The Latest from Laveen Fall/Winter 2020

The Latest from Fall/Winter 2020 .

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VISTA DEL SUR NAMED AN A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE MEALS PROVIDED TO ALL CHILDREN FREE OF CHARGE

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Letter Letterfrom fromthe theSuperintendent Superintendent Thank you for your ongoing support of Laveen Schools. We greatly appreciate the decades-long partnership that exists between the community and the district.

Dr. Jeff Sprout Our theme for this school year is “Setting the Trajectory,” a reminder that each and every day we have the incredible opportunity to positively change the course of someone’s life. I have encouraged staff, and now you as well, to reflect on and thank those who have impacted your life and commit to doing the same in your vocational and personal lives.

As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on how education is provided throughout the world. We have been blessed with an outstanding staff that has taken on the many challenges of providing both distance and in-person learning as well as implementing mitigation strategies to keep our campuses safe. Due to visionary planning in curriculum and technology, we have been able to provide instruction to our students, no matter where they are, as each student in our district has a laptop and access to curriculum and instruction whether they are at home or in school.

We look forward to a return to normalcy. Laveen Schools, no matter what the circumstances, will continue to offer a variety of learning programs at our nine schools and provide the best learning opportunities for students in Grades preschool—8. This includes our newest A+ School of Excellence, Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy, as well as our recently opened ninth school, Estrella Foothills Global Academy. Each of our schools offer a signature program and is open for enrollment. I encourage you to visit our website, www.LaveenSchools.org, to see our other schools and their offerings.

It is an honor for each of us to be a part of this wonderful community.

I wish your family, friends, and you a wonderful Holiday Season!

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Voters support Laveen schools Laveen’s Maintenance and Operations Override was overwhelmingly approved by voters, with 71% supporting this measure.

The override allows the Laveen School District to continue offering free full-day kindergarten; electives such as art, PE, and music; and competitive salaries and benefits to attract the best employees.

We appreciate the community’s strong support for our schools.

Board members approved In addition to approving the district’s override, voters filled three seats on the district’s governing board.

Incumbents Michele Anderson and Susan Sanborn were both elected to another term on the Board. Dr. Torrence Watkins, was selected to a seat being vacated by longtime member Isaac Serna.

Anderson has served on the board since 2015 and is currently president. Susan Sanborn has served on the board since 2006.

Dr. Watkins is an active member of the Laveen community. Aside from running Laveen Eye Care since 2007, he has developed mentoring programs, coached youth sports, and sponsored teams and fundraisers. He has also worked with the district to launch the School Connect – Parent University Project in which local organizations come together to educate parents on specific tools and resources to assist them in parenting.

The new board terms begin in January.

Anderson

Sanborn

Watkins

Estrella Foothills Global Academy opens doors Estrella Foothills Global Academy (EFGA) opened its doors to its first group of students this fall. The school opened to Grades K-6, with limited class sizes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will add a grade level each year until it serves Grades K-8.

EFGA features a Global Studies curriculum as its signature focus. This program creates opportunities for students to think and engage in learning activities that broaden their global perspective. Mandarin Chinese is offered as a foreign language component. EFGA is a Candidate School* for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School.

Estrella Foothills is presently enrolling students. As with all Laveen schools, EFGA does not have a set attendance boundary. It is a “school of choice” that any family may attend regardless of where they reside. Families wishing to enroll their child may begin the registration process via the district’s secure online registration portal located at www.laveenschools.org/registration. Required documents may be presented in person.

Construction of the school, located near 55th Avenue and Carver Road, was completed over the summer by S.D. Crane Builders. The school was designed by EMC2 Architects and Planners. It was funded by the Arizona School Facilities Board. The land was obtained through a complex acquisition deal which saved the district $5 million. Read more about this on Page 8. *Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate can offer any of its academic programmes. Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes visit www.ibo.org.

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Laveen provides meals for children free of charge Federal waiver extends the program through May 2021 Laveen’s Child Nutrition Services will continue to provide free meals to all children under the age of 18 throughout the transition back to virtual learning. Students participating in Learning Labs will receive free meals on-site. There is no registration necessary to receive free meals.

