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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Nov 5th, 2009 06:55 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Press Release Information: Betty Swanson
November 5, 2009 480-982-1110, x 2011
Project HELP Needs Holiday Assistance Project HELP always needs help in providing assistance to families with children attending AJUSD schools. And each year, the community comes through with
Thanksgiving - Any group or individual interested in assisting with Thanksgiving turkeys or fixings can drop the food off at Project HELP between now and Monday, November 23. Project HELP is open for donations Mondays, Wednesday or Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and noon, or by appointment.
The facility is located at 195 E. Superstition Blvd. (on the north side of the Pinal County complex and across the street from the Apache Junction Police Department). Food donations are needed as early as possible so that turkeys can be thawed in time to cook for Thanksgiving Day.
Christmas – Those groups or individuals wishing to “adopt” a family, furnishing Christmas gifts and dinner, are urged to contact Project HELP at 480-288-2955.
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Nov 5th, 2009 06:55 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Greg Wyman, Ed.D. News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
November 5, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
No School at AJUSD Schools on Veterans Day, November 11
There will be no classes at any of the Apache Junction Unified School District schools on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 in observance of Veterans’ Day. The AJUSD Administrative Center, located at the corner of Ironwood and Southern, will be closed as well.
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Oct 29th, 2009 10:35 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Oct. 29, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011 Shakespeare on Stage at AJHS this week A sampler of adaptations of three of Shakespeare’s most popular and delightful comedies awaits local audiences as Apache Junction High School’s Drama Department’s fall production hits the Performing Arts Center stage this week.
One-act plays based on Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors,” “As You like It,’ and “The Taming of the Shrew” will be presented and attendees can mix and match the ones they want to see by consulting the presentation schedule.
As a special thank you for everyone who goes out and votes on Tuesday, 11/3, there will be an open dress rehearsal performance of “Taming of the Shrew” Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.
Starting Wednesday evening, two of the three one-act plays will be presented each night as follows:
The Comedy of Errors – Nov. 4 and 6, 2009
As You Like It – Nov. 4 and 5, 2009
The Taming of the Shrew – Nov. 5 and 6, 2009
First performance each night will start at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center located on the high school campus at Southern Ave. and Ironwood Dr. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, $6 for adults.
For more information, call 480-982-1110, ex. 5317.
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Oct 29th, 2009 10:35 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT [size=News Release] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Carol Shepherd
Oct. 29, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2012 Enrollment Volatility Influences School Closures, Construction Decisions
Students…that’s what schools and school districts are all about. Subsequently, it is not too surprising that enrollment numbers and demographic fluctuations are what drive school districts’ decisions about staffing, facilities, bond sales, and building programs. In fact, virtually every financial decision faced each year is vitally affected by student numbers partly because the main state funding formula is tied to these figures.
Many people do not realize that the Apache Junction Unified School District is currently experiencing a major declining enrollment situation. The number of students’ enrolled district wide has dropped from last year by approximately 5 percent or 300 students. Three hundred students represents nearly one half of the population of an average elementary school.
What is causing this decline in enrollment? District officials point mainly to the major downturn of the economy and the still-ballooning number of house foreclosures. School registrars also cite renting families moving away in search of construction jobs and other opportunities.
The question becomes, if declining student counts continue, will the district close a school until growth resumes in the district? The answer is yes, according to AJUSD Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson. “In order to be responsible agents of the taxpayers’ money, closing a school is ‘a viable possibility,’” said Wilson, “and due to declining student numbers that could occur whether or not the Override passes.”
Several factors are driving the declining enrollment AJUSD is experiencing. First and foremost is the economy. Foreclosures have forced many families to relocate either out of state or to neighboring communities. When coupled with the unification of J. O. Combs School District in Queen Creek and the addition of a new high school for local residents, these are major factors in the loss of students for AJUSD.
Which school would be targeted to be closed is not, by any means, a foregone conclusion, Dr. Wilson emphasized. While Gold Canyon School is the smallest elementary school, people should not assume it would be that site insists Wilson.
“When and if that time comes, we will examine all possibilities including the possibility of closing a middle school campus and sending sixth graders back to the elementary school campuses. Whatever is determined to be most cost effective will be done,” he added.
Questions are continually raised by Gold Canyon residents as to why the second AJUSD high school authorized by voters in the 2004 AJUSD Capital Bond election was never built. The answer is very simple. Student projections failed to materialize as economic conditions imploded and the projected need for a second high school to be developed by 2012 evaporated. The bond money authorization earmarked for that high school project has never been sold.
Development and growth of student numbers is closely tethered to fluctuations in the national and regional economy. For a number of years, AJUSD personnel planned ahead to accommodate continuing growth, now plans must be examined to cope with the declining student numbers. Educational planning is a dynamic process, and without a crystal ball, sometimes an inexact science.
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JAdair
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Posted: Wed Oct 21st, 2009 09:06 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Oct. 22, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
AJHS Drama Students Present Shakespeare Sampler
A sampler of adaptations of three of Shakespeare’s most popular and delightful comedies awaits local audiences as Apache Junction High School’s Drama Department’s fall production hits the Performing Arts Center stage on Wednesday, Nov. 4, through Saturday, Nov. 6.
Condensed, one-act versions based on “The Comedy of Errors,” “As You like It,’ and “The Taming of the Shrew” will be presented and attendees can mix and match the ones they want to see by consulting the presentation schedule.
Two of the three one-act plays will be presented each night as follows:
The Comedy of Errors – Nov. 4 and 6, 2009
As You Like It – Nov. 4 and 5, 2009
The Taming of the Shrew – Nov. 5 and 6, 2009
First performance each night will start at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center located on the high school campus at Southern Ave. and Ironwood Dr. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, $6 for adults.
For more information, call 480-982-1110, ex. 5317.
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JAdair
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Posted: Wed Oct 14th, 2009 11:03 pm |
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AJHS NJROTC
For Immediate Release Oct. 10, 2009
AJHS NJROTC Marksmanship Team Takes Second Place at State Meet
The Apache Junction High School NJROTC Varsity Marksmanship Team took the second place trophy home from the statewide AIA match held at Cesar Chavez High School on Saturday, October 10th 2009. Final scores were close with Greenway High School narrowly beating Apache Junction’s 974 score with a 1013. Chris Smith also placed 6th in the state as an individual with a score of 251. Athletes competing in this match were from teams throughout the state and it was not restricted to schools in our conference or region.
Apache Junction athletes were seniors Austin Kennedy, David Terock, Chris Smith, sophomore Abraham Martinez, and freshman Gage Clark. Coach (senior chief ) Dave Patti attributes the team’s early success to the team’s dedication and the renovated marksmanship range which allows practice during the hot summer temperatures.
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JAdair
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Posted: Wed Oct 14th, 2009 11:03 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Oct.15, 2009 480-982-1110,Ext. 2011
Project HELP Gears Up for Holidays The holidays are closer than you may think and Project HELP is gearing up to help transform those days into pleasant memories for those less fortunate.
Applications for assistance with Thanksgiving will be taken on Tuesday and Thursday between 8:30 and 11 a.m. from October 27 until November 17. Families applying for aid must have at least one child registered and attending school in the AJUSD and bring in proof of income and expenses. Applications for Christmas assistance will be taken on Tuesday and Thursday between 8:30 and 11 a.m. from October 27 through December 10.
Volunteers will be on hand to take your donations each Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 8:30 and noon.
Donations of turkeys and other Thanksgiving food items, including grocery store gift cards, should be delivered before November 20. All Christmas donations of food and new gifts need to be to Project HELP no later than December 10 so that they can be sorted and gotten ready to be distributed to families.
The current state of the economy has created difficult economic times for many people. If you or your group would like to apply to “adopt” a family for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, please contact Lailoni Capozzi at Project HELP, 480-288-2955. The help of the community is much appreciated. Helping to brighten the holidays for others is a gift in, and of, itself.
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JAdair
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 09:09 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District 1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Carol Shepherd
Sept. 24, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2012
Error in Polling Place Software Glitch Causes Consternation What has been determined to be a software glitch by the Pinal County Elections Department has left a number of voters in precincts 84.01, 88.04, and 88.01 shaking their heads and wondering where to vote on November 3, 2009.
The District was alerted to the problem when a resident placed a call to the District Office questioning the polling place listed on her voter information pamphlet, according to Carol Shepherd, spokeswoman for the Apache Junction Unified School District. “We immediately called Pinal County Elections and confirmed the error. This is significant,” she said, “to the voters in the affected areas who wish to cast their ballot in the November 3rd Maintenance and Operation Budget Override election.”
