Superintendent's Message:
Dear Staff,
I am happy to report that for the first
time in a number of years, overall student enrollment in Kyrene is up!
After dropping those students who were on our rolls but did not
attend the first 10 days of school, we feel confident that we have
accurate enrollment data. When the 10th day figures this
year are compared to the 10th day figures from last year,
enrollment has increased by approximately 40 students. This is good news
and cause to celebrate!
Several years ago, district administrators
presented information for each school staff about declining enrollment,
increasing expenses and the implications this had for the future of
Kyrene. Upon hearing this, the overwhelming response from employees was
to proactively address these problems with creative and innovative
ideas. We listened and took full advantage of many of the suggestions
and recommendations you had about this. These ranged from marketing
schemes to program refinement and development.
A comprehensive
marketing campaign has been underway for the past couple of years.
Community advertisements, postcard mailings and targeting selected
markets with information about the school district have really paid
off. In addition, a number of programs have been developed to not only
attract students from outside our boundaries, but also to retain
students who might seek specific opportunities elsewhere.
Ø
This
year a rigorous program for advanced middle school students called
Kyrene Preparatory Academy began at Kyrene Middle School. The response
has been tremendous from both inside and outside of the Kyrene
community.
Ø
A
KinderKid program was implemented to address the needs of young children
who were screened out of the regular kindergarten programs due to age
requirement guidelines. This will hopefully prevent families from
enrolling their children in neighboring school districts.
Ø
A
self-contained gifted program for elementary students is being phased in
at Sureño Elementary School and we believe it will continue to grow as
the word spreads about this opportunity.
Other ideas are also being considered and
we continue to encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions
about this with us.
Thank you for all you do for Kyrene
students and for making this school district a place where thousands of
students and their families choose to come to school. It is what you do
for our students each and every day that makes that happen!
Sincerely,
David Schauer
District News:
Esperanza Award
On behalf of
Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. (CPLC) this is a friendly reminder to
nominate Latino teachers who you believe should be recognized as one of
Arizona’s exceptional Latino
educators at CPLC’s 9th
Annual Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards. This is a very
special award and the Kyrene School District has supported it strongly
for the past two years. In fact, two years ago, Kyrene’s own Anna
Montalbo was a recipient of this highly prestigious recognition.
If you would
like to nominate a Kyrene teacher, nomination forms are available from
your Principal.
Nominations for the Esperanza Awards will only be accepted by fellow
educators. Please submit the nominations no later than
Friday, September 7, 2007.
Completed
nomination forms should be submitted to:
Ms.
Allisia Lopez, Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.,1112
E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix,
AZ 85034.
Middle School Advanced Language Arts Vocabulary Resource Adoption Public
Review
The Kyrene School District has initiated a 60-day public review of
Advanced Languages Arts Grades 6-8 Vocabulary programs. These
instructional materials are currently on display in the Curriculum and
Assessment Department at the Ben Furlong Education Center, 8700 S.
Kyrene Road, Tempe until October 5, 2007.
Teachers, parents, and community members
may review vocabulary materials for Advanced Language Arts grades 6-8.
A recommendation for adoption will be made at the Governing Board
meeting on October 23, 2007 pending the public review process.
On-Site Opportunities Available at Lomas and at Sierra!
Kyrene has a unique
program known as On-Site Security. Most schools have an on-site person
living on campus in either an apartment or a trailer. The onsite
person checks to make sure the buildings are secure in the evening
ensures that the alarms are set. Employees receive four hours a week
to do rounds. Rent is $775 a month including utilities. Kyrene
employees who are interested in the position can apply online or
obtain an application at the Furlong Center.
School News:
What’s in a Name?
Akimel A-al is the fourth of six middle schools in the Kyrene School
District. The name is from the language of the Akimel O'odham (Pima)
People and means "Children of the River." The name of the school
was chosen to honor the Akimel O'odham people. The Akimel O'odham
Native American students from the Gila River Indian Reservation attend
Akimel A-al.
While we pronounce the school's name "Ah' key mahl", we always
write it as Akimel A-al. To leave off the A-al changes the meaning of
the school's name. “Akimel” means people. The A-al makes it diminutive
(children) and adds “of the river”. We made an agreement with tribal
members that while we may say “Akimel”, we would always write it
appropriately.
Read for the Record at Manitas
On September
20th, the annual “Read for the
Record” will be taking place at Kyrene de las Manitas.
The preschoolers through 2nd grade students will be read the
book, The Story of Ferdinand by 14 volunteers from Pearson
Curriculum. Each student will also receive a copy of the book to
take home.
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