Perimeter Security for Students, Staff and Facilities

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It is with a great deal of excitement and a deep sense of responsibility for the safety of our students that the District is pleased to announce that it will be providing additional security measures for our students, staff and facilities at the Sacaton Elementary School District #18. A secure iron fence will be installed around the school district perimeter. It will be approximately eight foot high and will go completely around the school district. There will be brick columns to add strength and eye appeal. By securing the perimeters of the district, we will be able to provide additional assurances that students, staff and our facilities will be safe.

Individual access to our schools and our students and staff will be through the building offices at the district, elementary and middle school. Employees will use a Frequency Operated Button (FOB) to open gates and/or doors for access inside the fenced perimeter to enter their respective school. All visitor entries will be marked with appropriate signage to direct individual traffic through office doors or other entries. Buses will drop off elementary students behind the perimeter fence though the automated gates. Middle School students will be dropped off in front of school to enter through the gated portals.

The District has been planning this project for over a year. It is imperative that we protect our students and give parents the peace of mind knowing their children will have an additional perimeter of safety. 

Below are several architectural renderings of the project. 

As we complete the final details of the project, we would like to ask our stakeholders (students, staff, parents, and community members) to complete a quick survey regarding the color of the iron fence. Below is a survey link we encourage you to open to take the “Sacaton Schools Security Fence Color Options. Please click on the link or use the QR code to begin taking the survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L7N6KX2

The “Sacaton School Security Fence Color Option” survey will close at noon on August 9, 2024.

BE BRAVE & BE PRESENT

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to highlight a critical component of academic success: consistent school attendance. At Sacaton Elementary School District #18, we understand that every day of school is a valuable opportunity for learning, growth, and development. We are committed to ensuring that every student benefits from the full range of educational experiences we offer. This is our “Mission Possible” here at Sacaton. We want you to know that your student’s attendance matters.

Why Attendance Matters:

**1. Impact on Academic Achievement: Regular attendance is crucial for academic success. Each day of instruction builds upon the previous day, and missing school means missing out on important lessons and activities. Studies consistently show that students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform better academically, achieve higher test scores, and graduate on time.

**2. Social and Emotional Development: School is not just about academics; it's also a place where students develop social skills, build relationships, and learn to navigate social situations. Frequent absences can impede social development, making it challenging for students to connect with their peers and engage fully in group activities.

**3. Long-Term Effects: Chronic absenteeism can have lasting consequences. Students who miss school frequently are at greater risk of falling behind academically, which can affect their future educational opportunities and career prospects. Establishing good attendance habits early on helps set the foundation for future success in higher education and beyond.

To support our commitment to improving attendance and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed, we are excited to re-introduce our district-wide initiative: "Must Be Present To Win."

"Must Be Present to Win" Initiative:

Our "Must Be Present To Win" initiative is designed to emphasize the importance of consistent school attendance and to celebrate the efforts of students who demonstrate dedication to their education. Here’s how the initiative works:

• Recognition and Rewards: Students with excellent attendance will be recognized throughout the year. This can include special certificates, incentives, and participation in exclusive events designed to celebrate their engagement.

• Support for Families: We understand that there may be challenges that affect attendance. Our initiative includes providing resources and support to families to help overcome barriers to regular attendance. We are here to work with you to ensure that every student can make the most of their time at school.

• Community Engagement: We will be hosting workshops and informational sessions to further educate families on the impact of attendance and to offer strategies for improving and maintaining regular school attendance.

We encourage you to join us in supporting this initiative by prioritizing school attendance and working together to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive. Your support makes a significant difference in your child’s educational journey and future success.

Thank you for your commitment to making this school year a successful and enriching experience for all our students. Let’s make every school day count!

Popcorn Extravaganza: Be Brave Be Positive

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Tomorrow at 4:00 PM is our Community/Family Popcorn Extravaganza. Once again, the Popcorn Extravaganza is tomorrow, March 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM in the Middle School Gymnasium. It will include Video and slide presentations of school life. The Cheerleaders will be welcoming everyone in support of this family festivity. Please join us and grab some popcorn at the door while we present what we love about our school. See you at the EXTRAVAGANZA!

MISSION POSSIBLE: BE A BRAVE BOOSTER

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski    

This Thursday, March 28 at 9:00 AM we will host our third Must Be Present To Win assembly. As you know these assemblies are a time for celebration and recognition. We have asked our community members, teachers and supporters to help us in this process by being BRAVE BOOSTERS! 

Sacaton Elementary School District wants students and parents to know that good things can happen to those who participate and engage in learning. Building trust is key in this process. Even more so, being present in mind and body are keys to learning engagement. This initiative compliments our School Mission to "engage students to take ownership of their learning, embrace the culture, and contribute to the world around them."

At the assembly on March 28 we will be making a big transition in our celebration. We will continue to celebrate those students that have engaged in the learning process, but we will introduce a new challenge. This challenge will be our MISSION POSSIBLE. If they choose to accept this MISSION, it will be the ultimate challenge to BE BRAVE!  All of Sacaton School's stated matras will be called upon for this challenge: HCA, Cross the Line, Engage - Embrace and Contribute, and Must Be Present To Win. At the assembly our students will receive their MISSION assignment as a "Hero in training." Heroware will be distributed. We will also be recognizing our BRAVE BOOSTERS (its not too late to become one, see below). If you are or become a BRAVE BOOSTER, you too will receive Heroware. This heroware will don the blue diamond symbol above with letters on the back indicating your hero status.

