The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

The Latest

from

SPRING 2014

Two Laveen Schools are Named 2014 A+ Schools of Excellence™ Page 4

Students from M.C. Cash show off their A+ designation.

Photo provided by D.L. Withers Construction.

Dear Community Members, We already know we have the best schools and the best students, but it’s still very gratifying when others take notice and give recognition to our Laveen neighborhood schools and students.

Two Laveen schools, M. C. Cash and Trailside Point, received the prestigious A+ School of Excellence award from the Arizona Educational Foundation. Trailside Point School was designated a No Place for Hate school by the Anti-Defamation League and also won a Silver Award from Positive Be-

havior Interventions and Supports of Arizona. Vista earned the Higher Performing School designation from the National Center for Educational Achievement for the second year in a row.

This has been another amazing year for our students as well. We have a number of students who received individual recognition from a variety of organizations. You can read about their accomplishments on Page 4.

In addition to these recognitions, many of our students participated in neighborhood beautification and service projects.

They sent thousands of cards to active duty troops and visited a senior center. Together, they donated thousands of dollars through the Laveen Lions Club penny drive to fund food baskets for families in need. For the second year in Laveen, several of our students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

Schools are at the heart of any community and, in a very big way, help to define the quality of a community. In the Laveen School District, we aren’t just building a school district, we’re building a community.

Thank you to all our community members for supporting your neighborhood schools.

— Dr. Bill Johnson, Superintendent Page 2

All Laveen schools to offer electives in 2014-15 In addition to offering art, P.E., and music, all seven Laveen schools will be providing additional electives next school year. Here is just a snapshot of some of next year’s offerings.

Cheatham will offer STEM with a focus on technology. Students in Grades 6-8 will first be introduced to technology and various applications. Eighth grade students will become Google certified. All STEM students will create their own websites in preparation of presenting a detailed engineering project during the spring semester.

Desert Meadows will offer technology integration and character education. Students in Grades K-5 will be on an exploratory schedule while middle school students will take weekly blocks of the offered electives.

At Laveen School, students in Grades 5-8 may take band or choir. Spanish will be offered daily in Grades 18.

M.C. Cash will be focusing on computers in all grade levels. Students in Grades K-2 will take Computer Basics. Computer Design and Digital Citizenship will be offered to students in Grades 3-5. Middle school students will take Advanced Computer Design and Coding.

Rogers Ranch will further their engineering offerings offering a variety of programs from which students may choose. Elementary is Engineering (EIE) will be offered to students in Grades 2-4. Fourth and fifth graders can take Design Squad and students in Grades 6-8 may take Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA). Robotics will be offered to seventh and eighth graders.

At Trailside Point, Reader’s Theater will be offered to K-5 students. Band and Orchestra will be offered to fifth and sixth graders. Junior high students have a variety of electives to choose from including: Band, Consumer Science, Broadcasting, Theater, Set Design and Production, Creative Studies, and Robotics. Living History Wax Museum will be available to sixth graders.

Vista del Sur will be offering Spanish daily to all seventh and eighth grade students.

Laveen District adopts new curriculum The Laveen Elementary School District will implement new math and reading curriculum when school starts in the fall. That means new textbooks, new workbooks, and new learning resources for Laveen students.

Teams of teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators dedicated hundreds of hours to review and evaluate mathematics and English language arts programs that are aligned to the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards.

The mathematics committee selected My Math for Grades K — 5 and Glencoe Mathematics for Grades 6 — 8. Both programs are published by McGraw-Hill. The English language arts committee selected Reading Wonders, also by McGraw-Hill, for Grades K — 3. Reading Street was selected for Grades 4 and 5 and Common Core Literature for Grades 6 — 8; both are published by Pearson.

Both the math and English language arts curricula are aligned to the new state standards and have a digital platform giving students the ability to access resources, activities, and other online tools. Teachers are participating in numerous professional development opportunities to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Laveen’s Governing Board approved the mathematics curriculum in May 2013 and the English language arts curriculum in April. The new curriculum adoption was made possible by the capital override approved by Laveen residents in 2012.

