AFN Back to School 2016

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Ahwatukee Foothills News INSIDE THIS SPECIAL EDITION

TU SUCCESS: Tempe Union board member hails students p2

REACHING OUT:

facebook.com/AhwatukeeFN

New Kyrene schools leader writes to parents p3

COLLEGE PLANNING: Navigating admissions process is a challenge p6

MATH ANXIETY: Children can overcome struggles with math p7

(Nancy Dudenhoefer/Special for AFN)

KINDERGARTEN:

Kyrene School District superintendent Jan Vesely works with fourth-grader Lucas Gardner during a summer program.

New Kyrene superintendent’s motto: Work hard, be nice

By Coty Dolores Miranda AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When Kyrene School District Superintendent Jan Vesely officially began her duties July 1, the first item she hung on her office walls was not one of her many degrees.

It was a simple plaque that she said reflects her philosophy not only in education but in life: “Work hard and be nice to people.”

Vesely, selected from a field of 31 to succeed

David Schauer, hit the ground running, meeting with Kyrene’s 25 principals a week before her first official day on the job.

She comes to Kyrene with a bachelor’s degree in education and masters and doctoral degrees in education leadership.

“I have a very strong work ethic and I believe you accomplish more by treating others with respect,” said Vesely, the former deputy/assistant

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superintendent at Tucson’s Sunnyside Unified School District.

“When meeting with all the principals, my driving question was, ‘What can I do to make your work more effective?’ What’s important to me as superintendent is that we are supportive of our principals and teachers so that they can be the very best. That’s where the rubber hits

Kyrene answers 10 questions about p8

HEALTHY LUNCHES: Benefits pile up with nutritious school meals p9

‘MOM GEAR’: Gadgets help you groove into school year p12

SAVE MONEY: You can cut down on school necessities’ cost p13

>> See SUPERINTENDENT on page 4

Toddler • Primary • Elementary • Adolescent Currently Enrolling for our Primary Programs

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Tempe Union committed to students and community By: Brandon Schmoll As I reach the mid-point of my term as a member of the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board, I continue to be impressed by our exceptional students and school programs.

Recently I had the honor of handing out diplomas to the Class of 2016, and am proud to say TUHSD’s 3,009 graduating seniors earned $77 million in college scholarship offers, up nearly $20 million from the year before.

There has also been great success out of the classroom. Many of the District’s sports teams advanced to the state playoffs; our studentathletes earned 20 state championships. Five Tempe Union marching bands qualified for state competition with Desert Vista bringing home the title. Corona del Sol’s “We the People” team and percussion team each won impressive fifth straight state titles.

A JROTC student from Marcos de Niza won a national title in armed drill solo and McClintock High School earned its second A+ School of Excellence™ Award from the Arizona Educational Foundation.

Student enrollment increased last year and our community approved the Additional Assistance Override in November and Proposition 123 in May. Prop 123 infuses $4.13 million into Tempe Union’s FY2017 budget and the Board voted to allocate 81% of the new money to the classroom. Even before Prop 123, TUHSD increased how much we spent in the classroom year over year while the state average decreased.

In addition to raising teacher salaries, reducing class sizes and providing professional development, all staff will receive a 2.6% raise. The District plans to enhance its IB program to better bridge the middle to high school experience and has committed to providing free PSAT testing for all freshman, sophomores and juniors.

The Governing Board strongly supports this opportunity for students to receive needed practice on taking a college entrance exam, and to help them identify areas for academic improvement.

The Governing Board is still considering the sale or lease of unutilized District-owned land. Revenue could be used to pay off bonds and lower the tax rate. Tempe Union’s tax rate already decreased from 2014 to 2015 and the District continues to have the lowest tax rate of any high school district in Maricopa County. As a home owner in the district I noticed my tax bill was a few dollars less this year because of the lower rate.

Elections are coming up and our Governing Board will have three of the five seats open.

Page 2

(Special to AFN)

TUHSD GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER

Brandon Schmoll of Ahwatukee is excited about students’ success.

Sandy Lowe and Michelle Helm are running for re-election, while Moises Sanchez has announced his run for the Maricopa County Community College Governing Board and will not seek re-election. I look forward to working with whomever voters feel are the best candidates for the position.

We continue to have high expectations and accountability for all students, teachers, and administrators and I expect voters to hold us accountable for the decisions we make. I stand by all the decisions I have made as a Governing Board Member and believe that as a result of our work the District has improved.

It was my original goal before getting elected to ensure students are safe, more money goes into the classroom, and our taxes stay low.

By working with the rest of the Governing Board and the administration I feel strongly that this has been achieved.

I’m excited to work together to continue the mission of “Excellence in Teaching and Learning.” The 2016-2017 school year begins Aug. 1, 2016.

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–Brandon Schmoll was elected to the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board in 2014.

BACK TO SCHOOL |WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

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By Dr. Jan Vesely AFN GUEST WRITER

It is a great honor for me to be joining the Kyrene School District community.

Kyrene is unquestionably one of the finest school districts in the state, and I am humbled to serve as your superintendent.

My approach to education is simple -students are the reason we do what we do.

I take my responsibility for their care and learning very seriously and believe deeply that they each deserve a quality education.

It is our job, as a district, to help them grow intellectually, emotionally and socially while instilling in them the habits of mind and mastery of skills they’ll need to be successful in life.

Providing our school leadership with the support they need to be successful will be a priority. I am committed to fostering a rigorous teaching and learning environment in our classrooms that provides every one of our students with a sense of belonging.

