Registration open during summer for openings at Paseo Pointe and Desert Meadows programs; waitlist established for new preschool at Vista del Sur.

Guest column from Laveen Elementary School District

The Laveen District will be opening its third preschool in Fall 2019 at Vista del Sur. Vista will join Desert Meadows and Paseo Pointe schools in offering an academics based preschool program for children ages 3-5 years old.

Like Desert Meadows, Vista’s program will offer general education instruction. Paseo Pointe’s preschool will continue to offer dual language immersion programming. The district also operates a developmental preschool for children with special needs on the Laveen Elementary School campus.

In 2017, the Laveen District launched two new preschool programs at Paseo Pointe School with both general education and Spanish immersion offerings. The following year, the general education program expanded to Desert Meadows School allowing Paseo Pointe to focus on dual language immersion. Both preschool programs have surpassed expectations. They have been extremely popular, filling up quickly and remaining full throughout the year.

While Vista’s preschool already has a waitlist, Desert Meadows and Paseo Pointe both have a few spots still open. Preschool registrations will be accepted throughout the summer and must be completed in person at the Kids Klub office located at Desert Meadows School, 6855 W. Meadows Loop East. Visit the district’s preschool page, www.laveenschools.org/preschool,  for more details including fees, requirements, and program offerings.

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Arizona’s Largest Backpack Drive to Impact over 10,000 Families with School Supplies
7th Annual ‘Phoenix Tools 4 School’ Also Provides College Readiness Workshops to Students

PHOENIX – In an effort to support local families with the cost of their kids returning to school, the HeroZona Foundation will host their 7th Annual ‘Phoenix Tools 4 School’ on Saturday, July 27, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix (7050 South 24th Street, about 15 minutes East of Laveen Village).

“Our goal is to make sure that Arizona students focus on getting a good education, instead of worrying about how to purchase the basic supplies necessary to start the year,” says U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran and Co-Founder of the HeroZona Foundation, Alan “AP” Powell. “Through providing the resources necessary for their school year, we are investing in our future leaders and building stronger communities.”

Phoenix Tools 4 School was voted the Best Annual Charity Event for the 2019 Best Of Our Valley Awards with Arizona Foothills Magazine. In just six years, the Phoenix Tools 4 School annual event has impacted over 40,000 students and family members by providing them with supplies needed for their education, such as book bags, notebooks, writing utensils and more. The event will also host college prep workshops, games and a free breakfast. The event is free and open to the public and this year’s event is expected to draw an estimated 15,000 attendees. This event is open to all students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. Supplies are limited, so attendees are encouraged to show up early.

For the second year in a row, Phoenix Tools 4 School will offer workshops from Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University for 7th and 8th grade students to prepare them on their path to higher education. The event will have a carnival atmosphere with attractions and games for the kids and their families after they pick up their backpacks. Special guest appearances will be made by Baxter, the mascot of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Sparky, the mascot of Arizona State University and the Phoenix Suns’ Gorilla.

This year’s event is supported by community partners such as APS, UPS, Bank of America, Crescent Crown Distributing, Maricopa Community Colleges, ASU and Artisan by Santa Barbara Catering will provide the students with the free breakfast. Other event partners include Roosevelt Elementary School District, No. 66, Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65, Laveen School District, Phoenix Suns, Cesar Chavez Foundation, water delivery by Fry’s, and supply discounts from Dollar Days International. Supporters include Greater Phoenix Urban League, First Institutional Baptist Church and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. They will also have media partners on-site such as Mega 104.3, The Beat 101.1 and La Campesina 101.9.

On Thursday, July 25, the HeroZona Foundation, community partners and Valley volunteers will begin prep for the event by packing the backpacks for the event at South Mountain Community College. Those interested in volunteering should go to HeroZona.org/volunteer.

For more information about the Phoenix Tools 4 School event on July 27, visit herozona.org.

About HeroZona Foundation
The HeroZona Foundation has a strong focus on veteran initiatives and honoring those who have served our country and their family members. The nonprofit’s name reflects that messaging to focus on empowering and celebrating America’s veterans. Their most recent event, the HeroZona National Veteran Summit, was a multi-day engagement with three pillars to empower Arizona’s veterans through entrepreneurship, employment and education. The HeroZona Foundation’s annual HeroZona National Veteran Summit created a multi-day networking experience to improve America’s support of veteran companies through workshops, networking, entrepreneurial connections, and seminars. Other programs include the Bridge Forum, Phoenix Tools 4 School, Veterans Reach to Teach and Voting for Veterans. For more information, visit herozona.org

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School might be out, but Laveen schools are serving FREE breakfast and lunch to all kids all summer! In addition, both our local high schools, Cesar Chavez and Betty Fairfax are part of a similar program in the Phoenix Union High School District.

