Administrators go to ‘summer school’

PHOENIX – Thirteen Deer Valley school administrators traveled to Harvard last month to learn about effective research‑based practices and innovative strategies for improving American schools, according to a news release from Deer Valley Unified School District.

Administrators took part in 12‑hour daily lectures. The group returned hoping to focus on five key points. Among those points are: engaging students every day; allowing special needs students to access the general education curriculum; recruiting and supporting committed, creative teachers; finding a collegial, professional faculty to focus on student learning, and promoting high schools as a shared responsibility among students, teachers, administrators, parents and the community.

District to honor business partners

PHOENIX – Business partners of Deer Valley Unified School District will be recognized at the Sept. 12 governing board meeting, according to a news release from the district.

With all district schools having at least one business sponsor, Deer Valley is hoping to promote a positive relationship with the businesses and the public.

Recognized contributions include:

· Costco employees stuffing and delivering 1,200 backpacks filled with school supplies to Village Meadows and Constitution Elementary schools.

· Aviation Communication and Surveillance Systems’ North Phoenix employees, who on Aug. 10 delivered 50 supply‑filled backpacks each to Constitution, Desert Winds, Esperanza, Sunrise, Paseo Hills and Park Meadows elementary schools, Deer Valley Middle School and Barry Goldwater High School.

·  Chubb Insurance employees, who raised $900 for Park Meadows Elementary to spend on back‑to‑school needs for their students.

· Discover Financial and Mirage Elementary, who partnered to provide reading tutors and back ‑to‑school needs for students during the coming year.

· Sunrise United Methodist Church, which partnered with Constitution Elementary to provide volunteers for after‑school tutoring.

“We have seen businesses contributing far beyond financial donations,” said Kenna Hough, a parent and district community involvement director. “They are sharing human resources to help schools build strong, safe and successful learning environments for students.”

CCUSD committee breaks into smaller groups

CAVE CREEK – The Cave Creek Unified School District’s Long Range Facilities Planning Committee on Aug. 15 formed five subcommittees to address the district’s future needs. The subcommittees include: High School, Future Bond Planning; CCUSD Maximum Enrollment Standards and Future School Needs; Community Partnerships/Other Construction Projects, and Adequacy of Current Facilities and Grounds. The subcommittees will report to the main committee from 7‑8:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the Cactus Shadows High School Media Center.

DAMS teacher to speak at national conference

Desert Arroyo Middle School teacher Jeanne Damman has been accepted to give a presentation at the National Conference of Teachers of English this November in Nashville, Tenn.

Damman, a seventh‑grade language arts teacher, will present the topic “Improving Writing Ability Among At‑Risk Students Using Playwriting Techniques” after being selected as one among thousands of applicants.

New SOS group to hold forum

CAVE CREEK – The newly formed Cave Creek Support Our Schools will host a community forum Aug. 30 at the Cave Creek Unified School District Fine Arts Center. The organization, which is comprised of parents, teachers, students, community members, business leaders, administrators and staff, was formed to help promote safety and a positive educational environment in CCUSD schools. Susan Carlson, the executive director of the Arizona Business and Education Coalition, will be the keynote speaker. The forum starts at 7 p.m.

Meth coalition meeting next week

CAVE CREEK – The Northeast Valley Coalition Against Methamphetamine plans to finalize an action plan for the next six months at its next meeting, set for Aug. 24 at the CCUSD Fine Arts Center.

The 50‑member coalition, comprised of public and private sector representatives, will meet from 9 a.m.‑noon to assess the extent of possible meth use in the area. For information, contact Brent Stockwell at: (480) 312‑7288.

Anthem after‑school  program needs help

PHOENIX – Coyote Corner, the Deer Valley school district’s new after‑school program, needs instructional aides to help with the district’s increased enrollment.

Located at Diamond Canyon Elementary School in Anthem, the program has morning and afternoon openings. Candidates must be 18 years or older, and childcare experience is preferred. Apply online at www.dvusd.org, or call (623) 445‑5018.

Gavilan Peak to host  district event

PHOENIX – Anthem’s Gavilan Peak Elementary has been selected as one of three locations to host the Deer Valley Unified School District Community Education Program Preview Night.

The event will held from 6‑8 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the school, 2701 W. Memorial Drive.

The event will allow students and parents to preview enrichment classes, before and after‑school programs, Kindergarten enrichment, preschool and summer day camp. For information, contact Tabbatha Osuna at (623) 445‑5018.

DVUSD Projects Committee wants members

PHOENIX – Parents and community members interested in serving on the Deer Valley Unified School District’s Bond Projects Review Committee will meet on Aug. 24.

The meeting is slated to be held at 6:30 p.m. in the district’s board room,  20402 N. 15th Ave. in Phoenix.

Rising construction costs and prioritizing a project schedule will be the first order of business.

Those wanting to be part of the committee should contact Associate Superintendent Bill Maas at: (623) 445‑4958.

Preview education programs Aug. 29‑31

NORTH VALLEY – Interested in foreign languages, cooking, ballroom dancing, golf? Deer Valley Unified School District’s Community Education Program has a class for that.

The community is invited to Program Preview Nights from 6 to 8 p.m., at three DVUSD campuses to check out enrichment classes, and before and after school programs:

Aug. 29, Gavilan Peak Elementary, 2701 W. Memorial Drive, Anthem; Aug. 30, Copper Creek Elementary, 7071 W. Hillcrest Blvd., Glendale; Aug. 31, Mirage Elementary, 3910 W. Grovers, Glendale.

For more information, call (623) 445‑5018.