JULY 15, 2018
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Chandler superintendent: Judge us by our grads BY DR. CAMILLE CASTEEL Chandler Unified Superintendent
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s we make final preparations for the start of the 2018-19 school year, I want to take this opportunity to provide a few updates. Our visionary governing board is determined to make Chandler Unified the top school district in the nation through 10-year strategic plan, Journey 2025, which focuses on four areas: outstanding students, world-class employees, organizational culture and effective resource management. Every year, the bar is raised higher, but our staff proves to be up for the challenge,
as attested by our score in excess of 90 points on last year’s metrics. You can view our progress on our website at cusd80. com. In order to meet those high standards, our teachers and staff work hard to prepare students for life and career, create diverse paths for learning, create global understanding, provide student-centered learning and engage parents in the success of their child. Our students are problem solvers, engaged learners, service-oriented and ethical, and they value diversity and think critically and creatively. This year, we are adding two new positions to provide resources for our staff to assist students. Dr. Adama Sallu has been named our director of equity and inclusion, and Brenda Ramos has been appointed director of counseling
and social services. Dr. Sallu joins us from Arizona State University. Mrs. Ramos has a proven track record as a counselor at Andersen Junior High and assistant principal at Hamilton High. We are proud to be the educational provider for families of more than 45,000 students from parts of Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek. In CUSD, parents may choose from a menu of personalized learning experiences that best meet the needs of their children. We know you have choices, and we work hard to ensure a safe, learning environment for students with many backgrounds and learning styles. We are known as a premier district of choice. Academic achievement is a high priority in the district, as evidenced by test scores that exceed state and national
averages. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding educational programs at all grade levels, including: • Free full-day kindergarten • K-8 self-contained gifted programs (Chandler Academically Talented Students) • Knox Gifted Academy • Traditional academies • Mandarin Chinese and Spanish language immersion programs • Elite Performance Academy for our serious young student-athletes • Accelerated Middle School • STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) diploma See
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Kyrene’s vision: Help students be all they can be BY DR. JAN VESELY Kyrene Superintendent
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he beginning of a new school year, like the dawning of a new day, reminds us that the future in Kyrene School District holds infinite possibilities. This time of year is an especially rewarding one because it brings us together to share stories of time spent with family and friends over summer adventures and to launch a new year, filled with hope, vision, and excitement. This year will continue to be shaped by our reform efforts as outlined in our Strategic Plan 2022, which defines priority work in the following goal areas: • High-performing students • High-quality talent
• Inclusive culture • Responsive organization • Collective governance There is never a shortcut to strategic planning and implementation when working to scale up innovative educational practices. It takes years of sustained commitment. In the Kyrene School District, we are continuing our journey into this continuously evolving, deep-rooted work that requires a crystal-clear focus on our vision: ensuring all students achieve at their maximum potential to become problem solvers, creators and visionaries of tomorrow. Rather than chase trends, we will maintain an unrelenting commitment to improving our core focus on the delivery of effective and rigorous instruction to maximize student learning and achievement.
