fall 2014 the latest from laveen
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Newsletter from the Laveen Elementary School DistrictTRANSCRIPT
from
The Latest
Laveen Schools Show High Academic Achievement
PAGE 3
Fall 2014
From the Superintendent
In recent weeks we have heard
much discussion about Arizona’s
College and Career Ready Stand-
ards.
Adopted by Arizona’s State
Board of Education in 2010, the Laveen Elemen-
tary School District has spent the past four years
preparing for the new academic standards. We
have invested not only in new curriculum aligned
to the mathematics and English language arts
standards, but also in educational resources, as-
sessments, and teacher training.
A great amount of time and effort was put into
the creation of the new standards. They were de-
veloped by a consortium of states through a public
process that invited review and input. The busi-
ness community was directly involved, as were
educators and content area specialists. The public
was invited to review and provide feedback as
well.
The new standards provide a solid foundation
for learning for our students. They provide stu-
dents, parents, and teachers with a clear under-
standing of what students should know and be
able to do in every grade level. Ultimately, they
will help our students develop critical-thinking
skills and become better prepared for college and
beyond.
Laveen has taken these standards and devel-
oped a complete curriculum that meets the indi-
vidual needs of our students. Teams of Laveen
teachers, instructional coaches, and administra-
tors researched, reviewed, and evaluated new cur-
riculum materials. Our teachers have participat-
ed in numerous professional development oppor-
tunities to implement the curriculum into our
classrooms. I am confident Laveen will remain a
high performing district and our students will
continue to achieve.
For more information on how the standards
impact Laveen students, visit our website at
www.laveeneld.org.
— Dr. Bill Johnson, Superintendent
Page 2
Laveen launches flickr page
The Laveen Elementary School District has
launched an online photo album on flickr. This
will allow Laveen to easily share numerous photos
from events around the district.
You can view our photos through the flickr icon
link at the top of our school webpages or by visit-
ing the direct flickr link, www.flickr.com/photos/
laveenesd/.
In addition to flickr, you can also
find the Laveen District on Facebook,
www.facebook.com/LaveenESD.
Board approves strategic plan
The Laveen Governing Board approved the dis-
trict’s strategic plan at their September meeting.
The district’s administrative team, comprised
of principals, assistant principals, and department
heads, spent several
months developing the
plan’s goals, initiatives,
and action steps.
The final plan sets
goals for increasing aca-
demic achievement, en-
hancing the positive climate and culture, attract-
ing and retaining quality staff, building school/
community partnerships, and maintaining equita-
ble resources. It can be viewed online at
www.laveeneld.org.
New board members to be appointed
The Maricopa County Education Service Agen-
cy cancelled Laveen’s November school board elec-
tions and will instead appoint the new members
The district had three seats to be filled, howev-
er, only three individuals applied to fill those
seats. Each will now be appointed in December.
Jill Barragan will continue on the board and
serve a four-year term as will new member Louis
Monteilh. Michelle Anderson, also new to the
board, will serve a two-year term.
The three replace Isaac Serna, whose term ex-
pires in December; Shari Gustafson, who resigned
in August; and a vacancy that occurred in 2013.
Page 3
The Composite Score represents
the percentage of students,
attending a Laveen school for the
entire year, who passed reading
and math on AIMS.
Schools may earn bonus points for
reclassifying English Language
Learners and reducing the
percentage of students scoring
“Falls Far Below” in certain areas.
The Growth Score represents the average academic growth of all
students. Students who attended a Laveen
school for the entire school year, and have taken AIMS the last two years,
earn a student growth percentile score (SGP) based on how well they grew academically compared to their
peers across the state.
Academic Achievement Laveen District awarded grade of “B”
The Arizona Department of Education has once again awarded the Laveen Elementary
School District with a grade of “B” as part of the state’s 2014 A-F Letter Grade accountability
system.
The district earned a total point value of 133, which is ten points higher than last year and
the highest the district has been since Arizona began assigning letter grades in 2011.
Vista del Sur earned a grade of “A” and all other schools earned grades of “B.”
The A-F Letter Grades are based on two components: a composite score and a growth score.
The composite score represents student achievement on AIMS. The growth score represents the
average academic growth of students from one year to the next. The state’s accountability sys-
tem is designed to place equal value on the two as shown in the chart below.
Only students who attend a Laveen school for the full academic year are included in the let-
ter grade accountability scoring.
District earns bonus points
The district earned the six bonus points possible for an elementary district to earn in the
state’s accountability system. The points were awarded for the reclassification of English Lan-
guage Learners and reducing the amount of students scoring “Falls
Far Below” in specific areas.
School districts are expected to reclassify 23% of their ELL students
to earn three bonus points in the A-F Letter Grade calculations. Re-
classification means those students have become proficient in English
based on the state’s Arizona English Language Learner Assessment
(AZELLA). This spring, Laveen tested over 500 ELL students with an
excellent district-wide reclassification rate of 44%. This is an increase
from 25% in 2013.