This past spring and summer, I was fortunate to spend several days getting to know Kyrene. I have visited schools, participated in Governing Board meetings and worked with our leadership team to develop specific goals that will enhance our excellence and guide our efforts in the years ahead.

With school starting on Aug. 1, teachers and staff have been hard at work over the summer in professional development and trainings. We will have over 100 new teachers and we welcome them to our team.

As we start a new school year, the class of 2029, our new kindergartners, will enter briskly and enthusiastically with high hopes for the future. Our 8th graders, the class of 2021, will return to complete their preparation for the transition to high school, anticipating their next academic adventure.

Between these important milestones, we will leave no stone unturned in making these students’ dreams possible.

We do that by creating opportunities for learning that allow us to celebrate the unique gifts in each student. What we do in the classroom matters, and we will seek to create memorable, magical moments to nurture curious minds and critical thinkers.

We want our students to be engaged in their learning, whether it be in the arts, on our athletic fields, or in our community. When our students thrive, we know we’ve done our jobs well.

Throughout the year, I hope to stay connected with district employees and our Kyrene community. I will be conducting “Let’s Talk” tours at every school and look forward to

(Special to AFN)

A message to parents from Kyrene schools’ new leader

New Kyrene superintendent plans talk tours to all district chools.

hearing from you how we can improve.

I will provide regular updates, through newsletters, social media, automated phone and text messages, as well as by participating in school and community meetings.

So as we embark on this education journey together, and welcome a new school year, I’m excited for the future.

Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

I look forward to celebrating with you our shared future success in Kyrene. In the meantime, I will see you in our schools!

Dr. Jan Vesely is the new superintendent of Kyrene School District.

Kyrene School District Back-to-School News The first day of school is Monday, August 1, 2016 MEET THE TEACHER NIGHTS IN JULY Elementary School Meet the Teacher Night: Wednesday, July 27 from 5:30 -7:00 p.m.

Middle School Meet the Teacher and Curriculum Night: Thursday, July 28 (times vary by grade levels; check school websites) This is the night when your child will meet his/her teacher! You can also purchase PTO items, put money in your child’s lunch account, drop off school supplies, etc. See the Community Education table for information on before and after-school programs and classes.

BOUNDARIES AND BUS STOPS Some Kyrene school boundaries have changed. As a result some bus stops will change.

Check updated bus routes at www.Kyrene.org/busroutes

OTHER BACK-TO-SCHOOL INFORMATION: www.kyrene.org/backtoschool • eSubscribe to Newsletters • Immunization Requirements

• Grade Level Supply Lists • School Lunches – “www.MySchoolBucks.com”

| www.kyrene.org • 480-541-1000 ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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>> From page 1

the road.”

Born just outside the Valley in Florence, Vesely’s grandparents farmed cotton in Casa Grande. Other than four years of undergraduate studies at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, her home turf has been Tucson. As she squeezes in time to find a new home -- “in the Kyrene School District, of course,” she stressed -- Vesely is living at her father’s Ahwatukee residence.

She acknowledged that her future as the Kyrene’s ninth superintendent since 1939 includes a big learning curve.

But because she has been involved in education in a variety of roles since her 1977 graduation from NAU, she’s confident that she has the background to handle the job.

Vesely began her career fresh out of NAU as a teacher at Tucson’s Amphitheater High School and later served as executive of community schools for the Amphitheater School District.

Her professional experience spans nearly four decades, and includes principal, principal supervisor, assistant and deputy superintendent; education business leader with Edison Schools; and regional vice president for Pearson’s western region.

A mother of two and grandmother of three,

Vesely says her goal is focused on finding and implementing the best roads to success for the approximately 17,000 Kyrene students.

“My work is motivated by a strong sense of responsibility and care for our students and every decision will be based on what’s best for them,” she said. “I’m excited to be coming to a highly-performing district with highly-qualified, dedicated staff and strong parental and community support.”

In her first day, she said that communication will be a major goal.

“In these first 100 days I want to learn what makes this district so special. I want to deeply understand the foundation this district was built on so that I can continue to grow its excellence to even greater heights,” Vesely said.

“The schools will be the focal point of my work, providing principals, teachers, and sites with the support they need to be successful. We’re realigning our support to schools to ensure the focus of our work in centered on the needs of schools and students.”

Vesely is planning “Let’s Talk” tours to every school so she can further involve parents and the community at large, maintaining an active presence.

“I plan to communicate clearly and frequently so that everyone feels engaged and connected to our district and its important work in educating the students within our community,” she said.

(Nancy Dudenhoefer/Special for AFN)

SUPERINTENDENT

Kyrene School District superintendent Jan Vesely meets with, from left, third-grader Brooke Boyce, firstgrader Claire Lovell, first-grader Aarav Deshmane, and third-grader Ria Gokhale.

“Among questions I’ll be posing are, ‘How do we ensure equal access and opportunities for all students so that we become a collective community focused on our central mission and vision?’ and, ‘How might we continue to be good stewards of community resources to minimize costs while maximizing outcomes of highly productive citizens for tomorrow?’”

Kyrene’s boundaries encompass

Ahwatukee, Tempe, Chandler, Guadalupe and Gila River Indian Reservation. The district serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

In April, the Kyrene Governing Board approved Vesely’s hiring after a monthslong search and interview process that included meetings with key stakeholder groups, such as teachers, students, parents and community members.

