In this issue...

January 11, 2008

SUSD Governing Board Names President, Clerk

At the January 8^th Governing Board meeting, the Board re-elected Karen Beckvar as President and Dr. Eric Meyer as Clerk for 2008.

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Scottsdale Community Celebrates 3rd Annual Events to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On January 14, Community Celebrating Diversity (CCD), in collaboration with Scottsdale Unified School District, will celebrate its 8th annual “Youth Voices” program in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 2 p.m. in the Auditorium at Saguaro High School, 6250 N. 82nd St.

This free event will feature Louis Gossett, Jr. who will address the Valley’s youth. As a respected African American actor, Gossett has earned an Emmy for Roots, an Oscar for An Officer and a Gentleman and a Golden Globe for The Josephine Baker Story. As an impassioned activist, Gossett believes in empowering others. Through the “Youth Voices” program, inspirational speakers share their life experiences of hate and prejudice and how they transitioned into a positive vision of acceptance. For event information, please call 480-484-6187. Read more...

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Learn More About SUSD's Wellness Policy

Did you know that SUSD has adopted a comprehensive Student Wellness Policy? The purpose of this policy is to provide school environments that promote and protect student's health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity.

Areas covered in SUSD's Wellness Policy include:

• Nutrition Guidelines
• Nutrition Education
• Physical Activity
• Parent, Community and Staff Involvement
• Other School-Based Activities
• Evaluation

If you would like more information or have question about SUSD’s Student Wellness Policy, please visit www.susd.org/district/wellness or contact Tori Trahan, RN, health services coordinator. Read more...

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To idle or Not to Idle?

As students head back to school and many families resume the process of waiting to drop or to pick up the children, you might ponder one of those burning questions commuters wonder about all the time – to idle or shut it off. The answer: turn your ignition off when you will be stopped or parked for more than 30 seconds. Idling for more than 30 seconds burns more gas than it takes to restart the engine or than if the car were moving, and it produces more toxic emissions. And when you’re in line to pick up little Johnny, think of all the young lungs you’re impacting!

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Scottsdale Republic to Feature SUSD Teachers

Do you know an outstanding teacher in the Scottsdale Unified School District? Would you like that teacher to be recognized in the newspaper? In January, The Scottsdale Republic will run a new weekly feature highlighting a different SUSD teacher each week. To nominate a teacher for this feature, simply fill out the online Teacher Nomination Form.

*Please note that a high resolution photo must be submitted to be considered for publication.

To view Hopi Elementary School teacher Allison Bosworth's nomination that ran in the Scottsdale Republic, please visit: www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/0108sr-teacher0109bosworth-ON.html

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Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Round-Ups

Schools throughout the District will be hosting tours and open houses in preparation for enrolling children in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten for the 2008-2009 school year. Come visit us to meet teachers and principals and learn about great features offered by schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District.

For more information, please view the schedule for Pre-Kindergarten Round-Up and Kindergarten Round-Up at a school in your area.

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"The Myth and Magic" — Middle School Road Shows

"The Myth and Magic" — Middle School Road Shows are a great way to learn about what to expect during the transition from elementary school to middle school. To help make that transition smooth, parents are invited to attend Myth and Magic — the Middle School Road Show.

Upcoming Dates:

• Mountainside at 6:30 p.m. on January 15 in the Mini Auditorium, 11256 N. 128th St., Scottsdale. Tours of the school will be offered.
• Ingleside at 6:30 p.m. on .January 17 in the Cafeteria, 5402 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix.
• Mohave at 6:30 p.m. on January 15 in the Cafeteria at Kiva Elementary, 6911 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley.
  • At 6 p.m. on January 22 in the Library at Pueblo Elementary, 6320 N. 82nd St., Scottsdale.
  • At 5 p.m. on January 29 in the Cafeteria at Navajo Elementary, 4525 N. Granite Reef Road, Scottsdale.
• Supai at 6:30 p.m. on January 22 in Room Q5 at Pima Elementary, 8330 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale.
  • At 6:30 p.m. on January 24 in Room 12 at Hohokam Elementary, 8451 E. Oak St, Scottsdale.
  • At 6 p.m. on January 29 in the Media Center at Yavapai Elementary, 701 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale.
  • At 6 p.m. on February 7 in the Cafeteria at Tonalea Elementary, 6801 E. Oak St., Scottsdale.
• Desert Canyon Middle at 6 p.m. on January 29 in the Cafeteria, 10203 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale.

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Comprehensive Gifted Self-Contained School Tours

Gifted Services is hosting Comprehensive Gifted Program Tours at the following schools:

• Pima Elementary, 8330 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale, from 1-3 p.m. on February 20^th, April 2^nd, and April 30^th
• Zuni Elementary, 9181 Redfield Road, Scottsdale, from 1-3 p.m. on March 5^th, April 16^th, and May 14^th
• Mohave Middle, 5520 N. 86th St., Scottsdale, from 2-4 p.m. on February 27^th, April 9^th and May 7^th
• Desert Canyon Middle, 10203 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale, from 2-4 p.m. on January 23^rd, March 26^th, April 23^rd and May 21^st

Reserve your seat today by e-mailing your name, address and phone number to Robin Madison. Also, indicate the location and date you plan to attend.

You may view frequently asked questions, the criteria for acceptance into the program and download the application at www.susd.org/district/gifted/Comprehensive.cfm.

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Upcoming Events

• Scottsdale Unified School District and Kaplan are offering SAT Classes at Arcadia, Chaparral and Desert Mountain High Schools in the spring. For dates and times, please view the flyer.
   
• The District's Annual Spelling Bee is at 8 a.m. on January 15 in the auditorium at Arcadia High School, 4703 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.
   
• The next Scottsdale Parent Council meeting is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on January 15 at the Education Center, 3811 N. 44^th St., Phoenix.
   
• The Special Education Parents Advisory Council of Scottsdale (SEPACS) is hosting an IEP Workshop from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on January 16 in the Kachina Room at the Mohave District Annex, 8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale. IEP parent specialists include Barb Ross, Parent Information Network; Kim Yamamoto, Raising Special Kids; and Jill Pearns, Raising Special Kids.
   
• The next Governing Board meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. on January 22 at the Education Center, 3811 N. 44^th St., Phoenix.
   
• Decoding Your PSAT Score Report Kaplan Seminar is from 6-7 p.m. on January 22 in Library Room 1 at Desert Mountain High School. View the flyer for more information.
  

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Excellence in the Classroom
Third grade students at Kiva Elementary School are working in groups with Arizona artists Carol Thomas Hildebrand and Sallie P. Cross to create a mural in the cafeteria. The images will reflect the acronym for Kiva — K for Kindness, I for Integrity, V for Volunteerism and A for Academics. This project is made possible by the Arizona Commission on the Arts grant with SUSD matching funds.

CRMSA students will perform research in their career areas of interest. They will be matched with professional medical or industry mentors who will consult and collaborate with the students throughout the research process.

Students will present their findings to students, parents, teachers and CRMSA Advisory Board Members at a culminating special event on April 17.

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