Additionally, the District earned the three bonus points awarded for
reducing the percentage of students scoring “Falls Far Below” in third
grade reading and in eighth grade math.
Page 4
Each year seven teachers from across the district are selected to receive the Excellence in
Education Award. This prestigious award is given to those who attain high academic
achievement for their students, provide exceptional service and leadership at their school,
and make a positive difference outside of the classroom and in the community.
Recipients of the 2014-2015 award are: Erin Rogers, Rogers Ranch; Brooke Somers, De-
sert Meadows; John Carpenter, Laveen Elementary; Allison Presutti, Trailside Point; Na-
than Kissel, Vista del Sur, Stephanie Hillis, Cheatham; and Emily Soltis, M.C. Cash
These recipients were recognized at the November Governing Board Meeting.
E xcellence in ducation
Page 5
Snow
Schools, administrators recognized for achievements
At the August 14 Governing Board meeting, three schools and four administrators were recognized.
Rogers Ranch School was recognized for outstanding student achievement as demonstrated on Arizo-
na's A-F Letter Grade Accountability System. Rogers Ranch School received 62 growth points, which is a
37 point increase from 2013. The growth score represents the average academic growth of all students
and the bottom quartile students.
M.C. Cash and Trailside Point schools were recognized for receiving the Arizona Educational Foun-
dation’s A+ School of Excellence™ designation.
Rogers Ranch Principal Tim Thomas, M.C. Cash Principal Lisa Sandomir, Trailside Point Principal
Sarah Zembruski, and Technology Coordinator Eddie Lopez were also honored with the district’s Pinna-
cle of Leadership Award. This award recognizes select individuals for exceptional leadership, outstand-
ing accomplishment, and dedicated service to Laveen’s students and community.
The principals received the award for their school recognitions as mentioned earlier. Lopez received
the award for the number of technology devices that have been integrated into classrooms, specifically
almost 1,700 Chromebooks in July. Laveen schools have a 2:1 or better student-to-computer ratio in the
classroom.
Page 6
Your tax dollars at work
The stage, located in the gym, takes shape (top). The existing library is expanded (above). Below, this aerial view shows the exterior walls of the new gym. It is located behind the cafeteria.
Cheatham’s gym nears completion
Construction of Cheatham’s gymnasium and oth-
er classrooms is nearly completed.
When Cheatham was originally built as a K-6
school it did not need both a cafeteria and gym. Hav-
ing since been reconfigured to K-8, a gym is needed
to support the larger campus including Grades 7 and
8.
Art, science, and band rooms are also being add-
ed and the computer lab and library are being ex-
panded as part of the project.
The new facilities are located at the southeast
corner of the campus. Playfields and basketball
courts will be rearranged to fit nicely on the remod-
eled campus.
These additions will bring Cheatham up to the
district standards that other Laveen campuses cur-
rently meet. The additions were designed by EMC2
Architects and are being constructed by D.L. With-
ers Construction. They should be completed in Janu-
ary.
The project is funded primarily through proceeds
from bond sales approved by voters in 2008.
School #8 planned for 2016
Laveen School District continues to grow,
attracting families who care about their chil-
dren’s education and want the best. As a re-
sult, our schools are filling up. It will be neces-
sary to build a new school to accommodate the
growing numbers of students.
This year, the district is planning to begin
the design work, followed by construction next
year and a targeted opening for the start of
school in 2016.
The ability to build the school will depend
on continued voter support of our bonds and
budget overrides.
Page 7
Construction underway at LEC
Phase II of the Laveen Education Center
construction began this fall.
The second building will house academic ser-
vices, business services, technology, and sup-
port services staff and will be a mirror image of
the existing LEC. It will replace the buildings
to the south that currently house business and
technology.
Once this second building is completed, our
transportation department will temporarily re-
locate to the old buildings while their building
goes through a major renovation.
This project is funded through proceeds from
bond sales as approved by Laveen voters in
2008.
The project was designed by Orcutt Winslow
and is constructed by Jokake Construction
Trenching is completed in preparation of the pouring of the footers for the LEC (above). A welder completes the joining of a metal beam (below). Framing is completed as the new LEC takes shape (below right).
Cheatham
Exterior paint
Cafeteria renovation
Parking lot seal coating
Vista del Sur
Restroom renovation
Carpet replacement
Exterior door replacement
Trailside Point
Exterior paint
Interior door install
Concrete repairs
Hand wash station install
Drinking fountain install
Desert Meadows
Exterior paint
Concrete Repairs
Hand wash station install
Drinking fountain install
Other recently completed projects that have utilized bond funding include:
Around our Schools
Rogers Ranch
Students in Mrs. Terry Snow’s technology inte-
gration class were visited by a crime scene special-
ist as part of their forensic science unit.
Paul McMurry, a crime scene specialist for the
Phoenix Police Department, came to talk to the 7th
and 8th grade students as an extension of the Pax-
ton/Patterson Action Lab curriculum.
He gave the students an overview of his day and
explained how he processes different crime scenes
and the tools he uses.
