Maricopa Unified School District #20

Closure of Maricopa Online to be Considered

The MUSD Governing Board will be considering the possible closure of Maricopa Online beginning with the 2013-14 school year. The reason for the possible closure is because of insufficient funding and insufficient academic progress. The public invited to provide feedback on this issue to the Governing Board. The next Governing Board meeting will be on 5/22 at 6 p.m. in the Governing Board room, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

MUSD 20+1 Waiting List

The grade 7 and 8 blended learning program, MUSD 20 + 1, will be offered at Desert Wind Middle School and Maricopa Wells Middle School beginning with the 2013-14 school year. Up to fifty students will be enrolled for the program at each school site. The registration for this program closed on April 17, 2013  However, there are still a few seats available at each school. Parents/Guardians who are interested in having their child placed on the waiting list for the remaining seats are asked to click on the link below.  Please contact Dr. Joseph Veres if you have further questions at (520) 568 –7110 or by email,jveres@musd20.org.

To Register for the waiting list please Click Here

MUSD 20+1 to Expand to DWMS

On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, the Maricopa Unified School Governing Board decided to maintain both middle schools for grades 7 and 8 for the 2013 – 2014 school year.  With this decision, the Maricopa Unified School District is pleased to announce that our blended learning program, MUSD 20 + 1, will be offered at Desert Wind Middle School and Maricopa Wells Middle School beginning with the 2013-14 school year. Up to fifty students will be enrolled for the program at each school site.  If we receive over 50 applications at either school, we will conduct a lottery on April 24, 2013 during the Governing Board Meeting.  Dr. Joseph Veres will contact families prior to April 24, 2013 to inform them if a lottery will occur. Students currently enrolled with MUSD 20 + 1 and students of staff members will be placed into the program prior to the lottery.  Registrations can be found on the MUSD district homepage, the District Office, Maricopa Wells Middle School, or Desert Wind Middle School.  Completed registration forms can be returned personally to Mrs. Lisa Hahn at the District Office or
electronically to Dr. Joseph Veres at jveres@musd20.org. Please contact Dr. Joseph Veres if you have further questions at (520) 568 –7110 or by email.

20+1 Program Taking Applications for 2013-14

The lottery registration for MUSD 20 + 1 will open on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 and close on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. On Wednesday, April 24, 2013, lottery numbers will be selected during the Maricopa Unified School Board Meeting at 6:00 P.M. Selected lottery numbers will be posted on the district homepage on Thursday, April 25, 2013. Lottery registrations can be found on the MUSD district homepage, the District Office, Maricopa Wells Middle School, or Desert Wind Middle School. Completed registration forms can be returned personally to Mrs. Lisa Hahn at the District Office or electronically to Dr. Joseph Veres at jveres@musd20.org. Please contact Dr. Joseph Veres if you have further questions at (520) 568 – 7110 or by email.

2013-14 20+1 Lottery Registration Form

See News Page for Upcoming Events and News.

"Best of the Best" Awards Breakfast

On May 24, 2013, the Maricopa Unified School District will have a "Best of the Best" awards breakfast for all staff members from8:00 am-9:00 am in the Performing Arts Center. The main event will be awards honoring certificated and classified employees, volunteers, substitutes and coaches, as we recognize the hard work and dedication of individual nominees for the 2012-2013 school year. This recognition is designed to call attention to the characteristics which make each award recipient truly outstanding. We thank all of those who submitted nominations and are looking forward to seeing everyone there. Retirees will also be recognized. One or more "Best of the Best" plaque will be awarded in each category.

Bannner Children's School-Based Mobile Clinic Location Change

Starting: Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Time: 10 AM - 5 PM

Location: Maricopa Unified School District Administration Office, 44150 W. Maricopa-Case Grande Hwy, Maricopa

Eligibility: All uninsured children 0 - 18 years of age, living in or near the City of Maricpoa, Arizona

Appointment: 480-412-6344

MHS Chamber Orchestra Receives "Exellent" Rating

We are proud to announce that the Maricopa High School Chamber Orchestra received a rating of "Excellent" at the ABODA State Concert Festival on Friday, May 3rd at Red Mountain High School in Mesa, under the direction of Mr. Ivan Pour. The orchestra performed very well, earning praise for control of tempo, adjustment of tuning and playing with the proper style in their performance. Following their performance, the orchestra participated in a sight-reading evaluation where they were required to read a piece of music they had never seen before, and were evaluated on their ability to perform the music.

