Articles from December 2024

Last night, the Laveen Elementary School District hosted its highly anticipated L.E.A.P. (Laveen’s Exploration of Academic Pathways) event, welcoming over 100 families to learn about the many educational opportunities available for their students.

Held at the Laveen Elementary School, the event brought together representatives from 26 schools, including a mix of high schools and colleges, showcasing a variety of programs, pathways, and resources to help students plan their future academic journeys. Families from all nine Laveen schools attended, eager to explore the diverse options and gather valuable insights.

Parents and students alike were impressed with the event’s scope. One parent shared, “I was amazed by the variety of schools in attendance and how informative the representatives were. It gave me a better understanding of the opportunities my child can pursue after middle school.”

L.E.A.P. Night provided an opportunity for families to engage in meaningful conversations with school representatives, ask questions, and collect materials to guide their decisions. From specialty programs to college preparatory pathways, the event was a true celebration of academic exploration and empowerment.

If you missed last night’s event, don’t worry! The next L.E.A.P. Night is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Laveen Elementary School. Mark your calendars and join us for another incredible evening of exploration and learning.

We look forward to seeing even more families there as we continue to inspire our students to dream big and plan for a bright future!

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.

Laveen’s Kids Club is now enrolling for Winter Break Camp. Camp is open to children in Grades preschool-6 and will be held December 20- January 3 at Desert Meadows School. Visit our Day Camp page for details and to register.

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.

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

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

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