As you may know from comic legend hero, Superman, that the iconic "S" on Superman's chest is actually the Kyptonian symbol of HOPE! Krypton was Superman's home planet. It doesn't stand for Superman. It is a symbol of hope that sets the expectation of action and behavior. This is exactly what we are doing at our assemblies. We are taking the best of Hollywood in MISSION POSSIBLE and "lighting a fuse" that challenges our students, staff and community "to be our very best!" We are using the crest worn by an iconic Superhero to connect with actions of expectation with the HOPE that we will make a difference in this world. We are CONNECTING with kids and providing a brand of expectation.

Please join us in supporting our students. If you would like to be a BRAVE BOOSTER bring a incentive "engagement" donation. We do not want money but are seeking “new” items that students would find appealing (bikes, toys, watches, headphones, games, Lego sets, book sets, ball caps, baseball/basketball/football uniforms, etc.). We cannot use candy or food items. We will use your item at this coming assembly if it is received before the end of the day on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: If you would like to make a difference and donate an “engagement” incentive(s), please drop off all item(s) at the District Office. Administrative Assistant Sue Seider will register the item, approximate value, and name of the person/business donating it and add their name to a list of BRAVE BOOSTERS. A list of Brave Boosters will be added to the website to track and honor those who donate engagement incentives. The incentives will be distributed at our Must Be Present To Win Assemblies. The list of BRAVE BOOSTERS will also be acknowledged at our assemblies and other school functions.

Getting students to engage and take ownership of their learning, embrace their culture, and contribute to the world around them is our mission at Sacaton. It truly is MISSION POSSIBLE!

Be a part of the BRAVE BOOSTERS! Find out how you can make a difference in the lives of our youth.

Safety Response Preparation and Training

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

More than 350,000 people will suffer a cardiac arrest this year. Response time is of the essence in order to safe their life. At Sacaton Schools, the entire staff,  is receiving training and certification in CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). The District takes the safety and welfare of its students and staff seriously. Providing a healthy and safe environment for teaching and learning is a goal in our Strategic Plan.

All staff are being trained to provide CPR and use an AED to potentially save the life of someone in need. 

The District is not only providing this needed training, but has purchased 15 AEDs that are distributed throughout the District in common areas. 

When looking for an AED at Sacaton Schools, just look for the a sign like the one shown. You can find AED's in the following locations and buildings:

BUILDING	ROOM
Transportation	Breakroom South wall
Elementary	Lobby West Wall
Elementary	Library SW wall
Elementary	Cafeteria NE wall
Elementary	Gym Stage
Elementary	21 century BLG kitchen
Elementary	Room 44
District Office	Receptionist
Community Technology Center	Hallway
Middle School	M2/Professional Development
Middle School	Cafeteria
Middle School	Library
Middle School	Gym/Stage
Middle School	Weight Room
Middle School	Room B-5

Big Time with Big Red and the Arizona Cardinals

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Oh what a day! At noon, the Arizona Cardinals teamed up with the Gila River Casinos to bring this fantastic event and opportunity to the 4th and 5th graders. It was a Mini Event Camp with the mascot of the Cardinals, BIG RED, player Daniel Arias and several of the Cardinal Cheerlers putting on the camp. Middle School Principal, Don Shopp said that he wished all of the staff and students would have had the opportunity, but even though we hosted the venue, the Cardinal's outlined grades that would be able to participate. Both Middle School Principal Shopp and Elementary Principal Celis did a great job making this happen for the students. The kids loved the opportunity. 

Being a CHIEFS fan, I asked Daniel Arias who he thought would win the AFC Title Game this coming Sunday. He said that he spent time with the Chief's organization and that he is hoping they will win. After that comment, I think I am on way to becoming a Cardinal Fan as well.

Bringing this type of hype to our students is not all play. Its not just for fun. It does tremendous things for our kids self-efficacy; in that it increases students belief in their ability to succeed and achieve goals. Self-efficacy is important because it influences motivation, behavior and emotions. This type of connection is vital in the learning and growing process. 

Thank you Arizona Cardinals and Gila River Casinos. 

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

Middle School Gymnasium Is Ready for Students

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Middle School Gymnasium got a makeover this last summer and early fall replacing the tiled gym floor with a new wood floor. It is the same materials used at the professional basketball level to enhance performance and give our athletes every opportunity to excel. The floor carries the school logo and is trimmed in blue and white. 

The Floor got its first test this last week with the Middle School Basketball Camp. Principal Don Schopp said they had over 80 student attend during the week and almost 70 students attend on Saturday, December 2, 2023.  The camp was put on by Raul Mendoza. 

Thank you goes out to Facility Director, Nick Stalter for working with the Construction Manager at Risk to see construction through. A special thank you to the Sacaton School District Board Members for supporting this project from start to finish. (President Karen White, Lucinda Hendricks, Jane Johnson and Donovan Kyyitan). We are certainly lucky to have their leadership as direction setters.

Remember: "Be Brave" Sacaton.