ASU Hosts Chinese Language Summer Camp for Arizona Students

O

n June 5th, thirty middle and high school students from around Arizona arrived at Arizona State University to kick off the eighth annual ASU Startalk Chinese Language Summer Camp. The camp marks an exceptional opportunity for Arizona’s brightest students to come together and develop their Chinese-language skills and cultural understanding. From the day they set foot on the ASU campus, students are immersed in the Chinese language and culture. Students remain at the camp twenty-four hours a day, sleeping in campus dormitories, eating with camp staff and other students, and engaging in full slate of daily activities. Lasting for a total of fifteen days, the camp offers a unique and exciting learning environment for its thirty participants.

The core activity of the camp is Chineselanguage instruction. Students spend several hours a day in Chinese classes taught by experienced area instructors and teaching assistants. Classes range from the beginner to the intermediate level, and students do a variety of in-class activities and presentations. Classes are conducted almost

entirely in Chinese, forcing students to develop their listening and speaking skills. Language instruction, however, is only the beginning of the daily schedule. Afternoons and evenings include hands-on cultural activities with topics such as dance, calligraphy, and Chinese knots. Students also go on an off-campus trip to Mekong Plaza in Mesa. On the last day of the camp, students put on a performance for friends and family.

The camp, notes program director Dr. Xia Zhang, is an enjoyable and valuable experience for students. “This program strives to provide students with the best learning experience by immersing them in an intensive yet fun environment,” says Zhang. “I hope that through this program, students not only learn a foreign language but also learn to better appreciate another culture.” After the camp concludes, students will use what they’ve learned as a springboard for further Chineselanguage study at their respective schools and colleges.

Startalk is a presidential initiative funded by the National Security Agency that seeks to expand and improve the instruction and learning SPONSORED FEATURE

Page 4

BACK TO SCHOOL |WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

of strategically important languages such as Chinese. For the eighth consecutive year, the School of International Letters and Cultures at ASU was selected by the Startalk Central to host the Chinese Language Summer Camp. The camp is largely funded by the U.S. government, and students pay only a nominal fee to attend.

Arizona students can apply to attend the camp in the spring of each year. More information on the camp can be found at silc.clas.asu.edu/content/ startalk-program or on the program Facebook page at facebook.com/asustartalk/.

ahwatukee.com See more at the home of the Ahwatukee Foothills

(Kyrene Schools/Special to AFN)

News YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION SHOULD START WITH THE BEST!

Tour an NAEYC, nationally accredited PRESCHOOL

Kyrene Assistant Superintendent appreciates the district’s “reputation of excellence.”

Kyrene’s new assistant chief kisses 100-mile commute goodbye

By Coty Dolores Miranda AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For new Kyrene School District Assistant Superintendent Laura Toenjes, working in the East Valley again is like a homecoming.

As she settled into her office at the district’s Tempe headquarters last week in early July, Toenjes (pronounced Ten-yes) said her commute to work just got a whole lot easier.

For the past year, Toenjes had driven 100 miles each way five days a week from her Chandler home to Tucson where she served as Director of School Improvement in the Sunnyside Unified School District.

In Tucson, she worked with Kyrene’s new superintendent, Jan Vesely, who was assistant superintendent for the same district.

The two had worked closely prior when Toenjes served as Arizona Department of Education deputy associate superintendent, heading the school improvement unit.

“I got to know Jan … I was very impressed with her leadership,” said Toenjes.

Together at Sunnyside, Vesely and Toenjes helped four district schools improve test scores and strengthen teacher’s support systems through the University of Virginia’s School Turnaround Program.

“When I knew Jan had been named Kyrene Superintendent and then saw the posting for assistant superintendent, I knew I had to pursue that,” said Toenjes, who was raised in

Gilbert and is a Gilbert High School alumna.

“I’m an East Valley girl and I’ve always been very impressed with the Kyrene School District, which has always had that reputation of excellence. So I’m thrilled to be a part of this team,” said Toenjes whose two teenage sons attend Hamilton High School and are active in sports.

Like Vesely, Toenjes said she has high standards for herself, educators and students, and a commitment to do what it takes to ensure their greatest chance for success.

And like Vesely, she has a plaque in her office that she says reveals a lot about her philosophy: “Everyday Counts.”

“I truly believe in the power of education and I have a passion for serving and always leaving whatever and whomever, including myself, better than the day before,” she said.

Toenjes received her B.A. in Communications from the University of Arizona.

While teaching in Gilbert and later in Stanfield, Toenjes earned two master’s degrees from Northern Arizona University -one in elementary education and the other in administration and supervision with a minor in curriculum and instruction.

“I believe my role as a leader is to foster a district-wide work environment that’s student-focused and results-oriented, placing priority on student learning and performance,” she said.

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Expert weighs in on changes and challenges in the college application process

By Emerson Smith AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Schools are back in session...

Remember to keep your child’s immunizations current.

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Mary Jo F. Kutler, D.O. F.A.C.O,P., F.A.A.P.

After 30 years of teaching and counseling students and families through the college admissions process and assisting them to find their best match of college, I have observed the changes and challenges in the college application process with interest and concern.

We continue to read that students are applying to highly selective colleges in record numbers. Colleges advertise the high numbers of applicants, low numbers of admits, and high yields.

When this combination of numbers emerges, alumni, trustees, and presidents, along with other constituencies, take pride in their institutions becoming more and more selective.

But in the midst of all this drama, we may be forgetting one very important population, the applicants and parents. It is heartbreaking to see super-qualified students deferred, waitlisted, or denied because of sheer numbers and the important but restrictive variables of constructing a diverse freshman class to include athletes, scholars, legacies, and special talents.

