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Volume 3 - Issue
15 - January 10, 2005 |
Message
from Dr. Menconi
Happy
New Year, Kyrene Staff!
The
start of a new year seems a great time to thank each and
every one of our staff members once again for the
dedication and commitment shown to our students. Working
with a competent, compassionate, and knowledgeable staff
continues to be a great personal and professional
privilege.
Over
the recent months I have had numerous opportunities to
observe the Compensation Design Team and the K-8 Study
Committee and I would like to commend the members of
both teams on their thoroughness, broad-based and
analytical discussions, and attention to communication.
Each employee group can be proud of and trust in the
excellent work being done by their representatives.
This
semester I will be out on school visits. I look forward
to the opportunity to visit with many of you and learn
about how our new mathematics resources are functioning
in your classrooms.
I
wish you happiness and success in 2005!
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K-8 Programming Study Update
The K-8 Programming Study Committee met once again last
week. The following bulleted list highlights what
was accomplished.
The committee:
-
approved instructional time recommendations from the
Instructional Time Allocation Solutions Team.
- discussed and indicated a general level of support for
recommendations made by Current and Alternative
Elementary Models Solutions Team.
- discussed characteristics of the current middle school
model and made suggestions for the Current and
Alternative Middle School Models Solutions Team to
consider for their presentation occuring at the next
meeting.
-
completed a short survey and examined the data it
yielded on how effectively the Committee is working
together.
The
specific details about the amount of time recommended
and approved for teaching the various core content areas
(K-8) are included in the minutes posted on the Web
site. The six different ideas presented by the
Current and Alternative Elementary Models Solutions Team
are also contained in the posted minutes. All meetings
are open and input forms are available for anyone who
attends that would like to provide the Committee with
additional information. The next meeting is
scheduled for January 12th from 4 to 9 p.m. in Training Room 4 at the District Office.
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Governing
Board Meeting Preview
At
tomorrow evening’s Governing Board meeting:
- Presentations will be made about the Peer Tutor
program, the Kyrene Alternative to Suspension Program,
and the Physical Education Grant that Kyrene recently
received
- Representatives from the K-8 and Compensation Study
will make presentations
- The Board will vote on the Conceptual Knowledge and
Skills-based Pay Model for Certified, Classified, and
Administrative Staff
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CPR and
First Aid Classes
The
Health Services team has scheduled CPR and First Aid
classes, which are open to any Kyrene employee that
would like to attend. The cost of each training session
is $12.00 per person. For a list of class dates and
locations, click
here. The first CPR class will take place on
Wednesday, January 19 at 2 p.m. Anyone interested in
attending the January 19 class must register no later
than Friday, January 14. To register for CPR and First
Aid classes, contact Kendra
Barringer at x4069.
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Federal
Withholding Tax Tables
The
Federal withholding tax tables have been changed for
2005 and will be effective beginning with the January
13, 2005, paycheck. There will be varying effects on
your net income depending on how you completed your W-4
form and your tax bracket.
State tax
withholding rates have increased and are based on a
percentage of the federal tax withheld.
Currently is: Will change to:
10%
no change
18.2%
19%
21.3%
23%
23.3%
25%
29.4%
31%
34.4%
37%
The Social
Security tax remains at 6.2%, and the wage base for 2005
is $90,000. The Medicare tax remains at 1.45% and there
is no wage base.
If you
would like to change your Federal and/or State
withholding election, please complete and submit a new
Federal W-4 and/or State of Arizona A-4 form to Payroll.
Forms are available by request from the Payroll
Department.
Employees
A-G
Sandi Nelson
x4019
Employees H-N
Barb Chamberlin
x4023
Employees O-Z
Judy Licko
x4021
Kids Club Employees
Beth Gallaugher
x4046
Transportation/Guest Teachers
Mikie Garland
x4020
[top]
Experience
Kyrene Event
The second annual Experience Kyrene enrollment expo*
will take place on February 17th from 5-7
p.m. at every Kyrene school. In the coming weeks, each
school will receive consistent updates via e-mail, which
will include resources and templates for schools to use
(PowerPoint presentations, template letters, flyers,
etc.), as well as ideas proven successful at school
events last year, and answers to frequently asked
questions. External publicity for the event will launch
later this month and continue until the day of the
event. If you have specific questions about Experience
Kyrene, contact Communications Supervisor Johnny
Cruz at x4174.