Children 18 years and younger may join us throughout the summer for nutritious breakfast and lunch. All kids’ meals are free at specific Laveen Elementary School district schools. There are no income requirements and you do not need to register. Children do not need to be enrolled in a Laveen school to participate. The summer meal program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Join us at any of the following locations.

All sites closed May 27 and July 4.

Meals are available to all children under the age of 18. Adult meals available for $2.50 breakfast and $3.50 lunch.

Visit www.laveeneld.org/summer-meals for more details.

In addition, this is the 38th summer that the Phoenix Union High School District, along with other agencies, will provide breakfast and lunch for needy children 18 years of age and younger at 13 high schools, Monday through Thursday, May 28th – June 27th.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Education food and nutrition programs, the Summer Food Program has, for over three decades, prepared and served more than 4 million meals at as many as 60 sites throughout Phoenix. Summer lunches are an extension of the National School Lunch Program.

Meals are prepared at PUHSD’s various high school campuses, listed below, serving thousands of meals per day. New foodstuffs are purchased at the beginning of the program to support the nutritional needs of children in impoverished areas.

Meals will be made available to all children 18 years of age and under without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Meals will be served at the following PUHSD-sponsored campuses:

Alhambra High School                    3839 W. Camelback Road

Bioscience High School                   512 E. Pierce Street

Betty Fairfax High School               8225 S. 59^th Avenue, Laveen  

Camelback High School                  4312 N 28th Street

Central High School                        4525 N. Central Avenue

Cesar Chavez High School               3921 W Baseline Road, Laveen    

Franklin Police and Fire HS             1645 W. McDowell Road

Carl Hayden High School                3333 W. Roosevelt Street

Metro Tech High School                  1900 W. Thomas Road

North High School                          1101 E. Thomas Road

Phoenix Coding Academy                 4445 N Central Avenue

Academies at South Mountain         5401 S. 7^th Street

Trevor G. Browne High School        7402 W. Catalina Drive

Each of these school campuses will be hosting Summer School. Food will be prepared, as it is during the regular school year, at each location in the school cafeteria or delivered to the sponsor site. Participating community members will be directed to the designated areas of each campus.

Breakfast will be served from 7:30 A.M. until 8:30 A.M., with lunch being served from 11:45 A.M. until 12:15 P.M. Adults are welcome to accompany children and can purchase breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.

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Phoenix Union High School Press Release (Aug. 11, 2017)

PHOENIX UNION— All Phoenix Union High School District students will be able to eat free breakfast and lunch through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2017-18 school year.  It is the second year that the policy has been in effect.

Phoenix Union is able to offer this Special Assistance Provision based on the success of the District receiving   completed applications for free and reduced-price meals for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program from households in the school district.

Applications are distributed to students and parents by Phoenix Union schools at the beginning of the school year and can also be obtained at the schools’ Registration Office, Community Liaisons, and on the school’s website, www.PhoenixUnion.org/freelunchapp .   Applications can be returned to the school, or submitted via the online application at the link above. For more information, contact Milena Moneva at 602-764-7903.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National School Lunch program is based on household income levels.  But the number of participants in this program also determines federal Title monies (additional funding for academic support, such as free summer school) and e-Rate, which provides funding for improved technology at schools.  Other benefits through reimbursement funding include low-cost, nutritious meals, renovation of cafeterias, upgraded food service kitchen equipment, food service staffing and allows the PUHSD food service to be financially self-sustaining, freeing up money for other budgetary needs.

This program typically provides free lunch to family households whose income is 130 percent of the federal income poverty level.  For the   2017-18 school year, that threshold is $31,980 for a family of four.

MEDIA CONTACT: Craig Pletenik (602) 764-1530

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Parents of young children with special needs in Laveen will say goodbye in May to one of their staunchest champions when Kandy Clauss, coordinator of the school district’s developmental preschool program, retires after nearly four decades of teaching.

Clauss came to Laveen in 2007 from the Tempe Elementary School District, where she had worked for 19 years teaching, first as a resource teacher and then as special needs preschool teacher in the early 1990s. That was when school districts first began implementing programs to meet the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. The ADA revamped and outlined specific criteria schools must meet to ensure all children received a meaningful public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975 (IDEA).

