http://www.mpsaz.org/agendaMesa Agenda1369071426Volume 41, No. 15, May 6, 2013294122013-05-06 11:08:182013-05-06 11:24:54lkjordanHappy Teacher Appreciation Week! The school board and superintendent issued a proclamation that pays tribute to our teachers. The document invites everyone, everywhere to acknowledge their lasting impact on our lives, our community and our country.Volume 41, No. 14, May 3, 2013293632013-05-03 11:49:192013-05-17 13:45:23lkjordanMost years of serviceIrayda Castle, 38Cecilia Woody, 37Nancy Young, 36Debra Wiskirchen, 36Jonathan Fincher, 36Marcia Whisler, 36Loretta Scott, 35Donna Blackmer, 35
Congratulations to our MPS retirees!
List of 2012-13 retirees*
Almost 250 employees are retiring this year, after devoting more than 4,700 years to student achievement and support services...Volume 41, No. 13, April 23, 2013282402013-03-29 12:16:272013-04-24 14:19:42lkjordanZaharis first-graders made Jeff Bridges an honorary Soaring Eagle for life!
Zaharis welcomes Jeff Bridges
The Academy Award winner, author and musician visited Zaharis Elementary to commemorate the first-grade Lemonade Club's $414 contribution to No Kid Hungry.
By selling lemonade at special school events and on Fridays after school, students have raised $1,100 for the Phoenix Zoo,...Volume 41, No. 12, April 1, 2013281522013-03-27 10:49:302013-03-29 15:41:28lkjordanMelanie Openshaw
Arizona Music Teachers of the Year
Colleagues in the Arizona Music Educators Association chose four Mesa teachers for top awards this year. Walt Temme, Dorene Pool, Kelly Higgins and Melanie Openshaw were honored for their outstanding careers and contributions:
Arizona Careers In Music Award Winner of the YearKelly Higgins, general music and band...Volume 41, No. 11, March 4, 2013273542013-02-27 09:39:462013-03-18 14:37:17lkjordanRed Mountain High School teamRegion 4Academic Decathlonchampions
Red Mountain team winsRegion 4 Academic Decathlon
After two days of hard-fought academic battles on the intellectual playing field, Red Mountain High took first place at theRegion 4 Academic Decathlon. With an impressive 46,735 points,Red Mountain also holds the envious position of...Volume 41, No. 10, Feb. 19, 2013268082013-02-12 16:58:422013-02-19 08:54:26lkjordanDavid Luna, Mesa Man of the Year
Luna named Mesa Man of the Year
"I am honored to be recognized as Mesa Man of the Year. Service and giving back to my community was taught to me as a child. My hope is that I inspire others to follow suit." — David Luna
David Luna, award-winning producer and director of the MPS Educational Television Department, is Mesa Man of the Year. He...Volume 41, No. 9, Jan. 31, 2013261582013-01-27 12:35:332013-01-31 14:37:20lkjordanVon Burg is Science Teacher of the Year
As a First LEGO League coach, Erik Von Burg helps students discover the fun of solving real-world science problems via robots, research projects and teamwork.
The Arizona Science Teachers Association selected Erik Von Burg of MacArthur as the Elementary Science Teacher of the Year.
"As a teacher, I must prepare my students for the world they will...Volume 41, No. 8, Jan. 11, 2013256422013-01-10 12:53:212013-01-14 10:08:23lkjordanLiz MullaveyRodel Exemplary Principal
Mullavey named Rodel Exemplary Principal
Liz Mullavey of Sousa Elementary is among Arizona's seven Rodel Exemplary Principals. They were selected for their ability to inspire their staff members to contribute to outstanding student achievement in a safe, orderly and welcoming environment.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be...A message about the Connecticut school tragedy251732012-12-14 16:56:332012-12-14 17:04:17lkjordanWe are shocked and saddened by the senseless shooting and loss of life that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.Volume 41, No. 7, Dec. 10, 2012249002012-12-06 13:30:172013-03-18 14:44:23lkjordanLeslie Hernandez
Rodel Foundation honors Leslie Hernandez
Leslie Hernandez, Holmes Elementary fourth-grade teacher, is among Arizona's 12 Rodel Exemplary Teachers for 2013! The foundation honors extraordinary educators and asks them to mentor six high-potential student teachers.
Read about Hernandez and her thoughts on school pride, a tip for new teachers, collaborating for student...Volume 41, No. 6, Nov. 19, 2012239152012-11-05 09:42:532012-11-19 13:58:31lkjordanLindblom is Arizona's top teacher
Superintendent Mike Cowan congratulates Nancie Lindblom at the awards ceremony.
Skyline High'sNancie Lindblom earned the coveted title of 2013 Arizona Teacher of the Year.She will represent Arizona in competition for the national title.
"I'm honored to represent the many amazing Arizona teachers who work hard every day to help students...Volume 41, No. 5, Oct. 31, 2012232122012-10-17 11:52:582012-11-05 08:37:27lkjordanBoeingfunds Engineering is Elementary program
Mary Baldwin, Boeing's community investor for global corporate citizenship, presents a$115,000check to Sean Enright, curriculum director, and Suzie DePrez, assistant superintendent.
