June 8, 2007
Editor's note: During the summer months, Community Connection will be published bi-monthly instead of weekly. Have a safe and happy summer!
Remember to START SMART - August 13th!
Congratulations Class of 2007!
There was plenty of pomp and circumstance throughout the Scottsdale Unified School District as 1,820 students graduated on June 6th.
Good luck in all of your future endeavors!
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Directors of First Impressions Greets Visitors Throughout the Summer
If you would like to drop off an open enrollment application, employment application or have a general question to ask, the Directors of First Impressions at Scottsdale Unified School District’s Education Center are ready to assist you with friendly smiles and/or helpful voices over the phone. The Directors of First Impressions greet visitors from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
For specific summer hours for any of our 33 schools, call the school directly or view the summer hours schedule .
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Board Approves M&O and Capital Overrides
The Governing Board voted unanimously on Tuesday night to adopt a resolution to renew the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Override and to place a resolution for a Capital Override on the November 6, 2007 ballot.
back to top Board Approves New Principals
Scottsdale Unified School District is pleased to announce the following principals for 2007-08: Dr. Gregory Reid, Sequoya Elementary School; Charles Grisier, Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center; Chad Caudle, Hohokam Elementary School; James Selgo, Aztec Elementary School; and Shaun Holmes, Navajo Elementary School.
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Desert Mountain and Chaparral Makes Top 1300 High School List
Desert Mountain High School and Chaparral High School were named as two of the top 1300 high schools in the country according to Newsweek's Web site. Desert Mountain and Chaparral are two of a handful of public high schools in Arizona to make the list. Desert Mountain was ranked 845th, and Chaparral was ranked 1057th on the list. Chaparral made the Newsweek list in 2006, 2005 and 2003. To view the complete list, please visit Newsweek .
Become a Host Family
AFS Intercultural Programs (AFS) is looking for a host family for an exchange student who would attend Desert Mountain High School during the 2007-08 school year.
The host family is expected to provide a bed and all meals for the student and to include the student in their everyday activities. The host family must live in the Desert Mountain High School enrollment area, but need not have children at the school.
Boys and girls from Japan, Thailand, Germany, Austria and several other countries are available for hosting. Students arrive about August 10, and stay until about June 24, 2008.
For information about AFS Intercultural Programs, visit the AFS Web site at: www.afs.org/usa. For more information about hosting at Desert Mountain High School, call the local AFS volunteer Karen Powers at 480-970-0987.
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Missile Defense Day at DCMS
 Honor students at Desert Canyon Middle School had a chance to explore careers in engineering, aerospace and missile defense by building and launching a variety of rockets while applying force and motion concepts learned in math and science this year in a real life application. They also learned about the U.S. Missile Defense Program and its importance to national security and heard from guest speakers who are involved in this program.
Kevin Sheahan of the Missile Defense Agency presented Tracey Dodrill, DCMS teacher, with a Letter of Commendation from Lt. General Trey Obering and a 3-Star General’s coin. According to Sheahan, this is a high honor because very few coins are given out annually by the General’s Office. Richard Tortorelli also congratulated Dodrill on her efforts in putting together this program. ASAT sponsored this program and has agreed to sponsor the program again next year in Dodrill’s class.
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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 for students entering kindergarten in the Scottsdale Unified School District. This program will be held 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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