August 7, 2009
Superintendent Welcomes Students for the 2009-10 School Year
Dear New and Returning SUSD Families,
Welcome to the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD).
A total of 22 of our 31 schools are designated Excelling — Arizona's highest rating. We offer an educational environment that meets the needs of all learners. In our classrooms, students engage in a curriculum designed to help them reach their highest academic potential and personal growth. Our success rests squarely on the shoulders of our outstanding teachers, dedicated administrators and caring support staff. Read more...
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SUSD Launches Improved District Web Site
Today, we celebrate the start of the 2009-10 school year by launching a new Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Web site. The new site – still at the same address www.susd.org – has lots of new features to make it easier to find the information you need.
A few of the new features include:
- Clean, fresh look
- Easy navigation
- You can subscribe to RSS, Twitter or Nixle feeds to get updates and important news.
- You can create your own login as a parent to view information for all your children in one place.
- Interactive communication tool
- District calendar can be overlaid on multiple school calendars
Please take a few moments and visit our new site. If you have comments, questions or suggestions about the site, please contact Ariane Cleverly .
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Factual Override Information Available Online
On November 3rd, a K-3 Renewal Override will be on the ballot.
The K-3 Override is a continuation of an existing override approved initially by voters in 2005. The K-3 Override reduces Kindergarten class size to a District-wide target of 21 students to 1 teacher. These funds also allow us to reduce class sizes in grades 1-3 below current staffing ratios. Additional funds are used for instructional assistants in Kindergarten and first grade as needed. The override raises about $3.4 million per year.
To view a complete Fact Sheet about the K-3 Override, please visit www.susd.org.
Classroom Technology Implementation Update
The Classroom Technology Implementation has been completed at Supai Middle School and Tonalea, Yavapai, Hohokam, Navajo, Pima, Anasazi and Tavan elementary schools. Installation is in progress at Redfield Elementary School.
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“Laptops for Learning” at Navajo Elementary School
Navajo Elementary School continues to develop and advance its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) focus. Part of the process this summer is the purchase of laptop computers.
The laptops will be used to complement the technological updates provided by the Capital Override passed by voters in 2007. With the ever-increasing number of educational opportunities found on the internet, Navajo is poised to provide students with a true 21st century learning environment relevant to their future. Read more...
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SUSD Welcomes Three New Principals Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) is happy to welcome three new principals this school year. The new principals’ assignments include one elementary school and two middle schools. Read more...
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Teacher to Participate in “Citizen Science” Astronomy Program
One Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) teacher will be participating in an exciting new “citizen science” program just before the start of the upcoming 2009-10 school year.
“This is an amazing opportunity, and I am thrilled that I was chosen,” said teacher Pamela Whiffen. Ms. Whiffen is a Gifted Science Specialist and NASA Educator Ambassador at SUSD’s Mohave Middle School. Read more...
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Back to School Checklist
With only a few days of summer vacation left, parents are getting their children geared up for the 2009-10 school year by scheduling immunizations, eye exams and physicals and purchasing school supplies. With such busy schedules, it is easy to forget what day school actually starts – Monday, August 10th.
Click on the following links for more information about:
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SUSD Offers All Day Kindergarten
The Benefits of All Day Kindergarten and K-3 Override
- The K-3 Override was originally approved to provide all day Kindergarten for Scottsdale Unified School District.
- When the State provided funding for all day Kindergarten, we were able to support smaller class sizes in Kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3.
- The current State budget challenges may impact the funds provided by the State for all day Kindergarten. District leadership is continually monitoring the State budget process and will update this information as often as possible.
- If the State does not provide funding for all day Kindergarten, the K-3 Override will be used to continue our current all day Kindergarten program. We would not be able to continue to reduce class sizes in grades 1, 2 and 3.
Thank You
- The K-3 Override was passed by voters in 2005. A voter-approved K-3 Override runs for a period of seven years.
- The first five years of this override allow for a school district to budget an additional 5% of K-8 funding capacity.
- If the Override is not renewed after five years, it will be reduced by 1/3 of the approved funds in year six and an additional 1/3 reduction will occur in year seven.
- The K-3 Override allows $3.4 million per year of additional education funding so that the District has reduced Kindergarten class sizes targeted at 21 students to 1 teacher.
- These funds also allow reduced class sizes in grades 1-3, during the important early years of a student’s education. Funds also provide for instructional assistants in kindergarten and first grade.
The Benefits of the K-3 Override to Our Children Are:
- Better academic preparation.
- The opportunity for enrichment of the curriculum.
- More interaction between teachers and students.
- More focused participation during early childhood education which positively impacts later academic performance.
- A more productive learning environment and the opportunity to learn to work well with peers.
Thank you for your continued support of public education! Your support has made excelling education possible in the Scottsdale Unified School District. Thank you!
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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, simply fill out the online Teacher Nomination Form.
*Please note that a high resolution digital photo must be submitted to be considered for publication.
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Scottsdale Leadership Accepting Nominations for Annual Awards
Scottsdale Leadership, Inc., a nonprofit organization serving Scottsdale and the surrounding community, is accepting nominations for the 2009 Corporate Leadership, Frank W. Hodges Alumni Achievement, Drinkwater Community Leadership and Youth Leadership awards. All nominations are due by September 4, 2009.
The Youth Leadership award, presented by Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club and Foundation, recognizes a teenager who exhibits leadership skills within their school, community and extracurricular activities. Nominees must be a high school junior or senior.
Award recipients will be honored at Scottsdale Leadership's 10th Annual Spirit of Community Leadership Awards Luncheon, sponsored by APS, on December 4, 2009 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas, 6333 N. Scottsdale Road.
To download an award nomination form or for more information, visit www.scottsdaleleadership.org or call 480-627-6710. back to top
H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update
08-09 - Parent Letter Update
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