The District Dialogue News from the Laveen School District August 21, 2020 CFO honored with international award
Laveen staff sets the trajectory
Laveen’s Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Hegarty, is the recipient of the Association of School Business Officials International’s Pinnacle of Achievement Award. The Pinnacle Awards celebrate the work of outstanding individuals whose original solutions maximize resources and enhance student achievement. Hegarty was recognized for his role in a complex, innovative land transaction that involved local and state collaboration. The district owned a parcel of land, purchased by the state, that was no longer viable for a school site. Hegarty developed a plan to acquire a parcel of land set aside for a city park, trade the unsuitable parcel for the parcel in the new development with the state, and acquire a new parcel by way of a three-way trade with a homebuilder and a commercial developer who wanted to obtain the district’s unsuitable parcel. This transaction, valued at $5 million, provided the land for Estrella Foothills Global Academy.
“Setting the Trajectory” is the 2020 theme for Laveen’s staff. This theme was selected following a message from former Vista del Sur student, Abia Khan. Abia was an excellent student during her years at Vista. She went on to enroll in the International Baccalaureate program at North High School. This year, she begins as a freshman at Harvard University on a full-ride scholarship. Abia’s message to our staff was the impact Laveen staff had on her successful trajectory to this point. Dr. Jeff Sprout, Laveen Superintendent, shared Abia’s story and reminded staff that everyone has the opportunity to change someone’s life for the better. On Friday, Laveen staff will wear district-issued “Setting the Trajectory” t-shirts and share a story with their students about how someone set the trajectory in their lives. Parents are encouraged to do the same. Despite the numerous challenges we have all faced in the last few months, we hope these stories inspire others to continue to help each other pursue success.
Curbside meal distribution continues during online learning Laveen’s Child Nutrition Department continues to distribute meals curbside to enrolled students during this period of online learning. Meals will be served curbside daily at each school site (except Estrella Foothills) between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Meals are only available to students who are presently enrolled in a Laveen School District School. Meals may picked up from any location regardless of the school your child is enrolled at. Parents or students must have their child's Student ID badge or Student ID number in order to pick up meals. These will be scanned/ entered prior to distribution. Breakfast and lunch will be served at one time. Breakfast is free for all Laveen students. Lunch is served on a free or paid basis depending on a family's eligibility status. All families are encouraged to apply for free or reduced price meals. Families who do not qualify for free meals can add funds to their child's meal account using the secure portal EZSchoolPay.
Lunch fees waived for families on reduced-price plan Understanding that the current economic climate has created financial hardships and food insecurity for many of our students, Laveen’s Child Nutrition Department is temporarily waiving the cost of lunch for families who qualify for reduced-price meals. Families who have qualified for school meals at the reduced rate of $.40 will now receive these meals at no cost while curbside meal service is offered. Free and reduced price meals are available to families who meet the income requirements. Families must reapply annually. Use our secure online portal, EZMealApp.com, to complete the 2020-21 application safely and quickly.
The District Dialogue
CrossWalk Church donates supplies, masks For several years, the volunteers at CrossWalk Church have collected, laundered, sorted, and distributed used school uniforms to our schools. While the pandemic made this project impossible this summer, members still found a way to provide for Laveen students. Volunteers dropped off 200 pairs of underwear, 200 pairs of socks, and almost 1,000 hygiene products. Additionally, they made 150 face coverings for our students. Thank you CrossWalk for your continuous support!
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