May 16 - June 5, 2015 www.SanTanSun.com
Four more schools earn A+ School of Excellence awards BY ALISON STANTON
Four more Chandler schools have just earned the A+ School of Excellence award for the 2014-2015 school year. Bobbie O’Boyle, executive director of the Arizona Educational Foundation, said that Bogle Junior High School and Chandler High School in the Chandler Unified School District, Kyrene Aprende Middle School in the Kyrene Elementary School District, and Sirrine Elementary School in the Mesa Unified School District were among 25 additional Arizona public schools to earn the honor, which is valid for three and a half years. O’Boyle said the purpose of the A+ School of Excellence award is two-fold; in addition to recognizing the success of schools, their students and staff for doing a great job, the lengthy application process also serves as a self-assessment tool. “It’s not just about saying ‘oh gosh, we are doing wonderful things.’ If a school is on the right path, this will help them to sustain it,” O’Boyle said. “The application process forces the
Jim Verrill, principal of Kyrene Aprende Middle School (left, pictured with former Aprende Principal Geri Shaw and Kyrene Superintendent Dr. David Schauer), said he likes the way the A+ designation recognizes everything that the school is doing well, and not just its test scores. Submitted photo
school to look at itself and enables everyone to realize all of the wonderful things that are going on at the school.” Susie Avey, principal of Bogle Junior High School, said she was inspired to apply for
Here she is...
Ms. Senior Arizona sings her way to crown BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Crowned in late March, Jessica Klebanow has yet to wrap her head around the title “Ms. Senior Arizona.” Well-wishers express their excitement about Klebanow’s win at the 26th annual event dubbed “The Age of Elegance.” But she’s willing to take on the responsibility. “It was a big shock to win,” said the 68-year-old Klebanow, who lives with her husband in Sun Lakes. She said she believes it was her honesty and talent that earned her the title. “I think that I’m a pretty much an honest person,” she said. “When you’re being judged, people see that. I have no pretense. Certainly being a queen doesn’t change me.”
For her talent, she sang Melissa Manchester’s song “Come in From the Rain.” “I love that song,” she explained. “I love the words. People think it’s ‘Coming in From the Rain.’ My interpretation is not coming in from the rain.” She hears the tune as a person singing a song of support to a loved one. “If you’re sad and unhappy, I’m here for you. If you’re happy, I’m here for you anyway. It’s about reaching out to that person, whether they need you or not. “But the person on the other side is very stubborn. They like to do their own thing.” SEE SENIOR ARIZONA PAGE 5
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the A+ award by her desire to share the great things the school is doing. “When you are at a public school and you are confident good things are happening for kids—because of the investment that
the teachers and parents are making in all the kids that go there—you want others to know,” Avey said. “It’s an opportunity to acknowledge and validate the efforts of everyone who contributes to, and helps create, a school environment that is inclusive, vibrant and progressive.” When Avey learned that the school was going to be an A+ school for the second time, she could not wait to announce the great news. “Since our site visit in early April, my whole team, the student body and parent boosters have been on pins and needles. It’s a great way to end our year,” she said. O’Boyle said the judges who spent time at Bogle Junior High School made favorable comments about how respectful the students and staff are, as well as how they recruit and retain a large number of teachers. “This is a reflection of the principal’s vision to empower leaders within her staff. The judges also noted a strong sense of collegiality and willingness among teams to share and grow, and that they were always focused on continuous school improvement,” O’Boyle said. Larry Rother, principal of Chandler High School, said he wanted to re-apply for the A+ award because the program takes into account aspects of a school’s excellence that may be missed with the state’s accountability measures. “For our school to achieve this recognition, we needed to demonstrate not only outstanding academics but also exhibit excellence in areas such as the SEE EXCELLENCE PAGE 4
SRP temporarily suspends Price Road Corridor power line project BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Salt River Project officials are reassessing route alternatives after the Gila River Indian Community Council rejected a right-of-way consent for SRP’s Price Road Corridor 230-kilvolt (kV) Transmission Line Project. SRP temporarily suspended its effort to seek approval from the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) after the GRIC’s May 6 vote, which followed the nonprofit power company’s threeyear attempt to obtain the consent. “SRP is disappointed with this unexpected decision,” said John Coggins, SRP’s senior director of systems operations, in a press release. “At this time, we are unsure as to exactly why the measure was defeated, but we strongly believe that the private
land route alternatives approved last month (April) by the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee in combination with the GRIC alternative are the best options for this important transmission project. With this in mind, SRP will take reasonable steps to work with the community to discuss whether there is a potential resolution to their issues.” The key terms of the right-ofway agreement had been agreed to previously in discussions between SRP and community leadership and were also supported by the allottees (landowners) who approved the lease consent. Laine Schoneberger, a Pine Lakes Estate resident, organized Arizona
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Storm chaser’s conference raises awareness of storms. . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 Peixoto Coffee is a family affair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Larkin building elite wrestling program at Seton Catholic. . . .YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 27 Cuban tour offers classic cars, architecture and history. . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . .Page 42 Registration open for AZ College Battle of the Bands . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 58
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