According to Election Department employee Becky Canalez, some 1013 households in those two precincts received information with the wrong polling place identified. Polling information appearing on the cover of the pamphlets directed voters to a polling place at The Villages at Rancho El Dorado located in Maricopa, Arizona. The error, she explained occurred as the software program merged voter addresses with polling places. Voters in the Apache Junction Unified School District were not the only voters affected. Pamphlets sent to voters in Casa Grande, Toltec, Coolidge, and Maricopa similarly misdirected voters in a number of precincts.
Pinal County will be sending postcards with the correct information, Shepherd explained. Residents of Precinct 88.01and 88.04 will vote at the AJUSD District Office at 1575 W. Southern Avenue. Those voters living in precinct 84.01 will vote at Gold Canyon Elementary School, 5810 S. Alameda Road.
“We are very concerned about the impact this could have on the election,” said Shepherd. “There are already a number of residents who are unaware that AJUSD serves a much larger area than just the City of Apache Junction. Residents who no longer have children at home and, therefore, little or no contact with schools are frequently unaware that they are residents of a broader electorate.” The District encompasses 217 square miles in northern Pinal County. The boundaries are Meridian on the west, Maricopa County on the north, Tonto National Forest on the east and Pecos Road on the south. Registered voters living in the entire Apache Junction area, Gold Canyon, Peralta and Queen Valley are eligible to vote in the M&O Budget Override Election.
“We want everyone who wishes to be heard to be able to exercise their right to have a voice in this election. We will do everything we can to see that residents have the correct information,” said Shepherd.
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JAdair
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 09:08 pm |
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AJUSD Schools’ State Label Rankings Highest Ever
Superintendent Chad Wilson has announced, “AJUSD schools have posted AZ LEARNS
labels this year that are better, in totality,
than we have ever-posted before. Never
in our history have we had three schools
ranked as ‘Highly Performing.’ Never in
our history have we had all sites either
maintain their labels or improve their
ratings.”
Overall, three schools – Desert Vista
Elementary School (DVES), Gold Canyon
Elementary School (GCES) and Four
Peaks Elementary School (FPES) all
showed significant upward movement
while other schools maintained their
current ratings.
This year’s AZ LEARNS ratings are as
follows:
Desert Vista Elementary School – Highly Performing (up two rankings)
Gold Canyon Elementary School – Highly Performing (up two rankings)
Peralta Trail Elementary School – Highly Performing (maintained)
Four Peaks Elementary School – Performing Plus (up one ranking)
Superstition Mountain Elementary School - Performing Plus (maintained)
Desert Shadows Middle School - Performing Plus (maintained)
Thunder Mountain Middle School – Performing Plus (maintained)
Apache Junction High School – Performing (maintained)
Mountain Shadows Education Center – Performing (up one ranking)
AZ LEARNS is a statewide school assessment system utilized annually by the Arizona
Department of Education to give communities and schools themselves an indication of how they
are doing compared to other schools in Arizona.
The achievement profile is based on the AIMS’ test scores of the students – compared to the
previous years’ scores - and several other point factors including the scores of English-language
learners and improved graduation rates at high schools.
Dr. Wilson also pointed out that two of the AJUSD schools - Desert Vista and Gold Canyon -
jumped up two levels from last year’s scores (“Performing”) to “Highly Performing” this year and
Peralta Trail Elementary School (PTES) missed the top “Excelling” label by .02 of a point.
Students make the “connection” learning to construct a
simple circuit.
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flygad1
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Posted: Thu Sep 24th, 2009 06:43 am |
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J
Can you please tell us where AJUSD ranks on major national schoolastic rankings for performance?
Just curious.
EF
Last edited on Thu Sep 24th, 2009 06:45 am by
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JAdair
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Posted: Wed Sep 23rd, 2009 09:20 pm |
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| [size=Memo] [size= ] To: AJUSD Governing Bd. Members, Chad Wilson, Jim Lockwood From: Betty Swanson, Community Services Dept.
Date: September 23, 2009
October 5-October 9, 2009 [size= ] Because of the huge increase in the amount of students we have walking to Superstition Mountain Elementary School with enforcement of the one-mile rule, there was concern about making sure that they stay as safe as possible. Out of that concern, and at the urging of Roger Hacker, we joined the City of Apache Junction in applying for a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant through ADOT from the Federal Government.
The city filled out the application with information that we provided them about SMES and DSMS – the initially targeted schools. The grant was approved for one year and about $34,000 – most of which is earmarked for a transportable speed check/display station and extra police enforcement money for around the two schools.
Also, there is a $1,000+ with which to underwrite and buy supplies for our safety awareness activities planned for SMES and DSMS this fall. The City of Apache Junction Parks and Rec Department is doing much of the planning and actual staging of the week’s activities at SMES, including obtaining a number of bike helmets donated by the Apache Junction Fire Department that will be fitted to the students who ride bicycles.
Superstition Mt. Elementary School Activities:
Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 -Walk/Ride Bike to School Week Assembly
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 – Walk/Ride Bike to School Demonstration/Practice
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 – Nat’l. Walk to School Day - Parents, Kids walking to school in organized processions
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 – Bike Rodeo for school children and seniors (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Booths, helmets and safety info
Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 – Drawings for Prizes
Desert Shadows Middle School: We will be initiating quarterly counts of the number of sixth grade students walking and riding their bicycles to school. Walking and bicycle safety information will be handed out through the sixth grade homerooms. Principal Dottie Hunt has already been approached regarding these plans and is cooperating fully in their implementation.
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JAdair
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Posted: Wed Sep 23rd, 2009 08:52 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Greg Wyman, Ed.D. News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Sept. 16, 2009 480-982-1110,Ext. 2011
AJUSD 2009-2010 School Tax Rate Drops 51 cents For the thirteenth consecutive year, the Apache Junction Unified School District is announcing a tax rate decrease for the upcoming 2009-2010 tax year. The tax rate for the upcoming year is $4.24, a 51-cent drop from last year’s rate of $4.75. The primary portion of the rate (that portion which supports maintenance and operations) will be $3.11, down 36 cents from last year’s primary rate of $3.47. The secondary portion of the rate, which goes toward paying off bonded indebtedness for new construction and also funds the Override, is down 15 cents to $1.13.
According to Dr. Jim Lockwood, Associate Superintendent, this significant drop in the primary tax rate was due to the lowering of the qualifying tax levy and the non-levy for excess utilities (approx. $.22). The drop in the secondary rate was mainly attributable to the second year phase down of the M&O Budgetary Override, he explained.
The AJUSD tax rate is among the lowest in the East Valley and Pinal County school districts. It is also one of the lowest in the history of the AJUSD.
A comparison showing this is as follows:
Fountain Hills Schools –$ 3.04
Apache Jct. Schools - $4.24
Coolidge Schools – $4.25
Higley Schools - $4.86
Mesa Schools - $4.92
Queen Creek Schools - $5.01
Gilbert Schools - $5.04
J.O. Combs Schools - $5.12
Superior Schools - $5.57
Florence Schools - $6.08
AJUSD Tax Rate History 2000-2001 - $7.98
2001-2002 - $7.96
2002-2003 - $7.67
2003-2004 - $7.00
2004-2005 - $6.75
2005-2006 - $6.28
2006-2007 - $5.99
2007-2008 - $5.85
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JAdair
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Posted: Wed Sep 23rd, 2009 08:43 pm |
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| Apache Junction Unified School District 1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Sept. 17, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
AJHS Homecoming Week is October 5-10, ‘09 Homecoming Week at Apache Junction High School is set for October 5-9, 2009. The students will participate in activities each day raising school spirit with the week culminating with two activities – the football game against Cactus Shadows on Friday evening, Oct. 9, and the Homecoming Dance on Saturday evening, Oct.10.
Friday afternoon is the annual tailgate party in the north parking lot, complete with food and music, starting at 4:30 p.m. and continuing until 6:30 p.m.
The big game against Cactus Shadows starts at 7 p.m. at Davis Field with a halftime show slated to feature fireworks and the crowning of the Homecoming Royalty 2009.
Saturday evening will feature the Homecoming Dance with the theme of “Fairy Tale” from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. in the north gym.
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JAdair
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Posted: Wed Sep 23rd, 2009 08:42 pm |
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| Apache Junction Unified School District 1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Sept. 3, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
‘Seasonal Flu’ Immunizations to be Offered Free at AJUSD Schools
Free “seasonal flu” immunizations will be available to the students of Apache Junction Unified School District sometime in October, according to District spokesperson Carol Shepherd. The immunizations are being provided by the Apache Junction Fire District and will be administered at individual school sites to students whose parents sign and return permission slips by September 30. The forms were distributed to students at all AJUSD schools last week.
“This will be the first year that AJUSD and the fire district have partnered to provide immunizations for the seasonal flu,” said Shepherd. “This is an opportunity for those parents who want to immunize their children to do so at no expense and without having to take time from work to visit their family physician.”
