SUSD Showcase Spring/Summer 2023

SHOWCASE SUSD

SCOTTSDALE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

8500 E. Jackrabbit Rd. Scottsdale, Arizona 85250 (480) 484-6100

Showcase magazine is an in-house publication of the Scottsdale Unified School District Office of Communications and Marketing. ©2023 All rights are reserved. For advertising opportunities and more information, please call (480) 484-6100, visit www.susd.org/Showcase or email SUSDcommunications@susd.org

Editor: Kristine Harrington

Parent of One Current SUSD Student

Writer: Nancy Norman

Parent of Two SUSD Graduates

Art Director: Victor Bobbett

Parent of One Current SUSD Student

Social Media Promotion: Sam Schnoes

Website Promotion: Lainie Triplett

Stay Connected!

Be sure to follow Scottsdale Unified School District on social media for the latest news, events and career opportunities. For a complete listing of our social media accounts, with links to each, visit www.susd.org/Connect

From the Desk of the SUPERINTENDENT

Dear SUSD Families,

Parents are our greatest partners. The strongest schools and positive outcomes are tied to parent support for the teaching and learning that happens in our classrooms.

Our parents wear many hats. They are their child’s first teacher, and as that child grows, so does students’ opportunity to learn in an educational environment led by our caring and certified teachers (many of whom are SUSD parents themselves!). Our parents often visit and volunteer. They support their students, the classroom and the larger community, giving freely of their time and talent. They often chaperone, fundraise, and, sometimes, even run for school board. SUSD parents share a common commitment to our students and their success.

In this edition of Showcase magazine, we are excited to highlight some of these stories of parents even former parents and the powerful partnerships they forged.

Did you know SUSD has nearly 2,000 parent volunteers? And they are just a few of the parents dedicated to making a difference. We thank each and every one of you who support our students and staff. It is clear we are #SUSDProud and unified in our support of all students and their success.

Please visit www.susd.org/Volunteer to learn more about volunteering and www.susd.org/Partnerships to learn about ways to officially engage your business with SUSD.

Enjoy!

On the Cover: Mark Phillips discusses rocket propulsion and the best way to build a rocket, pack the parachute and protect the cargo with Nick Stangler, Violet Doody and Jinseo Joo.

(Photography by Victor Bobbett)

Scott A. Menzel, Ph.D. Superintendent

www.susd.org/Showcase

smenzel@susd.org

www.susd.org/Superintendent

PARENTSQUARE

Parents are SUSD’s greatest partners, but that doesn’t happen without strong communication and engagement between the school and home.

“Communication is easily the most-referenced deficiency in the overall culture of a school campus,” said Copper Ridge Principal Tim Eyerman. “Parents/guardians yearn for more regular, positive, and accessible communication from teachers.”

As such, SUSD is preparing to launch a new communications platform called ParentSquare, which will be the one-stop shop for every district, school, teacher and extracurricular activities communication. It is being piloted this school year in Copper Ridge School and Saguaro High School.

“ParentSquare offers many easy-to-use features on one platform, saving time by having communication in one, centralized location and creating consistency when engaging with our families,” stated Saguaro Principal Ann Achtziger.

“ParentSquare’s relationship with our existing software allows for parents and guardians to receive reliable, attractive and engaging messaging,” said Eyerman. “The templates are intuitive, and even for a novice such as myself, I was able to build a newsletter template in minutes.”

Learn more about ParentSquare at www.susd.org/ParentSquare.

Find out what the data says about SUSD students, teachers and financials. You won’t want to miss the latest SUSD Annual Report #SUSDBestInClass #OutperformingPeerDistricts #WorldClassFutureFocused

Scottsdale Unified School District GOVERNING BOARD

JULIE CIENIAWSKI

2023 Board President

Parent of Two SUSD Graduates

Term: 2021-2024

Desert Mountain Learning Community jcieniawski@susd.org

CARINE WERNER

2023 Board Vice President

Parent of Three SUSD Graduates

Term: 2023-2026

Coronado Learning Community cwerner@susd.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Regular Governing Board meetings are held at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at Coronado High School, 7501 E. Virginia Ave., Scottsdale. Study Sessions and Special meetings are held at 6 p.m. at the Mohave District Annex (MDA), 8500 E. Jackrabbit Rd., Scottsdale. Meeting agendas, minutes and related documents are available at www.susd.org/Board All meetings except Executive Sessions are open to the public. The public is welcome to speak at Regular Board meetings which are streamed live on the SUSD YouTube channel.

