SSpring 2015, pring 2015, Vol. XXI, Issue 2 Gifted program...

www.santacruz.k12.az.uswww.santacruz.k12.az.usFall 2015, Volume XXII, Issue 1Fall 2015, Volume XXII, Issue 1

“We believe that everyone will experience successful learning every day.”

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www.santacruz.k12.az.uswww.santacruz.k12.az.uswww.santacruz.k12.az.usSpring 2015, Vol. XXI, Issue 2Spring 2015, Vol. XXI, Issue 2

“We believe that everyone will experience successful

learning every day.”

INSIDEMT. VIEW’S NEW STAFF

COUNTY FAIR WINNERS

HEALTHY EATING

CROSS-AGE TUTORING

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PAIDPERMIT NO. 58NOGALES, AZ

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TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL - POSTMASTERPLEASE DELIVER 10/26/15 TO 10/28/15

RRHS HOMECOMINGRoyalty, float winner, 13

The chickens are coming, the chickens are coming. Rio Rico

High School’s CTE Ag-riculture Program is going to start raising chickens. What started as a dream three years

ago is finally being realized at the end of October.

By Amanda Dunn

SEE POULTRY/ PAGE 14

Photo/Richard McPhersonGustavo Camacho and Maddie Hurtado work together to build the chicken coop.

Chickens come to roost at Rio Rico High

Gifted program challenges students

The SCVUSD No. 35 gifted program has a new director who is focusing on problem

solving, higher level thinking skills and research.

Kathleen Bailey, who taught gifted stu-dents in the Sahuarita Unified School District

last year, said she’s committed to students using their differ-ent learning styles to reach their full poten-tial.

By Len Johnson

San Cayetano Elementary

SEE GIFTED / PAGE 15

Teen Court offers new options

Adolescence and poor choices go to-gether like pickles and ice-cream: in the right

situation, it seems perfectly normal. Even in the best of high schools, students will occasionally make bad decisions. Tradition-ally at RRHS, those

students would be referred to the “Ad-ministration” if they were to receive any consequences for their

By Carol Miller

RRHS CTE

SEE COURT / PAGE 14

Photo by Jimmy Navarro Students in Law Enforcement III (Teen Court) attend Santa Cruz County Superior Court hearings. Top row, Jesus Martinez, left, and Jose Rivas. Middle row, from left, Joanne Virgen, Kassandra Juarez, Lizette Virgen, Adan Zuniga, Silvana An-telo and Alfonso Flores. Front, from left, Laura Guerra, Ernesto Villalpando, Jose Rios and Luis Soto.

I am pleased to report that we’re off and running toward another successful school year at SCVUSD No. 35.

We’ve had a smooth first three months thanks in large part to the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff. Our enrollment is up by 100 students, pushing our total enrollment over the 3,400 mark.

With your help this year, we will continue to make SCVUSD No. 35 better than ever.

In a few days (November 3), we will be conducting a special election – an M&O Override election -- to ask voters in District 35 if they wish to support a “Maintenance and Opera-tions Override” for SCVUSD No. 35.

What is an M&O Override? M&O stands for Maintenance and Opera-tions, which is the district’s opera-ting fund. Over 80 percent of our M&O budget pays for salaries – from teachers to instructional aides to coaches. In other words, M&O basi-cally pays for the services provided to students.

The proposed M&O override au-thorizes the District to spend above the state budget limit through local voter approval. The District has an existing 5 percent override that

was authorized in the November 2010 election and generated $826,152 for the 2015-2016 school year. Since this will end in 2017 the District is now seeking a 7 percent override to generate approximately $1.1 million each year for the next five years. This will enable us to maintain pro-gramming while expanding in some key, identified areas.

Specifically, with voter-approved continued funding, the District would be able to provide a level of educational services and programs for students and the community not funded by the state, including the following:

• Early childhood programs• ull-day indergarten• Enhanced academic and career

opportunities• Co-curricular health, fitness and

athletics• ine arts• Attracting and retaining highly

qualified teachersThe restoration of the exist-

ing override and the additional 2 percent in funding will be supported

by the secondary property tax. The proposed 7 percent override is estimated to cost $0.8480 per $100 of net assessed valuation for secondary property tax purposes.

The average additional tax rate needed to fund the proposed over-ride at 7 percent, as compared to the existing 5 percent override is approximately $0.25 per $100 of net assessed valuation, or approximate-ly $24 per year on a home assessed at the District’s average value of $93,780.

We are asking you to learn more about this issue, and discuss it with your family and community mem-bers. Most importantly, we encour-age you to vote. The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Please take a moment to read more about this [see pages 4 and 5 English Spanish A s . f you have any questions, please contact me at (520) 375-8260.

Once again, thank you for your continued support of our district.