“I started working with the preschool population in about 1992-93. Schools were beginning to be required to start services at age 3, as part of IDEA,” Clauss said. “The Tempe program was about a year old and they were hiring special education teachers for the preschool. I was ready for a new challenge and change and I had really enjoyed working with the younger age kids – kindergarten through second when I was a resource teacher.”

In a twist of fate, the person hired for her former job as resource teacher in Tempe was Jonathan Clauss. The couple married in 1996, their dedication to working with children bringing them together outside the classroom. It was Jonathan who led them to Laveen.

“They created a position for me. Jonathan had interviewed for one of the teacher’s positions at Laveen,” Clauss recalled. When their Tempe principal gave her husband a glowing review, he also told Laveen officials they would be foolish not to hire Kandy as well.

There are six morning and six afternoon classes of children who attend the Developmental Preschool program at Laveen Elementary School.“The program (in Laveen) was being redesigned when I took the job,” she said. “They hired me over the phone. We knew the program was just getting started here. Todd Liolios (director of student services for Laveen) had just been hired and we shared a vision of what we could do.”

When the Clausses arrived, Liolios said the district had three special education preschool teachers serving 75 students at the old Laveen Elementary School campus at 51^st Avenue and Dobbins Road. The first year, both Clausses taught a preschool class. The next year, Chris Mahler, the program coordinator retired and Kandy took over the role.

“The program has grown in the intervening years in both quantity and quality,” Liolios said. “We now have six teachers teaching 12 sessions of preschool and, at last count, are serving 138 students.

“During Kandy’s time the program moved to the new Laveen campus. She had input into the design of the classrooms and the early childhood playground. Her input has made the early childhood center among the very best in the Valley,” Liolios said.

Parents whose children are current or previous students rave about the success of their children through participation in the program.

Celeste Moore’s twin grandchildren, a boy and a girl, began the program at age 3.

“The Laveen program has helped in so many ways, I don’t know where to begin,” Moore said. “It has helped them socialize, to speak and learn and to grow and to get along with their peers. It has helped them significantly in their delayed development, and so much more.”

Her grandson, now in kindergartner, recently achieved student of the month for his class. “It was the incredible team at Laveen elementary” that helped contribute to his success, Moore said.

Angelica Berastegui says the program made a huge impact on her family, especially the attention and support Clauss gives the students and her staff.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Kandy with both my kids,” Berastegui said. “My son required several types of therapy while my daughter was a peer model in the Laveen Elementary Pre-K program. I can’t imagine how I would have navigated through without her guidance.”

“She has a gift for making you feel part of the family. She makes you feel welcome and calm in what can be a stressful time​,” Berastegui said. “When I learned of my son’s special needs, her calm smile and compassion made me feel that I could get through it. Not only is my son doing well, he is receiving awards in an accelerated school. I appreciate Kandy and know that she had a huge positive impact on so many of us here in Laveen.”

Trinity Gonzales said her son has thrived in the program. “Since Julius has attended the developmental school at Laveen elementary his progression has come a long way,” she said. “He has made leaps and bounds since his enrollment and his social interactions seem more meaningful.”

Melissa Widmaier sees similar progress with her son.

“Our son is on the autism spectrum and he’s been in the preschool program almost a full 2 years. He’s been with Ms. Meghan all that time. He loves her. We love her,” Widmaier said.

“The preschool doesn’t just help the children with their struggles, it fosters their strengths. Before this program, Marcus would hide in the back of his daycare room. The staff didn’t think he knew how to talk because he was so reserved!

“We’ve seen a marked improvement in his social interactions and in his confidence since he’s been going to Laveen preschool. He’s eager to try things now, more so than before, and now he can communicate his thoughts more clearly. The preschool gave him a safe place to grow.”

As part of their commitment helping families, Kandy and Jonathan live in the Laveen. “We really wanted to live in the community where we worked. That’s a whole aspect of our decision to be here. Our children went to Laveen schools.”

Liolios said Clauss’ commitment extends beyond the classroom doors and into the community.  She helped organize evening and weekend outings for the parents of students to take the children places such as the Phoenix Zoo, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, local dairy farms, and other outings, including marching as group in the Laveen Community Parade.  “These events are enjoyable opportunities for parents, children, and staff to access and enjoy the very best opportunities for young children … that draw several hundred participants,” Liolios said.

