School district seeks input on K-8 science materials

Parents, students, teachers and the community will have the opportunity to view K-8 science materials possibilities for the 2005-2006 school year beginning Sept. 1. The materials will be available for review at all K-8 elementary and middle schools and the Mohave District Annex Library.

Persons who want to view the science materials may make arrangements with principals at the schools. No appointment is necessary if viewing at the Mohave District Annex Library, which is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located at 8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale. Comment cards will be available.

“We encourage the community to give us their feedback regarding the selection of science materials for use in our K-8 schools,” said Janey Kaufmann, science and social studies curriculum coordinator. “This decision will affect future students of the Scottsdale Unified School District for years to come,” she said.

After input is gathered from the individual schools and community, an adoption committee is scheduled to take the materials adoption recommendations to the Governing Board in November. The Board will look at adopting supplemental materials at the same time. Funding for textbooks and materials comes from the Capital Textbook Fund.

Curriculum materials are replaced every seven years to stay current with the ever-changing field of science, said Ms. Kaufmann. In addition, the state implemented new science standards last May, and there will be a science section on the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) test in the future, she said.

For more information, contact Janey Kaufmann at 480-484-5052.

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