SanTan Sun News: Youth - Jan. 23, 2016

Local residents’ rhymes become children’s books

BY TIM J. RANDALL

While Disney Pixar has not yet called Chandler residents Jim Sachs and Kathy Kaye, each has written a children’s book that may one day get the attention of the animation studio.

“I would love to have the book turned into a film,” said Sachs.

“I Knew a Gnu” is Sachs’ creative tale, while Kaye’s inventive piece is titled “Imagine That!’ Each is a lively rhyming story with a common religious theme of faith and trust in God. It also offers inspirational messages.

Kaye’s book follows a young baseball player as he experiences a “nail-biting inning.”

“The player does not have a name, as he is telling the story,” she said. “But when I had the illustrator draw the character, I provided a picture of our youngest son and the drawing looks like him.”

for the third-grade reader. Kaye’s book was originally published in 2009, but Tate Publishing, a Christian-based entity which also handled Sachs book, wanted her story to be reintroduced to readers. “It’s been neat, I have had friends from church and family wanting copies of the book,” she said.

Both authors admit to having a rhyming scheme in their head prior to putting it into book form.

“Once I had the rhyme I sat down at my computer and wrote the story in 38 minutes,” said Sachs. “I actually held on to it four years before I tried to have it published.”

The Gnu in question is named Stu in Sachs’ tale, and follows the young creature with oversized horns grow up and mature. “It is a Christian children’s book with a good message, in the style of Dr. Seuss,” Sachs said. “I have seen the book bring adults to tears. It really is a beautiful book.”

This is the first book for both authors, with Kaye’s written for the 4- to 8-year-old set, and Sachs’ penned

Kaye said she remembers she had a poem in mind, and with five boys it’s no coincidence that baseball was the backdrop of the story. “I sat at a lot of games and the idea just formed,” she said.

A stay-at-home mom, Kaye and her family have lived in Chandler for 15 years, while Sachs, an information technology sales professional, has been an Arizona resident since 1982.

Kaye has yet to schedule another book, but Sachs has four more stories ready to go when he has the funds to start the publishing process. “The second book is a sequel to ‘I Knew a Gnu,’” he said. Both books can be found on www. Amazon.com, www.Tate Publishing.com and other online retail book sites.

Great Hearts Academies Chandler among top-ranked schools

Chandler Preparatory Academy, a public school within the Great Hearts network, has been recognized as the top-performing school district in Arizona by Niche, a national database offering unique insights into more than 120,000 kindergarten through 12th grade schools.

Four prep schools within the Great Hearts network achieved top spots in the ranking of Arizona charter high schools: Chandler Prep at No. 3, Veritas Prep at No. 4, Glendale Prep at No. 5 and Arete Prep at No. 11. These rankings take into account key factors such as the strength of academics, quality of teachers, school resources, the quality of student life, as well as student and parent reviews, in an attempt to measure the overall excellence of the school.

“Great Hearts academies provide an unparalleled liberal arts education

that encourages students to grow into focused and mature leaders,” said Interim CEO Christine Jones. “It’s wonderful to see our academies recognized by such a comprehensive ranking system, which reflects so many of the factors we value in our educational model.”

Great Hearts is the largest provider of classical education in the country, serving more than 13,000 students at 29 public schools in greater Phoenix and San Antonio and Irving, Texas, with waitlists that exceed enrollment. Great Hearts provides a robust liberal arts curriculum incorporating advanced math and science, a focus on the arts and foreign language, and a range of extracurricular activities and athletics. Parents interested in having their student attend a Great Hearts academy can apply online at www.greatheartsaz. org.

St. Mary-Basha robotics team places high in competition

The St. Mary-Basha Catholic School’s robotics team placed 14th out of 33 overall during the First Lego League Competition held in early December at Red Mountain High School in Mesa.

But they took home the Northeast Mesa Project prize for its entry.

The project challenge, sponsored by ASU Fulton Engineering, “TRASH TREK” encouraged the teams to ignite their creativity and explore the concept of reducing trash production.

St. Mary-Basha’s five-person team started its discovery process by observing the processes in place at the Recycling Center in Chandler. The students became aware of the problems created by nonrecyclable plastics and its ruinous impact on the environment.

The SMB students then devised a plan to melt down the nonrecyclable plastic, by using extreme temperatures,

and pouring the melted film into molds to create items needed by the society. The team chose to create toys for homeless children, technology items, and body armor for those who protect and serve. St. Mary Basha’s team received the highest point award and was honored as the Northeast Mesa Project Winner. The team placed 14th out of the 33 teams for the Robotics Mission Challenge.

