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The 2011-2012 Phoenix Union school year begins Monday, August 8 for an estimated 25,000 students at 16 campuses. The start is a week later than previous years, and winter break will consist of two weeks after Christmas.
Improving instruction across the curriculum is the theme of the new year. The Cambridge International Curriculum will begin at Central, International Baccalaureate at Betty Fairfax and ACT Quality Core will be implemented in English and math at the other schools. The curricula not only fulfill state standards, but align with national common core standards, and are considered more rigorous and focused on college-readiness. Annual student performance progress will also be closely monitored through district-wide ACT-based testing in 9th grade, 10th grade and 11th grade.
Five schools will have new principals, 125 new teachers have been hired and the District will begin to pilot a new performance-based teacher and principal evaluation system.
Phoenix Union schools follow a traditional school calendar. There are 180 instructional days, with 90 days in each semester. Students have fall break, October 12-16, a two-week winter break beginning Friday, December 23, and spring break, March 12-16. Graduation Days are May 23-24.
Students not yet pre-registered may enroll at the schools or on-line at http://www.phoenixunion.org/experience. Students will need to provide a birth certificate and immunization records to complete the enrollment process.
All Phoenix Union schools, including magnet program schools, Metro Tech, Bioscience and Franklin Police and Fire afford open enrollment to anyone residing within the District. Students outside the District may enroll as space permits.
Freshman orientation programs are offered by campus. Visit the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association's calendar for Central High School's (servicing the Phoenix Central Neighborhood) schedule. New teacher induction is July 27-29, and teachers report Tuesday, August 2.
Source: Phoenix Union High School District
Two major changes will affect Osborn Schools next year:
1. Montecito Community School is Closed
After discussion and input from community and staff during two public hearings, the Governing Board voted to close Montecito School. This decision, while painful, addressed declining enrollment and declining dollars that created a budget deficit of $712,000. The decision had nothing to do with the caliber of the staff or programs at Montecito—it was strictly
financial. This change will require minimal disruption to other district schools because Montecito students will simply be transferred to Longview School.
Montecito teaching staff will be teaching at Longview and other district schools. Even with budget cuts, the district will maintain the current level of special area programs including Art, Music and Physical Education. We believe An Osborn Education must include these special areas taught by specialists in each field. The District will maintain a presence at Montecito and assure
that the community investment will be properly maintained at all times. We will consider possible leasing of the facility.
We have wonderful programs and facilities in the district—we simply need more children. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to consider enrolling in Osborn. This Reporter is filled will lots of reasons why that would be a wise choice.
2. Two-Hour Early Dismissal Every Wednesday
The state is releasing new Math and Language Arts Standards for the 2011-12 school year. Mastering these standards and working with fellow teachers to incorporate them into daily
lessons is a vital part of improving student achievement. As a result, the Governing Board has agreed to replace the current 45-minute Tuesday early dismissals with a two-hour early
dismissal every Wednesday afternoon for all students to allow for staff development and team planning for teachers. This longer released period weekly is consistent with and often
shorter than early dismissals of surrounding districts. Afters chool program options will be available for students who need it during the weekly early dismissal time.
Despite these changes and the resulting adjustments that will be required, we look forward to a successful year.
Wilma Basnett, PhD
Source: Osborn School District
Six Osborn teachers were honored by the
AZ Department of Education as “2010
Outstanding 21st Century Community
Learning Centers After School
Teachers”: Kindergarten Teacher Alicia
Pierson at Encanto teaches Cooking with
Math in which students learn about
volume and fractions while creating
delicious snacks; Ballet Instructor
Camden Lloyd at Clarendon teaches the
district’s A+ Ballet Program to 108 third
through eighth grade boys and girls;
Substitute Teacher Erin Johnston teaches
Tap Dance to students at Longview,
Sixth Grade Teacher Danielle McKay
teaches the Yearbook Club in which
Montecito students learn a new computer
program, photograph students, design the
layout, and produce the school’s
yearbook; Literacy/Math Intervention
Teacher Pat Beck teaches Culinary Arts
to Osborn Middle School students; First
Grade Teacher Hilary Rooze teaches a
program called Girls on the Run to
Solano students who learn about
nutrition and fitness while training to run
a 5 km race.
While Osborn’s after school classes have
academic and enrichment components to
assist students with school-day skills,
they are also fun and engaging. They are
supported through special partnerships,
grants, and tax credit donations.
Source: Osborn School District
Reform and accountability are the focus of national and state
efforts to improve education. Osborn is at the forefront through
a grant-funded partnership with Arizona State University.
Osborn is the first school district in Arizona to implement the
Teacher-Student Advancement Program (TAP) district-wide.