For counselors, one of the greatest challenges becomes how to guide families through the transition from middle school to high school during one of the most exciting and often traumatic experiences for some students -- especially when you consider that some students may be adjusting to a new school, making new friends, and/or becoming more independent.

With everything swirling around them, the challenge is helping them to recognize and understand that by starting to work on a college plan as soon as the 9th grade, the student will be better prepared. Consequently they will become more confident in their abilities and to do well in their junior year, the most important year in the college admissions process.

Admissions Trends Many of our Arizona students develop a keen interest in the California universities, so

it is good to stay on top of occurring trends.

In response to legislative pressure, the number of California residents admitted as freshman to UC campuses for Fall 2016 jumped by nearly 15 percent over last year, or 8,488 more students. The admission rate for California students was 62.7 percent, up almost 7 percent from 2015.

If state funding holds up, University of California plans to admit 5,000 more Californian students over the next two years. Meanwhile, the admissions rate for non-resident students fell from 54.6 percent last year to 53.7 percent and will continue to fall according to UC President and former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.

Enrollments Trends Some students may begin their college career at one school, then transfer to another.

The Washington Post examined data through the Common Data Set questionnaire to identify prominent universities that admitted transfer students in 2014.

Here are the top schools that admitted more than 100, with the number of transfer students enrolling: UCLA, 3167; UC Berkeley, 2187; USC 1435; University of Michigan, 1041; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 866; New York University, 854; University of Virginia, 665; University of Pennsylvania, 150; Georgetown University, 148; Notre Dame, 118; Washington University in St. Louis, 110.

Ask anyone who has gone through the experience and they will tell you that raising a teenager is one of the greatest challenges a parent will face.

As parents, we all want what is best for our children. We want to see them succeed and be happy doing whatever they do best.

Helping to guide them through the maze of high school and adolescence, to emerge on the other side with admission to the college that is best suited to their skills and goals, and watch them shine. That makes it all worthwhile.

–Ahwatukee resident Emerson Smith is a counseling psychologist, a former high school director of counseling in the Scottsdale Unified School District, and founder of Omega College Consultants LLC.

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There’s always more ways to Get Out on our website: www.Ahwatukee.com

How to help your child overcome math anxiety From NewsUSA SPECIAL FOR AFN

Were you a math whiz growing up, or did you struggle and feel anxious at the mere mention of math? As a parent, you surely don’t want your child to experience the same thing.

“It’s easy to help your child not only excel at math but also enjoy it,” says Raj Valli, the founder of Tabtor Math, a tablet-based math learning program for K-8 children personalized by a dedicated tutor. “Create a math-friendly environment, make math a playful language and participate in an ongoing dialogue about math.”

Valli offers the following advice for helping your child enjoy math.

Create a positive environment around math. Since children model the attitudes of those around them, speak positively about math (even hiding your true feelings).

Say encouraging phrases like, “It’s really cool that you can use math every day.”

Think about math as a language. Because children begin using language when they are very young, they don’t feel the same anxiety about reading and writing as they do about math.

To transfer this positive attitude over to math, approach math as a language, rather than as a “problem.” Count things together, measure things together and talk about the

numbers involved in any activity you are doing together.

Don’t worry too much about getting answers “right” or “wrong.” Instead, help them think through the process of using math aloud, in words.

Hold a math “dialogue” centered on everyday activities. Once your child is comfortable with thinking about math in language terms, ask at the supermarket how many cookies are in a package and how your child calculated this answer. She might refer to the size of the package or the size of the cookies inside. Whether right or wrong, it’s important to emphasize the process used in her head to make the guess. This gets her thinking about math as a visual subject involving shape and volume, rather than just as numbers in a line.

You might ask an older child how many slices of bread are in a loaf, how thick each slice is and how long the loaf is. Open the package to see how close the estimate was. He will learn to feel comfortable with estimating and will enjoy a conversation with you using math as a focal point.

If you set the stage correctly, you’ll find that your child enjoys math more than you did -- and then you can relax and enjoy your child’s future success in the classroom.

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By Nancy Dudenhoefer AHWATUKEE CONTRIBUTOR WRITER

Why is Kyrene school a good choice for my child’s kindergarten?

Kyrene is one of the premier districts in Arizona. We hire highly-qualified teachers who strive to create engaging and innovative learning environments for every student.

Our parents are involved and are encouraged to be an active part of their child’s learning experience.

Our “Kyrene Teaches with Technology” program has been honored by the National School Board Association. It provides students with access to age-appropriate computer devices that are used to enhance their learning.

There are 19 elementary schools in Kyrene: nine in Ahwatukee, five in Tempe, and five in Chandler. To see a district map: www.

Kyrene.org At what age can my child enter Kindergarten?

We recommend your child be age 5 by Sept. 1 of the current school year. However, early entrance exceptions can be made for children born between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31.

If you think your child may be eligible for an early entrance exception, you may attend one of our kindergarten early admissions information meetings to determine if they

qualify. Call 480-541-1000 if you have any questions.

When can I see my child’s classroom and meet their teacher?

All elementary schools will hold a “Meet the Teacher” night 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 27.

Information on before and after-school programs, how to set up a lunch account, and bus schedules will be available at that time.

Is there a fee for kindergarten?

While state funding for free, all-day Kindergarten was eliminated, Kyrene and its Governing Board decided to continue providing all-day Kindergarten to its’ community at no cost. Hence, it’s free in Kyrene schools.

