June 10, 2015 • Vol. 13, No.27
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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North Valley Regional Library kicks off Cave Creek Council votes 7-0 for town advertising change summer reading program ANTHEM – Every hero has a story at the North Valley Regional Library! The library kicked off the Maricopa County Regional Library 2015 Summer Reading Program on June 2. Families who stopped by the library signed up for summer reading and took part in a variety of activities, including face painting, superhero mask decorating, and Arizona Science Center experiments. More activities are planned throughout the summer. The summer reading program runs through Aug. 1. Summer Reading Program participants will earn one point for every minute added to their reading logs and will earn prizes at 250 points and 500 points.
TARA ALATORRE STAFF
Readers of all ages can join the program, and it’s completely free to participate.
Sign up for summer reading at mcld.azsummerreading.org.
CAVE CREEK – The Cave Creek Town Council unanimously agreed to advertise in the Sonoran News, despite the Cave Creekbased publication not meeting the statutory definition of a newspaper and many residents speaking out against the recommendation, at the public meeting on June 1. Since the Sonoran News does not meet the state requirements of a newspaper, legally the town can’t use the publication to advertise its public and legal notices. However, if the public notices are also published in a qualifying newspaper besides
the Sonoran News, then technically it complies with the state requirements, according to Gary Birnbaum, an attorney representing the town. “Our analysis is that the Sonoran News does not meet the criteria, period,” said Birnbaum. “You comply with the state statute by using the Capitol Times, or the Republic, or the Gila Bend News.” On legal recommendation, Councilman Thomas McGuire added an amendment to the motion stating that the Sonoran News would publish the town’s legal notices in a qualifying newspaper, the Gila Bend Sun,
COUNCIL
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Canyon Springs to offer free Spanish classes for all students ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
ANTHEM – Starting next school year, students at Canyon Springs School will have the opportunity to learn Spanish with free classes for kindergarten through eighth grade. Canyon Springs is the first school in the Deer Valley Unified School District to offer Spanish classes to all students in the school. The school’s PTSA is helping to fund the Spanish language program. Canyon Springs has a motto of preparing learners to succeed in a global society. The new Spanish language program joins the Renaissance Gifted and STEM Academy programs
offered at the school. All of the programs give students resources for sought-after career fields and provide global life skills. Principal Tricia V. Graham shared the reasoning behind offering the Spanish language program. “The teachers and administrators in the Boulder Creek Region of DVUSD schools pride ourselves in offering innovative programs for learners and families seeking global and unique educational opportunities,” Graham noted. She also offered a personal perspective as a parent with two elementary schoolaged children. “I am not only an educator, but
a parent as well,” Graham said. “When we make educational decisions at Canyon Springs STEM Academy, I always ask myself, “Is this best for kids and would I want this for my own children?” If the answer is “Yes,” then it is something I will work hard to implement.” Full-time teacher Andrea Schwartz has been hired for the Spanish program. Many of the rest of the Canyon Springs staff members will be participating in the program, too. “Many of our teachers (including me) are interested in learning Spanish, as well,” commented Graham. “We are excited to include an online component for our students
HOME SAFETY:
VISION 2030:
PET ADOPTIONS:
Natural gas leak reported
County seeking input on
Anthem Pets holding
in local home
Comprehensive Plan
adoption event, June 12
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to practice, learn, and engage with their families at home.” Spanish classes will be offered to all K-6 students. These classes will be added to the specials rotation schedule. Classes will be offered as an
elective for grades 7-8. “Our seventh and eighth grade students will be taught Spanish 1 every day for a full year,”
CANYON SPRINGS continued on page 10
OTHER : • Bluhm Column
7
• Service Directory
15
• Classified Ads
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