The vaccine that will be provided will be the “inactive” (or killed) serum that is delivered by injection. This vaccine is formulated to prevent what is termed “seasonal flu,” and will not protect against pandemic H1N1 influenza.
Health officials encourage the vaccination of children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years of age and all adults 50 years of age or older. It is also recommended that anyone who is at risk of complications from influenza, or more likely to require medical care if afflicted, be vaccinated.
Parents of children who are not yet in school will have to make arrangements to receive the vaccine from their family physician, from the County Health Department’s immunization clinics, or from another immunization source, noted Shepherd.
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JAdair
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Posted: Fri Sep 11th, 2009 07:07 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85120 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Chad Wilson, Ed.D. September 10, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2012
‘Special People” at PTES Recognized at Governing Bd. Mtg.
According to Principal Larry LaPrise, Peralta Trail Elementary School is a special place and, this month, the school honored three very special people by recognizing them at the School Governing Board meeting on Sept. 8.
Mr. LaPrise related, “At the end of last year, we were faced with three huge voids and these three people stepped up to assist.”
He cited Bobbi Smith, a third grade teacher for the past three years, who volunteered to take over the Academy Class.
Faye Smith, who worked as a paraprofessional with special education students for the past four years, took on the challenge of heading up the school’s library.
Taleen Capenter has worked countless hours as a parent volunteer for the past few years. This year, she took over as President of PAWS, the PTES parent organization, and has come up with some exciting ideas for several new events.
“Each of these three ladies have shown that they are up to the challenge of their new positions and they are three outstanding reasons why Peralta Trail will be excelling this year,” said Mr. LaPrise.
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JAdair
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Posted: Fri Sep 11th, 2009 07:06 pm |
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| Apache Junction Unified School District [size=Apache Junction, Arizona 85220] Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Betty Swanson
September 10, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
FPES PTO To Hold Yard Sale on Saturday, Sept. 19 The Four Peaks Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is holding a fundraising Yard Sale on Saturday, Sept 19, 2009 from 7a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Everyone in the community is invited to attend and take advantage of the bargains.
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JAdair
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Posted: Fri Sep 11th, 2009 07:05 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85120 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Chad Wilson, Ed.D. September 10, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Re: Presidential Speech to Students on September 8, 2009
Because of the many emails and phone calls that the schools in the Apache Junction Unified School District has received, Superintendent Chad Wilson would like to clarify the situation regarding the speech to U.S. students given by President Barack Obama on Sept. 8.
Following is the AJUSD statement on the matter:
On Tuesday, September 8, 2009, the President of the United States delivered an educational speech to students across the nation. The Apache Junction Unified School District (AJUSD) did not require any of our students to observe this speech during the school day, but we are supportive of any message to children that encourages them to be successful and take ownership in their educational journeys.
Although AJUSD did not implement a structured district-wide showing of the presidential speech, we did allow the opportunity for individual schools and classroom teachers to show the address to students if it was felt to be particularly pertinent to the curriculum being taught at that time. If the decision made was to observe his speech during the school day, parents were afforded the opportunity to have their children “opt-out” of the presentation if they believed it to be inappropriate, and those students were provided alternative learning opportunities. Neither the viewing of the speech nor participation in the accompanying study materials was used for academic credit.
Schools communicated their individual situations to parents via the district’s phone reach system rather than flyers taken home by students, as it was believed to be the most expedient means given the abbreviated timeline provided to communicate the message.
AJUSD will continue to assess and deliver the best possible educational system for the students we serve and welcomes comments and suggestions from the public in order to make it a better place for our children.
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Sep 3rd, 2009 10:46 pm |
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| Apache Junction Unified School District 1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Sept. 3, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
Apache Jct. Wal-Mart Donates to AJUSD In a quiet, yet regular fashion, the Apache Junction Wal-Mart store and its employees assist local schoolchildren. with donations. Sometimes they contribute checks, sometimes the donations are backpacks or seasonal items.
Recently, Apache Junction Unified School District students were given a helping hand through a double donation.
Superstition Mountain Elementary School Nurse Tami Tomasetti and Principal Kendra Adams were presented with a check for $2,000 to be used for eyeglasses and school supplies for students needing assistance.
Project HELP was the recipient of a check for $1,000 to be used to assist families needing food, clothing or other basic needs.
Through financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteerism, the Wal-Mart Foundation strives to provide opportunities to improve the lives of their customers and associates in the community they are located in. Initiatives focused on enhancing opportunities in education, workforce development, environmental sustainability and health and wellness are the focus of the generosity.
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Sep 3rd, 2009 10:35 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District 1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Sept. 3, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
Record Set at AJHS Fall Blood Drive
Apache Junction High School students – with a little help from outside community members and faculty – went way over their donation goal and set a new record during the recent annual Fall Blood Drive sponsored by the Student Council. Nearly 100 pints of blood - 98 to be exact - were donated during the daylong blood drive.
AJHS Student Council advisor Colleen MacCallum said, “Our kids are super about donating blood; they ‘step up’ every time.”
She also noted that the total donations would have been higher, but some potential donors had to be turned away because of the overwhelming response.
“We’ve asked for more personnel next time,” she explained, “so people won’t have to wait so long and we can accommodate everyone.”
The AJHS Student Council, reigning two-time champions of their United Blood Services Division, is going for a “three-peat” this year and looking forward to taking the title again. The group wants to thank everyone who donated blood and also to remind people that donating blood saves lives.
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Aug 27th, 2009 12:52 am |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 Office of the Superintendent News Release For immediate Release Contact: Betty Swanson
August 27, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
AJHS Dramatists Present Updated Shakespeare
They loved it in London and off-Broadway and now local audiences have a chance to enjoy Shakespeare with a modern twist and a lot of laughs when it is performed by the Apache Junction High School drama students this week. Performances of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield will be on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. two one-act plays will be performed – Hamlette (a parody of Hamlet) by Allison Williams, is a twisty-turny 30-minute version of the classic Danish tale with a female lead character, and “11 Variations on Friar John’s Failure” is a parody of Romeo and Juliette by Yuri Baranovsky .
Location is the Performing Arts Center on the high school campus. Tickets for all shows are $5 for students and senior citizens and $6 for adults. Tickets are available at the door.
Come and see Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before!
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Aug 27th, 2009 12:49 am |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 Office of the Superintendent News Release For immediate Release Contact: Betty Swanson
August 27, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
“The perfect financial storm” has hit the Apache Junction Unified School District, according to district officials. Drastic cuts in state education funding, declines in the district’s student enrollment, and the cuts necessitated by the final phaseout of the 2003 Override proposition funding have combined to create an unprecedented financial challenge facing the school district. Thus, the AJUSD Governing Board has called for an M&O Budget Override Election for Tuesday, November 3, 2009 to bring the question to the voters to decide. Arizona schools are funded through a mix of state and local dollars. A standard formula is applied to each district to determine the amount to be raised locally through property taxes.
The only way that districts can fill the “holes” left by this year’s deep state funding cuts is to ask the local community to step up, approve a 10 percent override for a period of seven years (with a three-year graduated phaseout if not approved again by voters). Taxpayers would pay an additional $5 to $6 per month in property taxes (on a house appraised at $188,000) as a result.
2009-10 Budget Cut $4 million The decision to go out for an override came close on the heels of the board approving a budget for the 2009-2010 school year that had been cut more than $4 million. Next year could be even worse, according to Jim Lockwood, Associate Superintendent for Business.
AJUSD joins nine other school districts in Pinal County and 16 in Maricopa County who are putting the M&0 Override questions to their voters.
Board Member Lucy Young said, “We are just making the decision to let the voters determine what they want to do. It is our duty to furnish the opportunity for the community to decide, especially in light of the drastic budget reductions.”
Dr. Lockwood and the Governing Board members acknowledge that the timing is not the best – everyone is very aware of the current economic downturn that is affecting so many people.
But they feel that the citizens need to be informed as to the gravity of the situation. “We are taking all of the steps that have been necessary to meet these reductions, but there is only so far you can go without eroding, and ultimately, sacrificing valuable programs that affect the quality of the education that can be provided to the children of the community.” he said.
Many Budget Reductions Already Made
Some of the steps the District has already initiated include substantial budget reductions for the last two years. This was accomplished by initiating job cuts and a hiring freeze, reducing transportation costs by enforcing the one-mile walking rule for students, eliminating field trips, curbing middle school athletic programs, and by introducing activity fees for high school students who want to participate in athletics, according to Lockwood.
Economic forecasts for schools for the coming school years of 2010-11 and 2011-12 are even bleaker, with further reductions in state funding being forecast. Arizona school districts not currently on overrides are saying their backs against the wall; they are turning to their constituency for some help, but with an eye to keeping the assistance requested at a reasonable amount. AJUSD is one of nine districts in Pinal and several in Maricopa County that are putting an override question on their ballots in November.
