October2015 - Sacaton Schools

SACATON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT № 18
District♦Newsletter
• A Monthly Publication for Parents & Families of Students in the Sacaton School District •
October (Sepjig Mashath) 2015
GOVERNING BOARD
President, Mrs. Laurie Thomas + Clerk, Mrs. Elaine Moyah + Member, Ms. Judy Antone + Member, Ms. Michelle Lyons + Member, Ms. Jane Johnson
District Superintendent: Dr. Douglas E. Price
Website: www.sacatonschools.org
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◘ Family Astronomy Night ◘
The Sacaton School District is pleased to announce that Family Astronomy Night, the annual signature family event of the school
year, will be held on Thursday, October 8 starting with dinner at 5:30 pm on the Elementary School campus. Don’t miss out on this
fun, “hands-on”, science-based event for all Sacaton School District parents, family members, and of course, students!
◘ “Superintendent’s Corner” ◘
Starting this month, District Superintendent Dr. Douglas E. Price will have a column in each District Newsletter called the
“Superintendent’s Corner” in which he will highlight both upcoming and previous activities and events, keep parents and families
informed as to how District students are performing academically, discuss any relevant District news and information, and keep you
informed about school district partnerships with Community departments, agencies, etc.
Here is this months “Superintendent’s Corner.”
Greetings to Sacaton School District Parents, Families, and the Gila River Indian Community,
I am so very honored to be the new superintendent of the Sacaton Elementary School District and look forward to working with
you and the Community in support of your children’s education. I would like to thank all of you who turned out for our Back-to-School
BBQ Cookout in August. We were proud to host over 600 parents and students that night. It was fun for us to see our students and
families back on campus after the Summer Break.”Grillin’ Up a Good Time” was a memorable event and clearly illustrated to me that
there’s great interest in our schools and the welfare of our children.
I would also like to thank the over 130 parents and students who attended our Title I Reading and Math Fun Night on September
15th. Once again, parents and students filled our elementary school cafeteria to learn about the reading and math programs offered in
the schools. We tried something new this year and showed our students and teachers in action (via video clips). We have great
students and teachers in both our elementary and middle schools. Sharing with you these videos of your children engaged in reading
and in math problem-solving seemed to us to be a good way for you to see these Title I programs in action.
We will continue throughout the year to invite the Community to visit our schools. In October we will be holding our signature
community event – Family Astronomy Night. Each year this educational, “hands-on” science program has drawn hundreds of
Community members to our schools so parents, along with their students, can gaze into the heavens through powerful telescopes some computer-driven. On October 8th, parents, students and families are encouraged to attend Family Astronomy Night starting with a
hamburger, hot dog, and potato salad dinner at 5:30 pm followed by several hours of viewing the night skies in the ramada area
adjacent to the elementary school. We’re looking forward to seeing you all there!
Please also mark your calendar for a Day of Family Health, Wellness, and Fun! On November 17 we’ll be joined by members of
the Arizona Cardinals and a host of G.R.I.C. departments and agencies as we come together in another Community event. Watch for
details in the next addition of the “Superintendent’s Corner” along with the informational fliers that will be sent home with students. I am
excited to share the details of this fun and engaging Community gathering.
Again, thank you all for sharing your students with us. We are honored to be a part of their lives and look forward to our continued
work with each of you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Douglas Price
Superintendent
◘ Gifted and Talented Program for 2015-2016 ◘
The Gifted and Talented Program for the 2015-2016 school year is gearing up to begin classes in October. Dr. DiAnne Davidsen,
Director of Special Education who oversees the program said, “We are excited about the program this year. The first meeting will allow
students to view a video and scrapbook of the first year’s (last year) projects and trips.”
Testing for the program at the Elementary and Middle Schools began in September with students being referred for testing based
on academic test scores, interests, and teacher referral. The district has adopted the NNAT2 or Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (Second
Edition) to identify students.
