The Paloma Partner, October 2000

	The Paloma Partner
Volume II, Issue 3	Partners in Education	October 2000

Reflections Art Program

Are your children looking for a constructive way to express themselves? Do they get bored during Winter Break? Do you believe in the value of arts education?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the First Annual Paloma Reflections Art Program is for you! The theme for the 2000-2001 program is "It would be really strange if...".

Original, new pieces of artwork inspired by this theme will be judged by a panel of local artists. The winners will have their works submitted to the Arizona PTA judges and entries chosen to represent the state will compete for national recognition. Entries will be judged based on artistic merit, creativity, and interpretation of the theme.

Students may enter the program in one of two divisions, based on grade level, either Primary (preschool to 2^nd grade) or Intermediate (3^rd-5^th grade). All Paloma students are eligible to participate. PTA membership is not required. Students may submit their entries in any of the four arts areas: literature, musical composition, photography, or visual arts. The deadline for submission is January 12, 2001.

So pull out those paint brushes and sharpen those pencils. Let's see how creative Paloma Doves can be!

Save on Your Taxes,

Help Your School

Now is the time to make your tax credit donation to Paloma. If you file an Arizona state tax return, you may be eligible for a full dollar-for-dollar tax credit for the amount you donate, up to $200.

You do not need to have a child in the Kyrene District to qualify for this tax savings, so tell your friends, relatives, and co-workers about this great opportunity. The money goes directly to Paloma to help pay for extracurricular activities such as assemblies, field trips, library enrichment, technology support, and intramural sports and games.

Simply pick up a tax credit donation form at the school office and return it with your check. You'll receive a receipt for your records, great tax savings, and a good feeling you've done something important for all our kids.

Looking Ahead

It's time to start thinking about next year's PTA officers. By the terms of our by-laws, we need to form a 3-person Nominating Committee at our January meeting. We're looking for parents (Moms or Dads) who are enthusiastic about the PTA and don't mind asking others to step up to the challenge of leadership. If this sounds like you, please let us know. We urge you to get involved.

Fitness is Fun

The music played, the turkeys trotted, and the sun shown as our Paloma students enjoyed a beautiful day jogging around Mountain View Park at the annual Turkey Trot. Two costumed turkeys joined the Paloma Dove and Barry Rich, Paloma's P.E. teacher, to help the kids warm up before they took off on the one-mile course. Lots of parents were on hand to cheer the runners on and to share a picnic lunch back at school afterward. The PTA was pleased to supply the oranges, water cups, and gift certificates which helped make Turkey Trot 2000 a great success.

Boutique Was a Blast

More than 20 crafters enjoyed a steady stream of shoppers at the PTA's Holiday Boutique last month. Kids made bead and popsicle stick crafts, got ID pictures taken, and talked to Santa while the grown ups shopped. Crafters reported lots of kids getting into the holiday shopping spirit, too! Gift wrapping services and great food made the day complete.

Many thanks to our Boutique Chair, Sherry Urias, and her team of dedicated volunteers, including Jackie Branaman, Sylvia Hill, Lynn Herr, Bill Mosier, and Girl Scout Troop 1847 for a great event. And thanks, Santa, for stopping by!

No More Fry's Receipts Please

Fry's has changed its method of tracking donations to local public schools. Instead of collecting receipts, you should link your VIP card to the Paloma account using the Cool Ca$h card sent home at the beginning of the school year. Then, every time you use the VIP card, your purchase will be credited to Paloma. Although we can no longer accept Fry's receipts, Basha's receipts are still needed. Thanks for supporting your school while you shop!

Your PTA Executive Board wishes all Paloma Doves happy and safe holidays!

November Meeting Notes

After hearing committee reports, we learned that Terrina Storm has volunteered to chair the Carnival this year. Lt. Joe Brugman of the Chandler Police Department spoke to us about D.A.R.E. funding issues. Although the district is not funding the program this year, the police department chose to continue paying for the officers needed by the Chandler Kyrene schools. Next year's funding, however, is uncertain. The AZ tax credit donation program was explained and forms were distributed. The meeting closed with a few announcements and was followed by an informative presentation on community safety issues by Officer Dave Kobler.

January 17^th PTA Agenda

There is no PTA meeting in December.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the library.

Agenda items include:

Creation of Nominating Committee
Reflections Art Program
Collaborative Team Report

Our special program following the meeting will feature Mrs. Schliesman, our Literacy Specialist, who will teach parents how to take an active role helping their children improve their reading skills.

Community Safety

Do you feel safe in your neighborhood? According to Chandler Police Officer Dave Kobler, you should. Beat 2 of West Chandler, which extends from Kyrene to Galaxy and from Ray to Pecos, is one of the safest in the metro area. For all of 1999, our 2-square mile beat saw only 21 major personal crimes and 85 major property crimes.

What can you do to reduce your chances of becoming a crime statistic? Keep your garage door closed! The police department estimates that up to 30% of burglaries could be eliminated by this simple act. Another tip is to schedule a free home security survey with the department's Crime Prevention Unit (782-4521). This 30-minute review of your property will help keep your family and belongings safer.

You and your neighbors can also increase your safety by becoming involved in the Block Watch program. Call the Crime Prevention Unit to find out the contact person on your block or to start a new program. And don't forget to register your bikes with the police department! It's required by city ordinance and insures you'll get the bike back if it is stolen and recovered.

