Carissa Moreland Design
Tuscano Elementary News
November 13, 2009May 264, 20110 Volume 55, Number 8107
“Respect, Responsibility, Results.”
School’s Out for SummerA+ Report
It seems like a few weeks ago when our first newsletter for this school year went out to new and returning families. That newsletter welcomed you back from the summer vacation and gave you my prediction that this school year will be even better for Tuscano and its students than our other successful years. Our goal this school year is to move from “Performing Plus” to “Highly Performing” in our AZLEARNS label. Although those results will not be available till after the beginning of next school year, I am confident that the talented group of teachers and support personnel who work with your children have done everything possible to make that a reality.You were informed in a previous newsletter that Tuscano Elementary School had applied for “A+ Schools of Excellence” status with the Arizona Education Foundation. We submitted our 33-page application and got through round one. A visitation team visited our school in February for two days. This team visited classrooms to observe instruction. They reviewed our data to see the growth our students have made academically the past few years. Then met with the staff; administration; and groups of students and parents. We were informed the end of April that we had not been successful in our A+ School of Excellence endeavor. The committee did report to us that they enjoyed the visit to our school. They provided us with some feedback for us to consider for possible goals. The following were their overall comments:
- Family atmosphere in evidence
- Leadership presence appears open, caring, listening, and approachable
- Student population respectful and polite
- Overall school-wide transitions/procedures are well-established
- A majority of regular education teachers posted classroom objectives and referred to them while establishing management
- Curriculum maps are in place to guide student progress
- Para-professionals appear dedicated and passionate about their students
- Artist in Residence program is productive and important to Tuscano
I was informed that one of Tuscano’s parents had told the visitation committee that it wasn’t important what they ranked us because the parent already considered Tuscano A+. I agree with that parent!
Summer Reading
“Read 6 books to maintain reading skills. Read 10-20 books to gain!”
This is our school’s summer slogan. We are proud of our students’ Reading accomplishments! Research tells us that students who are at ‘Benchmark’, or at Grade Level, will most likely stay there with continued good instruction and practice. Listed are the percentages of Tuscano students who have remained at benchmark this school year:
Kinder: 100%
First Grade: 94%
Second Grade: 88%
Third Grade: 80%
Fourth Grade: 85%
Fifth Grade: 92%
From this we understand the importance of students maintaining the skills they’ve gained.In your child’s report card you will find a flyer with some ideas to encourage reading this summer to maintain and build reading skills. Please encourage your children to read over the summer break to keep their reading sharp and not slip back in their skills!
Here are some additionalis a handful of suggestions:
- Turn the TV on mute and read subtitles
- Subscribe to a magazine your child enjoys (Ranger Rick, National Geographic for Kids, Highlights, are some examples.)
- Access educational websites such as those of your kids’ favorite authors or educational publishers (Teachers send home many suggestions for these, or check your teacher’s website)
- Read a chapter book together as a family—It’s ok to read to your 4th and 5th grade studentschildren too.
- Play board games as a family and have your children read the directions.
A Message from Phil Allen, PrincipalPTO Year End Report
After forty years in public education, I have decided to retire at the end of this school year. It has been my pleasure to work with the Tuscano community the past six years—the most enjoyable and rewarding of my career. The opportunity to open Tuscano’s doors six years ago as the seventh school in the Fowler Elementary School District has been a career highlight. We have grown from 350 students to 640 students. Those students and dedicated staff have worked hard and we have seen many academic gains to ensure bright futures. I wish all of the Tuscano community the best.
It has been a pleasure to work with Mr. Lane Blake as my assistant principal and I am pleased to announce that he has been named the principal of Tuscano for the 2011-2012 school year. The school will be in good hands with his leadership. Ms. Angela Krenkel, one of our fifth grade teachers, will serve as the Assistant Principal beginning next year.
A fundamental strength of any school is the high level of parental involvement. At Tuscano we encourage parents to help facilitate and support the educational process by giving of their time and expertise. Our Parent/Teacher Organization provides valuable assistance to our school community. This school year under the leadership of President Heidi West, Vice-President Alba Gonzalez, Secretary Jyanica Wilborn, Treasurer Petra Gonzalez, and Faculty Sponsors Andrea Wilson and Donna Bateman our PTO has enriched all of the students’ school experience. Fun activities have included Monday’s End of the School Year Social, Movie Night, BINGO Night, Rollero Night, monthly Domino’s Pizza Nights, and Del Taco Night. Here is just a sample of what their hard work and efforts in fundraising have provided our school which would not have been possible without their support:
Cool Cash—School Earned $1,000 (Tuscano Community Spent $124,220 at Fry’s)
Box Tops—$1,481.17 dollars earned by the school
Smencils Sold—1900 ($950 earned)
Artist in Residency Sponsorship
Smencils For Standardized Testing
Purchase of Document Cameras and Projectors
School-wide Root Beer Float Party
Read Across America Cactus Donation
Haitian Relief Donation
Spring Band/Choir Performance Refreshments
Secretaries’ Day Appreciation Basket
Meal for teachers during conference weeks
Teacher Appreciation Week Events
Donation of Popcorn, Bags & Oil to Student Council
Supplies for District Office Art Display
Playground Improvement Project (in progress)
Rewards for Good Character
Classroom Parties
What an amazing year we have had! I encourage all of you to be a part of this important group. We are currently looking for officers for the 2010-2011 school year. If you’d like to be considered, please call the school and leave us your contact information.