*Please
note that the intended audience for this event is
families throughout the Valley who are interested in
having their child(ren) attend Kyrene in the 2005-2006
academic year. We are currently accepting Open
Enrollment applications for next year.
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Compensation
Study
At the Governing
Board’s recent retreat, they spent some time meeting
with the Cabinet Team and the Compensation Study
consultants (Marc Wallace and Alan Odden) to discuss the
current status and next steps, most notably Phase 2 of
the Study. An update on the Compensation
Study will be presented at tomorrow night’s Board
meeting.
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Kyrene
Classifieds
An
on-site position is currently available at Lomas.
Individuals interested in the position can apply online
or obtain an application at the District Office.
[top]
Norte
Teacher Wins Diversity Award
Danna
Kundrat, one of Norte’s Resource teachers, was
selected to receive the City of Tempe 2005 Diversity
Award. This prestigious award was given to Mrs.
Kundrat for demonstrating a commitment to educating
students about diversity through the Buddy Club and in
her daily teaching. The Buddy Club, comprised of
Norte students, devoted time in individual classrooms
during National Inclusive Schools Week to engage
students in different types of activities that encourage
diversity. Throughout the year, typical students
are paired with children with special needs on the
playground and throughout the day to encourage positive
interactions between all students. She will be
recognized by the City of Tempe at the Diversity Awards
Brunch on Monday, January 17th at the Tempe
Historical Museum.
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Nominations for Kyrene Foundation Board
The Kyrene Schools
Community Foundation is accepting nominations for
prospective Board members. The Foundation is embarking
on some ambitious corporate sponsorship and fund-raising
initiatives in the coming year and is looking for
community leaders that support our schools to take an
active role in this organization. Members of the Board
of Directors should include individuals from a wide
variety of backgrounds, with a diverse array of talents,
and with significant access and influence in the
community. If you know of an individual that would be a
valuable asset to the Foundation's Board, or if you have
additional questions, please contact Johnny
Cruz at x4174 or fill out the attached nomination
form. You may be involved in the process of inviting
this individual to join the Foundation Board, if that is
your preference.
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Fund
for Teachers
Fund for Teachers is a
unique foundation whose mission is to enrich the lives
of teachers and students by providing recognition and
opportunities for renewal to outstanding teachers.
Making a difference one teacher at a time, Fund for
Teachers awards grants directly to teachers to support
professional development opportunities of their own
design. The number of awards will be limited only by the
merit of the applications and by the funding available.
There is no minimum or maximum award number per year.
Teachers may request funding for activities up to $5,000
per individual and up to $7,500 per team project. Feel
free to visit the Fund
for Teachers Web site for additional information.
For assistance, contact Karin
Crider at x4048.
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A+
Exemplary Programs
The
Arizona Educational Foundation recently announced a new
program to celebrate the efforts of educators who
develop and implement innovative programs serving
Arizona’s children. Winners of the A+ Exemplary
Programs receive statewide recognition and $100 for
their schools. The application deadline for this program
is February 1. Visit the Arizona
Educational Foundation Web site for more
information.
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Arizona
State Retirement System Newsletter
Attached
is a copy of the latest newsletter from the Arizona
State Retirement System.
[top]
Brisas
10-Year Anniversary Celebration
You are
invited to an evening reception to celebrate “10
Years of Excellence in Education" with
Brisas students, parents, and staff.
Place: Kyrene de las Brisas Ramada
Date: Friday, January 21st
Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Please
come stroll the hallways of Brisas, reminisce with old
friends, and enjoy cake while watching the outdoor
"Birthday Song Cavalcade" performance
presented by current Brisas students and staff.
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