Congratulations to the 2022-23 Exceptional Service Award winners! The Exceptional Service Award is the district’s highest honor for classified staff members.

• Mathew Arockiaraj – Bus Driver – Transportation – 6 Years
• Juan Cabral – Groundskeeper – Support Services – 15 Years
• Michael Hall – School Guest Teacher – Laveen Elementary – 5 Years
• Sheila Hall – Behavior Monitor – Desert Meadows – 8 Years
• Tammy Heydari – School Guest Teacher – Vista – 4 Years
• Virgilio Ignalig – Instructional Associate – Rogers Ranch – 3 years
• Shari Reed – Health Associate – Paseo Pointe – 6 years
• Andrea Sanchez – Cafeteria Manager – Child Nutrition/Paseo Pointe – 16 Years
• Jennifer Schneider – Library Associate – Estrella Foothills – 7 Years
• Cynthia Sanchez – Bookkeeper – Business Office – 16 Years
• Maria Sida – Custodian – Cheatham – 18 Years
• Cynthia Soltero – Behavior Monitor – M.C. Cash – 8 Years
• Elizabeth Sotelo-Jimenez -Human Resources Technician – Human Resources – 16 Years
• Cory Tait – Maintenance Technician – Support Service – 15 Years
• Ashley Thirdgill – Student Success Associate – Trailside Point – 7 Years

These individuals display the following attributes:

• Strong attendance and dependability
• High quality and quantity of work
• Excel at working harmoniously with others
• Expert in their job responsibilities
• Regularly show initiative and creatively solve problems
• Provide excellent customer service

Their commitment to our students, staff and community is greatly appreciated.

Estrella Foothills Global Academy has received authorization to become an International Baccalaureate World School for the Middle Years Programme.

IB World Schools are part of a global community of schools committed to developing knowledgeable, caring young people who will be ready to negotiate their futures successfully and make contributions resulting in a more harmonious and peaceful world.

“We commend your school’s educators, administrators, students, and families for their active roles in choosing to offer the Middle Years Programme. The positive results of this choice will become evident in your community as classes of MYP students graduate and undertake activities that enhance social, cultural, and economic environments locally, nationally, and, perhaps, internationally,” wrote Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of International Baccalaureate in his letter to the school.

EFGA has been an IB Candidate School for the last few years while it sought full authorization. IB team members conducted their verification visit to the school in October which was the final step of the authorization process.

Learn more about the Middle Years Programme at EFGA.

The Laveen Elementary School District celebrated the opening of its Early Childhood Center at Desert Meadows School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tour, and reception on Wednesday, October 19 at 4:30 p.m.

This is the district’s first stand-alone building dedicated to preschool-aged children. Constructed adjacent to the Desert Meadows School campus, the center includes four preschool classrooms, a reception area, a conference room, and administrative offices that house the District’s Kids Club and Preschool staff.

The building houses both the district’s developmental preschool for children with special needs as well as the academic general education preschool.

Designed by BWS Architects and constructed by Chasse Building Team, the large classrooms provide ample space for reading, dramatic play, and craft centers as well as naptime and circle-time. High windows allow for natural light while automatic shades prepare the room for napping at the touch of a button. Dimmers allow teachers to adjust lighting for instructional needs. Each classroom has its own interactive Promethean board, sink, water fountain, and bathroom with pint-sized fixtures and Dutch doors. Brightly colored non-skid flooring and modern cabinetry add to the functional space.

All classrooms exit to the playground in which learning tools have been incorporated into the play structures. The administrative area is comprised of a secure reception area, large conference room, offices for dedicated staff, and storage. The exterior is comprised of glass, metal, and concrete wood-look materials that create a bright and inviting space for families. An outside seating area and desert landscaping allow for informal gathering.

The building is energy efficient with LED lighting inside and out, highly-rated windows, and the latest in energy management controls.

The grand opening celebration will begin with remarks from district officials and its construction partners followed by an official ribbon-cutting which will include current preschoolers. Visitors will then tour the building. A reception of lemonade and cookies will conclude the event on the playground.

The cost of the building was $3,962,668 and was funded entirely through bond proceeds approved by Laveen voters in 2015.

Desert Meadows is located at 6855 W. Meadows Loop East.

The stretch of 38th Avenue, between Wier Ave. and Roeser Rd., will be renamed “Sandomir Way” in honor of the late M.C. Cash School Principal, Lisa Sandomir. 

The Phoenix City Council approved the Laveen School District’s request to rename the street at their October 12, 2022 meeting. The request was previously reviewed by the Laveen Village Planning Committee.

Lisa Sandomir passed away October 27, 2021 after sustaining injuries in a car accident the day before. Sandomir was the principal of M.C. Cash Elementary for 15 years and had a tremendous impact on the M.C. Cash neighborhood and community. Thousands of local residents were educated under her and she saw multiple generations of families go through her school.

Under Sandomir’s leadership, M.C. Cash School adopted the Kid at Hope framework—a belief system that all children can succeed when they have anchor adults in their lives. She ensured that every M.C. Cash staff member would serve as that anchor adult if a child didn’t have one at home. This belief system drives every aspect of M.C. Cash’s operations which resulted in the school being recognized as an A+ School of Excellence.

Her work did not go unnoticed in the community that she served. She was routinely recognized by the Playa Margarita Park community organization and she received their Community Service Award in 2019.

M.C. Cash School faces this street and is the only property that is affected by the name change.