DVUSD News - Around Our Schools - May 17, 2010

From: "DVUSD News" <no-reply@dvusd.org>
Subject: DVUSD News - Around Our Schools - May 17, 2010
Date: May 18th 2010

Around Our Schools

May 17, 2010

 

Deer Valley Elementary Schools

 

Diamond Canyon, has been awarded an opportunity to host a new Chinese exchange teacher through the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, a multi-layered cross cultural program for 2010-11, this is the second year in a row.

 

Esperanza’s Community Builders, an after school community service club, earned the Superintendent’s Program of Excellence Award.  This group takes care of the Esperanza Community and the community at large. Superintendent Dr. Virginia McElyea presented the club with a trophy at a school wide celebration on Friday, May 14. Esperanza teachers Susan Sprankle, Angie Knuth, Adriana Zazueta Jordan, and Elizabeth Russell all work as advisors for this student leadership group.   

 

Esperanza’s music programs performed to a standing room only audience on Thursday, May 13. The band, chorus, and hand bells demonstrated what they learned and accomplished this past spring. 

 

Greenbrier has been approved to become Core Knowledge School beginning 2010-11. The school will offer the program in grades K-3 with the plan to include grades 4-6 in 2011-12. Greenbrier raised funds to pay for the Core Knowledge curriculum through various fundraisers, Parent Teacher Student Association (PTA) events, and community donations without any assistance from the district. Look for a new Core Knowledge video this summer on the district website, www.dvusd.org (click on the video icon).

 

Highland Lakes sixth grade teacher Michelle Walsh was named "Teacher of the Month" by On the Border Restaurant located at 7873 W. Bell Rd. Mrs. Walsh was nominated by four different students at the restaurant this month.  Restaurant manager Michaelyn Tunis presented Mrs. Walsh with her award and a gift certificate earlier this month. Her class was treated to free dessert compliments of On the Border Restaurant.

 

Mountain Shadows was able to purchase over $4,000 in new books, supplies to repair older ones, and 115 bookends with the money raised from the Coyote Country Library Book Fair. Featured books for the month of May are from Disney’s Wonderful World of Reading.

 

Mountain Shadows is hosting the following events in May:

Tuesday, May 25, 2 p.m.: Kindergarten Celebration in the cafeteria

Tuesday, May 25, 6-8:30 p.m.: Sixth Grade Family Skate Night at Great Skate

Wednesday, May 26, 8:30 a.m.: Sixth Grade Student Breakfast

Wednesday, May 26, (during school): Annual Sixth Grade Teachers vs. Student Volleyball Game

Thursday, May 27, 9-10:30 a.m.: Sixth Grade Honors Assembly and Year End Celebration

 

 

New River’s Earth Week Book Swap was a great success. Hundreds of books were donated for the swap, giving students the opportunity to pick out books to take home. Other books were added to the school library. Students were given a chance to choose at least one book to take home and read over the summer. 

 

New River will host its annual “Celebration of Excellence” for sixth grade & kindergarten students on Monday, May 24, 6 p.m. in Multi-purpose Room.

 

The New River student band and chorus performed in a Spring Concert on May 4 which was directed by band teacher Kristina Kilen. All New River students were able to enjoy the show during an afternoon assembly. Another performance took place that evening for the community. The art club and kindergarten students made art and signage to decorate the stage for the show.

 

New River has been approved to become Core Knowledge School beginning 2010-11. It will offer the program in grades K-3 with the plan to include grades 4-6 in 2011-12. New River raised funds to pay for the Core Knowledge curriculum through various fundraisers, Parent Teacher Student Association (PTA) events, and community donations without any assistance from the district. Look for a new Core Knowledge video this summer on the district website, www.dvusd.org (click on the video icon).

 

 

Paseo Hills, received a $25,000 donation from business partner Discover Card which is being used for student digital portfolios, staff appreciation, school improvements, and technology integration and awarded a $5,000 grant from Sprint Character Education Program to be used for their Character Counts Program which was submitted by assistant principal Laura Combs.

 

 

Deer Valley High Schools

 

Barry Goldwater senior Mackenzie Reed Joyce was awarded a $750 scholarship by the Deer Valley Education Support Professional Association which will be mailed to University of Arizona where Mackenzie will be attending this fall.

 

 

Boulder Creek senior Lauren R. Newell was awarded a $750 scholarship by the Deer Valley Education Support Professional Association which will be mailed to University of Arizona where Lauren will be attending this fall.

 

The Boulder Creek Dream Catchers Club presented the first annual Dream Catchers Community Merit Scholarships to seniors Amanda Ruck and Shane Baker in the amount of $1,000.  Scholarship funds were collected from Anthem merchants and community leaders by the Dream Catchers Club. The scholarship application process was open to all students at Bolder Creek.

 

Mountain Ridge senior Kristin Sievers was awarded a $750 scholarship by the Deer Valley Education Support Professional Association which will be mailed to Arizona State University where Kristin will be attending this fall.

 

Mountain Ridge HS world history teacher Chris O’Brien, has been selected to participate in a two week “Educators Trip” to Germany provided by the Goethe-Institute, Duetsche Bank, Robert Bosch Stiftung, and the Federal Republic of Germany Foreign Office.

 

 

Sandra Day O’Connor HS Air Force JROTC, led by Lt. Col John Simmons and MSgt Willie Carmicle, were evaluated by the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Headquarters and identified as a “Distinguished Unit,” the highest rating attainable. Sergeant Carmicle was also selected as a 2010 Outstanding Air Force JROTC Instructor.