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Laveen offers free meals during summer Several Laveen schools will be offering free breakfast and lunch over the summer as part of the Summer Food Service Program.

Children 18 years and younger may receive breakfast and lunch, free of charge, at any of the designated sites. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure children continue to receive nutritious meals even when school is not in session. All meals meet the federal nutrition guidelines.

M.C. Cash, Trailside Point, and Rogers Ranch schools will offer breakfast and lunch from May 27 to July 24, Monday through Thursday. Desert Meadows will operate from May 27 to August 1 Monday through Friday, except July 4. Children may eat at any of the designated sites, regardless of where they attend school.

Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Please be sure to check out our website, www.laveeneld.org to verify times and locations.

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Accomplishments M.C. Cash, Trailside Point win 2014 A+ School of Excellence™ Award* The Arizona Educational Foundation has named both M.C. Cash and Trailside Point A+ Schools of Excellence.™ The program recognizes schools that demonstrate high achievement while identifying and meeting the academic and non-academic needs of their student population.

M.C. Cash and Trailside Point schools submitted applications describing their programs and practices, parent and community involvement, and their commitment to excellence, equity, and service.

The A+ School of Excellence™ selection committee; comprised of award-winning principals, teachers and community leaders; visited the schools in March.

Both schools will be presented $500 and a banner designating it as an A+ School of Excellence.™ *A+ School of Excellence is a trademark or service mark of the Arizona Educational Foundation and is used by permission.

Lizbet Suarez, M.C. Cash Grand Prize Phoenix Suns & Southwest Airlines "Symbol of Freedom" Art and Essay Contest

Josiah Davis, Rogers Ranch “I Can Do It” Award Council for Exceptional Children

Elisabeth Montoya, Desert Meadows 2nd Place, Silver Award Grand Canyon State Games Essay Contest Jorge Jasso, Trailside Point 1st Place, Middle School Division Arizona State University 2014 MLK, Jr. Celebration Art Contest

Kitana Olson, Trailside Point 2nd Place, Blitz Tournament Kamila Olson, Trailside Point 1st Place, The Bug House Tournament AZ Scholastic State Chess Championship

Jaad Waters, Vista del Sur 3rd Place Regional Spelling Bee

Jeremy Jackrabbit Captures the Sun Student Illustrations Celeste Lamadrid, Vista del Sur and Sarah Lynd, Natalie Pol, Stephen Purvis, and Marissa Torres all from Trailside Point Page 4

Rogers Ranch Instructional Coach named Rodel Aspiring Principal

Rogers Ranch custodian named AZ National Guard’s Instructor of the Year

Cory Woodard, Instructional Coach at Rogers Ranch, has been selected as a Rodel Aspiring Principal.

The Rodel Aspiring Principal program provides participants with practical strategies they can apply at their own schools when they become principals. ParticiWoodard pants attend professional development seminars on the four Rodel traits: Collaborative School Environment, Family and Community Involvement, Professional Learning, and High Expectations.

Woodard was selected for this honor by Rodel for, among other things, his commitment to effective leadership in a high-needs school.

He will now go through a two-year course of training, shadowing, and mentorship with a Rodel Exemplary Principal.

Woodard will be joining Laveen Elementary School next year as their Assistant Principal.

Rogers Ranch School’s Lead Custodian, Joshua Snow, has been named Instructor of the Year by the Arizona Army National Guard.

In addition to his custodial duties, Snow serves as a Sergeant First Class in the Guard and is one of 20 instructors at the Guard’s ReSnow gional Training Institute located in east Phoenix.

Each year, the Regional Training Institute conducts a selection process for the Instructor of the Year award. Each instructor teaches a class to a panel of senior leaders. Instructors are judged based on their ability to deliver a block of instruction. Points are deducted for using crutch words like “um,” lacking smooth transitions, or not relating the material to students in a way they understand. The judges look for the instructor to be engaging and make what could be a dry and boring class interesting.

Snow will now be evaluated for the Instructor of the Year award for the entire U.S. Army. He will find out in a few months how he placed at the national level.