For more information on the November 3, 2009 M&O Budget Override ballot question, see http://www.ajusd.org and go the bottom of the page and click on “M&O Override Information.”
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Aug 27th, 2009 12:41 am |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
News Release For immediate Release Contact:[size= Betty Swanson]
[size=August 27, 2009 ] 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
AJUSD Ready for Early Start of Flu Season The Apache Junction Unified School District has taken a pro-active approach to preventing the spread of the H1N1 flu virus (Swine Flu) since last spring when cases of the illness first appeared in Arizona and across the nation. As recently as July, the Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed more than 760 cases of H1N1 swine-flu variant in Arizona.
With the start of the school year, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pinal County Health Department advise that we have not seen the last of the H1N1 flu virus. They expect a resurgence of this strain of flu as early as mid-September.
This strain of flu is extremely contagious and children are particularly at risk. School nurses will be watching for signs of the flu and custodians are using cleaning products designed to reduce the risk of contracting the illness from surfaces.
A letter is being sent home to all parents regarding this situation with a list of practices that they should implement to help prevent the spread of not just H1N1, but all influenza strains. Because influenza is spread through person-to-person contact through the coughing or sneezing of infected people parents are being asked to help in the following ways:
Do not send a child to school if he/she is sick (temperature of 100 or more, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing etc).
Instruct your children to cover their nose and mouth with either their elbow or a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Teach them to throw the tissue in the trash after it is used.
Tell your children to wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Use of alcohol-based hands cleaners when soap and water is not available.
Tell your children to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth because germs are spread this way.
ADHS (Arizona Department of Health Services) recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them if you are feeling ill.
Health officials also suggest that you consult your family physician about immunizing your family against seasonal influenza and when the vaccine is available for the H1N1 virus that you immunize your family against this virus as well.
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AJ/GC/EM
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Posted: Sat Aug 22nd, 2009 05:58 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carol A. Shepherd
August 21, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2012
AJUSD Governing Board Tentative Agenda
The Governing Board will meet on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. to conduct the regularly scheduled monthly Board Meeting. The meeting will be held in the District Board Room at the District Administrative Center, 1575 W. Southern Avenue.
Date: August 25, 2009
Regular Meeting: 1:00 p.m.
Location: District Office Board Room
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
1. Consideration of Previous Minutes
2. Approval of Agenda
5. Superintendent’s Report
· Current Student Enrollment
· Override
6. Call to the Public
7. Approval of Consent Agenda
· Auxiliary Accounts/Vouchers:
1. Auxiliary Operations $423,659.29
2. Student Activities $207.255.98
3. Vouchers Expenses:
a) Expenses $ 621,717.14
b) Food Services 31,565.72
c) Revolving 3,550.11
d) Payroll 1,376,755.09
$2,033,588.06
· Technology approval request to replace end-of-life network switches at six district sites
· Educational Services approval request to renew School Reach Parent Contact System for the period from 9/1/09 to 9/1/10
· Personnel Action
New Employees
Certified
Glen Adams, Teacher-CTE, AJHS; Laura Harrington, Teacher-Science, DSMS;
Kristine Mooney, Speech Path, PTES;
Ana Ramirez, Teacher-Reading Specialist, DSMS;
Kevin Reeves, Teacher-Math, AJHS
Classified
Geard Edin, Custodian I, HS – Floater;
Delia Flores, Para-Educator-SPED, HS;
Karla Garcia, Cafeteria Assistant I, FS;
Ruth Hall, Cafeteria Assistant I, FS;
Shakima Huff, Para-Educator- SPED-Pre-School, SMES;
Kelli Leavitt, Para-Educator- SPED-Pre-School, SMES;
Anita Linker, Bus Aide, Transportation;
Rene Mejia, Para-Educator – SPED, MSEC;
Jessica Ochoa, Bus Aide, Transportation
Resignation
Corrina Huhn, Nurse, LPN, DSMS;
Sarah Jamie Johnson, COTA/Athletic Trainer, HS;
Lu Ann Jones, Para-Educator – SPED, HS;
Brian Long, Teacher, AJHS;
Eric Reed, Teacher, AJHS;
Leave Of Absence
Annicka Carlson, Bus Driver, Transportation
8. Non Action Items (For consideration only, the Board may take action on a future date)
· Secondary Education Plan
· Galileo Forecast
· FPES (Original Building)
· School Calendar
· Employment
9. Items for Future Consideration
10. Adjournment
11. Document signing
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Sat Aug 22nd, 2009 05:57 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
Office of the Superintendent
News Release
For immediate Release Contact: Betty Swanson
AJHS Blood Drive is Aug. 28
The Apache Junction High School Student Council, reigning two-time champions of their United Blood Services Division, is asking the community to step up and donate blood on Friday, August 28, during their Fall Blood Drive. The group is going for a “three-peat.” Anyone over the age of 16, students, teachers, and community members are encouraged to donate and help save three lives per donation!
Appointments must be made in advance and donors can then go into the school office and check in and receive their Visitor Pass to proceed to the south gymnasium. Make an appointment by emailing cmaccull@ajusd.org or calling 480-982-1110, ext. 2300.
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AJ/GC/EM
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Posted: Sat Aug 22nd, 2009 05:56 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
Office of the Superintendent
News Release
For immediate Release Contact: Betty Swanson
August 20, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
Shakespeare Parodies Showcased by AJHS Dramatists
Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before will be served up by actors from the Summer Drama Class at Apache Junction High School on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and Friday, Sept. 4, when they present a play entitled “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield.
This rollicking comedy presents bits and pieces of Shakespeare’s works with some up dated dialogue added in.
On Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, Sept. 3, two one-act plays will be performed – Hamlette (a parody of Hamlet) by Allison Williams, and “11 Variations on Friar John’s Failure (a parody of Romeo and Juliette) by Yuri Baranovsky .
Tickets for all shows are $5 for students and senior citizens and $6 for adults. Tickets are available at the door.
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JAdair
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Posted: Tue Aug 4th, 2009 09:38 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Caution: School Zones Ahead! Summer’s out…school is in. Students will be heading back to school this week.
That means that drivers should once again be aware of students crossing streets near school buildings and playing fields. It is also time for drivers to “brush up” on their knowledge of the traffic laws regarding 15 mph school zones around crosswalks. These zones are called “zero tolerance” zones. That means that you can be issued a citation for going even one mile per hour over the speed limit in a School Zone.
More 15 MPH School Zone information:
· If any person/persons are in the crosswalk, they must be completely out of the crosswalk before any vehicle can proceed in either direction.
· Passing is not permitted in a 15 mph zone, no matter how slow another vehicle is traveling. And passing does not mean getting around the vehicle. No passing means that your bumper can’t pass any other car’s bumper going in the same direction.
· Once you have driver entirely past the crosswalk, you may resume the normal speed for that street.
All of the Apache Junction Unified School District schools now have automated solar-powered display signs that show drivers the speed of their vehicle as they pass through the marked school zones.
Don’t forget! There are new signs and speed limits on both Ironwood Dr. and Broadway Ave. slowing traffic from 40 mph to 25 mph on school days between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. this year. SMES Principal Kendra Adams said, “While we realize that this will mean a change of habits for some drivers, I want to thank the community for understanding that keeping our children safe is everyone’s responsibility.” The reduced speed limit affects Ironwood Dr. between 4th Ave. and approximately 300 feet south of Broadway Ave., and Broadway Ave. between Palo Verde and Gold drives. Speed limits will be enforced by local law enforcement with stepped up enforcement the first weeks of school, according to Apache Junction Police.
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JAdair
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Posted: Tue Aug 4th, 2009 09:34 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District 1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Aug. 3, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Homework is an Important Part of Education
Homework is not simply busy work assigned to your student to keep them occupied at home in the evening. It reinforces the skills that they have been taught in the classroom, and practice is an important part of the learning and retention process.
Completing homework successfully also provides an opportunity for students to practice self-discipline, responsibility, time management, and goal setting and to experience the satisfaction of attaining a goal.
Insisting that homework is done on a daily basis demonstrates to your child that you believe in the importance of education. Provide a quiet place for your child to do his or her homework. Limit distractions and be available to answer questions or to proofread your student’s efforts. Setting a specific time each evening for homework allows your child to schedule calls from friends and outings at times when homework will not be interrupted.
One of the biggest factors in the success of students is completion of homework assignments. When homework is completed, fewer hours are needed for reviewing for tests. Students understand and retain the concepts presented by the material for a much longer period of time.
Homework is an essential part of a successful educational experience, one that parents have direct control over. A partnership between teachers and parents is the best way to ensure academic success for your child.
