Message from Dr. Menconi
Dear Kyrene Staff:

At this very busy time of year, please allow me just a moment to wish you success with all of your end-of-year endeavors. I know that you are immersed in wonderful activities, trips and celebrations. Please take a moment during all of these to celebrate yourselves and the excellent work that you do. I hope to see you when we celebrate the retirement and dedicated service of many of our staff members at Manitas later this month.

Sincerely,
Maria
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2005-2006 Start and End Times
Kyrene has finalized the start and end times for each school during the 2005-2006 school year. Click here for the times at each school.
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Information from Payroll
The final payment for Career Ladder addendums will be May 5th.
The final deduction for KCA and KEA dues will be May 5th.
The final deduction for United Way will be May 19th.
The final deduction for TSAs and medical insurance will be May 19th for most employees who are less than 12 months. 
The final deduction for TSAs and medical insurance will be June 16th for 12-month employees.
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Teacher Assessment Plan Forums
Recently, teachers have expressed interest in better understanding the evaluation system being considered for the new Knowledge and Skills Based Pay (KSBP) system. Also, teachers have asked to provide input regarding this assessment system. An outline for this assessment plan has been prepared and is now ready for review. A team of Kyrene teachers and administrators, Kyrene Teacher Assessment Plan Work Team (KTAP), have been meeting to design this new assessment plan and invite you to participate in open forums to learn more and give your professional feedback on the content of the team's initial plan.

KTAP Work Team participants include: Anna Montalbo, Middle School Teacher; Jane Slovenske, Elementary Teacher; Kristen Henley, Special Education Teacher; Kay Umberson, Music Teacher; Georgia Shimkus, Principal; Marianne Lescher Principal; Theresa Sweeney, Curriculum Director; Vickie Middleton, Human Resources Director.

We will be holding three forums that will provide information on the work of the Team. The forums will begin with a short presentation from team members followed by an opportunity to give written feedback at chart stations. This feedback will be reviewed by the KTAP Work Team and used in making future recommendations regarding the future assessment plan. 

The forum dates and locations are:
May 2nd - Mariposa Elementary School
May 11th - District Office
May 12th - Monte Vista Elementary School

All forums will begin at 4:30. We anticipate concluding at 5:30, but remain flexible to insure teachers will have ample opportunity to provide feedback. Teachers may elect to attend any of the forums offered.  
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Benefits Open Enrollment Information
May 1 through May 31, 2005, is the open enrollment time frame for making changes to your benefit plans for the 05/06 school year. This year, if you are making no changes to your plans, you do not need to return any forms. (Exception: if you elect to set aside money into the medical or dependent care flexible spending accounts you are required to complete the enrollment form to set up your flex account each year.)

New for this year: If you have a kyrene.org email address, you will be receiving an email link to access an electronic enrollment form for benefits by May 1st. Estimated time to complete the form is 10 minutes. Please be sure to note any coverage elections that require you to complete forms in addition to the electronic form (new or increased short term disability requests, new or increased life insurance, flexible spending accounts, cancer/intensive care coverage). These forms are required by the various carriers, as the coverages require underwriting review prior to approval. These forms are located in your open enrollment packet and are separate from the comprehensive enrollment form. All forms and electronic submissions must be received by the Benefits Office by May 31^st. Any changes received or requested after May 31st will automatically be denied. Approved changes will go into effect July 1, 2005.

For questions, please call your Benefits Team: Sharla Reid x4010, Deb Spurgin x4017, Christie Flanagan x4105
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Structured English Immersion (SEI) Training
The Arizona Department of Education has recently passed a new rule that will require ALL certified individuals to acquire 15 seat hours, or one credit hour, of SEI training by August of 2006 and an additional 45 seat hours, or 3 credit hours, by August 2009.  While ADE is still determining what type of courses will qualify for credit, Kyrene has been working on strategies to make this requirement as simple as possible for employees.
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Contact Information on Web Site 
Looking for school contacts info? Go to the school listing pages and you will find the contacts for that school listed at the bottom of the page.
Link to this page: http://www.kyrene.org/ksdportal/school_directory/

Looking by service? Go to the Programs and Services listing.
Link to this page: http://www.kyrene.org/ps/

Looking for department info? Go to the department pages and you will find employees on the specific department listings.
Link to this page: http://www.kyrene.org/ksdportal/departments/

Looking for info by name? Go to the Contact Us section and click on the Employee Search link at the top of the page.
Link to this page: http://www.kyrene.org/ksdportal/contact/
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Centennial Participates in Knowledge Masters Open
Thousands of students throughout the country and many foreign countries competed April 20^th in the 44^th Knowledge Masters Open academic competition. Middle school, junior high, and high school students faced their computers and 200 tough questions to vie for top scores based upon accuracy and speed of their answers. A team of eight students at Kyrene Centennial scored 1,156 of 2,000 possible points. This placed the team seventh of 15 Arizona schools and 500^th overall of 852 middle schools. The Knowledge Masters Open was designed to stimulate enthusiasm for learning and recognition for academic accomplishment.
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Retirement Celebrations
Sureño is hosting a retirement celebration for Building Manager Marty Eckstein. It will take place on Wednesday, May 18, from 1:30-3:00 at the Sureño library.

Mariposa will hold an Open House Retirement Tea Thursday May 19, from 3:15-4:30 p.m. in the Mariposa Library. The following Mariposa staff members will be recognized:

• Patti Brown, Kyrene Teacher for 20 years
• Elaine Stohler, Kyrene Teacher for 20 years
• Sara Arnold, Mariposa Teacher for 13 years
• Kay Harris, Building Manager at Mariposa for 10 years

KMS will host a retirement celebration for Jim Beadle on Tuesday, May 17 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the KMS Media Center.
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Golf Tournament for Kyrene Staff
Former Kyrene parent and golf pro John Gunby has organized a fun-filled 9-hole scramble golf tournament at Shalimar Country Club for Sunday, May 22nd. The tournament will start at 2 pm. 

The $20 price includes golf, riding cart, prizes, food, and fun. In the fall 12 teams participated, with the Paloma Doves taking home the 1^st place trophy. Spouses significant others are welcome as well. The attached document provides additional information about this event.
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Arizona State Retirement System Newsletter
Attached is the latest edition of the Arizona State Retirement System newsletter.
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We Want Your Feedback
Please let us know what you think of this publication. Send your comments, questions, and suggestions to jcruz@kyrene.org. Please be sure to type Kyrene Insider in the subject line. We want to ensure that we are effectively distributing information, so please let us know your opinion. [top]