DR. LIBBY HART-WELLS

Board Member

Parent of One SUSD Graduate and One Current SUSD Student Term: 2021-2024

Chaparral Learning Community, Scottsdale Online Learning lhartwells@susd.org

ZACH LINDSAY

Board Member

Parent of One Current SUSD Student

Term: 2021-2024

Saguaro Learning Community zlindsay@susd.org

Governing Board Members as Parents

AMY CARNEY

Board Member

Parent of Four SUSD Graduates and Two Current SUSD Students

Term: 2023-2026

Arcadia Learning Community amycarney@susd.org

All current SUSD Governing Board members either were or are parents in the district. Each has volunteered extensively to support schools, classrooms and extracurriculars, benefitting their students and others. We asked members Dr. Libby Hart-Wells, Zach Lindsay and Amy Carney, who each have students currently enrolled in SUSD schools, to weigh in on their experiences.

Governing BoardQUESTION & ANSWER

What unique learning opportunities or experience have they had?

Why do you choose SUSD for your student(s)?

LH: We chose SUSD because of the strong academics and close community connections.

ZL: We chose SUSD because we believe in public education and SUSD has a strong reputation for providing a quality educational experience. Additionally, many of our family friends’ children attend SUSD schools, or work for SUSD, and they highly recommended the district.

AC: My husband and I have chosen SUSD to educate our six children because we enjoy being involved and invested in our community and supporting our neighborhood schools.

How does SUSD benefit your student(s)?

LH: We can say with confidence that our daughter's admission into an Ivy League school is a direct result of the quality education she received in the International Baccalaureate program at Desert Mountain and the outstanding teachers along the way. Both of our students are beneficiaries of SUSD's commitment to the whole child.

ZL: Our daughter has benefited the most from having amazing teachers in SUSD. Each of her teachers have been talented, dedicated, and caring. They have partnered with us as parents to help our daughter grow academically and social-emotionally. Additionally, we are grateful for the highquality school administrators within SUSD and the many opportunities that have been provided to engage families. SUSD offers many extracurricular activities and school events which have also been a great benefit to our daughter and our family.

AC: SUSD offers a variety of opportunities for students of all ages, interests, and academic levels, so our children have been able to be involved in many different offerings. Also, many wonderful teachers, school staff, administrators, and coaches have positively influenced our sons and daughter through their time at SUSD. It’s been a joy to team with so many of them through the years.

LH: I think it is important to give yourself a gut check on how fortunate we are to live in a district that can offer the breadth of opportunities that SUSD offers. It is up to each of us to protect and ensure those opportunities remain available for future generations.

ZL: Masterpiece Art, Girls on the Run, Orchestra, field trips such as AZ Science Center, MIM, OdySea Aquarium, Scottsdale Museum of the West, many elective options at Cocopah, and multiple school and PTO-sponsored events outside of the regular school day.

AC: One of our sons is studying disease and public health in college, thanks to developing that interest in the Science Olympiad club he was involved in, in middle and high school. He’s also still playing saxophone which he started playing at Cherokee Elementary in the 4th grade. He also was able to take many AP classes in high school that catapulted him ahead in college, too. He’s a perfect example of all you can get out of a public-school education!

How does your role as a parent influence your work as a Governing Board member?

LH: I have a built-in focus group anytime I want. They do not shy away from telling me their perspective. I value that independence in thought, engagement and frankly, it oftentimes adds a missing perspective - the student - to my analyses.

ZL: It influences it a great deal. I am on the Board because I have a vested interest not only for our community, but for my own child. When reviewing policies, allocations of resources, etc. I always consider how decisions will impact students and their families, knowing that the needs of children vary across our district.

AC: I think it’s important to have parents on the Board who have been invested in our schools through the years. Because of my involvement, I have built good relationships in our community and want to work together to strengthen our schools so more families choose SUSD for their children’s education like I have.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS

From formal, 501(c)(3) organizations to the occasional volunteer, Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) students, teachers, staff and schools are the beneficiaries of many good deeds by the community. Some offer their assistance at their student’s school because they know the help is needed in the classroom, in the garden, or on a field trip, for instance; others offer financial assistance in the form of campaigns to raise funds for school programs and needs that state funding formulas do not take into account. Whatever the inspiration, SUSD is grateful for and appreciates all of the work to support the world-class, future-focused learning offered to all SUSD students!

Scottsdale Parent Council

The Scottsdale Parent Council, or SPC, has existed in one form or another since 1977, bringing parents together from throughout the community to discuss matters of common interest with district leaders. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan Arizona corporation. It has been referred to as sort of a “Super PTO,” or parent-teacher organization. Principals are asked each school year to name two parents from their schools to serve on the SPC. With representation spread across all five of the district’s learning communities, the collaboration benefits all SUSD students.

The SPC is open to all parents who wish to learn about district programs, provide information about their experiences, and serve on committees that look at SUSD programs and practices in more depth.

At SPC monthly meetings, SUSD parents hear from and ask questions of the SUSD superintendent and members of his leadership team. Meeting topics so far this year have included special presentations on how the district is funded, the work of the Support Services office and school-based community specialists who assist students and families, the teacher National Board Certification process, the SUSD Governing Board, and the Scottsdale Police Department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) and Crisis K-9 programs.