Families that might not typically take a special needs child on such an outing find themselves among dozens of other similar families, creating a unique environment of support and resources for families outside the classroom.

As Clauss looks toward her future after retirement, she said she knows it will involve children, perhaps in a volunteer capacity. Looking back over nearly 4 decades of teaching, she said the most meaningful reward is seeing the success of the children.

“There are so many great success stories. I have seen so many children make such progress. They come in not talking, and they leave talking with their parents saying they never stop talking,” she said. “I get to start kids in kindergarten with the services they need on the first day of school.

“Parents send us emails talking about the impact the program has had on their children. Living in the community, we get to see these kids grow and succeed,” she said. “It’s just amazing. I feel so proud of what we’ve been able to do for families here in the program. I will do everything to leave it in great hands when I leave.”

During her tenure, Clauss was awarded the Arizona Special Education Teacher of the Year in 2011 and in January 2013, she was awarded the Certified Employee of the Month Award in Laveen. The preschool program also has been recognized, as has several of its providers, throughout the years for exceptional contributions to children with special needs. While in Tempe, Clauss received the Tempe Diablos Excellence in Education Award.

“It is important to note that Kandy’s greatest skills are not measured by numbers or award plaques,” Liolios said. “She is an exemplary educator who is compassionate, calm, and caring.  She is extremely intelligent and insightful.  She is a tireless worker who puts in very long hours in the evenings and on weekends to make the preschool run so well.  Her work has benefited the lives of so many children in our community.”

This article first appeared in the March 2, 2017 print edition of the South Mountain District News.

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This article first appeared in the November issue of the South Mountain District News.

In 1986, the population of Laveen was just shy of 10,000 residents. There were two elementary schools and one high school.

Cotton fields were more common than street lights and the Central Arizona Project had just been completed, bringing water from the Colorado River to flow into a burgeoning Phoenix metro area on the brink of enormous growth.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wyoming, Jeannette “Jan” Hoskovec had been teaching in Wyoming for three years in the economically depressed state. She heard about the growing opportunities in the desert and decided to move to Arizona, nabbing her first job as a substitute teacher in the Laveen Elementary School District in 1986.

“When I started out here, it was more rural,” Hoskovec recalls. “There was nothing down on Baseline Road. It was a two-lane road. There was the little shop at 51^st and Baseline, the Laveen Store, and that was the only grocery store.”

Hoskovec’s part-time gig quickly evolved into a full-time teaching position and now, three decades later, she is preparing to retire in May after teaching two and sometimes three generations of Laveen families, mostly at Laveen Elementary School.

“I have had the parents of my students come to my class. I am now teaching their children. You build these relationships with these families,” she said. “I tell the kids, ‘I know your parents. They know what type of person I am and my expectations.’ Some of them I know their whole families.”

While family names may be the same, other aspects of education in Laveen have changed significantly during Hoskovec’s years of teaching mainly social studies to local students.

When her career in the Laveen district began, there were only two schools: Laveen Elementary, then housed in a 50-year-old structure on the southeast corner of 51^st Avenue and Baseline Road, and M.C. Cash. Both schools have since been renovated with M.C. Cash opening at its new location in 2013.

Hoskovec moved with the rest of the Laveen Elementary team to their new site in 2011. She praised the district for its efforts to keep up with the phenomenal growth of Laveen, which now has nearly 70,000 residents, and of the district, which opened its 8^th school this fall to help serve nearly 7,000 children from preschool to 8^th grades.

“We have seen a lot of growth out here. From two schools to now eight,” Hoskovec said. “You have more diversity in your student population this way. But you lose the smallness – though there are still families who live out here who have grandparents here.”

Of all the changes, though, she said technology has had the biggest impact on teaching and interacting with students and parents. She remembers doing report cards using carbon paper. “Now we have programs and you print out things.”

“The pendulum just swings every so often. My whole teaching style has changed … I use technology all the time,” she said. “Students and parents can go online on and see grades any time.”

“Laveen has been good about getting this technology to us and training us,” she said “It’s very interactive. I can do a PowerPoint and the kids can do the answers. I have a web page so parents have access to that,” Hoskovec said. “You can teach an old dog new tricks. Technology is there to make our lives easier.”

Dr. Bill Johnson, superintendent for the district, said Hoskovec’s contributions over the years are much appreciated.

“Teaching has a ripple effect, not only on the life of the student, but everyone that the student eventually associates with during their entire life. With 30 years of dedicated service to the students of Laveen, Ms. Hoskovec’s impact has spanned multiple generations and the positive effects and the numbers of lives that have and will be touched are incalculable.”

