November
7, 2008
Dear Staff,
What I
most enjoy about my job is the opportunity to be out in the schools and
share my passion for education with all staff members and students. As
I begin to visit every school site (once again), my focus will be on the
overall state of student achievement in Kyrene. While we are a high
performing district when compared to the state, we also have groups of
students who are not doing well. In addition, there is a lack of a
positive growth and we need to focus all our resources on turning this
around. Albert Einstein’s definition of Insanity is: “Doing the
same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” We
know we have to change the way we have done things in the past and we
are up to the challenge!
The
good news is that we have recently been making significant changes to
address these student achievement issues. A number of projects are
underway to provide additional support. My question for all of us is:
What can you personally do
differently to positively impact student achievement? My
challenge to the entire organization:
Let’s close the achievement gap,
increase overall achievement and be one of the few districts in the
nation that has figured out how to do this. I believe in us
and know we have what it takes to do this together!
David
District News
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Inspiration Award Announcement
We are extremely
happy to announce that the First Annual Inspiration Awards were a
tremendous success! Thank you to the many, many staff members who
submitted their applications. It was fabulous to learn the countless
ways that Ron Clark has inspired Kyrene staff!
Judging of the
applications took place during this past week. Each application was
scored multiple times, using a rubric designed around each question.
Each applicant will receive a letter acknowledging their status in the
contest. In addition, each winning applicant will receive a certificate
of achievement and their specific prize. A complete list of Inspiration
Award winners will be announced in the next edition of the Insider.
Congratulations to all!
It it is an honor to
announce the three top winners! Many congratulations to the following
staff for their outstanding work and contribution to Kyrene kids!
Grand
Prize Winners - Trip to The Ron Clark Academy Workshop
Brenda
Mulkey, Cerritos
Karen
Schwartz, Esperanza
1st
Prize Winner - In-State
Conference Fee (up to $400) to support the PGP
Mary Harding, Mariposa
Kyrene Election Results
As you know, this
past week there were two issues on the ballot that affected the Kyrene
School District. The first one was a vote on whether or not to
redistrict with Tempe Elementary and Tempe Union and the second was the
selection of three new Kyrene Governing Board members. As Dr. Schauer
shared in an e-mail communication with all staff earlier this week, the
Kyrene voters rejected the redistricting ballot initiative. They also
elected three new Governing Board members. We congratulate Michelle
Hirsch, Ross Robb and Ellen Shamah on becoming our newest board
members. The new members will officially become a part of the Governing
Board in January. In December, a reception will be held to thank Mitzi
Epstein, Sue Knudsen, and Rich Zawtocki for their many years of service
to our district and to welcome our newly elected members.
Recognizing
Kyrene’s Veterans
Once again we have created a
special edition of the Insider to honor our Kyrene veterans and
family members. We appreciate and pay tribute to their service to
our country.
»
View the Veterans edition.
Important Information Regarding Support Staff Holiday Pay
A question came up at the last Secretary’s meeting about support staff work hours during the weeks that contains a holiday or work weeks that contain less than 5 work days (examples: the week before school starts; Thanksgiving week; the week before winter recess; the last week of school, etc.). The following scenarios apply to benefits-eligible employees (those employees who work 20 or more hours per week in a non-temporary position).
Please note that an employees FTE is always converted to average hours per day by taking their total FTE, multiplying by 40, then dividing by 5.
-
Holiday pay is
calculated based upon an employee’s average hours per day, regardless of
their regular work schedule. For example, if an employee is contracted
to work 25 hours a week (.625 FTE) and Monday is a holiday, the employee
would get 5 hours of holiday pay and would work 20 hours for the
remainder of the week. If an employee usually works more or less than 5
hours on the day the holiday falls, then they will still only receive
their average hours per day as holiday time, and the employee should
still work 20 hours the remainder of the week to make their total paid
hours for the week equal 25 hours.
-
During a week that
has only 4 paid days, (i.e., week before winter recess, last week of
school, etc.) employees can only work a total number of hours equal to
their average hours per day times 4 work days. If an employee is
contracted to work 25 hour per week, the employee would only work 20
hours during a four day work week (5 hours per day times 4 work days).
The following table might be helpful:
|
Employee’s FTE |
Employee’s Total Hours per Week |
Employee’s Average Hours per Day* |
Hours employee should work during 4-day work week |
Hours employee should work during 3-day work week (Thanksgiving) |
|
1.00 |
40 |
(40/5) = 8 hrs |
(8x4) = 32 hrs |
(8x3) = 24 hrs |
|
.875 |
35 |
(35/5) = 7 hrs |
(7x4) = 28 hrs |
(7x3) = 21 hrs |
|
.750 |
30 |
(30/5) = 6 hrs |
(6x4) = 24 hrs |
(6x3) = 18 hrs |
|
.625 |
25 |
(25/5) = 5 hrs |
(5x4) = 20 hrs |
(5x3) = 15 hrs |
|
.500 |
20 |
(20/5) = 4 hrs |
(4x4) = 16 hrs |
(4x3) = 12 hrs |
*This is also the amount of hours an employee received Holiday pay for.
Teacher of The Year Finalist
Sarah Baird, a math
coach at Kyrene de las Lomas and Kyrene del Milenio is one of just five
finalists for the ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR Award from the Arizona
Educational Foundation. A winner will be announced at the Foundations
awards luncheon on November 12 and that person becomes our
state’s representative for the national teacher of the year. What
a tremendous honor to be nominated. We are
proud of Sarah and wish her the best!
Kyrene Schools Community Foundation Fundraisers
Photo Card Fundraiser
The Kyrene Schools Community
Foundation, is sponsoring a holiday photo card fundraiser and it’s easy
to participate! Starting in November, the not-for-profit Kyrene Schools
Community Foundation will host a photographer at 16 schools from 4:30 to
6:30 p.m.
