Superintendent's Message:
Dear Staff,
This is the last
edition of the Insider prior to winter break and the beginning of a new
year. My wish for all of you is to have a restful and peaceful break
filled with those things you enjoy doing most. Try to not think about
all the challenges and responsibilities that fill your days in Kyrene.
They will certainly all be here when we get back and there may even be
a few new ones! What makes working here so great is how we pull
together to support each other whenever the need arises. That is
something we can all continue to depend on and one of the things that
makes Kyrene such a wonderful place for children to be educated and for
those of us who have the privilege of working here.
One of the
things I plan to do after the first of the year is communicate with all
of you about the Strategic Plan and the five district goals One
strategy I plan to use is to write about this in this publication. I
want to be sure everyone is aware of all of the efforts and initiatives
underway so the organization as a whole will have better understanding
and communication about this most important work. The Strategic Plan
and accompanying goals belong to each one of us and we all must
contribute if we are to be successful.
As we continue
to have more sophisticated data that provides objective information
about how we are doing, important decisions about where to focus
resources and energy need to be made. The rapidly changing world that
we live in requires flexibility and collaborative partnerships that are
unprecedented. We need the same thing in our local community to meet
the current and future challenges that lie ahead. I have complete
confidence that we are capable of providing the “shining beacon of
light” for what excellence in public education should look like in the
21st century.
Thanks for all
you do and have a wonderful break!
David
District News:
IMPORTANT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS INFORMATION
NEW MEDICAL PLANS
for the 2008/2009 School Year
Please read the following important preview of medical plan changes for
2008/2009.
The following
new medical plans through United Healthcare for 2008/2009 have been
recommended and approved by the Insurance Committee, Kyrene Employee
Benefit Trust (KEBT) and the Governing Board. Additional changes to the
health plans are still being considered and will be communicated either
prior to or during the spring open enrollment.
NEW MEDICAL PLANS:
The two existing plans (EPO and PPO) are being removed and replaced with
two new plan options
beginning July 1,
2008. Both new plans will be Preferred Provider
Organizations (PPO’s) and feature in and out of network coverage
options. We are pleased to announce that there will continue to be a
medical plan, the Standard PPO, available at no cost to full-time
employees for employee only coverage. The premium for the Standard PPO
will be paid in full by the District employee medical allowance for
full-time employee only coverage. If employees wish to purchase a richer
benefit
medical plan, they may choose to buy up to the Premium PPO
plan by paying an additional monthly premium (premium rates to be
determined). Employees who choose a medical plan
for
themselves may also choose to purchase coverage for their
spouses and children.
Further communications regarding the detail of the plan designs will be
coming.
Adult health maintenance increased coverage:
Currently there is a $50 maximum per year for immunizations for adults
over the age of 18. Next year, the $50 maximum is being removed and
will only be subject to the applicable co-insurance percentage. Coverage
currently is limited to three immunization types. For 2008/2009 this is
being expanded to all immunizations as recommended for adults by the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Benefit
enrollment packets will be coming to each employee’s home address with
instructions for the online open enrollment and all the plan change
details in late April. Meetings will be held at various locations
throughout the District prior to and during open enrollment.
Choosing
the right medical plan for your needs is extremely important. Please
take the time to read all benefits communications to
ensure you are electing the
right plan for your needs
for 2008/2009. As always, the Benefits Department is here to assist you
with all of your benefits questions.
2008-2009 Calendar Update
Last fall the
Governing Board approved a 2 year calendar plan, with the second year
tentatively based on the calendar alignment of Kyrene with Tempe Union
High School District and Tempe Elementary school districts for the
2008-2009 school year. This year, both Tempe Elementary and Tempe Union
opted to go with a rollover calendar, following the Kyrene plan.
Therefore, the 2008-2009 school calendars essentially will be the same
as they were this year. Bulleted below are the commonalities specific
to Kyrene and Tempe Union, as well as the differences:
Commonalities of
Kyrene and Tempe Union
· August
4, 2008 First day for students
·
October 6-10,
2009 Fall break
· December
19, 2009 No school/no work day
·
Dec. 22-Jan. 2
Winter break
· March
9-13, 2009 Spring break
· May
22, 2009 Last day for teachers
Differences of
Kyrene and Tempe Union
· October
13, 2008 Kyrene staff development day (10/3 - Tempe Union)
· May
21, 2009 Last day for students (Kyrene and Tempe Elem); (5/20 - last
day for students in Tempe Union
You may visit
all three district websites to view a copy of the entire board adopted
calendars.
Are you a first year in the district teacher? Were you on leave for
over ½ of the year last year (2006-2007)?
The
Alternative Kyrene Pay for Performance Program (AKPPP) is just for you!
To participate in AKPPP, register on the PGO in INFORM for
one set
of classes. Successful completion of the 3 class sessions and the
homework project will qualify you to access the 301 funds at the end of
this school year. For more information about these classes, please
email or call Joy Fogarty in the Curriculum and Assessment department.
Class
1 January 8 January 15 February
12
Class 2
January 9 January 16 February 13
Class 3
January 10 January 17 February 14
Class 4
January 22 January 29 February 19
Class 5
January 23 January 30 February 20
Class
6 January 24 January 31 February 21
Scholarship Opportunity for Teachers Pursuing a Master's Degree
This year, Tempe
Schools Credit Union is very proud to support teachers who are working
toward their Master's Degree through the William D. Heier Education
Scholarship. Once again Tempe Schools Credit Union will provide three
($300 reimbursement) scholarships to teachers in Kyrene to help with the
cost of tuition.
