ASU honors American for TAP leadership

Glendale American is the winner of the Impact Award for TAP Implementation from ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teacher’s College.

The award recognizes the work of American teachers and staff for the significant increase and improvement in the functioning of the school as a result of the implementation of the TAP (Teacher Assistance Program) System for Teacher and Student Advancement.

“This is a wonderful recognition of the excellent work our teachers have put in for the last three years,” said Principal Kellie Duguid. “TAP has changed the way we do business at Glendale American. Over the past four years our school has gone from a school of individuals working independently of each other to a school of system thinkers and working as a whole for the benefit of our students.”

American began to implement TAP four years ago. In that time the school has consistently demonstrated growth in a variety of surveys that measure teacher satisfaction and growth, as well as its teacher effectiveness scores.

“The biggest changes we have seen is in our teachers working as a team and taking ownership of their teacher effectiveness,” Duguid said. “Our teachers challenge our school leadership team to continue to improve our instruction and ultimately assist our teachers to continue to improve.”

Through its participation in TAP, now in its fourth year, American teachers are offered multiple career paths, ongoing professional growth, instructionally focused accountability and performance-based compensation. The comprehensive implementation of TAP is proven to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement. At American, it is paying dividends. Teacher cluster groups analyze student achievement data as they work to implement and evaluate teaching strategies that target specific student needs. The collaborative time each week has brought grade-level teams, as well as the whole school, together to grow, share ideas and apply what they learn in the cluster groups into the classroom.

This is the second time American is being recognized for its work with TAP. In 2011, American was recognized as a TAP School of Promise at the National TAP Conference.

American is one of 60 schools across the Valley of the Sun participating in TAP. As an average, school-wide growth scores have increased 10 percent for the first three years of the grant. Seventy-five percent of all teachers were considered effective teachers based on their evaluation scores through the TAP System.

District Office employees rally for kids

Looking for a way to help students academically, and to connect with them personally, GESD central office personnel have formed the Rally Cap Club. Find out more here.

4 GESD schools honored by Beat the Odds

Bicentennial South, Discovery, Melvin E. Sine and Sunset Vista were awarded bronze medals for the academic performance of their students from the Beat the Odds Institute.

Beat the Odds — which is based on methods developed by best-selling author Jim Collins — is a rigorous, multi-year school improvement program which provides mentoring and training for principals. It focuses on K-12 schools where at least 50 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and where at least 50 percent of the students are minority, primarily Latino.

“Our award winners demonstrate that demography is not destiny,” said Marjorie Kaplan, executive director of Beat the Odds Institute. “They have overcome obstacles and improved academic performance through their commitment to our Six Keys to Success.”

Based upon research, the six keys are: a strong and steady principal, a clear bottom line, ongoing assessment, collaborative solutions, a program built on individual student needs and a commitment to stick with the program.

Free Tax preparation available for qualified GESD employees

The VITA group (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) will be at the District Office computer lab (room 19) Feb. 5 through April 9 providing FREE income tax assistance and filing. Volunteers will be on hand from 4p.m. -7 p.m. each Wednesday. If you are an employee or know someone who makes less than $52,000, VITA will assist you with your taxes. 

Items You Need to Bring


To have your tax return(s) prepared at a VITA site, you need to bring the following information with you:

‪Proof of identification – Picture ID

‪Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration or

‪Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for you, your spouse and dependents

‪Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN

‪Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return

‪Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers

‪Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

‪A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available

‪Proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check

‪Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number) if appropriate

‪To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

It is extremely important that each person use the correct Social Security Number. The most accurate information is usually located on your original Social Security card. If you do not have an Social Security number for you or a dependent, you should complete Form SS-5, Social Security Number Application. This form should be submitted to the nearest Social Security Administration Office.

GCU offering evening cohorts, tuition discounts

Thinking about how you would like to grow your career in the new year? Whether you are thinking about continuing education credits, becoming a reading specialist, adding a special education endorsement, or seeking to become the next principal or administrator, Grand Canyon University offers a variety of programs, as well as tuition discounts for GESD employees. Go here for more information.

MOM visits March 3-7

The district will host the Mobile On-Site Mammography (MOM) unit March 3-7.

The MOM bus will travel to 10 different sites around the district.  To schedule an appointment, please call 480-967-3767 or 1-800-285-0272. The average time to get your  mammogram is 15-30 minutes. These screenings are open to all spouses, friends and family. Times and locations will be posted at a later date.

Early detention saves lives. Annual mammograms are recommended for anyone over the age of 40. Most major insurance carriers are accepted with non-insured patients paying $167. You will receive a full field digital mammography and CAD computerized reading. Patients under the age of 30 must provide a doctor’s referral.