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JAdair
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Posted: Tue Aug 4th, 2009 09:33 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
Aug. 3, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011 Good School Attendance Critical to Academic Success When teachers review grades, the scores alone indicate which students have good attendance habits and which don’t. All research indicates that children who have poor attendance habits do not fare well in the classroom. Furthermore, student absences do more than damage the achievement of one student. They affect the entire classroom. Why? When a child returns to the classroom after missing instruction, review of material introduced during the absence is essential. This review robs many other students of valuable learning time.
The timely introduction of new material is important to scores on national standardized tests and the AIMS (Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards) test, both used in the Arizona LEARNS system of labeling schools based on Achievement Profiles.
In addition to the obvious effects on academics, state revenue is also affected as ADM (Average Daily Membership) is awarded to the school district based on attendance. Every day a child is absent and no valid reason is provided for the absence, the school receives no funding for that child that day. In the long term, this impacts everyone. Absenteeism costs the Apache Junction Unified School District as much as $150,000 per percentage point of absenteeism.
Children should not be sent to school when they are ill. Sending an unwell child only serves to infect more children creating additional absences. When a child is unwell, running a fever of 100-plus they should stay home. Parents are asked to call their child’s school and report the absence, giving a reason for the absence.
Please don’t allow your child to stay home just because he or she wants to. They have much to lose by this behavior.
Medical and dental appointments should be scheduled after school hours except in the case of an emergency. Family vacations should be planned during scheduled school breaks.
If you know that your child will be absent, please notify the school so that the child’s homework assignments can be completed in advance of the absence, minimizing the loss of learning time. If your child is ill, and will require a prolonged recovery period at home, contact your child’s school and they will make arrangements for your child to complete his or her studies at home, so that he or she will miss little instruction time.
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JAdair
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Posted: Tue Aug 4th, 2009 09:18 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4 Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 Office of the Superintendent News Release For immediate Release Contact: Betty Swanson
Aug. 2, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Dress Codes Assure Appropriate Clothing at AJUSD Schools Dress codes are in effect at all Apache Junction District Schools so, before school clothes are purchased, parents might want to review their child’s school dress code. Dress codes are published in all of the school handbooks. Students who don’t comply will either be sent home to change or will be required to wear clothing provided by the school.
Clothing, hats, accessories, including jewelry, which advertise, display and/or promote any drug, alcohol, tobacco, sexual activity, violence, obscenities, disrespect and/or bigotry or that present a health/safety concern are not allowed at the high school. In the middle schools, clothing must not contain any messages (written words, symbols, etc.) at all.
Clothing, hats, bandanas, or accessories that suggest or are deemed to be gang related are prohibited when such attire or grooming creates an atmosphere of threat, intimidation, undue pressure, disrupts the educational environment or interferes with curriculum goals and educational objectives.
Clothing, jewelry, or accessories that present risk to health, safety, and general welfare of students, expose the chest, abdomen, stomach, genital areas, legs or buttocks are prohibited. This ban includes, but is not limited to: halter tops, crop tops, off-the shoulder tops or tops with immodest necklines and any attire with spaghetti straps. Straps on all tops and dresses must be at least one and a half inches in width. Pants that drag on the ground and clothing that allows undergarments to be exposed are prohibited. At the high school, dresses, skirts and shorts must be at a modest length. Slits in dresses and skirts must rest no higher than mid-thigh. In the middle schools, shorts, skirts and dresses must be at least “knuckle” length. (Standing straight, the student’s skirt, shorts, etc., must not be shorter than the length of the student’s arms held at her sides with hands clenched).
Bare feet are not acceptable. Shoes must be worn at all times. Sunglasses, hats and headphones are not permitted in class.
Failure to comply with the dress codes can result in receiving a referral. On the first occasion, students will be provided or may obtain alternative clothing. At the high school, the second offense will not only earn students the opportunity to wear alternative clothing, but they will be referred for uncooperative behavior and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. At the middle school level, the first offense will result in the wearing of alternative clothing. Thereafter, referrals will be made and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
Purchasing the appropriate clothing initially will save both parents and students not only the embarrassment of wearing clothing provided by the school, but the inconvenience of missing class and disciplinary action.
For more information, call your child’s school office.
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JAdair
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Posted: Fri Jul 24th, 2009 06:57 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
July 23, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
PTES Teacher Named Arizona D.A.R.E. ‘Educator of the Year’
Mrs. Marie Bowers, a fifth grade teacher at Peralta Trail Elementary School, was recently honored as Arizona’s “D.A.R.E. Educator of the Year” at the D.A.R.E. annual convention held in Prescott, AZ.
D.A.R.E. stands for “Drug Abuse Resistance Education,” a collaborative project in which local law enforcement personnel and local schools join together to educate students about the personal and social consequences of substance abuse and violence. Millions of U.S. children in more than 300,000 classrooms in this nation will benefit from the program this year.
Ms. Bowers has made power points to review the D.A.R.E. info with her fifth grade students and she also serves on the Apache Junction D.A.R.E. board. Officer Bill Virtue of the Apache Junction Police Department serves as D.A.R.E. Officer in all of the AJUSD elementary schools. A culminating ceremony is held for the students in the spring.
The program was first developed 1983 and has undergone multiple revisions as research findings increase knowledge of effective substance abuse prevention strategies among school-aged youth.
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JAdair
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Posted: Fri Jul 24th, 2009 06:34 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release (REVISED)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
July 21, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
Dr. Chad Wilson is New AJUSD Superintendent
Dr. Chad Wilson assumed the duties of Superintendent of Apache Junction Unified School District on July 1, 2009. Prior to his appointment by the Governing Board, Dr. Wilson had served as the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services for this district since 2005.
As the Associate Superintendent, Dr. Wilson was responsible for directing the educational policy and practices for the district. The departments of Special Education, Curriculum, Career and Technical Education, Testing, Technology, Professional Development and Career Ladder, English Language Learners (ELL), Title I and Nursing Services have been, and will continue to be, under his direct supervision.
“I am fortunate to be the superintendent,” he said. “Our district is full of smart students, great teachers and staff, and is supported by an outstanding community. I recognize that as good as we are, we have room to get better and it is our responsibility to provide all students an educational opportunity that we would expect for our own children or grandchildren.”
He originally joined the AJUSD in 1999 as assistant principal at Apache Junction High School, a position he held for two years before being named principal in 2001. He then served as a popular and innovative principal at AJHS for two years, implementing an intensive and individualized “Triage” learning program that helped at-risk students to successfully complete the AIMS testing requirements for graduation.
Dr. Wilson has been described by those who know him as “tireless” in his pursuit of educational excellence for the students in AJUSD schools. Dr. Wilson is married and he and his wife have two children.
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Jul 23rd, 2009 08:33 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
July 30, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2011
Freshman Orientation at Apache Jct. High School is Saturday, August 8
All incoming freshmen students to Apache Junction High School and their parents are urged to plan to attend a Freshman Orientation Day and Open House scheduled for Saturday, August 8, beginning at 8 a.m. and lasting until about 11 a.m.
Hosted by the Student Council, activities will include a welcome, introductions, a pep assembly, a campus tour, refreshments, and an opportunity to meet your teachers and staff.
Administrators and counselors will be available for questions. For more info, call 480-982-1110, ext. 2303 or 2300.
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Last edited on Thu Jul 23rd, 2009 08:34 pm by JAdair
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Jul 23rd, 2009 08:33 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
July 22, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Local Agencies Sponsor Aug. 8 Child Find Event
Child Find, a free morning of developmental screenings for youngsters and information opportunities for families will be held on Saturday, August 8, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Apache Junction Multi-Generational Center at 1035 N. Idaho Rd.
Available free of charge will be: hearing, visual, and cognitive skills’ screenings; safety information; child Id information from the AJ Police Department; childcare information; information on Kids Care health insurance; car seat inspections, healthy eating and lifestyle demos and samples.
The developmental screenings will consist of approximately a half an hour of activities designed to assess a child’s hearing, vision, social and communication skills and motor development.
The Apache Junction Unified School District is partnering with other community agencies to sponsor this free event. They include: Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department, Apache Junction Police Department, Apache Junction Head Start and Early Head Start, CAC Child Development Center, Apache Junction Early Intervention Program, Apache Junction Fire District and the Apache Junction Library.
Any agencies or businesses interested in participating or those with questions should call Apache Junction Parks and Rec Department at 480-983-2181.
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JAdair
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Posted: Thu Jul 23rd, 2009 08:31 pm |
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Dr. Chad Wilson is New
AJUSD Superintendent
Dr. Chad Wilson assumed the duties of Superintendent of Apache Junction Unified School District on July 1, 2009. Prior to his appointment by the Governing Board, Dr. Wilson had served as the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services for this district since 2005.
As the Associate Superintendent, Dr. Wilson was responsible for directing the educational policy and practices for the district. The departments of Special Education, Curriculum, Career and Technical Education, Testing, Technology, Professional Development and Career Ladder, English Language Learners (ELL), Title I and Nursing Services have been, and will continue to be, under his direct supervision.
