May 18, 2007
Sierra Vista Academy Dedicates New Buildings
The spirit of Sierra Vista Academy soared Thursday as an official ceremony to dedicate the completion of Phase II construction was held on campus.
Students and the school's faculty were on hand to celebrate the beginning of a new era at Sierra Vista.
Superintendent Dr. John Baracy, Governing Board members, Principal Rhonda Rickard and project representatives all took part in the dedication ceremony.
In November 2004, voters approved a $217 million bond to improve high schools throughout the Scottsdale Unified School District. Construction at other high schools is ongoing.
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Flag Mandate for Classrooms
 Did you know that the 2006 Arizona House Bill 2583 mandate states that by July 2007 all publicly funded institutions must display a 2x3 flag and, for seventh grade and above, they must also display the Constitution and Bill of Rights?
To help SUSD fulfill the obligations of the Flag Law, the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS is donating 300 flags.
Also, through The Joe Foss Institute, teachers and principals may be eligible to receive the required classroom materials through three annual scholarships. For more information about the Joe Foss Institute, please visit http://www.jfiweb.org/foss/?action=home.
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Living History
 Students at Desert Canyon Middle School can now get a first hand look at history.
The Scottsdale Exchange Club has donated a "Freedom Shrine" to the school. The Shrine consists of more than 30 high quality reproductions of American Historical documents mounted on fine wood.
The school recently held a dedication ceremony in the cafeteria, where the documents are displayed.
Thanks to Richard Bond and everyone who made this wonderful donation possible.
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 Chaparral Student Donates Books to Title I Schools
Brad Schell, a junior at Chaparral High School, has donated more than 7,500 books to Scottsdale Unified School District's Title I schools and to the Thomas J. Pappas schools.
He made his first delivery last Friday, taking more than 5,000 books to the Pappas elementary school in downtown Phoenix. The rest will go to SUSD schools.
Brad got the idea of a book drive because he was constantly dropping off donated books at the Mustang Library for his family. He decided it would be better to give the children's books directly to less fortunate children who may never get to a library. Brad's parents suggested he try and collect more books from family, friends and neighbors. His initial goal was to collect 1,000 books.
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SUSD Students Swam San Francisco Bay
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| Colin Hart, Cochise Elementary School,
is the second youngest person in history to make the swim. |
On April 25th, Swim Neptune’s Team Alcatraz swam from Alcatraz Island to the shores of San Francisco Bay to raise money to promote water safety awareness and drowning prevention.
The 50-member Team Alcatraz has 15 students that represent nine Scottsdale Unified School District schools. Those students are: Ian Biggane, Kiva; Bobby Byars, Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center; Wyatt Denton, Hopi; Colin Hart, Cochise; Michael Heinonen, Copper Ridge ES; Ethan Hetrick, Mohave,; Allie Jones, Hopi; Hayden McMorris, Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center; Claire Moty, Desert Mountain; Stuart Moty, Desert Mountain; Jackson Pfundheller, Pima; Nick Steveson, Desert Mountain; Nikki Zilliox, Desert Mountain; and Eve Zweig, Pima.
Swim Neptune’s Team Alcatraz raised $20,000, which was donated to the Foundation for Aquatic Safety and Training (FAST), a Valley-based non-profit organization. The team’s goal was to raise $100,000. Over the summer, Swim Neptune’s Team Alcatraz will serve as ambassadors of water safety, working with FAST in the community to continue to promote water safety and drowning prevention.
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Jump Start the START SMART Process!
 Is your child entering kindergarten this August? If so, Community Schools is offering a summer Kindergarten Jump Start program to students entering kindergarten in the Scottsdale Unified School District at the following locations: Hopi, Kiva and Zuni. This unique summer program is designed to give your child a glimpse into what it will be like to be a kindergartner. Activities are designed to foster both social and educational growth in children. Don't miss out on this amazing educational opportunity. Space is limited, so Register Today! For more information, please view the brochure .
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Do You Know a Community Hero?
 A Community Hero is…
- Someone whose volunteer service to others embraces the Scottsdale sense of community
- Someone who has not received prior public recognition for his or her volunteer efforts
Nominations for the 2007 Frances Young Community Heroes are due by 5 p.m., August 10, 2007. Criteria: An individual, age 14 or older, whose volunteer services directly benefit Scottsdale citizens and/or Scottsdale organizations through:
- Providing services that support education, youth or senior programs, environmental issues, animal interests, religious institutions, neighborhoods, arts and culture, or health and human services
- Performing outstanding volunteer work
- Serving as a community role model and mentor
- Demonstrating random acts of kindness
Nominations forms are available in the Scottsdale Tribune, through the City of Scottsdale, or submit online at www.gdc4s.com/communityheroes .
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Planning Your Summer Vacation? Remember to Plan for START SMART Too!  Keep the first day of school – August 13th – in mind when planning your family vacation this summer. It’s important that children are in school because learning begins on the very first day of instruction. Scottsdale Unified teachers come to class each day prepared to teach all students, but learning can only happen when children are in class! Remember to START SMART on August 13th!
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Jennifer White’s Service Learning class arranged to have Art Velarde, assistant principal at Ingleside Middle School, arrested as a fund raiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Following his arrest Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Velarde was taken to jail at The Cheesecake Factory where he was paroled after enjoying prison fare of Tiramisu cheesecake and presenting more than $1,175 in donations to the MDA. Funds were raised mostly from student donations, although faculty and friends contributed to this effort.