Articles from September 2022

The Laveen Elementary School District will celebrate the opening of its Early Childhood Center at Desert Meadows School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tour, and reception on Wednesday, October 19 at 4:30 p.m.

This is the district’s first stand-alone building dedicated to preschool-aged children. Constructed adjacent to the Desert Meadows School campus, the center includes four preschool classrooms, a reception area, a conference room, and administrative offices that house the District’s Kids Club and Preschool staff.

The building houses both the district’s developmental preschool for children with special needs as well as the academic general education preschool.

Designed by BWS Architects and constructed by Chasse Building Team, the large classrooms provide ample space for reading, dramatic play, and craft centers as well as naptime and circle-time. High windows allow for natural light while automatic shades prepare the room for napping at the touch of a button. Dimmers allow teachers to adjust lighting for instructional needs. Each classroom has its own interactive Promethean board, sink, water fountain, and bathroom with pint-sized fixtures and Dutch doors. Brightly colored non-skid flooring and modern cabinetry add to the functional space.

All classrooms exit to the playground in which learning tools have been incorporated into the play structures. The administrative area is comprised of a secure reception area, large conference room, offices for dedicated staff, and storage. The exterior is comprised of glass, metal, and concrete wood-look materials that create a bright and inviting space for families. An outside seating area and desert landscaping allow for informal gathering.

The building is energy efficient with LED lighting inside and out, highly-rated windows, and the latest in energy management controls.

The grand opening celebration will begin with remarks from district officials and its construction partners followed by an official ribbon-cutting which will include current preschoolers. Visitors will then tour the building. A reception of lemonade and cookies will conclude the event on the playground.

The cost of the building was $3,962,668 and was funded entirely through bond proceeds approved by Laveen voters in 2015.

Desert Meadows is located at 6855 W. Meadows Loop East.

Vacancy Announcement

Social Studies Curriculum Committee for Grades 6 – 8

Academic Services is seeking parents, teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators to serve in a collaborative capacity to research and evaluate Social Studies programs for grades 6 – 8. The committee will be trained in evaluative criteria prior to reviewing programs and accompanying resources. Our first meeting dates are tentatively scheduled for November 1^st and November 15^th at the LEC from 4pm-5pm.

To apply, please submit a brief letter of interest to your building principal by Friday, October 21^st. Letters of interest will only be accepted with principal approval.

Please direct any questions to Tracy Watkins, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction: twatkins@laveeneld.org.

Read September’s issue of our school newsletter, Paw Prints.

In September 2022,  Dr. Jeff Sprout launched the Superintendent’s Math All-Stars Club to all students in Grades 3-4 through a series of student assemblies.

Math All-Stars are challenged to spend 15 minutes a day practicing math skills. Students who join the club will be given a Chromebook to use at home for the duration of the school year. Participants will use the ALEKS online math program, a companion product to the district’s math curriculum. ALEKS uses adaptive tools to tailor students’ math practice to their identified needs.

Students who are in the Math All-Stars Club can earn monthly prizes for their participation.

The Laveen School District is partnering with the notMYkid organization to present information on bullying from the adult perspective to parents.

This presentation will take place on September 19, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Laveen Education Center, 5001 W. Dobbins.

For more information and to register, visit www.LaveenSchools.org/community-presentation.

Each year one teacher from each school is selected to receive the district’s Excellence in Education Award. This prestigious award is given to those who attain high academic achievement for their students, provide exceptional service and leadership at their school, and make a positive difference outside of the classroom and in the community.

Congratulations to Desert Meadows School- 7th grade Math Teacher- Charlene Saltarelli. Mrs. Saltarelli was recognized at the district’s annual all-staff celebration last week.

The Laveen School District provides bus transportation to students in Grades Kindergarten-8 who live within a school’s designated transportation zone.

Families who wish to utilize bus service must register their child as a bus rider each year. For more information and to register your child for the 2022-23 school year, visit www.LaveenSchools.org/transportation.

All Laveen students and their families are encouraged to join us on Thursday August 4th for Meet the Teacher Night. Participants will have the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher, learn about the classroom, and gather any other information needed to start the 2022-2023 school year. Families are welcome to stop by their child’s school between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Beginning July 1, 2022 curbside meal service at all Laveen schools will be ending due to the expiration of federal waivers* that permitted this practice. However, all children will be able to eat meals in the Desert Meadows cafeteria located at 6855 W. Meadows Loop East.

Meals will be served Monday – Friday, July 1 – August 2 (closed July 4).

Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

All meals must be consumed in the cafeteria. Meals may not be taken off the premises.

Children 18 years and younger may pick up a nutritious breakfast and lunch over the summer break. All kids’ meals are free. 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.

For more details visit our Summer Meal page.