GOVERNING BOARD CANDIDATES FORUM

FOR THOSE RUNNING IN THE TEMPE UNION & KYRENE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICTS

The Parent Network and the Kyrene Chapter of Stand for Children will hold a forum for Governing Board candidates for the Tempe Union High School District and Kyrene Elementary School District.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

At the Tempe Police Substation Auditorium

Members of the audience will be encouraged to write their questions on cards that will be read by the moderators, to be answered by the candidates.

This is a great opportunity for voters to get information about how the candidates might change the schools, or what aspects they'd continue.

For instance:

· TEST SCORES: What do you think should be done to improve test scores, especially for the demographic groups defined by NCLB?

· What will you do to help assure that all students receive an appropriate challenge, those who are below grade level and those who are above it?

· BULLYING: What do you think should be done about bullying? Do you think bullying affects student achievement? How?

· ELECTIVES: Are enough offered? Are they rigorous enough?

· Why do you think the district needs a bond and an override? Or do you think it does not?

· WORLD: What needs to be different in 10 years to support learning for the 21st century? What will you do next year to get the district there?

 

Directions to the Tempe Police Substation

8201 S. Hardy Drive,

Tempe, AZ 85284

From I-10 and Warner (in Tempe)

Go EAST on Warner Road

Turn LEFT onto Hardy Drive

See the substation on your right. Very convenient parking in the lot out front. When that lot fills, parking on the street or in the Tempe Sports Complex

Community Awareness

KITTENS: There are a few stray cats that call our campus home and one has had a litter of 3 kittens. A couple of the teachers are coordinating efforts to find homes for these little ones. If you are not able to adopt but would like to sponsor the neutering of the mamas that keep reproducing (this is the 3rd liter we’re aware of), I am sure the teachers would be grateful. Contact PTO and we will get you pointed in the right direction.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Last year our PTO invited a speaker from ALERT (traffickingaz.org) to share with us the dangers and reality of human trafficking in our area. We were taught how easily our children (middle school aged) are targeted and trapped. It was horrifying and educational. We have several teachers at Pueblo who are actively involved in helping to put an end to this worldwide epidemic. It is through their efforts that we were given the following information about an upcoming event about human trafficking. Please click on the photo below to enlarge.

Administrator of the Year – Mrs. Nacke!

When the judges considered Administrator of the Year nominations, they look at those who manage effectively, foster cooperation, encourage partnerships and play an active role in the success of their area of responsibility.

Jama Nacke of Chandler is this year’s Administrator of the Year. She’s in her first year as principal at Kyrene Pueblo Middle School, 360 S. Twelve Oaks Blvd. Chandler. According to her staff, she has faced death of a faculty member, broken air conditioners, injured staff members and lockdowns among other things and each challenge has been met with calmness and confidence. Nacke takes time each week to honor her staff and let them know they are valued, trusted and respected. She always has a smile on her face and a word of encouragement for others. Her nominators believe her competence in this job is a reflection of the years of training she’s had in Kyrene.

-taken from the Kyrene School District Bulletin

CONGRATULATIONS PRINCIPAL NACKE! WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE YOU LEADING OUR TEAM!

What is a Courage Retreat?

Curious about this myself, I attended one of the Courage Retreats last year so that I could share with parents what it was all about.

I was amazed! The group from Youth Frontiers was astonishing. I was in awe the way they engaged the middle school students. The message that they send is one that we could all benefit from, “Be a catalyst for change”. They not only encourage our kids to accept people for who they are, resist following the crowd and act with moral courage despite their fears – they TEACH them through real-life example how to do that. How to act with moral courage. How to resist following the crowd and how accept people for who they are.

If any of you have had 8^th grade students that have attended Mini-Town, think of these Courage Retreats as “mini” Mini-Towns! These high-energy, day long Courage Retreats are ran by extremely well trained staff from Youth Frontiers (click here to be taken to the Youth Frontiers website) and supported by several amazing High School Students who are volunteering their time to help make a difference in the lives of these middle school students.

Two things to remember:

#1- ASK, ASK, ASK!!! Inquire about the Courage Retreats when your child comes home. Find out what they learned and talk about ways that you can support them in trying to be a catalyst for change. I would even suggest talking with your child before the event. Talk about what your child thinks will happen. How they think this message will be received by the students. I promise you they will be blown away by how many students want to make a change. These are amazing kids. They are strong and confident. They do have the ability to make a difference and once they realize that there are many, many others out there who think the same way they do, they will be even more empowered to stand for what is right.

#2 – Come prepared. Your child should wear comfortable clothing and shoes that they can move in. I would suggest tennis shoes. This isn’t a sit down and get lectured kind of event. Your child will be engaged the entire day!