Our most important stakeholders will always be our students, and years of research have proved that nothing schools can do for their students matters more than giving them effective teachers. A strong teacher can make an impact that lasts a lifetime, putting even the most disadvantaged students on the path to college and career success. This year, we will continue to reach out to community partners for engagement and guidance and make sure that we deploy resources where they have the greatest impact on achieving our desired results. Our work is about large-scale implementation within an existing system of schools. We are clear about the learning expectations for students and want to make sure that every student reaches those standards. We rely on our teachers and administrators to create rich learning
experiences using the very same skills we are developing in our students: creativity and innovation, critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, systems thinking, and flexibility, among others. Our pillars for student success focus on academic excellence, responsive instruction and student agency. Our accomplishments have been monumental and we will continue to build upon work from last year in areas of pre-K offerings; pre-K-8 design that focuses on traditional, dual language, International Baccalaureate, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) and addressing student needs through dyslexia support and sitebased interventionists. This year, we also will focus on expanding efforts to address socialSee
KYRENE on page 4
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THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018
Three Chandler schools start off on A+ footing C TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF
handler Unified begins the school year July 23 with three new A+ schools. Basha High, Carlson Elementary and Hancock elementary schools all received the A+ rating late last spring after earning the equivalent of a gold star for their academics, parental involvement, culture and other strengths. In the Kyrene School District, Kyrene de la Paloma Elementary School in Chandler, as well as five other district schools were designated A+. They were among a total of 41 schools statewide that received the coveted rating from the Arizona Educational Foundation. Applicant schools are reviewed on how they perform as far as active teaching and learning; student focus and support; assessment data, school culture, curriculum, leadership and community and parent involvement. Schools are evaluated on a lengthy written application and a stringent site visit by a team of judges. “The A+ School of Excellence program celebrates outstanding schools throughout Arizona, calling attention to the positive stories and successes occurring in public schools,” Arizona Educational Foundation executive director Bobbie O’Boyle said. “We applaud these schools for exceeding expectations to meet their students’ needs and for achieving overall success despite the many challenges that face the education community statewide,” she added. Basha High School Principal David Loutzenheiser was thrilled about the honor when he heard the news last school year. “It’s so exciting. It was a great undertaking,” Loutzenheiser said. “The judges were so complimentary about all the different things. I think for me it’s more the validation for my staff and my students that the things that we’re doing here are positive and go above and beyond what most schools do. “I’ve got a staff that works really hard to build a community. This was just validation for people.” He said Basha emphasizes benevolence, honor and scholarship on campus. The benevolence aspect is “what we do on campus, with the focus of giving back to our community,” Loutzenheiser explained.
Students do a four-year research project in which they write a research paper and help the community in various ways including supporting organizations tied to stress dogs and Alzheimer’s disease. The honor and scholarship components of Basha’s goals related to “the pride that we have on our campus” and the academic rigor respectively, Loutzenheiser said. Basha has an Accelerated Middle School for sixth- through eighth-graders who take challenging high school courses. Leo Schlueter, principal at Carlson Elementary School, also expressed enthusiasm about the award his school received. “This is the culmination of a yearlong work on the application as we reflected on our practice and purpose here at Carlson,” he said, adding: “It truly reflects the effort and dedication that was put into identifying those characteristics of Carlson that make it stand out as an A+ School. Perhaps the greatest reflection is that is represents what others, the A+ judges, see in your school and while we know we perform to high standards and reflect what is best about our profession, it is even more rewarding when those from outside, looking in, see the same,” Schlueter added. Hancock Principal Connie Hull was also happy about the honor and thankful for support from staffers and others. “We are blessed to work in the best school district in the nation and have exceptionally supportive students, staff, parents and grandparents,” she said. “The judges were impressed by the culture of respect and pride that is evident at Hancock.” Schools with the A+ label get $500 and a banner labeling them as an A+ School of Excellence winner. Staffers and their family members are eligible for partial scholarships from Argosy University Phoenix.
(Special to the Tribune)
Carlson Elementary last spring celebrated its A+ rating with an assembly.
(Special to the Tribune)
Hancock Elementary students presented the”Wizard of Oz.”
(Special to the Tribune)
Basha High students flock to the school’s bands and orchestra.
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• Nationally recognized academic, fine arts and athletic programs • College preparatory advanced placement instruction • Accelerated International Baccalaureate study • Science and biotech classes that promote critical thinking • Chandler On-line program
• Access to a variety of preschool and afterschool programming • and much more. Judge us by the graduates we produce. In addition to state and national honors in academics, fine arts and sports, CUSD’s 2018 graduating class earned more than $136 million in college scholarship offers, 33,495 college credit hours and 107,117 service learning hours! Please visit our website for an extensive list of
accomplishments. As you can see, I am very proud of our students and dedicated staff. I am so confident that we can find the right school environment for your child that I invite you to contact my office at 480812-7600, so that my staff and I can assist with placement for this year. -Dr. Camille Casteel is the superintendent of Chandler Unified School District.
THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018
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THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018
New principals begin year at four Kyrene schools BY ERIN HELM Tribune Guest Writer
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hile Kyrene School District students have been celebrating the summer, teachers, staff and leaders have been hard at work preparing for those students’ return. Every fall, fresh faces join the Kyrene School District team, so some of the staff welcoming students back to school next month will be new – most notably, the principals at four Kyrene schools. Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary – Principal Sarah Collins Collins considers it a homecoming. She grew up in Ahwatukee, attended Kyrene schools and was in the first full four-year graduating class of Mountain Pointe High School. In her 21 years in education, Collins previously served Kyrene as a teacher and dean before accepting a principal position in another district. She is thrilled to be returning to lead Kyrene de la Estrella. “Estrella has a history of incredible leadership,” Collins says. “It is my hope
to maintain that level of excellence while serving the students, families and staff as principal.” Ahwatukee education is a family affair for Collins. Her husband teaches at Altadeña Middle School, and her two sons attend Centennial Middle School and Mountain Pointe High. “I am thrilled to be back in Kyrene and am looking forward to meeting the families and students at Estrella. It’s going to be an amazing year!” Collins takes over the Estrella principal seat from Lamp, who is moving over to Kyrene del Milenio. This will be Lamp’s 22nd year in the Kyrene School District. He started as a teacher, then moved into administration and now is entering his seventh year as a principal. Kyrene del Milenio Elementary – Principal Michael Lamp Lamp believes change offers opportunity to grow, and he says the Kyrene del Milenio opening gives him the perfect chance to move to a new school and make an impact while still serving the Kyrene community he loves. Lamp says of his educational approach,
“In a world that is constantly changing, fostering effort and risk taking in our students will give them the best chance to succeed.” Kyrene del Cielo Elementary – Principal Tammy Thaete Thaete is taking over at Kyrene del Cielo. She should be familiar to students because she served as assistant principal at Cielo last year and has been in the district for 17 years. Thaete has two master’s degrees, one in elementary education and one in school administration, and she started her career in education as a teacher. Thaete sums up her educational philosophy this way: “Together we’re better. When school staff, families and community members work together to support children learning, amazing and wonderful things will happen!” Thaete has two daughters who attended Kyrene schools and went on to graduate from ASU. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, hiking and trying new recipes. Kyrene Middle School – Principal Julio Martinez
El Dorado High School Provides a Challenging, Inspiring, Education to students in Grades 9 through 12.
The new principal of Kyrene Middle School has 24 years of experience in public education. Martinez started out as a teacher and has served as a principal for the past six years. He has two master’s degrees, in educational administration and bilingual/multicultural education, which will serve him well at KMS. “In order for any school to be successful you have to make personal connections with everyone in the school,” he says. “We are all in this together and together we will be successful. When we moved back to Arizona and, in particular, Phoenix, my goal was to be in the Kyrene district. Words cannot even begin to describe how excited I am to be here, to lead KMS, and to serve my community!” KSD is also welcoming new leaders to the district offices. Brian Lockery joins the district as the director of business services. Lockery brings 20 years of experience in educational policy, leadership, management and budgeting to Kyrene. In addition to his district-level experience, he has served as an audit manager for the Arizona Department of Education, and prior to that, as a policy advisor and research analyst at the Arizona House of Representatives for 11 years, covering areas of K-12 education, higher education, academic accountability and more. Most of Kyrene’s new leaders joined the district July 1. Kyrene students will meet their new principals on the first day of school, Aug. 2.
Kyrene appoints spokeswoman
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rin Helm will serve as Kyrene School District’s director of communications and marketing. A veteran journalist and experienced school public information officer, Helm has spent 19 years in media, marketing and public relations. She worked in TV stations from Indiana to Arizona and said she plans to use her network of media contacts “to help promote the success of Kyrene students, staff and schools.” “Kyrene is my home district,” Helm said. “I am thrilled to be putting my skills to work in KSD, where my own daughters will one day attend school.”
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THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018
It's never too late to have a rewarding career! Milenio Principal Michael Lamp
KMS Principal Julio Martinez
(Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)
Cielo Elementary Principal Tammy Thaete shows the path that muralist Suzanne Whitaker painted so kindergarten students can find their way between class and the front office.