The April SPC meeting will cover the district’s technology resources. SPC’s Special Education Committee has hosted meetings this school year covering Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans.

The group’s mission, says SPC President Kimberlee McClure, is to bring people together. “For parents, I think the value of SPC is access – to district administration, to information, and to other parents.” Likewise, SPC provides valuable parent perspectives to SUSD leaders.

“SUSD is a big district: on a map, it’s oddly shaped, and it’s about a 30-minute drive lengthwise and crosswise at the widest points,” McClure observes. “Collaboration happens spontaneously when people have a shared goal and want the best for our students.”

School-based Organizations

From the broad, district-wide perspective down to more local interests, SUSD parents have many opportunities to support their students at the school level.

State law requires that each school establish a site council for the purpose of sharing in school decisions. Principals

Partnering Together

preside over the councils, which consist of representatives of each school’s parents/guardians, teachers, non-certified school employees, community members and, in the case of high schools, students.

All 29 of our campuses are also pleased to host a variety of parent organizations. Also meeting on a regular basis with their school’s principal, PTOs (Parent Teacher Organizations), APTs (Associations of Parents and Teachers) and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) determine where their assistance would be helpful, from classrooms and front offices to campus beautification projects and chaperoned events, and how to best support school-wide initiatives.

These parent groups support school communications to families with weekly and monthly e-newsletters and reminders of important, upcoming events and deadlines.

PTOs, APTs and PTAs also organize a variety of teacher, staff, and student recognitions and celebrations throughout the course of the school year that add greatly to the culture of school campuses and students’ positive school experiences.

Several elementary campuses are also home to special opportunities for fathers (and father figures, such as grandfathers and uncles) to be involved in a school’s life. Dads Clubs perform various duties, such as assisting at student drop-off and pick-up, organizing annual field day events, reading with students, helping with ‘centers’ and movie nights. Some dads continue to be involved long after their students have departed (see pgs. 8–9, "Rocket Man").

SUSD’s more than 2,000 school volunteers make a tremendous difference for students and schools. Thank you!

"ROCKET MAN" HELPS LAUNCH A LOVE OF LEARNING

It’s a bird … it’s a plane … no, it’s a Hopi Rocket!

Mark Phillips, community member, engineer, and former Hopi Elementary School parent, has been sharing an elementary version of rocket science with Hopi 5th graders for more than 20 years.

“When my eldest daughter, Emily, became a 5th grader at Hopi, they were looking for a Friday afternoon "Bring Your Parents' Hobby" discussion/presentation,” said Phillips. “She really wanted me to participate, and so I brought up the idea of a rocket-building afternoon. It took off beyond my wildest expectations and became much more than an afternoon activity.”

The father of three former Hopi students, Phillips’s rockets are now a 5th grade staple. His daughters, all grown, and his sons-in-law have also helped along the way.

"I loved seeing my rocket fly up into the sky!” exclaimed 5th grader Sofia Ghelfi. “It really made me feel like I could do anything."

It is that exact sentiment and realization that drive Phillips’s continued commitment to Hopi.

“I do enjoy the enthusiasm of the 5th graders learning to explore and create something that they might not have dreamed possible,” said Phillips. “At this age, they can dream of becoming anything their passions and heart desires, and if this program helps them see and experience the possibilities, then I feel I have helped make a difference in their lives, to some degree.”

Phillips volunteers countless hours, preparing lessons, visiting with each 5th grade class to build model rockets, then, helping

Mr. Phillips is an amazing, funny person! So far, it was my favorite part of the year!

5th grader Elliana Cipullo

students launch their rockets on the Arcadia High School JV softball field, followed up with a "rocket recap.” These lessons weave in science and math (even trigonometry!).

“His devotion to the kids at Hopi, his kind spirit, and his engineering knowledge are such a gift,” said newly National Board-certified 5th grade teacher Laura Mitchell.

The students know this to be true and are grateful for the experience.

"Mr. Phillips is an amazing, funny person! So far, it was my favorite part of the year!" 5th grader Elliana Cipullo added enthusiastically.

"Mr. Phillips (a.k.a. ‘Rocket Man’) was a great instructor. He taught me so many fun facts about launching rockets, engines, and how high rockets can go!" expanded 5th grader Violet Doody.

“Overall, the rocket program was amazing! I loved how there was math, building, teamwork and the experience of trial and error,” 5th grader Owen Briegel stated.

The Hopi Rocket program is an experience that these students will carry with them always. It may even influence their future studies and career choices, as it has others’.

“There are fifth graders from years past who are now working for NASA and other aerospace companies, and I am hopeful this program helped them along the way,” said Phillips.

You can learn more about the Hopi Hawks’ Rockets at hopirockets.com.

