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Bus Pass System Being Implemented

Laveen is implementing a new bus pass system for the 2017-18 school year. Because safety is a primary concern of the Laveen School District, this bus pass system will tell our dispatchers if a student was on board and where they exited.

All school buses will be equipped with electronic card readers; new student ID badges that contain a chip will be issued to all bus riders. As students board and exit the bus, he or she will tap their badge against the reader. A green light will illuminate on the reader if the swipe is successful.

While these two measures won’t be fully implemented until August 2017, our front office staff is currently preparing for the new procedures which will take effect May 15, 2017. Transportation labels will be affixed to student badges. This label will contain the student’s route number and bus stop location. In the event a student boards the wrong bus or is unsure as to where they should exit, the bus driver can easily look at the sticker and ensure the student is where they should be.

As these two phases are implemented, it will be important that your child have their badge with them each day. We will never leave a student at the bus stop in the morning and will bring all students to school. However, a student who has forgotten their badge must report to their school office for a temporary pass for the ride home.

Bus Pass Letter

Carta de pase para autobus

 

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Eighth Graders Use Virtual Reality In Science Lesson

zSpace brought their mobile learning lab to Desert Meadows School. Students had the opportunity to participate in hands-on augmented reality and virtual reality-based learning experiences. Wearing 3D tracking glasses and using a stylus, students examined the human heart, analyzed Newton’s laws, and observed the life cycle of the butterfly.

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Desert Meadows Students Recognized by Phoenix Suns for UNICEF Efforts

Desert Meadows students participated in UNICEF’s Kid Power Month in March.

Students in grades three through five received Kid Power Bands that tracked their steps. Students then went on virtual UNICEF missions to earn points. Points unlock funding from UNICEF partners to provide for food deliveries to malnourished children around the world.

The participating students were recognized at a Phoenix Suns game for being the most active class in the Phoenix UNICEF Kid Power Month Challenge. They were hosted by Suns Center and UNICEF Ambassador Tyson Chandler and his wife, Kimberly.

 

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Desert Meadows Increases Technology

Desert Meadows School’s vision is to have all students reach their academic and social potentials, with technology serving as a catalyst to learning. And, to reach that goal, the school has launched a number of technology initiatives throughout its classrooms.

Meadows has created a blended learning environment where technology is used along with traditional learning strategies to keep students fully engaged. Teachers use Google Classroom to build assignments, ask questions, and create discussions for their students to access online. This also allows them to create a “flipped classroom” where students review the lesson online at home and complete projects and exercises in class with their peers. Desert Meadows students take notes digitally with Chromebooks and have access to safe email accounts. Middle school students use digital portfolios to set goals and show academic growth to their families.

The blended learning model complements the Laveen Elementary School District’s curriculum which is available online, as well as in traditional textbooks. All district and state assessments are taken online using Chromebooks.

Technology is mot only found in the core academic areas, but has been integrated in specials as well. Students are offered a technology class focused on using technology in the classroom and at home, iPads are used in music and art, and there are coding and media clubs that further promote the use of technology.

Meadows staff have seen positive changes since increasing technology. Students are more engaged in their classes, they are excited to learn, and they like being able to challenge themselves through real-time assessments.

Next school year, all Laveen schools will have a 1:1 student to computing device ratio.  This initiative will allow Desert Meadows further integrate technology into the daily lessons

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