Forensic Science is one of 18 career modules the
students can explore in
the lab. During the 15-
day module, students
examine evidence, cre-
ate composite sketches,
and do fingerprinting.
Page 8
Desert Meadows
Mr. Ren Fahey’s 5th graders auctioned off 17
decorated cakes to benefit the Arizona Humane So-
ciety as part of the class’s fall community service
project.
Basha’s master cake decorator visited the De-
sert Meadows students and demonstrated her cake
decorating skills. The Halloween-themed cakes
were then auctioned off with the bidding starting
at $10.
Their goal was to raise at least $200, but they
actually raised $462! The highest bid for one cake
was $60. Two $50 bids were also placed.
The class pre-
sented a check to
the Humane Socie-
ty along with stu-
dent-created post-
ers promoting the
adoption of ani-
mals.
Cheatham
Students in Cheatham’s Advancement Via Indi-
vidual Determination (AVID) program recently
participated in the College Walk for Success, put on
by the Be a Leader Foundation.
S t u d e n t s
showcased their
school spirit
and the im-
portance of edu-
cation in their
lives.
The walk
ended at the
Phoenix Convention Center where students had the
opportunity to speak with colleges from across the
United States and receive valuable information for
future college planning.
Preschool
Laveen preschool students came back from fall
break to find new equipment on their playground.
A new play set, teeter totter, curvy balance
beam, and more were added to the existing play set
and swings.
Page 9
M.C. Cash
M.C. Cash School has partnered with the City of
Phoenix to offer their community the Good Neigh-
bor Program.
The Good Neighbor Program is a free, eight-
week leadership
program that
gives residents
the opportunity
to speak to their
elected and ap-
pointed leaders
and improve
their communi-
ty. It also provides the necessary information for
accessing City of Phoenix resources.
Vista del Sur Vista del Sur is the recipient of the Western
Growers Foundation’s 2014 Arizona School Garden
Grant.
The school received $1,500 to create and sustain
an edible garden on their campus. Additionally, they
received an Arizona Gardens for Learning book,
bookmarks, tools, and seeds to get started.
The Western Growers Foundation’s School Gar-
den Program encourages students to eat fresh fruits
and vegetables and learn about where their food
comes from and the importance of good nutrition.
Farmers from
Arizona and
California make
up the Western
Growers Foun-
dation.
Laveen
First grade student Fernanda Rubio appeared in
the movie Dolphin Tale 2, based on the true story of
Winter, the dolphin who was fitted with a prosthetic
tale after hers was amputated
Rubio has had prosthetic legs since she was just
three years old. She visited the Clearwater Marine
Aquarium while attending Camp No Limits, a pro-
gram designed to empower children with limb loss.
Winter resides at the aquarium.
Crews were filming at the aquarium during Ru-
bio’s visit and captured her interaction with the dol-
phin.
Winter was an inspiration to Rubio when she
first lost her legs. Hesitant to
wear her prostheses,
“Fernanda soon saw how
Winter, also wearing a pros-
thetic, was able to do so
much with it and that in-
spired her to also learn how
to use hers,” her mother said.
Trailside Point
Trailside Point second grader Andrew Capono
took the Silver Medal after competing in the state
Special Olympics 25 meter free style. This was his
first state competition.
Capono advanced to State after unexpectedly
taking the Gold Medal in the regional 50-meter
competition.
At regionals, Capono was originally scheduled to
compete in the 25 meter free
style beginners’ competition.
However, an error by the offi-
cials resulted in his name not
being called. To remedy the mis-
take, officials allowed him to
compete in the 50 meter free
style advanced swimmers. Ca-
pono, just wanting to swim, ac-
cepted the opportunity.
Page 10
Child Find Notice Child Find is a comprehensive developmental screening assessment process which identifies chil-
dren, 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.ade.az.gov/ess/
childfind or call Child Find at (602) 364-4015.
Foundation selling storm t-shirts
The Laveen Education Foundation is selling
T-shirts to commemorate the two 1,000-year
storms that hit the Laveen area.
The navy blue shirts note that the wearer
survived two 1,000—year storms and includes
the dates. The back features a large wave and
school bus. Adult and youth sizes are available
for $15 and $10, respectively.
To purchase yours, visit the Foundation’s
website at facebook.com/LaveenEducation Foun-
dation or stop by the Laveen Education Center
at 5001 W. Dobbins. All proceeds benefit the
Foundation which provides scholarships to
Laveen school alumni.
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 contact Kim Kennedy at 602-237-9100, ext. 3051, or
at [email protected] to inquire further about qualifying for this program.
Foundation hosts Winter Festival
The Laveen Education Foundation hosted
their first Winter Festival on December 5.
The event featured numerous vendor booths
with gifts available for purchase, carnival
games, food and drink, and an evening filled
with performances by students from across the
district.
The highlights of the festival included a
snow slide and photos with Santa Claus and a
few famous princesses.
Proceeds from the event benefitted the Foun-
dation which provides scholarships to Laveen
alumni.
Thank you to those who came out and sup-
ported this event.
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 18 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
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