Sierra Preparatory Academy enrolling students in grades 6 through 9
BY ALISON STANTON
Sierra Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free, public charter school that features an enhanced liberal arts and sciences curriculum, will open for the first day of the 2015 to 2016 school year on Aug. 12.
Edward Denny, co-founder and headmaster, said the school is enrolling students who are in grades six through nine. Over the course of the next few years, Denny said Sierra Preparatory Academy will expand its enrollment through grade 12.
“We will build our enrollment year over year and we offer a progressive curriculum,” he said.
Sierra Preparatory Academy will feature class sizes of 22 students or fewer.
The school will feature programs like a state-of-the-art Maker Space, natural philosophy classes, Arabic and Russian language programs and the Great Books curriculum, which Denny said features a variety of literary and scientific canons.
“The idea of Great Books is that students read the original material, not filtered ideas or textbooks. That way, in combination with their peers and
teachers, they can discuss the ideas of the books on their own terms,” Denny said.
The school will also offer an advanced four-year writing program, integrated fine arts classes, and a focus on discovery learning and the Socratic Method, Denny said.
Denny said the decision to open Sierra Preparatory Academy was a “lengthy evolution” that started during his time teaching at Tempe Preparatory Academy.
“I knew all of the students and families, but as the school grew larger something got lost. The quality of education was still wonderful but the community atmosphere got lost to a great degree,”
About six years ago, Denny and other teachers spoke about their desire to somehow and someday recapture the community feel of a smaller school.
More recently, Denny was talking with his wife, Yuliya Yatsyshina, whom
he met during a trip to Kazakhstan, about what he should do when they returned to the states. When he told Yatsyshina that he had thought about starting his own school, Denny said she offered her full support and the two of them co-founded the school.
“Sierra Preparatory Academy will be by the teachers for the teachers. Here, the teachers are the administrators, and there is no way we could do this if the school wasn’t small,” Denny said.
“I don’t have visions of an empire. Ultimately, I just want to know all of the students’ names and parents’ names.”
Denny said that the school is hosting regular open houses for interested parents and students. Anyone who cannot make a scheduled open house is welcome to contact him to set up an appointment, he said.
Denny said enrollment is going very well so far, and that he and the rest of the staff are looking forward to the first day of school with great anticipation.
Sierra Preparatory Academy is located at 7464 E. Main St. in Mesa. For more information, call (480) 440-0238 or visit sierraprepaz.org.
Denny said.
Edward Denny and his wife, Yuliya Yatsyshina, are the co-founders of Sierra Preparatory Academy in Mesa. Submitted photo
Ex-ASU star Harden to host basketball ProCamp
Houston All-Star Guard and former ASU Star James Harden has announced the dates and location of his inaugural Phoenix-area youth basketball ProCamp.
The two-day James Harden Basketball ProCamp will be held on 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aug. 22 and Aug. 23 at Inspire Courts in Gilbert. Participants will learn fundamental basketball skills and have the opportunity to meet and interact with the guard. Each camper will receive an autograph from James and a team photo with James.
Harden will be on-site to direct the event and will be joined by a selection of prep and college coaches from the area. The camp is open to boys and girls of all skill levels in grades 1-12. Cost of the camp is $149.
Camp partners include Everlast and Pronto Print.
Registration and more information is available at HardenCamp.com.
Youth STUDENT CHRONICLES
Know a student who’s doing something remarkable? Send items for student chronicles to christina@timespublications. com.
DanielPatrick Mesa earned Master of Business Administration with a major in operations management from The University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.
Howard Collyer and Joshua Metzler were named to Hofstra University’s spring 2015 dean’s list for their outstanding academic achievement. Students must earn a GPA of at least 3.5 during the semester to make the dean’s list. The university is located in Hempstead, New York.
Sabrina Burch graduated with honors from Eastern New Mexico University with a BAAS in applied arts and sciences. Eastern New Mexico University is located in Portales, New Mexico.
Kurt Fernandez was named to Upper Iowa University’s 2014-2015 spring dean’s list. To be honored by the Fayette, Iowa, the undergraduate must have earned a minimum 3.50 GPA for the semester and be enrolled as a full-time student.
Andrew Pavano earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Pavano was among approximately 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students who received degrees during Georgia Tech’s 249th commencement exercises on May 1 and May 2 at the McCamish Pavilion.
Benedictine College has recognized those students who have distinguished themselves academically as the very best during the last semester. Kateri Poarch was named to the Atchinson, Kansasbased facility’s president’s list for the spring 2015 semester, which ended in May. Poarch is the child of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Poarch. To achieve the president’s list, students must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours and have a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Of the 1,854 students on campus for the 2014-2015 academic year, only 101 made the president’s list for this semester.
