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 We have so much to be proud of in our district. Check back often to see the accomplishments of our staff and students. Laveen District Superintendent Awarded Highest Honor
ASA President, Dr. Mark Tregaskes, stated, “The strength of our organization is in its leaders. With challenging educational times, now, more than ever, it is vital to recognize leaders who set the standard for educational excellence. We are very proud of this accomplishment on behalf of students, staff, families, and the communities served.” Dickson, in his fifth year as Laveen’s superintendent, said, “I’m very proud that the State of Arizona recognizes the great things we have here in the Laveen District, from our visionary Governing Board, strong administrative team, nurturing teachers and staff, and outstanding students, to our wonderfully supportive community.” Dr. Dickson's accomplishments are many since his arrival to Laveen in May 2005. Since then, he worked to maintain the focus on the true mission of the schools: the academic success of its students. He has supported his teachers and principals with new textbooks and curriculum maps in all core subject areas, a systematic plan to equip all classrooms with the latest in instructional technology, a District Staff Development program, workshops by national presenters, a full-time teacher mentor at each school, and an eight-member team of district administrators (including himself) who each visit a different school each week to provide teachers with written feedback on their instruction. To ensure meeting his goal of “teaching the whole child,” Dr. Dickson has increased student access to technology, provided after-school tutoring at all sites, expanded music, art, and P.E. instruction to all grade levels, increased the K-6 instructional day, expanded the Gifted and Honors programs, created a district traditional school, established an after-school intermural sports program, and implemented a band program at each school. To recognize student achievement, Dr. Dickson encouraged the creation of a Student of the Month and Honor Roll program at each school. To recognize staff excellence, he created a certified and classified Employee of the Month program and an Excellence in Education program to recognize and reward teachers with extraordinary student achievement. All of these steps have resulted in remarkable gains in student achievement with some average district scores more than tripling in just four years, and in all six schools receiving prestigious achievement profiles: five “Performing Plus” profiles and one “Excelling” profile, the only one in all of south Phoenix. In addition, Dr. Dickson has established a systematic plan for meeting the present and future needs of the district, including plans for facility maintenance and renovation, new school construction, curriculum refinement, textbook and technology replacement, and the rebuilding of Laveen and M.C. Cash Schools. Laveen Educator Receives Rodel Aspiring Principal Award
Over the next two years, Ms. Egli will learn ways to replicate the success her mentor has achieved. The mentor principal will present seminars on creating a collaborative school environment, analyzing data to drive decision-making, setting high expectations, and involving family and community members. In addition, Ms. Egli will shadow her mentor on campus to observe interaction with staff, students, and parents. She will observe first-hand the broad and significant impact a principal can have on student achievement, school environment, and the day-to-day lives of the students and staff in a school. Ms. Egli joins the district’s other six Rodel Aspiring Principals from prior years: Jackie Hardiesty, Principal at Vista del Sur Traditional School; Ellen Heller, Assistant Principal at Cheatham Elementary; Kristi Pashley, Assistant Principal at Trailside Point School; Matt Pierson, Assistant Principal at Desert Meadows School; Bill Stewart, Assistant Principal at M.C. Cash Elementary; and Sarah Zembruski, Assistant Principal at Laveen Elementary. “I am very proud that Laveen Elementary School District and its employees continue to be recognized throughout the state for their outstanding skills and dedication to students,” said Laveen District Superintendent, Dr. Ron Dickson. Laveen Student Submits Winning Poster
Pictured left to right are Laveen Lion, Harold Baldwin, Abraham Gomez, and Kelly Hogan, M.C. Cash Elementary School Art Teacher.
April Employees of the Month
Ms. Herrera’s pleasant demeanor and ready smile are always a welcome sight on campus. She has such a positive attitude and is always willing to help everyone. The students love going to her class, and she is always excited to see them. She is very friendly, enjoyable to be around, and a valuable part of our team. Congratulations Ms. Hererra! April Classified Employee of the Month Ms. Brown is bubbly, generous, and dedicated. She organized and sponsored our school’s Student Council and creates opportunities for everyone to celebrate achievements. While doing all of these extra activities, she never forgets the goal of teaching and to help each of her students reach their fullest potential. She works tirelessly with her team to plan and create meaningful activities for her students. She can often be found working late in her room and is usually one of the first people on campus each morning. She is generous with her time, dedicated to all students, and always striving for excellence. These are just a few reasons why she deserves this honor. Congratulations Ms. Brown! To see past Employees of the Month, please view our Employee of the Month Archives. Congratulations to Mya!
