August 28, 2009
Dr. Catalani's Office Hours at Schools
Superintendent Dr. Catalani will be visiting schools throughout the year.
- August 31 from 8-10 a.m. at Hopi Elementary School, 5110 E. Lafayette Blvd., Phoenix 85018
- September 3 from 8-10 a.m. at Anasazi Elementary School, 12121 N. 124th St., Scottsdale 85259
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.
Classroom Technology Installation Update
The Classroom Technology Implementation has been completed at Saguaro High School and Sierra Vista Academy, Supai and Mohave middle schools and Anasazi, Tonalea, Yavapai, Hohokam, Navajo, Pima, Tavan and Redfield elementary schools and Cheyenne Traditional School. Installation at Desert Mountain will be complete today, and work begins at Chaparral on Monday.
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33 SUSD Teachers Attend Technology Summer Camp
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Jason Lobdell and Richard Heineman
Photo credit: Tony Vincent |
Arcadia Principal Anne-Marie Woolsey
Photo credit: Tony Vincent |
Thirty-three Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) teachers attended week-long technology camps this summer during two sessions, one in Flagstaff and one in Tucson. The camp content was the same. Camp Plug & Play was hosted by the Arizona K-12 Center and provided teachers with hands-on training in emerging classroom technologies. Read more...
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Philippe Cousteau Speaks to Yavapai Students
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Philippe Cousteau |
Janey Kaufmann, Cousteau, Nancy Hudson
and Principal Wendy Cohen |
On Thursday, Philippe Cousteau, chief ocean correspondent for Animal Planet and the grandson of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau, spoke to fifth and sixth grade students at Yavapai Elementary School about recycling, conservation and steps that can be taken to preserve our oceans. The program concluded with a question and answer session with students and Mr. Cousteau.
Students are currently learning about Oceanography and all concepts of water as part of the sixth grade curriculum. In addition, Scottsdale Unified School District teachers are able to access and incorporate IDEAL/Discovery Education video streaming videos and video clips into their classroom presentations. This service is provided to all school districts in Arizona by Arizona State University.
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Mitchell Tours Redfield during ‘Congress at Your School’ Event
 On Tuesday, August 25th, U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell continued his “Congress on Your Corner” listening sessions with a visit to Redfield Elementary School where he met and spoke with students, teachers and parents from the school’s local community.
“As a former teacher, I always enjoy every opportunity when I can step back into the classroom,” Mitchell said. “Making sure that our children have a quality education is one of my top priorities, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to get feedback from students and teachers at Redfield. I also think it’s very important to encourage students to be aware of what’s going on in government and to take part in the process.”
This event at Redfield Elementary was part of Mitchell’s community listening series, marking this as his 31st ‘Congress on Your Corner’ event since taking office in 2007. Mitchell met with parents and students before school started and provided the morning announcements before meeting with three classes of students. Mitchell discussed democracy and government in action with the students.
Mitchell also toured the school with district officials, including new Scottsdale School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Catalani. Redfield is a newly created school merge between the Zuni and Aztec schools.
Prior to being elected to Congress, Mitchell taught American Government and Economics at Tempe High School for 28 years. He was also the mayor of Tempe.
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Service Learning Guest Speakers Needed
Do you believe in giving back? Is your organization in need of volunteers? Would your organization be interested in speaking to 7th and 8th grade students that are taking a community service class? Service Learning guest speakers are wanted for Cocopah Middle School’s Service Learning classes. If you are interested, please contact Ann Achtziger at 480-484-4400 x4311. This is a great way to promote awareness for an important cause and/or obtain volunteers. The speaking times would be: 8:55 a.m.-12 p.m. with an hour and a half break and then from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
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Scottsdale Mayor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Seeks Nominations
The Scottsdale Mayor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities is seeking applications for its annual awards presentation scheduled for Thursday, October 22. These awards recognize students and employees with disabilities and what they have done to overcome them to reach their educational and employment goals. It is also an opportunity to nominate a deserving special education teacher and/or instructional aide for exemplary work with disabled students.
Completed nomination forms should be sent to the following address no later than September 16:
Keti Voss
Scottsdale Mayor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
City of Scottsdale
7575 E. Main St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
If you have any questions about the nomination process, please contact Jacquelyn Bell at 480-312-2477. For more information, please view the application.
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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... Registration Form
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Constitution Commemoration Day
Celebrate the signing of our Constitution at the Constitution Commemoration Day Celebration at 5:30 p.m. on September 17 at the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, 3839 Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale.
Start now! Enter the poster and essay contest by Sept. 9th, so you can have a chance to win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place cash prizes at the event. Details on how you can enter are found at www.CCDScottsdale.com. If you don't submit an entry to the contests, please find time to join the community with families and friends at the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza for lots of free family fun and entertainment. For more information, please view the flyer. View the rules and regulations for the contest.
This annual celebration is sponsored by the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS®.
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SUSD Foundation Night with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Please join the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Foundation for a night out with the Arizona Diamondbacks to support SUSD on September 22 at 6:40 p.m. at Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix 85004. The SUSD Foundation is a non-profit group that raises money to support teachers, student programs, projects and scholarships that would otherwise be unfunded.
Tickets are available at three different price levels. Additionally, a portion of every ticket sold will go directly to the SUSD Foundation. To purchase tickets, please visit www.dbacks.com/groups.
Sign-in ID : susd and Password : ballgame
For more information, please view Flyer
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 his/her school, community and extracurricular activities. Nominees must be a high school juniors or seniors.
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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Diana Campbell, Navajo Elementary School's science coordinator, participated in Honeywell's Space Camp for Educators in Huntsville, Alabama this summer. Two hundred and seventy-two educators from around the globe were selected to collaborate in solving, designing and engineering specific tasks like building rockets, missions simulations, surviving a helicopter crash and sustainability on the moon. When asked about her experience, Mrs. Campbell replied, "It was the best experience I've ever had in my educational career!"