Trailside Point wins Silver Award Trailside Point received the Silver Award for high fidelity Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS) implementation and student outcomes at the annual Behavior Education Technology Conference Trailside implemented PBIS three years ago. Since their Panther P.A.C.T was launched, discipline incidents have significantly decreased and academic achievement has increased with Trailside going from a ‘C’ to a ‘B’ label.

In the first two years, the school focused on interventions for all students and defined what the Panther P.A.C.T. would look like.

This year, Trailside focused on beginning interventions for higher at-risk students. Staff members conduct check in/check out mentoring with students. Small group interventions have resulted in new groups such as a Bully Patrol trained to report and monitor bullying, an Ambassadors and Classy Ladies groups for middle-school students, and the Panthers-Cubs mentoring program.

Page 5

In our Community Gila River Tribal Education donates preschool equipment Members of the Gila River Tribal Education and Early Childhood Special Services departments donated numerous pieces of equipment to Laveen Elementary School’s developmental preschool.

The preschool currently serves several children that are members of the Gila River Indian Community. Because Tribal Education does not offer programs to meet these students’ needs, they wanted to make a contribution that would help support the program and its students.

When asked what was needed for the program, Preschool Coordinator Kandy Clauss, provided a wish list of 50 items. The list included equipment such as pint-sized chairs and “learn your numbers” carpet as well as activities such as tricycles, a book center, and mobile dress-up cart.

Imagine Clauss’s surprise when representatives from the Gila River Indian Community, including Tribal Education’s Director Mario Molina, arrived with trucks full of equipment. Every item on the wish list had been fulfilled. “This donation will have a tremendous impact on our preschool students,” Clauss said. “Each item will help further develop their skills and better prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.”

Preschool students show off their new tricycles alongside Tribal Education and Early Childhood leaders.

Lions recognize student artwork Each year, the Laveen Lions Foundation sponsors a Peace Poster Art Contest within the Laveen District.

The group selects one winner from each school.

These students were recognized at the April board meeting. The 1st Place winners from each school are: Jacqueline Ruiz, Cheatham; Francisco Herrera, Desert Meadows; Guadalupe Barraza, Laveen; Lizbet Suarez, M.C.Cash; Carlos Grijalva, Rogers Ranch; Sarah Lynd, Trailside Point; and Vicky Ross, Vista del Sur.

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.ade.az.gov/ess/childfind or call Child Find at (602) 364-4015.

Page 6

Laveen receives grant to provide back-to-school clothing for students in need The Laveen Elementary School District is the recipient of a $15,000 grant by the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust to provide back-to-school clothing for students at all seven Laveen schools.

The grant provides school uniforms, underwear, and shoes to students with the greatest need.

“Laveen shares in The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust’s belief that essential clothing helps prepare children for a successful school year,” said Laveen’s superintendent, Dr. Bill Johnson.

“This grant will provide some of our neediest students with clean, properly-fitted clothes and shoes and help them get their school year off on the right start.”

Laveen was selected because of our significant population of students in need.

Cash to provide more fruits and vegetables through grant M.C. Cash School is the recipient of a $42,500 grant by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

This funding will provide fresh fruits and vegetables to Cash students throughout next school year.

The program was established to expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience, increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption, and create healthier eating habits.

Cheatham students clean up neighborhood Over 20 students from Cheatham’s NJHS joined residents from the Cheatham Ranch HOA to clean up the neighborhood sidewalks, streets, and parks.

The City of Phoenix supported this effort with equipment and staff from the Neighborhood Services office and the support of District 8 Councilwoman Kate Gallegos.

Vista’s NJHS conducts service project Vista del Sur Traditional School's National Junior Honor Society cleaned up their neighborhood using donated safety gear.

Vests and gloves were provided to the students by D.L. Withers

Trailside receives literacy grant Trailside Point is the recipient of $400 from the Barbara Park Memorial Literacy Grant Program.

The grant supports reading in memory of the late Barbara Park who authored the popular Junie B. Jones series of children's books.

Page 7

Around our Schools Rogers Ranch The Arizona Cardinals brought 60 minutes of physical activity to Rogers Ranch School through the team’s Play 60 program.

