In this issue...

April 4, 2008

Saguaro Student Awarded the Flinn Scholarship

John Ingraham, a senior at Saguaro High School, was awarded the Flinn Scholarship, which provides 20 of Arizona’s highest-achieving students an unparalleled package for undergraduate study. In partnership with Arizona’s three state universities, the program develops enriched educational experiences to expand scholars' life and career options, while creating the challenging educational environment that students experience at the nation’s most selective colleges. The scholarship helps students achieve their most ambitious educational goals by underwriting tuition and living expenses and providing an allowance for international study.

The Flinn Scholarship also provides the full cost of tuition and fees for four years at an Arizona public university; a three-week overseas seminar plus two additional summers or semesters of international study-related travel and professional development; personal mentoring by university faculty and Flinn Foundation professionals; Public policy seminars on timely topics and issues; opportunities to meet leaders in business, government, education and the arts and fellowship in a community of similarly high-achieving students.

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Facility Usage Community Forums

Scottsdale Unified School District is hosting Facility Usage Community Forums at each complex to inform the community about proposed options and offer the community an opportunity to provide input.

All meetings are scheduled at 6 p.m. The dates and locations for the upcoming meetings are:

View the Superintendent's Blue Ribbon Advisory Council Facility Utilization Presentation that was presented to the Governing Board on March 4^th.

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Help Scottsdale Unified Schools While Reducing Your State Tax Bill!

With tax season upon us, it’s a great time to think about ways you can reduce your 2008 Arizona State Income taxes. Although the deadline has passed for claiming a tax credit on your 2007 State taxes, it’s never too early to make a donation that can be claimed when you file your 2008 State taxes.

Did you know that Arizona law allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit of up to $200 for individual filers and up to $400 for married filers? You can claim the tax credit when filing your 2008 Arizona State Income Tax. The school must receive the funds by December 31, 2008. It’s a win, win situation for you and the school!

To contribute online, please visit: http://payments.susd.org/

If you have additional questions, please contact Scottsdale Unified School District at 480-484-6143, or the Arizona Department of Revenue at: www.azdor.gov/ResearchStats/Schooltaxcredit.htm.

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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.

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.

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April is National Library Month

Did you know that April is National Library Month? Encourage your children, family and friends to visit their local library where a adventures are waiting for them. Get a library card, browse a wide selection of books and movies or visit the Knowasis Teen Learning Center at the Civic Center Library. For more information about Scottsdale Libraries, please visit http://library.scottsdaleaz.gov/.

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Take Your Child to Work – After School is Out

Scottsdale Unified School District and other schools across the Valley encourage parents to take their children to the workplace for a learning experience – after school is out for the summer. Districts around the Valley are recommending June 19 as a preferred date for Take Your Child to Work Day.

The national date, April 24, comes at a particularly difficult time for students who are working hard to complete their school work for the year. Taking children to work after the school year ends allows them to learn from their visit to the workplace without missing a single precious day of school.

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SUSD Offers Summer Programs

As summer quickly approaches, many parents are beginning to research quality summer programs for their children. Scottsdale Unified School District is offering a variety of summer camps, enrichment programs and academic summer school classes to meet your child's interests and needs.

• Academic/Enrichment Camps
  • Elementary School Summer Camps
    • Cheyenne Camp Gold Academic Summer Camp
    • Desert Canyon Elementary Camp Cub
  • Middle School Summer Camp
    • Cocopah Summer Academic Camp
  • Scottsdale Spanish Academy Summer Camps (Spanish-based programming)
    • Aztec Elementary Camp
    • Pueblo Elementary Camp
    • Pueblo - Spanish Immersion Jump Start Program
• Fine Arts Camps
  • Band Camp
  • Dance Camp
  • Strings/Choral Camp
• High School Athletic Camps at Arcadia, Chaparral, Coronado, Desert Mountain and Saguaro high schools
• Academic Summer School at Coronado and Desert Mountain high schools
  • Session I- June 10^th- June 25^th
  • Session II- July 7^th- July 22^nd

All camp brochures are available on the Community Schools Web page at: www.susd.org/district/communityschools/index.cfm. For more information, please contact the Community Schools Department at 480-484-8614.

Register your child today!

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Scottsdale Republic Features 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 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 Mohave teacher Margaret Hall's nomination that ran in the Scottsdale Republic , please visit: http://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/2008/04/01/20080401sr-teacher0402hall-ON.html

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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.
   
