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Articles from March 2019

December Classroom Spotlight: Student Goal-Setting at M.C. Cash Elementar

This month, we are excited to shine the spotlight on M.C. Cash Elementary, where students are taking charge of their learning through our Student Goal-Setting Conferences. These conferences provide students with a valuable opportunity to reflect on their progress and set meaningful goals for the future.

At the heart of this initiative are our goal-setting binders, which serve as personalized roadmaps for each student’s success. These binders are much more than just folders of information; they are dynamic tools that students use to track their growth, celebrate their achievements, and identify areas for improvement.

During the conferences, each student sits down with their teacher for a one-on-one discussion. Together, they review the student’s progress in academics, social skills, and other areas of development. With guidance from their teacher, students set specific, measurable goals that challenge them to reach their full potential. These goals range from improving reading fluency to mastering new math concepts, and even to enhancing skills like time management or teamwork.

What makes this process special is the emphasis on student ownership. By actively participating in their goal-setting journey, students learn to take responsibility for their education and develop skills that will serve them for a lifetime. Teachers play a crucial role as mentors, encouraging students to dream big while providing actionable steps to achieve their aspirations.

The Student Goal-Setting Conferences at M.C. Cash Elementary exemplify the power of collaboration and personalized learning. We are proud of our students for embracing this process with enthusiasm and determination, and we are grateful to our dedicated teachers for making this experience impactful.

As we close out the year, we look forward to seeing the incredible growth our students will achieve by working towards their goals. Stay tuned for updates on their progress!

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L.E.A.P. Night Inspires Families to Explore Academic Pathways

Last night, the Laveen Elementary School District hosted its highly anticipated L.E.A.P. (Laveen’s Exploration of Academic Pathways) event, welcoming over 100 families to learn about the many educational opportunities available for their students.

Held at the Laveen Elementary School, the event brought together representatives from 26 schools, including a mix of high schools and colleges, showcasing a variety of programs, pathways, and resources to help students plan their future academic journeys. Families from all nine Laveen schools attended, eager to explore the diverse options and gather valuable insights.

Parents and students alike were impressed with the event’s scope. One parent shared, “I was amazed by the variety of schools in attendance and how informative the representatives were. It gave me a better understanding of the opportunities my child can pursue after middle school.”

L.E.A.P. Night provided an opportunity for families to engage in meaningful conversations with school representatives, ask questions, and collect materials to guide their decisions. From specialty programs to college preparatory pathways, the event was a true celebration of academic exploration and empowerment.

If you missed last night’s event, don’t worry! The next L.E.A.P. Night is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Laveen Elementary School. Mark your calendars and join us for another incredible evening of exploration and learning.

We look forward to seeing even more families there as we continue to inspire our students to dream big and plan for a bright future!

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Laveen’s 11th Annual Winter Festival is December 6

The Laveen Elementary School District hosts a Winter Festival for the community each year. The 10th annual Laveen Winter Festival is scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David Glasser Athletic Complex, 5001 W. Dobbins.

This year’s Winter Festival will feature obstacle courses (for both big and little kids), games, activities, student performances, photo opportunities, holiday gift vendors, food, and much more!

Admission is free. Tickets will be available for purchase for select activities. Credit cards accepted.

All proceeds benefit the Laveen Education Foundation.

Visit our Winter Festival page for more info.

Please take a look at the student performance schedule.

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Tim Thomas Named Human Resources Administrator of the Year

The Laveen School District proudly announces that Tim Thomas, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, has been honored as the Human Resources Administrator of the Year by the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association (ASPAA). The award was presented on November 21 during ASPAA’s annual conference in Oro Valley.

This prestigious award is the highest recognition for human resources professionals in Arizona, celebrating exceptional service and leadership in the field. Mr. Thomas was recognized for his transformative contributions to human resources, his positive impact on the Laveen School District, and his dedication to advancing public education. His efforts to share best practices and innovative solutions have left a lasting impression on both the District and the greater educational community.

ASPAA highlighted Mr. Thomas as a trailblazer in human resources, commending his efforts to enhance the District’s HR functions and foster a supportive, fulfilling work environment for the District’s 1,006 employees.

Laveen School District Superintendent, Dr. Jeffrey Sprout, expressed his admiration for Mr. Thomas:

“I have had the honor of knowing and working with Tim Thomas for the past 20 years, watching him transition from a Master Teacher to a highly-awarded Principal to now being an outstanding Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. He has done all of this in the context of Title I schools, living out his calling as an educator.”

