With spring training baseball in full swing, March is a very busy time of year for our community, as well as for our campuses. A number of recognitions this month also provide the opportunity for us to reflect.   

March is Women’s History Month, celebrating the contributions of women who have fought tirelessly for equal opportunity. They are leaders in the community and the world, and champion others at home and in the workplace. This month, we honor the legacy of those trailblazers and celebrate the continued commitment to advancing opportunities for all.

Later this month, we look forward to the Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong on March 24-25, a community celebration of SUSD visual and performing arts students. This inaugural event is happening in partnership with Arizona State University, Scottsdale Arts, the City of Scottsdale, and the SkySong development team. We hope to see you there!

This month, we also recognize our school social workers. Did you know that each SUSD school has a social worker assigned to support the individual needs of the students, families and employees of that school? They are instrumental in building meaningful relationships and helping students achieve greater academic success. You can learn more on The SUSD Source Support Services blog.

Make sure to check out all of the ways the SUSD Nutrition team works together to “Fuel the Future” of our students with unique and fun menu items featured all month long, including National School Breakfast Week, March 6-10.

A healthy breakfast and a good night’s sleep will certainly help students, as they get ready for state assessment testing later this month. Our students and staff have worked together all year preparing for this, and we know they are going to be successful.

The third quarter is not even over yet, but already we are planning for summer. Information about high school summer school and summer camps can be found in the Community Education blog.

Recently, we lost Dr. John Kriekard, a community leader and strong supporter of all things SUSD. John wore many hats and served in multiple capacities over the years, but at the core of all he did was his belief that education is the answer to achieving an even better tomorrow. We recently had the chance to reflect on John’s service to our schools, and invite you to read more about his impact here.

Please keep an eye out for the Hanover Climate Survey. We plan to send it out after Spring Break and hope you will take the time to respond.  The feedback you share helps inform our support of all students.

We hope everyone enjoys Spring Break and comes back ready for the fourth quarter and a strong finish to the school year.

 

Sincerely,

Scott

For more on the superintendent's office, visit www.susd.org/superintendent.

 

Read more at The SUSD Source

Every day, Scottsdale Unified School District students are engaged in inspiring and impactful learning. The International Baccalaureate Programme (IB) in the Desert Mountain Learning Community takes it one step beyond, transforming teaching and learning. Anasazi Elementary School became a Candidate School for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in June 2019. This week, we were informed that Anasazi has earned official authorization as an IB PYP World School. Now the district has the complete IB continuum available to students K-12^th grade, with Anasazi students continuing to Mountainside Middle School and then to Desert Mountain High School. Congratulations to Anasazi Principal Jennifer Waldron and her staff, who have been working so hard to bring this opportunity to our community. You can learn more about the district’s IB offerings here.

SUSD is fortunate to have so many parents who are active participants in their students’ education, volunteering in the classroom, supporting learning at home and voting to approve additional funding to support teaching and learning. Parent Day at the Arizona State Capitol is February 15 and is your chance to connect with lawmakers and advocate for your student(s) and K-12 public education. You can learn more about the event here.

The clock is ticking for lawmakers to make a move and override the Aggregate Expenditure Limit (AEL), an outdated constitutional provision from 1980 that caps how much a school district can spend each fiscal year. Without a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to override the AEL, school districts statewide will have to reduce their budgets by 17.51%, beginning April 1, 2023. For Scottsdale Unified, that equates to $30,196,497, or 45 school days in staffing costs. Imagine the economic impact on the state if the AEL is not addressed. February 28 is the deadline and more information can be found here.

The countdown to Super Bowl LVII is on. While snowbirds and football fans flock to the Valley of the Sun, our schools are also benefiting from the attention. Last month, four of our elementary schools joined some 70 others and participated in the NFL’s Super Kids-Super Sharing event, donating and receiving gently used books, sports equipment, school supplies and games. You can read more about this partnership event and others in the Partnership section of The Source.