Is there bus transportation? Will my child be with older students or is there separate transportation for kindergarteners?

Bus service is available for any student within each school’s boundary, provided they live more than one mile from the school. There is no separate bus service for kindergartners, they ride with first through fifth grade students. Middle school students, grades 6-8, ride on other buses.

How long is the school day?

Elementary schools start at 7:45 a.m. and end at 2:35 p.m. Wednesdays are “early release” days, with students dismissed at 12:35 p.m.

(AFN file photo)

10 questions Kyrene parents ask about kindergarten

A kindergarten exercise at Kyrene de las Lomas Elementary School teaches coordination in Ahwatukee.

Will my child get to take a nap?

There are no “naps” in kindergarten.

However, most classrooms have a rest period.

How long is the lunch period? Will there be someone available to help with opening containers or juice boxes?

The lunch/recess period is 40 minutes long (check with your school for specific lunch times). The first few weeks of school, additional staff is available to spend time with Kindergarten classes to ensure they

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understand and manage the lunchtime routine.

After that time, staff who work lunch duty can assist if available. It is best to pack easy to open containers/beverages or work with your child on those skills before starting kindergarten.

When will I find out more about what my child will be learning?

Parents receive some information at “Meet the Teacher Night” on July 27. A more detailed overview of the year’s learning objectives is provided during “Curriculum Night,” which is scheduled about a month after school starts.

Be sure to sign up for your school’s Enewsletter to get information that is more specific.

What can I do to help my child be ready for kindergarten?

Your child is required by law to be up-todate on their immunizations. Kyrene offers immunization clinics, in conjunction with Chandler Regional Medical Center. Vaccines are given to children six weeks to 18 years of age.

Parent must accompany their children to these clinics and provide previous immunization history. Vaccines will be free to children with no insurance, children with AHCCCS and Kids Care Insurance, children with private insurance that does not cover vaccines and Native American children.

Children with private medical insurance that covers vaccines will not be eligible for the free vaccines at these clinics. Go to our website at Immunization Clinics for more information.

Bring your child to “Meet the Teacher” so they can become acquainted with their teacher as well as their classroom. They may even get to see their desk and where they will sit. Begin a few weeks prior to the start of school, transitioning to a school schedule at home, adopting a regular bedtime and wake up routine.

We suggest you familiarize your child with their bus stop and before school begins, or that you walk their route to school with them.

You can check bus routes and stops at www. kyrene.org/busroutes.

You can also check the Back to School page on Kyrene’s website to see general supply lists. Then, make sure your child is well rested, has a good breakfast, and has their backpack with all their school supplies ready for that first morning of kindergarten.

–Nancy Dudenhoefer is the public information officer and director of communications for Kyrene School District.

Please recycle me.

How your child can eat healthy throughout the school year AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Most parents can relate to the hectic early morning rush before school each morning.

Making sure everyone is awake, ready and out the door on time can be a challenge, especially coming off of a long summer break.

On the days when everyone is running late, it can be all too tempting to skip out on making sure your kids are set up for a healthy breakfast and lunch. Skipping breakfast and turning to pre-made snacks for lunch may be easy, but they aren’t the healthiest options for your kids.

The benefits of taking a little extra time to improve your children’s nutrition are endless. Before you hit the snooze button, consider the following tips for preparing nutritious breakfasts and packing healthy lunches for your kids before they head out the door to school.

It’s common knowledge that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After sleeping all night and not consuming food for so many hours, our bodies need to refuel so that they can provide us with the energy necessary to sustain a new day.

Kids who don’t eat breakfast are often tired and irritable, making for a poor start to the school day.

While getting in that first meal of the day is immensely influential on kids’ productivity for the rest of the day, a healthy first meal can even help kids maintain a leaner weight over time.

Rather than reaching for unhealthy options like sugary granola bars, frozen waffles or cereals, opt for healthy alternatives like fresh fruit, oatmeal and whole grain toast with a nut butter of their choice. Other healthy ideas include a chocolate, banana and peanut butter milkshake or a green smoothie with spinach, berries and almond milk.

Packing a nutritious lunch is just as important as making sure your kids eat breakfast. Eating healthy throughout the day helps children maintain the energy they created at breakfast so that they don’t experience a mid-day crash.

When concentration is lacking halfway through the school day, a balanced lunch can help kids regain focus. Balanced meals should consist of a mix of fiber, protein and healthy fat. Leafy greens, beans and celery are all fiber-rich foods, while chicken, eggs and Greek yogurt will give your kids the protein they need. For a simple lunchbox favorite, layer turkey, cheese and avocado in a whole wheat wrap and roll into a pinwheel.

You can also combine chicken breast, grapes and greek yogurt in a whole wheat wrap for a healthier alternative to traditional

chicken salad. Pair your kid’s lunch with a handful of chocolate-covered almonds for a simple and sweet after-lunch treat. Lastly, encourage your kids to stay hydrated, which is crucial to sustaining energy.

Aside from physical health, there are many other reasons your kids’ eating habits should be a top priority.

Studies have shown that kids who eat nutritious meals all day long have an increased learning potential and experience an overall improvement in academic performance, including better performance on tests.

Since eating well boosts immunity, these kids are also less likely to miss school due to sickness and tend to have better behavior in the classroom because they are less distracted.

It can be hard to come up with new ideas for lunch to keep your kids eating healthy at school, but a little creativity and simple measures can make a big difference. Taking the time for nutrient-rich meals and allowing it to become a habit will make eating healthy easier as time goes on.