»
Locations and times
The Foundation will benefit
by receiving 20% of each purchase, which will be used to fund the
Teacher Mini-grant program. Limited school funding does not allow Kyrene
to provide beyond the minimum for classroom materials resulting in
teachers using their own money or supplies. For years, the Foundation
has raised money to provide assistance and this past July more than 100
teachers new to the Kyrene District received mini-grants to start their
school year.
Kyrene Citizens 5K "FUND" Run Athletic Fundraiser
Mark your calendar -
Saturday, November 22nd
Kiwanis Park, Tempe
7:30 am - Free Children’s
Fun Run
8:00 am - Citizen’s 5K
Race
All Day - Nike Cross
Nationals Southwest Regional
Come raise scholarship money
for Kyrene kids who want to do sports but, can’t afford to “pay to
play”. A percentage of this event’s
proceeds benefit Kyrene Athletics, which provides scholarships through
the Kyrene Schools Community Foundation. The Kyrene Foundation is a
non-profit group that raises money to enhance the educational experience
of students in the Kyrene School District.
»
Details
William D. Heier Education Scholarships through
Tempe Schools Credit Union
The Tempe Schools Credit
Union is very proud to support teachers who are working toward their
Master’s Degree by providing the William D. Heier Education Scholarship.
Tempe Schools Credit Union will provide three ($300 reimbursement)
scholarships to teachers in Kyrene to help with the cost of tuition. The
scholarships may be used beginning this summer through spring 2009.
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 at 480-783-4115. Applications are due by Friday,
April 3, 2009. Tempe Schools Credit Union will notify the winners on or
before May 8, 2009.
TRP Winners
The winners of the
Trip Reduction Program monthly drawing for a $20 gift card for the month
of September, 2008 are Tammy Kaminer of Altadena and Mary Goldman of
Waggoner.
Kyrene Employees Nominated for Award
We want to acknowledge and
celebrate two of Kyrene’s very own for the nomination of award from the
Arizona Center for Afterschool Awards of Excellence. Jim Verrill,
Principal, Kyrene de la Sierra and Carolyn
Woolstenhulme, Milenio Kids Club Coordinator.
Congratulations on your recognition and continuous greatness in Kyrene.
School
News
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Lagos
In a dramatic
conclusion to Red Ribbon week, Drug Enforcement Agent and
Lagos parent, Sean Fitzpatrick, flew
in by helicopter to talk to Kindergarten and First grade students about
the importance of making good choices with their bodies. Students have
been wearing red ribbons throughout the entire week to show their
commitment to staying drug and alcohol free.
After landing their
helicopter on the East field, Officer Fitzpatrick, along with two other
DEA officers, reiterated the importance of eating healthy, gun safety,
car safety, and of course the importance of staying away from drugs and
alcohol. Before the students
were dismissed, each classroom had the opportunity to get up close and
personal with the DEA helicopter.
The
Lagos administration as well as the teachers would like to thank Officer Fitzpatrick for taking time out of his busy day to come to our school and give our students a presentation and a message that they will never forget.
Sureño
On Tuesday October 21 Mayor
Boyd Dunn spent the morning talking with the fourth and fifth grade
students from Kyrene del Sureño. The mayor was introduced to the
students by two Student Council members, fourth grader Riley Erickson
and fifth grader Hannah Kerns. The Mayor spoke with the students about
citizenship, local government and his duties as a mayor. He then opened
up the discussion to questions. Through classroom discussions the
students were able to develop thoughtful and challenging questions for
the mayor.
The students prepared for
their visit with the Mayor by discussing local government and
citizenship in the classrooms. The students have also been
participating in lessons through “Kids Voting” that allows them to learn
about the election process as well as the civic duty of voting.
Brisas
Dear Brisas Supporters,
We would like to give you a
Gecko cheer for your support of Kyrene de las Brisas on our quest to
show the world our impact on the environment. Chosen as a top 5
contestant for Arizona’s Everyday Green Hero, was high recognition for
our school.
The voting on azcentral.com
was quite an adventure. It was so exciting to know how passionate
Brisas students, past students, parents, siblings, relatives, friends,
companies, and coworkers were toward the united Brisas effort. For
many, it rekindled some friendships bringing people in communication
over the phone, email, websites and more.
It was reported that we had
people voting from Arizona, New York, California, Wisconsin, New Jersey,
Michigan, Alaska, Connecticut, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Kentucky,
Oklahoma, Delaware, Washington DC, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Alabama,
Maryland, Ohio, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Idaho, North Carolina,
Massachusetts, Indiana, Hawaii, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas,
Australia, Canada, India, Germany, Italy.
The recycle symbol was
placed on a map in the main hallway to show students all the states and
countries that voted for Brisas.
The last percentages as of
12:00 a.m., was Frontier Elementary 42.33% and Brisas 40.08%. We are
very pleased with our strong showing. We had many friends dedicated
voting until the end. It was fun to see the enthusiasm in all of our
voters. We were amazed to find out that we accumulated 21, 668 votes.
Thank you again for your time and support.
We had several students
celebrating on Wednesday, October 22nd by cleaning up our playground.
Now that is some dedication!
We are so proud that are
school is on the map for positive environmental influence. It is great
to see the community united. It is truly an amazing school to be apart
of.
As we reflect on the past
years and the years coming, Brisas does continue to make an impact on
the earth. We are everyday Green Heroes!
Esperanza
Saturday, November
8th 2pm to 5pm
Esperanza
Elementary School
Obstacle course,
bounce houses, carnival games and Jamba Juice
$10 per wristband
during pre-sales 11/3-11/7
$15 per wristband
at the event
Adults and kids under 4 Free with Canned Food Donation or $1.00
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