Darlene Johnson Rodel Exemplary Principal

Rodel honors Darlene Johnson of Holmes

Darlene Johnson of Holmes Elementary is one of Arizona's 10 Rodel Exemplary Principals for 2012.

The Rodel Exemplary Principal Initiative recognizes the success of Arizona's most exceptional principals and trains the next generation of school leaders. Johnson will receive a $2,500 honorarium, and she will mentor three high-potential aspiring principals during the next two years.

Rodel Exemplary Principals:

• have high expectations for staff and students
• focus on effective teaching and student management strategies
• inspire staff members to contribute to schoolwide success and the development of a campus that is high achieving, safe, orderly and welcoming
• have demonstrated a history of leadership that has earned them the respect of colleagues, students, staff, parents and community members

Teach summer school

Community Education's summer school teaching applications are online. Click "Elementary" or "Secondary" to download the application of your choice. Summer school schedules are also online. Teaching applications are due by Feb. 24.

Enroll in SMART Board Overview for classified staff

The class is designed for classified staff members who work with teachers who use SMART Boards. The focus will be on tools, lessons and additional resources. Choose one of two classes: 9-11 a.m. Feb. 16 or Feb. 21. Register through Professional Development.

Send your centennial pictures, paragraphs to the newspaper

Send a photo and a few paragraphs about your Arizona Centennial activities and events to The Arizona Republic. The deadline is Feb. 15 for publication in the Feb. 17 newspaper. Contact Cathryn Creno, education reporter, at ccreno@azcentral.com.

Enroll in free defense class for women

The city of Mesa Police Department will offer a free Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Systems class for MPS employees from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 29, and March 5 and 7 at Mesa High, 1630 E. Southern Ave. Register soon. Space is limited.

MPS surprises Employees of the Month

Mike Hughes, school board member, presents an Employee of the Month award to Tara St. Louis.

The school board honored Educators and Classified Employees of the Month in January:

• Lorenia Halvorsen, library resource aide, Mendoza Elementary
• Debbie Cutler, counseling secretary, Mountain View High
• Tara St. Louis, first-grade teacher, Sirrine Elementary
• Jan Saquella, English and yearbook teacher, Red Mountain High

They received certificates and $400 for professional development. Nominate your colleagues for their contributions to MPS and the positive difference they make in the lives of students and staff. For more information, contact Lynda Jordan at (480) 472-0224 or lkjordan@mpsaz.org.

Help prevent the tragedy of child abuse and neglect

Giving a little will help a lot. Donate to the Child Abuse Prevention Fund on your state income tax return. See line 46 on Form 140 or line 42 on Form 140A. The fund benefits community agencies throughout Arizona, including Mesa's Child Crisis Center and Family Resource Center.

Students to compete in state Academic Decathlon

Red Mountain, Mountain View, Westwood and Skyline high school teams qualified to compete for the state Academic Decathlon championship March 9-10 at Red Mountain, 7301 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Volunteer opportunities abound. Enjoy the music video of regional competition.

School board honors Volunteer of the Month

Kyong Kresge is the district's Volunteer of the Month. Elaine Veatch and her fifth-graders at Longfellow Elementary are grateful for Kresge's kindness and her contributions to student achievement.

Kyong Kresge was honored at a school board meeting in January. She received a tribute, a certificate of appreciation, a Volunteers Are Priceless mug and an MPS key chain from the district. The Mesa Foundation for Educational Excellence awarded her a $50 gift certificate and a book titled "The Heart of a Volunteer."

Nominate a volunteer where you work. Questions? Call Lynda Jordan, community relations specialist, at (480) 472-0224.

You are invited to special events

Musical comedy: Shepherd Junior High will present "Seussical Jr." The musical's set for 7 p.m. Feb. 15, 16 and 17 at 1407 N. Alta Mesa Drive, Mesa. Tickets are $7 now at the bookstore and $10 at the door.

Science and Technology Fair: Bush Elementary will showcase projects, collections, inventions and experiments from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Multipurpose Room at 4925 E. Ingram St., Mesa. See animals from Liberty Wildlife refuge, and experience hands-on broadcasting and SMART Board technologies.

Literacy Night:  Celebrate reading and writing Feb. 16 at Rhodes Junior High, 1860 S. Longmore, Mesa. At 6 p.m. in the media center, graphic novelists Thomas Healy, Terry Tibke and Jeff Pina will conduct quick draw contests and award their professional illustrations to the winners. At 7 p.m. in the auditorium, hear guest speaker J.S. Lewis, author of the Grey Griffins series, Clockwork Chronicles and CHAOS Novels.

Outback Steakhouse fundraiser: Mountain View High invites you and your sweetheart to a wonderful evening of music, food and prize drawings at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at 2700 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Tickets are $20. Buy them now as a Valentine's Day gift. Proceeds benefit the orchestra.

50th anniversary party: Celebrate Adams Elementary's 50th anniversary from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 25 at 738 S. Longmore, Mesa. Don't miss the special ceremony at 11 a.m. Please share your photos, memorabilia and stories with organizer Gloria Chavez, sixth-grade teacher, at gtchavez@mpsaz.org.

Resources and reminders

Facebook | Employee of the Month nomination | Volunteer of the Month nomination     

Mesa Agenda is published by the MPS Community Relations Department


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