ISSUE #10

DECEMBER 19, 2014

, 2014

NEWSLETTER OF VENTANA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

, 2014

Principals Message

, 2014

Save the Dates!

, 2014

All Families:
Back-to-School Bilingual BINGO Birthday Bash!
, 2013
Friday, January 9, 5:00-7:30 PM
th
Come help us celebrate Ventana Vistas 20 birthday at our first bilingual BINGO Night!
Games will be played in English and in Spanish. Letters/numbers will be visually displayed
so that everyone can play every game!
, 2013
Spanish Immersion Families:
Spanish Immersion Showcases
Wednesday, January 14, 5:30-6:30 PM (3-5 families)
Wednesday, February 11, 5:30-6:30 PM (K-2 families)
Do you wonder how children progress in our Spanish Immersion program? How is it that
,
they can enter at Kindergarten or Gr. 1 with so little (or no!) Spanish language, and exit at 2013
Gr. 5 with the ability to speak in strings of sentences about familiar topics and academic
content?
Join us for an Open House/Showcase of student work, with student guides, to see the
progression of language development, from kindergarten to Gr. 5. Families with students ,in2012
Gr. 3-5 are invited to drop by the library between 5:30 and 6:30 PM on Wednesday,
January 14. Families with students in Gr. K-2 are invited to do so between 5:30 and 6:30
PM on Wednesday, February 11.
MARCH 23, 2012
All Families:
Astronomy Star Party
Friday, January 23, 6:00-8:00 PM
Enjoy hands-on science activities and telescope observations with the guidance of local
experts in the field!
, 2010
Happy at VV? Spread the word!
With a reputation for exemplary academic standards, CFSD is helping an ever-expanding
group of children experience the tradition of excellence in education that we have XZXC0000
established. If you know of families who might be interested in joining our CFSD/Ventana
Vista family, please tell them about your experience here! Open Enrollment applications
09
are available online at www.cfsd16.org. As a reminder, current Open Enrollment families
must reapply each year between December 1 and the end of February.
Help us promote the following events for new families:
New Student/Open Enrollment Family Tours
Join Ms. Boling for one of her weekly tours to learn all about Ventana Vista.
Please call 209-8001 for a schedule and to RSVP.

APRIL 24, 2009

Continued on Page ,22008

,

Principals Message continued

Kindergarten Show and Tell
Tuesday, January 13 or Tuesday, February 10 at 2:00 PM
This special opportunity is designed for prospective kindergarten students and their parents. The
children will visit a kindergarten room with some of the teachers, while other teachers and Ms.
Boling review the curriculum, the typical kindergarten day, and answer questions parents may
have about the program. Please call 209-8001 to RSVP.
Spanish Immersion Parent Informational Meeting
Wednesday, January 14 or Wednesday, February 11 at 6:00 PM
This meeting is for parents interested in learning about our Spanish Immersion Program. Join
Ms. Boling, as well as our immersion teachers, to learn about immersion education and our CFSD
program. New families can also peruse the Open House/Showcases described above.
Enjoy a safe, peaceful Winter Break with your families!
See you in 2015!
Kim Boling
Principal
kboling@cfsd16.org
520-209-8000

DATES OF INTEREST

Student Sign Out

Monday, December 22nd

C615
Friday, January 2nd
Winter Break NO SCHOOL

Parents, please be aware that

students will be called from their
class when you arrive and sign
them out.

Tuesday, January 6th

EARLY RELEASE
Gr. 1-5 8:00-1:30
AM Kinder 8:00-10:15
PM Kinder 11:15-1:30

Please do not request that the

teacher or office have them
waiting in the office for you.
Your childs instructional time is
important to us!

Mary Lou Richerson, Member

299-4746
mlricherson@cfsd16.org

We have uncovered a
treasure trove of stamps in
the library! If you are a
stamp hobbyist, please stop
by to see our stamps and
help us decide how to best
use this interesting and
colorful collection!