In addition, the crime prevention unit offers numerous free programs and videos on topics such as gang activity, latch key kids, self protection for women, and stranger danger. Just give them a call and a friendly officer will come out to talk to your club, civic organization, or even a group of concerned friends.

Remember to use 911 for emergencies only. For non-emergency police information, call 782-4000. To report any unusual activities on your block, call 782-4130. Stay safe, Paloma Doves!

Scooter Safety

(courtesy of National PTA Magazine)

Is a scooter on your child's holiday wish list? If so, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign cautions parents about some of the hazards, and offers ways to keep kids safe, when riding a scooter. Children ages 14 and under accounted for 90% of the 9,400 scooter-related injuries from Jan. to Aug. 2000. Of those, nearly a third were children under age 8. Most injuries came when a rider fell from the scooter, with almost 30% resulting in a fracture or dislocation, often to the rider's hand or arm.

The Campaign recommends children always wear a helmet, wrist guards, and elbow and kneepads when riding a scooter. Children ages 8 and under should not use scooters without close adult supervision. Make sure the scooter is in good repair with no loose parts or sharp edges. Scooters should be used only on smooth, paved surfaces and never at night. They should be used by only one person at a time.

Scooters are sleek and speedy. Encourage your kids to follow these safety tips and use common sense while riding so they stay safe this holiday season.

Legislative Corner

I want to thank everyone for their hard work over the last 6 months. You did it!! With the passage of Proposition 301, we will now be looking forward to a long-term solution that provides needed funds for education in Arizona. Below is an outline of what Proposition 301 will accomplish.

According to the League of Women Voters, the increase in state sales tax from 5% to 5.6% is anticipated to raise $445M annually. The funds will be used as follows:

$70M for debt service on revenue bonds to correct existing deficiencies in school facilities (Students First Program);

$7.8M for improved school safety through the Safe Schools Program;

$200,000 in matching grants for character education programs;

$7M to the Dept. of Education to track students and assist failing schools;

$1.5M to the Failing Schools Tutoring Fund; and

$264M to a Classroom Site Fund with 20% going for teacher base salary increases, 40% for teacher performance-based compensation, and 40% for classroom enhancements (i.e. class size reduction, additional teachers or aides, AIMS remediation, reducing dropout rates, teacher training, or additional teacher salary increases).

In addition, Proposition 301:

Adds one additional school day each year for the next five years;
Adjusts the basic state education aid formula to account for 2% inflation in each of the next 5 years;
Ends the exemption for excess utility costs for school districts at the end of the 2008-2009 school year;

Prevents the legislature from shifting these costs to local homeowners; and

Provides for a state income tax credit for low income families to offset the sales tax increase.

What does this mean for us personally? We currently know that the Kyrene District should get about $1M for teacher base salary increases, $2.1M for teacher performance pay increases (no decision made yet on how this will be determined in our district), and another $2.1M for the classroom improvement fund. We do not yet have information on the amount specifically available to Paloma, but will keep you posted as more details become known.

Parent Superintendent Council

At the November meeting, the election of Robert Briscoe and Slade Mead to the Governing Board was announced, with the write-in candidate results still pending. The passage of Proposition 301 was applauded and some figures were discussed (see our Legislative Corner for details). It was noted that while Kyrene does not have bi-lingual education, the approval of Proposition 203, eliminating bi-lingual education in Arizona, may require changes to our ESL program.

The Council learned of the meeting dates set for the new Budget Advisory Committee, which will consist of about 35 parents, teachers, and administrators. Open forums to solicit public input will be scheduled for Feb. 7^th and 8^th. The district will soon formulate a plan to implement Senate Bill 1559, the "Threat Law." Due to the strict consequences imposed by this law on individuals who threaten or endanger students and teachers at school, the plan will include ways to educate parents, report incidents to the police, and promote consistent enforcement.

In response to the Attorney General's ruling that Early Kindergarten students do not qualify for state funding, the district is asking parents to designate their children as either Early K or Kindergarten students. The Kindergarten-tracked students will remain in the same classrooms but be taught an enhanced curriculum to prepare them for 1^st grade in the fall, and the state would provide money for them. The remaining Early K students will be funded from a district contingency fund.

Kristy Miller and Laura Rook, members of the Curriculum and Professional Development staff, closed the meeting with a description of the district's literacy program. All elementary schools currently have ½-time literacy specialists who offer training to teachers and parents, model best practices, and perform student assessments. Language Arts mentors serve the middle schools in a similar role. The speakers have developed a new "Writing Handbook for Families" which will soon be distributed district-wide. The handbook describes the 6-trait writing model taught beginning in 3^rd grade and encourages parents to help their children learn the writing skills necessary to succeed in today's world.

Silent Auction Donations

Our Donations Committee is busy putting together enticing packages for the spring Silent Auction, and they need your help. Would you or your business be able to donate a gift certificate for goods or services that other Paloma families might enjoy? Do you have personal contacts with employees of hotels, restaurants, or other local merchants who might be able to offer items to fill out our packages? If so, please contact Martha Garner at 940-8227. Thanks!

Garage Sale Items

When the holidays are over and you're cleaning out those closets, remember to save your garage sale donations. All donations are tax deductible and the proceeds from the garage sale will help fulfill Paloma's teachers' wish list.