Read this month’s issue of the Tiger Pride Post.
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.
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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Kids Club Now Enrolling for Winter Break Camp
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.
Laveen District is Home to Four A-Rated Schools, Nine Highest Performing Schools in Laveen
On October 28, 2024, the Arizona Department of Education released new letter grades for each school based on the latest state assessment data from the 2023-24 school year. All schools in the Laveen School District have received top marks with Four schools earning an “A” rating and five schools earning a “B” rating from the Arizona Department of Education for 2024. Laveen District schools are the highest-performing schools in the community.
Laveen Elementary School, Paseo Pointe Dual Language Academy, Estrella Foothills Global Academy, and Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy all received “A” Labels. Cheatham, Desert Meadows, Rogers Ranch, M.C. Cash, and Trailside Point received “B” Labels, also considered to be “Highly Performing.”
Background: The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) issues annual achievement profiles for every public school in the state of Arizona, based on an A through F scale. The system measures year-to-year student academic growth; proficiency in English language arts, math, and science; the proficiency and academic growth of English language learners; and acceleration/readiness indicators.
School Newsletter for November
Read this month’s issue of the Tiger Pride Post.
School Newsletter for October
Celebrating Principal’s Appreciation Month at Vista Del Sur Accelerated Academy!
October is Principal’s Appreciation Month, and we are thrilled to honor and celebrate our incredible school leader, Jessica Epacs! At Vista Del Sur Accelerated Academy, 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, Mrs. Epacs, for everything you do to make Vista Del Sur a fantastic place to learn and grow.
Classroom Spotlight: 4th-Grade Writers of Vista Del Sur Accelerated Academy
We are excited to shine the spotlight on our talented 4th-grade writers from Vista Del Sur Accelerated Academy! Last night, eight outstanding students, led by the incredible Mrs. Kassey Rysdyk, took center stage as they showcase their writing skills and the process that pushes them to be their best at the October Board Meeting.
Mrs. Rysdyk has worked tirelessly to refine the writing process for our students, taking their already proficient abilities to the next level. She’ll be sharing her unique approach to encouraging student growth, creativity, and precision in writing. From drafting to final edits, students will demonstrate their progress by presenting their work to each Board Member in person, along with the feedback they’ve incorporated.
To make this an interactive experience, they brought along their Chromebooks to show both their initial drafts and their edited versions. This allows us to highlight not only the incredible work our students have done but also the importance of the revision process.