ECHO CANYON SCHOOL

WHERE LESSONS ARE ROOTED AND

Learners Blossom

world-renowned and locally beloved chefs into the Echo Canyon gardens to help students harvest the crops and create tasty dishes, all the while weaving in meaningful math, science, writing, geography and social studies lessons.

“For example, when we grow and harvest amaranth, which is a gorgeous, hot weather plant, a good social studies lesson is taught as students learn about the Aztec culture in Mexico and how it was a staple of their diet,” said Ann.

The Echo Canyon gardens are a special place for learners to grow and thrive. Just ask Ann and Lou Rodarte.

“Beyond your regular vegetables found in a garden, we’ve added fruit trees, like peaches and pomegranates, figs, grapes berries, and citrus,” said Ann. “The students get to see and grow a variety of plants that they may otherwise never experience, such as wheat, cotton, sugar cane, banana trees, bay leaf, passion plants, basil, oregano and corn. We also grow many flowers, and a lot of them are edible. They learn to compost, worm farm, observe and appreciate pollinators, such as butterflies, and take a dive into sustainability.”

Ann has been volunteering in the garden for nearly 20 years, while husband Lou volunteered in the classrooms, reading stories, in character. He also ran a program called “Exploration Friday,” prior to becoming a Master Gardener.

Their four children have long since grown and graduated from SUSD schools, but the couple’s commitment to Echo Canyon, formerly Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center (ANLC), remains firmly rooted in the garden.

In 2012, Ann co-created the Chef in the Garden program, moving from parent-volunteer to parent-partner, bringing

“The story of amaranth may bind the students to a plant they would probably have no interest in tasting, prior to the lesson. We have made amaranth polenta, amaranth pasta, amaranth pancakes, as well as popped amaranth with students in the past.”

Chef Charleen Badman, chef-owner of FnB restaurant in Scottsdale and a James Beard Award winner, was Echo Canyon's first Chef in the Garden.

“I wanted to see more chefs have the opportunity I had to be in schools, teaching students about food education,” said Badman. “We have the chance for students to try so many foods that they may never have had a chance to.”

Badman participated in the James Beard Foundation Chef's Boot Camp to encourage chefs to become bigger parts of their local community.

“This is where the Blue Watermelon Project (BWP) began,” said founder and executive director Badman. “As of October 2022, we are now our own nonprofit group of chefs, farmers, educators and activists working with 25 schools (two are in Tucson) to support good food in schools.”

Chef Charleen Badman

SUSD’s Cochise Elementary School, Mohave Middle School and Echo Canyon School are among the 25 schools that are part of BWP, which operates with the generous help of the Steele Foundation AZ and the Sprouts Foundation.

On this particular warm winter day, Chef Tuan “Butch” Raphael, Chef-owner of AZ Pops, is at Echo Canyon with fruits, vegetables and liquid nitrogen, showing students just how much science is involved in picking and preserving the right produce.

“I’m a food nerd. I like the science of the food because as a chef, if you understand why something is happening, then you can apply it to anything else you create,” said Raphael. “You have to use all your senses when you are cooking. You can tell if something is too wet, too dry, too tender, too tough, by seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting, and that’s what the students did here.”

“My favorite part today was learning about how the liquid nitrogen easily and quickly freezes fruit and vegetables and changes the way it is,” said 6th grader Aubree Murabito.

“Their excitement and awareness of what’s there in front of them and making it relatable is what keeps them from forgetting what they learn,” said Raphael. “They won’t ever forget cell structure because of the way we discussed freezing things fast or slow and the way it changes the consistency. It’d be cool if one of the kids got into thermodynamics because he’s like, “Oh, heat exchange.”

They also discussed enzymes and proteins as they relate to taste. One minute, students’ faces are cringing as they taste a sour lemon and the next, they can’t get enough of the lemons, eating them as if they are oranges.

“I never heard of a miracle berry, and it surprised me how it altered my taste,” said 6th grader Chantze Robinson. “It was like supernatural. I just don’t always think about science or reading and writing when I think about food, but ice expanding and the way cell structures in food can be changed is just really magical.” The experience is magical for the visiting chefs, too. “If that was the student’s reaction, then I did my job. I did my job,” Raphael concluded.

I wanted to see more chefs have the opportunity I had to be in schools, teaching students about food education, we have the chance for students to try so many foods that they may never have had a chance to.

The Echo Canyon program not only feeds the stomach and the soul, but it also supplies worms for science programs around the district.

“One of the most exciting new things we’re now doing is working with the 5th graders to farm worms for the “Critter Farm” for SUSD,” said Lou. “They are learning the care and science of growing red wiggler worms that are then supplied to the schools in SUSD for the various science programs.”

And these now former Echo Canyon parents continue to plant and nourish new partnerships for the betterment of students and staff.

“We’ve stepped into propagation with 3rd graders and are now learning how to propagate and care for houseplants,” said Lou. “We were fortunate to have Arizona State University

conduct a study on garden journaling on our campus; thus, our students take their journals out to the vast gardens to journal and we see through their prose their curiosity is sparked.”

