From the Desk of Superintendent Joe Quintana

At the beginning of the school year we made a commitment to be “All In” to increase student academic performance in our District. As most of you know, on Nov. 3 the Arizona Department of Education announced the new student performance assessment for the state.  The American Institutes for Research (AIR) was selected and will deliver Arizona’s Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform Teaching (AzMERIT). 

In addition, the state elected a new Superintendent of Public Instruction. She is known for not supporting the Common Core movement, leaving many to wonder what is going to happen.

We cannot and should not allow the recent developments to distract us from the work we are doing to close the gaps in learning some of our students are experiencing. The selection of the new assessment tool, election results or other issues or events cannot detract from the work we do to increase student learning.  We cannot take our eye off the ball.  Most of these issues are beyond our control; therefore, we need to devote our time and energy to those things within our control.

On another note, I wish to thank everyone for all of your dedication and hard work on behalf of our students. Know that the work you do changes lives. As families gather next week to celebrate Thanksgiving, many of them will give thanks for your work. I know I will. Happy Thanksgiving.

Ahhhhhhchooooooooo! Free flu shots available at Craft / Gift Fair

In conjunction with the District’s Wellness and Benefits programs, Walgreens will be offering free flu shots at the District’s inaugural Craft / Gift Fair, Wednesday, Nov. 19 in the Don Mensendick cafeteria. The fair runs from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

The shots are free to employees with GESD-provided insurance, but you must show your insurance card. In addition, the shots will be free to the first 75 employees NOT covered by GESD insurance courtesy of Walgreens. After those 75 shots are given, shots will cost $25 and will be billed to your insurance carrier. The clinic is open to family members and the public, and the same fee applies.

United Way deadline this Friday

Don’t forget to hand in your United Way contribution form to your site coordinator by this Friday, Nov. 21.

If you wish to take advantage of the tax credits offered through United Way you will have to make your contribution before Dec. 31. Payroll deduction for United Way will begin Jan. 1 and will run through June 30. Your contribution will be paid out over the course of 13 pay checks.

Bird call: donate turkeys for GESD families

The Second Annual Turkey Drive is underway.

Driven by the good people in transportation (see what we did there?) you can pledge to donate a frozen turkey by calling Doris Bean at 6264, or Aimee Bush at 6261. Turkeys need to be delivered to the Support Center on or before Friday, Nov. 21. Last year more than 120 GESD families benefitted from turkey donations.

A new Lee record . . .

We broke our record again.

GESD raised just shy of $6,000 for breast cancer research on Lee Denim Day. Desert Garden scored the Lee Denim Day hat trick: they were the winners of the most dollars raised, highest participation and most pink campus awards. The school — its employees, students, parents and community— raised more than $900 for breast cancer research. Desert Garden will be honored at an upcoming Governing Board meeting.