District Dialogue Bi-weekly news from the Laveen Elementary School District
February 27, 2015
Laveen disputes Governor’s proposed budget
Make your voice heard!
We are hearing a lot about education funding as of late, especially after Governor Ducey released his proposed budget suggesting a $113 million reduction to K-12 education. Superintendent Bill Johnson released a letter to the Laveen community last week explaining what the proposal means for Laveen schools. Additionally, we have posted Fact Sheets addressing the proposal and clarifying classroom vs. non-classroom dollars to our website. This information, as well as any updated information that is released, can be found on our website, www.laveeneld.org.
Want to share your thoughts on legislation without having to go down to the Capitol? Now you can access the legislature's Request to Speak system to make your voice heard on important bills impacting public education. Education organization Expect More Arizona, is facilitating the sign-up process. Email AAH@expectmorearizona.org with your first and last name and Expect More Arizona will set up an account on your behalf. Once you are able to log in, click on "New Request" on the left hand column, search either by the bill numbers or by selecting the Education Committee. When you see the bills listed, make sure to click "Add Request" to leave your comment. Do not forget to list your affiliation as a parent, community member or constituent when leaving your comment.
Garigan, Serrano are January’s Employees of the Month Employees of the month for January are Ms. Kaitlin Garigan, 8th grade teacher at Rogers Ranch and Ms. Jessica Serrano, Instructional Associate at Trailside Point. Garigan was recognized for her positive attitude that spreads to her students as well as other staff members. She frequently works, plans, and shares resources with other teachers who can benefit from her organization and leadership. Her enthusiasm for planning engaging, higherlevel thinking lessons is contagious. Additionally, Garigan is involved in several campus clubs and committees, spending many afternoons facilitating meetings and fundraisers and furthering learning opportunities. She cheers on students at after-school events and seeks out opportuGarigan nities to further help Rogers Ranch students. Serrano was recognized for utilizing her time to the max despite the limited time she has to work with students on reading interventions and progress monitoring. She plans meaningful lessons and activities that keep the students engaged and increase their achievement. She communicates regularly with teachers so she knows exactly which skills and concepts should be covered during the intervention periods. She collects and tracks data and shares this information with the teachers. The Trailside Point staff is amazed at how much pride and ownership Serrano she takes in students learning. The District Dialogue is issued twice monthly.
Teacher Job Fair March 3 Know someone who wants to be a teacher in Laveen? Tell them to come to the Teacher Job Fair March 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Laveen Education Center. Prospective teachers will have an opportunity to meet with several of our principals as they search for candidates to best fill their openings.
Old Laveen School demolished A dirt lot is all that remains of the old Laveen School, located next to the Laveen Education Center on Dobbins. The building was demolished after it became apparent that necessary repairs would not be costeffective. The space will become a ball field that the district will rent to youth organizations.
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February 27, 2015