“The gardens at Echo Canyon provide our students with opportunities to connect their learning inside the classroom to real-world learning opportunities in our gardens,” affirmed Principal Kathleen Hughes. “We have a wide range of integrated learning experiences for all grade levels, thanks to the support of the Rodartes, Chef Charleen and the Blue Watermelon Project. Our students are fortunate to benefit from amazing community partnerships that create a rich learning environment for everyone."

SUSD GARDEN SCENE

HERE WE GROW …

SUSD students aren’t afraid to dig in and get dirty when it comes to their learning, and campus gardens provide the perfect place to do just that. Did you know that 24 out of our 29 campuses have gardens?

The newest addition is located at Saguaro High School, where students are in the process of creating a living laboratory with the help of Scottsdale Community College, McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, City of Scottsdale, and Scottsdale Leadership.

Chaparral High School zoology and botany students, led by Jennifer MacColl, are in the midst of designing “Learning Gardens.” Valued community partner and commercial real estate development company Trammel Crow is sponsoring the Chaparral garden and its landscape architect is assisting with the planning.

Desert Canyon Elementary

Proposed Chaparral HS Garden Blueprint

Saguaro High School Cactus Garden

Cochise Elementary School

'TIS THE SEASON for State Testing

SUSD’s primary goal is helping all students achieve Academic Excellence. We challenge and inspire students to think critically, problem solve and reach high levels of achievement.

While the impact of the pandemic was disruptive, student learning and academic growth continued in SUSD. Teachers adjusted their approach, differentiated instruction and provided targeted interventions to ensure opportunities for all students to continue to learn and excel. The proof is in our students’ state and national assessments that closed out the 2021-2022 school year. SUSD students outperformed their peers across Maricopa County and the state on Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA), the ACT Aspire and the ACT, and did better on college entrance tests than the state and the nation.

One of our district Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is to increase the percent of students showing academic proficiency in 3rd grade ELA (English Language Arts), 8th grade math, 9th grade ACT Aspire Science and 11th grade ACT composite.

We know that no single test can capture all that a student knows and understands, but these testing outcomes help drive better teaching and learning that benefit all students.

Our students in grades 3-11 will spend the next few weeks on state testing. We are proud of your efforts, SUSD Learners, and know that the academic work of our students and educators will be reflected in the results.

AASA and ACT District ELA Comparison

and ACT District Math Comparison

"S" IS FOR SUMMER H.S. SUMMER SCHOOL

When the calendar closes on the regular school year, the learning opportunities in SUSD continue through the month of June. With two summer school options, students heading into their freshman, sophomore, junior or senior years of high school have the option to get ahead on next school year, improve a past grade or take an elective they’ve always been interested in, but haven’t had the schedule capacity to accommodate. For year-long, core courses, each two-week summer school session covers a semester’s worth of study. And when SUSD Summer School’s two, condensed sessions end, there’s still more than a month of summer break to enjoy!

In-person Summer School

Students looking for a regular classroom experience for their summer studies are welcomed to Coronado High School for in-person learning.

Session 1: May 30 – June 13

Registration deadline: May 22

Session 2: June 15 – June 30*

Registration deadline: June 7

*No school on June 19

 Classes are held Monday – Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 Transportation to and from Coronado is provided at SUSD’s four other high school campuses.

 Breakfast and lunch are available free of charge for registered students.

 $25/semester course for current SUSD students.

Online Summer School

For high school students who need more flexibility in their summer schedules, SUSD offers a robust online program of Summer School learning.

Session 1: May 30 – June 13

Registration deadline: May 22

Session 2: June 15 – June 30*

Registration deadline: June 7

*No school on June 19

 Students will have access to the entire semester of course material on the first day of the session.

 Students will access the course on their own time. There is no live instruction.

 Students must take the course final exam online at the date and time that is pre-determined by the instructor.

 $25/semester course for current SUSD students.

Due to the fast-paced nature of summer school, students may take no more than one course each session without permission from the Assistant Principal of Education Services of their respective high school.

Classes are quickly filling up! Find course and enrollment information at www.susd.org/SummerSchool

Kids Club Summer Camp

It’s all about having fun while learning at SUSD’s Kids Club Summer Camp. SUSD-enrolled children ages 3-13 pass parts or all of their summer with us at the Oak Academy campus, taking part in grade-level, fun learning activities. Field trips to the library and to see the Arizona Diamondbacks are always summer camp favorites each year!

MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE GIFTED STUDENT

One of the hallmarks of the Scottsdale Unified School District is that it meets students where they are in their learning. While SUSD provides future-focused, world-class learning opportunities for all of its students, each child’s learning needs are unique to them.