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emotional learning and school safety initiatives. The Kyrene community can count on regular updates through our official communication channels of public meetings, email, social media and Kyrene. org. We welcome participation in our schools and hope you stay connected throughout the year by participating in activities when possible and ensuring children’s readiness for school each day. Family participation in school experiences are welcome opportunities for us to work together in the support of our
children. It is under that shared care that our children thrive. Your first opportunity to participate is coming up soon. Mark your calendars and join us for Meet the Teacher nights, July 30 (elementary) and July 31 (middle). All children start school on Thursday, Aug. 2. As we move forward with our continuous improvement efforts, I invite you to think about something written long ago but that still resonates today. Emerson said, “Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” I am confident that we will blaze a trail filled with success and accomplishment as, together, we launch the best year yet for our Kyrene Schools.
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THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018
Valley Christian begins 2018-19 with accolades, junior high
BY TROY THELEN Tribune Guest Writer
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or 36 years, Valley Christian High School has been educating students in 9-12 grades. Starting this fall, they open their doors to junior high students, as well. “Expanding from four grades to seven allows us to extend the Valley Christian brand not only to more families and students, but for a longer period of time, as well,” said Dan Kuiper, the school’s administrator. “We’ve seen continued growth and exceptional demand for a Valley Christian education over the last five years, in large part due to the value added to our academic and extracurricular programs. We believe we can create this same value for students in junior high and prepare them for high school and college by offering our big-school opportunities in a small school environment.” Kuiper, who has been teaching or in administration at the school since its second year, isn’t the only one that sees See
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(Corey Gilmore/Valley Christian High) Valley Christian High school staff includes, from left, Paul Schanaker, vice principal; Lisa O’Brien, assistant to counselor and athletic director; Robyn Bellerson, director of admissions; Michelle Cefola, director of academic, college, and career advising; Dan Kuiper, administrator (seated); Lynn Spina, development coordinator and girls soccer head coach; Drew Streeter, English and yearbook teacher; and Allan Alvarado, director of business affairs.
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THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018
Volunteers sought to help Mesa teachers cope with class size
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Tribune News Staff
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ith many Mesa schools facing teacher shortages and growing class sizes, the value of trained volunteers assisting in classrooms has become increasingly important to student success, according to principals and teachers who partner with Your Experience Counts. A program of HandsOn Greater Phoenix, Your Experience Counts has been providing volunteers to schools for 12 years. The program provided 92 volunteers in 25 schools during the 2017-18 school year. More volunteers are needed for 201819 to meet the requests of principals and teachers in Mesa Public Schools. The program addresses needs in other areas of the Valley, as well, including Balsz, Osborn, Washington and Dysart school districts. Robby Meldau, principal of Eisenhower Center for Innovation in the Mesa school district, said that YEC volunteers “are fabulous teacher allies, powerful supporters of students and positive impactors of classroom dynamics.” “My teachers are especially grateful for how committed our volunteers have been to reaching every student and encouraging them to learn,” Meldau said. Teacher Allison Zingale and volunteer Anthony Mandarino teamed to support a combination fifth-sixth-grade classroom at Eisenhower. Zingale has had a volunteer in her classroom for her four years as a teacher. “My students greatly benefit from having caring, skilled adults interact with them,” Zingale said. “Anthony helped my students by motivating them and giving feedback on math and reading and offering alternative strategies for students to be successful.” Mandarino has a degree in biological science and an interest in becoming a teacher. “I work with students one-on-one or small groups to teach a lesson,” Mandarino said. “I try to connect with the students and keep them on track. It is really satisfying when they look at you and say thanks for the help.” YEC volunteers typically spend two to five hours a week in classrooms in grades 3 through 6. Volunteers bring a variety of life and work experiences to their schools. Many are retired from business, military or education. Some are stay-at-home moms or work part time.
(Photos special to the Tribune)
Allison Zingale helps students in her fifth-sixth-grade classroom at Eisenhower Center for Innovation.