Recognition also goes to Heather Cram, Special Education teacher at Desert Meadows School, who nominated Mya for this honor! Director of Human Resources Named Vice President of Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association
Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association is a non-profit organization created to promote and advance public education through the cooperative efforts of public school administrators within the state of Arizona and nationally who have a primary professional responsibility administering personnel programs involving school employees. Congratulations Mr. Mattingly! Jonathan Clauss Awarded KEZ's Excellence in Education Award
The student said that Mr. Clauss is “smart, funny, silly, and the best teacher in the world!” He also said his classroom is known as the “Disneyland of Laveen because it is the happiest classroom on Earth.” You can listen to the radio segment. In the photo, left to right: Marty Manning, KEZ Radio, David Staudacher, Rio Salado College,
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Laveen Elementary School District Superintendent, Dr. Ron Dickson, was recently named 2009-2010 All Arizona Superintendent of the Year, the highest honor bestowed on a school superintendent. The award was presented at the 52nd joint annual conference of the Arizona School Boards Association and the Arizona School Administrators (ASA) on December 10, 2009, in front of nearly 500 school board members, superintendents, and other school leaders representing district and charter schools throughout Arizona.
Ms. Sara Egli, School Intervention Specialist at M.C. Cash Elementary School in the Laveen Elementary School District, was recently named a Rodel Aspiring Principal by the Rodel Charitable Foundation. She will begin working this fall with a mentor principal who has been recognized as a Rodel Exemplary Principal. The Rodel Foundation created this program two years ago to help prepare future principals for the challenges of leading a school in a high-poverty community.
Abraham Gomez, an eighth grader at M.C. Cash Elementary School, recently learned that the poster he submitted for the Laveen Lions Peace Poster Contest won. Not only did he take top honors at his school, but his poster was chosen from several hundred entries to represent the State of Arizona in national competition. 
April Certified Employee of the Month
Mya was selected to receive the “I Can Do It” Award from the Arizona Council for Exceptional Children. This prestigious recognition was granted to only eight children in the state of Arizona. Mya is a long time district student who was born with a physical handicap. This physical handicap, however, does not limit her drive to become independent. Mya does many things on her own including opening her milk carton, getting soap from the dispenser, and operating a computer. Mya is all personality! She is full of smiles and is a favorite of all who know her. Mya and her proud mother, Ms. Alvarez, were recognized on March 5th at the annual convention of the Arizona Council for Exceptional Children. Mya even had her picture taken with Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals!
Mr. Steve Mattingly, Director of Human Resources at Laveen, has been named Vice President of the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association (ASPAA). 
Dr. Bill Johnson Appointed to Arizona School Facilities Board
Laveen Elementary School District Superintendent, Dr. Ron Dickson, was recently appointed to the Governor’s P-20 Coordinating Council’s Great Teachers Great Leaders Task Force. In establishing this Council, Governor Brewer cited the need to maximize the effectiveness of our educational systems at all levels and has charged the Council with devising and articulating ways to achieve a more streamlined system of education while improving academic achievement.
directors.
Representatives from the Laveen OfficeMax store recently surprised one of Laveen Elementary School District’s kindergarten teachers, Ms. Maria Pilar, with a new chair and a big box full of classroom supplies worth $1,000. Ms. Pilar's school, M.C. Cash Elementary in conjunction with OfficeMax's A Day Made Better, nominated her. She was one of only 1,000 teachers across the country that OfficeMax honored for their exceptional contributions as educators. Each of these recipients received a digital camera, printer, swivel chair, and a large box of essential classroom supplies that he/she was in need of.
It is a pleasure to announce that KNIX and Fulton Homes honored Ms. Vernell Ball-Daniel, eighth grade teacher at Laveen Elementary, as their Teacher of the Week on September 30! Representatives from KNIX surprised Ms. Ball-Daniel in front of all the eighth grade students as they presented the award, gifts from the Dairy Council of Arizona, and a check for $300. The winning nomination was made by one of her students.