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February 10, 2009
Superintendent’s Message
Dear Staff,
With the continuing bad news about the economy and the Arizona legislature grappling with a large budget deficit, many of us can’t help but feel anxious and unsettled. The most recent action taken by the legislature was to balance the current year’s budget by taking a number of measures. This included some reduced funding for educational programs for the 2008-2009 school year. What this means for Kyrene is that the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) budget was reduced by approximately 1.6 million dollars and soft capital (funds for textbooks, copiers, software etc.) was reduced by $385,000. Since the district was proactive in planning for this, impact to current year programs and services for students will be minimal. You may remember that existing budgets were cut from 15% to 30% and those funds were “reserved” for dealing with budget reductions. In addition, “carry forward” monies were used to prepay expensive programs such as health care and liability insurance to reduce costs for the current year.
The legislature now turns its attention to discussing next year’s budget (2009-2010). While we have heard a number of possibilities about programs that may be reduced or eliminated, no official decisions have been made. Kyrene’s financial team headed by Terry Tatterfield and Karin Smith are planning for any and all possibilities from the worst case scenario to the “less than worst” case scenario. What is certain is that education will be negatively impacted because of the fact that education accounts for about 43% of the overall state budget and the gravity of the economic situation in Arizona.
Let me assure you that we are doing everything in our power to maintain the quality programs and services that Kyrene is known for. We will make sure that people are kept well informed of the latest developments and will include the staff and community in communications about this work. Check out the budget section on the Kyrene School District web site (the button for it is prominently displayed). We will continue to add additional information to it as it becomes known.
These times are different than any that most of us have faced in our lifetimes. We need to look at this as an opportunity to think about how we might do things differently to help us weather the economic storm that surrounds us and also to provide as much patience and support as we possibly can for each other.
David
Kyrene District Art Show 2009 - Feb 13-19th
Celebrating our schools’ most excellent artists and instruction
Elementary School: District Office Board Room North and South
Middle School: Upstairs in the open area near Superintendent’s office
All grades: 3-D art displayed on tables around the lower courtyard windows
Art Show Celebration night Tuesday Feb. 17th 5:30-7:30PM
Superintendent Welcoming Remarks 6:30 PM
(Schools closed Monday Feb. 16th President’s Day)
Location: Ben Furlong Education Center
Feb 13-19th, Friday-Thursday: open for public viewing 8-5
New Employee Orientation Program Begins!
Human Resource Services has developed a monthly orientation program to support all newly hired support staff. The orientation begins at 8:00 a.m. on the last Thursday of every month. These sessions will be held at the Ben Furlong Education Center and last for approximately 60 to 75 minutes.
For those employees who are also new to working with our Special Education students, our Exceptional Student Services Department offers an additional 2 hour training segment. This one-time orientation is offered at a time where it is included in the new employee’s work week, so supervisors and new hires are asked to plan accordingly.
If you are a new support staff employee hired between August and December, 2008, and have not attended an orientation session, please contact Kris Hodgkins, HR Coordinator (x 4015) to schedule a time. Kris will work with supervisors to schedule new employees so that all of our support staff hired in 2008-2009 will have an opportunity to attend. The next two sessions are scheduled for February 24th and March 31st. New employees must only attend one session.
Highly performing and learning organizations have new employee orientations, so attending one if these sessions is mandatory. It is important that every new employee attends the session which will occur during their first month of hire. Starting this month, each new hire has been or will be informed of the session, so we ask that every supervisor ensures that their new hires attend one of these sessions.
Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, we will not be able to use substitutes to cover our new hires who attend these sessions. Supervisors will need to work with the new employee and coordinate with teachers and other support staff to make coverage arrangements within the school during this time. We understand that this is an inconvenience, but also know that the orientation program is a valuable experience for our new employees.
TRP News
The winners of a $20 gift certificate for the month of December 2008 were Sam Weissberg at Centennial and Mike Furman at Aprende. The winners for the month of January 2009 were Ron Polanco of Ninos and Jane Wilson of Mariposa.
Congratulations to all the winners and a thank you to everyone who continues to participate in the Trip Reduction Program.
Phoenix RoadRunners Honor Teacher of the Year
On Saturday, February 21, 2009, The Kyrene Schools Community Foundation and the Phoenix RoadRunners Minor League Hockey team have partnered to honor Arizona’s 2009 Teacher of the Year, Sarah Baird, at a game.
Elementary schools will be getting a flyer about this event the week of Feb. 9th. We will also be sending out an E-blast to let our Families know about the event. Both informational pieces include information on how to buy tickets online or by phone.
On Kyrene Foundation Night supporters are offered special seating “between the pipes” for a reduced ticket price of $12.00 with $2.00 of each ticket going to the Foundation. Kyrene Schools Community Foundation raises money to support teachers, student programs, projects and scholarships that would otherwise be unfunded.
A National Board Certified teacher since November of 2004, Baird serves as math coach at Kyrene de las Lomas and Kyrene del Milenio in Phoenix. The Arizona Educational Foundation Teacher of the Year program is the only statewide recognition for teachers.
Tickets for the fundraiser/recognition night can be ordered by contacting Kyle Pottinger at 602-379-7506 or kpottinger@phxroadrunners.com. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets based on availability.
Kyrene School Community Foundation
Night with the Phoenix RoadRunners
Saturday, February 21 @ 7:05PM
This offer includes:
· Special discounted ticket
· Group Recognition on the Jumbotron
· Free Foam Finger
On-Site Opportunities Available!
Kyrene has a unique program known as On-Site Security. Most schools have an on-site employee living on campus in either an apartment or a trailer. For either four (Lomas) or eight (Altadena/Cerritos) hours per week (at a rate of $12/hour or $18/hour if it is overtime), the on-site checks to make sure the buildings are secure in the evening, and ensures that the alarms are set. The fee to live in the apartments at Altadena and Lomas is $775 per month (including utilities). Kyrene employees interested in applying for the position may do so online or obtain an application at the Furlong Center. Please contact x4174 or email rysmith@kyrene.org with any questions.
Kyrene Centennial Students 3rd in State at Science Tourney
The Centennial Science Olympiad team placed third overall at the Westar Invitational Tournament on Saturday January 26th. Congratulations! Middle schools from all over the state competed at the tournament where students built structures, performed experiments, testing their science knowledge in a variety of areas.
Kyrene Aprende 8th Graders win Math Competition
Six MathCounts 8th Graders from Kyrene Aprende Middle School took first place in “Excellence in Mathematics Competition” Saturday January 24th at the Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Congratulations! The next competition for Aprende’s MathCounts team will be at the Papago Chapter MathCounts competition at Dobson High School on February 28.
United Way Campaign a Success
Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School has raised the most dollars within its district for the 2008 Valley of the Sun United Way Campaign. Congratulations to Darlene Abel for her hard work in running the campaign within the school. Employees of Pueblo Middle School raised $2,499 towards the campaign. Their efforts, along with the rest of the district which totaled $21,520, were needed more than ever this year.
Valley of the Sun United Way and its network of community partners are reporting sharp increases in the demand for food boxes, rent assistance and after-school program enrollment. As countless Valley residents struggle through economic challenges to make ends meet, Kyrene School District employees are making a difference. By supporting United Way, more of our neighbors can keep their homes; more children still have a place to go after school; and fewer families will choose between eating dinner and paying bills. Thank you for your continued support.
Please let us know what you think of this publication. Send your comments, questions, and suggestions to: kalexa@kyrene.org.
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