Your Experience Counts provides extensive training for volunteers in subject areas – including STEM – and classroom management. At Balsz Elementary School, volunteer James Mallard utilizes his experience as a life and business coach to work with eighth-grade students on reading comprehension and writing. He also created a career day for students. His teacher, Rikki Garcia, said: “James is awesome. He brings positive uplifting energy, listening skills and real-life experiences to our classroom.” And at Griffith Elementary in the Balsz District, volunteer Robyn Burgoon, a former teacher, works with students in math, science, spelling and writing. “Some students just need a confidence boost,” Burgoon said. “I think it is most helpful to support the teacher by working one-on-one with struggling students.” Similar classroom success stories are reported in other districts. In a YEC year-end survey, a Dysart principal stated: “You were an amazing support to our teachers, students and school. You are making a positive difference in the life of our students.” And in the Washington Elementary School District, a principal said: “Volunteers have become an integral part of the classroom and are much valued by the teachers and students. Our volunteers have been able to really build strong relationships with students.” At Solano Elementary in the Osborn District, teacher Mae Nevarez says that her third- and fourth-grade students “love having (volunteer) Maria Salvucci in the room. She has been an enormous help,
Your Experience Counts volunteer Anthony Mandarino helps students in a fifthsixth-grade combination class during a reading assignment at Eisenhower Center for Innovation in the Mesa Public Schools district.
particularly supporting students with math concepts.” Salvucci, herself a former teacher, has been a YEC volunteer for 3½ years. “Seeing the need in Arizona for assistance in overcrowded classrooms, I thought serving as a volunteer would be a good fit. I absolutely love helping BEST LUNCH UNDER $7.00 (Total Bill)
children build their confidence,” Salvucci said. For more information, or to volunteer for the 2018-19 school year, contact Mike Beardslee, Educational Programs Manager at mike@handsonphoenix.org, 623223-9248, or handsonphoenix.org/YEC.
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THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018
QC High School starting year with new principal Tribune News Staff
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ueen Creek High School students will have a new principal to look forward to when school resumes July 24. Julie Oster, a Chandler resident, is taking the helm while their former principal, Paul Gagnon settles into his role as the planning principal for the district’s second senior high. That school is under construction on a 60-acre tract near Ray and Ellsworth roads in Eastmark, where it will become the third school to set up shop in the community that has now mushroomed into 2,000 homes and an estimated population of 5,000 since starting five years ago. The new building will “bring another comprehensive high school with rich elective and extracurricular offerings to students and families,” said district Superintendent Perry Berry. “The class of 2017 earned $7.9 million in scholarship offers, and we are confident that this new high school will soon be home to outstanding educators that will help produce similar results. Berry also praised the district’s partnership with the city of Mesa and Eastmark developer DMB. “Over the years, our team has worked with educational partners in the Mesa area to bring top-ranked schools to Eastmark,” said Dea McDonald, Eastmark general manager. “We are thrilled to partner with Queen Creek USD to bring a true comprehensive high school option to our residents and the greater East Valley.” Gagnon had been principal at the existing Queen Creek High for two years after a five-year stint as principal of Pahe High School and assistant principal at
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the value of a Valley Christian education. Along with an expected 440 students at the high school, more than 80 students are registered for the school before it opens. And the school expects around 90 by the first day. “We don’t believe a family should have to sacrifice any aspect of their child’s education in order to attend a Christian school, so we have invested heavily in our faculty, in technology, and in creating high level opportunities for our students to succeed in and out of the classroom,”
