Latest from Laveen District Newsletter

The Latest from Spring/Summer 2021 .

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LAVEEN SCHOOLS: THE BEST CHOICE IN EDUCATION

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In this Issue Free Meals for Children Offered Page 4 Laveen Online Academy Opens in August Page 5 Why Families Choose Laveen Page 5 Important Dates for Families Page 6 COVID-19 Vaccinations Coming to Laveen Page 7 Community Based Initiatives Page 10

Message from the Superintendent I hope your summer is off to a great start!

We are preparing for an outstanding 2021-22 school year and are looking forward to serving our students, families, and community.

The Laveen Elementary School District and the Laveen Community have a rich tradition of supporting each other. One of the ways we Dr. Jeff Sprout seek to support our students and families is by providing educational options for pre-K to 8th grade in our schools and programs. Each of our 10 schools has a signature program to best meet the needs and future plans of parents for their children. These programs include: Performing Arts, Computer Coding, STEM, Dual Language Immersion, Global Studies, Mindfulness, Kids at Hope, Accelerated Pace, Community Partnerships and Online Learning. Read more about these programs and offerings on page 5.

Thank you for your partnership as we create bright futures for our students.

Board Clerk Susan Sanborn passes away

Dr. Ryan Senters appointed to Governing Board

Long-time Governing Board member Susan Sanborn passed away on February 12, just days after her husband, Jon, due to complications from COVID-19.

The Sanborns lived in Laveen for over 15 years. Susan served on the Laveen Governing Board during most of that time and held the positions of both Board President and Clerk.

She majored in art education and retired from teaching in California. Susan's passion for art led to her being involved in the Laveen Art League, where she served as Vice President. It brought her great joy to see Laveen students discover their art skills, and the League often supported after-school art clubs and annual art shows.

Sanborn was also actively involved in her neighborhood HOA, the Laveen Village Planning Committee, the Arizona Clay Association, and Arizona Art Education Association.

Dr. Ryan Senters was appointed to Laveen's Governing Board by the Office of the Maricopa County School Superintendent, filling the seat held by Susan Sanborn who passed away in February.

Senters is a Laveen parent, local educator, and foster care advocate. He has six children — four of whom attend Laveen schools.

A residential faculty member at South Mountain Community College, Senters teaches developmental psychology, statistics, and research methods.

He is the founder of Ohana AZ, a social service agency that provides residential and social services for foster children and adults with disabilities. He also founded Anchor House Mission, a non-profit that provides housing and support for aged out foster children and young women who are victims of sex-trafficking.

Senters also owns Sky Zone Laveen, a trampoline park, and F45 Laveen, a fitness training facility.

He has a Ph.D in Psychology and master’s degrees in Christian Leadership and Clinical Psychology.

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Laveen Learning Recovery Team focuses on student success In an effort to combat the learning loss resulting from the pandemic, Laveen launched a learning recovery team that analyzed assessment data and developed plans to promote increased student achievement.

Comprised of 51 teachers and administrators from across the district, the team was charged with making recommendations to support learning recovery for students and close the achievement gaps that are primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning.

Committee recommendations included providing an academic summer school program for 1,300 targeted students; revising instructional schedules, delivery models and programs; developing new curriculum and intervention resources; providing additional instructional staff and professional development; and restructuring instructional pacing guides.

Learning recovery efforts have already begun with summer school being taught by 84 Laveen teachers. Initiatives will continue through the summer and into the upcoming 2021-22 school year.

Enroll your child in a Laveen school.

Laveen schools are now enrolling for the 2021-22 school year.

Register online at www.LaveenSchools.org/registration Choose Laveen Open attendance boundaries Signature programs 1:1 student to device ratio New, digital curriculum A+ Schools of Excellence Free Full Day Kindergarten Academic Preschool

Computer Coding ● Global Studies ● Mindfulness ● Kids at Hope ● Community Partnerships STEM ● Performing Arts ● Dual Language Immersion ● Accelerated Pace ● Online Learning Laveen School District │5001 W. Dobbins │602-237-9100 │www.LaveenSchools.org Page 3

Free Meals for Children program extended into 2021-22 Federal waiver provides breakfast and lunch to all children Laveen’s Child Nutrition Services will continue to provide free meals to all children under the age of 18 throughout the summer and during the 2021-22 school year.

Beginning in June, meals will be distributed curbside on Mondays and Thursdays only. Each distribution will include breakfast and lunch for multiple days. Meals will be served cold with take-and-bake instructions.

