Growing up in the ‘80s, other than private school (not even a consideration for my working-class parents nor an option in my 4,000-population hometown), the nearby neighborhood public school was the only choice. That, however, changed in 1994 when the Arizona State Legislature enacted laws enabling both open enrollment and the formation of charter schools, [...]
As a captain with Southwest Airlines, Rob Bych’s number-one goal is to get his passengers safely from Point A to Point B. To do this, he must know more than how the various controls in the cockpit work. Every time he flies, Bych also calls on his knowledge of math, physics, geography and other subjects. [...]
Kyrene Foundation, the school district’s philanthropic arm, has honored three district staff members at its annual Employee Recognition program. Kelly Brunner, at Kyrene de la Colina Elementary School, was recognized as administrator of the year. Kevin Anway, a staff member at Kyrene del Norte Elementary, was named educator of the year; and Geri Dempsey, from [...]
In elementary school, athletics are meant to teach kids how to be part of a team, how to be a good sport. The pursuit of a sport also is supposed to teach the three F’s to kids: fun, fitness and fundamentals. Everyone gets to play, no matter each one’s skill level, no matter the score. [...]
Members of the Kyrene schools governing board have voted to increase the amount of time teachers get to plan for art, music and physical education, resolving months of intense discussion on the matter. The 4-0 vote drew applause from staff and community members. “I believe we have agreed that we need to make some improvements [...]
Fifth-graders at Grace Community Christian School lent a helping hand to members of Phoenix-based Rio Vista Center, a non-profit Christian organization that provides resources for the Valley’s less fortunate families. Fifth-grade teacher Pat Getz brought her entire class to the center, helping to unload trucks of food to be distributed to residents. Jenna Huitink, community [...]
Remember Bert, the street artist in Mary Poppins, who captured the imagination of kids with his chalk drawings in the well-known children’s movie? Kyrene students not only got to see this form of live art but drew their own sidewalk paintings during an Art Masterpiece program at Waggoner Elementary and Kyrene Middle schools. For the [...]
This year’s Taste of Kyrene proved to be larger than the last year’s event, with more guests and greater representation between staff leaders and community members. “It’s definitely grown,” said MarJean Steinkamp, who was integral in setting up both events. “It’s just very, very exciting to see it get bigger.” With 500 guests at the [...]
Kyrene’s first ever leadership academy, started this year at Pueblo Middle School, is building new leaders with a passion for helping their community. And the group was applauded earlier this month by the Kyrene Governing Board for their outgoing endeavors. Charli Turner Thorne, Arizona State University’s head women’s basketball coach, helped to develop the program [...]
With two children attending Kyrene Public Schools (and one who graduated from them, coincidentally with some of the same teachers), parent Ted Gonzalez is all too aware of the effects of cuts to education, ranging from increased class sizes to reduced funding for music, art and physical education. Now, however, as the Kyrene schools’ new [...]
