In this issue...

February 15, 2008
Editor's note: Schools and District offices will be closed Monday, February 18th in observance of President's Day. Have a safe holiday.

American Heart Month

Did you know that February is American Heart Month? Everyone, children and adults, needs to be aware of the risk factors associated with heart disease. Many of these risk factors can be decreased by making simple lifestyle changes.

The American Heart Association has identified several risk factors that increase the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack. Some of them can be modified, treated or controlled, and some can't. Read more...

If you would like information or have a question about SUSD’s Student Wellness Policy, please visit the Wellness Web page at www.susd.org/district/wellness or contact our Health Services Coordinator, Tori Trahan, RN, at ttrahan@susd.org.

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Sunrise Rotary Shines Bright

Many thanks to members of the Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary Club for their generous donations to Aztec Elementary School.

The Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary donated a vision screening machine for preschool age children. They also donated LEA vision symbols cards to be used for screening preschool and school age students.

Thank you, Sunrise Rotary!

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Attendance = Learning and Successful Testing

Each day our teachers plan new and important lessons to help SUSD students gain mastery of the subject matter in their classes. 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.

On February 26-27, 10th grade students will be taking the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) writing and reading tests. Any 11th or 12th grade students who haven’t met the standard or wish to retake the AIMS test to exceed the standard may do so. Each school’s AZ Learns label and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) are contingent on 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 medical 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.

April Testing Dates to Remember:

• AIMS, Dual Purpose Assessment (DPA) and Terranova will be administered April 7-18.
• Elementary and middle school students will take the DPA April 7-11 with make up tests the following week.
• All 2nd graders will take the Terranova April 8-9.
• All 9th graders will take the Terranova April 8.
• All 10th grade students will take the AIMS math test April 8. Any 11th or 12th grade students who haven’t met the standard or wish to retake the AIMS test to exceed the standard may do so.
• All 9th and 10th grade students currently enrolled in a Biology course will take the AIMS science test April 9.

To view testing calendars, please visit: www.susd.org/district/assess/index.cfm.

Students in SUSD’s attendance boundaries who attend private schools or are home schooled may sign up to take the AIMS test. Please contact Fredda Campbell, testing coordinator, at 480-484-6279. The deadline to register for the high school reading and writing portions of the AIMS tests is February 15. The deadline to register for all April testing is March 17.

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2008-2009 Kids Club Registration

Starting March 3^rd, Kids Club registration for the 2008-2009 school year will be open to currently enrolled families as well as families that have enrolled their children in Pre-Kindergarten for next year. Registration packets will be available at the end of February at the Community Schools office, the Education Center, every Kids Club site and the School Offices at Anasazi, ANLC, Aztec, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Cochise, Copper Ridge, Desert Canyon, Hopi, Kiva, Laguna, Pima, Pueblo, Tavan and Zuni elementary schools.

If you register your child for Summer Camp, you will not have to fill out another Emergency Information and Immunization Record Card (Yellow Card) for the 2008-2009 school year, but another copy of your children’s immunization records is needed.

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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? The Scottsdale Republic is running 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 Cherokee Elementary teacher Jenni Holland's nomination that ran in the Scottsdale Republic , please visit: www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/0212sr-teacher0213holland-ON.html

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Kindergarten Round-Ups

Schools throughout the District will be hosting tours and open houses in preparation for enrolling children in 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 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:

• Cocopah Middle at 6:30 p.m. on February 19 in the Cafeteria at Sequoya Elementary, 11808 N. 64th St., Scottsdale.
  • At 6:30 p.m. on February 21 in the Library at Cochise Elementary, 9451 N. 84th St., Scottsdale.
  • At 6:30 p.m. on February 27 in the at Cafeteria at Cherokee Elementary, 8801 N. 56th St., Paradise Valley.

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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 11 a.m.-12:30p.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 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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Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation — "Quest for Excellence" Golf Tournament

The Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation is a charitable organization which supports exceptional public education opportunities. On May 13^th, the Foundation is holding a golf tournament in its “Quest for Excellence” as it raises the money necessary to support key programs that improve academic achievement for all students within the Scottsdale Unified School District.

If you would like to be part of the "Quest for Excellence," you may request an invitation by e-mailing quest4excellence@cox.net or calling Mary Donaldson at 480-998-7206. For more information, please view the flyer.

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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.
   
• Scottsdale Parent Council meeting is at 9:30 a.m. on February 19 at the Education Center, 3811 N. 44th St., Phoenix.
   
• Special Education Parents Advisory Council of Scottsdale is hosting an Assistive Technology meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on February 20 in the Kachina Room at the Mohave District Annex, 8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale. For more information, please visit: www.sepacs.org.
   
• ASU Discount Basketball Tickets are available for the February 16 game against California. For more information, please view the flyer.
   
• Phoenix Coyotes February specials. For more information, please view the flyer.
   
• Sharing Healthy Experiences (s.h.e.) is a program designed to help young teens and parents survive and thrive in today’s environment. The s.h.e. Forum is from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on March 1 at Ingleside Middle School, 5402 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix. For more information, please view the flyer. If you have any questions, please contact Katey McPherson at 480-484-1114.
   
• AAA Arizona and the Maricopa Association of Governments are currently seeking candidates for the 2^nd Annual Crossing Guard of the Year Award. Applications are due no later than May 31. For more information and the nomination form, please view the flyer.
  

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Excellence in the Classroom Two days each week for seven weeks, 35 Laguna Elementary School students will be "buddies" with 40 Desert Mountain High School students and create Character Counts skits to play on Laguna's daily announcements. Also, buddies will create new signs to display the names the Laguna hallways — such as Respect Road, Trustworthy Trail.

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