Arizona Schools Chief Plugs Private Schools in Robocall

Yesterday (February 11)  thousands of Arizona residents received automated telephone “robo-calls” from Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal encouraging parents to consider private schools. It’s part of a $250,000 media campaign promoting “Empowerment Scholarship Accounts.”  That’s state money that pays for private schools and supplies.

In an interview with 12News, Huppenthal defended his participation in the campaign by saying that all kids are part of the “public” and that he is not the Superintendent of  “Public Schools.”

Former Assistant Arizona Attorney General and public education advocate Vince Rabaga responded on his website that “Actually, he is.” Rabaga says the Arizona Department of Education’s own website says that the Superintendent’s job is to “superintend” the K-12 public education system in Arizona…This involves providing for the students of Arizona a uniform public school system.”

Arizona Education Association advocate Jennifer Loredo called Huppenthal’s robocall “pathetic.”

You can watch Channel 12's video report here.

New Nutrition Standards for School Lunches

The US Department of Agriculture has introduced new nutrition standards that will require schools to add more fruits and vegetables to lunches served through the National School Lunch Program. The rules also set calorie limits and gradually reduce the amount of sodium and trans fat.

The Arizona Republic reports that the changes will be phased in over three years beginning July 1.

The new standards are part of a national focus on childhood obesity and the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

The USDA also wanted to limit starchy vegetables to one cup a week but backed off after potato growers lobbied against it.

Proposed Bill Would Allow Public Schools to End Free Lunches

A state Senate panel has approved a bill that would let schools opt out of the federal program that offers free and reduced price lunches for needy students.

The East Valley Tribune reports that Sen. Rich Crandall of Mesa believes that the decision of whether or not to participate should be left to local school officials. Crandall says some districts may decide to continue to offer the meals, but on their own terms. Other schools may drop the program entirely.

Arizona Education Association lobbyist Jennifer Loredo says that for a lot of Arizona students, the lunches are the only quality meals they get.

The Senate Education Committee approved the bill by a 6 to 1 vote. It now goes to the full Senate.

'Math Wizardry' November 8 at Bejarano School

Bejarano Elementary School will have a family night of Math Wizardry on Tuesday at 6:pm. There will be math games for families to make and take. The PTO will have snacks available for purchase.

Arizona Schools Now Receive Letter Grades

The Arizona Department of Education is now rating schools with a letter grade. The grades were released yesterday (Wednesday) and they are the result of a new method used to measure success.

Parents may be surprised that some schools that were rated “excelling” in the label system now have a grade of “B” or “C.” The Arizona Republic reports that the new formula puts more weight on how much students improve. With the new letter grades, schools no longer get better ratings for the percentage of students who exceed on the AIMS exam, only for their passing rate over a period of three to five years.

The only local school to receive an above average grade was Destiny School, which received a “B.”

In Globe, Copper Rim School received a “C” grade, an average level of performance. Both Globe High School and High Desert Middle School received a “D,” below average.

Miami Junior High School and Charles Bejarano Elementary School got “C’s.” Miami High School received a “D.”

San Carlos Junior High School and Rice Elementary School received “D’s.”

Click here to find how your child's school rated.

ADOT Accepting Grant Applications

The Arizona Department of Transportaion is accepting applications for the latest cycle of federal grants for Safe Routes to School programs in schools and communities around Arizona.

Safe Routes to School is a federally funded program that encourages elementary and middle school students to walk or bike to school, to encourage healthy habits and lower the risk of childhood obesity and diabetes.

Grants up to $400,000 are available for improvements such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, signage and striping. Grants up to $45,000 can go to programs and activities like providing bike helmets and safety education.

Grant applications are available at azdot.gov/srts. They must be submitted by December 30. Schools, school districts, tribal communities, cities, counties and non-profit organizartions are eligible.

CVIT Classes Begin August 10

Cobre Valley Institute of Technology central programs classes begin on August 10.

CVIT is offering Career and Technical classes in Certified Nursing Assistant, Fire Service and Electrical/Instrumentation. CVIT has agreements with all local school districts and Gila Community College. This allows students to receive both high school and college credit at no cost.

Any qualified student in the Hayden/Winkelman, Globe, Miami, San Carlos and Superior school districts may register for CVIT central programs. Contact your high school counselor or CVIT’s Career Counselor at 425-8481.

Only Three Local Schools Make 'AYP'

A record 42% of Arizona schools failed to make “adequate yearly progress” during the 2010-2011 school year.

Only three schools in Globe, Miami and San Carlos met the standards: Destiny School, Copper Rim Elementary School and Miami Junior High School.

One of the main reasons for the increase in the number of failing schools was a higher passing requirement set by the state.

About six out of 10 Arizona students passed the AIMS math test. About 75% passed the reading test.

Free GED and Adult Education Classes

The Gila County Superintendent of Schools is offering free GED and adult education classes beginning August 2.

Classes are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 6:30pm at Globe Education Center.

For information call 961-4134 between 8:am and 3:pm.