The program will provide services to qualifying students in third through eighth grades. Classes will meet according to grade level
bands: 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8. Each grade level band will meet every third Friday.
The universal theme for this year will focus on “Structure.” Generalizations (statements which can be proven to be true most of the
time) are given to students who will then research language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts for evidence to
support the generalizations. The study will progress from whole group activity through independent study. The students will create
projects that reflect what they have learned. They will also attend field trips to study structures (buildings, ruins, parks, concrete
formations, etc.) at specific locations which are close enough to the schools for a day trip.
Mrs. Angela Weddle, a math interventionist at the Elementary School, is the coordinator of the Gifted and Talented Program
starting her second year. She is currently taking college courses in Gifted Studies.
◘ Parent Involvement ◘
In recent years many studies have shown that parents can and do make a difference in many aspects of their child’s education.
There is a clear link between parent involvement and improved student achievement. Keeping this in mind, remember these four tenets
of how important parents are in the overall education of your child.
 My child spends more time learning at HOME than in school
 My child’s teacher(s), principal, and other school staff cannot make sure my child will succeed
academically without working with ME as a partner
 I am my child’s FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT TEACHER
 Other people do not have more influence on my child’s grades than I do
◘ Missing School Matters! ◘
Missing school truly matters! Please support your child’s growth and help them succeed in school by getting them to school on
time, every day! Build the habit of good attendance early and watch their confidence and academic skills flourish. School success
goes hand-in-hand with good attendance. “Attend today, achieve tomorrow.”
◘ After-School Tutoring Program Starts October 6 ◘
The Sacaton School District is pleased to announce that the After-School Tutoring Program will once again be offered
this year for all students in grades 1-8. The program begins October 6 and will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 pm. Bus transportation will be provided. Watch for upcoming informational fliers to be sent home.
◘ “A Moment in Time in O’odham History” ◘
Starting this month, “A Moment in Time in O’odham History” will become a permanent feature in each monthly newsletter as the
District strives to achieve a stronger and more enriched relationship with the Community. This featured column will focus on important
aspects of O’odham history that have helped define who the O’odham people have been over the years to who they are today.
It is well known that the O’odham, or Pima people, have long been recognized for their exceptional agricultural, or farming skills
documented as far back as 1694 when Jesuit priest Francisco Eusebio Kino made the first recorded observations of the O’odham
people. These accounts concluded that the Pima were hard working and that their success in farming was made possible by the Gila
River. The river provided the necessary water to grow crops in abundance, enabling them to provide not only for their own needs, but
to also trade with their neighbors. In the 17th and 18th centuries, cultivating food and fiber crops, the Pima developed and sustained a
stable economy that endeared them to Spaniards, Mexicans, and Americans alike. It was the Gila River that allowed them to annually
grow two crops – summer cotton, corn, melons, beans and squash as well as winter wheat.
Agriculture remains to this day an important economical driver for the Community and will continue to be so in the foreseeable
future with the return of water provided through the extensive Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project which continues to be expanded and
further developed throughout the Community. Water has long been at the core of O’odham life and accordingly deserves special
recognition each year as the Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Day Holiday.
◘ A Budget Isn’t Just About Money ◘
Periodically the District makes Family Financial Literacy one of the Family Meetings for the year including last year
when members of the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears along with representatives from Money Management
International presented on this very important family topic. Though the topic is not scheduled for this year, here are some
very important things to consider in terms of maintaining a budget that all experts on financial literacy always stress as a
priority.
A budget does far more than track expenses - it can positively influence many parts of your life. If you have been resistant
about budgeting, you should reconsider because having a budget helps you:
1. Have more control of your life rather than money controlling you
2. Reduce domestic conflict
3. Improve your sleep
4. Reduce worry
5. Increase feelings of optimism
6. Improve your mood
7. Stop “doom-and-gloom” thinking
8. Save money
9. Focus on shared family goals that bring you closer together