All kids’ meals are free. There are no income requirements and families do not need to register. Children do not need to be enrolled in a Laveen school to participate.

Child Nutrition Services requests that children be present or the parent pickup placard be displayed when picking up meals to ensure as many families as possible are served. Parents may receive a placard at their first curbside visit.

The summer meal program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Laveen Online Academy to open in August 2021 Now enrolling students in Grades 3-8, waitlist open for Grades K-2

Laveen Online is best suited for the student who: • Is self-motivated • Demonstrates academic mastery of grade-level content • Thrives emotionally in a virtual environment • Has adult supervision during the school day • Has a designated learning space to engage in live lessons and complete assignments • Has access to reliable internet service.

Over the last year Laveen has found the online learning option to be a popular choice among families. In an effort to continue to meet this need, the Laveen School District plans to open a full online school, Laveen Online Academy (LOA), for the 2021-22 school year.

Using both synchronous and asynchronous learning, the LOA’s structure will include daily live teacher-led instruction, self-guided learning, and applications such as labs, group projects, and book studies. Unlike this year’s Distance Learning Model, students will not have the flexibility to move in and out of online instruction and will commit to participating in online learning for the entire school year.

Laveen Online Academy will be using the Canvas platform to provide virtual lessons with GoogleMeet embedded in the live lesson module. Canvas is a robust platform that serves as a hub for lessons, assignments, curriculum, and digital tools. Students will be able to navigate through their classes directly through the Canvas menus without opening multiple tabs or pages.

LOA is currently enrolling students for Grades 3-8.

Grades K-2 may be offered pending interest.

Laveen Schools are the best choice for local families Families living in the Laveen community need look no further than Laveen Schools for their child’s elementary education.

Boasting award winning schools, signature programs, a computing device for every student and a complete curriculum aligned to Arizona’s Academic Standards, Laveen Schools meet the needs of each individual student.

Families can enroll their child in any Laveen school of their choice, regardless of where they live. Each of Laveen’s ten schools offer a signature program that enhances the educational offerings by providing courses that not only pique students’ interests but also prepare them for high school and beyond. These signature programs add to the strong curriculum provided at each

school.

Additionally, Laveen Schools offer numerous educational, extracurricular, and enrichment programs. Outside of the classroom, Laveen students participate in intramural sports including football, softball, soccer, basketball, and volleyball and in clubs such as student government, chess, robotics, technology, and the arts.

Laveen Schools have been recognized at the state and national levels for their strong academics and commitment to student growth, with four schools being honored as A+ Schools of Excellence.

Laveen Schools are accepting new enrollments in Grades Preschool—8 for the 2021-22 school year. Prospective families should visit the school office of your choice or www.LaveenSchools.org to enroll.

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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

Laveen District partners with county, other districts to bring vaccines to students Phoenix area school districts partner to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to children age 12+ In order to better serve and protect the community, the Laveen School District is partnering with the Phoenix Union High School District to bring COVID-19 vaccination sites to Laveen for individuals ages 12 and older this summer.

Laveen families are encouraged to take advantage of the nearby vaccination site, held at Betty Fairfax High School, 8225 South 59th Ave. A parent or guardian must accompany the child and sign a consent form, including an attestation, that the child is at least 12 years of age. No identification is required for the child.

Visit www.LaveenSchools.org /COVID-19-vaccines for clinic details and to register.

Laveen reminds families of immunization requirements The Arizona Department of Health Services requires that all 11-year-old children obtain two adolescent vaccines, Tdap and Meningococcal (MCV4), or provide a valid exemption.

Tdap is a combination vaccine that provides protection against three bacterial diseases — Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Meningococcal prevents against four types of bacterial meningitis.

Parents should review their child’s immunization records. If these vaccinations have not been received, the child should obtain the vaccination at either their doctor’s office or an immunization clinic.

Proof of immunizations will need to be received before the student can begin school in August. Students who do not have these required shots, or a valid exemption, will not be allowed to start school. Children who are not yet 11 will be required to get the new immunizations once they turn 11.

Visit www.LaveenSchools.org/immunizations for requirements and upcoming local vaccine clinics.

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Accomplishments .

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Three students receive “I Can Do It!” awards Three special education students have been recognized with the 2021 “I Can Do It!” award.

Jesus Millan Valenzuela, M.C. Cash 8th grader; Mia Carbajal, Laveen 7th grader; and Brianna Gonzales, Laveen 7th grader were nominated for the award presented by the Arizona Council for Exceptional Children.