This was a very significant achievement for our orchestra program and we are very proud of what this group has accomplished. The students have shown incredible growth and dedication over the year. Over the past five years this program has grown from a small group of six students, playing mostly at a beginning level, to a very fine performing ensemble. 

9 MUSD Teachers Designated "Master Teachers"

MUSD Special Olympics Team Competes

Maricopa Unified School District had 12 very special athletes participate in the Arizona State Summer Track and Field Special Olympics Games this past Thurs., Fri., and Sat. (April 25th – 27th) at Mesa Community College.  All athletes participated in the standing long jump, 4 X 100 Meter relay and the softball throw. Staying true to the Special Olympics Athlete Oath “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”, the Maricopa Team came home with 22 medals in all.  In the standing long jump they received 3 bronze medals, 2 silver medals and 3 gold medals.  In the 4 X 100 Meter Relay three teams represented Maricopa with one team earning a gold medal, one team tying for fourth place, and the third team finishing in fifth place.  The softball throw was the team’s best event with 2 bronze medals, 2 silver medals and 5 gold medals.  During this three day fun filled event, not only did athletes compete, but they also enjoyed participating in the Special Olympics Village where they played games, created arts and crafts, enjoyed snow cones,  danced, participated in karaoke, took pictures, received temporary tattoos, and visited with Ronald Mc Donald. Everyone was a winner.   

Athletes in attendance included: Nika Webb, Tyler King, Derimi Thompson, Jordan Hamlett, Beau Danny, Chelsey French, Megan Gardner, Lorenzo Hernandez, Jayce Bustos, Bren Valisto, Evan Samayoa and Thalia Leon. Congratulations to the MUSD Special Olympics Team!

Maricopa Schools Excel at ABODA

(Maricopa) On Tuesday April 30th, the Maricopa Wells Advanced Panther Band and the Desert Wind Middle School Symphonic Band participated in the state-sponsored Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA) Middle School Festival.  The festival was held at Desert Vista High School and featured elementary and middle school bands from the across the State of Arizona.  Both MUSD Middle School Bands earned Excellent ratings for their performances.  After their performances, a clinician guided the students through a rehearsal and offered encouragement for the students’ efforts.    Mr. Jan Gardner - Director of Bands and Orchestra from Maricopa Wells stated, “This is the first time since 2007 that a band from MWMS participated in this event …We are very proud of our band students and look forward to continued success.”   Mr. Kevin Floth - Director of Desert Wind Middle School Band commented, “This is the first Band Festival that Desert Wind has ever attended and they did a fantastic job of representing the school. They received great feedback and comments from the judges on how to improve their performance.”  

The District is very proud of the exceptionally talented music students from both of our middle schools.  We are also fortunate to have such gifted instructors who lead these young people toward excellence.  For more information please visit our website at www.maricopausd.org  or call the District Office at 520.568.5100

CAC STEM Program to Offer Classes

The CAC STEM program, in conjunction with a new, generous grant from APS, will once again be hosting summer camps in chemistry, biology, engineering/technology and math. CAC is excited to be expanding camps to include the CAC Superstition Mountain, the CAC Maricopa, and CAC San Tan Campuses. Students will participate in various hands-on experiments and activities in areas such as polymers, DNA extraction, bacteria, renewable energy and heavy equipment. The Math Jam is designed to help students prepare to take or retake the Compass Math Placement exam.

The camps are free for students and lunch is included for all camps!

Registration opened on April 15th and will be on a first come, first served basis. Please see the attached flyers for camp locations, age ranges, and contact information for CAC staff hosting the camps.

STEM Summer Camp Flyer                   APS Summer Science Camp Flyer

MHS Concert Band

On April 17, the Maricopa High School Concert Band participated in a clinic at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. The band performed three pieces followed by a superb clinic with Dr. John Pasquale, the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Michigan. He worked with the students on tone production, balance within the ensemble, on matching articulation and pulse, and on playing complete musical phrases. "It was a great opportunity for the students," stated Concert Band Director Ivan Pour.  "We all learned a lot!"

