ISSUE #15 MARCH 21, 2014 , 2014

Principals Message

, 2013 Standardized Testing The AIMS and Stanford 10 (SAT 10) achievement testing for grades 2-5 will take place beginning on the following dates:

Thursday, April 10 NEWSLETTER OF VENTANA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Gr. 2 SAT 10 Reading Gr. 4 AIMS Science Gr. 5 AIMS Writing Gr. 2 SAT 10 Math Gr. 3-5 AIMS Reading and Math, Part 1 Gr. 2 SAT 10 Language Gr. 3-5 AIMS Reading, Part 2 NO TESTING Gr. 3-5 AIMS Reading and Math, Part 3

, 2013

Friday, April 11 Monday, April 14 Tuesday, April 15 Wednesday, April 16

, 2013

, 2012

MARCH 23, 2012

Please ensure that your child arrives to school on time, and avoid scheduling any appointments that would require your child to leave school early on these days.
, 2010 In addition, below are some things you can do to help your child have a positive experience with taking these standardized tests.

Encourage your child to do his/her best, but avoid pressuring. Too much pressure can cause test anxiety and lead to worse, not better, scores. Understand that these tests are just one way that schools measure XZXC0000 a childs ability. 09 Give your child brain food. A healthy breakfast will help your child concentrate and think clearly. Ensure that your child gets plenty of rest. This is always important, and even more so before a testing situation. APRIL 24, 2009 Remind your child to pay attention to written and oral directions, and to take their time. Kim Boling , 2008 Principal 520-209-8000 , kboling@cfsd16.org

DATES OF INTEREST Friday, March 21st Love of Reading Night Tuesday, March 25th EARLY RELEASE Gr. 1-5 8:00-1:30 AM Kinder 8:00-10:15 PM Kinder 11:15-1:30 Monday, March 31st Friday, April 4th Spring Break NO SCHOOL Tuesday, April 8 EARLY RELEASE Gr. 1-5 8:00-1:30 AM Kinder 8:00-10:15 PM Kinder 11:15-1:30 Tuesday, April 15 EARLY RELEASE Gr. 1-5 8:00-1:30 AM Kinder 8:00-10:15 PM Kinder 11:15-1:30 Friday, April 18th Family Evening of the Arts
th th

Tucson Festival of Books Winners! Winners of the Tucson Festival of Books Young Writers and Young Illustrator/Artist competitions were honored on Saturday, March 15th at the Children's Entertainment Stage. More than 420 young writers entered and over 400 artist/illustrators from approximately 90 schools. Winners received $100 gift cards. Two of our very own Ventana Vista students were winners! Zoe Iacomini - 2nd grade student, was a winner in the writing contest. Jacqueline No, 3rd grade student, was a winner in the artist/illustrator contest. Congratulations to both!

Catalina Foothills School District Dr. Mary Kamerzell, Superintendent 209-7500 mkam@cfsd16.org Governing Board Members Carole Siegler, President 529-1379 csiegler@cfsd16.org Sherri Silverberg, Vice-President 615-9224 ssilverberg@cfsd16.org John Bergan, Member 878-6180 jbergan@cfsd16.org Eileen Jackson, Member 299-3828 ejackson@cfsd16.org Mary Lou Richerson, Member 299-4746 mlricherson@cfsd16.org State of Arizona Legislative Representatives for CFSD (please check www.azleg.gov for contact information) Legislative District 9 Senator Steve Farley Rep. Ethan Orr Rep. Victoria Steele

Mission Statement

Office Hours for 2013-2014 are: 7:30 AM 3:30 PM 7:30 AM 2:00 PM (Early Release Tuesdays) Main Office Health Office Attendance Line FAX Durham (Bus) 209-8000 209-8004 209-8090 209-8070 615-7635
Lost and Found Deadline! There is a huge assortment of jackets, sweatshirts, lunchboxes, etc. at the Lost and Found. After March 28th, the items will be donated to charity.

The mission of Catalina Foothills School District and Ventana Vista Elementary School is to guarantee that each student achieves academic and personal excellence, becomes a lifelong learner and is a responsible citizen of the world, by engaging all students in meaningful programs which meet the highest educational and ethical standards within a caring, collaborative learning community.

