Artículos de klandry

Vulcan Materials has been a strong supporter of various educational initiatives in the Laveen Elementary School District for several years. Support has ranged from funding for Wi-Fi hotspots during the pandemic to sponsoring our Chief Science Officers Programs.

This year we are especially proud of how Vulcan Materials has supported our STEM initiatives by hosting a field trip to one of their mines, attending our STEM CAFE, and donating $20,000 to Desert Meadows enabling them to create a Coding Cafe. The Laveen School District aspires to develop strategic partners in order to prepare our students for the jobs of the future. 

Congratulations to Officer George Pizarro, Desert Meadows SRO, who was named LRE or Law Related Education Officer of the Year by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education. This award was instituted to recognize exceptional contributions of Arizona police and probation officers in furthering education and understanding of the role of the law in our democratic society. Officer Pizarro was nominated by Desert Meadows principal J.P. Ketcham.

120 Rogers Ranch and Desert Meadows students were invited to ASU’s Football Stadium for a STEM in Sports field trip. The American Council for Engineering Companies invited electrical, structural and civil engineers to give breakout presentations on how all of the systems in the stadium work. After 4 breakout sessions, students were invited to have lunch with the College of Engineering in order to discuss how to make engineering a career.

Interested in enrolling your child in one of Laveen’s outstanding schools? Prospective families are invited to visit the Laveen school of their choice during our annual spring open house events.

Visit our Open House page to learn more about our schools and reserve a space for the campus tour.

Congratulations to our 2022-23 Exceptional Service Award winner Sheila Hall, Behavior Monitor! The Exceptional Service Award is the district’s highest honor for classified staff members.

These individuals display the following attributes:
-Strong attendance and dependability
-High quality and quantity of work
-Excel at working harmoniously with others
-Expert in their job responsibilities
-Regularly show initiative and creatively solve problems
-Provide excellent customer service
Their commitment to our students, staff and community is greatly appreciated.

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

Desert Meadows won their first-ever Rocket League esports competition in the Western Region Middle School Esports Conference against Karios Middle School in Vacaville, CA 3 games to 1 . WRSEC is made up of over 50 middle school teams in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Washington state. During the fall, schools play Rocket Leauge (ESRB rated E for everyone) in an 8 week season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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