An avid traveler all her life, Hoskovec is making plans for seeing more of the world when she retires in May. Her sister lives in Norway, so Europe is on the agenda as well as seeing more of the United States and its national parks.

“I love to travel. Education has allowed me to do that. I have seen a lot of the world. I have been to all but about nine states – that’s my bucket list,” she said. “And I want to go to more national parks. Because I’m over 62 I can get into state parks for free.”

But Hoskovec is taking lasting memories with her, and a great deal of satisfaction.

When my kids come back to me – several high school kids – I ask them how they’re doing. And they usually tell me ‘you were right about everything,’” she said. “They all come back and tell me that. It’s neat because then I feel like I have done my job. That’s why I became a teacher. They know I care about them. I never married; I consider all these kids to be my kids.”

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While most of us are just getting our Halloween decorations put away, members of the Laveen Education Foundation already are wearing their winter thinking caps because it’s almost time for the Third Annual Winter Festival.

This year’s festival is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 at the Laveen Education Center, 5001 W. Dobbins Road.

As it has for the past two years, the festival will feature games, activities, student performances, photo opportunities, holiday gift vendors and food. All the proceeds from the community wide gathering will benefit the Laveen Education Foundation, which provides college scholarships for local students.

Kristen Landry, a spokeswoman for the Laveen Elementary School District, entertainment will include a number of student performances such as bands, orchestras, guitar ensembles and choirs from each of the district’s schools as well as Ballet Folklorico dancers and Third Common.

“This is a great community event. We have entertainment, food, games, activities, prizes, and vendors,” Landry said. “There really is something for everyone.  Everyone is invited, even if you don’t have children in Laveen’s schools.”

Landry said the foundation has vendors for the following in place: 

• Photo Booth
• Clay Charms
• Party Supplies
• Candles
• Soap
• Jewelry
• Navajo Jewelry

Interested vendors should contact Joe Roselle, director of community partners and grants for the district at jroselle@laveeneld.org or by phone at 602-237-9100.

Laveen’s 10^th Annual Turkey Trot & Kids Dash

This year marks the 10^th for the Thanksgiving Day event in Laveen and organizers have come up with some new incentives to get us off the couch and taking part in the 5K by either walking or running the timed race.

Prior to the 5K is a 1 mile fun walk and a Kids Dash, another Laveen tradition.

Riverbend Prep Academy, a small charter school in Laveen, and the nonprofit Laveen Community Council are hosts for the event, which will begin and end on the track at Cesar Chavez High School Stadium.  The route will wind through beautiful Cesar Chavez Park where runners can enjoy the beautiful views.  The 1 mile run also will begin and end on the track.

The Free Kids Dash will take place on the football field in the middle of the track and while it is free, all parents must register their child beginning at 7 a.m. on the day of the race.

Proceeds from the 5K will go the Laveen Community Council and Riverbend Prep Academy’s Health/Fitness initiative.

Registration is open with early bird incentives: $25 for the 5K and $10 for the 1-mile run. Prices go to $40 and $20, respectively, on race day. Register online at www.laveenturkeytrot.com

or in person at Riverbend, 5625 S. 51st Ave. Laveen, AZ 85339

Participants in the 5K will receive get an event bib and chip timer, T-shirt, medals for top 3 finishers in each age group, finisher’s ribbon, post-race “runners brunch” of bagels, fruit, water, real time Results and access to training materials and support.

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More than four decades after Congress enacted legislation to ensure children with special needs are granted the same opportunity for education as those without a disability, parents and school officials still struggle with how those services should look for individual students.

In Laveen and Roosevelt elementary school districts, the number of children who fall under the special education designation is rising with the population growth in Southwest Phoenix. Given Arizona’s poor record for spending money on education, parents and administrators find themselves at odds on how to find the financing necessary to help vulnerable students learn in the federally-mandated “least restrictive environment.”

Laveen resident Bonnie Carroll is the mother an adult daughter and a 7-year-old son with Down syndrome. Her son also is diagnosed with autism and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Carroll recently earned her law degree and has a strong legal understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how that applies to her son and other children with special needs.

Part B of IDEA is the portion of the four-part law that addresses public education.  The mission for IDEA is to ensure that children with disabilities get the same opportunity for education as those students without disabilities.

To advocate for her child and to help others in Laveen, Carroll started a Facebook group called Laveen’s Exceptional Parents that includes more than 20 families with at least one special needs child.

