Author: acsonline

It’s hard to believe that another school year is almost over! Once the children are out of school, it’s important to keep them occupied. Perhaps the children’s access to screen media – from TV to computers to electronic games – goes down over the summer. The kids may not know it, but that’s a good thing!

Students visited the US Airways Center for a surprise visit from a prehistoric creature. Photo courtesy of AZ Central.

News flash: We’re almost at the end of another school year! As if anyone needing reminding, right? Our school is busy wrapping up lesson plans and planning graduation ceremonies. At such a busy time, it’s easy to overlook a child who might be struggling with the emotions that often come at the end of a school year.

We are in the midst of our best weather of the year and summer vacation is just around the corner. Though the school year is coming to a close, we wanted to remind parents that attendance in these last few weeks are just as important as they are at the beginning of the year.

Have you been to the library lately? The teachers and staff here at Liberty have been focused lately on the importance of preparing for AIMS testing as well as honing students’ skills in math and reading. This can extend to non-school hours, too! Local libraries are a great resource for parents and students in both regards.

AIMS – yes, it’s that time of year again. Even though this is the last year that AIMS tests will be given in our schools, students still need to be fully prepared. One of the best things you can do is make sure your student is well-rested and has a good breakfast on testing days.

It’s hard to believe that March is already here, with spring officially just around the corner. For schools, that means testing season! In about a month, we will be giving AIMS tests to our students for the last time. Next school year, a new test will be given that’s designed to show how well students have learned new “Career and Career Ready Standards,” which used to be called “Common Core.”

This month, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming members of our community, community leaders and personalities as well as family members for “Love of Reading Week.” It’s always a thrill to see a student connect with a book reader and discover a whole new world. But what about that “second R” in the “Reading, ’Riting and ’Rithmetic” – writing?

You may already know that I’m a big believer in mentoring. A few years ago, I took a dynamic woman under my wing as her mentor and now, Jackie Trujillo-Watins is our superintendent. It has been a thrill watching her growth in the administration of our schools over the years. I am convinced that through coaching, modeling and mentoring, everyone becomes more invested in creating a united team. At some point as a mentor, you allow your “students” to stretch their wings, take risks and try new things. Along the way, you’re there to advise them as they explore their new world.

We’ve all dealt with children who are alternately too sleepy or too restless to pay attention, whether it’s in the classroom, out in public or at home. Who’d have thought that modern technology and a misunderstanding about how it affects us that could be causing both?