District Dialogue Bi-weekly news from the Laveen Elementary School District
December 19, 2019
Dr. Johnson Announces Retirement; Board Appoints Assistant Superintendent as Successor Laveen School District Superintendent Dr. Bill Johnson has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2020. Laveen’s Governing Board approved the retirement at their December 12 meeting. Dr. Johnson has served the Laveen School District since 2005 when he was hired to fill the business manager role. In 2011 he was named Superintendent. In his announcement to the staff, Dr. Johnson noted, “It has been a great privilege to work with so many wonderful people over the past 15 years. Together we have accomplished many positive things for our schools, the students, and the community. I feel very grateful to have been a part of the important work being accomplished by our schools and school district. I know that as much as we have accomplished, there remains a tremendous potential to continue to improve, progress, and to do much good.”
Following the board’s approval of Dr. Johnson’s retirement, Governing Board President Jill Barragan nominated Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Jeff Sprout as Dr. Johnson’s permanent replacement. The Governing Board unanimously approved her motion. Barragan cited Dr. Sprout’s experience and commitment to the Laveen District and community in her nomination. Dr. Sprout has served Laveen for over six years. He is actively involved in the community, having served in the Laveen Lions Club, and as chair of the Laveen Community Parade for four years. He has volunteered many hours in developing the Laveen Education Foundation and has supported the last several bond and override measures. Before joining Laveen, Dr. Sprout was a teacher, principal, and Director of STEM Research and Development in the Alhambra District.
Laveen awarded grant funding for counselor, five School Resource Officers Laveen is once again a recipient of the state’s School Safety Grant providing funding for five School Resource Officers (SRO) and a counselor. M.C. Cash, Trailside Point, Paseo Pointe, and Rogers Ranch will continue to have their SRO position funded; Cheatham will receive a new SRO position. Laveen School will receive funding for an additional counselor. Based on the proposed funding level, the Laveen District will receive about $2.1 million worth of funding over the course of the three-year grant cycle. Funding and the associated positions begin in January. The State Board of Education approved Laveen’s requests at their December 13 meeting.
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Laveen School student selected for state level council Laveen School seventh grade student Malachi Ziegler is one of 20 students from across the state selected to serve on the State Superintendent’s Arizona Student Advisory Council. Council members will represent their communities while they discuss issues that are important to students in Arizona. They will advise the state superintendent and the Department of Education about the department’s policies which have statewide impact. Ziegler submitted an essay in which he described how being adopted as an infant from Ethiopia and raised in Arizona supports his perspective of inclusivity. Ziegler is a Hawk Ambassador and helps welcome new students to Laveen School.
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Desert Meadows student wins ASU art contest honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Desert Meadows student Colin Mingo’s artwork won Arizona State University’s 35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. art contest. His submitted design was one of 1,600 entries. The artwork will be featured on a bookmark and he will be honored at the university’s annual breakfast and celebration next month. His artwork will also be showcased on ASU’s webpage, www.asu.edu/mlk.
December 19, 2019
M.C. Cash, Paseo Pointe teachers receive grant from Fiesta Bowl Charities M.C. Cash teacher Grace Livingston and Paseo Pointe teacher Ren Fahey are each recipients of a $5,000 classroom grant from the Fiesta Bowl Charities’ Wishes for Teachers program. Fahey will use the grant to purchase literature study books for his fifth grade students. The books will be for the students to keep allowing them to annotate, sticky note, and cite each book as they read. By the end of the school year each student will receive five to six books to add to their personal library. Livingston will use the grant to support Arizona-themed literature and educational field trips to the State Capitol Building, Pueblo Grande Museum, and the Heard Museum. The 3 rd Grade History and Social Science standards call for an integrated approach to teaching Arizona studies.
Winter Fest a success Teacher Job Fair is January 15 Laveen’s first Teacher Job Fair of the year is January 15 from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Laveen Education Center, 5001 W. Dobbins. Attendees will learn more about Laveen schools and will have the opportunity to meet with school administrators.
Laveen’s 6th Annual Winter Festival was a huge success! Over $8,000 in tickets were sold. Coupled with donations, the event raised over $11,000 for the Laveen Education Foundation to support student scholarships and classroom grants. Thank you to those who came out to support this annual event.
Phillips, Carrillo are November’s Employees of the Month Employees of the Month for November were Michelle Phillips, band teacher at Paseo Pointe and Trailside Point schools, and Mia Carrillo, self-contained classroom aide at Trailside Point. Phillips uses music as a way to connect students towards becoming critical thinkers, organized scholars, and enthusiastic performers. She always seeks out opportunities for her students to perform. She helped facilitate the district’s first honor band, which performed at last year’s Spring Arts Festival. She also facilitates field trips and encourages students to participate in state music festivals. She is an excellent communicator, sending detailed messages regarding performance opportunities to parents and staff. She communicates information on shared spaces and scheduling changes to both schools well in advance and in a clear manner. Carrillo works with self-contained students with behavioral disorders. She is always willing to Phillips support these students through taking walks with them, talking through problems, and working oneon-one with students who need it. She has learned strategies that work with each individual student. She quickly learns each student’s triggers and works hard every day to support them in managing their triggers and helping them to stay on task. She assists in keeping students on track during specials and often jumps in to help students outside of her class. She is kind, hard-working, and shows compassion for every student and staff member she interacts with. Phillips and Carrillo were recognized at December’s Governing Board meeting. The Employee of the Month program is sponsored by Amadio Ranch and Scooptacular. Carrillo PAGE
December 19, 2019
FREE LUNCH ALMUERZO GRATIS
ALL WINTER BREAK
December 20th- January 3rd to 12:00 PM 11:00 AM¾¾¾¾ Closed December 25th and January 1st
For ALL children and students 18 years and younger. No adult meals. EVERYONE is invited - regardless of where you live or income!
DESERT MEADOWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL¾ For more information please followØthe Child Nutrition Facebook page @LaveenChildNutrition or visitØwww.laveenschools.org Download the free Nutrislice app to view our menu and review descriptions, images,Ønutrition facts and allergens.Ø
Happy Holidays!
creating bright futures
early childhood fair This is a free event showcasing resources for parents of children under 5.
January 22 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Laveen School, 4141 W. McNeil Pizza will be served.* Free gift for the first 300 children* Activities for Children ● Preschool Opportunities ● Child Health & Development ● Community Programs & Resources
Presented by the Laveen School District www.laveeneld.org/childhood-fair *while supplies last