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Artículos de December 2021

Laveen’s 11th Annual Winter Festival is December 6

The Laveen Elementary School District hosts a Winter Festival for the community each year. The 10th annual Laveen Winter Festival is scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David Glasser Athletic Complex, 5001 W. Dobbins.

This year’s Winter Festival will feature obstacle courses (for both big and little kids), games, activities, student performances, photo opportunities, holiday gift vendors, food, and much more!

Admission is free. Tickets will be available for purchase for select activities. Credit cards accepted.

All proceeds benefit the Laveen Education Foundation.

Visit our Winter Festival page for more info.

Please take a look at the student performance schedule.

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Tim Thomas Named Human Resources Administrator of the Year

The Laveen School District proudly announces that Tim Thomas, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, has been honored as the Human Resources Administrator of the Year by the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association (ASPAA). The award was presented on November 21 during ASPAA’s annual conference in Oro Valley.

This prestigious award is the highest recognition for human resources professionals in Arizona, celebrating exceptional service and leadership in the field. Mr. Thomas was recognized for his transformative contributions to human resources, his positive impact on the Laveen School District, and his dedication to advancing public education. His efforts to share best practices and innovative solutions have left a lasting impression on both the District and the greater educational community.

ASPAA highlighted Mr. Thomas as a trailblazer in human resources, commending his efforts to enhance the District’s HR functions and foster a supportive, fulfilling work environment for the District’s 1,006 employees.

Laveen School District Superintendent, Dr. Jeffrey Sprout, expressed his admiration for Mr. Thomas:

“I have had the honor of knowing and working with Tim Thomas for the past 20 years, watching him transition from a Master Teacher to a highly-awarded Principal to now being an outstanding Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. He has done all of this in the context of Title I schools, living out his calling as an educator.”

Tim Thomas’ leadership exemplifies the District’s commitment to excellence, ensuring that both students and staff thrive in a supportive and innovative environment.

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Spreading Thanksgiving Joy: ChasseGiving 2024

As the season of gratitude and giving unfolds, we are excited to spotlight an inspiring initiative that has brought warmth and hope to many in our community. Each year, the Chasse Building Team hosts ChasseGiving, an incredible effort aimed at supporting families in need by providing Thanksgiving meal boxes.

This year, Chasse has truly outdone itself, extending its generosity to over 3,000 families across the Valley, including Tucson and right here in Laveen! During the week of November 19–22, families in our community were recipients of these beautifully curated meal boxes, filled with everything needed to create cherished Thanksgiving memories.

Here’s what each ChasseGiving meal box included:
Stuffing
Canned green beans
Canned cranberries
Mashed potatoes
Gravy packet
Hawaiian rolls
Pumpkin pie
$20 Walmart gift card (to purchase a turkey, ham, or other groceries)

This heartfelt act of kindness ensures that families can sit down together for a hearty meal, focusing on what truly matters—sharing time with loved ones and reflecting on their blessings.

We are incredibly thankful to Chasse for their unwavering commitment to giving back to the community. Their compassion and generosity remind us of the power of unity and kindness, especially during this special season.

To all our Laveen families, we wish you a Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with those you hold dear.

Happy Thanksgiving!
The Laveen School District

 

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Celebrating Principal’s Appreciation Month at Desert Meadows School!

October is Principal’s Appreciation Month, and we are thrilled to honor and celebrate our incredible school leader, J.P. Ketcham!  At Desert Meadows School, we recognize the vital role our principal plays in shaping the success of our students, staff, and entire school community.

Our principal leads with passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring that every student receives the best education possible. Whether it’s fostering a positive school culture, advocating for new initiatives, or being a constant source of support for students and staff, our principal goes above and beyond every day.

This month, we encourage everyone in our school community to take a moment to share your appreciation—whether it’s a kind word, a thank you note, or just letting our principal know how much their hard work means to you.

Let’s come together and make this Principal’s Appreciation Month extra special! Thank you, J.P. Ketcham, for everything you do to make Desert Meadows School a fantastic place to learn and grow.

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Irving Barraza Receives Excellence in Education Award

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

Congratulations to Desert Meadows School, Irving Barraza

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Three Laveen Schools awarded America’s Healthiest School 2024.

Cheatham Elementary, Desert Meadows School and Paseo Pointe Dual Language Academy were all three named America’s Healthiest Schools 2024.

Annual award recognizes schools for dedication to student, staff, and family health 

Alliance for a Healthier Generation has named 3 of Laveen’s Schools as one of America’s Healthiest Schools for 2024. This annual recognition honors schools for implementing best practices to support the health of students, staff, and families. Eight hundred and seventy-nine schools across 30 states were awarded this year.

America’s Healthiest Schools are recognized in up to nine categories.

Desert Meadows was recognized for:

  • Increasing Family & Community Engagement, presented by Kohl’s
  • Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented by Kaiser Permanente 
  • Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented by Kaiser Permanente
  • Supporting School Health Service

Cheatham Elementary was recognized for:

  • Improving Nutrition & Food Access, presented by Del Monte Foods
  • Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented by Kaiser Permanente 
  • Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented by Kaiser Permanente
  • Supporting School Health Services

Paseo Pointe Dual Language Academy was recognized for:

  • Supporting School Health Services
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Change in Half Day Schedules for 2024-2025

The Laveen School District will be implementing a change to the district calendar beginning next school year (2024/25) that will impact the Wednesday half-day schedules.

Currently, we have 15 half days each year in which our staff receives professional development following dismissal. We also have four half days for parent/teacher conferences.

Next year, instead of the 15 half days in which our schools dismiss three hours early, we will dismiss an hour and a half early every Wednesday (36 days).  Half-day schedules on parent/teacher conference days as well as the last day of school will remain unchanged.

The reason for this change is twofold.

First, early-release Wednesdays allow for more instructional time in core subject areas. Students will follow a schedule similar to a full school day. This change will make the calendar more consistent for families.

Second, Laveen is in the process of implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for staff. By offering this time weekly, instead of once or twice a month, staff will receive more quality research-based training that is conducive to developing a strong Professional Learning Community and will ultimately improve student learning.

For more information, visit our FAQ on this topic.

Read the letter from Superintendent Dr. Jeff Sprout.

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