Tuscano Recognition
Tuscano has been recognized on Arizona Department of Education’s website as a “Successful Site”. Check it out!
Reading is Top Priority
We are so proud of our students’ Reading accomplishments! Research tells us that students who are at ‘Benchmark’ or at Grade Level will most likely stay there with continued good instruction and practice.
Listed are the percentages of Tuscano students who have remained at benchmark this school year:
Kinder: 100%
First Grade: 94%
Second Grade: 88%
Third Grade: 80%
Fourth Grade: 85%
Fifth Grade: 92%
From this we understand the importance of students maintaining the skills they’ve gained. Please encourage your children to read over the summer break to keep their reading sharp and not slip back in their skills!
Just a handful of suggestions:
Turn the TV on mute and read subtitles
Subscribe to a magazine your child enjoys (Ranger Rick, Nat’l Geographic for Kids, Highlights, are some examples.)
Access educational websites such as those of your kids’ favorite authors or educational publishers (Teachers send home many suggestions for these, or check your teacher’s website)
Read a chapter book together as a family- It’s ok to read to your 4th and 5th grade students too.
Play board games as a family and have your children read the directions.
Tuscano Announces American Education Week
During American Education Week, November 15-21, 2009, Americans nationwide will join the National Education Association and the Parent Teacher Association in raising awareness about the need to provide every child with a quality public education. This year’s theme, “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility”, highlights the importance of bringing together educators, parents, students, and communities in a unified effort to build great public schools. It also reflects NEA’s vision of calling upon America to provide public school students with quality schools so that they can grow and achieve in the 21st century.
WHEREAS, public education is the backbone of our democracy, providing young people with the tools they need to maintain our nation’s precious values of freedom, civility and equality; and
WHEREAS, by equipping young Americans with both practical skills and broader intellectual abilities, schools give them hope for, and access to, a productive future; and
WHEREAS, public education employees, be they educators, substitute educators, higher education faculty and staff, custodians, teachers, bus drivers, clerical workers, food service professionals, skills trades workers, health and student services workers, security guards, technical employees, or librarians, work tirelessly to serve our children and communities with care and professionalism; and
WHEREAS, public schools are the foundations of neighborhoods and communities, bringing together adults and children, educators and volunteers, business leaders, and elected officials in the common purpose.
THEREFORE. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we, the staff of Tuscano Elementary School proclaim November 15-21, 2009, as the 5th annual observance of American Education Week at Tuscano .
We raised $3,419 for JDRF. Can we add that to the announcements and maybe in the next newsletter
Adult English Classes Offered:
Starting date:November 3rd
Class days:Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Location:Santa Maria Middle School, Room 327
7250 W. Lower Buckeye Rd.
Contact:Gladis @ 623-707-4522.
Box Tops for Education
You can help out your child’s school by saving any Box Top labels from your groceries. Each Box Top that your child brings in earns money for the school. The class with the most Box Tops for the quarter earns a party. Last year the school earned over $700 towards PE equipment. Start clipping today!
Mark Your Calendars
About July 189:Watch for Welcome Back Packet
July 289:Meet the Teacher (classlists posted and classrooms open), 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
August 12:First Day of School for Students
August 12:Parent Forum with the Principal and Assistant Principal, 8:120 a.m. in the Cafeteria
August 4????PTO Meeting, 5:45 p.m. in the Music Room
August 45:Early Release Day (1:15 p.m. dismissal)
August 17:Band Rental Night, 6:30 p.m.
PTO Corner
SPECIAL THANKS! Last Friday’s Fall Festival was a huge success and we couldn’t have done it without your participation. The PTO wants to thank some very special volunteers who saved the day! The Solis family, Emily Mather, Anthony Cisneros, Mario Garcia, Brian Greene, Jennifer Remmers, Maria Tejeda, Jyanica Wilburn, Ileana Martinez, Susan Huxley, Alba Gonzalez, Danielle Dawald and the Student Council. With your willingness to give back to your school, the night was so much better!!
Tuscano Del Taco Night—Monday, November 16th (4pm to 8pm)
This tasty event will be held at Del Taco in the Walmart parking lot. There will be FREE bouncy houses and Student Council will be selling popcorn & other goodies. The class with the most students to come eat that night will win a class party from Del Taco! Look for more information to come home soon. Bouncy House volunteers are still needed. So come have dinner with your friends and raise money to support our 2009 goal.
Please feel free to contact Heidi West (623) 478-0655 or Andrea Wilson w/questions.
Mark Your Calendars
November 16:Tuscano Night at Del Taco, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
November 17:SET Meeting, 3:15 p.m. in the Conference Room
November 19:Domino’s Pizza Night
Remember: Every Thursday is an Early Release Day (Dismissal at 1:15 p.m.)