2009 K-3 Override Educational Funding Overrides and Bonds Facility Utilization Information & Updates SUSD School Consolidation FAQs   Upcoming Events   START SMART August 10, 2009   • All District Events Calendar   Contact Us If you have ideas about how SUSD can best utilize our school facilities, please send those suggestions to neighborhoodschools@susd.org. We look forward to hearing from you. Quick Links • K-3 Override • Open Enrollment • Smoke Free Arizona • Smoke Free Arizona Sign • Release of Student Information • M.S. Program Guide • H.S. Planning Guide • Lions Quest •  Frequently Asked Questions •  New to the District? •  Library Resources •  Parent and Community Web Links Summer Programs •  Community Schools •  High School •  Middle School Camp •  Elementary Camps •  Music Camps •  Sports Camps •  Kids Club Back to School •  Community Schools •  Open Enrollment •  Registration • Pre-K Registration Form •  School Calendar Supply Lists are available on individual school or teacher websites.

A Message from Superintendent Dr. Catalani — My First 50 Days

About 50 days ago, I proudly stepped into my new role as Superintendent of the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD). The community forums I attended during the candidate selection process had demonstrated that I would be working with a well-informed and involved community and an experienced and dedicated administration. I also knew that Arizona’s budget was in turmoil and presented severe economic challenges to SUSD.

As I entered the District, I found a community and staff ready to roll up their sleeves, have their voices heard at the legislature and help SUSD get through this incredibly difficult time with understanding, support and dignity. This spirit of cooperation and collaboration makes SUSD a great school community. Read more...

The Governing Board voted Tuesday night to approve the District’s 2009-10 Fiscal Year Budget as presented at the Board meeting on July 16.

Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) was recently awarded the Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems Program from the Department of Education (DOE) in the amount of $261,541. SUSD was one of 19 entities in the country to be awarded this grant. The grant will be used to coordinate school and community programs in a cohesive and comprehensive way to improve access to quality mental health services for SUSD students. Training from Drs. Adlelman and Taylor, UCLA, is provided through the grant.

Dr. Sylvia Cohen, lead psychologist, said “There is a national movement for the integration of schools and mental health systems. UCLA has a center for programs and policy analysis regarding mental health in schools and addressing barriers to learning. We applied for the grant because there is a need to develop comprehensive and detailed protocols for linking our students with mental health services in the community.”

The grant also provides funding for a half-time clinical services director to coordinate the writing of common protocols and referral procedures as well as to identify training needs for staff in meeting the mental health needs of SUSD students and families.

Parents and students may see a few changes to the 2009-10 Uniform Code of Conduct this school year. These changes include:

• One Uniform Code of Conduct instead of two separate publications for elementary and secondary students.
• The Student Release Form – if Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) does not receive this form within 14 days, SUSD will assume consent to the release of the categories of information contained in the form.
• The Uniform Code of Conduct has been realigned to match violations with the requirements of the new AZ Safe Initiative. These violations are more clearly defined and will allow school administrators accurate reporting measures.

To view the 2009-10 Uniform Code of Conduct, please visit http://www.susd.org/district/studentservices/UCOC%2009-10%20Final.pdf

For the 2009-10 school year, there have been a few changes in the Athletic Fee Waiver Policy. These changes include:

High School

• Athletes qualifying for free lunch will pay a $25 fee.
• Athletes qualifying for reduced lunch will pay a $50 fee.

Middle School

• Athletes qualifying for fee lunch will pay a $5 fee.
• Athletes qualifying for reduced lunch will pay a $10 fee.

Athletic Fee Waivers are available at your child's student store.

05-19-09 - Update from Maricopa County Department of Public Health

05-08-09 - CDC What's New on the H1N1 Flu Site

05-04-09 - Important Message from Maricopa County Department of Public Health

If you would like to drop off an open enrollment application, registration packet or have a general question to ask, please visit the high school or middle school in your designated complex. Staff members at these sites are ready to assist you with friendly smiles and/or helpful voices over the phone.

Summer Hours:

• High Schools – Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closed 12-1 p.m. for lunch.
• Sierra Vista Academy – Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Middle Schools – Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Appointments can be made if necessary.
• Elementary Schools – Please check your child’s school Web site for information.
• The Education Center – June 1-July 30- 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Beginning August 1-7- 6:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.

Please note that all school offices will be closed from July 6-16. During this time, enrollment applications and registration packets can be dropped off at the Education Center or the Community Schools office located at our Warehouse.

Registration for Kids Club or Community Schools’ summer programs will be accepted only from 6:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday at the Education Center, 3811 N. 44th St., Phoenix, or from 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday at the Warehouse, 9313 N. 95th Way, Scottsdale.

Feeder School Chart

The free meals are being offered through the USDA Summer Food Service Program.

Meals will be served Monday – Thursday at Supai Middle School, 6720 E. Continental, Scottsdale.

• Breakfast – 7:45 – 8:45 a.m.
• Lunch 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Meals will be served Monday-Friday at Sierra Vista Academy, 7501 E. Oak St., Scottsdale.

• Breakfast – 8 – 9 a.m.
• Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Please note that both locations will be closed on Friday, July 3rd.

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, 1, 2 and 3.

The current state budget challenge 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 would 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!

Archived Announcements

Education Center: 3811 N. 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ  85018

Phone: 480-484-6100

Fax: 480-484-6287