–Dr. Janice Johnston is the medical director and a family practice provider of Arrowhead Health Centers who also specializes in pain management.

(AFN file photo)

Dr. Janice Johnston

Adding more nutrition to school lunches benefits students in many ways, experts say.

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ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 | BACK TO SCHOOL

Page 9

By Dr. Robert Byrne AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Starting a new school year can be stressful enough without adding another weight to your child’s shoulders -- a heavy backpack.

While backpacks are less harmful than shoulder or messenger bags, when overweight they can cause severe back, shoulder and neck pain that can lead to injuries and bad posture.

Curvature or compression of the spine, muscle strain and chronic pain are all

potential injuries that can result from improper use of backpacks. Injuries are the last thing you want to deal with at the start of a new school year and, fortunately, there are ways of safely wearing backpacks.

One of the primary causes of backpackrelated back pain is not wearing the backpack correctly. When only one strap is used or the load is just too heavy, kids tend to lean forward. This increases stress on the lower spine and surrounding muscles. Additionally, when only one strap is used, the back muscles

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are forced to overcompensate to make up for the extra strain.

Because of this, not only should both straps always be used, but it’s also important to make sure the straps are adjusted to a size that’s comfortable for your child’s height.

They should be tightened so that the bottom of backpack rests at about 2 inches above the waist.

Experts agree that a good rule of thumb is to keep the weight of your backpack under 15 percent of your body weight. For a child, that 15 percent can add up quickly.

The best thing you can do to reduce the load your child is carrying on a day-to-day basis is to help them determine what is necessary for school each day, especially with bulky items like textbooks.

Teach them to get in the habit of leaving unnecessary items in their locker or at home until they are needed. If your child’s school workload is so intense that packing light doesn’t seem to be an option, consider a rolling backpack instead.

Keep in mind that if your child’s school has flights of stairs they will end up having to haul the rolling bag up the steps.

Backpacks with waist or chest straps, padding and multiple compartments can make a big difference. Waist and chest straps allow the weight from the bag to be

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Take a weight off your child: Beware of heavy backpacks

Experts say that students can spare themselves serious injuries by carrying backpacks properly.

distributed evenly throughout the back and shift some of the pressure to the hip bones or chest muscles.

Multiple compartments enable you to pack school supplies evenly within the backpack, which also helps with the distribution of weight. Padding in the shoulder straps and back can provide some comfort to the muscles, but purchasing the correct size is important as well; it should not hang more >> See BACKPACK on page 11

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BACK TO SCHOOL |WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

By Dr. Shraddha Patel AFN CONTRIBUTOR WRITER

With another school year on the horizon, preparing your child for optimal success in the classroom doesn’t just involve shopping for school supplies.

Annual physicals are imperative to ensure that your children stay healthy and maintain good attendance all year long. During a transition period where many significant developmental changes are occurring in your children’s lives, taking them to a yearly visit with your family doctor is one of the most important things you can do as a parent especially when they’re about to share a classroom with other kids.

These visits are often the only time that kids will see a pediatrician all year, and there are a variety of reasons why an annual physical should be at the top of any parent’s back-to-school checklist.

Track growth and development Recording both the physical and mental development of a child allows the doctor to track milestones like height and weight, assess progress and determine whether or not they are progressing appropriately for their age range.

Discussing and analyzing social and behavioral patterns as well as the child’s emotional well-being, are all vital for discovering areas that may need attention.

This also gives parents the information to communicate to their child’s teacher. In turn, this can help determine learning styles that work best for them and allow the child to make the most out of their time in the classroom.

General health and preventing illness A yearly physical gives the pediatrician an opportunity to discover and discuss current and potential health problems or sickness.

Through physical examination and testing, problems such as existing injuries, asthma, anemia or cholesterol issues could also be discovered. Being aware of any new issues allows the parent to address them early on, take preventative measures and provide the child with any medical care that they may need.

Additionally, this is a perfect time for the doctor to suggest nutrition and exercise guidelines that keep children in the best health possible.

Immunizations/Vaccines Arizona law requires that all children must have an up-to-date immunization record to attend public school. From chickenpox to whooping cough, kids are susceptible to many potentially dangerous health conditions.

The pediatrician will review immunization schedules, administer shots and update current records.

Questions and concerns Pediatricians recommend that parents bring a list of three to five questions or concerns that they may have regarding their child.

Any abnormal social interactions, physical ailments or recurring issues should be addressed during the visit.

If a child is heading into the teenage years, this is also a great opportunity for the doctor

(Special to AFN)

Back to school also should mean back to the doctor for children

Doctors say it’s a good time for children to visit them before the start of every school year.

to discuss any health and safety tips that you or your child may have as they approach pre-adult age.

One last thing to take into consideration when planning a back-to-school checkup is the benefit of establishing a primary pediatrician.

Having the same doctor throughout the growth and developmental stages allows for better assessment of current health

conditions. They will have a thorough understanding of medical history and will be able to establish a stronger level of trust with both the parent and the child.

–Dr. Shraddha Patel is a Family Practice Physician at

Arrowhead Health Centers. In addition to Primary Care, she takes a special interest in Pediatric Care. A prior winner of the Louis Zeile Outstanding Junior Resident Award, Dr. Patel is fluent in English, Gujarati, Hindi, and Sanskrit.

BACKPACK >> From page 10

than 4 inches below the waist.

