In this Issue

Spring break literally came “crashing” to a halt at about 3:40 AM on Monday morning when I got the phone call about the collapse of the multi-purpose room roof at Waggoner. Upon arriving on the scene, I was struck by the extent of the damage and was so very grateful there were no injuries. It is impossible to find a way to express my appreciation and respect for all the wonderful people who immediately stepped forward to help us deal with this crisis.

The facilities staff, city emergency personnel, the district insurance carrier, communications department, district crisis team, Waggoner administration/staff, and Waggoner families/students are just some of the people I’d like to thank. Words can’t express the feelings of solidarity and strength that we have during times like these. This truly is an example of Kyrene’s “finest hour” even though it ironically occurred during such an unfortunate event.

Let’s all take a moment to give thanks that this wasn’t a tragedy in a much larger sense. As we face difficult times it is important to remember that what counts most in our lives is the health and welfare of all those we care about. Everything else pales in comparison!

Rep. Rae Waters, D-Ahwatukee (District 20) and legislative Democrats invite members of the public to a budget hearing in the Southeast Valley, the 11th in a series of hearings that will be held statewide.

Waters will host the event and members of the House and Senate Appropriations committees will be in attendance to hear citizens’ concerns of the deep cuts in the state budget.

Members of the public from the Southeast Valley, including Ahwatukee, Chandler and Tempe are encouraged to attend.

Since 1996 the Kyrene Music and Fine Arts Association (KMFA) has worked very hard “behind the scenes” to advocate and promote active and ongoing arts programs in all of the Kyrene schools?

The KMFA Executive Committee and association members are parents, teachers and community members. The monthly meetings are always attended by members of the Kyrene superintendency, who maintain regular contact with KMFA and participate at all of our activities and events. KMFA, with the District’s support, uses its funds, which are received only through membership dues, sponsors the three most well attended events in the District: the Middle School Honors Festivals on the east and west sides and the District Arts Festival.

Last year we conducted a district-wide communications survey which resulted in increased communication and programs between the middle schools and the elementary schools, including on-site performances by middle school bands, choirs and orchestras.

If you, your students or their parents would like to be more involved, please go to the KMFA web site at www.kyrenefinearts.org to learn more and download the mail-in membership form.

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. Four 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 apartment at 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.

Annual Relay For Life holds Mother of All Garage Sales

Fundraiser Tomorrow

Over the years, many Kyrene teachers, students and parents have been involved in one way or another with the annual Ahwatukee Relay for Life held at either Mountain Point or Desert Vista high school. This year’s event on April 18^th is no exception.

If you’d like to support this year’s event you can attend the Mother of all Garage Sales on Saturday, March 21^st from 6am to Noon at Desert Vista High School, 16440 S. 32^nd Street, Phoenix, 85048.

The national Relay For Life began in 1985 with Dr. Gordon Klatt, a Tacoma, Washington, surgeon and American Cancer Society volunteer. Dr. Klatt, now a Relay For Life legend, ran and walked 81 miles in 24 hours at a local track and raised more than $27,000 for the Society. From this beginning, Relay For Life became an American Cancer Society signature event raising more than $246 million in 2002 with more than 3,300 events in all 50 states and several countries!

If you’d like more information, please contact Kathy McCulla, 602.952.7537
or kathy.mcculla@cancer.org

Sixty years ago, only one in five cancer patients survived. Today, more than half of the people with cancer will survive the disease. Relay For Life is just one way the American Cancer Society supports the fight against cancer.

March 20, 2009

Superintendent’s Message