Education

from Deer Valley Times, October 2019

Chew On This

EXTRAORDINARY Teachers EXTRAORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY Results Teachers 95% of DVUSD schools EXTRAORDINARY are rated A or B! Results Kindergarten Registration 95% of DVUSD schools begins November 1 are rated A or B! Kindergarten Registration begins November 1

www.dvusd.org/kindergarten www.facebook.com/dvusd SUCCESS www.dvusd.org/kindergarten www.facebook.com/dvusd STARTS EARLY. SUCCESS Success Starts Early. STARTS EARLY.

EDUCATION WHAT’S NEW WITH DVUSD

AVENUE 27 HAS RE-OPENED

Avenue 27 is Barry Goldwater High School’s own student-run fine dining restaurant. As a part of the CTE Culinary Arts program on campus, students are able to participate in the restaurant management program. The program trains students in all aspects of managing and running a restaurant all while gaining a true work-based learning experience in the restaurant. Experience their amazing a la carte dining experience on Friday nights or join us for one of our special nights such as “A Night in Barcelona – Spanish inspired tapas” for a truly unique tasting menu experience. The restaurant is open to the public on Friday evenings from 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. during the school year. For reservations, email Avenue27@ dvusd.org. Visit www.dvusd.org/Avenue27 for dates of operation and more information.

DVUSD NAMED AMERICA’S BEST-IN-STATE EMPLOYERS 2019

Forbes Media and Statista Inc. recently announced that Deer Valley Unified School District has been named to the inaugural Forbes list of America’s Bestin-State Employers 2019! The America’s Best-in-State Employers 2019 title serves to reinforce DVUSD’s reputation as a high-quality employer. Forbes and Statista selected DVUSD and the other organizations based on an independent survey from a vast sample of more than 80,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 500 people in their U.S. operations. Employees were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employer to friends and family; participants were also prompted to evaluate on a state-by-state basis.

“We credit a great base of positive people that keep attracting more and more staff who believe in the values and opportunities that DVUSD holds,”

said Superintendent Dr. Finch. In fact, each year the District hires former students they call “Come Back Kids,” who return to teach and give back to the community where they grew up.

With the hard work and dedication of DVUSD’s Governing Board, employees, and students coupled with strong partnerships with parents, business, and community members, DVUSD is poised to continue to be an #Extraordinary place to work for many years to

come.

CELEBRATING THE #EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENTS OF DEER VALLEY STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND STAFF

This past school year was one that lived up the Deer Valley Unified School District’s motto of #Extraordinary. Students, teachers, and staff achieved hundreds of local, state, and national honors celebrating academic, fine arts, and athletic achievements, honors for extraordinary teaching, and recognitions for community involvement. DVUSD had nine students who scored in the top 1% percent in the nation on the ACT, 35 students with perfect AzMERIT scores, 17 Nationally Board-Certified Teachers, five Arizona state sports champions, 24 academic Arizona state champions… and much more!

Visit www.dvusd.org/extraordinary to view the 2018-2019 Extraordinary Achievements.

ALL ARIZONA SCHOOL RETIREES ASSOCIATION By Molly Cerreta Smith just $30 per year, which can even be today, any public education staff that senior health and wellbeing including community services and security from abuse and exploitation; and issues affecting public education, students and educators. With approximately 1,200 current members throughout the 14 units, Weber says the organization could be so much bigger. Future retirees should know that they can join three years shy of their retirement and memberships fees are paid through their pensions.

For those that haven’t heard of the All Arizona School Retir- The Northwest Phoenix unit meets at ees Association (AASRA), it’s the Deer Valley Airport restaurant on about time you did! The association, the second Thursday of every month with units throughout the state, was from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In addiinitially formed in 1957. However, tion to discussing issues they would eight-year member Judy Weber, who like to focus on, the meetings often also serves as the secretary of the include inspirational, motivational, edAASRA’s scholarship foundation, ucational and historical speakers — or says the group has evolved greatly even speakers sharing unique points of since then. interest on various topics for members “It started as just a teacher’s orga- included Lin Sue Cooney, an archivist nization,” explains Weber of the from ASU West, a WWII Navajo Code Association’s early days. However, Talker and more. retires from an Arizona school district “We are investing in the future of — from duty aids and kitchen staff to teachers and our public education perprincipals and superintendents — can sonnel,” says Weber of the Association. become a part of the AASRA. “We “We want each of our members to have want people to know that we help ad- a voice and an opportunity to serve a vocate for the entire public education leadership role within the Association.” staff, not just teachers,” says Weber. In addition to meeting once a month, The AARSA acts as a voice for all convention that includes speakers of retired school district personnel, has influence, a raffle fundraiser, a banquet a presence at the capitol level regard- dinner and entertainment. “There is a ing legislative priorities, and serves lot of fellowship within the group so to advocate for all Arizona school we have a lot of fun too,” Weber adds. retirees on issues affecting retirement For more information on the group’s such as pensions, social security and benefits and how to become a member, health plan benefits; issues regarding visit www.aasra.org. OPEN DAILY 11AM-2AM Sunday at 10am for early NFL games HAPPY HOUR 3-6PM Kitchen Serving Full menu till 1am

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