TAP has a track record of improving quality of instruction and
level of student achievement. Teachers are held accountable for
meeting TAP teaching, knowledge and responsibility standards
as well as academic growth of their students. Each teacher is
evaluated multiple times yearly by trained and certified
evaluators, including master and mentor teachers, the principal
and district office administrators. In addition, teachers
participate in rigorous professional development. Teachers will
receive Performance Pay based on their roles and
responsibilities, performance in the classroom, and student
achievement. This is a rigorous undertaking, but one that will
help Osborn School District reach our goal of increasing
student achievement.
Source: Osborn School District
Dear Neighbors,
Your Governing Board is pleased to report to you that the Osborn District achieved steady and consistent student achievement in all areas of the curriculum. In fact, documented indicators show that Osborn students outscore those in neighboring districts as well as charter schools located within our boundaries. Unfortunately our enrollment has continued to decline. This fact, by law, directly impacts the District's ability to maintain a level budget from year to year and, thus, its full complement of special programs and facilities. Accordingly, the Board, after numerous hearings, testimony and research was obligated to vote to close Montecito Community School last month. This was a very painful process and decision but we look forward to an improved economy and, indeed, there are visible signs in the District of a significant increase in permanent residents. As we approach a new
school year, please know that your Governing Board is fully committed to insuring an "Osborn Education" to each child enrolled here. This is not just a slogan, it is a promise of student excellence.
Dean Wolcott
Source: Osborn School District
Dear Neighbors,
Your Governing Board is pleased to report to you that the Osborn District achieved steady and consistent student achievement in all areas of the curriculum. In fact, documented indicators show that Osborn students outscore those in neighboring districts as well as charter schools located within our boundaries. Unfortunately our enrollment has continued to decline. This fact, by law, directly impacts the District's ability to maintain a level budget from year to year and, thus, its full complement of special programs and facilities. Accordingly, the Board, after numerous hearings, testimony and research was obligated to vote to close Montecito Community School last month. This was a very painful process and decision but we look forward to an improved economy and, indeed, there are visible signs in the District of a significant increase in permanent residents. As we approach a new
school year, please know that your Governing Board is fully committed to insuring an "Osborn Education" to each child enrolled here. This is not just a slogan, it is a promise of student excellence.
Dean Wolcott
Source: Osborn School District
Students and staff bid a fond farewell to
retiring Principal Maria O’Malley singing
Gloria Estefan’s Reach. Mrs. O’Malley has
enjoyed her four years as principal and
shared several special moments. She chose
this time to retire since Montecito students
will attend Longview school next year. She
plans to assist in her husband’s business. She
has worked in Osborn schools since 1990,
most recently teaching Dual Language
Kindergarten at Encanto prior to becoming
Montecito’s principal. While Montecito has
excellent achievement and beautiful
facilities, the School Board voted to close
Montecito due to low enrollment and budget
cuts. Montecito teachers will either move to
Longview or are planning to transfer to other
Osborn Schools. None are being let go.
Source: Osborn School District
There has been a strong push in Arizona to
grow charter schools as an alternative to
“traditional” public schools like Osborn.
Recent research indicates:
A comprehensive study of charters in 15
states (70% of US charter students) showed
that “only 17% of charter schools have growth
in math scores that exceeds that of their
traditional public school equivalent.”
Osborn has four schools labeled by
Arizona as “Performing Plus” and two labeled
“Performing” (all meet state standards). By the
same measure, three of the charters in our
district are labeled “Underperforming,”-- that
is they fail to meet state standards.
Choosing a high quality school is challenging,
and there are many aspects of a school to
consider, from the quality of teaching, student
achievement, academics, extracurricular
programs, location, and childcare. Osborn
Schools not only have high achievement; they
offer a wide variety of quality academic and
extracurricular programs for students, highly
qualified teachers, & after school care. Parents
make a wise decision when they choose an
“Osborn Education” for their children.
Source: Osborn School District
Thanks to the generosity of the John C
Lincoln Health Foundation, sixth grade
students took an educational fieldtrip to the
Grand Canyon. Teachers Kristi Wilhelms,
Carlos Ardon, Megan Corona, and Katie
Hughes organized the fieldtrip so that
students used Grand Canyon National Park
as an outdoor classroom to develop
awareness and skills related to
understanding the world. The field trip
provided opportunities for students to
restore, preserve, and protect the
environment. Students went to the Canyon
in two groups in April and May
participating in either the Discovery Pack
or the Life on the Edge program. Both
programs are curriculum-based, and
address specific Arizona academic
standards. There are several interdependent
ecosystems in the Grand Canyon, which
can be observed from afar standing near
the edge and up-close. Students also
learned about geology and the
history of the earth. Teacher Kristi
Wilhelms says, “I am so excited
every year when we watch these
students look over the edge and
soak in the grandeur of this
landmark. It really is life altering
for them!”
Students were selected based on
their academic effort over a three
month period. Students worked
together in small groups, helping
each other with the lessons in preparation
for the trip.
