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Articles from August 2023

Laveen’s 11th Annual Winter Festival is December 6

The Laveen Elementary School District hosts a Winter Festival for the community each year. The 10th annual Laveen Winter Festival is scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David Glasser Athletic Complex, 5001 W. Dobbins.

This year’s Winter Festival will feature obstacle courses (for both big and little kids), games, activities, student performances, photo opportunities, holiday gift vendors, food, and much more!

Admission is free. Tickets will be available for purchase for select activities. Credit cards accepted.

All proceeds benefit the Laveen Education Foundation.

Visit our Winter Festival page for more info.

Please take a look at the student performance schedule.

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Tim Thomas Named Human Resources Administrator of the Year

The Laveen School District proudly announces that Tim Thomas, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, has been honored as the Human Resources Administrator of the Year by the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association (ASPAA). The award was presented on November 21 during ASPAA’s annual conference in Oro Valley.

This prestigious award is the highest recognition for human resources professionals in Arizona, celebrating exceptional service and leadership in the field. Mr. Thomas was recognized for his transformative contributions to human resources, his positive impact on the Laveen School District, and his dedication to advancing public education. His efforts to share best practices and innovative solutions have left a lasting impression on both the District and the greater educational community.

ASPAA highlighted Mr. Thomas as a trailblazer in human resources, commending his efforts to enhance the District’s HR functions and foster a supportive, fulfilling work environment for the District’s 1,006 employees.

Laveen School District Superintendent, Dr. Jeffrey Sprout, expressed his admiration for Mr. Thomas:

“I have had the honor of knowing and working with Tim Thomas for the past 20 years, watching him transition from a Master Teacher to a highly-awarded Principal to now being an outstanding Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. He has done all of this in the context of Title I schools, living out his calling as an educator.”

Tim Thomas’ leadership exemplifies the District’s commitment to excellence, ensuring that both students and staff thrive in a supportive and innovative environment.

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Spreading Thanksgiving Joy: ChasseGiving 2024

As the season of gratitude and giving unfolds, we are excited to spotlight an inspiring initiative that has brought warmth and hope to many in our community. Each year, the Chasse Building Team hosts ChasseGiving, an incredible effort aimed at supporting families in need by providing Thanksgiving meal boxes.

This year, Chasse has truly outdone itself, extending its generosity to over 3,000 families across the Valley, including Tucson and right here in Laveen! During the week of November 19–22, families in our community were recipients of these beautifully curated meal boxes, filled with everything needed to create cherished Thanksgiving memories.

Here’s what each ChasseGiving meal box included:
Stuffing
Canned green beans
Canned cranberries
Mashed potatoes
Gravy packet
Hawaiian rolls
Pumpkin pie
$20 Walmart gift card (to purchase a turkey, ham, or other groceries)

This heartfelt act of kindness ensures that families can sit down together for a hearty meal, focusing on what truly matters—sharing time with loved ones and reflecting on their blessings.

We are incredibly thankful to Chasse for their unwavering commitment to giving back to the community. Their compassion and generosity remind us of the power of unity and kindness, especially during this special season.

To all our Laveen families, we wish you a Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with those you hold dear.

Happy Thanksgiving!
The Laveen School District

 

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Cheatham Elementary Hosts Heartwarming Turkey Giveaway for Local Families

This Thanksgiving season, Cheatham Elementary spread joy and gratitude by giving back to the community. At morning drop-off, 65 families received free turkeys, ensuring they could enjoy a festive holiday meal with their loved ones.

This act of generosity was made possible through the incredible support of the 6×6 Brotherhood and Native New Yorker (51st & Baseline). Their dedication to our community reminds us of the power of partnership and the spirit of giving that defines the holiday season.

The smiles and gratitude shared this morning showcased the strong bond between Cheatham Elementary and the Laveen community. “We are incredibly thankful for our partners who helped make this possible,” said Ms. Kristi Pashley. “Their contributions truly make a difference in the lives of our families.”

Would you like to support programs like this in the Laveen School District? Contact our Community Engagement Department to learn how you can make an impact. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more connected community.

From all of us at Cheatham Elementary and the Laveen School District, Happy Thanksgiving!

Special thanks to 6×6 Brotherhood and Native New Yorker for their commitment to supporting our families.

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Celebrating Principal’s Appreciation Month at Cheatham Elementary!

October is Principal’s Appreciation Month, and we are thrilled to honor and celebrate our incredible school leader, Kristi Pashley!  At Cheatham Elementary, we recognize the vital role our principal plays in shaping the success of our students, staff, and entire school community.

Our principal leads with passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring that every student receives the best education possible. Whether it’s fostering a positive school culture, advocating for new initiatives, or being a constant source of support for students and staff, our principal goes above and beyond every day.

This month, we encourage everyone in our school community to take a moment to share your appreciation—whether it’s a kind word, a thank you note, or just letting our principal know how much their hard work means to you.

Let’s come together and make this Principal’s Appreciation Month extra special! Thank you, Kristi Pashley, for everything you do to make Cheatham Elementary, a fantastic place to learn and grow.

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Cheatham Partners with Global Credit Union to Deliver Financial Education to Students

In collaboration with Global Credit Union and local branch manager, Kayla Tamayo, Cheatham recently offered essential financial literacy lessons to students across various grade levels on our campus.

  • Third graders were introduced to the basics of money, learning how it works and understanding the value of saving. They even created their own savings banks to encourage early financial responsibility.
  • Fifth graders took a deeper dive into how money is made, with lessons on goal-setting and budgeting to foster smart financial habits.
  • Eighth graders explored advanced topics, such as saving, investing, budgeting, and insurance—preparing them for real-world money management.

These financial lessons not only teach students how to build a positive relationship with money but also promote long-term economic sustainability within our community. We are deeply thankful to Global Credit Union and other local businesses for their continued support in helping our students grow and succeed.

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Jenna Getz Receives Excellence in Education Award

Each year one teacher from each school is selected to receive the district’s Excellence in Education Award. This prestigious award is given to those who attain high academic achievement for their students, provide exceptional service and leadership at their school, and make a positive difference outside of the classroom and in the community.

Congratulations to Cheatham Elementary School, Jenna Getz

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Three Laveen Schools awarded America’s Healthiest School 2024.

Cheatham Elementary, Desert Meadows School and Paseo Pointe Dual Language Academy were all three named America’s Healthiest Schools 2024.

Annual award recognizes schools for dedication to student, staff, and family health 

Alliance for a Healthier Generation has named 3 of Laveen’s Schools as one of America’s Healthiest Schools for 2024. This annual recognition honors schools for implementing best practices to support the health of students, staff, and families. Eight hundred and seventy-nine schools across 30 states were awarded this year.

America’s Healthiest Schools are recognized in up to nine categories.

Desert Meadows was recognized for:

  • Increasing Family & Community Engagement, presented by Kohl’s
  • Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented by Kaiser Permanente 
  • Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented by Kaiser Permanente
  • Supporting School Health Service

Cheatham Elementary was recognized for:

  • Improving Nutrition & Food Access, presented by Del Monte Foods
  • Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented by Kaiser Permanente 
  • Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented by Kaiser Permanente
  • Supporting School Health Services

Paseo Pointe Dual Language Academy was recognized for:

  • Supporting School Health Services
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