Each year, one teacher from each school is recognized with Laveen’s Excellence in Education Award. This award honors individuals who exemplify quality teaching and professionalism. The following teachers received this award for their performance in 2023-2024 and were recognized at the September Governing Board meeting.

• Luke Smith, Laveen Elementary School
• Isys Leon, Paseo Pointe School
• Grace Livingston, M.C. Cash Elementary School
• Deborah Vazquez, Estrella Foothills Global Academy
• Shannon Haley, Trailside Point School
• Dallen Bjerkness, Rogers Ranch School
• Irving Barraza, Desert Meadows School
• Briana Wright, Vista Del Sur Accelerated Academy
• Jenna Getz, Cheatham Elementary School

Laveen’s Kids Club is now enrolling for Fall Break Camp. Camp is open to children in Grades preschool-6 and will be held Oct.7-11 at Desert Meadows School. Visit our Day Camp page for details and to register.

Cheatham Elementary, Desert Meadows School and Paseo Pointe Dual Language Academy were all three named America’s Healthiest Schools 2024.

Annual award recognizes schools for dedication to student, staff, and family health 

Alliance for a Healthier Generation has named 3 of Laveen’s Schools as one of America’s Healthiest Schools for 2024. This annual recognition honors schools for implementing best practices to support the health of students, staff, and families. Eight hundred and seventy-nine schools across 30 states were awarded this year.

America’s Healthiest Schools are recognized in up to nine categories.

Desert Meadows was recognized for:

• Increasing Family & Community Engagement, presented by Kohl’s
• Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented by Kaiser Permanente 
• Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented by Kaiser Permanente
• Supporting School Health Service

Cheatham Elementary was recognized for:

• Improving Nutrition & Food Access, presented by Del Monte Foods
• Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented by Kaiser Permanente 
• Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented by Kaiser Permanente
• Supporting School Health Services

Paseo Pointe Dual Language Academy was recognized for:

• Supporting School Health Services

Desert Meadows and Cheatham will be attending the Healthiest School summit in Little Rock, Arkansas this month to receive their awards for achieving four or more of the nine categories.

The Laveen School District will be implementing a change to the district calendar beginning next school year (2024/25) that will impact the Wednesday half-day schedules.

Currently, we have 15 half days each year in which our staff receives professional development following dismissal. We also have four half days for parent/teacher conferences.

Next year, instead of the 15 half days in which our schools dismiss three hours early, we will dismiss an hour and a half early every Wednesday (36 days).  Half-day schedules on parent/teacher conference days as well as the last day of school will remain unchanged.

The reason for this change is twofold.

First, early-release Wednesdays allow for more instructional time in core subject areas. Students will follow a schedule similar to a full school day. This change will make the calendar more consistent for families.

Second, Laveen is in the process of implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for staff. By offering this time weekly, instead of once or twice a month, staff will receive more quality research-based training that is conducive to developing a strong Professional Learning Community and will ultimately improve student learning.

For more information, visit our FAQ on this topic.

Read the letter from Superintendent Dr. Jeff Sprout.