THE LATEST FROM
LAVEEN A publication by the Laveen School District
VISTA DEL SUR, TRAILSIDE POINT RANKED “BEST” SCHOOLS BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT PASEO POINTE HONORED WITH GOLDEN BELL AWARD COMMUNITY MOURNS M.C. CASH PRINCIPAL
Winter 2022
In this Issue
Message from the Superintendent
U.S. News & World Report Ranks Vista del Sur, Trailside Point as “Best” Schools….Page 3
M.C. Cash Principal Lisa Sandomir Mourned Page 4
Paseo Pointe Wins Golden Bell………….Page 5 Cheatham Receives Garden Grant……..Page 6 M.C. Cash Student Recognized…………..Page 8 Laveen Alumni Receive Tennessee State University Scholarships………………………Page 9
Dr. Jeff Sprout
Happy New Year and here’s to a year filled with growth, accomplishments, and the strengthening of relationships in Laveen. Our theme this year is “Ignite Excellence,” a call to activate the potential of our students, staff, and community. The entire Laveen Staff is committed to this mission as we serve, day
in and day out. In fact, as you read this edition of The Latest From Laveen, I hope you will experience a strong sense of the wonderful people and crucial work that occurs in the Laveen District. I also hope that you will see examples of how our community celebrates success and works together and cares for each other in highly challenging times. The Village of Laveen is a special place! We appreciate your support and are here to support you as well. On behalf of the entire Laveen School District Team, I wish you all in the best in 2022.
Laveen’s Academic Preschool
Desert Meadows │ Estrella Foothills │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. Desert Meadows, Estrella Foothills, and Vista del Sur’s programs provide general education instruction. Page 2
creating bright futures
www.LaveenSchools.org/preschool
U.S. News & World Report Ranks Vista del Sur and Trailside Point as “Best” Schools Laveen’s Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy and Trailside Point Performing Arts Academy have been included in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best” elementary and middle school rankings. Vista del Sur received a “Best” ranking in both the elementary and middle school categories while Trailside Point was recognized as a Best Middle School. This recognition is based on the schools’ success in educating students from all socioeconomic backgrounds with the goal of preparing them for success in high school. “Vista and Trailside’s impressive rankings speak to the commitment of the schools’ leadership, teachers, and staff to provide each and every student a quality education,” said Dr. Jeff Sprout, Laveen Superintendent. “Our families must also be commended for the level of support they provide to their children as well as their support of the schools’ educational programs.” The rankings are based on students’ performance on the 2018-19 mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments and their results in the context of socioeconomic demographics, such as free or reduced-price lunch and underserved ethnicity groups. U.S. News & World Report predicted math and reading achievement levels based on this data. The
greater the actual results compared to the predicted results determined a school’s ranking. Over 118,000 schools nationwide were included in the rankings. Vista del Sur was one of 5,300 K-8 schools to be included in both the elementary and middle school rankings. In addition to being named a Best Elementary and Middle School, Vista was named one of the top ten schools in Arizona, being ranked as #6 among Arizona elementary schools and #8 among Arizona middle schools. Vista del Sur is an accelerated school where all students work a grade level ahead in mathematics and English language arts. The school is a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and an Arizona Educational Foundation A+ School of Excellence. It has historically received an “A” label from the Arizona Department of Education each year. Trailside Point focuses on the performing arts. It has received the Arizona Educational Foundation’s A+ School of Excellence designation twice and it has received the Gold Achievement Award in Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS) each year since 2015. Learn more at www.LaveenSchools.org.
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Community mourns unexpected loss of M.C. Cash Principal Lisa Sandomir The Laveen community gathered on Wednesday, November 3 to honor the life and work of beloved M.C. Cash Principal Lisa Sandomir. Sandomir passed away October 27 as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident that occurred the day prior. She was 54 years old. Sandomir had served as principal of M.C. Cash School since 2005. Under her leadership M.C. Cash adopted the Kids at Hope framework—a belief system that is based on three universal truths: Children succeed when they are surrounded by adults who believe they can succeed, no exceptions; Children succeed when they have meaningful and sustainable relationships with caring adults; Children succeed when they can articulate their future in four domains: Home and Family, Education and Career, Community and Service, and Hobbies and Recreation. The program is built on the premise that all students have anchor adults in their lives. And, an anchor adult she was. Throughout the evening former students commented how it was their principal, Ms. Sandomir, who always believed in them and encouraged them to succeed. “She always told me ‘you will be someone in life keep pushing.’ She was an amazing leader in the community, educator, and principal she will be missed dearly,” said former student and owner of Dem Tacos David Romero. Romero’s son attended M.C. Cash under Sandomir as well. At the community gathering, visitors decorated tiles for a mural that will be installed in Ms. Sandomir’s memory, wrote Kids at Hope cards for the anchor adults in their lives, and added to the memorial fence outside the school. Sandomir was the recipient of the Rodel Education Foundation’s Exemplary Principal Award in 2015 and had received the Laveen School District’s Pinnacle of Leadership Award—the highest honor awarded to an administrator — in both 2014 and 2020. The Arizona Educational Foundation named M.C. Cash School an A+ School of Excellence in 2014 and 2018—a direct result of Sandomir’s strong leadership abilities.
