Schools and Youth News, June 10,2009

Florence Puppet Show, Movies, Crafts

"Another week of creative activities is coming up," said Rita Marquez, Florence children's librarian. "We’re inviting all children to come and join the fun at the Florence Community Library." On Monday, June 15, from 1p.m. to 3p. m., children will look for "hidden instruments" in trivia sheets and teens will play "Human Anatomy" Bingo. Wii and XBOX 360 games also will be available to children and teens in the library's upstairs programming room. On Tuesday, June 16, at 2 p.m. popcorn and drinks will be provided for a teen movie about a police homicide detective who is sent to investigate the death of a scientist at a robotics firm. Was it suicide or murder? The Library will host a family storytime puppet show and read the book If You Give a Pig a Blanket by author Laura Joffe Numeroff at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Music, dance and coloring are also be included in the program. On Thursday, June 18 at 2 p.m., children will fashion puzzles during a craft project. To ensure enough supplies for everyone, please call the library at 520-868-9471 to register your child for this project. On Friday, a PG-rated movie about two orphaned teenagers who decide to turn an abandoned building into a safe haven for stray dogs is shown at 2 p.m. in the program room. Popcorn and drinks are served. For more information, call the library at 520-868-9471.

Florence Superintendent to Run for State Superintendent

Edited from a speech by Gary Nine: My name is Gary Nine and I'm the Superintendent of Florence Unified School District #1.Today, I'm declaring my candidacy for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction. I'm not a politician. I'm an educator and a businessman. I've made a career out of working with kids, teachers, parents, and regular folks. Many legislative leaders and businessmen in Arizona want to use public education's shortcomings as a reason to privatize education. I'm opposed to that. I want to fix public education. It is time for change in Arizona and in our public education system. Education is a tough business. Newcomers to the profession are amazed at the long hours, the skills that must be honed, and the dedication necessary to teach well. Similarly, it is time for a change in leadership at the top education position in Arizona, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. You can't make great change if you can't earn the trust of school boards, superintendents, school leaders, parents, teachers and support staff and the general population. Quite honestly, we don't have much of that right now. I'm a KIDS FIRST guy, who is an effective leader. I'm an educator who wants to make things better for the kids of Arizona. And I can do it. I'm running as a Common-Sense Republican. A party that prides itself on common sense and family values; a party that advocates for public education and fiscal responsibility. There are things that need to be talked about if we're going to fix our public education system. First, all kids need to be taught at a challenging level every day, in every class so they can reach their potential. Second, we need instructional technology in the hands of all kids every day. Technology used the right way, helps kids to learn more and learn it faster. Third, there's lots of discussion about AIMS and testing. I don't care what test you use. Our goal should be that every school averages one year of academic growth per year per child. Fourth, the State Superintendent has every right to establish standards that they wish the students of Arizona to meet, but they have no right to tell districts how to do it. I'm 60 years old, old enough to remember when folks often had to work two jobs to keep their family going. Arizona right now is the same predicament my dad was. We have more bills than we have money. There has been lots of controversy this past week about STOs, Student Tuition Organizations, vouchers. Arizona is broke and this is not the time to be giving away dollars. While I think it is poor public policy, for sure it is an unnecessary extravagance this year and we can't afford it. In late January, I wrote an email that many of you read and suggested that we raise the sales tax a penny for a couple of years and I'm glad that Governor Brewer agrees. After we cut back as far as we can, there is still a hole and we need some money to fill it. If we don't fill it quickly the hole will get bigger. Pay me now or pay me more later. We pull together at crunch time. My dad had to work two jobs for a few years to pay his bills just like many of you did and do. Is it so terrible that Arizonans and snowbirds would have to pay a few extra dollars each month for two or three years so that we could deliver basic social services to our sick and our poor and our youth? I don’t think so. Governor Brewer has guts…the guts to suggest that for us to fill that hole we're in, we may need to raise taxes. Great leaders do the right thing. I've been a teacher, coach, Athletic Director, high school principal, junior high and middle school principal, assistant superintendent, and now superintendent. I've learned a few things over the years. If you're not changing and improving every year, you’re falling behind. If a school's students aren't improving academically, there needs to be a change in leadership. In closing, I'm a kid-oriented, do the right thing kind of guy, who knows what's educationally correct and is not afraid of change. I know i'ts going to be a long, hard battle, and I know I'm a underdog. But I truly believe with the support of the regular folks of Arizona and the people who truly care about the kids in public schools all over the state, we can win this thing.

Liberty High School is Now Receiving Applications

Liberty High School is now receiving applications for a limited number of student openings for the 2009-10 school year, a portion of which are reserved for incoming freshmen. Liberty offers fully accredited high school curriculum delivered by experienced, highly qualified teachers in a small class size setting. As an alternative charter school, Liberty meets the State of Arizona's performing requirements with excellent sophomore AIMS performance in Reading, Writing and Math testing. School begins July 30, 2009. Classes are from 8:55 a.m.until 3:05 p.m. with limited transportation available. The school year consists of quarterly sessions separated by two-week breaks. Night school scheduling is available for students who qualify. To register, please visit LHS at 1438 Hagen Road, Globe (928-402-8024). Proof of immunization, birth certificate and social security card are required. We welcome your application. Summer office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. .

Sorority Announces Scholarships

The Sisters of Zeta Kappa Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority at Roosevelt, proudly announce the recipients of our 2009 Scholarships: Alex Hayes - Graduate of Miami High School,, and Danielle Clawson - Graduate of Globe High School. Each Student received $1,000 towards ongoing education during the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters. The Zeta Kappa sisters were pleased to learn that both students are going into nursing and both will be attending Gila County Community College.The students and their Moms were treated to dinner at Guayo's on the Trail on Wednesday, June 3. Our group sincerely wishes every success to both of these wonderful young people and we anticipate hearing great news from them in the coming year. Congratulations and good luck, Danielle and Alex!

Las Lomas Kindergarten Roundup

The Miami Unified School District is asking all residents with a child who will be 5 years old before September 1, 2009, to pre-register their child for the 2009-2010 school year. Kindergarten roundup will be held at Las Lomas Elementary School located at Maple & Ragus Rd. in Miami Monday-Thursday, June 8-18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please bring your child's Immunization Records, Certified Birth Cerificate and Social Security Number with you. Contact 928-425-3271 for more information.