The competing students from the St. Mary’s Robotics Team were Daniel Campbell, Emilio Contreras, Nadia Fernando, Killian Marksberry and Nolan Williams. They were coached by Diane Meza and Mynor Castro.

In other St. Mary Basha news, it is hosting an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31 at the school, 200 W. Galveston St., Chandler.

Nonprofit seeks local host families for exchange students

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE) is looking for local families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 18 from a variety of countries including Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy and Japan.

ASSE students are enthusiastic and excited to experience American culture while they practice their English. They also love to share their own culture and language with their host families. Host families welcome these students into their family, not as a guest, but as a family member, giving everyone involved a rich cultural experience.

money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance. ASSE students are selected based on academics and personality, and host families can choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.

find out how to become involved with ASSE in your community, call the ASSE Western Regional Office at 1-800-7332773 or go to www.host.asse.com to begin your host family application.

The exchange students have pocket

To become an ASSE Host Family or to

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Tri-City Christian Academy encourages parents to ‘choose’ it

Tri-City Christian Academy is opening its doors to the public for an open house from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at the school, 2211 W. Germann Rd., Chandler. Drop in to catch part of a home basketball game and get a personal guided tour with a teacher or staff member.

The open house is held in conjunction with National School Choice Week, which is from Jan. 24 through Jan. 30. The week will celebrate the growing number of school choice options.

For more information, call (480) 245-7902 or visit www.tcawarriors.org.

STUDENT CHRONICLES

Know a student who’s doing something remarkable? Send it to christina@ santansun.com.

Brennen Pierson graduated from Eastern New Mexico University on Dec. 12 with a BBA in business administration. ENMU, a state institution that offers associate, bachelor and master degree options, serves students from around the world. Courses are offered on-campus and online.

Simon Youth Foundation seeks applicants for scholarships

Living near Arizona Mills in Tempe and Phoenix Premium Outlets in Chandler could help a graduating senior pay for college. Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students, has begun looking for a graduating senior who lives within fifty miles of Arizona Mills and Phoenix Premium Outlets.

Each year, Simon Youth Community Scholarships are awarded in every community across the country that is home to Simon, Mills or Premium Outlets malls. The application period has begun and ends on March 1. Students can apply online by visiting syf.org/scholarships.

Christopher Sardynski was named to the Champlain College trustee’s list for the fall 2015 semester. Students on the trustee’s list have achieved a 4.0 grade point average for two or more consecutive semesters. Sardynski is majoring in computer forensics and digital investigations at the Burlington, Vermont, school.

Kayla Forlin and Hannah Laflin were named to the dean’s list at Central College in Pella, Iowa. The honor is

awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester.

Staci Eagleton qualified for the fall 2015 dean’s list at Belmont University in Nashville. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.

Samuel Curl made the fall 2015 Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering dean’s list at ASU.

Patrick McPherson was named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2015 semester at Maryville University in St. Louis. Maryville undergraduate students are eligible for the dean’s list when they complete at least 12 Maryville University credit hours in a semester with a minimum of a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 (perfect) scale.

Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2016 and lives within 50 miles of a Simon property is eligible. Recipients will receive up to $1,500 to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.

SYF will award 25 scholarships to students graduating in the class of 2016 who live within 50 miles of any Premium Outlets mall nationwide. No more than one scholarship will be awarded per property. Recipients will receive up to $1,500 to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.

In addition, an “Award of

Excellence” will be given to the top candidate from among the scholarship applicants that represent the nationwide Premium Outlets locations. That student will receive a $10,000 award ($2,500 for up to four years).

In 2015, the Simon Youth Foundation awarded $1.2 million to 300 students nationwide.

“The cost of college continues to rise, and SYF is proud to partner with Arizona Mills and Phoenix Premium Outlets to award scholarships that will remove some of the financial obstacles that could otherwise prevent a student from achieving the dream of a college education,” said Michael Durnil, SYF president and CEO.

The 2016 SYF Community Scholarship recipients will be selected by International Scholarship and Tuition Services Inc. (ISTS), a third-party administrator. Students are selected based on a variety of criteria, including financial need, academic performance, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. Those students who are the first in their family to pursue a post-secondary education will also be given close consideration. Recipients will be notified in May.

