AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
JULY 17, 2019
WWW.AHWATUKEE.COM
Kyrene to unveil several major initiatives, programs
to close discipline gaps and ensure all students are treated fairly. In addition to our work with Corwin, we have engaged with the University of Virginia, Partnership for Leaders in Education to prioritize a set of schools who have historically had achievement, behavior and opportunity gaps. The purpose of this initiative is to empower district and school leaders to create an equitable, inclusive and just system for every student by relentlessly pursuing transformational leadership, teaching and learning in our RISE UP schools. Our commitment is that every child in Kyrene feels like they belong and can thrive regardless of their race, gender, income or ability.
BY DR. JAN VESELY Kyrene Schools Superintendent
“W
e are born makers. We move what we’re learning from our heads to our hearts through our hands.” – Brené Brown A new year is about to begin. All Kyrene students start school on Aug. 1, and families are encouraged to join us for Meet the Teacher nights on July 29 (elementary schools) and July 30 (middle schools). Over the summer, I have been reading the works of researcher and storyteller Brené Brown, and I came across the quote above. Brown says we are born makers, moving what we learn from our heads to our hearts and, finally, through our hands. I see this in action every day in Kyrene schools. At its best, the process of teaching and learning is an art. We in Kyrene are very fortunate to have many master artists in our classrooms. You only have to walk through any one of our schools to see kids working together to solve a problem, or hear a poem a student crafted on their own, to know that we are truly making a difference in the lives of children.
Social-emotional learning
The year ahead welcomes several exciting initiatives across Kyrene. This year, we are expanding our efforts to provide students with social-emotional learning and supports. We began this work two years ago with
New beginnings
Kyrene Superintendent Jan Vesely confers regular with several advisory councils, one of which consists of a student or two from each of the district's 25 campuses. (Special to AFN)
the middle school design, and are in the process of extending social-emotional learning into our elementary schools. This work will include the addition of school counselors to our elementary campuses, as well as the implementation of a comprehensive social-emotional curriculum. If we are truly committed to making a difference in the lives of children, the addition of counselors is a key piece in achieving that goal. We know that providing support beyond academic interventions to all students is critical to their ability to perform at their full potential, as it helps them to develop resiliency and strategies for
coping with risk factors and provides an additional layer of protective factors that will improve the overall social-emotional wellness of our students.
Equity impact
Equity is also a key focus this year, as we work with expert partner Corwin to build systems of support that identify and eliminate bias. This will include professional development for staff, support for culturally relevant teaching strategies and the development of practices for attracting job applicants from diverse backgrounds. We have already begun the work of focusing on restorative justice opportunities
2019-20 sees two long-sought efforts come to fruition in Kyrene. After two years as a candidate school, Kyrene Middle School has been named an official International Baccalaureate school. The I.B. Middle Years Programme will put a global lens on all education at KMS, to help prepare students for future career and college opportunities. We have also spent the past two years “Imagining the Possibilities,” and will be welcoming the first cohort of students to a new educational model within Kyrene de las Manitas this year. Facilities staff have been busy creating a learning studio that will include state-ofthe-art technology and areas where students can build, perform and experiment with hands-on activities. The teaching team, under the direction
see VESELY page 3
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 17, 2019
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VESELY from page 1
of a certified teacher executive designer, has been working on developing experiential/project-based lessons in preparation for the first day of school. We anticipate great work to emerge from this unique approach to learning.
Balanced budget
We are starting the new school year with a balanced budget while honoring strategic initiatives and salary increases for teachers and staff, which, in today’s education landscape, is not an easy task. Kyrene has always had the support of its community for our bonds and overrides, which allow us to minimize severe budget deficits that other districts face. Even so, our margin is very small, and each year, we must identify opportunities for efficiencies, that do not impact our effectiveness, so that we may continue to fund new and innovative programs that allow us to prepare our kids for the future. This year, we invited the community to work with us in identifying budget priorities. We asked our parents, community members, teachers and site leaders to review and prioritize areas of budget reductions as well as new initiatives. This feedback informed the final budget for the 2019-20 school year.
