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Volume 3 - Issue
28 - April 18, 2005 |
Message
from Dr. Menconi
Dear
Kyrene Staff:
It
would most likely be an understatement to say it has
been an eventful few months here in Kyrene. However, I
believe that much of the success we are experiencing
with our recent decisions is due in large part to the
many dedicated and forward thinking staff in our District.
All of us here at the District Office are very
appreciative of the time many of you have taken to help
parents understand scheduling changes, early release
changes and the elimination of our spring
Staff Development Day.
At
this week's Governing Board meeting, the Board approved
the compensation improvements for Certified staff. The
KEA Team and the Board's Team did a great job of staying
focused, thoroughly discussing the issues and resolving
differences of opinion. I have had the opportunity to
thank both teams publicly and I would like to suggest
that if any of you have the opportunity to express your
appreciation to members of either team, that you take a
moment to do so. These discussions are intense and
important work and the individuals who participate do
this voluntarily, so "thank you's" can mean a
lot.
As
I read all of the school newsletters this month and saw
the rigorous testing schedules and the many spring
events, I know that you have little time for spare
moments. However, try to find some time to enjoy family
and friends, relax with our beautiful spring weather and
rest and reflect on the wonderful work you have done
this year.
Springtime
wishes,
Maria
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Sureño
Featured in USA Today
The team of students,
staff, and families from Sureño (the “PT Cruisers”)
that participated in the recent Pat’s Run event
benefiting the Pat Tillman Foundation were featured in USA
Today last week. Attached
is a link to the article.
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May
Reading Trainings
Reading
company representatives will conduct two-hour overview
sessions on the newly adopted reading materials.
Teachers will receive their Teacher’s Editions with a
“getting to know your reading program” orientation.
Middle School Science and Social Studies teachers will
receive instruction and materials in teaching reading in
the content areas the same day as the Language Arts
teachers. Participants need to register on the PGO.
Contact Nancy
Southern (x4109) or Patty
Hineman (x4115) for questions.
It
is expected that the following people attend: All
teachers of reading, Middle School Science and Social
Studies teachers, Administrators, and Literacy
Specialists. Please see the attached schedule for elementary
and middle
school.
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Summer
Opportunities from Curriculum and Assessment and
Technology
These summer classes are for teachers and administrators.
There are some wonderful opportunities that you won’t
want to miss. Robert Marzano, Vickie Spandel
and Nancy Lyle from MAX Teaching will be
presenting for teachers and administrators in Kyrene
this June. Click on the links below to access summer
classes offered by the Technology Department and the
Curriculum & Assessment Department. Register for
classes at https://pgo.kyrene.org/.
Summer Technology Classes: http://www.kyrene.org/edtech/classes/sum_05/index.htm
Summer Curriculum Classes: http://www.kyrene.org/edtech/classes/sum_05/sum_05_curric/
Note: The three-hour June and July planning with Harcourt
or Holt classes are completely different trainings than
the 2-hour overview classes in May. It is expected that
individuals implementing the new reading programs attend
this 3-hour session. If individuals can’t attend a
summer training, additional opportunities will be
provided once school begins.
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Revised
Calendar
The recent elimination
of the February Staff Development Day resulted in a
change to the Annual District Calendar for the next two
years. Schools and the District Office will now be
closed on the Friday before Winter Break. You can view
the 2005-2006
and 2006-2007
calendars on the Kyrene Web site.
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Benefits
Open Enrollment Information Meetings
All employees are invited to attend upcoming forums where
information about employee benefits will be shared. Any
employee can attend any forum. The schedule is listed
below:
Monday,
May 2nd - 4:00 pm – KMS Multi-purpose Room
Tuesday, May 3rd - 4:00 pm – Sierra Elementary School
Thursday, May 5th - 4:30 pm – District Office
Governing Board Room
Friday, May 6th - 2:00 pm – Akimel A-al Media Center
Monday, May 9th - 4:30 pm – Pueblo Middle School
Tuesday,
May 10th - 4:00 pm – Aprende/Brisas Main Library
[top]
Centennial
Student Wins Award from American Red Cross
Each year, the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter
recognizes local heroes for their courage and actions.
This year, the Red Cross is rewarding members of the
community who have shown extraordinary courage, kindness
or unselfishness in helping another person or people
with the Compassion in Action Awards. Centennial student
Joshua Sykes is the winner of the Red Cross youth
category for Compassion in Action. Joshua is being
recognized for his part in saving a man’s life after
he had fallen overboard a boat and needed immediate aid.
Click
here to read Joshua’s award nomination.
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Council
for Exceptional Children Awards
Kyrene
students, staff members, and parents were among the
winners of the 2005 Council for Exceptional Children
Awards. Congratulations to each of the following
winners:
Outstanding
Instructional Assistant
Marge Barrows, Manitas
Outstanding Special
Education Teacher
Traci Blauser, Aprende
Outstanding
Administrator
Dr. Tim Kigin, Cerritos
Outstanding
Student
Devante
Wong, Manitas
Outstanding
Teacher
Heather Price, Cerritos
Outstanding
Parents
Alison and Slade Mead
The
awards will be presented at a ceremony taking place on
Tuesday, May 3rd at 4 p.m. at the District Office Board
Room.
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Ahwatukee
Family Pages Art Contest
Attention all Ahwatukee Art Teachers! The Ahwatukee
Family Pages is sponsoring an art contest for
kindergarten through 6th grade students at
Ahwatukee schools again this year. Contest winners will
have their art displayed on the cover and in certain
sections of the publication. The attached
flyer provides additional information. For
questions, contact Johnny
Cruz at x4174.
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Pest
Management Practices
It
is time once again to be on the lookout for bees. Due to
the winter rains and the rising temperatures, we are
expecting the calls for bee swarms to increase. At this
time, our calls for swarming bees have doubled. The
Facilities Department is prepared to take care of these
bee swarms immediately. If you experience a swarm of
bees at your site there are some steps to follow. First,
remove all students from the area. Secondly, identify
the area by using caution tape or traffic cones. Lastly,
call the Facilities office at x4200, so we can dispatch
someone immediately. Do not call 911 unless the bees are
aggressive and attacking individuals. For more
information visit the Facilities
Services Web page or contact Roy
Morris at the Facilities office.
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Akimel
A-al Retirement Celebration
There
will be a celebration recognizing Julianne Hicks, who is
retiring this year, on April 29 at 3:30 p.m. at the
Akimel A-al library.
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Annual
Employee Appreciation Luncheon
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 18,
from 4-5:30 p.m. to honor our valued employees who are
either retiring or reaching a milestone year of 15, 20,
25, or 30 years with the District. We will be
celebrating their contribution to Kyrene in the MPR at
Manitas Elementary School.
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Retirement
Celebrations
If you
are organizing a celebration for a Kyrene
staff member who is retiring, and would like to share
this information throughout Kyrene, feel free to send
the information regarding the celebration to Johnny
Cruz via e-mail. Announcements regarding upcoming
retirement celebrations will be published in upcoming
editions of the Insider.
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