• Upcoming Dates for Kindergarten Round-ups:
  • Hohokam, 8451 E. Oak St., Scottsdale, 6:30 p.m. on April 10 in the Media Center.
  • Cherokee, 8801 N. 56th St., Paradise Valley, 6:30-7:30 p.m. on April 30 in the Media Center.
  • Laguna, 10475 E. Lakeview Drive, Scottsdale, 9 a.m. on April 30 in Room 406.

For the full schedule, direct interested parents to: www.susd.org.

• The Scottsdale Honors Cotillion Governing Board will sponsor its 44^th Annual Informational Tea at at 3 p.m. on April 13 at the Camelback Inn, 5204 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. The Scottsdale Honors Cotillion program was created to recognize and reward outstanding young women who are seniors. Selection is based on academic achievement, 3.0 GPA or higher, participation and leadership in school activities and community service. For information, please call Mrs. Alice Meyer at 480-951-3143.

• Governing Board meeting is at 5:30 p.m. on April 15 at the Education Center, 3811 N. 44th St., Phoenix.
   
• Gifted Services is hosting Comprehensive Gifted Program Tours at the following schools:
  • Zuni Elementary, 9181 Redfield Road, Scottsdale, from 1-3 p.m. on April 16^th and May 14^th
  • Desert Canyon Middle, 10203 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale, from 2-4 p.m. on April 23^rd and May 21^st
  • Mohave Middle, 5520 N. 86th St., Scottsdale, from 11 a.m.-12:30p.m. on May 7^th

  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.

• The Teen Opportunity Expo is for students seeking employment, volunteer, career and college opportunities. The expos will be held at the following locations:
  • Desert Mountain High School, 12575 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, from 3-5:30 p.m. on April 17 in the Cafeteria
    
  • Coronado High School, 2501 N 74th St., Scottsdale, from 3-5:30 p.m. on April 30 in the Cafeteria

Local employers and exhibitors will attend the Expo, so dress to impress. On the spot interviews will be conducted and résumés are recommended. All Scottsdale students are welcome. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Sheila Williams, teen employment program coordinator, at 480-312-0105.

• Scottsdale Healthcare presents Internet Safety, Drugs & Risky Behavior Workshop from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on April 23. For more information, please view the flyer.
   
• The Arts in Education Council would like to recognize the efforts of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional support for the fine arts in a school or schools within the Scottsdale Unified School District. These awards will be presented at our Spring Appreciation Luncheon on May 15^th. You can submit the nomination by mailing it to Bonnie Sneed, 10830 E. Raintree Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255-1800, e-mail artsined@cox.net or fax 480-342-9157.
  
  Winners will receive recognition at the 2008 Arts in Education Council Spring Appreciation and Recognition Luncheon on May 15 at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center, 7700 E. McCormick Parkway. For more information, please view the flyer.
   
• Scottsdale Community College (SCC) Piper Scholars Program will offer scholarships to eight Scottsdale Unified School District Seniors (Class of 2008). Scholarship recipients will receive $1,500 for the Fall semester and $1,500 for the Spring semester for a maximum of four semesters if all eligibility requirements are maintained.

  This unique program is only available to students in the Scottsdale Unified School District. The application deadline is May 9, 2008. Information about the application process and complete details for this and other SCC Scholarships can be found by clicking on “Available Scholarships” at www.scottsdalecc.edu/financial or calling 480-423-6549.

• 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
Kiva Elementary School hosted a Festival of the Arts. This event showcased more than 2,000 pieces of student art work created through the Masterpiece Art Program and student artwork from regular curriculum studies. Kiva’s Artist in Residence's new wall mural was highlighted and featured the completion of Kiva’s acronym…Kindness, Integrity, Volunteering, Academics, supported by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. The 5^th grade students displayed their “simple machines” inspired by cartoonist Rube Goldberg.

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To view archived issues or subscribe to Community Connection, please visit our Web site at: www.susd.org/district/communications/emss.cfm

To submit an idea for coverage in Community Connection, please send an e-mail to Becky Kelbaugh.

Community Connection is generally distributed every Friday, and was sent to you by Scottsdale Unified School District - 3811 N. 44th St., Phoenix, AZ 85018. You are receiving this e-mail because you signed up via our Web site. You may update your account preferences or unsubscribe through our Web site, or contact us at SUSDCommunications@susd.org.