Carroll also went to a Laveen school board meeting in May to note her concerns about the education children in Laveen receive if they are in a self-contained classroom. In a paper she prepared, Carroll said children in those placements often do not get to participate in such school activities as talent shows, technology days, some field trips and morning recognition programs. She said that children in self-contained classrooms also are not taught all the subjects other children have access to through placement in regular classrooms.

As of the end of May, Carroll said no one has responded to her concerns. She said her son has had some outstanding teachers and therapists during his time in Laveen, but her view is that district officials must do more to include children of all abilities in all parts of the curriculum.

“There are more and more children with disabilities. The numbers are changing drastically,” Carroll said. “How is the education system ever going to deal with it?”

Carroll goes on to partly answer her own question:

“The school districts have to learn how to teach our children. That’s going to be the reality. It’s not possible to choose to no longer teach a group of kids. Previously they could move them into a self-contained classroom and that is what they did. That’s not going to be acceptable. You can’t not teach a huge population, which is what you have when you take into account all the disabilities.”

The National Center for Education Statistics shows that for the school year 2011-2012 that special education students made up 12.9 percent of the total population of school-age students nationwide. While neither Roosevelt nor Laveen break down the numbers by percentages, district officials acknowledge the growing number of children with disabilities attending their schools.

In Laveen Elementary School District, for example, the number of special education students has doubled over the past 10 years growing to 1,156 (including 118 children with 504 accommodation plans). Roosevelt School District has a slightly higher number with 1,248. Both totals also include the developmental preschool programs with 145 in Laveen and 174 in Roosevelt that serve children ages 3-5.

“We all know that Arizona does not adequately fund special education,” says Todd Liolios, director of student services for Laveen. Liolios has held this job for nine years.  “That’s why there was an election (in May on Proposition 123). The federal government doesn’t properly fund special education. The federal funding is only 16 percent of what it should be …. It is atrocious.”

Proposition 123 narrowly passed in late May. It will boost funding for K-12 schools in large part by using the state land trust to help add $3.5 billion over 10 years.

For Carroll, it’s about having input on her child’s education. She has been working closely with her son’s team at Roger’s Ranch Elementary School to craft a plan that allows him to attend mainstream classrooms. While IDEA does not specifically spell out that children with disabilities should go to class with their typical peers, it does say children should be taught in the least restrictive environment possible.

How LRE is decided, though, leaves plenty of room for interpretation. Where children are placed and how the school district provides their education is determined by a cross disciplinary team that includes a child’s parents, teacher, a school psychologist and often a variety of therapists, such as speech, occupational, and physical.

Parents may invite anyone they choose to the meeting to review the Individual Education Plan (IEP) including private specialists from outside the district, advocates or others who can help determine the best course for the child’s education. The IEP is a legal document that teachers, faculty and therapists must follow after the team has agreed on the plan.

“As part of our evaluation system each teacher being evaluated must provide an explanation of how they will be meeting the needs of all learners,” said Jeanne N. Koba, superintendent at Roosevelt. “This includes discussion of students on IEPs and how the teacher plans to meet the students’ needs during the lesson that will be (pre-conference) and or has been (post conference) met in the particular lesson.”

Koba said the MET/IEP team looks at each individual child’s needs to determine what the child needs both academically as well as socially in order to progress and grow. “We have several different types of self-contained classrooms, with the goal always being to help children move to a less restrictive/higher functioning class and or general education.”

Both Koba and Liolios said funding and staffing are the two biggest challenges districts face in providing all students with the services they need.

“I would say that funding and finding qualified teachers and other service providers are our biggest challenges,” Koba said. “It is very costly to provide a full spectrum of services and the service providers to go along with the programs. It can be difficult to find the staff, which is highly qualified both on paper and in their actual practice.”

Liolios agreed, saying that special education departments throughout the valley and state struggle with a shortage of qualified employees, which leads to the use of substitute teachers and expensive, contracted staff in some districts.

“Despite the chronic shortage of special education teachers and therapists, each year we have been fully staffed in special education,” Liolios said of his district. “We have been able to do this by providing strong support and structure to our staff. Each new hire is provided with explicit orientation and specialized training. Additionally, each new hire is assigned an expert mentor who works with them throughout the year.”

He estimates an 85 percent district retention rate for special education staff in Laveen.