This award recognizes students for excelling, despite their disability, in academics, art, athletics, community service, employment, self-advocacy, technology or independent life skills. The award recognition acknowledges the determination of a student to succeed, and many times the family support as well.

Jesus was nominated by teacher Lauren DiDonna, Mia was nominated by teacher Leah Hall, and Brianna was nominated by Speech Pathologist Kim Horack.

Desert Meadows teacher receives national certification

Cotylee Kendall, a 4th grade teacher at Desert Meadows, received her National Board Certification.

This is the highest certificate an educator can achieve in the United States.

The process for obtaining a National Board Certification is a rigorous and reflective process that requires teachers to showcase the National Board Standards in their practice. It can take three to five years of continual work to achieve certification.

Business Office recognized for excellence Laveen has received the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International’s Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for the 2020 Fiscal Year Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

Laveen received the award for its commitment to transparency and high-quality financial reporting for seven consecutive years.

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Exceptional Service Awards honor classified staff Thirteen classified staff members from across the district were recognized with the district’s Exceptional Service Award, the highest recognition Laveen has for its classified employees.

Each of these employees was nominated by their supervisor based on their quality and quantity of work, expertise, initiative, teamwork, customer service, and attendance. Recipients were: Luz Chavez, Cheatham cafeteria manager; Karmyn Craig, Desert Meadows health associate; Erica Madrueno, Estrella Foothills secretary; Joia Westwood, Laveen School instructional associate; Ibeth Mendoza, M.C. Cash instructional associate; Kate Jackson, Paseo Pointe instructional associate; Tori Perez, Rogers Ranch special education instructional associate; Cindy MacMurdo, Trailside Point instructional associate; Liliana Garcia, Vista del Sur health associate; Amanda Buettner, Child Nutrition secretary; Shelby Burks, Student Services administrative assistant; Stephanie Moreno, Kids Club specialist, and Daniel Romero, Laveen District lead maintenance.

Governing Board Member recognized for collaborative leadership

Laveen Governing Board Member Fern Ward was named a finalist for School Connect’s Collaborative Leadership Award for her efforts serving the Laveen Community Action Committee.

Ward was recognized for bringing her connections, passions, and leadership to the challenges that the Laveen community faces. The virtual award ceremony noted that, "It is clear that her vision is big and that she builds connections that contribute to the welfare of the entire community. There's no job too big or too small for her generous heart."

This award recognizes school board members who have partnered with other leaders to bring unified community engagement and support to their district.

Read more about the Laveen Community Action Committee on page 10.

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In Our Community .

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Laveen Community Action Committee has successful inaugural year The Laveen Community Action Committee (LCAC) celebrated their inaugural year of serving the Laveen community by honoring its partners and volunteers.

In the last year, the LCAC conducted six food give-a-ways in which 500,000 pounds of food were distributed to families in need, a virtual town hall in which numerous community resources were shared, and regular COVID-19 testing clinics for the Laveen community.

The LCAC was created to engage Laveen stakeholders and implement community based solutions. It is comprised of elected officials, educational institutions, nonprofit, and faith based organizations.

Dutch Bros. Coffee donates $10,000 to Laveen Education Foundation The Laveen Education Foundation was selected as the recipient of the 2020 Dutch Bros. Headquarters Holiday Grant in the amount of $10,000.

Each year, one of the coffee company’s employees is selected to choose a charitable organization and donate $10,000 to the cause.

This year’s winning Dutch Bros. employee is instructional designer Shannon Segura (formerly Schut) who was a teacher at Vista del Sur for seven years.

“The Laveen Elementary School District hired me right out of college and I was there for seven amazing years! Many of the stuPage 10

dents that I taught are now seniors in high school and could potentially receive one of the scholarship funds from the district, which makes this all even more special,” Segura said.

The Laveen Education Foundation provides scholarships to current Laveen students preparing to enter their first year of high school as well as Laveen alumni attending college, university, or vocational school.

“As an elementary school district, we have a vision for our students beyond high school,” said District Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Sprout. “We formed the Laveen Education Foundation to provide post-secondary scholarships to our former students. The generous donation from Dutch Bros, on behalf of Shannon, will be key to supporting students in making their future dreams a reality.”

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 expand to serve Grades K-8 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Laveen Education Center 5001 W. Dobbins Laveen, AZ 85339 602-237-9100

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

Laveen Online Academy 5400 W. Carver Laveen, AZ 85339 602-605-8550

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