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WICK COMMUNICATIONS

Manuel C. CoppolaPublisher & Editor

268 W. View Point Drive, Nogales, Arizona 85621, 520.375.5760 Fax 520.761.3115

On the web: www.nogalesinternational.com

To advertise in your school newsletter please contact:MARIA OR CARMEN

at the Nogales International:520.375.5760

Board members can be contacted through the district office: (520) 281-8282

or by writing to: Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District No. 351374 W. Frontage Road Rio Rico, Arizona 85648

SCVUSD No. 35Transportation department

For information or questions call:(520) 375-8885 (direct line)

[email protected]


MissionStatement

SANTA CRUZ VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 35

Important school budget election is Nov. 3

Governing Board

DAVID VERDUGOSuperintendent

ROSIE SIMPSONMember

SUSAN FAUBIONBoard Clerk

MARIA NEUMANBoard President

BRIAN VANDERVOETMember

JOHN HAYSMember

Superintendent’s Letter

This newsletter is published at no cost to tax payers.Thank you to the Nogales International and to advertisers for their support.

Publisher and editorManuel Coppola

EditorCarol Cullen

Design and productionPriscilla Bolanos

Production and editing supportKathleen Vandervoet

By David Verdugo

Superintendent

Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District

“Hey, that’s my toy!” “No, it’s mine!” “You took my toy, gimme it!” “No. I want it!” On and on it went. No, it wasn’t a pair of selfish two-year-olds. The ruckus was staged by Mountain View’s Summer Animators, Ximena Hernandez and Paulina Fontes, as they prepared to add sound to Hernandez’s animated feature, “My Toy!”

The girls joined four older students who spent the month of June learning to create storyboards and digitally-animated features in Mountain View Elementary’s 8th Annual Summer Arts Program.

“Children seem naturally drawn to animation,” said

Michele Titcomb, instructional special-ist, who regularly used different modalities to reach her students when she was a class-room teacher. “The combination of colors and movement capti-vate them.”

The four-week course began with stu-dents refreshing them-selves in the basics of story writing: charac-ters, setting, conflict and resolution. Then they wrote stories they would later illustrate and make into story boards and the basis of their animated features.

“Writing the story is challenging,” said fifth grader Omar Lo-pez, “because all four parts have to be there for it to work, and it has to have a catchy ending.”

After the stories were edited, students wasted no time navi-gating Flip Boom Clas-sic on their laptops, the same animation program used in the Charles Schulz Mu-seum classrooms in California. Peyton Lunderville who has taken the course for three consecutive years, used Flip Boom

Allstar, a more dif-ficult program that allowed her to produce “Andy’s Magic Soup Can,” a sequel to the video she created last summer.

“I like this program better,” she said. “It’s harder but I can do a lot more on it.”

During each day’s five-hour session

students worked at their own pace on individual computers. It wasn’t long before they realized it takes more than creativity and technical ability to produce lengthy ani-mated films.

“You need a lot of patience,” said fifth-grader Edgar Mendo-za. “This was my first time taking the class and Mr. Dittmar [in-structor] kept telling me to keep it simple. Now I know why.”

Rather than de-pend entirely on the program’s sound library, most of the students elected to add their own voices and sound effects to their multi-framed features, a choice that both enhanced and person-alized the process.

“It’s definitely a lot of work, but in

the end, you’ve made something you feel really proud of,” said eighth-grader, Laura Robles, who took the class while attending Mountain View and has returned each year as a volunteer.

Attending the on-line premier showing of student work, Prin-cipal Chris Jackson was impressed.

“It’s wonderful to see our students here in the summer because they want to learn,” said Jackson.

Parents and stu-dents alike appreciat-ed the opportunity the program presented.

“Thank you so much,” said Hernan-dez’s mother, Ana Romero-Davis. “Xi-mena loved the class. I never had trouble getting her up for school,” she added

with a smile.This summer’s

Mountain View roster included fifth grad-ers Omar Lopez, Edgar Mendoza, and Peyton Lunderville; third graders Paulina Fontes and Ximena Hernandez; and eighth grader Laura Robles. The students’ videos can be seen on You-tube. Simply enter: MtViewAnimation (or Google MtViewAnima-tion).

Mountain View’s Summer Animation program is funded solely by tax credits. If you would like to learn how you can partici-pate or simply learn more about the course, contact Mark Dittmar at (520) 375-8443 for more information.

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Cartoons come alive at Mt. View

By Mark Dittmar

Mountain View Elementary

Photo/Mark DittmarPaulina Fontes, a student at Mountain View Elementary in a summer art workshop, explains her storyboard during the school’s animation class.