As a parent, you already have enough concerns about your child’s health and safety, and worrying about back pain or injuries as a result of carrying a heavy bag doesn’t have to be one of them.

When overall health is maintained and backpacks are worn correctly and packed lightly, they can be safe to use.

Dr. Robert Byrne, DC,is a doctor of chiropractic and osteoarthritis expert at Arrowhead Health Centers. He discovered his love for medicine as a teenager while working as a patient services specialist and chiropractic assistant in the original AHC office. ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 | BACK TO SCHOOL

Page 11

Here’s some must-have ‘mom gear’ to help get into the school groove

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With preparation and organization you can beat back-to-school stress this season.

Going from lax summer schedules to the hectic back-to-school season can put even the most organized moms on edge.

Luckily, arming your family with key items can transform back-to-school season from super stressful to supremely simple.

Back in ‘app-tion’ From scoring deals to making homework manageable, great apps can make back-toschool season easier and more affordable.

Saving money is typically high on Mom’s priority list. Use apps like ShopSavvy to comparison shop -- just scan an item’s barcode to see if there’s a better deal available at another store or online.

Score additional discounts with coupon apps like RetailMeNot and The Coupons App. Stay on top of assignments with tools like myHomework. This digital planner syncs across devices, so both kids and parents receive reminders when homework and projects are due.

You can also be mindful of the entire family’s schedule with organization apps like Cozi, which allows family members to

share activities and appointments in a daily breakdown, as well as keep track of chores, grocery lists and more. You’ll never forget snacks at the store or miss a soccer game again. Score!

Handwritten helpers Although technology has made life easier in many ways, sometimes the tried-andtrue method is best. Students who write down notes rather than type them learn more, according to a study conducted by researchers at Princeton and UCLA. So instead of relying on laptops or tablets for class, go old-school with pen and paper. Cut down costs by purchasing plain notebooks, and encourage kids to personalize them with craft supplies like stickers or decals.

Duck Tape brand duct tapes are available in more than 250 colors, designs and licenses -- including three new transparent colors. It’s another fun, easy-to-use medium for kids to make school supplies uniquely their own.

While apps keep calendars close at hand, an in-home wall organizer displays the entire family’s schedule in one spot.

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BACK TO SCHOOL |WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

GEAR > > From page 11

Then, use a removable tape, like washi tape, to create labels and assign a color code for each family member.

School supply survival kit Kids have a habit of losing or abusing school supplies. Stock up on essentials so you’re covered when items are lost, damaged or run out.

You can never have enough notebooks,

folders, pens and pencils. Even if students don’t use them this year, they’re sure to be on next year’s list and can come in handy at home, too.

For younger children or older students in art classes, keep markers, colored pencils and crayons at the ready. Make the most of seasonal discounts by hitting the stores after the back-to-school rush.

Prepare for larger tasks, too. Keep materials like poster boards, construction paper, report covers and extra printer ink available for latenight, last-minute assignments.

Save money and time on back-to-school necessities

By StatePoint SPECIAL TO AFN

After a relaxing summer, back-to-school worries can be stressful and expensive, from purchasing new school supplies to planning lunches.

The discount experts at Dollar General are sharing tips to help you save time and money when planning for the new school year.

Stock up on supplies There are plenty of ways to dwindle down your spending as you get your child ready for the first day of school. The best place to start is with the school supply list provided by the teacher.

Go through all of the supplies from last year and determine what is usable and what needs to be replaced. Access your favorite coupons

sites, like Dollar General Digital Coupons, for additional back-to-school savings.

Save on snack time Simplify lunch preparation by stocking up on essential food items that are easy to grab on-the-go. One way to limit busy mornings before school is to set aside one afternoon each week to cook food in bulk that can be used during the week.

That way, you don’t have to worry about cooking from scratch each day and can provide your children with balanced meal options.

Make back-to-school shopping easy.

Planning ahead can help you save on items to ensure this is the best school year yet.

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ahwatukee.com | Ahwatukee Foothills News | WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 | BACK TO SCHOOL Page 13

EVIT offers multiple paths to college, careers

By Sally Downey AFN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

With the first day of school around the corner, this is the time of year when parents focus on beginnings. Their child is starting kindergarten or going to a new school or transitioning from elementary to middle or middle to high school.

But this is also an important time of year for parents of students who will soon be ending their K-12 education. If your son or daughter is a junior or senior, high school graduation will be here before you know it.

Do you know yet what your child is going to do after they earn their diploma? Will they have the skills they need to get a job? Are they going to college or other post-secondary training? If so, how is your family going to pay for it?

East Valley families have a resource that can help: The East Valley Institute of Technology.

EVIT is a joint technical education district or JTED funded by taxpayers to provide tuition-free career training to East Valley high school students.

Through EVIT, students discover their passion for a career and a path to make their dream a reality. As they are immersed every day in hands-on learning, they discover their own unique purpose in life.

At three centralized campuses – the Dr.

A. Keith Crandell (Main) Campus and East Campus in Mesa, and Apache Junction High School – EVIT offers over 40 programs that train students for immediate employment in a range of fields such as health care, aviation, culinary arts, welding, engineering, cosmetology and much more.

Students spend a half-day at their home high school and a half-day at EVIT, with school districts providing transportation.

These two-year programs provide students with two and a half hours -- four hours for cosmetology -- of training each day, including internships and apprenticeships, that prepare students to earn a professional license or certification.

From that point, EVIT students follow many different paths toward their ultimate career goal. Many students in the EVIT School of Health Sciences use their training to secure employment in the health-care industry, such as a veterinary assistant or physical therapy technician, while going to college for a more advanced medical career.