Brooke Lange, a former teacher in the Laveen district, said funding plays a big part in how well districts can address the needs of individual students. Lange returned to teaching in her native Oregon last year, a state that spent $9,543 per pupil in fiscal 2013 compared with $7,208 for Arizona. The information is from the U.S. Census and was released in May 2015.

She said that her current district emphasizes inclusion of special needs children in a multitude of ways.

“Something my current school district does to support inclusion is having goal meetings where we set social and behavior goals with the students and have them a part of tracking their goals,” said Lange, who previously taught fourth grade at Desert Meadows. “This helps motivate them and strengthens their self-esteem.”

“We call it a “check-in/check-out” system. They check in every morning with the counselors and SPED (special education) team, go over their already set goals, have a positive interaction and then head to their gen-ed rooms.”

Lange said throughout the day the classroom teachers help the children keep score on their goals. “Help is always one walkie-talkie call away if we need push-in support to get a kiddo back on track,” she said. “Having a student leave the room and miss instruction is what we try to avoid. “

At the end of the day the special needs students take their charts back to the check in/ check out team and total up their points. “They get to earn things for reaching their goals and if they don’t reach their goal, they have someone to talk to about what went wrong. It is an amazing system,” Lange said.

While having more money to hire better staff will always be a goal, the local educators also are focusing on innovative ways to integrate students and train general education teachers on how to best support the special needs students in their classrooms.

Despite budget and staff challenges, Liolios said Laveen’s special education program has received the highest rating for seven consecutive years when evaluated annually by the state of Arizona.

“We have worked to creatively maximize our dollars to provide the greatest support,” he said. “First, our generous Laveen voters are very supportive of our mission to educate our students. They have supported elections to provide support for staff salaries and benefits. They have also supported capital elections to fund classroom technology, wheelchair buses and other expenses.”

Liolios said another solution to funding challenges is seeking grants. Laveen said he received word at the end of the 2015-16 school year to that Laveen would receive a little under $10,000 in grant money for use in technology to support special education student achievement. The exact amount hadn’t been determined at press time.

A third solution that Liolios mentioned was paring with outside resources in the community. He said Laveen partnered with Southwest Behavioral and Health Services allowing two behavioral therapists to support students while their salaries are paid by Southwest.

In the Roosevelt district, Koba has a long history working with special education children. She joined the district in 1985, taught special education for 15 year and was assistant superintendent of special Education for approximately nine years.

As superintendent, Koba ensures that Roosevelt offers extensive professional development opportunities to both special education and general education teachers on a wide variety of topics that relate to special education.

“Whenever we see a pattern or trend in questions, needs etc., we attempt to develop training to support the teachers. One of our professional development coaches was selected for the position specifically due to their background and experience teaching special needs students,” she said.

The district also has two consulting teachers who are available to mentor, guide, answer questions and generally support teachers who have special needs students in the general education.

Carroll said innovative partnerships with parents and the local community is one way that Laveen can achieve more inclusion for special needs students. She is working with her son’s school and IEP team to find more ways for him to be part of the mainstream at his school.

“I am working on a model for my son, but it could be a model for other children as well,” Carroll said. “It’s about educating them in an environment where you get them to be a part of society. They need to learn how to be part of society.”

“I think as parents we can help,” Carroll said. “We know all kinds of resources, we know about the research. We could create a plan — one that doesn’t require money, but requires time and dedication.”

By Rose Hutchinson Tring (This article first appeared in the print edition of the South Mountain District News on June 1, 2016)

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Hunter Hazelton, a senior at Betty Fairfax High School was named 2016 Arizona Poetry Out Loud State Champion at the state finals competition held on March 11, 2016 at the downtown Phoenix studios of Arizona PBS. As State Champion, Hazelton will represent Arizona at the 11^th annual Poetry Out Loud National Finals competition in Washington, D.C., in May.

A program of the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud is delivered in all 50 states and three territories through partnerships with the State Arts Agencies. The Arizona Poetry Out Loud program is managed and supported by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona.

This year, 49 schools and over 10,000 students across the state participated in the competition at the school level. 52 students advanced to compete at one of three regional competitions held in February. Ten students advanced from the regional competitions to compete in the state finals.

Hunter is the son of Fairfax’ campus technician specialist Chris Hazelton.

As the Arizona Poetry Out Loud state champion, Hazelton receives a $200 cash award and an all-expenses-paid trip for him and a chaperone to the national finals, to be held in Washington, D.C., May 2-4. Additionally, his school will receive $500 to purchase poetry books for its library.

Information provided by the Phoenix Union High School District.