Cottonwood Middle School. community in this new He started his career in education as a capacity.” high school history and economics teacher The Tempe native comes and also worked several coaching gigs. from a family of educators “Opening a new high school is exciting and has two children and we feel that Paul’s experience, who attend schools in the leadership, organization, passion for district. students, and work ethic are the right The district also recently combination for this job,” Berry said. held a ribbon cutting for Oster is a 19-year employee of the its newest STEAM-focused district and has spent most of that time at neighborhood school, Queen Creek High. Faith Mather Sossaman She has been a social studies teacher, Elementary, at 22801 E. guidance counselor, assistant principal, Via Del Jardin in Queen cross-country, track and varsity softball Creek. coach and elementary principal. Faith Mather Sossaman She has a M.A. in education from lived in, or was associated Ottawa University and a second master’s with, the area for 82 years in educational leadership from Grand and started teaching at Canyon University. Queen Creek Elementary Julie Oster, the new Queen Creek High School principal, has two “Many people within our community School in January 1932. children who both attend school in the district. She replaces Paul will know Ms. Oster from her years of Her original teacher desk Gagnon, who is the planning principal for the new high school service devoted to our District in varied was on display during the that the district will open next year in Eastmark. capacities at Queen Creek High School ribbon-cutting as well as and Queen Creek Queen Creek’s new high school in Eastmark will open for the 2019-20 school Elementary,” Berry said. year and will be able to accommodate more than 1,300 students. “We are excited to have Julie lead a school that she knows so well.” Oster has worked closely with all departments and has worked diligently to expand the honors and Advanced Placement opportunities. “I have dedicated my life to providing opportunities for all students to learn what grounds also include baseball and soccer their passion is and gain the education her high school diploma dated 1923. and confidence to find success in it,” she The school will be home to grades pre-K fields, spaces for music and band, and an said. “I have always considered Queen through 5 and will feature maker’s space outdoor amphitheater. Creek High School my home and couldn’t and computer labs, media center and be more honored or excited to serve my several collaborative learning spaces. The Kuoper added, noting: “Our junior high Principal Chris Fryar and his team have already done a tremendous job in setting up Valley Christian Junior High for success.” And the junior high isn’t the only reason the school has been in the news recently. The school has made headlines before as a top educational institution, including being named a top 50 Christian High School in the nation. Kelly Clausen, a faculty member, student council advisor and the beach volleyball head coach, noted: “As one of our employees who left and returned, I believe working for
Valley Christian is so attractive because it truly feels like you are a part of a family. When you work alongside people who have similar core values and are passionate about the same things as you, it is incredibly encouraging… even on the toughest days.” The school’s junior high campus in Tempe is located at the newly renovated Gethsemane Church campus and features an academic building, multi-use facility, gymnasium and worship center. The high school campus is located in Chandler at Ray Road and 56th Street and includes a gymnasium, baseball field, newly-lit softball field, brand new beach
volleyball courts, and a football field and track on a beautiful 17-acre campus. The two campuses are located six miles from each other. Now in its 37th year, Valley Christian embarks on a brand-new chapter. And if you ask their employees, they’ll almost assuredly be around to see it through. -Troy Thelan, a 2003 graduate of Valley Christian High School, is legacy director for the school.
THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018
To help reduce the cost of students’ education Frank Schmuck founded a Dollars for Scholars Chapter more than 10 years ago where hundreds of Tempe Union High School District students have received scholarships enabling them to continue to learn a subject or trade.
FRANK SCHMUCK CARES ABOUT OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS!
