Articles from December 2024

Rogers Ranch STEM Academy is the first school in Arizona to receive the National Certificate for STEM Excellence.

The Certificate, provided by the National Institute of STEM Education (NISE) recognizes individual school campuses that have integrated STEM best practices and 21st Century learning and professional development. Rogers Ranch STEM Academy has shown a commitment to and growth in both these areas.

“Our mission has always been for Rogers Ranch to reflect on the inside and outside what a school STEM school exemplifies,” explained Rogers Ranch principal Megan Hamburgh who led the school to certification. “This certification reinforces the vision Rogers Ranch teachers and staff have had for our school.” 

To receive the certificate, Rogers Ranch completed a three-phase process, comprising  27 indicators, to elevate a culture of STEM teaching and learning across the campus in less than nine months. This included developing a STEM action plan for implementation, embedding STEM strategies into instruction and assessments, and using STEM protocol to guide instructional decisions. Additionally, a team of educators completed the National Certificate for STEM Teaching.

Rogers Ranch was also named an NAU STEM Focus School for the Future in 2022-2023. This program helped Rogers Ranch build the capacity to design and implement effective STEM instruction with the goal of developing a STEM-literate workforce. 

“We were able to take the intentional work done through the STEM Focus Schools for the Future process to reflect and refine for this national certification.  As a campus we will continue to reflect, grow and refine to be a high achieving academy that reflects what STEM education is,” noted Hamburgh. 

All middle school Laveen students are invited to attend our LEAP into High School event.

This year’s event will be held April 30 from 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. at Rogers Ranch School, 6735 S. 47th Ave.

Participants will be able to meet with representatives from area high schools to learn more about their programs and offerings.

Visit www.LaveenSchools.org/LEAP for a list of participating high schools.

Join us for the inaugural district art show on Thursday, April 25 from 4:30 -6:30 p.m. at the Laveen Education Center, 5001 W. Dobbins.

Laveen’s Celebration of Art will feature student art from across all Laveen schools and grade levels. Stop by throughout the evening to see the amazing work our students have created.

Congratulations to the 2023-24 Exceptional Service Award winners! The Exceptional Service Award is the district’s highest honor for classified staff members.

• Gonzalo Sanchez – Bus Driver – Transportation
• Gabriel Cabrera Solis – Groundskeeper – Support Services 
• Veronica Soto– Receptionist – Laveen Education Center
• Tehani Smith – Registrar – Estrella Foothills
• Sarahi Balanzar – Computer Technician – M.C. Cash
• Cynthia Brito – Health Associate – Rogers Ranch 
• Sandra Bautista – Secretary – Laveen Elementary 
• David Garcia – Plant Manager – Paseo Pointe
• Jerlyn Dees – Instructional Associate – Cheatham 
• Araceli Jimenez – Cafeteria Manager – Child Nutrition (Desert Meadows)
• Jesusita Martinez – Kids Club Specialist – Desert Meadows
• Angel Richmond – Instructional Associate – Trailside Point
• Stephanie Carreon –Plant Manager – Vista Del Sur

These individuals display the following attributes:

• Strong attendance and dependability
• High quality and quantity of work
• Excel at working harmoniously with others
• Expert in their job responsibilities
• Regularly show initiative and creatively solve problems
• Provide excellent customer service

Their commitment to our students, staff and community is greatly appreciated.

Laveen’s Kids Club is now enrolling students in before/ after school care. This licensed program offers carefully planned, well-supervised activities for children in grades kindergarten through sixth.

Kids Club staff guides participants through group games, team sports, hands-on science activities, arts and crafts, music, drama, plus many other activities from which your child may choose. Each day includes quiet time for homework assistance and encouragement, plus a nutritious snack.

Program hours vary by school site. Learn more at www.LaveenSchools.org/kids-club.

Laveen schools will begin accepting preschool registrations for the 2024-25 school year beginning on March 19 at 8:30 a.m.

The full-day academic preschool program is offered at four schools – Desert Meadows, Estrella Foothills, Paseo Pointe, and Vista del Sur.

Children must be four or five-years-old by August 5, 2024 to enroll.

Visit our preschool page to download the registration form. Please make an appointment with the Kids Club office to verify the necessary paperwork.

The Life Time Foundation’s Chef Kent has been visiting Laveen schools to train child nutrition staff on preparing ramen bowls with chicken and oven-fried rice. They will conduct student taste tests and get feedback to determine if these items will make it onto our menu next school year.

Laveen’s Child Nutrition Department has partnered with the Life Time Foundation to support its mission to ensure all of our students receive nutritious meals to support academic excellence in a positive environment. Chef Kent periodically provides culinary training to staff to implement more speed-scratch cooking, work to reduce the amount of highly processed foods on our menus, and phase out foods that contain “ingredients of concern.”

Governing Board Clerk Michele Anderson joined in the lesson and was charged with preparing fresh ginger for the first culinary lesson.

Learn more: https://www.laveenschools.org/programs-services/child-nutrition/life-time-foundation/

The Laveen School District is hosting a job fair for teachers interested in joining our team. The job fair will be held on February 29, 2024, from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Laveen Education Center, 5001 W. Dobbins. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with Laveen administrators including school principals.

Congratulations to Rogers Ranch 8th Grade student Kaelan Williams who was the runner up in the Laveen District’s Spelling Bee that took place in January. Kaelan went on to compete at Maricopa Regional #3 Spelling Bee.