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(Article from the South Mountain District News)

Dedicated to youth, their growth and development, Heritage Academy teaches the mastery of primary and secondary skills in the fields of history, math, writing, literature, reading, science, music, foreign language, visual art, performing arts and physical development. By offering a variety of programs such as history tours, a performing arts retreat, basketball, soccer and more, Heritage Academy strives to meet the needs of families in the Southwest Valley.

Heritage Academy also has a strong commitment to the teachers at our school. We have a positive working environment, a four-day workweek (M-TH), offer a competitive salary and participate in the Arizona State Retirement System. We are accepting resumes in all academic disciplines (English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and world languages) as well as Special Education and administrative positions.

What can you expect if you join our team? A dedicated principal and vice principal who work tirelessly to ensure the needs of the teachers as well as the scholars are met. Peers who care about seeing you succeed and truly enjoy working at Heritage.

Tara Miller (BA, MEd), English and Yearbook

“One of the things I truly love about working at Heritage Laveen is the sense of community felt by the students, teachers and parents.  The school brings together such a diverse group of people who work together to help our scholars find their success.   Students are collaborating, learning multiple perspectives and growing as individuals, while, at the same time challenging themselves academically.   It’s beautiful to watch scholars who might not have ever met, work together to produce a product or discover an idea.  They are being prepared for the real world.  So far this year, I have watched my students discover themselves with the support from their teachers, parents, our dedicated PTO group and most of all their peers.  I’m proud to work at Heritage. “3

Alicia Guenthner (BA, MA in Special Education), Special Education

“The vibe and environment is very positive here at Heritage Academy. It feels like a tight-knit community, where teachers want to help the students succeed and families are very involved in their children’s education. The expectations are high and challenges students to work hard towards their goals and aspirations for the future. For a quality education and caring teachers, Heritage Academy in Laveen is the way to go. “   

Sederis Ford (BA)

“This school year is my second year teaching at Heritage Academy Laveen. It has been one of my most fulfilling teaching experiences thus far. The community and parent participation has made teaching at Heritage Academy Laveen very special.”  

Beth Farris (BA), Registrar

“I consistently hear students say that they have never felt more cared for at a school.  Our small environment combined with quality teachers, a mission to make a difference in our community, and high standards of performance combine to create an educational experience that is unmatched.”

Jennifer Foerst (AA), ELL coordinator

“My husband and I were looking at different schools for our two daughters.  A friend of mine gave me some information about Heritage Academy Laveen.  After attending an open house, we were very impressed with the curriculum and the arts program.  My daughters loved Heritage so much, that I decided that I wanted to be a part of their educational team as well.”

Isaac Demke (BS), Science

“My time teaching in Laveen has been an incredible experience. The students that I have had the opportunity to teach have far exceeded my expectations. I have been overwhelmed by the desire to learn demonstrated by my students and the level of support they receive from their parents. As I have taught the juniors and seniors, I have seen the drive and ambition many of them exhibit as they pursue and prepare themselves for higher education. Their work ethic makes be proud to be part of this community.”

Esther T. Golding (BA, MA Secondary Education, MA Fine Art, Adjunct Professor MCCC & Ottawa University), English

“Heritage Academy Laveen is a great school.  I find the parents to be very supportive and they really go out of their way to support the learning process.  I like the energy and creativity the youth bring to assignments.  Because of the encouragement of friends, these young people at Heritage Academy Laveen take risks and try many diverse extracurricular activities.  I love watching them grow and develop in academic and social skills.”

We are accepting resumes for all grade levels. A Bachelor’s degree is required for 7th and 8th grade teachers. We are also looking for candidates who have taught college or university level courses or in a dual/concurrent enrollment capacity for 9-12 grades. Visit our websitehttp://www.heritageacademyaz.com/index.cfm/about-us/jobs/ for more information.

If you are interested in working at Heritage, please email a cover letter and resume tocwest@heritageacademyaz.com.

Heritage Academy invites interested families to call the office to schedule a tour of the campus and speak with teachers, staff and scholars about Heritage’s unique curriculum and educational opportunities. You may bring a completed application to the school located at 4275 W. Baseline Road Laveen, AZ 85339. Go to www.HeritageAcademyAZ.com and click “Apply” to download all the necessary forms. If you have questions, you can reach us at laveeninfo@heritageacademyaz.com or call 602-290-8546.

Heritage Academy is Hosting an Open House: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 at 7 p.m.
Written by Chris West

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