In this issue...

May 9, 2008

Facilities Utilization Update

At the May 6, 2008 Governing Board Meeting, the Board directed the Administration to place an item on the May 20, 2008 Agenda to further discuss the following ideas that emerged from the Community Forums held in the five District Complexes:

• Idea #340 which emerged from the Public Forums:   Make Aztec K-8.  Combine Zuni with DCES/DCMS. Close Zuni site.
• Idea #8 which emerged from the Public Forums: Convert some elementary schools to K-8. Make Aztec, Zuni, and DCES K-8. Dissolve DCMS. Move Cheyenne to DCMS site. Close Cheyenne site.
• BRAC Option #1 - Cheyenne to Aztec. Consolidate Aztec with Zuni at Zuni site.
  • Panda remains at Aztec, which is the “new” Cheyenne
  • Zuni Panda stays at Zuni site
  • Zuni and DCMS self-contained and twice-exceptional programs go to Cherokee & Cocopah
  • Aztec Success program to Desert Canyon
  • Aztec Academic Learning Center moves to Laguna

All the ideas received at the five Public Forums were analyzed and sorted into categories, then placed into a notebook presented to the Governing Board on May 6th. Ideas will be further reviewed and considered pending direction by the Governing Board. To view the ideas, presentations and documents, visit www.susd.org/district/facilities/utilization.cfm

A hard copy of the notebook is also available in the lobby of the Education Center . You may review the notebook there and request copies at 20¢ per page

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SUSD Graduation Information

The Class of 2008 at each SUSD High School will hold its Graduation on May 28 at the location and time listed below.

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Scottsdale All City Athletic Awards Spring Banquet

The Scottsdale All City Athletic Awards Spring Banquet will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 19th , at Chaparral Suites, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road .

This event is a way for Scottsdale citizens and businesses to recognize and honor the accomplishments — both academic and athletic — of athletes within SUSD's sports programs. More than 40 athletes will be honored and scholarships will be handed out by the Scottsdale Charros and Scottsdale Healthcare. The spring sports that will be honored include: track, baseball, softball, tennis.

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Healthy Fundraising

SUSD’s Wellness Policy was established with the goal to “create a total school environment that is conducive to healthy eating, physical activity and an over-all healthy environment.” To help meet this goal, the District encourages non-food items to be sold as part of school-sponsored fundraising activities and bans foods of minimal nutritional value from being sold during the school day.

If your group is considering a fundraiser, please remember these important benefits of healthy fundraising:

• Healthy Kids Learn Better: research clearly demonstrates that good nutrition is linked to better behavior and academic performance. To provide the best possible learning environment for children, schools must also provide an environment that supports healthy behaviors.
• Provides Consistent Messages: fundraising with healthy foods and non-food items demonstrates a school commitment to promoting healthy behaviors. It supports the classroom lessons students are learning about health, instead of contradicting them.
• Promotes a Healthy School Environment: students need to receive consistent, reliable health information and ample opportunities to use it. Finding healthy alternatives to fundraising is an important part of providing a healthy school environment.

Read more...

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Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families Accepting Applications

The Governor's Youth Commission (GYC), a diverse and representative body of Arizona high school students who advise Governor Napolitano on important youth issues, is now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 year. Applications and instructions are available online at www.gocyf.az.gov/CYD/BRD_AGYC.asp. All applications must be received no later than Friday, May 16 at 3 p.m.

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Southern Scottsdale and Greater Airpark Area Visioning Workshops

The City of Scottsdale is in the process of updating its General Plan. In preparation for this process, the City has identified six “Community Areas” within the City. A Community Area Plan will be prepared for each of the six areas, including Southern Scottsdale and the Greater Airpark Area, to ensure that the long term vision for Scottsdale is completed with the 2011 General Plan Update. For more information click here. To register, please visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/planning/areaplans or call the Scottsdale Advance Planning Division at 480-312-7990.

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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 runs 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 digital photo must be submitted to be considered for publication.

To view the story on Cherokee teacher John Avianantos that ran in the Scottsdale Republic, please visit: www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/2008/04/29/20080429sr-teacher0430avianantos-ON.html

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Upcoming Events

• Gifted Services is hosting Comprehensive Gifted Program Tours at the following schools:
  • Zuni Elementary, 9181 Redfield Road, Scottsdale, from 1-3 p.m. on May 14^th
  • Desert Canyon Middle, 10203 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale, from 2-4 p.m. on 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.