“I am fortunate to be the superintendent,” he said. “Our district is full of smart students, great teachers and staff, and is supported by an outstanding community. I recognize that as good as we are, we have room to get better and it is our responsibility to provide all students an educational opportunity that we would expect for our own children or grandchildren.”
He originally joined the AJUSD in 1999 as assistant principal at Apache Junction High School, a position he held for two years before being named principal in 2001. He then served as a popular and innovative principal at AJHS for two years, implementing an intensive and individualized “Triage” learning program that helped at-risk students to successfully complete the AIMS testing requirements for graduation.
Dr. Wilson has been described by those who know him as “tireless” in his pursuit of education excellence for the students in AJUSD schools. Dr. Wilson is married and he and his wife have two children.
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JAdair
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| Joined: | Thu Dec 28th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 570 |
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Posted: Thu Jul 23rd, 2009 08:30 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: C. Shepherd
July 23, 2009 480-982-1110, ext. 2012
Governing Board Meeting Set
The Tuesday, July 28 meeting of the Apache Junction Unified School District Governing Board has been rescheduled to Thursday, July 30 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be conducted in the Governing Board room in the District Administrative Center at 1575 W. Southern Avenue.
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JAdair
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| Joined: | Thu Dec 28th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 570 |
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Posted: Wed Jul 1st, 2009 11:15 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220 Telephone: (480) 982-1110 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Carol Shepherd
July 2, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2012
Sixth Grade Athletic Program Budget Casualty The intra-district after-school athletic program for sixth grade students will be discontinued at both Thunder Mountain and Desert Shadow middle schools, as part of the District’s effort to contain costs and deal with necessary budget reductions.
Only seventh and eight grade students will be eligible to try out for a particular sport and only one team will be organized per sport. It is hoped that these changes will provide an opportunity for high school coaches to have more involvement in the middle school athletic program, reduce conflicts with field and court usage and decrease costs associated with sports programs. The fee to participate will remain at $50 per student, per year, regardless of the number of sports the student participates in. All student athletics must have an athletic physical prior to trying out.
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 18th, 2009 08:28 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Greg Wyman, Ed.D.
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Betty Swanson
May 26, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Free AJUSD Summer Lunch Program Underway
School’s out, but lunch is in!
Free kid-friendly, nutritious lunches for children 18 years of age or younger are now available every weekday through Friday, July 17, at Desert Shadows Middle School, 801 W. Southern Ave., in Apache Junction. Lunch will be served between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Children can be brought to the sites by parents or caretakers for the free lunches that consist of child-friendly items such as tacos, corndogs, chicken nuggets, and fruit. Adult meals can also be purchased for $2.50 if the adult wishes to eat with the child/children.
Plan to combine the free lunch with other available activities. If children are participating in the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation “Open Gym” program at DSMS, the children can have lunch there as well.
Menus for summer lunches can be obtained by going to http://www.ajusd.org and going to “Departments,” then “Food Service,” and opening “June/July Menu” listings.
For more information, call 480-982-1110, ext. 2014.
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 18th, 2009 08:27 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betty Swanson
May 28, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Summer Hours for Apache Jct. Unified School District
Summer hours will go into effect at all AJUSD offices on Monday, June 1, 2009. A 10-hour, four-day work week has been instituted for conservation purposes. Hours will be 6 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
All individual school offices within the Apache Junction Unified School District will be closed the first two weeks of July to allow for staff vacations. School offices will reopen on Monday, July 20, 2009, and will be open Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. until Monday, July 27, when they will resume normal hours.
The District office is the only exception and will remain open Monday through Thursday throughout June and July from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Regular office hours and the five-day, 8-hour workday will resume for the entire school district on July 27, 2009. The regular office hours at the District Administrative Center are from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Opening and closing hours at the schools vary from school to school, based on school day start times.
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Fri Jun 12th, 2009 07:31 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Betty Swanson
June 11, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
AJHS Students Learn about High Tech Careers
The Apache Junction High School students had just removed their shoes and were waiting to
see what would happen next as they glanced down at their peers’ feet. Soon the chatter would begin as they became “human calculators” and stepped on different squares located on the floor of a Chandler-Gilbert Community College classroom.
“Students learn best when they can actually see it with their eyes and touch it with their hands,” said Tom McGlew, instructional programs development specialist with Maricopa Community Colleges,Tom McGlew
Instructional Programs Development Specialist who added this exercise helps explain the binary code computers use.
Next on the agenda for the 17 high school students was a tour of the Cessna Aircraft Company’s new maintenance facility located next door to the CGCC Williams campus in Mesa.
During one of the last weeks of the school year, students were participating in an innovative program called SEMI High Tech U, which gives students opportunities to learn about high tech career fields such as the solar or aerospace industry.
For the past eight years, San Jose-based SEMI Foundation has teamed with semiconductor, solar and aerospace industries and local education communities to introduce high school students to math and science-based curricula that can lead to high-tech careers. The program recruits a diverse student population, focusing on minorities, girls, and students who show promise, but are not necessarily A and B students.
During the 3-day High Tech U in May, sponsored by Salt River Project and the Maricopa Community Colleges, the students were introduced to careers including microelectronics, solar and aerospace through hands-on experiments, tours and lectures from industry experts.
“Education has always been a priority of SRP’s community outreach, and high-tech education, specifically, is now receiving special focus,” said Jan Miller, SRP manager of strategic economic services. “The High Tech U program is an excellent way to take bright local high school students of diverse backgrounds and expose them to the exciting high-tech careers of local employers.”
Volunteers from Chandler-Gilbert Community College, SRP and other high-tech companies served as instructors.
“I really appreciated the hands-on experience and the participation that the instructors and my other classmates shared,” Ty'Dria White who will be a senior next year at AJHS. “I learned a lot from HTU about my future career that I want to embark in. I would love to attend it again, and I would recommend that anyone that is qualified to attend go.”
“Before High Tech U, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my future, but it gave me many great tips that I will use and opened my view on many types of work,” said Alissa Harmon who will be a junior at AJHS next year.
High Tech U was created by San Jose, Calif.-based SEMI as a way of getting more students interested in science, math and high-tech careers. Since 2001, 89 programs have been delivered to 2378 students and 476 teachers in the US, Austria, France, Japan and Singapore.
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PHOTO CAPTION: Apache Junction High School students (l to r) Andrew Farman, Ty’Dria White, Austin Kennedy, and Steve Fenicle collaborate on an electrical experiment during the SEMI High Tech U they attended in May.
Attachment: AJHS to High Tech U.jpg (Downloaded 65 times)
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Fri Jun 12th, 2009 07:29 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carol A. Shepherd
June 11, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
AJUSD Governing Board Calls for Override
Acknowledging a weak national and state economy, the Apache Junction Unified School District Governing Board cited the need to reduce their current budget by as much as $4.5 million in the coming year as the driving force prompting their approval of a resolution calling for a special election to approve a Maintenance and Operating Budget Override. The Board, voting 4-1 with Linda Newkirk dissenting, approved putting the question of an Override on the ballot for the November 3 election.
The District joins seven other Pinal County school districts who are asking voters for an M&O Budgetary Override that would allow the districts to exceed their annual Maintenance and Operating budgets by up to 10% for a period of seven years with a three-year phase out beginning in year five.
Speaking on behalf of the Override, Angela Philpot, a District teacher, urged the board to follow the recommendations made by the employees of the Meet and Confer committee to pursue the Override option. “I would strongly encourage you to vote for the Override issue,” said Ms. Philpot. We need to invest in our children’s education if we are to be Arizona’s first choice.”
In voting to approve the call for election, Board Member Lucy Young said, “We are just making the decision to let the voters determine what they want to do. If they are in favor of the override, they can vote ‘yes,’ if not, they can vote ‘no.’ It is our duty to furnish the opportunity for the community to decide, especially in light of the drastic budget reductions.”
The economic conditions facing the district for the 2009-10 have been described as the “perfect storm,” with the current budget bind stemming from a combination of the fallout from the current economic downturn. State budget deficits and subsequent reductions in state funding, a decrease in student counts and the second year of the phase out of the current M&O Budget Override are just some of the contributing factors.
Dr. Jim Lockwood, Associate Superintendent of Business Services, earlier explained that while the district was very aware of the impact the current economic downturn has on the community, it has become necessary to ask voters for their help. “We understand, and like them have been seriously impacted by these events. We are taking all of the steps that have been necessary to meet these reductions, but there is only so far you can go without eroding and ultimately sacrificing valuable people and programs.”
Some of the steps the District has already initiated include a budget reduction of $1 million last year (2008-09) as part of the three-year phase out of the current override. This was accomplished by initiating a hiring freeze, reducing transportation costs by enforcing the one-mile walking rule, eliminating most field trips and by introducing activity fees for students.