For students who are identified as gifted (testing is offered twice each school year), the learning goes far beyond the textbook. Gifted students are challenged to be the architects of their own learning and are led by teachers who are trained and supported specifically in the education of gifted students. Simple answers to questions are not sufficient for the gifted learner. Gifted students want to know the ‘why?’ and very probably multiple ‘whys?’ as they tackle and move through and beyond core subject content. SUSD offers a continuum of gifted services that reflect the specific needs of SUSD’s diverse students.

While SUSD offers several options for accelerated learning and advanced content delivery, including the School-wide Gifted Cluster Grouping Model and Content Replacement (PACT) at the elementary level, Gifted electives and Honors courses at the middle level, and Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses and concurrent (dual) enrollment with Scottsdale Community College at the high school level, the K-8 Comprehensive Gifted Program, or CGP, is designed for highly gifted students. Student participation is by application, with specific testing qualifications that must be met. SUSD’s CGP offers fast-paced, accelerated, studentcentered and student-driven learning opportunities to meet students’ unique learning requirements. CGP concentrates K-8 gifted learning in designated elementary and middle schools in SUSD’s Arcadia (Tavan Elementary and Ingleside Middle), Desert Mountain (Redfield Elementary and Desert Canyon Middle) and Saguaro (Kiva Elementary and Mohave Middle) Learning communities.

Redfield Principal Dr. Amanda Rand says she happily assures families considering CGP that their students’

learning experience is being guided by teachers specifically trained in meeting the needs of accelerated learners, academically, emotionally and socially. “Students are gifted all day, every day, and the smaller classroom experience we offer provides the flexibility and appropriately challenging curriculum they need to be able to grow beyond gradelevel ceilings.” When Rand’s own 1st grader qualified for the program, she did not hesitate to enroll him.

When their elementary days conclude, Redfield’s gifted students move on to the CGP waiting for them up the road at Desert Canyon Middle School (DCMS). Principal Robert Akhbari says his school’s partnership with Redfield works well. “Redfield students come to the middle school better prepared to take on many new adventures and change. DCMS is very fortunate to have Redfield as a partner in providing excellent learning opportunities for our future students.”

To learn more about SUSD’s Comprehensive Gifted Program, go to www.susd.org/Gifted

SUSD & IB CLOSING THE LOOP

With the certification earlier this year of Anasazi Elementary School’s Primary Years Programme (PYP), Scottsdale Unified School District is proud to offer a complete kindergarten-through-high-school International Baccalaureate (IB) education. SUSD is one of just four Arizona K-12 public school districts that can claim that distinction.

The achievement has been many years in the making. SUSD’s engagement with the globally renowned education framework for innovative teaching and learning began nearly three decades ago, in 1999, when Desert Mountain High School launched its IB Diploma Programme as an optional path of study for juniors and seniors (11th and 12th grades). In 2017, Mountainside Middle School and Desert Mountain began the joint pursuit of IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) designation for 6th through 10th grade students. Collaborating closely across the parking lot that separates the two schools, the schools became official MYP World Schools in late 2020. At that time, Anasazi was already two years into its PYP IB journey, culminating in January of this year and closing the SUSD IB loop. While the district’s IB programs are concentrated at three schools that lie within a mile of each other in the Desert Mountain Learning Community, they are available to all SUSD students and non-resident students through open enrollment.

IB schools are recognized worldwide for transforming education, preparing students who are critical thinkers and global citizens who actively seek the relevance of their learning as it applies to the world outside of school. For the teachers leading IB classrooms, they, in a sense, go back to school themselves, undergoing intense, collaborative professional development at the outset of a school’s journey toward IB certification that continues as the program matures. SUSD’s International Baccalaureate K-12 continuum is, perhaps, the ultimate example of engaging all students in world-class, future-focused learning.

PARTNERSHIP PROFILE THE SCOTTSDALE CHARROS

Since 1986, the Scottsdale Charros have dedicated much of their work to the support of SUSD’s students and teachers. Through a variety of grants, scholarships, initiatives and recognition programs, the Charros are always there for SUSD, through thick and thin. As the district’s and schools’ needs have evolved, so has the Charros’ assistance in addressing them. Read more about the many ways SUSD benefits from the Charros’ generosity at: charros.com/education-inititiatives/

The Charros are primarily comprised of community-minded local business leaders, but they play other roles, too: many Charros are SUSD parents and volunteers, giving them a unique perspective on our schools and their organization’s support of them. Meet some of them below!

Bryan Gottfredson is the Charros’ Education Committee Scholarship and Grants chairman and serves as the Charros’ Liaison to Cochise Elementary School, which his children have attended. “Becoming a Charro and having the ability to help raise and direct funds to SUSD has been very meaningful to me because I know how much these dollars can help our local public school district and families.”

Chuck Loftin is the Charros’ Treasurer, serves on the Charro Foundation Board of Directors and is the Charros’ Liaison to Cherokee Elementary School, which his two children attend. “We are very fortunate to live in Scottsdale, AZ, and we need to preserve and enhance wherever possible.”