Boeing awarded MPS a $115,000 grant to fund Engineering is Elementary for elementary and junior high students.
“The program will help us to...Volume 41, No. 4, Oct. 18, 2012230522012-10-12 16:18:152012-10-22 15:51:19lkjordanRon Latko, directorTransportation Department
Transportation wins All-Star Award
Ron Latko, MPS director of transportation and fleet management, won a National Sustainability All-Star Award from Green Fleet magazine for significant achievement and innovation.
He was honored this month at the Green Fleet Conference, based on professional longevity, overall industry involvement,...Governing Board Election Issue, Volume 41, No. 3, Sept. 26, 2012219892012-09-10 16:45:022012-09-26 14:43:37lkjordanVoters in MPS will elect three Governing Board members in the Nov. 6 general election. The field comprises newcomer Jerry D. Walker, and incumbents Michael Nichols, Steven Peterson and Dr. Ben Whiting.Read their candidate surveys.Volume 41, No. 2, Aug. 28, 2012212362012-08-24 10:03:382013-03-13 16:05:47lkjordanMPS receives $50,000 library grant from Target
The grant, titled 21st Century Libraries for 21st Century Students, is funding ebooks to boost English language arts skills districtwide.
"With reduced library budgets, we can't support curriculum needs as much as we'd like to," said Lisa Bowen, library services specialist.
"Our new Common Core State Standards in English language arts...Volume 41, No. 1, Aug. 9, 2012205222012-08-06 11:08:592012-08-09 15:46:46lkjordanIn this issue:National Outstanding School Nurse Award, political activities, Target gift cards, coaching jobs, interpreter openings, Mesa Arts Center Preview Night, school board meeting, Trip Reduction Program, Communications and Marketing Department location, employee discountsRetirement Special Issue: Volume 40, Number 20, May 10, 2012193162012-05-10 10:39:062012-06-19 08:40:26lkjordanWe appreciate our 2011-12 MPS retirees
The value of life is best measured by the moments spent giving of yourself — sharing wisdom, inspiring hope and touching hearts.
There is pleasure in the power of lifting others up. Every such act becomes a blessing for all who know you and a worthy model for all the world.
— Based on “When Children Learn,” by David...Volume 40, No. 19, May 9, 2012191202012-05-02 12:19:552012-05-09 16:25:36lkjordanArizona Dance Educator of the Year, A+ Awards, Voices anthology, new school year calendars, Employees of the Month, Career Ladder committee openings, Exceptional Student Services Awards, Volunteers of the Month, balance-of-contract paychecks, student and staff achievements, invitations, school highlightsCorrection: Volume 40, No. 18, April 3, 2012184002012-04-03 10:13:322012-04-03 10:24:10lkjordanWith apologies to Ray Perkins, Dobson High athletic director —
Ray's phone number was incorrect in today's Mesa Agenda. His number is (480) 472-3276.
DobsonMustang Cup
Sign up soon for the second-annualDobsonHigh School Mustang Cup.Registration for the golf tournament is at 7 a.m., and shotgun four-person play begins at 8 a.m. April 21 at Apache Wells, 5601...Volume 40, No. 18, April 3, 2012182902012-03-29 11:30:472012-04-03 12:44:02lkjordanMesa Junior High's 60th anniversary celebration, your invitation to special events, school and district highlights, public hearings on proposed calendars, summer jobs, Employees of the Month, mobile device app for MPS Portal, Volunteers of the MonthVolume 40, No. 17, March 21, 2012179502012-03-19 12:20:272012-03-21 09:02:06lkjordanGoverning Board and Mesa Education Association teams have begun the Meet and Confer process. Their talks will lead to the development of a 2012-13Working Conditions and Benefits document for certificated employees.Volume 40, No. 16, March 1, 2012175172012-02-27 14:26:322012-03-01 18:36:48lkjordanInstruction support job openings, summer KidzCamp job openings, events, classified classes, awardsVolume 40, No. 15, Feb. 17, 2012171342012-02-13 12:36:172012-02-17 12:50:33lkjordanComment on calendar options for 2013-14 and 2014-15Administrative Services Center closes at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22Student Services Award nominations due by March 2Apply for office and security jobs at senior high summer school by March 9Volume 40, No. 14, Feb. 9, 2012166402012-01-27 13:54:482012-02-09 15:14:08lkjordanAward-winning principal, summer teaching application, SMART Board overview, centennial media request, self-defense class, Employees of the Month, child abuse prevention, Academic Decathlon, Volunteer of the Month, special eventsYouTube for Education166032012-01-26 15:32:052012-01-31 10:02:08leclarkeSpecial Edition
YouTube has created a channel for educational content called YouTube/education (YTE). YouTube is aware that most K-12 districts have filtered YouTube traffic to their schools. With that in mind, YouTube designed a cutting-edge process that allows YTE content to be delivered to schools, while the rest of YouTube remains inaccessible. This process is emerging technology and will...