Spring Administration of the Cognitive Abilities Test In accordance with state requirements, the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is offered at different times during the year. The spring administration is for Grades K-1 only. Testing will be offered in August for Grade 2, so students currently in Grade 1 may choose to wait. The testing, which is done before school at 7:15 in the IDS rooms (Canyon View- 5th grade pod, Ventana Vista- room 214), takes two sessions to complete. Students must attend both sessions. Tuesday, April 8 7:15 Wednesday, April 9 7:15 Thursday, April 10 7:15 Friday, April 11 7:15

Canyon View Ventana Vista

Requests for testing must be made in writing by Thursday March 27, 2014. Forms are available in the school office or by email from me. It is recommended that parents of primary students consult with the classroom teacher and/or gifted specialist before requesting testing. Test results for such young students are valid for a short time only and are NOT required for the identification of primary students for differentiated instruction or extended groups in reading and math in first or second grades. The assessments used to identify students for these groups are given to all children at the beginning and throughout the year as a regular part of the educational program.
Liane Cooper Gifted Specialist Canyon View 209- 7700 Ventana Vista 209-8000 LCooper@cfsd16.org

Dear Ventana Vista Families, It makes me very sad to inform you that I will not be returning next year. I will be moving to Phoenix in June and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to teach your children to be artists. Although I am ecstatic about starting this new chapter, it will be bittersweet. Over the past four years, Ive come to love my students more than they will ever know. Ive known some for only a short time. Ive watched some grow from brand new second graders to fifth graders, ready for middle school. I can say with all honesty, every relationship will be missed. Ive been very fortunate to work for families that are so supportive of their teachers. I hope to continue teaching art in Phoenix in the coming year, but my Ventana family will not be forgotten!

Sincerely, Ms. Lapinsky

YEARBOOKS FOR SALE! ONLY $30

Ventana

Hurry before they are gone,

Order forms available in office
For questions regarding whether you have purchased a yearbook, please e-mail Mary Tertel:

Theres STILL TIME this school year for you to make an

Help the Catalina Foothills School District Foundation reach its fundraising goal! Arizona State funding for K-12 education has been cut $1,000 per student over the last 5 years. Your donations to the Foundation are essential to the continued success of our schools. Donating to the Foundation is the only way to directly support teaching positions. Please ll out the form below or donate online at www.cfsdfoundation.org.

YES,

count me in to support the CFSD Foundation in attracting and retaining excellent teachers! Donate online at: www.cfsdfoundation.org

Fill out this donation form and mail to: CFSD Foundation P.O. Box 65150 Tucson, AZ 85728-5150
Suggested minimum donation Dollar a Day = $365 Family Level $500 per year Join the Leadership Circle at $1,000 or more per year

Total payable to CFSD Foundation $ ___________________________ Check #______________ Charge my credit card for a one time donation Charge my credit card monthly $__________ for ______ months ($30 per month for 12 months min.) Visa MC CC # __________________________________ Expiration Date __________ Signature _______________________________________________ Date _____________________ Name (Please Print) _______________________________________ Phone _____________________ Address _______________________________ City ________________ State ______ Zip ________ Email ________________________________________
Catalina Foothills Schools District Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-prot.

www.cfsdfoundation.org

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Andrew Rosen Orthodontics Hamstra Heating & Cooling Northwest Pet Clinic Peter Deluca Realtor Rincon Pain Management Rural/Metro Shaffer Dry Cleaning Simply Bits Sodexo Technicians for Sustainability LLC, a SunPower Elite Dealer

Come join our swim team this summer!

Ventana Canyon has a great coaching staff and an 8 -lane heated pool. We are located at the beautiful Ventana Canyon Lodge across from Ventana Vista Elementary School. Summer swim begins April 14th and runs until July 15th. Visit our website for practice times, meet dates, pool location, fees, fun photos, and much more.

Ventana Canyon Swim Team 2014

Summer Sign Ups - Sunday, March 23rd Noon-3:00PM (at the pool)* For more information visit http://www.ventanacanyonswimteam.com Email vcswimteam@gmail.com
*Swimmers do not need to be club members to join. Bring a copy of childs birth certificate to sign-ups.
CFSD neither endorses nor sponsors this organization or activity. The distribution of this material is provided as a community service.