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and SUSD prides itself on preparing students for college and a future in the workforce. It all starts in elementary school, when students first become aware of different careers and opportunities that lie ahead. Next year, all SUSD middle school students will have the opportunity to explore the 16 major career clusters the district offers and get hands-on, project-based learning experiences in trending industries, in a course titled "Design My Future." Our high school CTE programs focus on technical and professional skills that prepare students for college and careers. Students have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications and dual enrollment credits. You can learn more about SUSD’s CTE offerings here.

Of course, none of this is possible without teachers who have the proper training, certifications and support. SUSD is a leader in Arizona, with more than 70 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) working in our district. Congratulations to our two new and six renewed NBC teachers! You can read more about their accomplishment this month here.

February is also Black History Month. Black history is American history, and those experiences are woven into teaching and learning, year-round.  Scottsdale enjoys a diverse community, and it is imperative that educators are empowered to engage students to think critically, reflect and celebrate Black history as it informs the present and future. Check out the Library of Congress Black History Month website here to learn more about the many contributions of African Americans to the United States.

Spring is around the corner, which also means it is time for families with young children to start the enrollment process for preschool and kindergarten.  For more information on upcoming Kindergarten Roundup events, please visit https://www.susd.org/kinder, or schedule a tour of any one of our 29 schools anytime by visiting https://www.susd.org/tour.

We hope to see you Saturday, February 4 at the 69^th annual Parada del Sol. Please join us in cheering on our middle school and high school marching bands, along with parade entries from Yavapai, Desert Canyon, Navajo, Pima, Kiva, Hohokam, Pueblo and Laguna Elementary schools, Tonalea Middle School, SUSD leadership, and the Cheer lines from Mohave and Saguaro! A link to the parade route through Old Town can be found here.

Remember, Monday, February 20, is Presidents Day ‒ all SUSD schools and offices will be closed.

 

Sincerely,

Scott

For more on the superintendent's office, visit www.susd.org/superintendent.

 

Read more at The SUSD Source

Happy New Year, and welcome back to school!

 

It’s hard to believe the academic year is half over, and I suspect we will all be surprised by how quickly this spring semester flies by, too, making it all that much more important that students be present for all of it. Every day counts!

 

Attendance is critical to the academic success of students. It doesn’t take much to fall behind. Regardless of whether an absence is excused or unexcused, any instructional time missed can jeopardize a student’s understanding and ultimate mastery of skills or key concepts. Missing school is missing out. We look forward to seeing everyone in school, in class, and on time.

 

This month is Governing Board Appreciation Month, and we are happy to welcome our Governing Board’s two new members, Amy Carney and Carine Werner. This week, at the Board’s first meeting of 2023, members elected Julie Cieniawski to again serve as Board President; Carine Werner was elected Vice President. Governing Board members, no matter where they serve, devote extraordinary amounts of time to the positions to which they were elected. We appreciate our members’ commitment to our community of schools and for always putting our students’ needs first.

 

2023 Board member Learning Community assignments were also announced at this week’s meeting, and are as follows:

• Arcadia Learning Community – Amy Carney
• Chaparral Learning Community and Scottsdale Online – Dr. Libby Hart-Wells
• Coronado Learning Community – Carine Werner
• Desert Mountain Learning Community – Julie Cieniawski
• Saguaro Learning Community – Zach Lindsay

 

We’re proud to report that Scottsdale schools have earned another $600,000 in Arizona Department of Education-granted Results-Based Funding (RBF) for the current school year. These are additional dollars the state allocates to those schools making the greatest impact on student achievement. We thank SUSD’s educators and their site leaders for their joint commitment to support all students as they pursue academic success. You can learn more about RBF dollars and calculations here.

 

On the matter of state funding, and as we have previously shared, the Aggregate Expenditure Limit, or AEL, continues to loom large over public school districts all across Arizona. Adopted in 1980, the AEL relies on an outdated funding formula that caps how much school districts can spend each fiscal year. While the state Legislature last year voted to increase public school funding for the current budget year, school districts will be unable to spend a portion of those already-allocated dollars unless lawmakers vote to override the AEL, and they must do it soon. If the Legislature does not address this issue by February 28^th, Arizona’s K-12 public schools will be required to cut a collective $1.38 billion from their current school year budgets. For SUSD, that equates to $30,196,497, basically what it takes to operate our schools and the district for 45 days. Please consider sharing your thoughts on this topic with your newly elected state lawmakers.