Main Office
Health Office
Attendance Line
FAX
Durham (Bus)

209-8000
209-8004
209-8090
209-8070
615-7635

Carole Siegler, President

529-1379
csiegler@cfsd16.org

Eileen Jackson, Member

299-3828
ejackson@cfsd16.org

CALLING ALL
PHILATELISTS (STAMP
COLLECTORS)!

7:30 AM 2:00 PM
(Early Release Tuesdays)

Governing Board Members

John Bergan, Member

878-6180
jbergan@cfsd16.org

Tuesday, January 13th

EARLY RELEASE
Gr. 1-5 8:00-1:30
AM Kinder 8:00-10:15
PM Kinder 11:15-1:30

7:30 AM 3:30 PM

Dr. Mary Kamerzell,

Superintendent
209-7500
mkam@cfsd16.org

Sherri Silverberg, Vice-President

615-9224
ssilverberg@cfsd16.org

Friday, January 9th

Back to School Bilingual Bingo
Night

Office Hours for 2014-2015 are:

Catalina Foothills
School District

Call Jill Wadsworth at

209-8006 for more
information!

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
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.

Hello Ventana Vista Families!

One of our communitys great resources for mental health
NAMI is offering a FREE 6-week group course for parents
& caregivers of children with mental illnesses. Topics
include children diagnosed with or suspected of struggling
with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, ODD, bipolar,
schizophrenia, eating disorders, and Disruptive Mood
Dysregulation Disorder. Classes start in January!
If youre interested or want to learn more, please check
out the following flyer from NAMI Southern Arizona.

Are you a PARENT?

Or a direct caregiver? NAMI Basics is a class for any parent or
primary care giver of a child who has a diagnosed or suspected
mental health disorder, including ADHD, OCD, anxiety disorders,
depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, eating disorders, ODD and CD
and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.

What This Class Offers.

A night out with adults who dont judge
Confidence to handle a setback
Skills to speak with doctors and school personnel
Knowledge of the judicial system
Empowerment to deal with daily activities
A reminder Youre a great parent faced with a
challenging and sometimes difficult situation

This is a free six-class course.

Upcoming class starts in January 2015

Call NAMI Southern Arizona

520.622.5582 ext. 110
You must make a reservation
Ask for Judi Maikoff or leave a message

Catalina Foothills Unified School District #16

2101 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 209-7500

(520) 209-7570 FAX

www.cfsd16.org

A 2 1 s t C e n tu r y L e a r n in g C om m u n ity

November 1, 2014

To:

Parents of CFSD Students

From:

Mary Kamerzell, Superintendent of Schools

Subject:

Open Enrollment for School Year 2015-2016

Pursuant to A.R.S. 15-816 Catalina Foothills School District will begin its open enrollment
application procedures for the 2015-2016 school year on December 1, 2014. The law requires
every Arizona school district to follow a prescribed procedure and timetable for admitting out-ofdistrict transfer students and resident transfer students (those who live in the District but are
attending a school outside the attendance area of their residence). All students who currently
attend CFSD schools and reside in other districts, and all CFSD resident students who are
attending a different school than they would based on their residence, are impacted by this law.
We require that all open enrollment students apply for admission each year.
Therefore, if your child is a resident transfer (open enrollment) student and you want him/her to
continue in that capacity, or if your child resides outside of the district and you want him/her to
continue to attend a CFSD school next year, please complete an application form between

December 1, 2014, and February 28, 2015.

Open Enrollment applications and information regarding the application
process are on the district web site, www.cfsd16.org (as of December 1, 2014), or
at the district office Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The district office is located
at:
Catalina Foothills School District
J. W. Murphey Administration Center
2101 E. River Road
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 209-7539
Contact: Amie Sams
Applications will be available as of December 1, 2014, and may be completed on-line
(www.cfsd16.org), or submitted in person at the district office. Electronic applications must be
submitted no later than February 28, 2015, and hard copies by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27,
2015. Decisions about admission, based on capacity, will be made by April l, 2015. At that time,
all applicants will be notified whether their applications have been accepted, wait listed, or
declined.

