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Change in Half Day Schedules for 2024-2025

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.

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Mission: Kindergarten 2024 is February 5

Decorative Image OnlyEnrolling a kindergartner next school year? Join us for an exploration of Laveen’s kindergarten program on February 5  from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at all Laveen schools.

Each of our nine schools will host an information night for prospective families. Our school principals will navigate you through everything you need to know as you prepare to launch your child into a successful academic career.

Registration* for the 2024-25 school year will open on February 5. Apply online at www.LaveenSchools.org/registration. Enrollment requirements may apply.

Students may be enrolled in any of our schools regardless of where they live, space permitting. Families living outside of a school’s transportation zone will be responsible for providing transportation.

*Children must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2024 to register for kindergarten. Preschool for children ages 3-5 is offered at Desert Meadows, Estrella Foothills, Paseo Pointe, and Vista del Sur.

Visit www.LaveenSchools.org/Kindergarten for more information.

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Vista Students Recognized in Statewide Art Contest

Congratulations to Vista del Sur students Leiya Thompson and Kirsten Smith who were recognized by the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) for their outstanding artwork.

Thomson took 1st Place in the K-2 division. Smith was a finalist in the 7-8 division.

First Place winners will receive a $100 Visa Gift card and a $100 donation to their school’s art department and/or art program. Finalists receive a $25 gift card.

Both students will have their artwork will be displayed at the ASBA-ASA Annual Conference from Dec. 6 – 8, 2023 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, on the walls of the ASBA office in Phoenix, and showcased in the ASBA Journal Magazine, ASBA Connect e-newsletter and on ASBA social media.

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US News Ranks Vista Del Sur in “Best” School Ratings

Laveen’s Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy has once again been included in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best” elementary and middle school rankings.

Vista del Sur received a “Best” ranking in both the elementary and middle school categories for 2024.

This recognition is based on the schools’ success in educating students from all socioeconomic backgrounds with the goal of preparing them for success in high school.

“Vista’s impressive rankings speak to the commitment of the schools’ leadership, teachers, and staff to provide each and every student a quality education,” said Dr. Jeff Sprout, Laveen Superintendent. “Our families must also be commended for the level of support they provide to their children as well as their support of the schools’ educational programs.”

The rankings are based on students’ performance on the 2021-2022 mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments and their results in the context of socioeconomic demographics, such as free or reduced-price lunch and underserved ethnicity groups.

U.S. News & World Report predicted math and reading achievement levels based on this data. The greater the actual results compared to the predicted results determined a school’s ranking.

Over 68,000 schools nationwide were evaluated by U.S. News. Vista del Sur was one of 1,100 K-8 schools across the nation to be included in both the best elementary and best middle school rankings.

In addition to being named a Best Elementary and Middle School, Vista was named one of the top ten middle schools in Arizona, being ranked as #8 among Arizona middle schools. The school was ranked #22 in Arizona Elementary Schools.

Vista del Sur is an accelerated school where all students work a grade level ahead in mathematics and English language arts. The school is a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and an Arizona Educational Foundation A+ School of Excellence. It also received the U.S. News Best Ranking in 2022. It has historically received an “A” label from the Arizona Department of Education each year.

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Join Dr. Sprout for a District Discussion on Dec. 5

Laveen Superintendent Dr. Jeff Sprout will be hosting a series of district discussions with Laveen families. This is a great opportunity for families to participate in open dialogue on current initiatives and Laveen’s strategies for meeting district goals.

The next District Discussion will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Dr. Sprout will discuss jobs of the future. There will be two one-hour sessions to choose from at 8:30 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. Both will be held at the Laveen Education Center, 5001 W. Dobbins.

Visit our District Discussions webpage to learn more and submit questions you may have.

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