Strategic Plan 2022
Throughout the coming year, we will continue to measure our progress against the goals set forth in the Kyrene Strategic Plan 2022. As I reflect on our work in recent years, I appreciate the progress we’ve made toward those goals of high-performing students, high-quality talent, collective governance, inclusive culture and creating a responsive organization. This progress can be attributed to the hard work of our amazing school leaders, teachers and staff, the leadership and support of our Governing Board, and a highly engaged parent community. We will continue to report our progress to the Governing Board and to our community so that we remain true to the vision for Kyrene, that all students achieve at their maximum potential to become problem-solvers, creators and visionaries of tomorrow. I believe that each child has his or her own special gifts and talents waiting to be discovered. I look forward to seeing those gifts emerge as we progress through another exciting year. My wish for the 2019-20 school year is that we can move learning from our students’ heads, to their hearts and through their hands, to make learning come alive for them in ways they never imagined.
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Kyrene has some familiar faces in new places
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AFN NEWS STAFF
K
yrene School District is welcoming new principals to several schools this year, but while some of them may be new to the position, they are not new to Kyrene leadership roles. Eight Kyrene schools will begin the 2019-20 school year with new principals, and every one of those leaders is either a current principal moving to a new school or an assistant principal earning a promotion. Monte Vista – Principal Garth Cupp In Ahwatukee, Kyrene Monte Vista Elementary School will be under the leadership of Dr. Garth Cupp. Cupp most recently served as assistant principal of Kyrene Altadeña Middle School. Prior to that, his 14-year history in Kyrene includes roles as science teacher, coach and dean of students. He has worked extensively with elementary schools to provide support for students transitioning to middle school and has strengthened partnerships across campuses to support students from Kindergarten to 8th grade.
GARTH CUPP
BRIAN GIBSON
Niños – Principal Lisa Connor Kyrene de los Niños Elementary School is excited to welcome longtime Kyrene leader Lisa Connor to the principal role. Connor has been a member of the Kyrene School District team for 24 years, first as an instructional assistant, then as a teacher for more than a decade, before moving into an assistant principal position. Connor most recently served as principal of Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School in Ahwatukee, where she led the school to an AEF A+ School of Excellence designation last year.
RENEE KORY
Sierra – Principal Brian Gibson Another Kyrene veteran, Principal Brian Gibson, will join the Kyrene de la Sierra team this fall. Like Connor, Gibson has served Kyrene for 24 years, most recently as principal of Kyrene de las Lomas Elementary School, which he led for the last decade. Prior to that, Gibson held the roles of teacher, middle school advisor and assistant principal. Gibson’s wife also works in the district, and he attended Kyrene Mid-
see KYRENE page 5
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 17, 2019
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JULY 17, 2019 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
KYRENE from page 3 dle School.
Lomas – Principal Tika DeGraffenreid New to the principal position, but not new to Kyrene, is Kyrene de las Lomas leader Tika DeGraffenreid. DeGraffenreid has worked in education for 20 years – all in Kyrene School District – most recently serving as the assistant principal of Kyrene de las Manitas. Prior to that, she held assistant principal positions at two other schools and was a teacher and math coach. DeGraffenreid said, “I am passionate about my students, teachers and the community in which I serve, and I’m committed to making decisions that put students first. It’s an honor to share these values with the Lomas community.”
Kyrene Middle School – Principal Scott Maxwell In Tempe, Kyrene Middle School (KMS) will be under the leadership of Principal Scott Maxwell. Maxwell joins KMS from the district office, where his role as a director of school effectiveness saw him already working closely with all middle schools. Maxwell helped manage and support a variety of initiatives, including KMS
C.I. Waggoner – Principal Marcie Romero Long-time educator and Kyrene leader Marcie Romero is stepping up to the principal position at C.I. Waggoner, beginning in the 2019-20 school year.
Cerritos – Acting Principal Amy Gingell Acting Principal Amy Gingell will guide students at Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy into the new school year. Gingell stepped up to lead Cerritos at the end of the 2018-19 school year and will continue as acting principal while Principal Darcy DiCosmo is on leave. Gingell previously served as assistant principal at Cerritos and knows the programs, students, staff and community well. Centennial – Principal Renee Kory Another Kyrene leader stepping up to ensure a strong start to the school year is Principal Renee Kory. Kory was principal
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Also joining the Centennial team this year are Dr. Randall Hoggard and Kristin Morocco to CMS. Hoggard has served as a principal, assistant principal, guidance counselor and teacher. Morocco has experience as both an assistant principal and a teacher leader. “Both Morocco and Hoggard bring with them a focus on data-driven instruction, community engagement and college-and-career readiness,” Helm said.
efforts to become an International Baccalaureate school. He has served as a high school principal, social studies teacher and researcher in organizations as far away as China and South Africa. Maxwell will draw on these global professional experiences to lead dynamic programming at KMS.
at Aprende Middle School. “With a strong team in place at Aprende and two assistant principals serving Centennial this year, Kyrene School District is confident Ms. Kory can oversee both schools until a permanent Centennial principal is in place,” district spokeswoman Erin Helm said. “Principal Kory brings to Centennial a passion for middle school education and a mission to promote responsibility, integrity, critical thinking and citizenship among students.”