Midyear Administration of the Cognitive Abilities Test

In accordance with state requirements, the Cognitive Abilities Test,
(CogAT), is offered at different times during the school year. The
midyear administration of the CogAT will be at Ventana Vista, on
Thursday, January 8th, Monday, January 12th, and Thursday, January
15th, 2015. Parents of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students who are new to
the school or HAVE NOT been tested in the past two years are
eligible to test at this time. Students who are currently receiving
gifted services do not retest.
The CogAT is used to identify students for gifted services and is
required for students who wish to be considered for Interdisciplinary
studies (IDS). Permission slips are available in the front office.
It is recommended that parents consult with the classroom
teacher and/or gifted specialist, Ms. Kalish, before requesting
testing.
Parents must request testing in writing by January 5th, 2015. The
testing, which is done before school at 7:30 in the IDS room, takes
three sessions to complete. Students must be present for all three
days.

VENTANA VISTA ELEMENTARY

YEARBOOK 2014 - 2015
Full color yearbooks
are only $25.
Price goes up to $30 if
ordered after
November 27, 2014!
You may pay by cash or
check payable to VVFFO.
Extra order forms are
available in the office.
Or you may purchase online:
https://inter-state.com/Yearbook/718044
For questions regarding whether you
have purchased a yearbook or to
submit photos for the yearbook
please email Mary Tertel:
mtertel@comcast.net

No Cost Fundraiser!
Ventana Vista Families, with the holidays approaching I want to
extend an invitation to all to contribute to our school without really
having to write a separate check How? You might be asking, and
the answer is:
By shopping online at Amazon, as you probably would anyway!
All you have to do is register with Amazon Smile and start your
shopping at www.smile.amazon.com to earn 0.5% for our school on
eligible purchases. All purchases must start at that link to earn credit.
Be sure to select Ventana Vista Elementary School Family Faculty
Organization as your charity. You may also download the Amazon
Smile1button for ease of ordering online! Make sure the top of the
page reads Supporting: Ventana Vista Elementary School Family
Faculty Organization.
Happy shopping and thank you for supporting our school!
Sincerely,
Gina Torres-Vanasse
Fundraising Chair
Ventana Vista FFO

CFSD/VV Astronomy
STAR PARTY
January 23, 2014
Ventana Vista School
6-8 pm
Hands-On Science Activities and Telescope Observations

Dr. McCarthy has a passion for

combining astronomical
research and inquiry-based
science education.
Distinguished Achievement in
Science Education, College of
Science, University of Arizona
Dr. Bob Norwoods
research is
related to the
development of
new materials for
photonics, with a
focus on
information
technology.

Dr. Connie Walker is an associate scientist at

NOAO. A highlight of her job is directing the popular
international light pollution tracking campaign,
GLOBE at Night (www.globeatnight.org).

Dr. Tom Fleming's areas of research include

X-ray emission from stars, the nearby
stars, very low-mass stars, and white
dwarfs. Tom has appeared in the "Naked
Science" TV series episode "The Birth of the
Earth" on the National Geographic Channel
and in the PBS documentary "Declining by
Degrees: Higher Education at Risk."

Maria Schuchardt,
who oversees the
Space Imagery
Center's day-to-day
operations. As an
outreach leader she is
DYNAMITE!

Ken Graun lectures,

observes, writes and
tries to have as much
fun with the hobby of
astronomy as is
possible. He is the
author of numerous
astronomy books and
star charts including
the popular "21st
Century Astronomy
Series" of books for
children.

More information needed contact caryljones@cfsd16.org

A Publication for

The Boarder

the CFSD Community

Staff

A Summary Report of the December 9, 2014,

C F S D Governing Board Meeting
Executive Session
The governing board held an executive session for the
mid-year performance review of Superintendent Mary
Kamerzell.

