Hard hats, track hoes, dump trucks and construction crews are just some of the new sights at Arcadia and Coronado high schools this summer - which officially marks the start of Phase I construction at the schools. Read more...

The Governing Board approved the appointment of Maureen O’Leary as the executive director of communications and marketing at the May 10 Board meeting. Read more...

In order to increase rigor and academic meaningfulness, the following are highlights of our continuous improvement of middle schools: teaching of the state standards and measuring the mastery of each student with ATI Galileo; Essential Standards and new District Assessment Plan (DAP) through ATI Galileo; accountability reports to identify students who have already mastered the grade level standards; Professional Development for teachers; specific middle school program modifications; and important highlights for every middle school community. Read more...59k

Fifty-six sixth and seventh graders in Ellen Ridge’s Humanities/Language Arts and Social Studies classes at Cocopah Middle School made 55 quilts for wounded soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, which will be presented to a military representative at 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, April 26, in the cafeteria at Cocopah Middle School, 6615 E. Cholla St., Scottsdale. Read more...

Scottsdale schools, and other schools across the Valley, encourage parents to take their children to the workplace for a learning experience - after school is out for the summer. Districts around the Valley are recommending June 16 as a preferred date for Take Your Child To Work Day. The national date, April 28, comes at a particularly difficult time for students who are working hard to complete their school work for the year. Taking children to work after the school year ends allows them to get the best of both - exposure to the workplace without missing a single precious day of school.

For the second year in a row, Scottsdale Unified School District has more schools with the state’s highest rating than any other school district in Arizona, according to information released today by the Arizona Department of Education.

In all, 18 of Scottsdale’s 32 rated schools received the Excelling label from the state. In addition, every Scottsdale school received a rating of Excelling, Highly Performing or Performing. One school, Copper Ridge Middle School, is not rated because it is too new. It will receive its first rating next year. Ratings are based on student performance on state tests and graduation and dropout rates. Read more..

For the second year in a row, Scottsdale schools have scored far above the state average – as much as 60% above – on AIMS tests. In every subject – reading, writing and math – and at every grade level tested – third, fifth, eighth and 10th – our students exceeded the state average. More …

More than 150 Scottsdale students will be spending Saturday, Oct. 23, with Navajo and Yavapai elementary school students participating in the HORSENSE program and helping seniors plan a rummage sale. These are just a few of the volunteer activities that will be performed on “Make A Difference Day.” Read more...

Three seniors from Arcadia High School’s nationally recognized broadcast communications program will join the national media in covering the presidential debate in Tempe next week for the national C-SPAN network.

Seniors Alissa Irei, Seth Rollins and Phil DelReal will report on the debate for C-SPAN, the national television network that focuses on government activities. The students will produce a 10-minute segment for the network about the view first-time voters have on the presidential campaign. Read more...

Has your child recently developed a negative attitude and has become less motivated toward activities, including sports and hobbies? Does your child argue with you more than usual? Have you noticed a change in how your child dresses? Is your child regularly skipping class? Are your child’s grades dropping? These are just a few of the possible warning signs that your child may be using drugs.

Scottsdale Unified School District invites parents, teachers, administrators and community members to attend Is My Child Using Drugs? at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8, Arcadia High School’s auditorium, 4703 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Read more...

Does your child have difficulty paying attention in class, hyperactivity or impulsivity? Has your child been recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ADHD affects approximately 4 percent to 12 percent of school-aged children in the United States. In addition, about three times more boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD.

Scottsdale Unified School District invites parents, teachers, administrators and community members to attend Help, My Child Has ADHD at 6:30 Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Desert Mountain High School’s auditorium, 12575 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Read more...

Parents, students, teachers and the community will have the opportunity to view K-8 science materials possibilities for the 2005-2006 school year. The materials will be available for review at all K-8 elementary and middle schools and the Mohave District Annex Library. Read more...

Scottsdale schools upheld their record of strong academic success by significantly exceeding the state average score in reading, mathematics and language for every grade level tested on the 2004 Stanford 9 test. The test results were released today by the Arizona Department of Education. Read more...

Telephones at Cocopah Middle School have been out of service since Monday afternoon, Aug. 23. It may take up to several days for the system to be rebuilt and back to full service. We do not know exactly what caused this breakdown, but repairs are currently under way. Your patience in this matter is appreciated. Our APT volunteers are working in the front office to expedite parent pick up requests and relay messages. Thank you for understanding.

Scottsdale Unified School District will be hosting a series of highly sensitive topics throughout the year. The fist presentation, I wasn’t trying to kill myself – A Narrative of Adolescent Self-Harm is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at Coronado High School, 2501 N. 74th St., Scottsdale. Read more or view the 2004-2005 Parent/Teacher Academy calendar.