New department heads Former C.I. Waggoner Principal Lisa Gibson has accepted a position as a director of school effectiveness. Gibson’s experience includes working as an elementary school teacher and a literacy specialist. Gibson is excited to expand her impact on student learning. “It is a joy to come to work each day and to know that I can positively change a child’s life,” she said. Also new to the District office, Dr. Barbara Remondini has joined Kyrene as the director of human resource services. Remondini’s has been a principal and an assistant superintendent. She joined Kyrene in the spring to help support hiring for the 2019-20 school year.
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 17, 2019
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T
he start of the school year always draws an intense focus on the classroom, as a new season of learning begins, but Kyrene School District has much to offer students beyond the strong academics and high achievement at its core. Kyrene’s before- and after-school programming has exploded from a handful of offerings in the late 1990s to hundreds of options today. Josh Glider, director of Community Education for Kyrene School District, has watched the programming grow over the years. “There was a high demand in the community for extracurricular options,” Glider explained. “Kyrene responded to that demand and is proud to have an exemplary, award-winning program today.” Youth Enrichment classes are available for children from kindergarten through 8th grade and include art, chess, critical thinking, dance, foreign language, mathematics, music and drama, physical education, science and academic assistance. These tuition-based enrichment courses are offered on campuses throughout the district and are not limited to Kyrene students but open to children across the valley. Select enrichment courses are taught by certified Kyrene teachers, and all classes are taught by qualified, experienced professionals within the after-school environment. In addition to Youth Enrichment courses, Kyrene’s Community Education offerings include intramural sports, theater, fine arts and competitive STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) programs. Additionally, Kyrene offers educational
Mark your calendar Monday, July 29 5:30-7 p.m. Meet the Teacher Night in all elementary schools. Tuesday, July 30, 5-7 p.m. Meet the Teacher Night in all middle schools.
Thursday, Aug. 1 First Day of School Kyrene School District calendars can be found atkyrene.org/calendar. Individual school calendars can be found on the new home page of every Kyrene school website. options during breaks and holidays as well as Friday night fun with special evening activities planned throughout the year. There are even opportunities for “grown-ups” with online adult enrichment programming. At the heart of these extracurricular options are the Kids Club programs offered before and after school on every elementary campus and the After-Hours programs on all middle school campuses. Financial assistance and flexible scheduling make participation easy for families with time or budget constraints. “Our goal is to make before- and after-school options accessible to all families,” Glider says. Registration for the 2019-20 school year is now open, and Community Education courses are filling up fast. Register today at kyrene.org/eservices or call 480-541-1500 for more information. Erin Helm is director of communications and marketing for Kyrene School District.
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agical Journey Learning Center, an Ahwatukee preschool, is teaming up with Future Kiddie to offer tech classes for little ones, and is creating smaller class sizes to create an individual-
ized learning experience for students. Families are invited to stop by to meet the staff and take tours July 22-26, 8:3010:30 a.m. at the school, 1241 E. Chandler Blvd. “We’re so excited to offer tech training!