Meals are distributed curbside at all Laveen schools with the exception of Estrella Foothills.

Distribution windows are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Three meals and a snack are provided at the same time.

Meals are also being distributed at three bus stop locations in the community between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. These locations are: • 53rd Ave. & Glass Ln. • 39th Ave. & Maldonado Rd. • 35th Ave. & Estes Way There are no income requirements and no need to register. Children do not need to be enrolled in a Laveen school, or of school age, to receive a meal. For your safety and convenience, parents or guardians picking up meals on behalf of children in their care will be asked to complete and display a placard provided on your first day of meal service.

The continuation of the free meals for children program was made possible through a waiver by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Laveen Elementary School District’s Child Nutrition Services Department may only serve one meal bundle, per child, per day. Measures are in place to ensure this federal requirement is met and we appreciate the community’s cooperation in adhering to this policy. The unlawful sale or exchange of meals or components of meals is not permitted. Laveen Child Nutrition Services reserves the right to deny service to children and families that do not comply with the federal requirements of the Summer Food Service Program and all applicable waivers.

Visit www.LaveenSchools.org for program updates and schedule changes.

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Photo by freepik.

Cheatham revitalizes campus gardens with community support On October 16 Cheatham students spent time outdoors revitalizing their campus gardens with new plants and seeds. It was a project that involved numerous community organizations to get off the ground with a long-term vision of creating a community-based school.

“Cheatham is working on establishing a school that works collaboratively with the community to provide a safe space to learn and grow,” Principal Kristi Pashley said. “A perfect place to start is in the existing garden area. It is a beautiful spot that with a little love can open the door to an array of learning experiences and community partners.”

The school partnered with GreenDesert.org, an organization that teaches self sufficient lifestyles, to get the project started. GreenDesert.org founder Quita Jackson reached out to the Arizona Worm Farm which donated six 5×5 garden beds. Arcadia Color Garden Nursery donated the plants and seeds, “We love to see them get their hands in the soil, see the sprouts come up, watch the plants develop and make the connection of growing plants that show up on the dinner table,” Arcadia’s operations manager Bill Jones said. “This is real life science. School gardens lead to home gardens which leads to more people making our environment a priority,” said Jackson. “Gardening brings so many rewards and life lessons.”

“A strong garden will eventually play a significant role in supporting the physical and emotional well-being of our Cheatham family and beyond,” Pashley said. “The garden may begin at Cheatham, but our hope is to see its effects throughout the Laveen community.”

Watch the video located on Cheatham’s website to learn more about this revitalization project.

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Join us for a virtual exploration of Laveen’s kindergarten program

02. 02. 2021 5:30 p.m.

Mission control will navigate you through everything you need to know as you prepare to launch your child into a successful academic career. www.LaveenSchools.org/Kindergarten

creating bright futures Free full-day kindergarten offered at all Laveen schools. Enrollment requirements apply.

Laveen’s Academic Preschool

Desert Meadows │ Paseo Pointe │ Vista del Sur Laveen offers a full-day academic preschool program at three schools.

Serving Children Ages 3—5 Full Day Academic Program Taught by Certified Teachers Tuition Based Before / After School Programs Available Paseo Pointe offers a dual language immersion program.

Vista del Sur and Desert Meadows’ programs provide general education instruction.

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creating bright futures

www.LaveenSchools.org/preschool

Your Tax Dollars At Work .

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Cheatham middle school wing takes shape A new brick and mortar building is being constructed at Cheatham Elementary School to replace the existing modular buildings which house the 7th and 8th grade classrooms.

The new permanent building is 9,200 square feet and features 10 classrooms. It will have an interior corridor and its own restrooms—two components the 15-year-old modular was lacking.

The new building was designed by BWS Architects and constructed by Chasse Building Team. The $3 million project was made possible through bond proceeds, approved by voters in 2015.

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Accomplishments .

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CFO honored with international award for land acquisition deal 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 Hegarty 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.

Hegarty is one of four individuals from around the world to receive this year’s award.