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Paseo Pointe School receives Golden Bell Award Paseo Pointe School is the recipient of the 2021 Golden Bell Promise Award for its Dual Language Spanish Immersion Program. The prestigious Golden Bell recognizes educational initiatives that have a proven record of achieving excellence. It is awarded annually by the Arizona School Boards Association. Paseo Pointe launched its Dual Language Immersion program when it opened in 2016 to Grades K-1. The program has expanded a grade level each year and is now offered to students in preschool through sixth grade. The school was formally recognized at a statewide conference in December. Paseo Pointe is the second Laveen school to receive this award. Laveen Elementary School was honored with the Golden Bell in 2018 for its Mindfulness program. From Left: Dr. Jeff Sprout, Elizabeth Banderas, Dr. Kaitlin Gretkierewicz, Jon Rohloff, Michele Anderson, Fern Ward, and Rene Gastelo
All Laveen schools are now enrolling students who are entering Kindergarten in August 2022.
Launch your child into a successful academic career. Children must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2022 to register. www.LaveenSchools.org/Kindergarten
creating bright futures Free full-day kindergarten offered at all Laveen schools. Enrollment requirements apply. Page 5
Cheatham receives grant to support Chef in the Garden program Cheatham School is the recipient of the Blue Watermelon Project’s Steele Family Foundation Grant to support a “Chef In The Garden” program. The Chef in the Garden program provides bi-monthly kits for participating schools to teach students about a specific vegetable, herb, or grain. Kits include aligned curriculum materials that encourage learning through doing. A local chef is also assigned to lead a lesson, demo, and tasting. September’s kit featured chickpeas. Students learned about the chickpea before making their own flamin’ hot chickpea snack. Chef Tamara Stranger of The Lake House at Deer Creek provided the lesson and demo on this kit. November’s kit contained collard greens and students learned about the rich history of the greens and soul food. Chef Pam Coleman of Ms. C’s Home-Style prepared a delicious dish with fresh greens for the students to try. Both were planted in the school garden so that students can continue to observe them.
Cardinals bring skills camp to Rogers Ranch The Arizona Cardinals brought their mini-skills camp to Rogers Ranch School in November. Cardinals volunteers, school resource officers, and former Cardinals player Allen DeGraffenreid all assisted in running Rogers Ranch students in Grades 7-8 through several stations designed around non-contact football skills. It was a beautiful morning for students to get fresh air and exercise while cheering on their classmates.
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EFGA Robotics Team performs in division competition Estrella Foothills’s robotics team participated in the FIRST LEGO League Robotics competition at Central High School in December. The team, made up of students in Grades 4-8, has been practicing building a robot and coding it to navigate through a series of 22 missions for several weeks. At the division competition, the team was tasked with improving cargo transport and competed in three different matches. EFGA’s team took 9th place overall and are looking forward to continuing the program next year.
Laveen School increases after-school academic and enrichment opportunities Laveen School has increased their after-school program to accommodate both academics and enrichment opportunities. Laveen’s Academies provide academic tutoring programs to individual students who would benefit from additional instruction to either accelerate or advance their learning. Academies are focused, intentional instructional sessions led by classroom teachers. The Enrichment programs are exploratory opportunities for students to learn new skills and meet new friends with similar interests. Offerings are based on student interest and are led by teachers and coaches. Current programs include golf, basketball, softball, crochet, chess, anime, band, and M.E.S.A. (science) clubs.
