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Page 1: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

from

The Latest

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

Page 4

SPRING 2014

Students from M.C. Cash show off their A+ designation. Photo provided by D.L. Withers Construction.

Page 2: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

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 recog-

nition to our Laveen neigh-

borhood schools and students.

Two Laveen schools, M. C. Cash and

Trailside Point, received the prestigious A+

School of Excellence award from the Arizo-

na 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 Arizo-

na. Vista earned the Higher Performing

School designation from the National Cen-

ter for Educational Achievement for the sec-

ond year in a row.

This has been another amazing year for

our students as well. We have a number of

students who received individual recogni-

tion 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 neighbor-

hood 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 stu-

dents were inducted into the National Jun-

ior Honor Society.

Schools are at the heart of any communi-

ty 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 technolo-

gy. Students in Grades 6-8 will first be introduced to

technology and various applications. Eighth grade stu-

dents will become Google certified. All STEM students

will create their own websites in preparation of present-

ing a detailed engineering project during the spring se-

mester.

Desert Meadows will offer technology integration

and character education. Students in Grades K-5 will be

on an exploratory schedule while middle school stu-

dents 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 1-

8.

M.C. Cash will be focusing on computers in all grade

levels. Students in Grades K-2 will take Computer Ba-

sics. Computer Design and Digital Citizenship will be

offered to students in Grades 3-5. Middle school stu-

dents 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 Or-

chestra will be offered to fifth and

sixth graders. Junior high stu-

dents have a variety of electives

to choose from including: Band,

Consumer Science, Broadcasting,

Theater, Set Design and Produc-

tion, Creative Studies, and Robot-

ics. Living History Wax Museum

will be available to sixth graders.

Vista del Sur will be offering Spanish daily to all sev-

enth and eighth grade students.

Page 3: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

Page 3

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LaveenESD

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 Won-

ders, 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 Pear-

son.

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 re-

sources, activities, and other online tools. Teachers are participating in numerous professional develop-

ment 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.

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 chil-

dren 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.

Receive biweekly Laveen news directly

to your inbox. Visit our website,

www.laveeneld.org, to sign up for the

District Dialogue!

Page 4: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

Page 4

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 practic-

es, 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.

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

Jaad Waters, Vista del Sur

3rd Place

Regional Spelling Bee

Accomplishments

Lizbet Suarez, M.C. Cash

Grand Prize

Phoenix Suns & Southwest Airlines

"Symbol of Freedom" Art and 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

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 5: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

Page 5

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 Pan-

ther 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.

Rogers Ranch Instructional Coach

named Rodel Aspiring Principal

Cory Woodard, Instructional Coach at Rogers

Ranch, has been selected as a Rodel Aspiring Prin-

cipal.

The Rodel Aspiring Principal

program provides participants

with practical strategies they can

apply at their own schools when

they become principals. Partici-

pants attend professional develop-

ment seminars on the four Rodel traits: Collabora-

tive School Environment, Family and Community

Involvement, Professional Learning, and High Ex-

pectations.

Woodard was selected for this honor by Rodel

for, among other things, his commitment to effec-

tive 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 custodian named AZ National

Guard’s Instructor of the Year

Rogers Ranch School’s Lead Cus-

todian, Joshua Snow, has been

named Instructor of the Year by the

Arizona Army National Guard.

In addition to his custodial du-

ties, Snow serves as a Sergeant

First Class in the Guard and is one

of 20 instructors at the Guard’s Re-

gional Training Institute located in

east Phoenix.

Each year, the Regional Training Institute con-

ducts 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 instruc-

tion. Points are deducted for using crutch words

like “um,” lacking smooth transitions, or not relat-

ing the material to students in a way they under-

stand. The judges look for the instructor to be en-

gaging 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.

Woodard

Snow

Page 6: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

Page 6

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 bounda-

ries 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.

In our Community

Gila River Tribal Education donates preschool equipment

Members of the Gila River Tribal Education and Early Childhood Special Services departments donat-

ed 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 Communi-

ty. 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 stu-

dents,” 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 Dis-

trict.

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.