Do you know the answer to the following situation? Jimmy thinks that a trip to Starbucks will cheer him up. At lunch he asks Maria if she would like to go with him. Why does Maria buy him a slice of pizza at school instead?

Test your Code of Conduct knowledge by taking the Code of Conduct quiz, view the 2004-2005 Elementary Code of Conduct or view the 2004-2005 Secondary Code of Conduct.

Do you want to be involved in a task force that will examine the possibility of opening a university-style high school in the developing area of the district in time for next school year? Read more …

Are you interested in helping Scottsdale schools develop a three-year marketing plan to attract students and strengthen the district? Read more …

Scottsdale schools opened its doors on Aug. 10 to approximately 27,000 students. As we go through the school year, don’t forget to checkout our Web site for useful information, including your child’s schools home page, open enrollment, menus and much more.

If you have any additional questions, please call the District office at 480-484-6100.

Due to computer difficulties, staff at Cocopah Middle School will be working long hours this weekend to ensure all student schedules are ready for the start of school on Tuesday, Aug. 10. Your patience while the staff works to get ready for the start of school is greatly appreciated.

Student first period classes will be posted alphabetically by grade in the following locations:

School begins Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 8:55 a.m.

Celebrate the signing of our Constitution at the Constitution Commemoration Committee’s Citizenship Day Celebration at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, at the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, 3839 Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale.

Events at the celebration include a pageant of flags by the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard, a patriotic concert by the 36th Army Band, a poster contest for all K-12 students, a Constitution quiz for all K-12 students, a concluding flag salute by Cub Scout Pack 100, an opportunity to “sign” the constitution, keynote address by Secretary of State Jan Brewer and a special visit by George Washington. In addition, prizes will be awarded to all poster contest winners by Superintendent Dr. John Baracy. The posters will be displayed at the event and in selected library lobbies. Constitution quiz winners will be entered in a drawing for a three-day trip to Washington, D.C.
  
Rules, entry forms and the quiz can be downloaded from www.cccscottsdale.homestead.com/home.html. The annual celebration is sponsored by the Scottsdale Constitution Commemoration Committee.

With summer vacation just days away from ending, parents and students are gearing up for the 2004-2005 school year by getting immunizations, eye exams, physicals and school supplies. With all that hustling and bustling going on it is easy to forget what day school actually starts – Tuesday, Aug. 10.
 

Click on the following links for more information about:
2004-2005 Calendar Schools home page Boundary maps Open Enrollment Registration		Immunizations Start and release times Kindergarten Academy Kids Club Community Schools Menus

If you have any additional questions, please call the District office at 480-484-6100.

Teacher Contracts Available at District Office: July 19 - July 30

On Tuesday evening, July 13, 2004, the SUSD Board approved the Teacher Employment Agreement. Returning teacher contracts will be reissued with the new adjusted salary amount and will include horizontal movement for eligible returning teachers. In an effort to meet the first payroll with correct amounts the administration is requesting that teachers pick up and sign contracts at the Ed Center according to the following schedule.

Sierra Vista Academy has a friend in the Scottsdale Conference Resort. The resort, which hosted this year’s first-ever graduation for the school, has taken another big step in supporting SUSD’s alternative school.

The resort and its employees have raised $5,780 to benefit the school. The money came from a variety of events, including change drives, a car wash, a golf tournament, a silent auction and raffles. The money will be used to develop a mentor program for students at the school.

The resort has been a friend to SVA since the academy moved into its new campus just south of Coronado High School earlier this year. On moving day, the resort hosted an all-day event for students and chaperones. During the holidays, the resort supplied movie tickets and other prizes to the school. And after graduation, the first for Sierra Vista, the resort hosted an elaborate celebration for the graduates, their families, friends and Sierra Vista staff.

“We are extremely fortunate to have such an extremely generous friend in Scottsdale Conference Resort,” said Principal Nancy Hudson.

Fulfilling a district promise to ensure each child in Scottsdale advances academically each school year, all 33 schools have met their School Improvement Plan goals for the 2003-2004 school year. Homebound teachers and teachers on assignment also completed all SIP goals.

The accomplishment means all district teachers will qualify for a full Pay for Performance payment under Proposition 301. The amount of that payment has not yet been determined.

“We wish to recognize the diligence and professional implementation of continuous school improvement in all of our schools and programs,” said Katy Cavanagh, district Academic Officer and chair of the SIP Review and Approval Committee. 

“Congratulations to our teachers on this grand accomplishment.  We also wish to extend our congratulations to administrators and classified personnel who do not receive pay for performance from the state program but continue to work diligently to accomplish each of the School Improvement Plan goals.”

The accomplishment is one more recognition of Scottsdale excellent schools. The district has 19 schools with the state’s top rating – Excelling – and every Scottsdale school is rated by the state Department of Education as Performing or Better.