Technology Coach named Google Certified Trainer of the Month for North America Laveen District Technology Coach J.D. Williams has been named October’s North America Google Trainer of the Month by Google for Education.

Williams provides professional development and support for all teachers, helping them integrate technology and Google tools into their instruction. He also assists with the district’s Parent Help Desk, assisting families troubleshoot Chromebook issues and navigate online curriculum.

There are over 6,000 Google Certified Trainers world-wide.

The Google Certified Trainer of the month is chosen by Google for Education staff from nomiWilliams nations that are submitted by other Google Certified Trainers. They have selected one trainer from North American and one international trainer each month since January 2020.

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Vista del Sur is an A+ School of Excellence Congratulations to Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy for being named a 2020 A+ School of Excellence by the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF)!

The A+ School of Excellence program is a comprehensive school assessment program that celebrates outstanding public schools.

Schools complete an extensive application which is then followed by site visits by members of the AEF. The A+ School of Excellence™ designation is valid for a three-and-a-half-year period.

Vista joins Rogers Ranch, M.C. Cash School, and Trailside Point Performing Arts Academy in receiving this prestigious award.

Vista received a banner from the Arizona Educational Foundation to proudly display their designation.

M.C. Cash teacher receives Fiesta Bowl grant M.C. Cash kindergarten teacher Maria Pilar is the recipient of a $2,500 Wishes for Teachers grant by Fiesta Bowl Charities.

Pilar submitted her “wish” for funding to enhance her classroom’s reading program. Members of the charitable organization surprised her via Zoom to announce her wish has been fulfilled.

“It was indeed a big surprise that I even made the cut!

It was worth the shot though. I'll do anything for these amazing students,” Pilar exclaimed.

Vista del Sur receives Teach Kindness! grant Vista del Sur was awarded a $3,000 grant through a partnership between the Arizona Stand for Children and Teach Kindness organizations.

The school was notified of the award last spring.

For the past three years Vista has participated in the international Kindness Challenge through Teach Kindness. This is a four week long challenge where a specific pathway and essential question are selected to frame the four weeks of kindness lessons and activities.

Vista del Sur was a finalist for the championship. The organizations were so impressed with their efforts that they awarded the school with the grant.

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In Our Community .

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Laveen Community Action Committee formed Building on Laveen’s strong sense of community, the district has created a new committee that will support areas of need throughout the local area.

The newly-formed Laveen Community Action Committee (LCAC) has been meeting virtually. This committee, comprised of educational institutions, faith-based organizations, nonprofits and local community activist groups, is charged with creating a community based action plan that will: • Identify challenges facing the Laveen community that impede success.

• Identify resources within the Laveen community intended to provide support for community members facing challenges.

• Identify areas of need or “gaps” in our community support.

• Create subcommittees with members from the community tasked with addressing community needs.

At their first meeting, the group identified the top challenges that the Laveen community faces which includes community safety, racial inequality, food insecurity, and lack of internet access. A town hall was held in December to hear from various community organizations.

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!

Thousands of food boxes distributed to Laveen families A partnership between the Laveen School District, St. Mary’s Food Bank, Laveen Lions Club, Laveen Baptist Church, Christ Church of the Valley, and Urban Farming Education has provided thousands of food boxes to Laveen families.

St. Mary’s Food Bank has been providing the food with volunteers from the above organizations assisting with the distribution. Four events have been held since July at various school sites with 3,800 boxes distributed within the Laveen community.

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Reduce Your Taxes by Supporting Laveen Schools By making a tax credit contribution you can support a variety of programs at no cost to you.

Fine Arts

Academic Enrichment

Field Trips

Intramural Sports

Arizona allows taxpayers to dedicate dollars to education while reducing the amount you owe on your income taxes through the tax credit program. If you do not owe taxes, the amount you donate may be carried forward for up to five years to offset future tax liabilities. For every dollar you donate, the amount you owe on your Arizona taxes will be that much less. (For example, if a single person owes $300 on their state taxes for 2020 and donates the maximum amount of $200, they will then only owe the state $100.) Couples filing jointly may donate up to $400.

