April 5, 2007
Editor's note: Schools and the District offices will be closed on Friday, April 6th for District Recess. Classes will resume on Monday, April 9th.
Attendance = Learning and Successful Testing
AIMS and Terra Nova Tests Administered in April
 As parents, you know that learning only happens when your children attend class. That is why it so important for children to be in school every day.
Due to the increase in rigor of state standards, it is more important than ever that students are in school so they have ample opportunity to learn. Because new skills build on skills already acquired, students are more successful on tests when they have consistent classroom attendance.
During the week of April 10th, students will be taking either the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) or the Terra Nova DPA tests. Each school’s AZ Learns label and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) are contingent on a high level of attendance during these tests.
Here are just a few tips to help your child when it comes to taking tests:
- Make sure that your child is in school during the testing sessions. Do not plan any doctor or dental appointments on test dates.
- Make sure that your child arrives at school on time. Late students will not be allowed to enter a classroom after a test has started.
- Encourage your child to study over a period of time rather than "cram" the night before.
- Encourage your child to listen carefully to all test-taking directions given by the teacher and to ask questions about any directions that are unclear.
- See that your child gets the proper amount of sleep before the tests and is well-rested.
- Make sure that your child eats a nutritious breakfast on the day of the test. Hunger can detract from a good test performance.
- Encourage your child to do his or her best.
To view testing calendars, please visit: www.susd.org/district/assess/index.cfm .
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SUSD Hosts Public Discussions
Scottsdale Unified School District is hosting Public Discussions at each complex to discuss with and inform the community about two possible upcoming overrides — renewal of the M&O Override and a proposed Capital Override. The meetings will include a presentation from Superintendent Dr. John M. Baracy followed by a Q&A session for the public. SUSD Administrators and Governing Board members will also be present.
All meetings are scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. The dates and locations for the five meetings are:
- Thursday, April 12
Saguaro Complex
Saguaro High School
Media Center
6250 N. 82nd St., Scottsdale
- Monday, April 16
Desert Mountain Complex
Mountainside Middle School
Mini-Auditorium
11256 N. 128th St., Scottsdale
- Tuesday, April 24
Chaparral Complex
Chaparral High School
Media Center
6935 E. Gold Dust Ave., Scottsdale
- Thursday, April 26
Arcadia Complex
Education Center – District Office
Governing Board Room
3811 N. 44th St., Phoenix
- Monday, April 30
Coronado Complex
Coronado High School
Media Center
2501 N. 74th St., Scottsdale
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Navajo Students Receive Donated Books
Excitement filled Navajo Elementary School’s Media Center as bags of books and a donation of $420 was delivered courtesy of the Association of American University Women — Scottsdale branch.
Every child in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade will go home with his or her own book and bookmark. The $420 gift will be spent to purchase new books for the school's media center.
Last year, the AAUW donated books to Tonalea Elementary School and in prior years to Hohokam Elementary School and Yavapai Elementary School.
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Arcadia Students Win Top Honors
 Three Advertising Art and Graphic Design students from Arcadia High school won the top spots in the State of Arizona SkillsUSA Conference Pin Series Design Contest for 2007, 2008 and 2009. The designs were selected from more than 60 entries.
The winning students are from the Advertising Art Program: Michelle Fluekiger, a junior, won first prize. She received a glass plaque engraved with her winning designs and a $150 VISA gift card. In a draw for 2nd place, Sue Wright and Rachel Lawhead, both seniors, received plaques engraved with their individual designs.
The winners were awarded their prizes by Paul Tuck of the Arizona Department of Education during a ceremony at the school on April 3rd. They will also be recognized at the Opening Session of the State of Arizona SkillsUSA Championships on April 23rd at the Phoenix Civic Plaza.
The series pin design will be used for three consecutive years - 2007, 2008 and 2009 - at the State of Arizona SkillsUSA Championships, as well as for the Arizona delegation traveling to the National Leadership and Skills Conference.
The contest required the students to submit original artwork for each year in the series and was open to all active members of SkillsUSA-Arizona enrolled in career and technical programs at a secondary or post-secondary institution.
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 April is National Library Month
Did you know that April is National Library Month? Encourage your children, family and friends to visit their local library where an adventure is waiting for them. Get a library card, browse a wide selection of books and movies or visit the Knowasis Teen Learning Center at the Civic Center Library. For more information about Scottsdale Libraries, please visit http://library.scottsdaleaz.gov/ .
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Arts in Education Seeks Nominations
The Arts in Education Council for Scottsdale Schools is sponsoring its 2nd Annual Fine Arts Awards event. The council is seeking nominations to recognize the efforts of individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional support for the fine arts in a school or schools within the Scottsdale Unified School District. These awards will be presented at the Annual Spring Luncheon on May 3. The categories are:
- Fine Arts Teacher
- Administrator
- Arts in Education Council Volunteer
- Community Individual
- Community Organization
The nominations will be judged on the following criteria:
- The significance and/or magnitude of the contribution and/or achievement
- The breadth of the school population served
- The length of time and/or intensity dedicated to the arts in our schools
Please send a one-page letter of nomination describing why the nominee should receive the award. Include the name, affiliation and contact information of the nominee, and include the nominator’s name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Identify which category is appropriate for the nominee. The deadline is Friday, April 13, 2007.
Please send your nomination to: Bonnie Sneed , 10830 E. Raintree Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85255-1800 or fax to 480-342-9157. For more information, call 480-342-8633.
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Take Your Child to Work – After School is Out
 Scottsdale Unified School District and other schools across the Valley encourage parents to take their children to the workplace for a learning experience – after school is out for the summer. Districts around the Valley are recommending June 21 as a preferred date for Take Your Child to Work Day. The national date, April 26, comes at a particularly difficult time for students who are working hard to complete their school work for the year. Taking children to work after the school year ends allows them to get the best of both – exposure to the workplace without missing a single precious day of school.
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This past weekend, Desert Mountain High School's colorguard team won the WGAZ Championships in the Scholastic Regional A Division. The group was given a huge banner to hang in the gym and an Arizona Interscholastic Association Plaque. The nine-member group also received gold medals! This is the first time that a SUSD school has won a high honor for colorguard at the state level. Performing their show "Apologize," the group, who meets zero hour and Tuesday evenings from 4:30-8:30pm, prevailed. The group had a very successful season, winning all of their competitions at Millennium High School, Corona del Sol High School, Casa Grande High School and, finally, at the championships at Desert Ridge High School on March 31st. Members include Kate Anderson (who also won a scholarship that day), Bernadette Arnold, Delora Fuglem, Sarah Kleinschmidt, Olivia Manning, Mikey Mejia, Elana Niren, Chris Noriega and Carrie Seay. The team is coached and choreographed by Liza Noriega. 
Students in Lori West’s English Immersion Studies (EIS) classes at Ingleside Middle School are learning to use math language and terms and sharpening their math skills by creating student bank accounts. The EIS Newcomers, who are in sixth, seventh and eighth grades, purchase items with “Lion Bucks” money from bank accounts that they create and manage. The students are rewarded by practicing their English skills and demonstrating positive character traits.
