Skip to content

Articles in District News

Desert Meadows Celebrates the Opening of its Coding Café

Desert Meadows School celebrated the official opening of its Coding Café.

The school transformed part of the library into a technology-based hub that will further the goals of the school’s computer coding signature program. The remodel was made possible through a $20,000 grant by local manufacturer, Vulcan Materials.

The new space includes room for instruction, robotics activities, and computer console areas for the class’s Apple and gaming computers. The space also features high-tech lighting and areas for students to collaborate in teams.   Coding classes in Grades K-8 will take place in the new café as will the robotics and e-sports activities.

Families of technology students attended the celebration where students gave demonstrations of equipment such as drones, 3D printers, and robots.

Desert Meadows adopted Computer Coding as its signature program with all students being exposed to creative coding and computational thinking at varying levels.

Read more

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.

Read more

Mission: Kindergarten 2024 is February 5

Decorative Image OnlyEnrolling a kindergartner next school year? Join us for an exploration of Laveen’s kindergarten program on February 5  from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at all Laveen schools.

Each of our nine schools will host an information night for prospective families. Our school principals will navigate you through everything you need to know as you prepare to launch your child into a successful academic career.

Registration* for the 2024-25 school year will open on February 5. Apply online at www.LaveenSchools.org/registration. Enrollment requirements may apply.

Students may be enrolled in any of our schools regardless of where they live, space permitting. Families living outside of a school’s transportation zone will be responsible for providing transportation.

*Children must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2024 to register for kindergarten. Preschool for children ages 3-5 is offered at Desert Meadows, Estrella Foothills, Paseo Pointe, and Vista del Sur.

Visit www.LaveenSchools.org/Kindergarten for more information.

Read more

Join Dr. Sprout for a District Discussion on Dec. 5

Laveen Superintendent Dr. Jeff Sprout will be hosting a series of district discussions with Laveen families. This is a great opportunity for families to participate in open dialogue on current initiatives and Laveen’s strategies for meeting district goals.

The next District Discussion will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Dr. Sprout will discuss jobs of the future. There will be two one-hour sessions to choose from at 8:30 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. Both will be held at the Laveen Education Center, 5001 W. Dobbins.

Visit our District Discussions webpage to learn more and submit questions you may have.

Read more

County Superintendent Watson Reads to Desert Meadows students

Maricopa County School Superintendent Steve Watson visited Desert Meadows School to read to kindergarteners in Ms. Jessica Russel’s class. Watson read “Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon” to students, and gave a copy of the book to each student. Ms. Russell’s class was selected because she recommended a book for “Mr. Watson’s Book Club” this year!

Read more