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What is an M&O Budget Override? The District will be conducting an M&O override election on November 3, 2015.• M O stands for Maintenance and Operations hich is the District s operating fund.• he proposed M O override authorizes the District to spend above the state budget limit through local voter approval by an additional 7% to

provide programs and services beyond those funded by the state.• he District has an existing 5% override that as authorized in the ovember 2010 election.• he existing override generated $826,152 for the 2015-2016 school year.• he override is supported by a tax levy on the taxable property ithin the District.• he proposed M O override ould last for 7 years 5 years of full funding, 6th year at 2/3 of funding and the final year at 1/3 of funding.

What programs will the override provide to the District students, staff and community? his is a restoration of an existing override ith an additional 2% in funding and, ith the continued funding the District ould be able to provide a level of educational services and pro-

grams for students and the community not funded by the state, including the follo ing• Early childhood programs• ull day indergarten• Enhanced academic and career opportunities•Co-curricular health, fitness and athletics• ine arts• Attracting and retaining highly qualified teachers

What happens if the voters choose not to renew the District’s budget override?• he District ould not have the funding to provide the above-mentioned educational services and programs.• he District ould have to reduce its funding by $275,357 in school year 2016-2017.• he District ould have to reduce its funding by an additional $275,357 in school year 2017-2018.• he District ould have to reduce its funding by $826,152 in school year 2018-2019.

How much will the override cost the average taxpayer? he restoration of the existing override and the additional 2% in funding ill be supported by the secondary property tax. he proposed 7% override is estimated to cost $0.8480 per one hundred dollars of net assessed valua-tion for secondary property tax purposes. he average additional tax rate needed to fund the proposed override at 7%, as compared to the exist-ing 5% override is approximately $0.25 per one hundred dollars of net assessed valuation, or approximately $24 per year on a home assessed at the District s average value of $93,780.

How do I know the money will be spent as indicated? he District is committed to responsible ste ardship of override funds. Arizona la requires the District to clearly list hat the override ill be spent on in the voter information pamphlet.

Have voters in Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District passed overrides in the past?Yes, the District s voters have approved the M O budget override for the District since 2006.

When will the override be on the ballot? he override election ill be on uesday, ovember 3, 2015. Early voting for this measure ill start hursday, October 8, 2015. he last day for voter registration is Monday, October 5, 2015.

Budget Override Fact Sheet And Frequently Asked Questions

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Que es un M Y O Del Presupuesto de Anulación? TEl Distrito estará conduciendo una elección del M y O del Presupuesto de Anulación el 3, de Noviembre, 2015.

• M y O representa Mantenimiento y Operaciones, el cual es el fondo operativo del Distrito.• El M y O del presupuesto de Anulación propuesto, autoriza al Distrito a gastar arriba del límite del presupuesto estatal, a través de la apro-

bación de votantes locales añadiendo un 7% para proveer programas y servicios más allá de los financiados por el Estado.• El Distrito tiene una actual anulación del 5%, la cual fue autorizada en la elección de noviembre, 2010.• La Anulación actual genero $826,152 para el año escolar 2015-2016.• La Anulación es apoyada por un impuesto a la propiedad que se grava en la valuación neta evaluada del Distrito.• El aumento al presupuesto de M Y O de anulación propuesto duraría 7 años. 5 años de financiación completa, el 6to año a 2/3 de la finan-

ciación y el último año a 1/3 de la financiación.

Que programas proveerá la Anulación a estudiantes del distrito, personal y la comunidad? Esta es una restauración a una anulación existente con un 2% de fondos adicionales y con la continuación del financiamiento del Distrito, podremos proveer un nivel de servicios de edu-cación y programas para estudiantes y la comunidad que no son financiados por el Estado, incluyendo lo siguiente.

• Programas de la primera infancia• Kindergarten de día completo• Académicos y oportunidades de profesión mejoradas• Co-Curriculares de salud, fitness y deportes• Bellas Artes• Atraer y retener a maestros altamente calificados

Que sucede si los votantes deciden no renovar la Anulación del Presupuesto del Distrito?• El Distrito no tendría los fondos para proveer los servicios de educación y los programas mencionados arriba. • El Distrito tendría que reducir sus fondos por $275,357 en el año escolar 2016-2017• El Distrito tendría que reducir sus fondos por $275,357 en el año escolar 2017-2018• El Distrito tendría que reducir sus fondos por $826,152 en el año escolar 2018-2019

Cuanto le costara la anulación al contribuyente? La restauración de la anulación existente y el 2% adicional en financiamiento será apoyada por el impuesto sobre la propiedad secundaria. Se estima que la anulación propuesta del 7% tenga un costo de $0.8480 por cada cien dólares de valuación fiscal neta a efectos fiscales de propiedad secundaria. La tasa de impuesto promedio adicional necesaria para financiar el aumento al presupuesto propuesto en el 7% en comparación con el 5% al presupuesto existente es de aproximadamente $0.25 por cada cien dólares de red evaluado valoración, o $24 por año en una casa evaluada en el Distrito con un valor promedio de $93,780.

