Snapshots

February 2009

Superintendent’s Remarks

Dr. Kriekard discussed budget reduction issues with the membership.  A letter was sent to sites Friday, February 13 for distribution to students.  The letter outlines the cuts to our budget by Tier 1 and Tier 2 designations.  Tier 1 cuts are already being put into place and account for $17 million.  Tier 2 cuts will be dependent on the state budget and how that affects education. The Tier 2 cuts account for nearly $33 million, which is a current estimate of cuts possible based on a document released by the legislative leadership.  The full letter with detailed listings of cuts can be accessed on the home page of the district website.  Dr. Kriekard answered questions from the audience.  Due to time, members who still had questions were asked to write them down and Julie Bacon will facilitate them being answered by district officials.  Dr. Kriekard stated education of students will continue to be the focus of the district despite the difficulties being faced.

Business Meeting Notes:

• UPC will donate $200 to Project Grad at the high schools, an increase of $100.00 for this school year.
• UPC and CLN are co-sponsoring a Capitol Field Trip for parents to become familiar with legislative issues and the Capitol complex.  All parents are invited to attend.  RSVP to upcmail@hotmail.com
• Teacher appreciation nominations are currently being accepted and the deadline for submission is March 6.  Nomination forms can be found on the UPC website at www.pvupc.org and can be returned via email to upcmail@hotmail.com or via regular mail to UPC c/o CRC 15002 N. 32^nd St. Phoenix, AZ 85032.
• Judges are needed for the Academic Decathlon on March 6 & 7.  If interested contact Judi Willis. 
• REACH judges needed: UPC has to fill 51 judging spots for this event. The REACH event will showcase technology projects submitted from our students and teachers. The judging will take place 3-20 to 3-30 and can be done from home via the Internet.  All judges will be invited to the awards ceremony on April 28 at Paradise Valley High School.  If interested in being a judge for this event send your name, email address, phone number, school(s) and grade levels of your student(s) to Julie Bacon.
  
• Students, teachers, administrators and community members are making bowls for the Empty Bowls event sponsored by the Fine Arts Department of PVUSD.  Bowls will be available for purchase on March 5 before the Governing Board meeting.  A simple supper of soup and bread will be served to those purchasing bowls.  All proceeds from the event will benefit the Paradise Valley Emergency Food Bank, which provides food to the needy of our district.  All are invited to attend and purchase a bowl to benefit PVEFB. 

Program:   If You Have Ever Met a Child with Asperger’s

Carolyn Warden of the Asperger Parent Network presented information on Asperger’s Syndrome.  Diagnostic information, characteristics of the syndrome, presentation of characteristics, and impact on classroom/learning were offered.  Ms Warden can be reached at 480-759-6329 and the network website is www.apn.150m.com.