• If you plan on participating in middle or high schools sports, you must have a physical. Scottsdale Unified School District athletes can get a sports physical at the following location:
  • May 31 from 7 a.m.-noon at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Outpatient Therapy Services, 3134 N. Civic Center Plaza.
    

view the flyer

• Prep for the SAT this Summer. Kaplan classes start soon. Reserve your spot today by registering at 1-800-KAP-TEST or kaptest.com/sat. 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.
   
• Sequoya Elementary School is hosting an Information Night from 6-7 p.m. on May 20th in the Cafeteria, 11808 N. 64th St., Scottsdale. Learn about Sequoya's academic programs and numerous community-building events designed to make the school a place where families and staff work together to promote academic excellence and personal growth for each child. For more information, please view the flyer.
   
• 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
The following Saguaro students have been nominated for Center Stage Awards for their excellent work in high school theater during the 2007-2008 season.  The Awards Ceremony will take place on May 21, 2008 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.  The Center Stage Awards have been created specifically to recognize excellence in Scottsdale High School Theatre Departments.  This is the inaugural season for the awards.

Outstanding Production of a Play
The Philadelphia Story - Saguaro High School

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Kevin McKee as Mike Connor in The Philadelphia Story – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Megan Doyle as Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
April Dudley as Cinderella in Cinderella – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a musical
Max Nussbaum as The Herald in Cinderella – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play
Jesse Warner as Dinah Lord in The Philadelphia Story – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a musical
Becca Courtney as Portia in Cinderella – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Crew and Technical Execution in a Play
The Philadelphia Story – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Crew and Technical Execution in a Musical
Cinderella – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Properties in a Play
Stephanie Bohnsack and Erika Jacobs - The Philadelphia Story – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Properties in a Musical
Stephanie Bohnsack - Cinderella – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play
Erika Jacobs - The Philadelphia Story – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical
Erika Jacobs - Cinderella – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Performance by a Chorus
Cinderella – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Orchestra
Cinderella – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Play
The Philadelphia Story – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Musical
Cinderella – Saguaro High School

Outstanding Scenic Artist
Erika Jacobs – The Philadelphia Story – Saguaro High School

Additional students received recognition, but parents requested that their names not be released.

Visit www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org for ticket information.

The National Latin Exam was given in all 50 states and in 15 different countries. It is a test of a Latin student's knowledge, not only of the language, but also the Roman culture, history, geography, and social structure. To earn an award in this challenging exam, on must apply the knowledge obtained from hard work and study. We, the members of the Saguaro community, are proud to have many award winners. Congratulations go out to the following recipients:

LATIN I:
Erin R. Weber--- Cum Laude 
Nicholas J. Oehlberg--- Cum Laude 
Arix A. Medinaku--- Magna Cum Laude 
Lee "P.A.N.C.A.K.E." Martin--- Magna Cum Laude
Samantha Michelle Maskey--- Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Emily Murch--- Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Laura Stevenson--- Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal)
Jacob B. Stambaugh--- Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal)

LATIN II:
John S. Baumer--- Cum Laude 
Clare L. Hahne--- Magna Cum Laude
Jason R. Philippi--- Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Arjun Chopra--- Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Shane R. Adams--- Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Kate A. Hoefke--- Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Victoria A. Smith--- Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Benjamin Bisgard--- Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal)

LATIN III:
Laura "Rosy" Ferguson --- Cum Laude 
Antony L. Gannon--- Cum Laude 
Thalia Craig--- Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Jerome Charles Goodrich III--- Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal)

LATIN IV HONORS (Prose):
Elizabeth J. Crofton--- Magna Cum Laude
James W. Baumer--- Magna Cum Laude
Molly Joy Colgan--- Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Alison K. Harper--- Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal)
Talia L. Retter--- Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal)
Alex Chao--- Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal)
Simone Pellegrini--- Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal)

LATIN IV HONORS (Poetry):
Molly Joy Colgan--- Cum Laude 
Alex Chao--- Magna Cum Laude
Talia L. Retter--- Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Alison K. Harper--- Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal). Alison also was awarded a Oxford Classical Dictionary for earning a Gold Medal for four consecutive years by the National Classical League.

LATIN V/ VI:
Simone Pellegrini--- Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal)  

Additional students received recognition, but parents requested that their names not be released.

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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 Jo Davidson.

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.