 

Earlier this week, a truly scary scene unfolded during the Monday Night Football game when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field following a tackle. Thankfully, his condition at a Cincinnati hospital is reportedly improving, and much of that can be attributed to the quick medical attention he received from first responders staffing the game. It is worth noting that each of SUSD’s high schools has a certified athletic trainer on staff who is ready to respond to student athletes in need. Each of our 29 school campuses also has at least one AED device, along with staff trained in CPR. The health and wellness of our students is at the forefront of all that we do, and we continue to offer CPR training opportunities to any additional staff members who are interested in becoming CPR-certified.

 

We are coming up on a very busy time of year for the Valley, with the annual Barrett-Jackson auto auction, the Phoenix Open and, this year, Super Bowl LVII. The fun and games draw large crowds and deliver great economic benefits; however, they also present some risk. The safety and security of our students is always top-of-mind, and leading up to this exciting time, local law enforcement has been preparing for an increase in human trafficking. We share this to make you aware of this risk and take proper precautions at this time when the community hosts many out-of-town visitors for multiple weeks.

 

This month, SUSD will once again celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his extraordinary legacy. On Thursday, January 12^th, Saguaro High School will host the 23rd annual MLK Youth Voices event, held in conjunction with other local celebrations sponsored by the City of Scottsdale’s Community Celebrating Diversity Board. It is an event I look forward to each and every year. The student performances and speeches are always reflective, insightful and inspiring, and serve as a reminder of just how important dignity and a strong sense of belonging is, for all. Please note that there is no school on Monday, January 16^th in observance of the state and federal MLK Jr. holidays.

Have a great January,

Scott

For more on the Superintendent's office, visit www.susd.org/superintendent.

Read more at The SUSD Source

Hello, Scottsdale Families,  

It is hard to believe the close of 2022 is upon us. As we wrap up this semester, I am filled with great admiration for our families and staff who are committed to creating countless opportunities for our students to succeed.

The hard work, time, and attention spent on teaching and learning has paid off. SUSD students are outperforming their peers across the board in this post-pandemic recovery, in academics, arts and athletics.

This semester, Cherokee Elementary School was named an Exemplary, High-Performing United States Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School, 14 students were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, Arcadia High School’s marching band won the Arizona Marching Band Association state championship again, and for the first time in Arizona history, a Division I school, Chaparral High School, won both the boys and girls state swim and dive titles in the same year. This was the ninth consecutive win for our Lady Firebirds.  What’s more, the Desert Mountain High School girls swim and dive team won its second consecutive Division II title, with junior Gabrielle Primiano taking home the division’s Swimmer of the Year award and Coach Crystal Strimple being named Coach of the Year. Desert Mountain’s boys swim team finished with second place honors, with senior Mathew Iverson receiving Swimmer of the Year honors.

These are just a few of the many recent successes in Scottsdale Unified School District, and we should all be very proud.

This weekend, the Desert Mountain Wolves take on the Higley Knights in the 5A AIA state semifinals at home, while the Saguaro Sabercats will face off against Peoria’s Liberty High School in the Arizona Open Division semifinal. Best of luck to all of our student athletes.

Thank you to Scottsdale voters, who on November 8 approved the District Additional Assistance (Capital) override. We are truly grateful for our community that values the importance of education and plays a critical role in our success. Did you know SUSD has nearly 1,800 parents and partners approved to volunteer in our schools this semester?

Speaking of volunteers, it is time to bid farewell to two of our Governing Board members. Thank you, Patty Beckman and Jann-Michael Greenburg, for the time you committed and the sacrifices you made in service to your community during the past four years. Each have penned their own goodbyes, which you can read here (Patty Beckman, Jann-Michael Greenburg).

As we look ahead to 2023, we are excited about the opportunities on the horizon.  We will welcome two new Governing Board members, Amy Carney and Carine Werner, and look to capitalize on the enthusiasm and momentum surrounding our Strategic Plan, Inspire.  Providing World-Class, Future-Focused Learning for all is what drives each and every one of us every day.