Simon - 8th place. Their coach is Kelly Taylor,

5th grade teacher. The teams will go to the
state finals in April.

Oaths of Office
Oaths of Office were administered to recently elected
board members, John Bergan, Amy Bhola and Amy
Krauss, whose new terms of office will begin January
1, 2015.

Manzanita P.E. Teacher Dawna Sipe received the

Appreciation Award from the American Heart
Association (AHA) for her outstanding achievement
in support of the AHA efforts in cardiovascular
science, education, and community program in
2013-2014.

Orange Grove Middle School

Sarah Randall, 6th grade, and a group of her
friends recently wrote out cards of well wishes
for the children at Diamond's Children's
Hospital and for residents of retirement homes
around Tucson. Sarah has been doing this
community service since 4th grade.
Catalina Foothills High School
Twenty-one students successfully completed
the DECA Western Region Leadership
Conference held in Anaheim, CA, November
13-16. Senior Fernanda Lopez and Junior
Stephanie Treanor won first place medals for
their individual role-play competition sections.

Dr. Kamerzell shared the following student and teacher

achievements.

Senior Anna Williamson was selected as a

leadership intern for the DECA-affiliated
company, TRI.

CFHS thespians achieved superior and

excellent ratings at the State Thespian Festival
November 21-22. The one act play, The Boys
Next Door, qualified for national competition.
The cast was Griffin Johnston, Jacqui Miller,
Savannah Runge, Vaughn Sherman, Stefanie
Tedards, Margo Vasquez, Justin Zeider, and
Gabby Yadegari, tech crew. Individual thespian
awards were achieved by Michael Beloit for
Monologue; Arielle Deborah for Solo Music;
Lily Martinez and Savannah Runge for Duet
Music; Griffin Johnston and Vaughn Sherman
for Duet Acting; and Samara Attridge, Marlise
Karson, and Mary McCabe for Group Music.
Their teachers are Terry Erbe and Norm Testa.

CFHS Math Teacher and Department Chair

Kelly Lantz was selected as a Claes Nobel
Educator of Distinction, a program of the

Manzanita Elementary School

Manzanita competed recently at the Southern
Arizona Math Championships where over 330
students from Tucson and other parts of Pima
County participated. Two Manzanita teams
won overall 1st and 2nd place. Team members
were Jad Bader, Nathan Kuo, Margo
Lefkowitz, Elliot Liu, Devak Shah, Isabelle
Simon, Noah Wellman, and Beri Yang.
Individual awards were Elliot Liu - 1st place,
Nathan Kuo - 2nd place, Noah Wellman - 3rd
place, Beri Yang - 7th place, and Isabelle

Page 1 of 3

National Society of High School Scholars that

honors educators worldwide. Ms. Lantz was
nominated by a CFHS student, Gabriella
Gonzalez, for her significant contribution to
students' academic careers, her leadership as
a role model and source of inspiration, and her
lasting influence on the lives of students.

CFHS Math Teacher Joyce Nicholson was

recognized by Stanford University for her
exceptional teaching. Each year, Stanford
freshmen are given the opportunity to
acknowledge one former teacher who played a
significant role in their intellectual, academic,
social and personal development. Kali Cornn,
class of 2014, nominated Ms. Nicholson to
receive this honor.

Recognition
The board recognized outgoing board members Mary
Lou Richerson and Sherri Silverberg. Ms. Richerson
served on the board from 2003 to 2014. Ms. Silverberg
served on the board from 2007 to 2014.