GILBERT (EAST GERMANN) 480-988-0185

GILBERT (HIGLEY) 480-830-6028

GILBERT (WARNER) 480-633-3196

Feb. 2: Junior high parent/teacher

Feb. 4: Junior high parent/teacher conferences for J1

Feb. 10 to Feb. 11: Elementary parent/ teacher conferences

Feb. 15: Presidents Day—no school

BASHA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

100th day news

STEM Club

CTA INDEPENDENCE

Math and Science Night

Thank you for all those who came out for Math & Science Night on Jan. 21. Everyone enjoyed the Mad Science demonstration and the Pet Shop display of a ball python, leopard gecko, hissing roach, tegu, crested gecko, leopard tortoise, bearded dragons, monitors and more. It was a great success.

CEF raffle

Mrs. Campbell’s and Mrs. Olson’s third-grade math classes did a special project for the 100th day of school. The teachers challenged all students to bring in 100 cents for the 100th day, as well as an additional optional donation to help purchase a goat for a needy family in Africa. The compassionate students raised $380 in one day. The students decided the money would best be spent on one goat, two “flocks of hope”—a flock each of geese, ducks and chicks—two sets of bees, a trio of rabbits and two shares of a sheep. That will help at least 10 families work their way out of poverty.

—Kevin Adey

Stop in the front office to purchase tickets for a chance to be this year’s raffle winner. Tickets are $20. The drawing will be held on March 4. Winner need not be present to win and gets the choice of up to $27,000 (MSRP) toward any 2016 Toyota vehicle or $20,000 cash.

Book fair time

From Feb. 5 to Feb. 12, children and their parents can come and shop at the book fair in the media center. Proceeds allow the library to purchase new materials for the library.

This club has started its second session and is an after-school group designed to pique students’ interest in investigating, building, experimenting and discovering to increase understanding of science, technology, engineering and math. This is a hands-on, activity-based program where innovation and collaboration are key. The goal is for students to gain practical, team work and leadership skills, increase their confidence and engagement in STEM, as well as motivate elementary students to study STEM and enter STEM careers.

Congratulations

Pranav Arun, a fourth-grade student, won eighth place in the Arizona State Grade Chess Championship Tournament on Jan. 9 at Mesquite Junior High School.

Keep

in mind

The school’s variety show is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26.

—Jana Thrash

Winter Carnival

Hull Elementary Winter Carnival “Frozen Fiesta,” sponsored by the PTO, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, will offer 10 inflatables, a jousting arena, food vendors, carnival games and entertainment. Wristbands for Unlimited Inflatables will be sold at the gate for $15 per child and $1 tickets will be sold for the games, jousting arena and food. Hull Elementary is located at 2424 E. Maren Dr., Chandler.

—Shelly Warren

Chinese New Year celebration

Tarwater will celebrate the Chinese New Year—the Year of the Monkey—on Monday, Feb. 8, by learning about the holiday. The kindergarten and firstgrade classrooms will celebrate with additional activities including Chinese sports, calligraphy, art, tasting dumplings, chopstick practice and Chinese zodiac bingo. The students will learn the history and significance of the Red Envelope.

Super second graders

Thanks to Shamrock Farms for a terrific field trip. Its staff spoiled the second graders with an educational tour of its dairy farm and offered milk samples, ice cream and a pencil gift.

School Cents bonus opportunities

Visit Chandler Fashion Center’s guest services and log any receipts by Jan. 31 for double points. Receipts can be dated as far back as May 1 to qualify.

Mark your calendars

PTO Harkins Night is scheduled for Feb. 9. Stay tuned for more details.

—JoAnne Cawley

WEINBERG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

sports physicals, minor surgical procedures, pediatric and women’s

TARWATER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kindergarten registration

Kindergarten registration is in progress. Parents who have children entering kindergarten can stop by the Tarwater office between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. with their child’s birth certificate, immunization records and proof of address.

Math League

Students in third through sixth grades are each taking a team of four, and participating in a Math League on Jan. 29. Mathematicians will compete individually and as a team against other schools in the Valley.

—Heidi Huggins

Raising Cane’s hosting JA fundraiser

MRG Marketing & Management Inc., Southwestern franchise partner of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and Junior Achievement of Arizona are teaming up for a statewide fundraiser on Feb. 3 benefiting students in the largest and fastest-growing economic education organization in the state.