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BACK TO SCHOOL 10 Sponsored content
Hosts Chinese Language Summer Camp for Arizona Students On June 10th, thirty middle and high school students from twenty-seven schools in fourteen cities across Arizona and three other states arrived at Arizona State University to kick off the tenth annual ASU Startalk Chinese Language Summer Camp. The camp marks an exceptional opportunity for Arizona’s brightest students to come together and develop their Chinese-language skills and cultural understanding. From the day they set foot on the ASU campus, students are immersed in the Chinese language and culture. Students remain at the camp twenty-four hours a day, sleeping in campus dormitories, eating with camp staff and other students, and engaging in a full slate of daily activities. Lasting for a total of fifteen days, the camp offers a unique and exciting learning environment for its thirty participants. The core activity of the camp is Chineselanguage instruction. Students spend several hours a day in Chinese classes taught by experienced area instructors and teaching assistants. Classes, which range from the beginner to the intermediate level, are organized around a yearly camp theme. This year’s theme, “Let’s Plan a Family Reunion Trip to China,” places emphasis on giving students the ability to travel in Chinese-speaking countries. Students create a travel planner and carry out a variety of in-class activities and presentations based on the camp theme. Students also have individualized tutoring sessions with teaching assistants in the evenings. Classes are conducted almost entirely in Chinese, forcing students to develop their listening and speaking skills. While full language immersion can be difficult for language learners of any age, learning alongside other highly-motivated students helps create a positive and cooperative educational environment for camp participants, and students note the improvement they make as the camp progresses. At the end of the camp, students create a poster and a slide show presentation advertising a vacation to one of their favorite Chinese cities. Language instruction, however, is only the beginning of camp activities. Afternoons also include hands-on cultural activities with topics such as dance, calligraphy, and Chinese knots. Students also participate in evening activities such as Chinese movies and games, and are introduced to a variety of foods through Chinese lunches, a dumpling-making activity, and a ‘fear factor’ food-tasting game. Guest instructors also join the camp to conduct cultural activities; for instance, a disciple of a Shaolin master visited campus this week to give a martial arts class for students. Through these activities students gain exposure to different aspects of Chinese culture, while learning and practicing specialized Chinese vocabulary related to each activity. One such popular activity is an off-campus trip to Mekong Plaza in Mesa. After beginning the day with a dim sum brunch, students are sent on a scavenger hunt at the plaza supermarket. As with other camp activities, students must use their newly-acquired language skills to complete the activity, seeking out a list of Chinese foods and drinks from the baffling variety of items on display at the market. The Mekong field trip gives students an opportunity to utilize their learning in the ‘real world,’ and for many students the trip is the highlight of the week. On the last day of the camp, students put on a performance for friends and family. One aspect of the performance is the presentation of group projects on China’s major cities, done entirely by students in Chinese. In addition, each does a song and dance number. The performance gives students the opportunity to celebrate and share their progress with their relatives, friends, and teachers. The camp, notes program director Dr. Xia Zhang, is an enjoyable and valuable experience for students. “This program strives to provide students with the best learning experience by immersing them in an intensive yet fun environment,” says Zhang. “I hope that through this program, students not only learn a foreign language but also learn to better appreciate another culture.” After the camp concludes, students will use what they’ve learned as a springboard for further Chinese-language study at their respective schools and colleges. Apart from building their language skills and cultural understanding, students gain exposure to university campus life and build friendships with classmates that last beyond the camp. Startalk is a presidential initiative funded by the National Security Agency that seeks to expand and improve the instruction and learning of strategically important languages such as Chinese. For the tenth consecutive year, the School of International Letters and Cultures at ASU was selected by Startalk Central to host the Chinese Language Summer Camp. The camp is largely funded by the U.S. government, and students pay only a nominal fee to attend. Arizona students can apply to attend the camp in the spring of each year. More information on the camp can be found at silc.clas.asu.edu/content/startalk-program or on the program Facebook page at facebook.com/asustartalk/. Photo Caption: Participants of the 2018 ASU Startalk Chinese Language Summer Camp
THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018
Mesa Public Schools works all summer on safety and security BY MACIE WILLIAMS Tribune Guest Writer
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s the district’s 64,000 students enjoy their last few days of summer reading and lounging in the pool, Mesa Public Schools staff are hard at work ensuring a successful start to the school year. The Mesa Public Schools operations department maintains 82 school campuses inside and out. Staff members specialize in maintenance, custodial and grounds, as well as new construction and renovations. The department has made several improvements over the years to work more efficiently, including staff who conduct daily on-campus improvements from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at individual schools. Projects range from painting and landscape maintenance to structural repair. For the more than 29,000 daily student riders on the district’s school buses, safety is the transportation department’s top priority. Mesa Public Schools bus drivers travel about 38,000 miles each day.
The school safety and security department implements the emergency management protocols at district schools, including lockdowns or evacuations. In recent years, campus safety improvements have included security fencing and safety glass. All district junior high and high schools have full-time school resource officers, who are Mesa police officers assigned to a campus. Director Allen Moore regularly meets with his security officers, and the Mesa police and fire and medical departments to ensure the district is up to date with security practices. The district’s food and nutrition department continuously improves recipes to meet the needs of their young customers’ discerning palates. This includes summer professional development opportunities to keep menus fresh and exciting. The district’s central kitchens will be hopping bright and early on the first day of school. The department serves more than 37,000 lunches and 18,000 breakfasts per day.
