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November 6, 2009
Superintendent’s Message
Dear Staff,
I recently had a meeting with about a dozen people to create a process for encouraging the support and development of innovative programs in the Kyrene School District.
I enjoy meeting with people who come from different backgrounds and who bring different perspectives to the table. We had teachers, administrators, community members and a member of the Governing Board attend the meeting. Some of the individuals present have expertise and passion about specific innovative ideas. Others have connections to municipalities and the business community. We also had people with in-depth knowledge about the school district who have a good sense of the needs of students and their families.The meeting was full of high energy and great ideas! We have a good sense of the direction to go to make some great things happen in Kyrene. We will soon be asking all staff and community members to share their ideas about what we can do to better meet the needs of our students. After we have compiled the recommendations that came from the group, more specifics will be shared with all of you. Even though these days are some of the most challenging we have ever faced, there is also more opportunity than ever before to do some wonderful things for students in our district.
David
H1N1 Update
We continue to monitor the spread of H1N1 and flu like symptoms in each of our school communities. Thank you for all that you are doing to support students by sharing the public service announcements in schools, posting the hygiene signs and reinforcing the many prevention strategies.
The Maricopa County Health Department continues to encourage immunization as a means of slowing the spread of influenza. This past week, we have been in contact with the Mollen Immunization Clinics regarding Kyrene’s willingness to offer school based immunization clinics, during after school hours. Parents would be encouraged to sign up for these on-line and would bring their Kyrene students to get the immunization. These clinics would offer families the H1N1 vaccine as well as Influenza A.
As soon as we finalize a few more of the details and are sure that these are going to occur, I will notify the community through our various list serves.
Calendar Information
Earlier in October, the Governing Boards of Kyrene, Tempe Unified and Tempe Elementary school districts all approved a tri-district calendar plan to guide the development of future common calendars that will be applied to all three districts. This is a new and exciting step for the tri-district community as now we will have a lot more latitude to research and consider a variety of calendar options. The new tri-district calendar development team will begin its work this winter as we consider calendars for 2011-2012 and beyond. The tri-district calendar development team will consist of parent, teacher, administrative, support staff and Governing Board representatives.
On October 22, the Kyrene Governing Board approved a rollover calendar for next year only. It closely aligns with the Tempe Elementary and Tempe Union calendars and is very similar to our current calendar. The only change was that the “floating” non-school day that is before Thanksgiving this year will be on the Friday following Veterans Day for next year. The approved 2010-2011 calendar is now available on the Kyrene website.
Best Practices in Grading Subcommittee Being Formed
A subcommittee of the Curriculum and Assessment Council is currently being formed to study and discuss best practices in grading. The focus will be on grades 1-5. The subcommittee will be creating/further defining regulations to reflect best practices in grading. This subcommittee was initiated as a result of teachers requesting guidance in grading practices. The subcommittee will meet monthly and will complete their task by Spring 2010.
The group is made up of middle school and elementary school teachers, an elementary principal, teacher specialists and assistant directors from Curriculum and Assessment, Educational Technology, and Exceptional Student Services.
Operation School Bell
The East Valley Assistance League provides clothing to 90 Kyrene students.
On Wed Oct 21, 45 students from Ninos/Norte were taken on a school bus to Target on Baseline and McClintock to go on a shopping spree with a personal shopper from the Assistance League. On Wednesday, Nov 4, 45 students from Lomas were taken to the same Target to go on a shopping spree. There is not a dollar amount but each student gets the following items: 2 pairs pants, 2 tops, 1 jacket, 1 packet of underwear (girls get bras too) and 1 pack of socks. After the shopping spree students wait in the Target snack area and a juice and snack (granola bar or fruit snack is provided). In addition, after shopping Target employees bag the items and a hygiene bag is also given to the children containing: shampoo, soap, toothpaste, tooth brush, and lotion. The students are also given a given a gift card to Payless shoes so they can pick out a pair of shoes with their parents.
District News Press Releases October 23 - November 6
Cerritos Art Exhibited at Phoenix Art Museum
Sarah Baird Recognized as one of the Nation's Top Teachers
Milenio Students Video Top Teacher
Monte Vista 20th Year Anniversary
Kyrene Kids Create Gingerbread Houses
Centennial
Congratulations to Maggie Frye as the winner of the Cassini Scientist for a Day essay contest designed to give students a taste of life as a scientist. This contest is organized by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Maggie is a student in Mr. Jon Hutman’s 7th grade Science class.
Students study three possible targets that the Cassini spacecraft can image during a given time set aside for education. They are to choose the one image they think will yield the best science results and explain their reasons in an essay.
Winners and their classmates will be invited to participate in a web-based videoconference with Cassini scientists. For more information and to view Maggie’s essay visit: saturn.jpl.nasa.gov
Please let us know what you think of this publication. Send your comments, questions, and suggestions to: kalexa@kyrene.org.
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