Articles from October 2023

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!

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!

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.

Laveen’s Kids Club is now enrolling for Winter Break Camp. Camp is open to children in Grades preschool-6 and will be held December 20- January 3 at Desert Meadows School. Visit our Day Camp page for details and to register.

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. 🙌

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

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.