June 21, 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!
New Bus Stop for MMR Students Open Enrolled at Chaparral
 Scottsdale Unified School District will provide transportation for those freshman students who live in McDowell Mountain Ranch (MMR) and who are currently opened enrolled at Chaparral High School (instead of attending their feeder school, Saguaro High School). The Transportation of Learners department has established a new bus stop for these students at the NE corner of Thompson Peak Parkway and Paradise Lane. The department will continue to transport these students for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years.
Exact times have not been established yet, but the estimated times for pick-up and drop-off are 7:40 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. The exact information will be posted on the Transportation of Learners Web site by July 31.
If you have any questions about transportation arrangements, please contact Dan Shearer, director of transportation of learners, at 480-484-8550. back to top
Board Approves Fiscal Budget
The Governing Board voted Tuesday night to approve the District’s FY07-08 Budget as presented and called for a public hearing and Board meeting on July 2 at 11:30 a.m. in the Board Room at the Education Center for the purpose of presenting for adoption the 2007-2008 proposed budget for the consideration of the residents and taxpayers of the District. The presentation is available on the District’s Web site at: www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.cfm.
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Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Dr. Baracy becomes a Diamondback for a Day
Superintendent Dr. John M. Baracy was able to fulfill a childhood dream on June 9th by becoming a Diamondback for a Day. Dr. Baracy was invited to participate in the program by Arizona Public Service (APS). Diamondback for a Day allows participants to get an inside glimpse into what it is like to be an Arizona Diamondback, practicing infielding and outfielding skills, batting and conditioning.
Dr. Baracy played left field and second base during the game, which went to four innings. Dr. Baracy's team won the game with a final score of 4-1.
"Every boy at some point in his life dreams of being a major league ball player. My dreams have come true," said Dr. Baracy.
back to top Old Glory in Every Classroom
 Scottsdale Unified School District would like to thank those who have donated flags to our classrooms to help comply with 2006 Arizona House Bill 2583.
A special thank you goes to Bob Peirce and the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS, Sipe-Peterson American Legion post (Unit 44) and The Joe Foss Institute for donating flags to our classrooms.
Arizona House Bill 2583 mandates that by July 2007 all publicly funded institutions must display a 2’x3’ (or larger) flag and, for seventh grade and above, they must also display the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
back to top  START SMART August 13th!
Did you know that students are only in the classroom 180 days of each year? 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! back to top
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Laguna and Cherokee Students Learn About Plants, Grow Cabbages
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| Dallas Horvath, Laguna Elementary student, grows the largest cabbage for his school. |
This past spring, third grade students at Cherokee and Laguna elementary schools learned about the life cycle of plants. To tie in with the curriculum, Bonnie Plants donated cabbage seedlings to the schools as part of the nursery’s Cabbage Program. Students discovered the parts of the plants, developed a hypothesis and recorded data from seedlings.
At Laguna, student Dallas Horvath grew the biggest cabbage. The cabbage was 52 inches around and weighed 28 pounds, and with the leaves and root, the cabbage weighed 37 pounds.
As part of Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program, the student who grows the largest cabbage in his or her state wins a $1,000 U.S. savings bond.
To learn more about Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program, please visit: www.bonnieplants.com/.
Arcadia Girls' Softball Team Wins State Championship Again
Arcadia High School's Girls' Softball Team defeated Tempe High School 3-2 for the Class 4A Division II title on Saturday, May 12.
This is the second consecutive state championship for the girls' softball team.
Congratulations to the team members and Coach Jason Foster! back to top
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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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. back to top |