Come sé si el dinero se gastara como se indica? El Distrito tiene el compromiso de la administración responsable de los recursos de anu-lación. La ley de Arizona requiere que el Distrito claramente anote en que se gastara la anulación en el folleto informativo para votantes.

Se han pasado anulaciones en el pasado por los votantes del Distrito Escolar Unificado del Valle de Santa Cruz? Si, los votantes del Distrito han aprobado Anulaciones del Presupuesto de Mantenimiento y Operaciones para el Distrito desde el 2006.

Cuando estará la anulación en la boleta? La elección de anulación será el Martes, 3 de noviembre, 2015. La votación anticipada para esta medida se iniciara el jueves, 8 de octubre, 2015. El último día para la inscripción de votantes es el lunes, 5 de octubre, 2015.

Hoja De Datos De Aumento Al Presupuesto Y Preguntas Frecuentes

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The 2015-16 school year has brought 10 new faces to the Mountain Lion pride. They are:

Principal Chris-topher Jackson comes to Mountain View from Calabasas Middle School where he served two years as dean of students and one as principal. When asked to share one thing he’d like parents to know about himself, he responded, “Every decision I make is made in combination from the parent’s point of view, with a child’s sense of humor, and with a teacher’s experience.” He enjoys spend-ing time at home in Sahuarita with his wife and two small children.

Evelyn Armijo comes to Mountain View from Calabasas Middle School. A Stan-ford University gradu-ate, physiology re-searcher, and teacher with the district since 1994, Armijo heads up the school’s STAR Reading Intervention Program with the goal of targeting her stu-dents’ specific needs and individualizing instruction to accel-erate their progress. When not spending time with her family, Armijo volunteers at the Green Valley Animal League.

Mason Bond, the school’s new physi-cal education teacher, hails from Pittsburgh where he earned his teaching degree and later worked in the pediatric and adoles-cent inpatient psychol-ogy department at the

University of Pitts-burgh Medical Center. “My goal for this year is simple,” he said. “I want to instill in my students a positive attitude about physi-cal fitness.” Bond also coaches football at RRHS. He enjoys div-ing and spending time with his dog.

Hope Amado-Brown, a life-time resident of Santa Cruz County, has been in education for 16 years and is now a Mountain View third grade teacher. “I expect my students to show improvement in math and language arts,” she commented. She also expects her English Language Learners (ELL) and special needs students to become more func-tionally independent. Brown enjoys spend-ing time in the out-doors with her family and grandchildren.

Kindergarten teacher Monica Salas taught preschool in SCVUSD for 10 years while earning her teaching degree from NAU. Salas sees herself as part of a team that includes the children and their parents and plans to work alongside both to provide a meaning-ful learning experi-ence. When not in the classroom she enjoys spending family-time watching movies and traveling.

Third grade teach-er Maru Coppola has lived and taught in Santa Cruz County for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience to Moun-tain View Elementary. “I would like parents to know that I care for their child’s personal

and academic growth and will give it my all when it comes to their education,” she said. Coppola enjoys cre-ative endeavors, long walks, and spending quality time with her family.

Irma Oliveros is a Santa Cruz County native who earned her degree from Prescott College and taught kindergarten and high school before join-ing Mountain View’s fourth-grade team. Oliveros is a firm be-liever that the parent-teacher-student part-nership is the key to a child’s success and has high expectations for her class. Oliveros enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Kathleen Bailey heads up the gifted program at Mountain View and SCVUSD’s other elementary campuses. “My goal is to prepare students to overcome future chal-lenges and become life-long learners,” said the University of Connecticut gradu-ate. Bailey taught for five years in Nevada before returning to Rio Rico where she enjoys spending time with her husband and traveling.

Josie Standish comes to Mountain View from Michigan where she earned her degree from Western Michigan University. An important member of the school’s kinder-garten team, Standish has set her sights on her students’ social and academic develop-ment. When not teach-ing, she enjoys learn-ing about the sights and culture of Santa Cruz County and

Southern Arizona. Silvia Valenzu-

ela, a Rio Rico native, earned her degree from NAU and brings five years of experi-ence as a special

education assistant to her new position as a second grade teacher. Valenzuela maintains a caring environment and partners with parents for the benefit

of her students. Valen-

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time with family and

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Mountain View puts out the welcome mat By Mark Dittmar

Mountain View Elementary

Photo/Adriana AguilarNew staff at Mountain View Elementary includes: front row, from left, Evelyn Armijo, Josie Standish, Maru Coppola and Monica Salas. Middle row, from left, Irma Oliveros, Silvia Valenzuela and Hope Amado-Brown. Back row, from left, Mason Bond and Principal Christopher Jackson. Not pictured is Kathleen Bailey.