Gentry Cameron Kinsella earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration area with an accounting emphasis from Campbellsville University in Kentucky.
Ashley Titus graduated from the University of San Diego, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in communication skills.
Daeleigh G. Castile made the dean’s list at Angelo State University, a member of the Texas Tech University System in San Angelo, Texas.
Linnea LeBaron earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMUDCOM) in Harrogate, Tennessee. She is the daughter of Sheldon Weight and Gale Ashcroft, the wife of Jason LeBaron and mother of Tais, Rylyn, Zan and Jaylee.
Forest Schulke earned a Bachelor’s Degree in exercise science—physiology option from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. More than 45 students participated in the spring commencement ceremony.
Cristian Martinez earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Boston University. The university awarded academic degrees to 6,100 students in May.
• Engaging Curriculum aligned to Common Core Standards
• Highly Qualified and Dedicated Teachers
• Data Driven Instruction
• Physical Education, Art and Music Classes
• School Wide PBIS-Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Program
National School Lunch Program • Extra-Curricular After School Mustang Clubs
• Free All-Day Kindergarten
• Kindergarten Readiness Program for Four Year Olds
• Small, family-oriented campus
• Active PTO and Community Involvement
HIGLEY HAPPENINGS
STEM rules at Summer Thunder
Jet packs, robots and glasses that help police locate criminals are just a few of the ideas emerging from students attending Higley Unified School District’s Summer Thunder camp.
This year marks the second time the summer Title I program designers used curriculum from Camp Invention to integrate reading and math skills with science, technology and engineering concepts. It means students are using their creative skills while trying out new vocabulary words such as “prototype” and “empathy.”
“It’s intended for students who could benefit from academic support in reading and math,’ said Theodora Schiro, the program’s director.
The students said the program is fun— and the 200 taking part this summer don’t want to miss a moment. From the circuit systems to the rocket building to the books on invention, students are engaged in the classrooms.
Blake Strouss described his invention to his teacher, Tracy Carlucci, while drawing it out on paper. He will later build a model using recycled materials such as water bottles, shoe boxes and paper towel rolls. His idea is for a “JetPack 2.0.”
“It carries your luggage. I made an improvement to it because it had four arms. But I made it to expand and have more arms,” he said.
“That’s genius,” Carlucci said. “I like it.”
Students rotate between classes during the four-week program, each receiving education in the STEM lab, reading and math.
“All the classes are integrated with what’s going on in the STEM lab,” Schiro said. “Not only is it fun and educational for the kids, but it’s professional development for the teachers. I hope they go back and take what they’ve learned into their regular classrooms and implement it there.”
Pieceful Solutions hires Karen Delaney
Pieceful Solutions, a K-12 school in Arizona for children with autism spectrum disorders, hired Dr. Karen Delaney, Ph.D., as its school psychologist for its three school campuses in Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert.
Delaney is a licensed psychologist in Arizona, and has more than 35 years of experience in the field. She served as school psychologist for the Kyrene School District in Tempe, where she spent 25 years providing psycho-educational assessments and consultation, social skills training and counseling. She was an active participant in state monitoring of special education services within the district, provided training regarding state and federal regulations for disabled students, and served as the supervisor for doctoral students from various universities for many years.
Karen
Delaney. Submitted photo
with developmental disabilities.
Complete college undergraduate requirements while still in high school
Graduate high school by your junior year
Recover credits and improve GPA quickly
Free public high school with free transportation
Previously, Delaney served as a school psychologist for Murphy Elementary School District in Phoenix, Plattsmouth Public Schools in Nebraska, and as a psychologist at the Glenwood State Hospital School in Iowa. Her experience includes training in various disabilities of school-age children, preschool assessment and transition, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) development, student home visits, and behavioral programming for both adults and children
In her new role at Pieceful Solutions, Delaney will oversee case management and intervention and provide consultation and assessment. She will assist the team in the interpretation and implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and provide training regarding various best practices to assist students with various developmental disabilities.
Delaney earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, a Master of Science degree in clinical psychology from Indiana State University, and a Ph.D. in developmental child/experimental psychology from the University of Nebraska.
e are committed to educational excellence in a safe and secure environment. Our bold, New “Early College—Early Career” philosphy allows Desert Hills students to earn up to 60 college credits while still in high school. This approach to achievement has been shown to give students a dramatically improved opportunity to graduate from high school ready for life. It’s a fast-tracked, solid foundation to prepare you for college, to advance in the military or to pursue skilled post-secondary job training.
