August 14, 2009
 Welcome Back!
School bells rang Monday morning welcoming new and returning students, principals, assistant principals, teachers and support staff back to school.
Everyone is looking forward to another successful school year!
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Dr. Catalani's Office Hours at Schools
Superintendent Dr. Catalani will be visiting schools throughout the year.
- August 24 from 8-10 a. .m. at Cheyenne Traditional School, 13636 N. 100th St., Scottsdale 85260
- August 26 from 8-10 a.m. at Redfield Elementary School, 9181 Redfield Road, Scottsdale 85260
View the complete schedule
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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.
Student Release Interactive Form Available Online
The 2009-10 Student Release Form is now available on www.susd.org. This new interactive form will give parents and guardians the opportunity to opt out of any of the items listed below at any time:
- Student Directory Release
- Student Photo/Video Release
- Permission to Release Student Directory Information
- Information to Military Recruiters – High School only
- Graduation/other information
Please note: If Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) does not receive this form online or printed within 14 calendar days from the receipt of the form, SUSD will assume consent to the release of the categories of information contained in this form.
You can find this interactive form on the District Web site – www.susd.org – Parents – Code of Conduct.
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Classroom Technology Implementation Update
The Classroom Technology Implementation has been completed at Supai Middle School and Anasazi, Tonalea, Yavapai, Hohokam, Navajo, Pima, Tavan, Cheyenne and Redfield elementary schools. Installation is in progress at ANLC.
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SUSD and Scottsdale Police Department Work Together to Ensure Traffic Safety for the Start of School
Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) and the Scottsdale Police Department (SPD) are working together again this school year to ensure the safety of our schools and community.
At the start of each school year, SPD’s Traffic Enforcement Section deploys all available resources to enforce traffic laws around the schools. The Traffic Enforcement Units will concentrate on vehicles speeding and passing in school zones as well as parking violations in and around schools. This is done to protect incoming students and their families. Read more...
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New Coach Named at Arcadia High School
Arcadia High School is happy to announce the appointment of Luke Neibling as the Head Coach of Varsity Boys Basketball. Luke will also be a full-time NovaNet teacher at Arcadia. Read more...
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Microsoft Select Products Available for Purchase
Microsoft has allowed parents of SUSD students to purchase software at the SUSD license price. Available software titles can be viewed and purchased at http://susd.onthehub.com . These are complete versions of the software in a box, exactly as you would get them off a retail store shelf. There is a small value added cost for the CD or DVD media and the service supplied by e-Academy to host the program.
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Miracle League Baseball Project - Input Needed
The Miracle League of Arizona is working together with the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) and the City of Scottsdale on conceptual plans for the Miracle League Field Project. The proposed project, a baseball field to accommodate kids with various disabilities, is planned to be housed at the District's Child Development Center, the former Cheyenne Elementary School, 11130 E. Cholla St.
The meeting is at 5 p.m. on August 27 at the Child Development Center.
Miracle League is a volunteer-based organization led by Dan Haren Sr., father of Diamondback's pitcher Dan Haren. Its mission is to provide opportunities for children with special needs to play Miracle League Baseball and to promote community support and sponsorship of Miracle League of Arizona and the construction of facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families.
SUSD estimates there are nearly 3,000 special needs children in the District and an additional 3,100 special needs children not part of any on-site school program.
For additional information or questions, contact Dan Haren, Miracle League of Arizona, at 480-306-6081.
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Volunteer Tutors Needed – You have so much to offer! Share it with a child!
The Scottsdale Oasis Volunteer Tutor Program is looking for volunteers interested in giving one hour a week to help an elementary student improve his/her reading. By becoming a volunteer tutor, you work directly with a student in a one-on-one setting. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and a willingness to help a child. All training and supplies are provided.
There are several different tutoring opportunities throughout the Scottsdale Unified School District. Tutors pick the program that best fits their schedule and interests. Tutors can volunteer with an after school program at Pueblo Elementary or can volunteer during the school day at various District schools.
An Oasis Volunteer Orientation Meeting is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on September, 9 at the Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St., Scottsdale 85258. Please plan on attending this meeting to learn more about this volunteer opportunity. For more information and to reserve your space, please contact: Linda Rivoir at 480-368-7019.
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Sharing Healthy Experience (s.h.e.) Forum
Teens and Parents Participate in Interactive Workshop That Teaches Them to Thrive in Today’s World
Scottsdale Unified School District and Scottsdale Prevention Institute will host the 3rd Annual Sharing Healthy Experiences Forum (s.h.e.) from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, September 12th at Mountainside Middle School, 11256 N. 128th St., Scottsdale.
Hundreds of girls, parents and educators will rock out to live music, enjoy a delicious lunch and participate in interactive experiences all relating to the teen and “tween” girl years. The event is open to all girls in grades 5-8, with or without a parent in attendance. All materials and presentations will be available in English and Spanish. Read more...
back to top 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
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