All 11 Arizona Raising Cane’s locations will donate 20 percent of their sales to help support the initiatives and programs of Junior Achievement of Arizona. This generous donation will help fund

the various in-classroom K-12 grade programs Junior Achievement of Arizona implements, preparing young students with entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy skills. This statewide fundraiser provides Junior Achievement of Arizona with resources to further empower their strong-minded students. The Junior Achievement organization encourages valued education, positive attitudes toward work and business and education partnership, which creates a bridge

between the classroom and the workplace.

“Raising Cane’s is so thrilled to be working with Junior Achievement of Arizona,” MRG President Justin Micatrotto said. “The programs and lessons that are available through Junior Achievement of Arizona will allow these kids to flourish and succeed as they mature and explore various entrepreneurial roles. We firmly believe in and support the curriculum that Junior Achievement is offering students in Arizona, and with

this fundraiser we have the ability to help further their programs and the lives of these students.”

To participate in this statewide oneday event, guests must show either a printed flier or digital screenshot on a smartphone at the time of purchase. For more information about Junior Achievement of Arizona and to download the flier, visit www.jaaz.org.

For a complete list of locations, visit www.raisingcanes.com

Free soccer training available for kids with special needs

BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

Kelli Bishop, a field supervisor for Guthrie Mainstream Services, said she believes that soccer brings people together.

Guthrie Mainstream Services, Bishop described, offers home- and communitybased programs to the developmentally disabled, a segment of the population she said usually doesn’t get to benefit from team sports—until now. Through her work with TOPSoccer, Bishop is helping to bring free soccer lessons to local kids with special needs.

“TOPSoccer, a U.S. Youth Soccer program that provides communitybased training and team placement for young athletes with disabilities, is proud to announce it is bringing its program to the Southeast Valley,” cites a recent press announcement. TOPSoccer, along with Guthrie Mainstream Services, San

Our distinctive services:

• Comprehensive Pediatric care from Birth to 18 Years

• In-house Lactation (Breastfeeding) consultation

• In-house consultation in Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

• Medical home for children with Special Health Care Needs

Tan Legacy Soccer Club and the Arizona Youth Soccer Association (AYSA) will be providing free soccer training to eligible children over several dates beginning in February.

“I started working for Guthrie Mainstream Services full-time when I graduated college last May,” explained Bishop. “My boss challenged me to find something I’m passionate about and make it my own. I’ve been playing soccer for years so it all made sense.”

That challenge lead Bishop to research soccer programs for the disabled, which is how she connected with Austin Daniels of the AYSA.

“AYSA is excited for the TOPSoccer program to get going in conjunction [with] Guthrie Mainstream and Legacy Soccer,” Daniels said. “We feel that soccer should be available for all kids no matter if they have played before or not. The

kids get to interact with other kids as well of the benefits of physical activity. Hopefully after the program gets started word of mouth will help it grow.”

Through the program, children and young adults (ages 5-22) with disabilities will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m., every Thursday from Feb. 4 to March 3, at Andersen Junior High School, located at 1255 N. Dobson Rd., in Chandler. The program is free.

Daniels said that the program has many benefits, including: development of motor skills and improved fitness; promoting social skills and safe participating and fair play.

“It also helps participants develops positive self-concepts through experiences in discipline, initiative and achievement, which encourage children to fully realize their potential,” he noted.

“These kids love being active but

they don’t get to participate in team sports that often,” Bishop said. “I want parents and caregivers to know that they don’t have to have kids at Guthrie to participate.”

If this program goes well, Bishop said she’d love to continue to facilitate similar programs with different sports in addition to soccer.

“I saw the great things TOPSoccer was doing elsewhere and wanted to bring that to the Valley,” she said. “I’m crossing my fingers that this could get big.”

In order to participate, parents and caregivers need to contact Bishop for a registration packet, which she has available via e-mail. Contact kellib@ gmsaz.org or call (480) 277-7495 to learn more.

Our mission statement:

• Excellence in Pediatrics by emphasizing anticipatory guidance and prevention

• Treat patients and families courteously, ethically and with dignity

• Provide services effectively and efficiently

Gateway Pediatrics welcomes expecting couples to meet with Dr. Sudha before their baby arrives.

“Meet the Doctor” Visit for Expecting Parents:

When: Second and Fourth Wednesday of every month – 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Where: Gateway Pediatrics Office

Fee: Complimentary

Includes: Class on baby care basics by Lisa Scott, RN, refreshments, educational materials and customized breastfeeding friendly diaper bag from Cottonwood Kids.