Destiny School Has Highest Percentage of Students Passing AIMS Test

Statistics from the Arizona Department of Education show that Destiny School has the highest percentage of local students between third and eighth grade who passed the most recent AIMS test.

The only category in which Destiny students did not come out on top was among sixth graders who took the Writing test. Only 29% of those students passed.

100% of the Destiny seventh grade students who took the Reading test passed.

Charles Bejarano School Carnival on Friday

The Charles Bejarano Elementary School 2nd Annual Carnival is tomorrow (Friday) from 4 to 8:pm. It includes food, games and a talent show.

New Law Gives Schools Some Spending Flexibility

Governor Brewer has signed into law a bill that will allow any remaining tax-credit donations from last year and previous years to be used to fill in cuts made to classroom budgets.

Taxpayers can give $200 a year to schools in tax credit donations, $400 if filing jointly as a married couple. The money has been restricted to field trips and character education.

The Arizona Republic reports that the temporary measure will allow school districts to use the money for books, classroom supplies, library materials, technology and buses for up to two years.

Friday Last Day to Nominate Teacher of the Year

Friday is the last day to nominate teachers to be Gila County Teacher of the Year. Applications are available at the Gila County School Superintendent’s Office or online at www.gilacountyschools.org.

The Teacher of the Year program recognizes excellence in teaching by honoring K-12 professional educators from public and charter schools who have made outstanding academic contributiions to Gila County’s school aged children.

One winner will be selected from each of five categories. The Teacher of the Year will be chosen from the five category winners and will be Gila County’s nominee for the Arizona Rural Schools Association’s Teacher of the Year.

For more information call 402-8783.

Gila County Teacher of the Year Competition

The Gila County School Superintendent’s Office is sponsoring the first annual Gila County Teacher of the Year competition. Applications are available from the Superintendent’s Office or online at www.gilacountyschools.org. Applications are due Friday, April 1.

The Teacher of the Year Program will recognize excellence in teaching by honoring K-12 professional educators from public and charter schools. Colleagues, administrators, parents and community members are invited to nominate an educator for consideration.

One winner will be selected from each of five categories. The Teacher of the Year will be chosen from the five category winners and will be Gila County’s nominee for the Arizona Rural Schools Association’s Teacher of the Year.

For more information call 928-472-5374.

Arizona Schools Spend Less in Classroom

An Arizona Auditor General’s report shows that Arizona school districts spend less of their operating funds in the classroom than the national average.

KOLD reports that in the 2009-2010 school year, districts spent 55.9% of their total operating dollars in the classroom. That’s about 5% less than the national average.

Arizona districts spent a lower percentage on administration than the national average but a higher percentage on facility operations and student support costs, such as counselors and social workers.

Workshop on Classroom Activities and Smithsonian Food Exhibit

Gila County Reading Council is conducting an instructional workshop on Tuesday, February 1. The workshop will show how to incorporate the Gila County Historical Museum’s Smithsonian Institute Food Exhibit into classroom activities. It will be at the Museum on February 1 from 4:30 until 6:pm. No membership dues or registration fees are required. For more information call 425-5985.

Lawmakers Propose Shorter School Year

Some Arizona lawmakers want to shorten the school year by 10 days. But it would keep kids in class longer.

The East Valley Tribune reports that Sen. Rich Crandall of Mesa and Rep. Doris Goodale of Kingman believe that giving schools more flexibility with their school years might help them cope with funding cutbacks.

The plan would expand how schools can use the money they now get in donations. Current law limits the funding to extracurricular activities.The proposal would allow districts to spend anything they get on supplies and other one time expenses.

Opponents say attention spans would wane if kids are in class longer. They also say that some school districts would pay teachers less based on fewer working days, even though the days would be longer.

Post Secondary Education Fair Today

The 2nd Annual Southern Gila County Post Secondary Education Fair takes place today (Tuesday) from 9 until 2. The fair is hosted by Freeport McMoRan and is sponsored by Gila County School Superintendent Linda O’Dell, the Southern Gila County College Preparatory Academy and Signal Peak Community Foundation.

The fair will be open to the public from 12:30 until 2. Forty post secondary agencies and community organizations will be there.

Las Lomas Recycling Ink Cartridges

Las Lomas Elementary School is collecting empty ink cartridges, old cell phones,mp3 players, cameras and other small electrical devices to recycle. They’re raising money for much needed classroom supplies.

You can drop off items at Las Lomas between 8:am and 3:pm Monday through Thursday.

Globe School Board Meets to Consider Revised Tax Rate

An error has been discovered in the calculation of the Globe Unified School District property tax rate. The Globe School Board is meeting at 10:00 this morning (Thursday) at Mofford Activity Center. They will consider making a request to the Gila County Board of Supervisors to adopt a corrected and revised tax rate for the Globe School District.

If the Supervisors approve a revised tax rate, the Gila County Treasurer will send corrected tax bills as quickly as possible. The County Treasurer asks that only property owners in the Globe School District delay payment of taxes until they receive their revised tax bill.

If you have already paid, you will receive either a credit toward your second half payment or a refund, whichever applies.