The school is requesting a $10 donation from each student’s family to help cover the cost of the Courage Retreats. The Prevention Services Grant that was used in the past is no longer available. ALL children WILL participate regardless of donations. However, if you are able, please consider sending in the donation to your child’s teacher to help offset the costs. They are also asking for students to bring a sack lunch if possible. A sack lunch can also be purchased through the cafeteria.

ALL students MUST HAVE a SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP to participate. Students should have already received one from their teachers. More are available, just ask your child’s teacher.

All in all, the Courage Retreats are an unbelievable opportunity for our students. They will help set the tone of the school year and for years to come. This is something your child will not forget.

Thanks Pueblo for helping to make our children well rounded, well educated individuals! You’re the best!

-Tammy Schick, 2010-2011 Pueblo PTO President

School Store Update

Our School Store order has been placed and parent volunteers will be cleaning out the space next week! We need to clean out the old (floppy disks) and bring in the new (bulldog water bottles, keychains, dog tags, etc).

As soon as items arrive we will post pictures and pricing here. The store will be open 1-2 days per week before school. Days and times will be announced soon!

Subscribe to this blog to receive an email update with each posting. Go to the top right column and enter your email address – follow the prompts and you’re good-to-go!

View our 2010-2011 Budget

Our current PTO Budget was voted on and approved at our May 2010 PTO meeting. To view please click on the link below.

2010-2011 Approved PTO Budget

Keep up-to-date with our budget throughout the year by clicking on the link in the side bar. Look under "Helpful Links" and click on "PTO Financial Reports 2010-2011".

PTO on Facebook!

Find PTO on Facebook:

Type “Pueblo Parent Teacher Organization” into the search bar. If you see the big bulldog you know you’re there!

A B Schedule Changes

There will be a change to the typical A B Schedule that Pueblo is familar with. District policy was changed and the new rotation will go as follows:

Every Monday and Thursday will be an “A” Day

Every Tuesday and Friday will be a “B” Day

Wednesdays will rotate weekly between the A and B Days. Week 1 will be an A day. Week 2 will be a B day. Etc.

The only classes affect by the switching are the electives. Students attend all core classes each and every day regardless of the A or B schedule.

Additional information will be coming from the school shortly. Fortunately, the kids are better at these types of things than we are! They will catch on quickly :)

The teachers and school are amazing. They will help the kids along the way. I feel confident that this switch will go quickly and smoothly for our kidos!

Making A Difference Together

This year PTO will be focusing on ways that we, as parents, can Make A Difference at our school this year.

PTO is committed to getting information in the hands of parents. Gone are the Friday folders chuck full of fliers and notices.

Middle schoolers tend to 'forget' things from the time they leave the campus until the time that they come home. (Remember in grade school when they would start pulling things out of their backpacks in the car on the way home? They were always so excited to share. Sigh... the good ole' days) Our main form of communication from the school is the monthly Pueblo newsletter. Subscribe Here To supplement that monthly publication, the PTO strives to provide parents with updates throughout the month as the need arises. Stay up-to-date by adding your name to the distribution list. Email Pueblo-PTO@hotmail.com to do so.

You may be surprised to know that there are many ways to be involved at Pueblo. The old cliché that middle school teachers don't want you around is false. They do need support - just in different ways!

Gone are the hours spent sitting with grade schoolers cutting and pasting -- but never fear opportunities are here!

PTO is committed to giving parents an opportunity to be involved in any way that they can.

We know that a large majority of our parents work and are unavailable during the school day - so we have opportunities for you to help in the evenings.

We know that some of our parents want to help in the daytime and desire to see the inside workings of our school - so we have opportunities for daytime volunteers.

We know many of our parents can't find time to spare - so we have opportunities for participating through donations.

If you are interested in being involved in anyway, we will find a fit for you! Email Pueblo-PTO@hotmail.com to find out more.

Yes, we would LOVE to have each and every family at Pueblo join the PTO as ALL of the money goes directly into our school (no national/state dues). PTO membership entitles you to a vote at our monthly PTO meetings. You will have the opportunity to vote on how to best support our school through activities and funding. You will also recieve by email, monthly PTO meeting minutes. However, PTO membership is NOT necessary for involvement at Pueblo. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to be involved!

As always our PTO is here to support and facilitate parent involvement at Pueblo. If you ever have any ideas, suggestions, questions or comments - email us. We'd love to hear from you!

Making A Difference Together

2009-2010 A GREAT YEAR!

A great big THANK YOU is in order for all of our amazing Pueblo Parents! You made a difference!

We want to encourage you to all continue to be involved in your child’s educational experience whether it be at Pueblo or elsewhere.

If you will be at Pueblo next year – we hope to see you at our first PTO meeting. If not – know that you will be missed! We have grown to become a big family in our little Pueblo Community and we will greatly miss all of our friends who will be moving on!

Thank you for making 2009-2010 an amazing year at Pueblo!