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AzMERIT results: What families can expect

Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District No. 35 is dedicated to providing a high qual-ity, competitive education that ensures your child is on track to succeed this year and in the future. Over the past few years, we have been working to raise the bar on expectations to ensure that our students are prepared to be successful not just in the next grade, but also in college, career and in life. We’ve im-plemented higher standards and have asked our students to use their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills more than they ever have before.

Last spring, our students took a new as-

sessment, which is one tool that we use to see if our children are on track to succeed. The assessment is called AzMERIT and it took the place of AIMS in reading, writing and math.

You should expect to receive your child’s test scores by Oct. 24, 2015.

Since this is the first year of the assess-ment and we’re asking students to know and be able to do more, you can expect that test scores will be different than before and may appear lower than expected. The test scores give us really important information that we can use along with your child’s grades, home-work, and class participation to understand how your child is doing in meeting higher expectations.

This change may feel tough right now, but

it is the right thing to do to help our students succeed now and in the future. AzMERIT is helping to give us more accurate information about how our kids are doing and where they need more support – making all of us better. Teachers and parents can use student scores to make sure they’re doing all the right things to support student achievement.

Over time, each SCVUSD No. 35 gradu-ate will be stronger and more competitive in college, career and life. No one likes taking tests – but AzMERIT is one important way for us to understand how our children are doing, and find ways to improve learning in our schools.

To learn more about the test and what your child needs to know to be successful, visit ArizonaAimsHigher.org/AzMERIT.

By Arizona School Board Association

and Stephen Schadler, Assistant Superintendent

Once again, SCVUSD No. 35 continued its tradi-tion of participating in the Santa Cruz County Fair, and, with other county resi-dents, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the fair held Sept. 18-20.

This year, 281 district students attended, thanks in large part to the Santa Cruz County Superinten-dent who sponsored our transportation to the fair.

“The fair means people coming together… [for] people who have worked hard all year long to show off [a] skill or trade,” said Drew Berns, music teacher

at Calabasas elementary/middle school.

The “Rounding up 100 Years” banner, created by Calabasas kindergarten students, earned a Best in Show ribbon. Showcasing the cattle ranching and farm animal traditions of Sonoita, the portraits of our kindergarten bucka-roos are watching out for the wandering animals.

A big congratulations goes to their teachers, Christina Kane, Dede Felix, and Cynthia Capin.

Our cowboy and cowgirl kindergarten students also sang on the stage, perform-ing five interactive songs, including, “If you’re happy and you know it” and “Head, shoulders, knees and toes” led by Mr. Berns. “The kids were really excited by the microphones . . . and saying ‘thank you’ into [them] after our per-formance. Many parents chuckled at this,” he said.

The district’s fine arts young painters and sculp-tors shone, winning 45 first-place blue ribbons, 38 second-place red ribbons,

and 18 third-place white ribbons. A big “thanks” to my colleagues, fellow art teachers, for supporting the creative minds and talents of our students.

The district’s art teach-ers include: Laleh Golaf-shani (Coatimundi), Mark

Dittmar (Mountain View), Tom Huerich (San Cayeta-no), Taylor Freed (Rio Rico High School) and Betsy Hughes and myself (Cala-basas).

A Calabasas fourth grade and PreK banner earned honorable mention.

The banner, called “Home Tweet Home,” was made with recycled milk cartons and cardboard filled with flying birds, butterflies, painted plaster bird houses, and “stained glass” flowers.

District students win multiple awards at County Fair

By Jennifer Alejos

Calabasas School

Photo/Carol CullenCalabasas Folklorico shares its love of traditional music and dance during Santa Cruz County Fair’s 100th Anniversary. Front row, from left, are Jessica Ruiz, Danielle Nuñez, Kassandra Her-nandez and Emily Soto. Back row, from left, are Nayeli Garcia, Stephanie Castelo, Jacqueline Ruiz, Denisse Nuñez, Jazmin Garcia, Renata Aguirre, Renne Aguirre, Ailani Rodriguez and Krystal Castelo.

SEE AWARDS / PAGE 12

An administra-tive shuffle during the summer attracted three new administra-tors to Coatimundi Middle School (CTMS) this year. Lerona Dick-son from California is filling the principal’s chair. Madeline Del Rio from Tucson has the dean’s position, and Michael Young, a Santa Cruz County

native, joins us in the counselor’s office. The three of them are working with an en-tire staff of returned teachers to continue the tradition of char-acter-rich academic excellence.

Lerona Dickson has more than 16 years administrative experi-ence at the high school and middle school level in both Califor-nia and Arizona. After four years in Califor-nia she has returned to Arizona to fulfill a personal aspiration to be the principal of a middle school and “create an environ-ment that supports teachers as they do the most important work of educating young people.”

Her biggest chal-lenge has been to put everything in place quickly because she assumed the position late summer, while her greatest reward has been getting to know her students, staff, and stakeholders. Her primary goal is to work with teachers to continue to improve instructional practices and build on the won-derful culture already in place to be a model Arizona school.