Source: Osborn School District
Los Compadres Mexican Food has partnered with the Osborn School
District to encourage students at Encanto, Clarendon, and Osborn
Middle School to improve their reading skills. They are offering a
free meal to the students demonstrating the greatest growth in reading
in each classroom during each trimester. The Valdivia family, who
have owned Los Compadres for more than 50 years, attended
Encanto and Clarendon and are determined to do something special
to make a difference in the schools and to benefit their community.
Source: Osborn School District
On September 1, 2011, Osborn School District will destroy special education records on students who have withdrawn, transferred or graduated and have been gone from the district for four or more years. Records will be destroyed according to the
State of Arizona Records Retention and Disposition Schedule, pursuant to A.R.S. 41-1351. Please call the District Office at 602-707-2014 before the above date if you wish to obtain any information in your student’s file.
Source: Osborn School District
As parents of public school children, you have the right to:
Request and receive information on the professional
qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher*
Receive timely notice from Osborn School District if
your child is taught by a teacher who is not “highly
qualified” for four of more consecutive weeks.
Request a transfer to another school in the Osborn
School District if your child’s school receives a label of
Underperforming on Oct. 15.
By law, Osborn School District must give priority to the lowest achieving
children from low-income families based on capacity at
the requested school. Please note that all Osborn district
schools have received labels of Performing Plus or
Performing. Osborn has no Underperforming schools.
* Please send a written request for the professional
qualifications of your child’s teacher by email to
wbasnett@osbornnet.org or by mail to:
Superintendent Dr. Wilma Basnett
Osborn School District
1226 West Osborn Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
Source: Osborn School District
Science Teacher Mariano Guerra, Math
Teacher Stephanie Saclarides and three
teams of 7th and 8th grade students attended
the Honeywell Aerospace Challenge, a
prestigious competition held at ASU West.
Teams of students designed, built, and
described a lunar base on the Moon with
specific requirements and limitations and
only $50 worth of building supplies. The
three teams met twice a week after school
to work collaboratively to meet project
goals and deadlines. Student Teams
included: Aaron Aquino Ramos, Matthew
Christopher, Samuel Hunter, Malek Islas,
Kenan Jakupovic, Kany Keita, Raheem
McFadden, Christopher Pirtle, Randy
Rivera, Dorian Stafford, Kijana Stafford,
Simon Tucker, and Michael Z. The
learning focus for the project centered on
science process skills and problem solving.
The students’ main focus was space
exploration and expansion of human
endeavors. The Aerospace Challenge
project was supported through a Teacher
Mini-Grant from the Osborn Educational
Foundation, a 501(c)(3) supporting
students and teachers at Osborn.
Source: Osborn School District
Thanks to Band Director Theresa Hulihan and Choir Director
Catherine Dolan, Osborn Middle School hosted the Spring Band
and Choir Night. The program featured Bands from Clarendon,
Solano, and Osborn Middle School with nearly 240 students
performing. Parents had the opportunity to hear two award
winning bands. The OMS Symphonic Band and Clarendon
Advanced Bands both competed in the Arizona Music Educators
Association (AZMEA) Pageant of Bands in May. The OMS
Symphonic Band received one of the highest ratings: “Excellent”
and Clarendon’s Advanced Band was awarded the highest
possible rating: "Superior" meaning that there were virtually no
flaws in any area. the OMS Symphonic Band played with soloists
Angel Garces, Jair Andrade, Dionne Brown, Elvira Garcia,
Taylor Segay, Luis Cantu, Brayan Montero, and Daniela Perez;
finally, the AZMEA Award-winning Clarendon Advanced Band
and OMS Symphonic Band closed with the Star Spangled
Banner (sung by soloist Debbie K.). The evening proved to be a
fantastic evening of musical talent.
Source: Osborn School District
Osborn Middle School’s A+ Honors Mathematics Program increases academic opportunities for students by accelerating their mathematics coursework. The program has grown from serving 50 students in 2006 to more than 150 this year: One out of four middle school students are in the Honors Mathematics Program, 137 of whom passed the Algebra or Geometry Qualifying Test earning high school credit for math. Strong preparation by Osborn’s elementary school teachers has many students ready to enter Algebra I (a ninth grade course) in seventh grade. As a result, the program expanded to include a tenth grade Geometry course for those students as eighth graders.
Accelerated completion of Algebra I offers students greater access to upper level mathematics courses in high school, which has been correlated with increased college graduation rates and greater opportunities for scholarships. Students are offered two paths: Algebra I as an eighth grader (one year accelerated) or Algebra I as a seventh grader (two years accelerated).
This fall, 37% of Osborn eighth grade students will go to high school having already completed one or two of the four required mathematics courses, giving them greater access to upper level mathematics electives. Four outstanding teachers: Shannon Green, Sarah Saiz, Kelly Doherty, and Eva Gomez, deliver the five sections of high school mathematics and three sections of Honors
Pre-Algebra which comprise the Honors Mathematics program.
Source: Osborn School District