Approval of Revisions to Policy IJNDB, Regulation

IJNDB-R and Exhibit IJNDB-EA Use of Technology
Resources in Instruction (second reading)
Dr. Kamerzell reviewed the proposed changes to the
policy, regulation and exhibit. The proposed changes
didnt change the content so much as moved it from
the original policy language to the regulation. The
board approved the revisions as presented.
Consideration of Proposed Change to Course Title
for English 12
Dr. Kamerzell reviewed a proposed change to the high
school course title for English 12. The change is
necessary to prevent continued issues with course
approval by the NCAA. It misinterprets the English 12
course because we provide thematic options for
students. All of the options use the same set of
standards and course outcomes as well as the same
course description. The recommendation was that all
English 12 options be titled, English 12: Language and
Composition. The board approved the course title
change as presented.
Public Hearing on Revisions of Fiscal Year 2015
Budget
President Carole Siegler opened the public hearing for
comments from anyone in attendance. No comments
were expressed, and the public hearing was closed.
Approval of Revisions to Fiscal Year 2015 Budget
Director of Finance Sandra Thompson presented
changes that reflected actual vs. projected revenue
and expenditures for the current years budget. The
board approved this first revision to the fiscal year
2015 budget. Typically, a second revision is proposed
in May annually closer to the end of the fiscal year.

Approval of Revisions to Policy IKEA Makeup

Opportunities (second reading)
Dr. Kamerzell reviewed the proposed changes to
Policy IKEA. The revisions clarify the language
regarding the maximum number of absences a student
may accumulate at the K-8 and 9-12 levels for both a
full semester (9-12) and academic year (K-8). The
board approved the revisions as presented.
Approval of Revisions to Policy JIH Student
Interrogations, Searches, and Arrests (second
reading)
Dr. Kamerzell reviewed the proposed changes to
Policy JIH. The proposed language adjustment is from
the section of the policy that requires reasonable
suspicion. By removing the language, the district
retains the right to randomly search for any
communications that are created using the district EIS
system. The board approved the revisions as
presented.

Consent Agenda Items

The governing board approved the following consent
agenda items.

November 25, 2014, regular governing board

meeting minutes
Expense voucher memorandum
Personnel memorandum
Gift and Donations memorandum
Fund Raising Request
rd
Community Schools 3 Quarter Tax Credit-Eligible
Fees

Upcoming Board Meeting

The next regularly scheduled governing board meeting
is Tuesday January 13, 2015, 6:30 p.m., Catalina
Foothills High School, Building 4, Room 712.
The tentative agenda is:
Outstanding Achievements
CFSD Star Awards

Page 2 of 3

Approval of High School Program Changes (first

reading)
Election of Governing Board President and Vice
President
Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA)
Conference Report

CFSD

Please welcome new CFSD staff members:

Melissa Avery, School Nurse, MZ
Carolina Benavidez-Benech, EA Inclusion, CFHS
Derek Collinsworth, Classified Instructor, OGMS
Michelle Morse, Classified Instructor, SD
Mercedes Quijada, EA Inclusion, SD
Kelly Wang, Volunteer

Page 3 of 3

https://cs.cfsd16.org/webreg2/members/login

This year give

your children
something they
will never outgrow.
Donate to the Catalina Foothills School District Foundation
w w w. c f s d f o u n d a t i o n . o r g

Khush Bhola, M.D.

Thank you to our CFSD Foundation Sponsors

TUCSON LACROSSE CLUB

(Formerly Tucson Scorpions)

- Tucson's most established and

successful youth lacrosse program
- Enjoy coaching at all 3 levels by
experienced college and ex pro
lacrosse players.
CFSD neither endorses nor sponsors this organization or activity. The distribution of this
material is provided as a community service.

Who: All boys grades 1st

When: Practice begins
through 8th. Middle
Monday, December 8th at
School, U-6, and U-4 teams 5:30 p.m., then Weds and
Friday. Games begin in
Where: Rillito Field #2
January
(inside race track)

It is time to PLAY BALL!

Online registration is now open for the 2015 Canyon View Little
League Spring baseball and softball seasons.
Visit www.canyonviewLL.com today for more information or to
register.

"CFSD neither endorses nor sponsors this organization or activity. The distribution of this material is
provided as a community service."