Students participated in a variety of stations to practice their running, catching, and jumping techniques. Cardinals player Justin Bethel was also on hand to help motivate the students.

At the end of the event, Bethel handed out signed Gatorade water bottles to all participants.

Preschool Preschool students studied dinosaurs this spring.

Together, students created PowerPoint books about the dinosaurs by sharing facts they learned.

The books were assembled for students to bring home.

They also created large dinosaur eggs using paper, stickers, glitter, and a variety of other materials.

Cheatham Cheatham’s student council members, teachers, and staff walked together at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life held at Betty Fairfax High School on March 29.

Relay participants took turns either walking, or running, around the track from noon until midnight — representing the fact that cancer never sleeps.

Cheatham was not only the largest team in attendance, but was also named the most spirited team at the relay.

The team raised over $600 for Relay for Life to help aide cancer research and join the fight against it.

Ms. Amanda Bailey is the student council’s sponsor.

Cheatham’s Relay for Life Team gets ready for the event.

Desert Meadows Home Depot donated materials to build a garden at Desert Meadows. Employees from the store also donated their time to help set up the garden this spring.

Kindergartners immediately started planting vegetables and learned about growing food throughout the year.

Home Depot volunteers assist students planting vegetables.

Page 8

M.C. Cash

Laveen

M.C. Cash launched a new character program for middle school boys. The Cash Crew serves middle school boys in Grades 6-8, as nominated by staff.

The club is designed to help members exemplify positive character traits, learn how to be a role model, and teach the value of wellness through fitness and team games. Activities include team building games, fitness routines, character counts discussions, decision making talks, and a variety of sport build-up games.

The Cash Crew meets three times each week and is sponsored by Mr. Andrew Drenth and Mr. Matt Epacs.

Students in Laveen School’s Art Club showcased their work in a recent art exhibit. The event was held in conjunction with the Laveen Art League’s Art Walk.

Members from the Art League have been visiting with the Art Club students to teach them a variety of techniques. The artists helped Art Club students create pieces such as gourd drums, ceramics, papermaking, jewelry, and copper pins.

The art exhibit was held April 11 in Building A. Special thanks to Laveen Art League member Michael Dicken for organizing the event. Visiting artists include: Susan Sanborn, ceramics; Andrea Berusqui, cardboard bracelets; Michael Dicken, papermaking; Laura Zelins, copper pins; and Shelley Fletcher, gourd drums. Ms. Jamie Polich is Laveen School’s art teacher.

District Security Coordinator Sgt. Ron Jakola talks to members of the Cash Crew.

Artwork displayed included drums made out of gourds.

Trailside Point Trailside Point’s middle school gifted team took Third Place and won a bronze medal in the recent Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Day State On-Site Competition.

Competition participants work on engineering challenges and problem solving. Trailside’s challenge was to build a tall tower out of spaghetti, marshmallows, and a limited amount of tape.

Trailside Point’s team, from left: Sadie Check, Faith Stockton, Michael Lynd, and Victor Martinez with Mrs. Sarah Zembruski, principal and Mrs. Betty Ehret, Gifted Coach.

Vista del Sur Members of Vista’s yearbook club participated in a special photo assignment recently. They had the opportunity to “work” an Arizona Diamondbacks game and practice their photography skills.

Vista parent, Ross Franklin, has been helping the students with their yearbook. He is also an Associated Press photographer and was able to secure a handful of professional cameras the students could use for practice.

The yearbook club members first toured the field where the photographers shoot. They were then assigned secondary shooting positions from the main concourse level where they were able to practice their sports photography.

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Design revealed for Cheatham additions The design for Cheatham’s upcoming building additions were recently unveiled.

A gymnasium will be added to the southeast corner of the campus. When Cheatham was originally built as Future Site of a K-6 school it did not need both a cafeteria and gym.

Additions Having since been reconfigured to K-8, a gym is needed to support the larger campus including Grades 7 and 8.