The current situation is, however, unprecedented. Before the 2008-09 budget year was over, the state ordered school to reduce their 2008-09 budgets by 2%. For AJUSD, that meant an additional reduction of $750,000.
The coming year (2009-10) economic outlook is no better with the District faced with a $4.5 million reduction. Most of this amount is attributable to drastic cuts in state funding for schools. The District has already initiated a salary freeze for all employees, and reduced staff this year alone by 56 employees including classroom teachers, administrators and support staff. Staff reductions since 2007 now total 93 employees.
Forecasts for the coming school years of 2010-11 and 2011-12 are even bleaker with further reductions in state funding projected.
If the Override is approved, the new Override would replace the current one which is in the second year of the phase out period.
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Fri Jun 12th, 2009 07:28 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Betty Swanson
June 11, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 201
AJUSD Hires Back RIF’d Teachers
Many of the 33 first-year AJUSD teachers who were given Reduction in Force (RIF) notices that their jobs had been eliminated for next year are currently breathing a sigh of relief.
They will be returning to classrooms in the AJUSD this August because they have been offered positions that have opened up through retirements and resignations. Under the rules governing the RIF procedure, school district personnel who have been subject to a RIF notice have first right of refusal when there are teaching openings at the District’s schools.
This summer, after school ended, teaching jobs become available through attrition – retirements or resignations.
Over the last two years, the district has eliminated 93 positions including teachers, administrative and support personnel. These jobs will not be refilled as the District tries to cope with a possible budget shortfall that could go as high as $4.5 million for 2009-2010.
“We were pleased to be able to offer these laid off teachers classroom positions,” said Dr. Jim Lockwood, Associate Superintendent of Business and Finance. “At the time we issued the RIF notices to teachers we had no idea how many personnel would not be returning. With the way that the 2009-2010 budget is shaping up with possible huge cuts in funding, we couldn’t offer contracts that we might not have been able to honor.”
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 4th, 2009 04:51 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carol A. Shepherd
June 4, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
AJUSD Governing Board Tentative Agenda
The Governing Board will meet on Tuesday evening, June 9, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in regular session to conduct the business of the Apache Junction Unified School District. The meeting will be held at District Administrative Center, 1575 W. Southern Avenue.
A Work Session/Special Meeting will be conducted on Tuesday morning, June 9, 2009, at 11 a.m. in the Governing Board Room at the District Administrative Center, 1575 W. Southern Avenue.
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consideration of Previous Minutes
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Superintendent’s Report
- Employees of the Month-Transportation
- Current Events
6. Call to the Public
7. Approval of Consent Agenda
- Vouchers/Auxiliary Accounts
1. Expenses $ 980,993.44
2. Payroll 5,005,216.06
3. Revolving 4,069.81
4. Food Services 66,593.90
Total $ 6,056,873.21
- Pearson Learning $78,000.00
Resignations:
Ivona Balderama, Teacher, PTES
Dale Pierce, Print Shop Coordinator, Community Services
Karen Pierce, Administrative Assistant, DO (SmartSchools)
Nancy Sample, Food Services
Resignation Rescinded
Tracey Rowe, Cafeteria Lead, Food Services
8. Non Action Item-none
9. Items for Consideration (the Governing Board may take possible action on the following items)
A. Consideration of Approval of Data Processing Service Agreement and Intergovernmental Agreement with Pinal County Schools
Governing Board approval is requested in order to enter into the service agreement to begin July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010. The program provides processing services, including accounts payable, payroll, budget data and related information. A resolution shall be signed as part of this agreement.
B. Consideration of Approval of Pinal County Service Consortium Agreement
Governing Board approval is requested in order to enter into the agreement beginning July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010. Some of the services provided are: professional development opportunities, regional learning opportunities and resources, teacher trainers’ workshops. Membership fee is $9,824.33.
C. Consideration of Approval of Contract Renewal for E-rate Consulting Services
The Technology Department is seeking Governing Board approval to renew the contract with Educational Technology Associates (Chris Igel) for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The monthly charge is $959.50 for a total of $11,514 based on Mohave Contract #08H-ETA-1107.
D. Consideration of Approval of Out of State Travel
Mary Ambrose, DSMS Teacher, is seeking Governing Board approval to travel to Williamsburg, VA. to attend the summer institute focusing on curriculum and instruction for high ability learners at the College of William and Mary. Cost to the district is $365.00 registration fee, employee will pay other associated costs.
E. Consideration of Proposed Action Agenda Items for FY 2010
Governing Board recommendations are required for the district delegate’s participation at the Delegate Assembly to be held June 27, 2009 at the Marriott Resort in Tempe, AZ. The recommendations will assist the delegate in the voting process to best represent the position of the district.
F. Consideration of Approval of Job Description
The Special Education Department is seeking Governing Board approval for the job description of School Improvement Special Education Coordinator. The primary goal is to coordinate the School Improvement Plan for AJUSD Special Education and move students forward to meet AYP and AMO.
G. Consideration of Adoption of Resolution for Special Budget Override Election
Governing Board approval is requested in order to proceed with a new special budget override election up to the 10% level to be held in and for the Apache Junction Unified School District 43 of Pinal County, Arizona on November 3, 2009 in accordance with Section 15-491 and Title 35, Chapter 3 of the Arizona Revised Statures.
10. Items for Future Consideration
11. Adjournment
12. Document signing
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 4th, 2009 04:50 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Betty Swanson
June 4, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Free Immunizations Available at Pinal Cty. Health Dept. Office in AJ
The nurses at the Apache Junction Unified School District schools would like to remind parents that free immunizations for children, newborn to 18 years old, are now available at the Pinal County Health Department Office any time of the day, Monday through Saturday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and get them the immunization shots they need for FREE. No appointment is necessary.
The office is located at 525 N. Idaho Rd. in the Roy Hudson complex in Office 301 just south of the Motor Vehicle Department. Immunization records must accompany the child or teen.
This expansion of hours and days of available service are the result of stepped up efforts in the last two years to raise the immunization rate in Pinal County.
For more information, call 1-866-960-0633.
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 4th, 2009 04:49 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
Office of the Superintendent
Gregory Wyman, Ed. D.
News Release
For immediate Release Contact: Betty Swanson
May 21, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
AJHS Seniors Graduate as AZ Academic Scholars
Sixty-two Apache Junction High School students in the graduating Class of 2009 were recognized as Arizona Academic Scholars at last week’s Commencement Exercises. They received special seals on their AJHS diplomas and were also awarded medallions they wore around their necks during the graduation ceremony.
This program recognizes and rewards students for taking more rigorous academic courses during high school. But program organizers maintain that the real rewards will be realized by the students who are better equipped to advance to higher education, or who will be more successful in the workplace and in military training programs because of their more rigorous courses of studies.
According to Michaelene Murphy, AJHS counselor for the senior class, this may the last year that Arizona Academic Scholars will be recognized. Funding to pay for the medals and other program expenses will expire after June.
The Academic Scholar high school course of study includes: four credits of English; three credits of Mathematics through Algebra II; three credits of Social Studies; three credits of Lab Sciences including Biology, Chemistry and Physics or a Physical Science; and two credits of Foreign Language. Students must earn a C or better in every scholars’ class and meet all other graduation requirements as well.
The following graduating seniors were recognized this year at graduation as Arizona Academic Scholars:
Lindsay Adair
Cody Beck
Joseph Bell, Jr.
Nicole Brokaw
Alisha Canzona
Chance Carlson
Myra Castaneda
Derrick Cordle
Wynonna Corente
Zachary Decke
Melinda DeMoss
Natalie Donald
Abigail Flores
Nicole Friedrich
Anthony Gallina
Nia Garcia
Rubi Garibay
Angela Goodin
Jordan Grams
William Haigh
Dustin Heine
Nicole Henry
Nicole Higuera
Sarah Holder
Bianca Isaac
Courtney Jackson
Amanda Johnson
Hans Keller
Sarah Krawiec
Angela Lilley
Cristy Martinez De Santiago
Brandi McCann
Shane McCullen
Rachael McKay
Miriah Michalek
Presley Morrissey
Riley Mullender
Marissa Munoz
Caitlynn Nehl
Olivia Ochoa
Teresa Pacheco
Jessica Pacyne
Eryka Paladino
Elias Pickhart
Lauren Pomeroy
Joe Richie
Taylor Rogers
William Schwiesow
Sarah Simeonoff
Megan Stevens
Desiree Stinnett
Kathryn Stout
Sarah Sykes
Dung Tran
Caitlin Turner
Tracy Valgento
Willa Van Nimwegen
Matthew Vehon
Taliena Walker
Ashley Welton
Sarah White
Brittney Wilson
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 4th, 2009 04:48 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Greg Wyman, Ed.D.
