the February 9 Governing Board meeting, the Board approved the proposal to open the boundaries of Laveen schools beginning in the 2017-18 school year. This change creates only one boundary for all of Laveen’s schools which is the existing district boundary. It allows in-district parents to enroll their child in any Laveen school without having to go through open enrollment. Details of the plan are as follows: Families that currently have children enrolled in a Laveen school will not be directly impacted. Unless otherwise indicated, it is assumed that students will remain at their current school. New incoming siblings will be given enrollment priority. Currently enrolled families wishing to change schools will have an opportunity to apply to a different school in April. Placement decisions will be made in May. Transportation options will not change with the exception of additional bus routes in select areas. Students that currently walk to school and students that are currently bused to their current neighborhood school will continue to do so. Vista del Sur will continue to administer an assessment to determine suitability of placement. Open enrollment will still apply to out-of-district students. Opening school boundaries is a response to changes that are anticipated to affect the Laveen community in the near future. The construction of the South Mountain 202 freeway will accelerate development, bringing more residents and businesses to the area. There is also an increasing desire of parents to enroll their children in signature programs and schools of choice. Visit www.laveeneld.org/open-boundaries for more information.
District holds annual spelling bee The top spellers from across the district participated in the annual district spelling bee on January 26. Vista del Sur seventh grader Lindsay Davis took first place, Vista del Sur eighth grader Kidist Taye took second place, and Desert Meadows fourth grader Veronica Hayes placed third. Davis and Taye will now compete at the regional level and Hayes will serve as an alternate. Last year Davis advanced to the state spelling bee where she placed fourth.
From left: Lindsay Davis, Kidist Taye, and Veronica Hayes stand with Dr. Tracy Watkins, Laveen’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Students receive Valentine’s Day cards from MI Vista del Sur fourth graders received a special delivery of Valentines from senior citizens in Michigan. Students sent the residents of American House in Sterling Heights holiday cards in December. The seniors decided to return the thoughtful gesture with surprise Valentine’s Day cards. Vista teacher Natalie Urick’s aunt is the home’s activity director. PAGE 2
February 17, 2017
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A new preschool is on its way to Laveen The Laveen Elementary School District will be opening two preschool programs on the campus of Paseo Pointe School in August 2017. One will be part of the school’s Dual Language Immersion program where students will receive instruction in two languages. Paseo follows a 50/50 model in which participating students spend half of their day in a classroom where teaching and learning are done in English, while the other half of the day is done in Spanish. The other will be an English instruction preschool. Both are open to children that are four and five years old. Three-year-olds may be accepted depending on available space. Children must be potty-trained prior to enrolling. The district’s developmental preschool for children with special needs will continue to operate on the campus of Laveen Elementary School. Visit www.laveeneld.org/preschool for more information and to join the district’s interest list.
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Special education council recognizes three The Arizona Council for Exceptional Children is honoring three members of the Laveen community. M.C. Cash student Luis ReyesSerna is the recipient of the “I Can Do It!” award. This award recognizes students that are excelling in school deReyes-Serna spite a disability. Laveen Elementary School occupational therapist Colleen Reinboldt is being recognized with the 2017 Distinguished Service to Exceptional Children Award for her demonstrated leadership in supReinboldt porting special education. And, Desert Meadows principal Steve Preis is the recipient of the 2017 Council of Administrators for Special Education (CASE) Outstanding Leadership Award. He is being honored for making a positive difference for students Preis with disabilities. All three will be recognized at the Council’s annual state conference this month.
Spring Arts Festival planned for April The annual Spring Arts Festival is April 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the Laveen Education Center Lawn, 5001 W. Dobbins. There will be craft projects for children, arts & crafts vendors, art galleries, student performances and much more! All proceeds benefit the Laveen Education Foundation which provides high school and college scholarships to Laveen students.
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February 17, 2017
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Urick, Seay are December’s Employees of the Month Employees of the month for December were Natalie Urick, Vista del Sur Teacher, and Christopher Seay, Cheatham Computer Technician. Urick always works to do the best for Vista and the district. She works closely with her grade level team to ensure the success of all students and is always willing to step up and help others. Her students know that she really cares for them. She connects with students and works with them, even when they are no longer in her class, to make sure that they have someone they can talk to. She is the head coach of the Urick Seay softball team as well as a leader of the National Junior Honor Society and spends countless hours outside of school working to make Vista students the best they can be. As a technology site tech, Seay supports the functioning of all the technology devices. He supports the people who use them as well. He builds positive relationships with students in nearly all grade levels and constantly teaches them the PAWS skills. Initiative is one of Seay’s greatest strengths as he is always finding ways to help around campus. He is readily available to the staff and students and often helps out setting up and closing down campus events like HOA meetings and the American Dream Academy.
Skaggs, Hernandez are January’s Employees of the Month Employees of the month for January were Elena Skaggs, Rogers Ranch teacher, and Monica Hernandez, Rogers Ranch secretary. Skaggs has a true passion for teaching and making a difference in each of her students' lives. She has a positive, upbeat attitude that builds the desire in her students to do their very best. She helps teachers brainstorm interventions for their students who need a little extra assistance and is responsible for creating lesson plans, resources, and intervention materials to help direct student learning and increase student achievement. She is an effective communicator -- providing expectations, inSkaggs Hernandez struction, and feedback to her students every day while also speaking with their parents to deliver both positive words and areas in which students need to improve. Monica Hernandez is the heart and soul of Rogers Ranch School. As school secretary, she is constantly pulled in various directions throughout the day, from answering phones and ordering supplies to coordinating schedules and enrolling students. Although this can be a daunting task, Monica makes it look easy. She is always very welcoming, kind and calm even during the busiest of times. The caliber of her work is excellent beyond measure. Her work shows quality and commitment to excellence. Monica consistently models appropriate professionalism and motivates others to do their best.
Supervisor Gallardo hears from Cash students Several M.C. Cash student council members participated in a Laveen Teen Forum hosted by County Supervisor Steve Gallardo and his team regarding issues/problems facing teens in Laveen. This conversation was part of a Youth Development Project where city and county leaders will use the information presented to lead coordinated efforts in providing services to residents. PAGE 2
February 17, 2017