Kindergarten Registration Going on Now

Maricopa Unified School District is currently registering Kindergarten students for the 2013-2014 school year.  Registration packets are available at all Maricopa Elementary Schools.  There are two Kindergarten Program options available. Option 1 is a District Tuition Based Full Day Program for $145.00 per month and a free Half Day option available at every Elementary School campus. If you are interested in reserving a spot for the District Full Day Kindergarten Program, a $50.00 deposit can be turned in with your Kindergarten Application. Families that are interested in Early Kindergarten; screening dates are June 5-6 2013, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please call the District Office to schedule an appointment.

Kindergarten Fact Sheet                      MUSD Registration page

Teacher and Staff Recognition

At each Governing Board meeting this year, teachers and classified staff members from individual Maricopa Unified schools have been
recognized as 'teacher of the month" or "staff member of the month."The purpose of the recognition program is to highlight the excellent
contributions made by teachers and staff at each school. At most meetings this recognition has been at the same meeting where each
school has presented their math improvement plan. This recognition has been sponsored by the MUSD TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More)
Committee. Committee leaders are - Denise Palmer, Jessica Ansley, Elizabeth Zimpleman, Shelly Fisher, Christine Dickinson, Diane
Street-Speck, and Tom Beckett.

Teachers/Staff Members of the Month so far have included:

11/14 - Butterfield - Steve Sorenson
12/11 - Pima Butte - Shannon Hilsinger
01/09 -  DWMS - Craig Shorey
01/23 -  MES - Teachers Jiries Sweiss and Kimberly Williams
02/13 -  MHS - Teacher Cortney Kellenaers
02/27 –  Santa Rosa - All 43 Scorpion staff members were recognized!
03/13 -  MOL - Teachers Stephen Beltz and Darren Kutok
03/27 -  MWMS - Jan Gardner and Nichole Spencer
04/10 -  Saddleback - Teacher Ronnie Buchanan and staff member Xochitl Fonseca
Pima Butte teachers/staff will be recognized on 5/8 and Santa Cruz on 5/22.
Teacher Ronnie Buchanan and staff member Xochitl Fonseca were recognized at the Governing Board meeting on 4/10 for their excellent
work at Saddleback Elementary. Congratulations to our teachers/staff members of the month!

Winterguard in Final Competition

The final competition for the Maricopa High School Winterguard and Indoor Percussion Groups was held at the Winterguard Arizona Championships on April 6th at Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix. The all day event featured 81 performance groups. Under the direction of Mr. Ivan Pour, the drumline just completed their first season on the circuit. They posted significant gains in scores throughout the season and were within a point of most of the other groups in their division throughout the season. Mrs. Maria Pour, coach of the guard students, was very pleased that her team also increased their scores during the season. Congratulations to the Winterguard and Indoor Percussion Groups on a successful season!

Parents/Guardians of Students Entering 6^th grade - Immunization Information

The State of Arizona Department of Health Services mandates (A.R.S. 15-871-874) all students entering the 6^th grade must:

• After turning 11 years of age receive a Tetanus vaccine that includes Pertussis (Tdap)
• After turning 11 years of age receive a Meningococcal vaccine
• Must present a valid immunization record to the school on or before the first day of school August 2013 to enter the classroom
• Must present a valid Arizona Department of Health Exemption form that complies with Arizona State Law if you, the parent, object to vaccinating your child

What do I do if my child turns 11 after the first day of school?

• The School Nurse will send home immunization forms 2 weeks before your child turns 11 years of age. Follow all instructions
• The School Nurse will send home immunization Pre- Suspension forms 2 weeks after your child’s 11th birthday if no shot record is received. Carefully follow all instructions
• 4 weeks after your child’s 11th birthday the Principal and School Nurse will send home suspension notice if no shot record is received. Please follow instructions and quickly return your child to school with proof of vaccination.

Parents please contact your health care provider and make appointments soon. Every 11 year old child in the State of Arizona must receive the vaccine to comply with state law. Remember, your child must be 11 years of age before the vaccines are given.

The Health Staff is looking forward to receiving your child’s completed immunization record or exempt form. 

5th Grade Spring Immunization Letter

6th Grade Spring Immunization Letter

2013-14 Immunization Schedule

May is Water Safety Month - MUSD Activities

Maricopa Unified School District has published a press release of the planned activities for the district in May. Download or Read Here.

Sports Physicals for Uninsured Student Athletes

No Health Insurance for a Sports Physical?