Students in our cosmetology and aesthetics programs often use their training – and the state licenses they earn – to work their way through law school or other college majors.

In our building and trades programs – construction, welding, HVAC (heating,

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ventilation and air-conditioning), machining, plumbing – you will find many students who plan to major in business in college and own their own business.

Their EVIT training is helping them learn that business from the ground up, while also preparing them to earn credentials for jobs that can help pay for college.

At EVIT’s Main and East campuses, we also provide tuition-based programs for adults – another post-secondary option for students after they complete their high school programs.

For instance, it’s common for students in our aesthetics program to come back as adults in our massage therapy program, and vice versa. Credentials in both better prepare students for work in the resort industry.

We also often see automotive students come back as adults for collision repair, or collision repair students come back as adults for welding. EVIT’s adult programs charge rates that are competitive with other post-secondary schools. And, the EVIT Foundation, a 501c(3), provides scholarships to students who need assistance in paying program fees or adult tuition.

In addition to the programs at EVIT’s centralized campuses, EVIT also funds satellite courses in each high school of our member school districts – Ahwatukee, Mesa, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Higley, Queen Creek and J.O. Combs.

These classes range from engineering to agribusiness. They are typically 50 minutes each day, and may be a better option for students who are exploring career options, but are not ready to commit to attending a two-year advanced program at EVIT’s centralized campuses.

Options at our centralized campuses continue to grow.

This year we have added programs in banking, barbering and behavioral health not only to meet the needs of students, but to meet the workforce demand of local industry. From 2012 to 2015, within one year of completing their training at EVIT, 870 of our students were hired by Arizona businesses.

We take great pride in being Arizona’s go-to school for workforce development!

With a 96 percent graduation rate and 87 percent of our students being in jobs, college or the military within one year of their training, EVIT is an invaluable resource for East Valley families who want to ensure their children are ready for college, career and life.

– Dr. Sally Downey is superintendent of the East Valley Institute of Technology.

BACK TO SCHOOL |WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 | Ahwatukee Foothills News | ahwatukee.com

Arizona official says proposed school regulations need tweaking

By Emily Zentner CRONKITE NEWS

WASHINGTON – An Arizona school superintendent testified last week that, without changes, proposed regulations implementing the law to replace No Child Left Behind could throw the state back into an “unfortunate” debate like the one over Common Core.

Dysart Unified School District Superintendent Gail Pletnick was part of a panel of local education officials who told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that they welcome the law, but worry about the Education Department’s proposed regulations.

“In Arizona, mandating what was viewed as national standards was hotly debated,” Pletnick testified. “It was unfortunate that we wasted a great deal of time and energy in an emotional and divisive Common Core debate.”

Pletnick, from Surprise, and the three other witnesses said they believe the 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act is a definite step up from the old No Child Left Behind law, which critics said was too heavy on testing and tried to force all school districts into one mold.

But they worried about Education Department regulations to implement ESSA, including rules for school assessment systems, the timeline for action and the perception that federal regulators would be allowed to override state decisions.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, speaking to concerns about the school evaluation provisions, noted that they had received support from the Council of Chief State Officers and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

While he wanted to hear more about the educators’ concerns over the regulations, Murphy said some on the panel appeared to be “measuring what is good versus what is perfect” in their comments.

But Pletnick and others said they worry that the new rules sound too much like some of the old one-size-fits-all policies that made No Child Left Behind unpopular.

“The power of ESSA is the flexibility it provides to states and to schools allowing them to focus on each student,” Pletnick said in her testimony. “I am concerned with unnecessarily rigid regulations that may hinder the very state and district innovation that we know is needed to serve our underserved students.”

Another area of contention was the proposal to require state accountability >> See REGULATIONS on page 15

REGULATIONS systems for schools. It would create a system that requires schools to be graded with one overall score based on a large number of student success factors.

Linda Darling-Hammond, president and CEO of the Learning Policy Institute, said that is not the best way to measure a school’s successes and areas for improvement.

She compared schools graded that way to her dyslexic child: Had the school given her child one overall grade instead of one for each subject, she said, she would not have known that reading was the problem.

“The regulations should not require a single summative score, which could limit a state’s ability to provide the data needed for schools and states to act wisely and well on behalf of the students and families,” Darling-Hammond said, “while hindering the ability of parents and community members to advocate wisely and well on behalf of their children.”

Pletnick also called for the Education Department to give schools more time to create the better evaluation system she seeks. The current proposal would require that states identify and begin intervening in low-performing schools in the 2017-2018 school year.

She said that the system should issue

Linda Darling-Hammond, president and CEO of the Learning Policy Institute, testifies before Congress.

(Emily Zenter/Cronkite News)

> > From page 14

scores on several indicators of success, rather than one overall score, but that states need to be allowed to hold off on identifying schools in need until fall 2018.

“If we label schools now, under the data sets that exist, when the new system comes in we will be comparing apples to apples,” Pletnick said. “But in reality, we’ll be comparing apples to oranges.”

–Learn more Every Student Succeeds Act: https://www.congress. gov/114/plaws/publ95/PLAW-114publ95.pdf Proposedregulations:http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/ leg/essa/essaaccountabilitynprmsummary52016.pdf Pletnick testimony: http://www.help.senate.gov/imo/ media/doc/Pletnick.pdf Darling-Hammond testimony: http://www.help.senate. gov/imo/media/doc/Darling-Hammond1.pdf

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