In order to
apply, you must have the following qualifications:
·
Be a Tempe
Schools Credit Union Member
·
Teach in the
Kyrene School District
·
Be enrolled or
planning to enroll in a Master's Degree
program in your field of teaching
To request an
application, contact Patty Hineman by email at
phineman@kyrene.org or by phone at 480-783-4115. Applications are to
be submitted to Patty Hineman, District Office, Mail stop #25, by
Friday, April 4,
2008.
Winners will be notified on or before May 9, 2008.
Qwest to donate 1% to Kyrene
If you are a Qwest
customer and sign up for paperless billing or autopay, Qwest will donate
the equivalent of 1% of your monthly bill to the school district of your
choice. All Kyrene donations received will assist our district in
funding much needed prevention programs for our students. To sign up,
simply visit,
www.qwest.com/onepercent today!
On-Site Opportunities Available at Monte Vista and Cielo!
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:
Nellie Barbosa, A Lifetime Dedicated to Learning
Born in Mexico,
Nellie Barboza completed her first degree in education in 1980. She
spent two years teaching third graders in her native land. In 1986, she
was married, had a young daughter and with her husband and child came to
the United States to visit family for a vacation. And so began her the
next 21 years of her life in pursuit of her second degree.
After her family
settled in the United States, Nellie had her second child. While her
husband worked to provide for the family, Nellie stayed at home to raise
her children. During the day she would baby-sit for other children, and
then later in the day clean homes after her husband’s workday ended.
When her second child started school, she started taking classes to
learn English and to learn the culture of America.
Once again,
another child was born, and Nellie worked at cleaning schools in the
evenings, waiting until her third child started school in 1995 so she
could once again take classes. And so began her “second life in
school”.
Nellie began
taking one class a semester, sometimes two. She found teachers who were
passionate and encouraging, those who helped her bring light to the
“totally dark place” the language and culture was for her. Nellie also
described those who were not encouraging because they said she couldn’t
be understood, but she did not let those keep her from pursuing her goal
to learn.
Because of the
passion she found in her teachers, Nellie decided to go back to school
full time in 2004 to pursue a degree in Special Education. She
continued to work as a full time custodian, cleaning Kyrene schools for
forty hours a week while her two children at home and her husband
supported her with encouragement and taking over the household chores
without complaint.
Nellie talked
her young life, growing up with five siblings. Her father died when she
was 16 years old, and she had to continue to work to provide for her
family while continuing to attend school. Her mother, with only a third
grade education, encouraged Nellie and all of her siblings pursue an
education, and they all have done exactly that! Her sisters and
brothers all have jobs as accountants and engineers.
The Barbosa
children have all experienced their own successful pursuits of
education. Her oldest daughter, Sarah is 22 years old, born in Mexico,
is married with two children, and is currently a nanny during the week
and works in medical billing on the weekends, while pursuing a degree in
education. Daughter Diana, 21 years old, has been accepted in the
nursing program at Arizona State University. While going to school, she
works part-time at Target. Jorge, Jr., will be 16 years old and is
doing very well in the 10th grade and he works for the City
of Queen Creek as a coach. Nellie and her oldest daughter became United
States citizens in April of 2007.
Jorge, Sr.,
Nellie’s husband and biggest supporter through all of these years of
classes, has been a carpenter for over 16 years. He has always told his
children that they must do their school work and as long as their grades
are good, they would be allowed to have a job outside of school. He
also values education.
Nellie shared
the following:
·
“I am so
proud of our children. All three are working and going to school. My
husband and I want them to work so they understand that hard work is
necessary to get the things you want in life”
·
“The
passion that so many of my teachers had for teaching and learning is
what inspired me to become a special education teacher. I want to give
back and help another’s life.”
·
“I have
really enjoyed my second life in school much more because it was a
challenge and much more rewarding.”
·
“I want
to say thanks to all of the people from Cielo, Altadeña and Cerritos who
let me attend school, without question.”
As Nellie
entered her graduation ceremony, the first person she saw was her oldest
daughter, who gave her thumbs up and said, “Yes Mom!” After completing
her student teaching while working full time as a custodian, Nellie
Barbosa graduated from Arizona State University in December, 2007 with a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education.
Waggoner Gets a Flag Pole!
On December 17th,
C.I. Waggoner Elementary School held their first official flag raising
ceremony. Waggoner had been without a flagpole, but due to the vision
and efforts of Waggoner parent, Mrs. Eileen Mundine, students and staff
can now enjoy seeing our Country's flag and State flag when they arrive
on campus every morning.
Mr. Ken Helling,
Waggoner's principal, welcomed several community members including Ana
Mendoza from the Governor’s Office, Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman, Guadalupe
Mayor Rebecca Jimenez, Kyrene Board Member Rich Zawtocki, Kyrene
Superintendent David Schauer, and Waggoner’s past principal Julie
Weimer. The American Legion State Vice Commander, Ronald Tancrede,
spoke to the students on how to properly display the flag and what it
represents. As two representatives from our Armed Forces stood watch,
Kyle Coggins, Student Council President, had the honor of presenting the
American flag to Cub Scouts, Matthew Cheney and Daniel Holland, and the
Arizona State flag to Girl Scouts, Brittany Fielden and Rebecca Finn,
who did the honors of raising the flags. Mr. Jay Wallace's 5th grade
class ended the ceremony with an inspiring rendition of our National
Anthem.
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