This year, the state approved a much greater investment in public education. For the Record however, the Arizona Legislature has not yet addressed the Aggregate Expenditure Limit.  This means we will have to reduce our budget by more than $30 million if legislative action is not take action by February 28, 2023.   We recognize that from time to time, misinformation circulates in the community and on social media.  As such, we will periodically be setting the record straight on trending topics, starting with the misconception among some that Arizona public schools have plenty of money and are not in need of funds already appropriated by the state for the current school year. You can read more here.

In closing, we hope that this holiday season finds you enjoying some much-deserved time off with family and friends and that you rejoice in life’s many blessings.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

 

Sincerely,
Scott

For more on the Superintendent's office, visit www.susd.org/superintendent.

Read more at The SUSD Source

Dear SUSD Family,

While the results of the November 8 general election are not quite finalized, they are not likely to change significantly.  I want to take this opportunity to thank you for ensuring that Scottsdale Unified School District’s more than 21,000 students will continue learning in world-class environments.

We are grateful that you appreciate the value to the Scottsdale community of having a top-rated school district that educates its children with the resources and technology they need to be successful, in facilities that are conducive to future-focused learning.  By approving the District Additional Assistance levy through June 2030, you have chosen to continue contributing to Scottsdale’s economic development and its reputation as a great place in which to live, learn, work and do business.

I also want to congratulate Amy Carney and Carine Werner, who will join our Governing Board in January.  We look forward to welcoming them and their voices as we advance the implementation of our Strategic Plan and the SUSD legacy of success.

Sincerely,

Scott A. Menzel, PhD

Superintendent

For more on the superintendent's office, visit www.susd.org/superintendent.

Hello, Scottsdale Families,

This week marks the return of the Arizona State Board of Education A-F School Letter Grades for all public schools statewide. The grades have been on hiatus since 2019 and the onset of the pandemic.

We are proud to report that 27 of our 30 schools earned an A or a B rating.

Like all schools in Arizona and across the country, our schools continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, but overall, our students and schools are performing better than their peers.

Fourteen of our schools maintained their A rating, while three improved. Arcadia High School and Echo Canyon K-8 improved their letter grades from B’s to A’s this year. Yavapai Elementary School jumped from a D to an A. We are also the only district with two high schools in the top 10 in the state! Congratulations to all who put in the time and effort to support our students and ensure that each of them has the opportunity to excel. All school letter grades are listed on the Academics page.  

November 1^st kicks off the acceptance of open enrollment applications for the 2023-24 school year. We know families have many choices to consider when it comes to their child’s education, and SUSD remains committed to offering the very best choice. From online to traditional, dual language immersion, IB, STEM and gifted, there is something for everyone in Scottsdale, along with award- winning fine arts and athletics.

The time is now to check out SUSD’s kindergarten programs. All of our elementary and K-8 schools will host kindergarten information events this month, and you are invited to come see for yourself how the road to success starts in SUSD. The entire list of events can be found here.

Thank you for continuing to support the safety and security of our students. You will recall that earlier this school year, we rolled out the clear bag policy for our indoor and outdoor high school sporting events. This policy will be extended to all middle school athletics after winter break. You can learn more about what to expect under  School Safety in The SUSD Source.

Did you know that SUSD is home to nearly 500 Native American students? November is National Native American Heritage Month, and to celebrate, we will host our inaugural Native American Cultural Night to honor Indigenous culture and identity.  The celebration takes place November 28^th from 6 ‒ 8 p.m. at Coronado High School. This event is free and open to the public. We hope you are able to join us for an evening of Native American dance and musical performances by our students and Indigenous performers.

Also this month, we celebrate National Parent Involvement Day, on November 17^th. SUSD parents are serious about their formal involvement in education, with more than 1,540 parents officially signed up as school and classroom volunteers to share their time and talents with our students and school teams. Our PTOs, PTAs and APTS also provide powerful contributions that support student success. Parents are our greatest partners. Thank you for your continued engagement!

As a reminder, there is no school on Friday, November 11^th, Veterans Day, a day our nation sets aside to pay tribute to all American veterans and give thanks to those who continue to serve their country.