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M.C. Cash student is an Arizona Student Success Story M.C. Cash self-contained student, and group home resident, Roberto Alvarado has been selected as an Arizona Student Success Story to be featured at the Arizona Department of Education’s HOPE Conference 2021. Roberto was selected for his dedication to academics and personal growth. In the past year, Roberto’s teacher has seen him advance both his reading and math skills. He gives 100% every single day. He has joined the school’s band program where he plays the trumpet. Roberto always walks into class with a huge smile, a high five and a hug. His kindness is exuberant. His helpfulness and willingness to try is unmatched in the classroom. His sensitivity for others and the way he looks out for those who need help is genuine. He is always the first to volunteer for any task. He is always so helpful with his friends, especially those who are at a lower level. He is constantly looking out for others who cannot always look out for themselves. He is determined, happy, and most importantly he is an amazing young man. Of the dozens of applications that were submitted, only four were selected as winners. Read more about Roberto at www.azed.gov/ArizonaStudentSuccessStories.
Nine teachers honored as Excellence in Education recipients Each year, one teacher from each Laveen school is recognized with the district’s Excellence in Education Award. This award honors individuals who exemplify quality teaching and professionalism. They are recognized for their exceptional student achievement on assessments. They demonstrate superior leadership and service by setting an example for their students and supporting other staff members. And, they make a positive difference outside of their classroom through positive interactions and relationships with the school community. This year’s recipients are: Kaitlin Long, Cheatham Elementary School; Stacy Hedrick, Desert Meadows School; Lisa Escobar, Estrella Foothills Global Academy; Alicia WrightHarp, Laveen Elementary School; Melissa Garcia, Maurice C. Cash Elementary School; Christine Iwinski, Paseo Pointe School; Jessica Fatina, Rogers Ranch School; Sarah Steele, Trailside Point; and Cristin Allen, Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy. This year’s award recipients were recognized at the allstaff welcome back celebration and at a Governing Board meeting. Page 8
Long
Hedrick
Escobar
Wright-Harp
Garcia
Iwinski
Fatina
Allen
Steele
Laveen alumni receive scholarships to Tennessee State University Dr. William Smith from Tennessee State University, a historically Black college located in Nashville, visited Betty Fairfax High School to award scholarships to 16 seniors. Eleven of those seniors were awarded full scholarships in the amount of $140,000 to attend for four years. All 11 of those seniors are Laveen Elementary District Alumni. The students are: Ashley Tapia of M.C. Cash; Breanna Hurd, Donovan Glass, Karasi Colter, and
Lauren Salaz of Vista Del Sur; Tsday Woods and Alisha Butler of Desert Meadows; Katin Florvil of Rogers Ranch; Francine Koroma and Jordanne Deleon of Laveen; and Melona Medhane of Cheatham. Another three seniors were given partial scholarships equaling $80,0000 for four years. Those students are: Donyea Kosh of Cheatham; Eric Nelson of Vista Del Sur; and Amarion Hamilton of Desert Meadows.
Administrators receive Pinnacle of Leadership Award Five Laveen administrators were recognized with the district's Pinnacle of Leadership award. This award recognizes administrators for exceptional leadership, outstanding accomplishment, and dedicated service to Laveen’s students and commuGrant nity. The recipients for 2021 are: Nicole Goodwin, Assistant Principal of M.C. Cash School; Ashley Grant, Assistant Principal of Trailside Point; Dr. Tracy Watkins, Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Sarah Zembruski, Principal of Estrella Foothills Global Academy; and Kevin Hegarty, Chief Financial Officer.
Goodwin
Zembruski
Watkins
Hegarty
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In Our Community .
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Laveen churches provide school uniforms Two Laveen churches have recently provided student uniforms to our schools. Christ Church of the Valley donated thousands of dollars to our schools in order to purchase uniforms for students who need them. Volunteers from Crosswalk Church also collected, laundered, and sorted hundreds of gently used school uniforms for our health offices to keep in stock as they are needed by students.
Volunteers from CrossWalk church deliver boxes of uniforms to Laveen School.
CCV Pastor Ryan Malone visits Desert Meadows Principal J.P. Ketcham to deliver funds for uniforms.
Community partner donates mindfulness supplies to Laveen School Representatives from the Tanner Community Development Corporation (TCDC) visited Laveen School to learn more about their mindfulness program. The group was so impressed with the program, they coordinated a donation of furniture and mindfulness supplies for the school through their Help Enrich African American Lives (HEAAL) program. Representatives from HEAAL dropped off the items at Laveen. These items will be used to enhance existing healing rooms and also add a satellite mindfulness area to the library. TCDC connects families with the community to improve lives by meeting a variety of needs.
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Donate by April 15 to claim on your 2021 taxes!
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. Page 11
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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-5, for 2022-23, must enroll in the DLI program (DLI will expand a grade level each year). 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