Scottsdale teachers have voted to approve the Teacher Employment Agreement proposed by the Scottsdale Unified School District. Once presented to the Governing Board and approved, the agreement would conclude negotiations with all district employees for the 2004-2005 school year. The Board approved employment agreements for Classified and Administrative employees on June 16.

The TEA would include an increase of about 4 percent in total compensation and benefits package for teachers, the same approximate increase as included in already-approved contracts for classified and administrative employees.

In a vote organized by the Scottsdale Education Association, which represents teachers, about 71 percent of teachers voting on the proposal recommended approval. The Teacher Employment Agreement is scheduled to be submitted to the Governing Board for approval on July 13.

“We are glad that we are able give teachers, as well as all district employees a raise,” said Kim Cumby, executive director of Human Resources for the district. “The raise does not seem adequate for the hard work that our employees do to educate Scottsdale’s children and the contribution of an outstanding support staff, but given our declining enrollment and the lack of any increase in state funding, we’re happy that we can do what we haven't been able to do in three years - increase salaries.”

The district also will pay for increased health care costs for all employees, increased salaries beyond the regular schedule for Speech Language Pathologists and Psychologists and step movement for administrative employees.

The district has approximately 3,000 employees and more than 26,000 students in 33 schools. The new school year begins on Aug.10.

Governing Board President Sandra Zapien-Ferrero and nine other prominent Latinos will be honored in September for their contributions to Arizona.

Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero will receive an Exemplary Leadership Award from Valle del Sol at a Profiles of Success luncheon on Sept. 10 at Phoenix Civic Plaza. The event was created 14 years ago to highlight positive contributions Latinos make in Arizona. Last year some 1,600 people attended the luncheon.

Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero is the longest serving member of the Governing Board, having been first elected in 1997. A Phoenix native, she attended Creighton Elementary School and St. Mary’s High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Arizona State University, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

For more than 21 years, Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero has been employed by Isaac School District, where she currently is the Human Resources Director. She also has teaching experience in grades K-8, and has been the administrator for Escuela Azteca Alternative Middle School program that serves students in grades 5-9.

At the June 22 Governing Board meeting, Board voted to bring the 2004-2005 budget back for adoption at the Tuesday, July 13 meeting. Read more in June 22 issue of Board Briefs.

The Governing Board voted 4-1 on Tuesday night to adopt the resolution for notice of election [PDF 134k] to be placed on the Nov. 2, 2004, ballot for the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $217 million. If the bond is passed in November, SUSD will modernize Arcadia, Coronado, Chaparral and Saguaro high schools; make facility improvements to Desert Mountain High School; begin Phase II construction at Sierra Vista Academy; and purchase new school buses and land. Read more in the June 8 issue of Board Briefs, or the 2004 School Improvement Bond Summary [PDF 1476k].

The Board directed incoming Superintendent Dr. John Baracy to develop options to resolve the issues related to excess elementary and middle school capacities in the northern tier of the district, as well as issues related to busing of high school students living the NE30 attendance area. The Board directed the administration to present the Board with options at its first Board meeting in October, 2004. Read more in the June 8 issue of Board Briefs.

The Facility Master Plan Phase II is available to view in a PDF [5490k] and PowerPoint [20130k] formats.

Are looking for a preschool program where children experience literature, hands-on learning activities and self-awareness while enhancing social skills? Look no further, SUSD’s Title V Preschool Academy is now enrolling preschoolers at Hohokam, Tavan, Tonalea and Yavapai elementary schools. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 16. For more information, please view the Title V Preschool Brochure, Registration Packet or call Renee Mesnik, coordinator, at 480-484-6821. Student enrollment is based upon meeting all eligibility criteria. Please refer to the Title V Preschool Brochure for the eligibility criteria.

Scottsdale School District is pleased to announce the offering of a Comprehensive (Self Contained) Gifted Program in the fall of 2004. This program, which will offer a complete gifted curriculum, will be designed for students in grades 4 and 5 who have extraordinary academic needs, abilities and intellectual potential found in the top three percent of the population.

Parents who want their children to get the benefit of all-day kindergarten now have twice as many options available to them. SUSD has expanded the SUSD Kindergarten Academy to include 11 elementary schools.

The SUSD Kindergarten Academy is now available at Anasazi, Hopi, Laguna, Pueblo and Zuni, and is still available at Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center (ANLC), Aztec, Cheyenne Traditional, Copper Ridge Elementary, Desert Canyon Elementary and Kiva. These schools are now enrolling students for the 2004-2005 school year.
Read more...

This fall, parents will have more options available to them regarding after-school child care for their children. SUSD has expanded its Kids Club program to include five elementary school sites.

The SUSD Kids Club is available at Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center (ANLC), Kiva, Pima and Pueblo. And this fall the program will be available at Hopi. These schools are now enrolling students for the 2004-2005 school year.
Read more...