Welcome to the 2018-19 School Year. First day of school is Thursday, August 2. • Comprehensive core curriculum with a variety of elective courses for PreK-8 • Arts, Dual Language, Traditional, Leadership, and IB Candidacy* schools • Supports for academic, behavioral and social emotional growth • Preschool options include Community, Integrated, and Signature programs (Arts Integrated, Bienvenidos, Leader in Me, Project-based & Reggio Emilia)
*Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.
www.kyrene.org • 480-541-1000 • @KyreneSchools
THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018
BACK TO SCHOOL
Seton Catholic credits Blue Ribbon for enrollment increase BY JOYCE VALDEZ Tribune Guest Writer
Seton Catholic Prep, the East Valley’s only Catholic high school, will welcome back students Aug. 8 for the 2018-19 school year. Seton will begin the academic year with about 605 students, a slight increase over last year that school officials attribute in part to “the Blue Ribbon effect.” Last year, Seton Catholic was named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School in the “Exemplary High Performing” category by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. “Being named a National Blue Ribbon School affirmed our commitment to academic excellence, which prompted more East Valley parents to consider Seton,” said Principal Victor Serna. “We’re no longer the East Valley’s ‘best-kept secret,’ which is a good thing for families looking for a high-quality education for their children.”
The 2018 graduating class underscored Seton’s commitment to academic excellence. Of 127 graduates in the class, 68 percent received scholarships – totaling $8.9 million over four years—to colleges and universities throughout Arizona and the U.S. Speaking of scholarships, two incoming Seton freshmen are the first recipients of the Pat & Mary Ellen Hennessy Scholarship. Fr. Joseph Hennessy, a founder of St. Andrew the Apostle Church, established the scholarship fund in memory of his late parents. Each scholarship covers half of Seton’s annual tuition. This past year, Seton increased its presence in the community by stepping up its involvement in business and civic organizations. In June, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce recognized Seton Catholic as the 2018 Medium Business of the Year, and Seton hosted the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s July meeting. Seton’s outreach is not limited to Ari-
♦ Initiated Dyslexia Pre-School Pilot Program ♦ Initiated “Take Your Teacher To The Legislature Day” www.jillnorgaard.com
PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY NORGAARD4AZ
♦ Supported Increased Teacher Pay
zona’s borders. This school year, it will continue its partnership with New Yorkbased UTP High Schools to attract more international students to its campus at 1150 N. Dobson Road, Chandler. “If I had to describe Seton in a word, it would be ‘wonderful,’” said international student Hailey Tran, who graduated in May after being placed at Seton through UTP. Serna has been busy this summer working with school administrators to fill faculty, staff, and coaching positions. The vacancies include six teacher openings resulting from attrition, the head football coach, and the director of Advancement. Jim Pogge, formerly vice president of advancement at Mercy High School in Omaha, Neb., has been named to head Seton’s Office of Advancement. In that role, Pogge will work with Mission Advancement Officer Brian Rosario to develop and implement strategic plans to help raise funds for Seton. Before joining Mercy, Pogge was director
of philanthropy at Creighton University, also located in Omaha. Former Arizona Cardinals Assistant Coach Michael Chiurco has been named the Sentinels’ interim head football coach for the 2018 season. Chiurco, whose wife works at one of Seton’s Catholic feeder schools, has more than 29 years of coaching experience at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Seton is a diocesan, coeducational high school open to students of all faiths and dedicated to academic excellence, leadership and loving service to others. For more than 60 years, Seton Catholic has served young men and women from parochial, private, charter, public and home schooling backgrounds. Seton Catholic is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and the Western Catholic Education Association. www. setoncatholic.org. Information: setoncatholic.org or call 480-963-1900.
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THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | JULY 15, 2018