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February 23, 2009
Superintendent’s Message
Dear Staff,
I know I don’t have to tell you that we have amazing students!
Some recent district events held this month reminded me just how talented and creative they are. The first event was the District Music Festival that took place on the evening of February 3. The concerts were given at Marcos de Niza and Desert Vista high schools in the Tempe Union High School District. This was a change from past years where the concert has been given at just one site. The music teachers wanted to provide the opportunity for more students to perform and this plan allowed for that to happen. When I closed my eyes and listened to the band and orchestra at Marcos, I felt as if I could have been at Symphony Hall experiencing a professional performance.
More recently, the District Art Show was on exhibit at Furlong Center during the week of February 16 Interesting and colorful sculptures, paintings, mobiles, drawings, ceramics and many other projects were on display all over the district office for the entire week. Parents and students attended a special “opening night” on Tuesday and there were hundreds of people here! Students were excited to share their work and many posed next to their creations as their proud parents took their pictures. It truly was a very special evening.
It takes great teachers to provide such a wonderful fine arts program in the Kyrene School District. We have the “finest” of the fine arts profession right here in our own district and they do a wonderful job with our students. They are to be commended for the strong programs they have built and the recent performances and exhibitions merely made public what goes on every day in their classrooms.
David
Award nominations for the “Annual Council for Exceptional Children Spring 2009 Awards Ceremony”
The Tempe-Kyrene Chapter #588 of the Council for Exceptional Children is now accepting Award Nominations for the Annual Council for Exceptional Children Spring 2009 Awards Ceremony which will be held April 27, 2009, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at Kyrene School District Office Boardroom.
You can use the Nomination form below to nominate a student, colleague or group for exceptional service in any of the 9 areas listed. Successful nominations in previous years have addressed those contributions which have exceeded what is expected as a typical response to professional or community obligations. Recipients have always gone beyond what others in their situation typically do. They not only have done their jobs, they have consistently done more and in so doing have made a difference in the lives of exceptional individuals.
Deadline for nominations: Friday, March 20, 2009, 3:30 p.m.
No late nominations will be accepted. Only one nomination per person. Nominations are being sought for the following awards:
1. Outstanding Classroom Teacher
2. Outstanding Special Education Teacher
3. Outstanding Teacher Assistant
4. Outstanding Administrator
5. Outstanding Exceptional Student
6. Outstanding Parent
7. Outstanding Related Service Provider
8. Distinguished Service to Exceptional Children – Group or Individual*
9. Outstanding Special Education Alumni StudentPlease submit all nominations to: Joanne Thomas at Manitas Elementary School, Kyrene School District. You can send it by email to jthoma@kyrene.org or by Inter Office Mail. Tempe-Kyrene Chapter #588
*The Distinguished Service award may be given to a group, business or individual showing major concern or performing in a significant manner for the advancement of exceptional children.
*Please complete this entire form. School names and phone numbers must be included so that nominees and winners can be contacted. Forms without phone numbers will not be considered.
Kids Club employee discount changes for next year (09/10)
For the last several years, Kyrene Kids Club has been able to provide a 100% discount to employees for before and after school childcare. Due to the changing economic times, it is crucial that all Kyrene programs remain cost neutral. After careful consideration, it has become clear that the employee childcare benefit must be adjusted. A proposal was approved by the Governing Board to reduce the Employee Discount for before and after school childcare from 100% to 50%. Beginning next school year (August 2009), Kyrene’s contracted employees (regardless of hours worked per week) will be entitled to a 50% discount on any before or after school program for which you register. Following are examples of the different program options you may consider registering for, as well as their discounted rate:
Program
Full-cost
Cost with 50% discount
5 days per week after school
$225/month
$112.50/month
3 days per week after school
$195/month
$97.50/month
1 day per week after school
$105/month
$52.50/month
1 hour after school
$105/month
$52.50/month
Before school
$105/month
$52.50/month
We hope that employees will choose to register for only those program hours needed, and take advantage of the 50% discount. Registration for all Kids Club summer and school year programs begins the week after spring break. Current and employee families may register for Kids Club and Summer Academy programs west of the I-10 as early as 6:30am on Tuesday, March 17th and as early as 6:30am on Thursday, March 19th for programs located east of the I-10 at www.kyrene.org/eservices. Early registration is highly encouraged for two reasons:
▪ Reserve your space and ensure minimum enrollment is met!
▪ Save money! Early registrations (prior to May 1 for summer programs and prior to July 1 for fall programs) pay a discounted registration fee of $25!
(Late registrants pay $100.)
It is of the utmost importance to us that we give you as much notice as possible of this decision so that you can make necessary decisions and childcare arrangements for your child. As you research childcare options, Child Care Resource and Referral may also be of assistance to you and can be reached at:
www.arizonachildcare.org or 800-308-9000.
If you have questions about Kids Club call Josh Glider at 480-783-4132.
If you have general Community Education programming questions, call our Customer Service Department at 480-783-4040
Employee benefits eligibility change
An important change was made recently to your employee benefits. The change, approved by the Kyrene Governing Board impacts eligibility for employee benefits effective July 1, 2009. This change requires employees to work 30 hours in benefits eligible positions with the District to be eligible to elect health insurance benefits.
The Board also approved a grandfather provision with a 2 year maximum for those who currently elect health plans. This information will also be made available prior to open enrollment in the materials you receive regarding your benefit plans to your home address. Please watch for your packets at home in mid-April.
If you have any questions about your benefits, contact Deb Spurgin at 4017
Ahwatukee library cuts hours
Starting March 2, the Ironwood Branch Library hours at 43rd Street and Chandler Boulevard will be cut from the current 72 hours a week to 52, all part of budget cuts approved by the Phoenix City Council last week. The new hours will be:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m.
The cuts were all part of a city-wide reduction to fix a $250 million budget shortfall. It means parents, students, job seekers and teens that use the library’s resources including 15 computers will also have to adjust their schedule with the reduced evening and weekend hours.
Please let us know what you think of this publication. Send your comments, questions, and suggestions to: kalexa@kyrene.org.
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