Brian Wilder chairs the Charros’ committee that will put on the organization’s annual Education Awards Banquet April 21. He is also the Charros’ Liaison to Desert Canyon Middle School. His children attend Cheyenne Traditional School. “Since the Charros are committed to supporting Scottsdale kids and teachers, it’s a great fit to have my kids in SUSD.”

Why do you choose SUSD for your students?

BG: We moved to our neighborhood, based in part on the wonderful reputation of the SUSD schools. We were looking for a neighborhood where all the kids on the block went to the same school and had a true community feeling. We found this to be the case in the Cochise/McCormick Ranch neighborhood.

CL: We chose Cherokee for the school community and the amazing teachers.

BW: We came from a private school. Our new house is very close to Cheyenne and I heard high praise from a few of my close friends. I like the more challenging curriculum and school uniform policy. My kids also had friends there, which made the move easier.

What unique learning opportunities or experiences have they had?

BG: Both of our kids had the opportunity to participate in Big Buddies program, student council, and the gifted learning curriculum. Not only did these opportunities allow them to grow academically, but also taught them about life and were beneficial to their social development.

CL: Our children have really benefited from the non-traditional programs like Robotics, Coding, Cheerleading, and Running Club.

BW: For the most part, I feel they are being challenged appropriately and receiving a solid education.

Bryan Gottfredson Chuck Loftin Brian Wilder

PARTNERSHIP PROFILE SUSD FOUNDATION

The Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation is a strong advocate for SUSD in our community. Since 2006, the Foundation’s mission of supporting educational excellence helps bring brilliant learning and teaching opportunities to SUSD students and educators each school year. These are opportunities that might otherwise go unfunded.

The Foundation’s Board draws from SUSD parents, among others. Meet two of them here!

Kristin Cox is the P&C Compliance Director at Nationwide E&S, a Scottsdale property and casualty insurance carrier. Her students have attended Cheyenne Traditional School. “It is a relatively small yet dedicated working group of faculty and staff who seem to truly care about the healthy development of young, developing minds,” states Cox. “I also appreciate the dedication and patience I see when watching teachers interact with students, and that encourages me to volunteer my time for the SUSD Foundation.”

“I support the SUSD beyond Cheyenne because I believe in the district’s ability to promote, strengthen, and encourage its students and teachers to be all they can be,” she adds. “We are all in this together so why not work together to strengthen the community as a whole.”

“I’m a big believer in public education, and feel that strong public schools are the foundation to a strong community and local economy. When it came to selecting a school for my kids, finding one in SUSD was a no-brainer. As a longtime Scottsdale resident, having my kids in a public school allows me to actively participate in my local community and is convenient for my family. On top of that, I feel that SUSD provides great educational experience for my kids.

How does your role as a parent influence your work as a Foundation member?

SK: My role as a parent has opened my eyes to the diversity that exists in the district. Cheyenne is fortunate to have a very active parent community, and a well-funded PTO. Through my work on the Foundation Board, I’ve seen that not all our schools have the same infrastructure and fundraising support that Cheyenne has. At the end of the day, Scottsdale will benefit most if all our schools are strong. Seeing firsthand how my kids have benefitted from a strong and well-funded school community has helped frame my thinking on how the Foundation can fund programs that bring that same benefit to all students in the district.

Seth Kaplan’s children also attend Cheyenne. Seth is the Director of Marketing and Customer Engagement at HonorHealth.

Kristine Cox Seth Kaplan

SAB UPDATE

by Zack Okun, SAB President, 2022-23

The Scottsdale Unified School District Student Advisory Board (SAB) has made significant progress in collaborating with district leadership to help improve the student experience. With the board split into six subcommittees, each subcommittee is focused on key topics that directly impact the student body.

The Technology Subcommittee is working on several important initiatives to improve classroom technology usage and access. The subcommittee is exploring the effects of phone pockets used in the classroom, as well as addressing the issue of blocked instructional materials and videos on YouTube. Additionally, the Technology Subcommittee is looking into computer tracking policies and ways for seniors to save their information after they graduate, before they lose access to their SUSD student email accounts.

The Climate and Culture Subcommittee is focused on creating a supportive and effective learning environment for students. The subcommittee is working on several initiatives, including homework help options, advance notice for exams, and academic support and tutoring. Additionally, the subcommittee is working to increase participation and success rates in Honors classes.

The Communications Subcommittee is working on improving the district's communication with students. The subcommittee is addressing the distribution of the SUSD magazine to students and exploring options for a new announcements portal. The Communications Subcommittee is also looking into ways to improve communication formats for school principals and the potential for an SUSD-monitored student Instagram account.

The College and Career Readiness Subcommittee is focused on providing students with the tools and resources

they need to succeed after graduation. The subcommittee is exploring alternative credit options, college and career fairs, standardized testing, and a portal for scholarships, internships, and job opportunities.