Madeline Del Rio spent her teenage years in Rio Rico and has returned with an impressive list of credentials and experi-ence in behavioral science, paralegal law, and special education. The dean’s position

was attractive because “it allows me to work with students through behavior modification, conflict resolution and peer mediation as well as provide support to teachers in an admin-istrative capacity,” she said.

She appreciates the collaboration among her peers and staff. Being responsible for the athletic program has been a pleasant surprise. “I’ve been an athlete all my life and enjoy supporting student athletes and their coaches.”

Michael Young comes with 17 years’ diverse experience in the educational field. His time in education as a teacher, dean, assistant principal and principal has given him the skills

necessary to “counsel students and ensure all children are pro-ductive citizens in our society,” he said.

His preference is to understand the “whole child” (their inspirations in and out of school) when they are sent with a disci-pline referral and to maintain an open-door policy. The most dif-ficult, but rewarding, part of his counselor’s position is getting to know each student by name.

When each admin-istrator was asked about inspirational role models they responded with ease and confidence. Dick-son admires Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, whom she says “reminds women that we have to be

more confident in our abilities to lead if we want to make a true impact.”

Del Rio thought of her mother. “Through my mother’s example, I’ve learned that no matter what challeng-es we have in life, with enough hard work, perseverance and in keeping a positive attitude, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

For Young it is his father. “He always told me how much fun it was to teach chil-dren … his heart was always in the right place and that is for children.”

All three admin-istrators are looking forward to building strong community relationships.P

age 8

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Santa Cruz County Teachers! We appreciate you!

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New administrators at Coatimundi MS

By Reneé Curren

Coatimundi MS

Photo/Blanca VegaNew administrators include Principal Lerona Dickson, center, Dean Madeline Del Rio, right, and Counselor Michael Young.

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Call for an appointment in your area

(520) 281-1550

November 1, 2015 - January 31, 2016OPEN ENROLLMENT

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Are you uninsured? Enroll now and avoid the penalty.

Already enrolled? You must update your information to keep your discount.

Healthy eating helps students in many ways

Nutrition education for stu-dents and parents on how to make healthy choices relating to diet and exercise comes from the Mix it Up Nutrition Education Pro-gram provided by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona Nutrition Network.

This program has existed in the elementary schools for the past seven years and enables students to receive information on healthy eating based on “My Plate” from the USDA. This includes label reading, the im-portance of physical activity and how to cut down on less nutritious foods such as sugary beverages, and high fat and sodium snacks.

Students tend to do better academically when they have healthier eating patterns and get regular physical activity.

By giving the students the information they need to make educated healthy choices, it is hoped this will translate into bet-ter test scores.

We’re seeing positive changes

because of this program. We have classrooms that substituted a fruit buffet, instead of sugary bever-ages and snacks, for their party refreshments. A third grade class created a Mother’s Day cookbook based on healthy recipes. Teach-ers are using nutrition journals to help students with their writing skills. All of these help to rein-force the messages and informa-tion students are receiving in the monthly presentations.

This, of course, is only part of the solution. Families need to receive the same information. The Mix it Up Nutrition program also provides nutrition education classes for adults at the elemen-tary schools and other locations in Rio Rico. In this way both students and parents are receiv-ing the same information and can work together to make healthy choices a family habit.

If you are interested in a nutri-tion education class, please feel free to contact Chris Bachelier, program director, at [email protected] or (520) 281-2994, ex-tension 114.

By Chris Bachelier

Photo/Carol CullenThe University of Arizona “Mix it Up” leaders Melody Skiver, left, and Sonia Ramirez, right, team up with Laura Monarque, child health care consultant to present “My Plate” information to Calabasas School Pre-Kindergarten stu-dents and their grandparents.

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Cross-age tutoring will focus on reading help

The 2015-2016 school year has meant lots of big, but positive,

changes for Calabasas School.

One of those chang-es was introduced to the school by Rebekah Cabrera, assistant prin-cipal for the elemen-tary side of Calabasas.

A main focus this year is to “improve students’ reading skills to become successful readers.” Calabasas will do this with the help of the “Reading, Excelling, Achiev-ing, Developing, and Succeeding” (READS) program.

To accomplish

these responsibilities, Calabasas has started a mentoring program within the READS program where sev-enth and eighth grade students commit their time and energy to reading with first and second graders.

“They will be focus-ing on specific reading skills such as decoding, word identification, flu-ency, and comprehen-sion. The mentors will have training to help support each student,” Cabrera added. “It is a fantastic opportunity

for our students.” The READS pro-

gram will create positive relationships that will stay with all of the students who are involved with the program.

Cabrera stated that one student from her previous school said “it was like having a big brother.”

With all these changes, Calabasas stu-dents are sure to con-tinue getting a quality education by staff and teachers who deeply care for them.