see MAGICAL JOURNEY page 8
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JULY 17, 2019 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
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MAGICAL JOURNEY from page 6
By partnering with a technology curriculum provider, we’re able to give students access to this innovative and fun program that teaches basic computer skills – something they will use all their lives," said owner Jessica Spada. “We’re also changing the age range of students to 12 months through age 5 in order to provide smaller class sizes and better student-teacher ratios for children in their formative years. Our goal is to provide engaging early education programs that give more attention to the individual needs of the child.” Future Kiddie, owned by Ken Chan and his sister Linda Chan, is based in Chandler and teaches keyboarding and basic computer skills, along with giving an introduction to S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) principles, to kids at 20 Valley preschools. The Chans have been teaching the Future Kiddie class biweekly at Magical Journey since August of 2018. The two will take a brief break in the summer and resume classes in September. “Our classes teach children from an early age to feel more comfortable with using technology,” Ken Chan said. “Most public and charter schools are moving to online
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 17, 2019
changing the age range of students to offer more oneon-one attention to little ones. “Early childhood is the most valuable time in a child’s life, when Future Kiddie co-woener Ken Chan and Magical Journey Center owner Jessica Spade have they are teamed up to give students at the Ahwatukee pre-school some technical know-how. growing (Special to AFN) and developing so quickly,” Spada said. “While there standardized tests in the third grade. “Knowing how to type and navigate a are a number of great programs for kids 5 computer early on prepares them for test- through 7, more programs are needed for ing once they get to elementary school – younger children who benefit from this lower ratio.” and kids love the classes.” The teacher-student ratio will be 1:5 Spada, with over 20 years of experience in early education, took ownership of for 1-year-olds; 1:6 for 2-year-olds; 1:9 for 3-year-olds; and for ages 4-5, the ratio Magical Journey a year and a half ago. The preschool offers a curriculum de- will be 1:11, according to Spada. Magical Journey offers a year-round signed to match the needs and developprogram with flexible scheduling to acmental skill level of students. The school, which had offered pro- commodate working parents, and offers grams for ages 2 through second grade, is a curriculum that includes Music and
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Movement, Spanish, Growth Mindset, P.E. and engaging experiences and activities to create well-rounded, confident, lifelong learners. The school also offers special events, including a recent petting zoo and reptile exhibit, and weekly summer camps. Spada said they are also creating an indoor movement center that will include a rock-climbing wall, basketball hoops, parachute play, a slide and also tricycles to allow students to keep their bodies moving when it is too hot to go outside. “As educators, we need to harness the energy of curious young minds and develop thought-provoking, open-ended programming with a balance of a teacher/child-directed curriculum. At Magical Journey, our goal is to grasp onto each teachable moment, whether it is learning to clean up after exploratory time, sharing, learning about how to be a good friend, lending a hand or even resolving conflicts effectively with their words,” said Spada. “Here at MJLC we value and support the teachers’ vision for their curriculum, their classroom, and truly enjoy being involved in every aspect of our program.” “Information: magicaljourneylc.org or 480-699-6552. Futurekiddie.com.
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JULY 17, 2019 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 17, 2019
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BY DEENA LAGER Tribune Guest Writer
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s students head back to school in the coming weeks, they will be getting a new opportunity to learn the skills they need for the future. This spring, Senate Bill 1184, also known as the financial literacy bill, passed in Arizona’s Legislature and was signed by Gov. Doug Ducey. The bill, which had strong bipartisan support along with support from the business community, makes it mandatory for all high school students to take a financial literacy class as part of their general education requirements. The move couldn’t come at a better time for our students and the state as a whole. Indicators are found everywhere showing the struggles Americans have with their finances, and it’s clear our youth have a great deal to learn about money management. By the end of 2018, American consumers were looking at $67 billion in new credit card debt, while total credit debt had grown to more than a trillion dollars. In fact, one out of every eight millennials has a debt in collections. Student loan debt is at an all-time high, more than $1.46 trillion as of 2018. There are many reasons this is occurring, but most indicators point to a lack of basic financial literacy, or the skills and knowledge needed to make informed and effective decisions with all financial resources. For example, a 2018 Harris Poll showed that only two out of every five adults has a household budget. Likewise, the same percentage of Americans do not pay their bills on time, subjecting them to late fees and other penalty charges, which will inevitably have a negative effect on their credit scores. For Arizona, the news is not all bad. The state ranks 19th nationally by a Wal-
letHub survey for financial literacy. But we can do better and that’s what this bill is all about. In my role as director of the Arizona 529 Family College Savings Plan (AZ 529), I spend a great deal of time talking to families and individuals about the importance of financial literacy. I want to help more students have the opportunity to attend college without taking on massive debt. AZ 529 plans are designed to help families put money aside while earning important tax breaks. A little savings now can make a big difference in the future. Each dollar saved today for college can prevent two dollars in student loan repayment in the future. For many families, the savings process starts with simple choices. Do I bring lunch or eat out? Can I make coffee a few times a week instead of stopping at the coffee shop? Should I put that vacation on the credit card or save for it in advance? The more tools people have for their financial lives, the easier these choices become. And that’s precisely what this bill is trying to provide – tools for soonto-be adults. Researchers working on a study for the Federal Reserve found a direct link between financial education in school with higher credit scores and lower debt. In a different study, the same authors found that students who participated in Financial Literacy classes made decisions that led to lower student loan debt by the time they graduated from college. While this may not be a solution for all of our financial concerns, it is certainly a step in the right direction – a step that is extremely important for the state and our future. - Deena Lager is director of the Arizona 529 Family College Savings Program administered by the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education. Information: AZ529.gov.
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JULY 17, 2019 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 17, 2019