In fact, November is all about giving thanks, and we have so much for which to be grateful in SUSD. We hope you are able to enjoy special time with friends and family over the long weekend. Remember, there is no school Wednesday, November 23^rd through Friday, November 25^th.

Please also join us in observing the following November celebrations:

Nov. 14-18:  American Education Week

Nov. 16:  Education Support Professionals Day

Nov. 18:  Substitute Educators Day

Nov. 20-26:  National Family Week


Sincerely,
Scott

For more on the Superintendent's office, visit www.susd.org/superintendent.

 

Read more at The SUSD Source

It’s hard to believe the first quarter of the year is nearly complete. Our focus remains on academic achievement and school safety.

Last month, we received our 2021-22 school year state assessment testing data. While our schools continue to strive to ensure all students are learning at high levels and are proficient on state exams, SUSD has much of which to be proud: we outperform our peer districts in almost every grade level and outperform national averages. This is a substantial point of pride.

Our students outperformed Maricopa County and the state of Arizona in Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA), the ACT Aspire, and the ACT. Additionally, our 9^th grade students’ scores surpassed the nation in English, Reading and Mathematics, and tied the nation in Science on the ACT Aspire. On the SAT, our students exceeded scores at both the state and national level.

Test scores reflect the combined efforts of our teachers, site and district leaders, students, and families. There is so much work that happens in the classroom and at home to make sure our students are learning, and their academic gains are measurable. We are working to provide additional supports for middle-level math and are initiating a science instructional materials adoption for grades 9-12. 

This past weekend, SUSD partnered with Scottsdale Police and Fire, HonorHealth and other first responders from around the Valley to test our mutual responses to an emergency that could occur at one of our schools. We are proud of the community partnerships and shared responsibility to keep our students and staff safe. You can read more about the training exercise in this month’s Safety and Security blog in The SUSD Source.

We know school safety starts with a sense of belonging at school and at work. October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Our Support Services team goes to great lengths to provide resources for students, parents and staff to remain engaged, build strong emotional connections, and develop resiliency. You can read more about it in their blog and find a list of resources on their webpage www.susd.org/SupportServices.

For the last few weeks, we have hosted Town Hall meetings in each of our five learning communities to address questions about the District Additional Assistance Override on the November 8^th ballot. Thank you to those of you who came out to seek information and ask questions. If approved, the proposed override would continue for another seven years the override that voters approved in 2016 and increase what it brings in annually from $8.5 million to $14.5 million. The estimated tax rate for the renewed override is $0.23 per $100 of net assessed valuation (the increase for a median-priced home in Scottsdale is estimated at $3.87 per month). Funding from the proposed override would be used to provide curriculum materials and school technology; school safety (which is embedded in the technology and facility line-items, in particular); school furniture, fixtures and equipment; fine arts, athletics and library equipment and materials; as well as playground equipment and facilities. You can learn more about the override here, and we encourage you to reach out with any questions you might have via Let’s Talk. Remember, October 11^th is the deadline to register to vote in the November 8^th general election.

October is also National Principal Appreciation month and we are so grateful for our instructional leaders at the site. All month, we will celebrating each of our 30 principals, and hope you will join us in saying “Thank you.”

Fall is certainly upon us and the weather is finally starting to give way to cooler temperatures, just in time to enjoy some well-deserved time off. We hope you have a restful fall break and return, ready to rock the rest of the semester!

Sincerely,

Scott

For more on the superintendent's office, visit www.susd.org/superintendent.

 

Read more at The SUSD Source

Hello, Scottsdale Families,

I hope you and your students are settling into the new school year and enjoying all of the new opportunities it presents. Already, extracurriculars, clubs, performing arts and athletic programs are kicking into high gear. We know how important it is for students to feel connected to their campus. That sense of belonging goes a long way toward achieving academic success and ensuring safe schools. I personally look forward to cheering on our students this fall as they take to the stage, gridiron and hard court.

If you plan on catching a game this Friday night, you will want to familiarize yourself with the new SUSD Bag Guidelines. More information on that and our upcoming Middle School Sports Festival can be found under Athletics.