By Tonya Yanez

Calabasas School

Photo/Tonya Yanez\Rebekah Cabrera stands with a donated book that will be a great addition to the READS program.

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The banner submitted by Lucia Bigelow for Calaba-sas’ sixth graders took first place. The banner included self-portrait drawings and quotes of how art influ-ences the students’ lives. Several of the statements included, “Art is to live and create,” “Art can set you free,” and “Just be…your-self.”

Mountain View’s entire third grade team took home first place ribbons for each of their class banners for describing “Into the Past and Future” -- how their school building and other buildings look 100 years in the past and future. Con-gratulations to third grade students and their teachers,

Amanda Chambers, Jen An-derson, Maru Coppola, and Hope Brown, for a beautiful look back in time to mark our history in Santa Cruz County.

In the adult showcase, seventh grade reading teacher Tonya Yanez won two second-place ribbons for her nature photography, and grades 6-8 art teacher Betsy Hughes took home three ribbons; first place for a ceramic piece, and two second-place ribbons for a ceramic piece and an intaglio print.

Twirling in their hand-stitched red dresses, the talented Calabasas Folk-lorico dancers performed two dances on Friday; one originating from Chi-apas, “Chiapanecas and El Sapo,” and the other from Sinaloa, “India Bonita.”

AWARDSContinued from Page 7

Photo/Carol CullenAssistant Principal Rebekah Cabrera joins students Jaime Oliver, left, and Xavier Huerta at a prize-winning banner.

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Rio Rico High School celebrates 2015 HomecomingPhotos/ Laura Flores

The RRHS Student Government Organization (STUGO) hosted the 2015 Homecoming Parade and Coronation on Sept. 18. The theme this year was “Disney.”The winning parade entry was the sophomore class entry, “Alice in Wonderland.” The king and queen and court were crowned during halftime festivities at the home-coming game with Flowing Wells High School.

The sophomore class float was chosen as Homecoming Parade winner.

Queen and King, seniors Viridiana Salazar Longoria and Kevin Romo

Juniors Carolina Tovar and Andres Tarriba

Sophomores Jessy Alvarez and Andre Greene

Freshmen Chantel Guzman and Diego Soto

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actions, but now there is an alternative in place: Teen Court.

Teacher Jimmy Navarro and his law enforcement students presented the idea to the high school’s admin-istration in the spring, and this year are instituting Teen Court as an alterna-tive for those students facing administrative punishment for violations of school rules, including cheating and inappropriate cell phone use.

Not all students will be eligible to participate in this alternative form of correction. Those who are recommended to the pro-gram, and whose violations and track record qualify, will face a judge and jury of their peers and have the option of pleading guilty or taking a case through the newly-formed justice system.

“The students have

studied the process of how the courts work in the classroom over the course of the past two years. Now in their third year, they have gotten to travel to the Santa Cruz County Supe-rior Court to observe cases and see how things work in action, as well as talk to judges, prosecuting attor-neys, defense attorneys, and even the court support staff like clerks, bailiffs and reporters, in order to put together a system that matches as closely to the real deal as possible,” Navarro said.

“We have put things together to mimic the court as closely as possible so that the students will go through a process that is as close to the judicial system as we can make it.”

And mimic it closely they have, complete with a modified courtroom, a court calendar, rules, forms and procedures, all of which have been created by the students themselves based on what they have studied. The results are impressive. Sitting in on

a “practice session,” it is easy to see that these law students are the future of the judicial system and they take their jobs very seriously.

“Each student will fill in a role – like being the judge, the prosecuting attorney, the bailiff or what have you – every two weeks. This will give all of the students the ability to gain experience in each of the positions,” Navarro explained.

The court will hear cases only twice a week during first period, unless need creates an extension of those hours. Students will have the ability to practice their roles, and still have time to further their learning with class time designated to learn-ing more about the judicial system.

The students have great-ly enjoyed creating the new process, especially the trip to Superior Court, where they were invited to sit in a live courtroom and watch the court proceedings and cases ranging from shop-

lifting to suspected child abuse.

Esteban Castellos, a RRHS senior in Law 3, found the trip more than worthwhile. “Going there gives us experience about what you want to do in life and make better choices than those people we watched maybe did,” he said.

“It was a really good experience learning how people make the wrong choices,” fellow classmate Silvana Antelo agreed. “It was a good experience to learn not to make those choices ourselves.”

Senior Luis Soto had an experience of a totally different kind at court. “I learned that you don’t fall asleep in court,” he admit-ted reluctantly, “because then the bailiff yells at you in front of the judge and the attorneys and everyone gets to see that.”

The plan now is to let students combine the experiences that they have had with the court and in the classroom into this new project and bring a taste

of real-life justice to the students at RRHS.