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Betty Swanson
May 21, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Summer Federal Free Lunch Program at AJUSD
Don’t forget about the Summer Lunch Program - free nutritious meals available for children 18 years of age or younger from June 1- July 17 every weekday at Desert Shadows Middle School, 801 W. Southern Ave. in Apache Junction.
Children can be brought to the sites by parents or caretakers for the free lunches that consist of child-friendly items such as tacos, corndogs, chicken nuggets, and fruit. Adult meals can also be purchased for $2.50 if the adult wishes to eat with the child/children.
Plan to combine the free lunch with other available activities. If children are participating in the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation “Open Gym” program at DSMS, the children can have lunch there as well.
For more information, call 480-982-1110, ext. 2014.
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 4th, 2009 04:46 pm |
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Apache Junction Unified School DistrictThis
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
Office of the Superintendent
Gregory Wyman, Ed. D.
News Release
For immediate Release Contact: Carol Shepherd
May 21, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Pre-Kindergarten at AJUSD Announced
Kindergarteners will no longer be the youngest students on two of Apache Junction Unified School District campuses when school resumes August 12, 2009. Thirty-eight four-year olds will attend Pre-kindergarten classes at Four Peaks and Desert Vista Elementary schools. The all-day program is free and open to those children who reside within the boundaries of AJUSD.
The program is a kindergarten preparatory program designed to help children with their academic and developmental skills. Children will receive instruction in counting, number sets, name recognition, writing and color, shape and letter recognition. The curriculum includes creative art projects, and introduction to music, large and small muscle coordination and even science projects.
Pre-screenings will be held in the Title I building at 1575 W. Southern on Monday, June 15 from 7:30 to 11 a.m. and from 3-7 pm. Children must have reached the age of four (4) by September 1, 2009 to participate. Transportation for this pilot program will not be provided and will be the responsibility of parents.
Parents are asked to bring the child’s immunization record, birth certificate and proof of residency to the screening on Monday June 15. Those children selected to enroll in the program will be contacted.
For more information, please contact Heather Wallace at 480-982-1110, ext. 2040 or Kurt Decke at 480-982-1110-ext 3300.
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Thu May 21st, 2009 01:14 am |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
Office of the Superintendent
Gregory Wyman, Ed.D.
News Release
For immediate Release Contact: Betty Swanson
AJHS NJROTC Unit Receives “Distinguished” Designation
For the fourth year in a row, the cadets in the NJROTC (National Junior Reserve Officer in Training) unit at Apache Junction High School have been notified, on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy, that they have once again been awarded NJROTC Distinguished Unit Status with Academic Honors for the 2008/2009 school year. AJHS’ unit is one of only three in the state of Arizona to earn this honor.
According to Senior Naval Science Instructor Major William Parker, “This is the very top award (national recognition) that an NJROTC school can receive. This qualified us for ‘honor military school’ status under the law.”
This announcement came at the 14th Annual NJROTC Awards Ceremony held on May 12.
Also that evening, Cadet Commander Presley Morrissey was presented a NJROTC Meritorius Achievement Award – that highest award that a cadet can achieve – for her four years of exceptional service that she has provided to the unit and the school. According to Major Parker, Cadet Presley Morrissey has earned “every honor that an NJROTC cadet can be awarded” during her four years in the NJROTC unit.
Samantha Steffen and James Farrell have been named among 200 students nationwide (out of 60,000) to participate in the 1st NJROTC Science and Technology seminar to be held at the University of San Diego this summer. This highly competitive and rigorous academic program is college level instruction taught by university instructors. The Navy is covering the full cost, including airfare.
Other awards that were presented are as follows:
Presenting Group Recipient
Military Officers Association of America James Farrell, Sarah Swander
Military Order of the World Wars Kelly Collette, Taylor Morrissey
Daughters of the American Revolution Taylor Rath
Sons of the American Revolution Logan McClincy
Daedalian Achievement Award Austin Kennedy
AMVETS Award Tyler Meason, Keisha McClincy
Navy League of the US Award Samantha Steffen
Non-Com Officer Association Award Taylor Morrissey
Fleet Reserve Association Award Abraham Martinez
Scottish Rite Of Freemasonry JROTC Award Ariel Taylor
National Sojourners JROTC Award David Terock
Surface Navy Association’s Stephen Decatur Award Andrea Dekenipp, Glen Stillman
Daughters of 1812 Award Jennifer Shaw
Chief Petty Officer’s Association, Naval Reserve Ctr. Sara Preston
Marine Corps League (DeMoss Award) Matthew Biekiewicz
American Legion Aux. Award of Acad. Excellence CSA Moretti ????????
Sons of the Confederacy JROTC David Showalter Award Chance Carlson
Military Order of the Purple Heart Amira Mogharbel
Judge Dennis Lusk Sword Award Presley Morrissey
More than $600,00 in scholarships were awarded to AJHS’ NJROTC cadets this year.
Newly-appointed Command Staff for 2009-2010 school year were also announced. They are:
Training Officer: Logan McClincy
Public Affairs Officer: Samantha Steffen
Weapons Officer: Glen Stillman
Administrative Officer: Sarah Swander
Personnel Officer: Amanda Wolfskill
Supply Officer: Austin Kennedy
Operations Officer: James Farrell
Community Service Officer: Sara Preston
Command Chief: Stephanie Rowe
XO: Keisha McClincy
CO: Amira Mogharbel
PHOTO CAPTION FOR SWORD award PHOTO: Commanding Officer Presley Morrissey was the recipient of the sword that is awarded by local resident Judge Dennis Lusk each year. Presenting the sword to Presley was NJROTC Senior Naval Instructor Major Bill Parker (c) as Senior Chief Dave Patti looks on.
Attachment: PICT0012[2].jpg (Downloaded 68 times)
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Thu May 21st, 2009 01:11 am |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
Office of the Superintendent
Gregory Wyman, Ed. D.
News Release
For immediate Release Contact: Betty Swanson
May 12, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Apache Jct. High School Offering Summer School Opportunities
Does you high school student need to take summer school to make up credits or get ahead? Do they want to learn to drive? Is Drama his/her passion?
Apache Junction High School is offering opportunities during the month of June for students to take all core (required) courses – English, History, Math, Science, and Spanish, online. Course fee is $150 per course. Courses start June 1 and run through June 25. The Computer Lab will be open from 7a.m. until 12 noon, Monday through Thursday. Students may work from a home computer as well.
Driver’s Education will be available 8:30-1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, June 1-25. Cost for this course is $150.
Summer Drama workshop will run 7 a.m. through 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday from June 1-25. The price of this course will be $150, as well.
Registration forms have to be filled out and fees paid by June 1. For more information, call 480-982-1110, ext. 2301.
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AJ/GC/EM
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Posted: Thu May 21st, 2009 01:08 am |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
May 14, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
AJUSD ‘Students of the Year’ named by Elks #2349
The following students were recognized as Elks Lodge #2349 Students of the Year at assemblies held on their individual campuses. These students were earlier recognized as Students of the Month and were nominated for consideration to be named Student of the Year for their school.
The students recognized are:
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AJ HIGH SCHOOL
Katie Petticrew
Braulio Lerma
DESERT SHADOWS
Eduardo Barrera
Vicki Cisneros
THUNDER MOUNTAIN
Azariah Grams
Gracie Turner
SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN
David Walker
Falann Mattison
FOUR PEAKS
Kurt Rozell
Haley Whitmore
GOLD CANYON
Megan Pappalardo
Hunter Fehlan
DESERT VISTA
Larissa Armendariz
Ricky Chaparro
PERALTA TRAIL
Angel Robin
Jordan “JAG” Golemon
MOUNTAIN SHADOWS
Ben Gifford
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AJ/GC/EM
Member
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Posted: Thu May 21st, 2009 01:07 am |
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Apache Junction Unified School District
1575 W. Southern Ave., Suite #4
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
Telephone: (480) 982-1110
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
May 12, 2009 480-982-1110, Ext. 2011
Students of the Month
The following students were recognized as Students of the Month at the May 12, 2009 meeting of the Governing Board. These awards are sponsored by the Apache Junction Elks Lodge #2349.
The students recognized are:
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AJ HIGH SCHOOL
Katie Turner
Vincent Bumm
DESERT SHADOWS
Eduardo Celaya
Jinny Voung
THUNDER MOUNTAIN
Raymond Kimble
Jessica Whitten
SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN
Sergio Villar
Araceli Gutierrez
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FOUR PEAKS
Brooke Driver
Grifyn Davis
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GOLD CANYON
Briayan Caballero
Bailey Beringer
DESERT VISTA
Sayna Yung
Bernardo Vidana
PERALTA TRAIL
Abe Coss
Kelsey Martinez
Mountain Shadows Education Center
April Lopez
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