Also new this school year is the Arizona Moment of Silence law, House Bill 2707, which amends A.R.S. § 15-506. This new law requires all K-12 public schools to set aside one to two minutes at the beginning of every school day for silent reflection. Students are prohibited from interfering with other students' participation in this moment of silence. School personnel are prohibited from suggesting the content of the reflection; however, teachers are required to encourage parents to discuss with their children how to use their moment of silence. The new law takes effect September 24, 2022.

This month, the district will host town hall meetings in each of our five learning communities to provide an opportunity for you and the community at-large to learn more about the proposed 2022 District Additional Assistance Override question that will appear on the November 8, 2022 General Election ballot.

If approved, the proposed override would continue for another seven years the override that voters approved in 2016 and increase what it brings in annually from $8.5 million to $14.5 million. The estimated tax rate for the renewed override is $0.23 per $100 of net assessed valuation. Funding from the override is used to provide curriculum materials and school technology; school furniture, fixtures and equipment; fine arts, athletics and library equipment and materials; as well as playground equipment and facilities.

Also, on the subject of school finance, you may recall that the state budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year included an additional $1 billion for public education over last year’s state spending plan, which means SUSD will receive approximately $7 million more for the district’s maintenance and operations budget and another $1 million for capital expenses.

However, the issue of the Aggregate Spending Limit, or AEL, that is part of the Arizona constitution remains.  If the state does not override the AEL for this new fiscal year, public school districts will not be able to spend the dollars lawmakers have already allocated to school districts. SUSD alone would have to reduce its budget by over $28 million. A two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate is required to override the limit.  Our elected officials knew the AEL would present an issue for the new state budget, just as it did this past spring. There was an understanding that the Governor would call the legislature into special session to address the matter, but that has yet to happen. By statute, if the AEL isn’t overridden by March 1, 2023, we will have to take a look at our adopted spending plan and decide where cuts must be made. We encourage you to reach out to your lawmakers to discuss this important topic.

As we all look forward to a three-day weekend in celebration of Labor Day, I want to thank all of you, our students, staff and parents, who partner to provide world-class, future-focused learning opportunities. Education is more than a labor of love. It is the heart and the backbone of any strong and vibrant community. Thank you for your work, and enjoy the long weekend.

Sincerely,

Scott

For more on the superintendent's office, visit www.susd.org/superintendent.

 

Read more at The SUSD Source

It is hard to believe the 2022-23 school year is here! The preparation for students and staff has been extensive, with hundreds participating in summer school and summer professional development opportunities. The thirst to learn and grow never ceases in Scottsdale and we are ready to welcome all students and families back on Wednesday.

This year, we are eager to get to work executing our Strategic Plan. The plan serves as our guide for world-class, future-focused learning that supports and positions all SUSD students for success.  Key performance indicators have been identified to measure progress towards meeting our 5 goals and internal working groups are ready to tackle initiatives aligned with each of the goal areas. You can learn more about our Strategic Plan here.

As we move into the new school year, please remember that the universal free lunch program established in 2020 has ended. Students who do not qualify for free or reduced-priced meals must pay full price starting the first day of school. Please take a moment to fill out the application form to see if your student is eligible for free or reduced priced meals. Or take a moment to add money to your student’s account here. More information can be found in this month’s edition of The SUSD Source Nutrition blog.

Student success is a product of the dedication and commitment of each student coupled with the inspiration and support of classmates, parents, staff and the community at large. We appreciate all who choose Scottsdale schools to learn, work, volunteer and make a difference daily. If you or someone you know is interested in working or volunteering in our schools, please visit www.susd.org/Careers.  Our cafeterias are looking for caring adults to help fuel students’ futures.  SUSD is also seeking bus drivers, childcare providers, and security personnel. These jobs provide flexible part-time and full-time opportunities.

Thank you for all you do to support your students and the community. We are all in this together and we look forward to a great start to the new school year!

Sincerely,

Scott

For more on the superintendent's office, visit www.susd.org/superintendent.