Individuals may contribute up to $200. Anyone can participate, married or single, with or without children.

Non-refundable donations are eligible for the Arizona State Income Tax Credit as allowed by ARS ยง43-1089.01.

Please consult with your personal tax preparer to determine the application of this credit.

Donations must be received by April 15, 2021 to be eligible for a 2020 Tax Credit.

Visit www.LaveenSchools.org/tax-credit to make a secure online donation or print a donation form.

Tax credit contributions may only be used to support character education and fee-based extracurricular activities such as after-school tutoring and clubs, academic enrichment, field trips, fine art programs, and athletics.

CHILD FIND NOTICE Child Find is a comprehensive developmental screening assessment process which identifies children, 3 to 21 years of age who have disabilities that may hinder their learning. If you live in the Laveen Elementary School District boundaries and are parents or guardians of a student enrolled in private school within the district, home-schooled, or if you know of a child who might be in need of services for a disabling condition such as speech, learning disability, etc., please call the Special Education Department at 602-237-9100 ext. 3058. Free special education services are available to eligible students. For more information, visit the Child Find website at http://www.azed.gov/specialeducation/az-find/ or call Child Find at (602) 364-4015.

MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT Are you currently experiencing temporary living arrangements due to eviction, job loss, or a traumatic event? Laveen Elementary School District offers services to families through the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The act requires that children and families who are in a temporary living situation be offered services and supports. Services provided may include enrollment assistance, nutrition services, clothing or school supplies, community referrals, and in some cases transportation. If you are living in any of the following temporary circumstances: with another family or friend due to financial hardship, living in a shelter, transitional housing, in a hotel/motel, or an unaccompanied youth waiting for foster care, you may fit the criteria for assistance under this act. Please call 602-237-9100, ext. 3051 to inquire further about qualifying for this program.

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Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Laveen, AZ Permit #6

5001 W. Dobbins Laveen, AZ 85339

Residential Customer

The Latest from Laveen is published by the Laveen Communications Department.

Kristen Landry • 602-237-9100 • klandry@laveeneld.org

Enroll your child in a Laveen school Parents wishing to register their incoming child(ren) should visit the school of their choice to complete the registration process.

You may register online or complete a packet available on our website, www.LaveenSchools.org or in our schools’ front offices. You will need to bring the following documents to complete your child’s registration: • Child’s original birth certificate • Child’s immunization record • Proof of Residence, such as utility receipt or lease agreement (refer to Arizona Residency Guidelines) • Legal papers, if applicable, for custody • Withdrawal form/report card from previous school • Photo identification for parent/guardian

Vista del Sur is an accelerated school and students must take an assessment prior to enrolling. Paseo Pointe is a dual language immersion (DLI) school. Incoming students in Grades PK-4, for 2021-22, must enroll in the DLI program (DLI will expand a grade level each year). Estrella Foothills Global Academy will serve Grades K-7 in 2021-22.

Laveen schools also accept open enrollment of nonresident (out-of-district) students on a space available basis.

Bus transportation is only provided to those students who live within designated transportation zones of their neighborhood school.

Visit us online at www.LaveenSchools.org M.C. Cash School 3851 W. Roeser Phoenix, AZ 85041 602-237-9120

Estrella Foothills Global Academy 5400 W. Carver Laveen, AZ 85339 602-304-2050

Rogers Ranch School 6735 S. 47th Avenue Laveen, AZ 85339 602-304-2030

Cheatham Elementary 4725 W. South Mountain Laveen, AZ 85339 602-237-7040

Laveen Elementary 4141 W. McNeil Laveen, AZ 85339 602-237-9110

Trailside Point Performing Arts Academy 7275 W. Vineyard Laveen, AZ 85339 602-605-8540

Desert Meadows School 6855 W. Meadows Loop East Laveen, AZ 85339 602-304-2020

Paseo Pointe School 8800 S. 55th Avenue Laveen, AZ 85339 602-304-2040

Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy 3908 W. South Mountain Laveen, AZ 85339 602-237-3046