Senior Lizette Virgin is excited to begin. “We went and we got to see how it all works. Now we are ready to do it here,” she confi-dently said.

And ready they are. With a court calendar set to open Oct. 5, 2015, and ongoing support from Santa Cruz County Supe-rior Courts as well as the administration at RRHS, these law students will be opening the courtroom and the gavel will be falling on student-led justice at RRHS.

(Note: The Law 3/Teen court students and their teacher Mr. Jimmy Navarro would like to thank the Santa Cruz County Supe-rior Court for their ongoing support of this program.)

COURTContinued from Page 1

Under the supervision of Richard McPherson, ag-ricultural science teacher, and Michelle Poppen, CTE Director, students will learn valuable lifelong les-sons.

“Students learn respon-sibility when asked to take care of living beings. They are held accountable for feeding, cleaning and caring for these animals. It makes a real difference,” said Future Farmers of America (FFA) Student President Ana Mercado.

Through a grant from the National FFA’s “Food for All” program and dona-tions from Liberty Utili-ties, Summit Electric, VES Engineering and Survey-ing, KE&G Construction,

and Crazy Coyote Kettle Corn, students in the agri-culture program will begin providing the community with locally grown, free-range eggs.

If you have been travel-ing Interstate 19 near the Peck Canyon exit since early August you may have noticed a structure being built at the “farm” on the school district’s property on the east side of the high-way.

This structure is the new chicken coop complete with three doors, two sli-ding all-weather windows, 2x4 wood-framed construc-tion, engineered trusses, automatic lights, fans, and a heater.

The water supply was installed by KE&G Con-struction and Liberty Utili-ties. Electric supply was added by Summit Electric. Bio-security fencing will be the last item installed in

October.The students will

provide feed, medical at-tention, bio-security, and sanitation services to the laying hens. On a daily basis, the students will properly collect, clean, candle, grade, cool, and store the eggs. Two paid student interns will work weekends and holidays to ensure smooth opera-tion of this 365-day-a-year operation.

After a final walk-through, the 140 students in the Rio Rico High School agriculture program will start feeding and nurtur-ing 100 Barred Rock female chicks raising them to ma-turity for egg production.

By March of 2016 you will start seeing Rio Rico FFA eggs at the farmers’ market on Saturdays.

POULTRYContinued from Page 1

Photo/Richard McPhersonGustavo Camacho and Maddie Hurtado are the crew for this day’s work on the chicken coop.

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www.carondelet.org1171 W. Target Range Rd.Nogales, Arizona 85621

(520) 285-3000

“A good gifted program ben-efits the students by recognizing their abilities and providing the resources to pursue their inter-ests,” Bailey said. “We’re doing that here.”

Bailey is taking the gifted reins from Freda Elliott, who is retiring. Elliott is working part-time this year to help transition the program.

Bailey is using a range of logic games and special events to spur gifted students. She also likes the idea of middle school students taking high school ACT and SAT college aptitude tests early. This allows them to qualify for expanded programs, such as national math camps, before college.

In addition, she’s prepping el-ementary students for a middle school geography bee, and estab-lishing a first-ever “Night of the Notables.” The “Night” hap-pens in December and allows students to perform a biography sketch in character in front of an audience.

This pushes students to work not only on their intellectual skills, but social and presenta-tion skills as well.

Donaxi Espinoza is excited about recently becoming a gifted student. She’s a San Cayetano Elementary second grader who passed the two-hour test to qualify this fall.

“It’s fun, but I have to really think to figure things out,” she said. “It’s a game sometimes, but it’s not always an easy game.”

Some of the activities Espi-noza and other students will try this year include mind benders, logic links, mystery stories, stories with holes, hands-on equations and logic puzzles. Gifted students have also cre-ated projects such as building a model of the American govern-ment buildings in Washington, D.C.

To qualify for gifted teach-ing, students are recommended by teachers, or, in some cases, parents. They need to score 97 percent in one tested area, such as non-verbal reasoning, verbal reasoning, spatial analysis or math.

Once in the program, stu-dents are pulled from regular classroom instruction for an hour each week, in addition to the supplemental programs.

There are 92 students in the district’s gifted program, which serves kindergarten through eighth grades.

Elliott, who admits she has trouble “letting go” of gifted teaching, is guiding district teachers through a professional development course that shows teachers how to recognize and promote gifted learning.

“Providing proper support for these students helps give them a bright future,” Elliott said. “It reminds us all that if you don’t use it, you lose it.”

GIFTEDContinued from Page 1

Photo by Len JohnsonDonaxi Espinoza, a second grader at San Cayetano, likes the gifted pro-gram because it allows her to expand her learning to higher levels.

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You Have The Power

Office of the SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ATTORNEY

GEORGE E. SILVA

Santa Cruz County Complex2150 N. Congress Dr., Suite 201

(520) 375-7780 Fax (520) 375-7793

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