Read more at The SUSD Source

 

Dear Scottsdale Unified Families,

 

We are excited about welcoming our students back for the 2022-23 school year!  I hope you had an enjoyable summer break and that your family is ready for the amazing learning opportunities that await as we return to school on Wednesday, August 3^rd.  There are a number of important topics that I am sure are top-of-mind, and I want to address those here:

 

School Safety and Security.  Following the tragic events that unfolded in Uvalde, TX, at the end of the last school year, SUSD staff, in partnership with the Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Phoenix Police departments, have reviewed our current safety and security protocols and discussed ways to improve and enhance our efforts in order to ensure we are doing everything within our power to minimize the risk of an event like Uvalde happening in Scottsdale.  The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority, as outlined at https://www.susd.org/safety and in our new Safety and Security Brochure.  In addition to the many enhancements already in place, we are focusing on three key areas, based on our review of potential vulnerabilities:

• Doors to classrooms will be locked.
• Identification badges will be required of all staff, students, and visitors/volunteers when on campus and must be visible.
• Gates will be closed and locked if not staffed.

 

What we learned from Uvalde and other school shootings is that decisions not to enforce security measures resulted in the opportunity for the shooter to freely access campuses and take innocent lives.  As our director of security says frequently, safety measures are inconvenient, and that makes it inconvenient for anyone with bad intentions, as well.  To date, no school shooter has breached a locked door - they simply move on until they find one that is unlocked.

 

Gate to gate.  On the first day of school next week, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade parents may walk with their students to their classrooms.  These parents will be required to present identification and sign in, so patience is appreciated.  We know security measures can be inconvenient, but there is no greater priority.  All other students who do not ride the bus must be dropped off at the gate in the morning and picked up at the gate in the afternoon in order to manage the volume of parents on our campuses.

 

Safety is everyone’s responsibility.  This message has been communicated with our staff during our back-to-school events.  It will also be communicated with our students, and we need to enlist your support for these simple, yet very important, practices: locked doors, ID badges (including signing in when on campus), and secured gates.  Together, we will create safe and supportive learning environments for our students and staff.

 

COVID.  Like you, we had hoped that COVID would be in the rearview mirror as we start the new school year.  Unfortunately, the virus continues to mutate and infection rates have been very high in Maricopa County this summer.  Our protocols regarding isolation when a positive case has been confirmed will continue to be driven by the guidance from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and CDC.  We will not be contact tracing, but if a student is sick with COVID, they will be required to remain home for 5 days from the onset of symptoms and may return on day 6 if they are fever-free and have resolving symptoms.  Wearing a mask for 5 days is encouraged upon the student’s return.  If your student is COVID-positive, please contact your school nurse so the absence can be appropriately documented.  As with any illness, please do not return your student to school until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

 

In-person learning is essential for our students.  In order to maintain a healthy learning environment, it is important to keep students home when they are sick and to monitor for symptoms if there is a known exposure to COVID.  SUSD will not require masks, but students and staff are permitted and encouraged to wear them when transmission rates are at a high level, such as they are now.  We ask that individual choices be respected as we work together to navigate this ongoing challenge.

 

Elections.  The November election includes the District Additional Assistance Override (DAA) request, as well as seating two new Governing Board members.  Information about the Override can be found here. We will be holding meetings in each Learning Community in September to ensure our community understands the specifics related to the DAA request.  During any election year, it is important to remind our staff and the community that electioneering on school grounds is prohibited by state law.  While district staff can provide factual information regarding the DAA override, they are limited in their engagement while at work (A.R.S §15-511).  We are not permitted to advocate for or against the proposal while on the job.  The same is true with respect to candidates for the school board.  We encourage everyone to become fully informed prior to voting and to remember to vote on November 8^th ‒ it is a core part of our responsibility as citizens.

 

SUSD is hiring.  As we get ready to welcome our students back to school, we are also working to fill many part-time and full-time positions around the district, specifically in Nutrition Services, our before- and after-school Community Education programs, Security and Transportation.  A full list of opportunities to work and support Scottsdale students as employees or volunteers can be found here.

 

Each new school year brings with it excitement and endless potential for all students.  Our staff eagerly awaits getting to know your children and guiding them through the journey of academic and personal growth.  We are committed to engaging all students in world-class, future-focused learning, and appreciate that you have chosen SUSD.

 

Sincerely,

Scott A. Menzel, PhD

Superintendent

For more on the superintendent's office, visit www.susd.org/superintendent.