Raible wins top national award

Cathy Raible was named the nation's Outstanding School Nurse for Special Needs Students by the National Association of School Nurses. Raible is the Health Services Department's demonstration nurse.

"Cathy is an exceptional nurse with a love for all students. In addition to her many contributions to MPS, she helped develop Delegation Guidelines for unlicensed assistive personnel for presentation to the Arizona Board of Nurses and the Arizona Department of Education.

"Cathy has written articles for the NASN journal on special needs training for paraprofessionals to share her expertise nationwide. She has made a significant impact on students and staff," said Nadine Miller, MPS health services director.

"Congratulations on having one of our nation's finest school nurses keeping children healthy, in school and ready to learn," said Tia Campbell, NASN vice president and awards chair.

"MPS is the best," Raible said. "Our nurses are an amazing group of professionals who strive to improve the health and academic success of all students. I'm honored to receive this award and proud to work in such a dynamic school district." 

MPS policy governs political activities

Fall elections will give voters an opportunity to make decisions that will greatly affect Mesa Public Schools. With the election season in full swing, employees must bear in mind that election or campaign activities are generally not permitted at schools and district departments. Here are some important guidelines: 

Employees may not engage in election or campaign activities when on duty or otherwise carrying out official duties. Such activities include:

• distributing or displaying campaign literature
• soliciting campaign contributions
• advocating for a particular candidate or ballot proposition
• wearing campaign T-shirts, hats or buttons on clothing at school
• using school mailboxes, telephones and email accounts for election or campaign communications

Employees may advocate for candidates or ballot propositions when they are off duty or acting in their private capacity. 

No campaign signs may be placed on school property, including fences. But personal vehicles may display campaign bumper stickers when parked at school. Election and campaign literature may be distributed at school events to which the public is invited, such as football games.

If your school is a polling place, the rules change on election day only. People may engage in electioneering activities and post campaign signs on school grounds — near the polling place but outside the 75-foot limit. These people may not wander around the school or disrupt traffic.

For more information, see Administrative Regulation GBG-R in the MPS Policies and Regulations Manual. 

Vote for your school to receive Target gift cards

Give With Target is another way we can support our schools. Target is giving $25 gift cards to each school for every 25 votes the campus receives — up to $10,000. Just visit www.facebook.com/target, enter your school name, city and state or ZIP Code — and vote!

You can vote weekly until Sept. 8. Please start today, and ask your family and friends to vote too. Together, we can make a difference.

Community Ed offers paid, volunteer coaching positions

The Community Education Department is recruiting coaches for the district's Junior High Athletics Program. Volunteer positions, and paid positions for $500, are available. Hiring is up to the team leader at each school. Seasons:

• I: boys basketball, girls soccer, wrestling
• II: baseball, softball, badminton
• III: flag football, volleyball, cross country
• IV: girls basketball, boys soccer

Each season is seven to eight weeks long, with practices two or three nights a week, most games on Wednesday evenings and end-of-season tournaments the final week or two. Requirements include fingerprint clearance, a $35 online coaching class and a free online concussion video.

Contact John Huckelberry, community education activities specialist, at (480) 472-7267. Or fill out an interest form.

Apply for Spanish interpreter jobs by Aug. 24 

The Special Education Department has an on-going need for English/Spanish interpreters at meetings across MPS. Qualifications include:

• a high level of skill and advanced vocabulary in both languages  
• flexibility to work before and after the typical school day
• willingness to interpret at a variety of schools

Certified and classified staff are invited to apply. Eligible classified employees must currently work less than 40 hours a week, because overtime pay and compensatory time are not available.

Interested? Request an application from Sue Beyer, special education secretary, at smbeyer@mpsaz.org. Completed applications are due by Aug. 24. A brief test and training session are also required.  

Previous special education interpreters must reapply every two years and participate in a refresher training session.

If you know others who may be interested and qualified, please share this announcement with them.

Mesa Arts Center to host free Educator Preview Night

Educator Preview Night is set for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 23 in the Nesbitt Elliott Playhouse at the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Explore arts and culture offerings for elementary, junior high and high school students. Enjoy drinks and desserts, tours, goodie bags, door prizes, entertainment and a sneak peak at this season's shows and museum displays.

Space is limited. Reserve your place soon. Call (480) 644-6540, or email outreach@mesaartscenter.com.

Watch the school board meeting

The Educational TV Department will broadcast this year's first school board meeting live and later on demand. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Aug. 14 in the Board Room at 549 N. Stapley Drive, Mesa. Agendas, videos, highlights and minutes are posted on the district website.

Win prizes in the MPS Trip Reduction Program

The district's Trip Reduction Program, mandated by Maricopa County, features prize drawings for new and continuing participants. You will be entered automatically when you join and when you track your alternate transportation to and from work at least two days each month.

You will also save on fuel and vehicle maintenance while you minimize air pollution. So carpool, take the bus, walk or bike to work. Thanks for doing your part to help clean the Valley's air. For more information about trip reduction, call Helen Hollands, communications and marketing director, at (480) 472-0498.

Communications and Marketing has moved

The Communications and Marketing Department (formerly Community Relations) has moved to the northwest corner of the first floor in the Administrative Services Center, 63 E. Main St., Mesa. 

Save $$ with employee discounts 

See the district's employee discounts on the Purchasing Department's website. New vendors include Sam's Club and Papa Murphy's Pizza. More than 30 special offers are listed now, ranging from cars, clothing, computers, books and restaurants to entertainment, weight loss, cellphones, paint, and art and craft supplies.

Mesa Agenda is published by the Communications and Marketing Department