Using martial arts as a breakthrough for ADHD, ADD
BY PEDRO DIAZ, OWNER, TIGERS LAIR MARTIAL ARTS
A diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) does not define your child. With the proper treatment and organization, many children can have a fulfilling and productive life.
Medication, therapy and education are common ways to treat ADHD and ADD. There are other opportunities for children with these problems to learn how to focus and manage their symptoms, however.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests giving organization and structure to a child’s daily life when living with ADHD or ADD. Keeping up with scholastic requirements is crucial but having a hobby or afterschool activity may actually help children regain focus and mental clarity.
ADHD and ADD affect 9 percent of American children. It does not always manifest in common symptoms such as manic states or an inability to sit still. Some children who suffer from ADHD or ADD appear to be quiet and attentive but are actually unable to stop daydreaming or listen to the lesson.
Many children participate in martial arts because it’s a fun way to exercise. Parents may choose martial arts for its concentration in mental and physical strength. This makes it the perfect outlet for their child’s excess energy and to help children learn necessary life skills.
Some young people are in their own world, making it difficult to communicate with them. Martial arts creates an interest and focus bringing them out of their shell. We’ve had a lot of success, it is not a quick fix, it takes time but it works.
The origins of martial arts is worldwide. In Chinese martial arts, the student focuses
on techniques and philosophy. Taoists and Confucius followers practiced martial arts as a way of maintaining focus, discipline and added physical health. Meditation has become a large part of the practice and as more formal schools for martial arts such as Shaolin and temple-based education became institutionalized, the philosophy is a vital part to mastering martial arts.
Having mental clarity is necessary in the physical practice and execution of martial arts. It also helps students in the classroom. Having the ability to clear your mind of the stress and clutter will make it easier to listen to the lesson and work through the projects assigned without worry. It can also help students manage stress and prioritize schoolwork.
Being able to focus during practice is essential for safety, knowledge and understanding. To obtain the knowledge given in martial arts practice or in the classroom, the students need to pay attention to the entire lecture or demonstration.
ADHD or ADD, unfortunately, has no cure but with the proper regimen and assistance by caring adults, many students can thrive academically. By taking martial arts and working hard in school, students learn how to maintain focus, have clear goals, and release excess energy. They are also able to take the skills they have adopted from martial arts into other aspects of their life and into adulthood. As they grow, martial arts will always grow with them.
Tigers Lair Martial Arts is located at 1674 N. Higley Rd., Suite 101, Gilbert 85234. For more information, call (480) 522-1001 or visit www.facebook.com/tigerslairaz or www. tigerslairaz.com.
Source: http://1.usa.gov/1s8lW7n
Gilbert student given scholarship to ASU’s Barrett
Edward Meza was one of 10 Valley students who received a $20,000 scholarship to Barrett, The Honors College at ASU, by the T.W. Lewis Foundation.
The foundation has awarded 130 scholarships to Maricopa County students since its inception in 2002.
The foundation recognizes that while there are a variety of academic scholarships available to students, T.W. Lewis dedicates financial support to students focused on excellence and who will have a career of significance once they enter the workforce.
T.W. Lewis Foundation awarded $20,000 scholarships to students slated to attend Barrett, The Honors College at ASU. Pictured are, from left, August Elton, Edward Meza, Kevin Bergauer, Ari Stoneman, Sabrina Leigh-Godrey, Sierra Grubb, Abigail Reed and BrieAnna Frank. Not pictured are Olivia King and Timothy Otis. Submitted photo
The T.W. Lewis Scholarship at Barrett, The Honors College was created to provide high potential student leaders with self-awareness tools, career counseling, learning opportunities and financial aid so they can finish college and have a positive impact on the world.
“The T.W. Lewis Scholarship program is our way of humbly paying it forward to students who are on the fast track to success,” said Tom Lewis, CEO, T.W. Lewis.
“The quality students Barrett attracts are our future business and community
leaders. The Honors College provides them with a strong foundation and the valuable tools to thrive. We are honored to support the programs and students at this remarkable institution.”
The other nine recipients are Kevin Bergauer, Chandler; August Elton, Scottsdale; BrieAnna Frank, Phoenix; Sierra Grubb, Cave Creek; Olivia King, Mesa; Sabrina Leigh-Godfrey, Mesa; Timothy Otis, Mesa; Abigail Reed, Chandler; and Ari Stoneman, Phoenix.