Tim Thomas’ leadership exemplifies the District’s commitment to excellence, ensuring that both students and staff thrive in a supportive and innovative environment.

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Spreading Thanksgiving Joy: ChasseGiving 2024

As the season of gratitude and giving unfolds, we are excited to spotlight an inspiring initiative that has brought warmth and hope to many in our community. Each year, the Chasse Building Team hosts ChasseGiving, an incredible effort aimed at supporting families in need by providing Thanksgiving meal boxes.

This year, Chasse has truly outdone itself, extending its generosity to over 3,000 families across the Valley, including Tucson and right here in Laveen! During the week of November 19–22, families in our community were recipients of these beautifully curated meal boxes, filled with everything needed to create cherished Thanksgiving memories.

Here’s what each ChasseGiving meal box included:
Stuffing
Canned green beans
Canned cranberries
Mashed potatoes
Gravy packet
Hawaiian rolls
Pumpkin pie
$20 Walmart gift card (to purchase a turkey, ham, or other groceries)

This heartfelt act of kindness ensures that families can sit down together for a hearty meal, focusing on what truly matters—sharing time with loved ones and reflecting on their blessings.

We are incredibly thankful to Chasse for their unwavering commitment to giving back to the community. Their compassion and generosity remind us of the power of unity and kindness, especially during this special season.

To all our Laveen families, we wish you a Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with those you hold dear.

Happy Thanksgiving!
The Laveen School District

 

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Celebrating Principal’s Appreciation Month at M.C. Cash!

October is Principal’s Appreciation Month, and we are thrilled to honor and celebrate our incredible school leader, Nicole Goodwin!  At M.C. Cash, we recognize the vital role our principal plays in shaping the success of our students, staff, and entire school community.

Our principal leads with passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring that every student receives the best education possible. Whether it’s fostering a positive school culture, advocating for new initiatives, or being a constant source of support for students and staff, our principal goes above and beyond every day.

This month, we encourage everyone in our school community to take a moment to share your appreciation—whether it’s a kind word, a thank you note, or just letting our principal know how much their hard work means to you.

Let’s come together and make this Principal’s Appreciation Month extra special! Thank you, Nicole Goodwin, for everything you do to make M.C. Cash a fantastic place to learn and grow. 🙌

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Grace Livingston Receives Excellence in Education Award

Each year one teacher from each school is selected to receive the district’s Excellence in Education Award. This prestigious award is given to those who attain high academic achievement for their students, provide exceptional service and leadership at their school, and make a positive difference outside of the classroom and in the community.

Congratulations to Maurice C. Cash Elementary School, Grace Livingston

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Change in Half Day Schedules for 2024-2025

The Laveen School District will be implementing a change to the district calendar beginning next school year (2024/25) that will impact the Wednesday half-day schedules.

Currently, we have 15 half days each year in which our staff receives professional development following dismissal. We also have four half days for parent/teacher conferences.

Next year, instead of the 15 half days in which our schools dismiss three hours early, we will dismiss an hour and a half early every Wednesday (36 days).  Half-day schedules on parent/teacher conference days as well as the last day of school will remain unchanged.

The reason for this change is twofold.

First, early-release Wednesdays allow for more instructional time in core subject areas. Students will follow a schedule similar to a full school day. This change will make the calendar more consistent for families.

Second, Laveen is in the process of implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for staff. By offering this time weekly, instead of once or twice a month, staff will receive more quality research-based training that is conducive to developing a strong Professional Learning Community and will ultimately improve student learning.

For more information, visit our FAQ on this topic.

Read the letter from Superintendent Dr. Jeff Sprout.

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Free Meals Provided to All Laveen Students in 2024-2025

Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, all Laveen students will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge.

The Laveen School District has been selected to participate in the USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This provision to the school breakfast and lunch programs allows schools/districts to provide meals at no cost to ALL students. The program may be extended to subsequent years.

While the program is in place, families will not have to apply for free or reduced-price meals. However, all Laveen families will be asked to complete the simplified Alternate Income Form/ Formulario Alternativo para la Elegibilidad Basada en los Ingresos to collect important data used for each school’s federal funding allocations.

Adult and additional student meals, as well as a la carte items, will be still be available for purchase. Visit the Purchasing Additional Food Items page for details.

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