1. Contact your MUSD School Nurse now to schedule an appointment with the Banner Mobile School based Clinic

2. Contact Tiffani at 520-568-5160 extension 2104 to schedule an appointment for your student attending a school other than MUSD.

*****Please bring the appropriate form from your school for the nurse practitioner to complete.

Banner Health Mobile Clinic at MES

Maricopa Elementary School was selected as the  site for the new Banner Health Mobile Clinic for uninsured children living in   and around the City of Maricopa. Beginning January 16, 2013 a large  RV, painted in a desert theme, will be parked in the parking lot by parent pick up at Maricopa Elementary School. Every Wednesday the clinic will provide services for any child age 0-18 who does not have health insurance. Parents of students enrolled in a Maricopa Unified School District school should contact the school nurse where their child is enrolled to schedule an appointment. MES parents, community providers, or anyone else should contact MES school nurse, Tiffani Miksch, RN at 520-568-5160 ext. 2104 to make an appointment. The clinic will see children for the following: well child checks, sports physicals, stomach pains, asthma, flu, colds, pink eye, strep throat, allergies, weight management and other health issues. Hours of operation will be 10:00 am-5:00 pm by appointment. A parent or legal guardian must be present for all minor children. The Maricopa Elementary School stage area will be used as a waiting area and volunteers will escort families from the stage to the mobile unit. Volunteers will also escort families to the restrooms located in the multipurpose room.

Maricopa Unified School District

12/17/12

The news of the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut last week was tragic. Incidents like this are unconscionable and we grieve with the families of the victims.

The Maricopa Unified School District continues to be a safe place for students.  The school district has worked hard on student safety issues for many years and will continue to do so. MUSD is anxious to review lessons learned from this tragedy to further improve safety for our students.  

Student safety is a priority at each school in the district.  School staff know that student safety must be part of the “culture” of the school.  This means that the staff at each school works hard to eliminate safety issues like bullying and to make sure that students treat each other with respect. Students are expected to follow school rules. Lockdown drills are practiced at each school on a regular basis. We know that our students understand the importance of the “safety culture” as they report situations that they consider to be unsafe to teachers and administrators.    

In August, Superintendent Steve Chestnut stated that his highest expectation for all staff was student safety. He said: “All staff members have a shared responsibility to assure students, activities and facilities are safe at all times. This must be the highest priority of every staff member.”

For many years the Maricopa Police Department has worked hard to ensure student safety in partnership with the school district. MUSD has an excellent relationship with the Maricopa Police Department.  Chief of Police Steve Stahl stated today: “There is a good working relationship between the Maricopa Police Department and the Maricopa Unified School District. In the past the police and fire departments have worked on emergency response plans with the school district to include drills and tabletop exercises. The Maricopa Police Department will pay extra attention to school sites for the next few weeks.”

We ask that parents talk to their children about the importance of sharing their concerns about safety with a parent, a teacher, a principal or some other responsible adult.

If there are any questions about student safety please contact Superintendent Steve Chestnut at 520-568-5100, or at schestnut@musd20.org.

Six District Schools Provide Free Afterschool Services

With the award of the 21st Century Grant to Desert Wind Middle School and Butterfield Elementary they join Maricopa Elementary, Santa Rosa Elementary, Santa Cruz Elementary and Maricopa Wells Middle School as sites to offer free afterschool enrichment programs and tutoring. Transportation will be provided at all sites for those using the services.

In addition, the middle schools will provide services before school as well. See each schools website for full details.

Changes in Pinal County Health Office Policy for Immunization

The PCHO has changed its policy for Immunizations for the insured. Click here for a letter from PCHO providing details.

Spring 2013 District Wide Newsletter

This edition of the district wide newsletter for community and staff can be downloaded and read at this link. Newsletter

FY13  Budget

The Maricopa Unified School District in Maricopa, Arizona is located near Phoenix and serves students in Maricopa and the surrounding areas. Our district is proud of our dedicated and high-quality teachers and our outstanding facilities. Check out our Web site! We know you’ll be impressed and hope that you enjoy learning about all the many things our district has to offer.

As you visit our Web site, be sure to check out our school sites, learn how to take advantage of School Tax Credits, and take a look at our news and events to see the latest happenings in our district. We update our site frequently, so be sure to check back often to stay informed about Maricopa Unified.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us directly.

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