The Safety and Security Subcommittee is working to improve security and safety measures in the district. The subcommittee is focused on addressing the issue of ID delays for students entering schools and potential resolutions. The subcommittee is also working to ensure consistency among campus security practices and the use of different colored IDs for different years.

The Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee is working to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the district. The subcommittee is focused on diversity training opportunities for staff and students, potential new consequence policies for insensitive school behavior, a central reporting mechanism, and potential school reward systems for positive behavior.

In addition to the subcommittee-specific work, the SAB as a whole is working on updates to high school graduations. The SAB released two ThoughtExchanges to gather feedback from students on graduation dates, times, recognition, and regalia. The next steps for the SAB include hosting teen town halls on each high school campus to gather more student feedback on school and district policies.

In conclusion, the Scottsdale Unified School District Student Advisory Board, in coordination with district leaders, is making great strides in improving the student experience in the district. The SAB’s commitment to student-centered initiatives and its focus on improving the district's communication, technology, academic, and safety measures are helping to create a supportive learning environment for all students.

BOND UPDATE

Kiva, Pueblo & Tavan

In 2016, the community approved SUSD’s request to issue $229 million in bonds to:

 Renovate, improve and construct school facilities

 Enhance campus safety

 Update pupil transportation

The final bond sale was completed in March 2021. Visit www.susd.org/Bond for more information on SUSD’s bond projects.

KIVA DEDICATION

The new Kiva Elementary School officially opened its doors to students in August 2022, but the ribbon-cutting event for the new campus took place when it was a bit cooler, in November. It was fun to celebrate with current Kiva students, Cougar alums and the community.

Former Cougars enjoyed their time reminiscing about the good old days. Among those in attendance was former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle, who attended Kiva when he was in third grade.

PUEBLO GROUNDBREAKING

Pueblo Elementary held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new campus in November. SUSD’s Spanish Dual Language Immersion elementary school is the final school that is being rebuilt with 2016 bond money.

The underground utilities are in and the buildings are all vertical. The plan is for the old buildings to be demolished and new playgrounds and parking lots to be built this summer, with students starting the new 2023-24 school year in their new digs.

TAVAN UPDATE

Tavan Elementary School’s new Art/Comprehensive Gifted Program (CGP) and Administration buildings are nearly complete. The hope remains that students will be able to enjoy the new state-of-the-art space before the end of the current school year. A new basketball court covered with shade structures and fans will expand the school’s P.E. space and allow students to enjoy the outdoors without having to be concerned about the weather.

Once the Administration building is complete, then internal demo work on the old building can begin. It will quickly morph into five Pre-K, PANDA and Academic Learning Center (ALC) classrooms. ALC is a specialized education, cross-categorical program (K-5). Moving those early childhood programs from the Tavan Annex, currently located across Osborn Road, will complete the vision of having all Tavan students on one main campus for the new 2023-24 school year.

A CELEBRATION OF SUSD STUDENTS

1st Annual Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong

If anything, one impact of the recent pandemic was that it provided the opportunity to re-think how we go about things. That was certainly true for SUSD, for instance, when we found ways to embrace and take advantage of classroom technology.

The same can be said for the school district’s annual celebration of student visual, musical, and performing arts. Formerly hosted at a local church, the creation of new community partnerships in the intervening three years brought new event options to the table.

The result was on display March 24-25 at The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center at SkySong with the launching of the first Scottsdale Family ArtsFest. The free, two-day, community event was a collaboration of Arizona State University, SUSD, the City of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Arts and the SkySong development team.

The festive gathering showcased the talents of school bands, choirs, orchestras, smaller ensembles and theatrical arts, while visual arts exhibitions took over SkySong’s passageways. ArtsFest also featured familyfriendly arts activities from Scottsdale Arts Learning and Innovation, interactive demonstrations from Scottsdale city departments and culinary offerings from local food trucks. The city’s annual Alli Ortega Empty Bowls fundraiser took place there, as well. Its proceeds help support Scottsdale families facing food insecurity. Art classes from SUSD’s Hopi and Laguna Elementary, Cocopah Middle, and Chaparral and Coronado High schools contributed bowls to this year's auction.

Seed funding for the Scottsdale Family ArtsFest was provided by a grant from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust to Arizona State University.

SUSD PARTNERSHIPS

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS SINCE 1896

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: PARTNER WITH SUSD

ENHANCE STUDENT & STAFF EXPERIENCES

SCAN AND FILL

OUT FORM

PICTURED: CHEF IN THE GARDEN, ECHO CANYON K

ENGAGING ALL STUDENTS IN WORLD-CLASS, FUTURE-FOCUSED LEARNING.

CHARLEEN BADMAN, CHEF/OWNER, FnB; FOUNDER/DIRECTOR, BLUE WATERMELON PROJECT SUSD PARTNER