Page 7: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

Page 7

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. Pip-

er Charitable Trust to provide back-to-school cloth-

ing 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 Vir-

ginia G. Piper Charitable

Trust’s belief that essential

clothing helps prepare chil-

dren for a successful school

year,” said Laveen’s superin-

tendent, Dr. Bill Johnson.

“This grant will provide some of our neediest stu-

dents 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.

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 Ser-

vices office and the support of District 8 Council-

woman Kate Gallegos.

Vista’s NJHS conducts service project

Vista del Sur

Traditional School's

National Junior

Honor Soc ie ty

cleaned up their

neighborhood using

donated safety

gear.

Vests and gloves

were provided to the students by D.L. Withers

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 Agricul-

ture’s (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Pro-

gram.

This funding will provide fresh fruits and vege-

tables to Cash students throughout next school

year.

The program was established to expand the va-

riety of fruits and vege-

tables children experi-

ence, increase chil-

dren’s fruit and vegeta-

ble consumption, and

create healthier eating

habits.

Trailside receives literacy grant Trailside Point is the recipi-

ent 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 chil-

dren's books.

Page 8: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

Around our Schools

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 pa-

per, stickers, glitter, and a variety of other materi-

als.

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 tech-

niques. 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 partici-

pants.

Page 8

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.

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 mid-

night — representing the fact that cancer never

sleeps.

Cheatham was not only the largest team in at-

tendance, 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 stu-

dent council’s

sponsor.

Home Depot volunteers assist students planting vegetables.

Cheatham’s Relay

for Life Team gets

ready for the event.

Page 9: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

Laveen 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, pa-

permaking, 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, pa-

permaking; Laura Zelins, copper pins; and Shelley

Fletcher, gourd drums. Ms. Jamie Polich is Laveen

School’s art teacher.

Page 9

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 chal-

lenge was to build a tall tower out of spaghetti,

marshmallows, and a limited amount of tape.

M.C. Cash

M.C. Cash launched a new character program

for middle school boys. The Cash Crew serves mid-

dle 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.

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 Frank-

lin, has been helping the stu-

dents with their yearbook. He

is also an Associated Press

photographer and was able to

secure a handful of profession-

al cameras the students could use for practice.

The yearbook club members first toured the field

where the photographers shoot. They were then as-

signed secondary shooting positions from the main

concourse level where they were able to practice

their sports photography.

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.

District Security

Coordinator Sgt. Ron

Jakola talks to members

of the Cash Crew. Artwork displayed included

drums made out of gourds.

Page 10: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

Page 10

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

a K-6 school it did not need both a cafeteria and gym.

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 dis-

trict standards that other Laveen campuses current-

ly meet. The additions were designed by EMC2 Archi-

tects.

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

Future Site of Additions

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 De-

cember.

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 Busi-

ness 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 Educa-

tion in the school finance division. Barragan be-

gan her career as an accountant for the Salva-

tion Army.

She is a graduate of Arizo-

na State University.

Jill Barragan with Superintendent Johnson and Maricopa County Su-perintendent of Schools Don Cov-ey.

Mark your calendars!

Meet Your Teacher

Night

July 31, 2014

5:00 p.m.

at all

Laveen Schools

Page 11: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

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. Cred-

its may carry over for up to five years.

I would like my donation to go to: (check one) the school most in need or specific school

I would like my donation to support: (check one)

Program where there is the greatest need Activity Bus Art Band Choir Equestrian

Field Trips Intramural Sports Gifted Enrichment Preschool Tutoring

Signature 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.

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 ex-

tracurricular activities such as after-school tu-

toring and clubs, academic enrichment, field

trips, fine art programs, and athletics.

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

Reduce your taxes by

supporting Laveen schools

Page 12: The Latest from Laveen - Spring 2014

P.O. Box 29

Laveen, AZ 85339

Non-Profit Org

U.S. Postage

PAID

Laveen, AZ

Permit #6

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

Kristen Landry • 602-237-9100 • [email protected]

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. Be-

cause 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.

Residential Customer

Visit us online at www.laveeneld.org


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