District Dialogue Bi-weekly news from the Laveen Elementary School District
October 16, 2015
Laveen breaks ground on School No. 8 The Laveen Elementary School District broke ground on its eighth school September 28. The new school is located within the Paseo Point community near 55th Avenue and Dobbins. The future school will hold up to 1,000 students in Grades PK-8. It will feature a Ushaped, two-story classroom wing allowing for separation of grade levels, three preschool rooms with a separate play area, STEM classrooms, art and music rooms, and a second floor library with window views. The new school will offer a dual language program in Spanish. The school was designed by EMC2 Architects and is being Members of the Laveen Governing Board, Representatives Rebecca Rios and Reginald Bolding, and Superinten- constructed by Chasse Building Team. It will open in August dent Bill Johnson participate in the ceremonial ground2016. breaking of School No. 8.
Excellence in Education Award Recipients Recognized Each year seven teachers from across the district are selected to receive the Excellence in Education Award. This prestigious award is given to those who attain high academic achievement for their students, provide exceptional service and leadership at their school, and make a positive difference outside of the classroom and in the community. Recipients of the 2015-2016 award are: Asia DeRosa, Rogers Ranch; Maria Bugarin, Desert Meadows; Davina Maes, Laveen Elementary; Jamie Steinmetz, Trailside Point; Kala Benzini, Vista del Sur, Sandra Life, Cheatham; and Lauren DiDonna, M.C. Cash These recipients were recognized at the October Governing Board Meeting.
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Recipients of Laveen’s Excellence in Education Award are recognized at the October Board Meeting.
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Laveen students selected as Chief Science Officers Thirteen students from across Laveen’s seven schools have been selected as Chief Science Officers (CSO) as part of Arizona SciTech. The students recently attended a weekend training where they participated in a variety of workshops and activities to learn more about their roles as campus CSOs. The culminating activity for the day was to put on a variety of science and technology demonstrations including bottle rockets, static electricity storage, electrical connectivity through humans, chemical reactions, and building lava lamps. These students will promote science education and related events and activities at their schools this year. The goal of the CSO is to provide a student voice as it pertains to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. CSOs are expected to attend regional or state level meetings, meet with community mentors, help develop STEM events on their campus, and contribute to science related blogs. Laveen’s Chief Science Officers are: Lagaia Kardell, Laveen; Kea Jacob and Brandon Summers, Cheatham; Julienne Pilar and Julie Merida Castillo, M.C. Cash; Emil Roy and Lauren Salaz, Vista del Sur; Sadie Check and Faith Stockton, Trailside Point; Victor Meranda and Josh Perez, Desert Meadows; and Kaylee George and Kaia Manion, Rogers Ranch.
Legislators visit Trailside Point
Representative Rebecca Rios speaks to Trailside Point students.
Senator Catherine Miranda and Representative Rebecca Rios visited Trailside Point students recently as part of the Take Your Legislator to School program which invites legislators to visit classrooms and interact with students. They both conducted question and answer sessions so the students could learn about their daily activities and what it means to be a legislator. This was a great experience for students to meet someone who is advocating for them on a larger scale.
Drenth, Cortez are September’s Employees of the Month Employees of the month for September are Mrs. Ashley Drenth, Instructional Coach at M.C. Cash, and Ms. Silvia Cortez, Attendance Clerk at Laveen School. Ms. Cortez’s willingness to help and her delightful disposition helped Laveen School transition to their new office staff. Since being in her new role, Ms. Cortez has implemented a new tardy system which has reduced the number of students late to school. Ms. Cortez is always willing to help and has been involved in community events, the PTO, and in mentoring students. She is always comes to work with a positive attitude and makes Laveen School a better place. Mrs. Drenth is involved in a number of activities across the M.C. Cash campus. She coaches Girls on the Run and serves as the school’s Athletic Director. You can always find her at a sporting event cheering on the Roadrunners. She also sponsors an Engineering Club and provides after-school math tutoring. Additionally, Mrs. Drenth is involved in the Parent Involvement Committee and PLC Council. She is a teacher that anyone can count on to go that extra mile for students and staff. Her passion for teaching is obvious and is demonstrated by her knowledge, commitment, and high expectations. PAGE 2
Drenth
Cortez
October 16, 2015