Also, planned in the project, are the addition of art and science rooms—facilities that weren’t necessary in the K-6 setting. The library and computer lab will also be enlarged. Playfields and basketball courts will be rearranged to fit nicely on the remodeled campus.

These additions will bring Cheatham up to the district standards that other Laveen campuses currently meet. The additions were designed by EMC2 Architects.

The projects are funded primarily through proceeds from bond sales approved by voters in 2008.

Now Enrolling for 2014-2015 All Laveen Schools are accepting registrations for the 2014-2015 school year.

Governing Board welcomes new member The Laveen Governing Board welcomed Jill Barragan as its newest board member in December.

Barragan was selected by the Maricopa County Education Service Agency following a lengthy application process. She fills a vacancy on the board that was created in 2013.

Barragan is the Executive Director of Business Services for the Avondale Elementary School District, a position she has held since 2010. Prior to joining Avondale in 2008, she worked for the Arizona Department of Education in the school finance division. Barragan began her career as an accountant for the Salvation Army.

She is a graduate of Arizona State University.

Mark your calendars!

Meet Your Teacher Night July 31, 2014 5:00 p.m. at all

Laveen Schools Jill Barragan with Superintendent Johnson and Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools Don Covey.

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Reduce your taxes by supporting Laveen schools Arizona allows taxpayers to dedicate dollars to education while reducing the amount you owe on your 2014 taxes through the tax credit program.

For every dollar you donate, the amount you owe on your Arizona taxes will be that much less. 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 example, if a single person owes $300 on their state taxes for 2014 and donates the maximum amount of $200, they will then only owe the state $100.

Couples filing jointly may donate any amount up to $400. Individuals may contribute up to $200.

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.

Anyone can participate, married or single, with or without children.

Complete and return this form, along with your payment, to your child’s school or mail to Laveen Tax Credit Program, 5001 W. Dobbins, Laveen, AZ 85339 You may also donate online at www.laveeneld.org.

Donor Information: Name

Address

City, State Zip

Donation Amount: $ The maximum donation for a married couple is $400 and $200 for a single person. Credits may carry over for up to five years.

I would like my donation to go to: (check one) I would like my donation to support: (check one) Program where there is the greatest need Field Trips

Signature

Intramural Sports

the school most in need or Activity Bus

Gifted Enrichment

Art

specific school Band

Preschool

Choir

Equestrian

Tutoring

Phone Number

This non-refundable donation is eligible for the Arizona State Income Tax Credit as allowed by ARS §43-1089.01.

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

Hand delivered donations must be received by December 19 or postmarked by December 31 to be eligible for a 2014 tax credit.

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

P.O. Box 29 Laveen, AZ 85339

Residential Customer

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

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

Laveen Education Center 5001 W. Dobbins Laveen, AZ 85339 602-237-9100 M.C. Cash School 3851 W. Roeser Phoenix, AZ 85041 602-237-9120 Cheatham Elementary 4725 W. South Mountain LAveen, AZ 85339 602-237-7040 Desert Meadows School 6855 W. Meadows Loop East Laveen, AZ 85339 602-304-2020 Laveen Elementary 4141 W. McNeil Laveen, AZ 85339 602-237-9110 Rogers Ranch School 6735 S. 47th Avenue Laveen, AZ 85339 602-304-2030 Trailside Point School 7275 W. Vineyard Laveen, AZ 85339 602-605-8540 Vista del Sur Traditional 3908 W. South Mountain Laveen, AZ 85339 602-237-3046

Enroll your child in a Laveen school You may enroll your child in your neighborhood* school at any time throughout the year.

Registration packets are available online at www.laveeneld.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 and report card from previous school  Photo identification for parent/ guardian. *Please note, Vista del Sur Traditional

is a school of choice and, therefore, does not have attendance boundaries. Because this is an accelerated school, your child must take an assessment prior to enrolling. Enrollment opportunities are based on available space.

Open Enrollment Open enrollment laws allow parents to enroll their child in any Laveen school outside of their neighborhood. Applications are accepted annually.

Approval is based on space.

Parents/ guardians are responsible for transportation if your child does not attend your neighborhood school.

Visit us online at www.laveeneld.org