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.

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.

Important Monkey Business

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

On Friday October 27, 2023 the District hosted its second Must Be Present To Win assembly. During the assembly we celebrated a number of student initiatives designed to get students to engage, embrace and contribute to their school, culture and world around them. Initiatives like Be Brave,  Must Be Present To Win, HCA (safety, support and belonging), and Cross-the-line were presented and celebrated.  

The entire school was there and was supported by local leaders and dignitaries. Governor Steven Lewis spoke to the students about attending school and setting goals. He recalled his days as a student at Sacaton and encouraged students to work hard because one day they could be the next Governor of the Gila River Indian Community, the State of Arizona or even perhaps the first Native American President of the United States. 

The Phoenix Suns sent their mascot the "Gorilla" to the assembly to celebrate what Home Court Advantage (aka Home Community Advantage) is all about. High fives, fist bumps, belly slides and smiles were on display by the Gorilla. His presence enhanced the type of support needed to help pick one other up so everyone can belong in a safe school environment. He is truly a mascot for HCA! 

Once again, incentives were handed out to students that have proven to be engaged in school by attending 10 days in a row, 15 days in a row, 20 days in a row, 30 days in a row as well as perfect attendance.  The number of students that have reached these goals since our last assembly is astonishing as the initiative is supported with prizes from BRAVE BOOSTERS in the community. This group of individuals donates incentives to be given away. It is a great reflection on community involvement and makes a difference in the educational engagement of children. I believe in the impact that this is having in our school; therefore, I am actively seeking out additional incentive donations from other sources. 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. If you would like to join our group of BRAVE BOOSTERS, please see below.

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 student 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.

 

Welcome Back Parents and Students

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It is my pleasure as superintendent to welcome all of the students and parents to Sacaton Elementary School District #18. We are looking forward to seeing you back at Sacaton Elementary School this coming year. I look forward to meeting each of you for the first time. The first day back to school is Monday, July 31, 2023. Buses will run at their regular scheduled times. School will begin at the following times:

Grades Pre K- 4: Elementary: 8:00 AM - 3:10 PM

Grades 5-8: Middle School: 7:55 AM - 3:17 PM

In addition, we would like to invite you and your child to meet their teachers and administrators for this coming school year on Friday, July 28, 2023 starting at 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM at their school. With that being said there are a few things I want everyone to know about our school: 

Our school’s mission is to engage students to take ownership of their learning, embrace their culture and contribute to the world around them. Our school prides itself on providing the needed safety, support and belonging required for student success. At Sacaton School District #18 students and families are greeted with respect and value as they are welcomed on campus with a feeling of “I am very glad to see you!” Sacaton Elementary School District #18 is a place of welcome and family for everyone. Every student here attends a safe environment. In this school every student’s dignity is protected. Every student receives support: we pick each other up when we are down and applaud individual and group success. This school provides our families and students with a place of belonging. This is our school and our students’ home away from home.

We are a TEAM at Sacaton Elementary School District #18. Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM). We understand that by working together, our children's opportunities for success exponentially multiply. We are committed to our mission and in doing so understand that “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”

See you on Friday, July 28 at 4:00 PM in your children's respective schools.

HOME OF THE BRAVES!