Dear Sacaton Families,

We hope that you and your families had a healthy and restful fall break. During the October 13, 2020 Governing Board meeting the Board voted to delay in-person to January 4, 2021. Although we miss our students we know this difficult decision takes in consideration the health and safety of students, staff and the community.

As we navigate through online learning attendance is a critical component. Students need to be online and ready to learn every day by 8:00 am. If, for any reason, a student is absent, please contact the building front office. Parents are encouraged to create an account in ParentVUE. This portal provides access to view attendance records, grades, and other student-related data. To create an account, click here or contact the SESD Technology Support Help Desk at (520-562-8600 x2040). Once activated, the account is accessible during years of enrollment at SESD.

Sacaton Storytime is one way in which we are celebrating our love of literacy here in Sacaton. Parents, students, Governing Board members, and staff have the opportunity to record themselves reading a book. The recordings will be placed on the District Website so that students and families may listen to a story at their convenience.

I am proud of the genuine love and compassion demonstrated by the staff toward our students especially during these uncertain times. Collaboratively we improve processes for the overall success of the District. I encourage everyone to assume good intention of all and work toward sustainable resolutions. YES!

Sincerely,

Dr. Cherryl Paul

Superintendent

Keeping track of and promoting student attendance during remote learning has been a significant team effort. Students are expected to be online and fully participating in Zoom lessons and activities by 8:00 am daily. For the few students that have requested and been approved for the use of learning packets, those packets must be received and returned weekly. Just as during regular in person classes, if your child will be absent, please call our attendance clerks. We have Mrs. Denise Garcia at Sacaton Elementary, and Mrs. Dorene Pedro at Sacaton Middle School.

SESD is proud to introduce two new faces that provide social emotional support to families and students at the Elementary School. Thanks to our participation in the School Safety Program Grant, we now have a full time social worker, Kendra Byrd, at Sacaton Elementary. We want to welcome Mrs. Byrd who moved to Arizona from Michigan this summer with her husband. She has already begun to provide support to families by providing resources and referrals to community organizations and social emotional learning support directly to students. Also new at the Elementary School, we have a new Parent Educator, Martha Fernandez. Ms. Fernandez comes to us with 15 years of experience working with multicultural families in social services and public schools. Ms. Fernandez works closely with other community agencies and focuses on families with children in the zero to three years old range. Here you see Mrs. Byrd and Ms. Fernandez working together to help create our latest resource for families, the District Clothing Closet.

Sacaton Elementary School District is growing once more. As the Community Orchard Project enters its third year, the harsh summer temperatures have not been unkind to productivity.

With the installation of a subterranean irrigation system, in the early Spring 2020, the citrus tree fruit production has been fraught with promise of a highly sweet harvest. Epifini Landscaping was the sole installation contractor to the 144 citrus tree ‘farm’. Due to a grant from the Gila River Indian Community this orchard was established in the Spring of 2018.

When Mr. Greg Perez, owner of Epifini, was approached to donate mulch from his landscaping operations he gladly offered his support. So much so that this year we will be able to install 30 cubic yards of mulch. Mulch is an important additive because it has a two-fold benefit. Irrigation water retention and weed control.

A tip of our hat and eternal gratitude for an excellent business partner and community supporter.

Teachers at Sacaton Middle School nominated students to receive the first Space @ Home Launch Kit from the non-profit, Higher Orbits. Inside each kit are several STEM and STEAM activities that include materials and Zoom links for live and recorded instruction. In addition, there will be at least two live webinars with astronauts and students will be invited to send questions prior to each webinar. Kits were deliver on October 5, 2020 by Mr. Herold and Mrs. Pedro. Mr. Herold reports that the students were very excited and began reaching out him before he got back to school. Students have even been able to attend Zoom webinars with Mr. John Herrington, retired United States Aviator and former NASA astronaut. In 2002, Mr. Herrington was the first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to fly in space. Kudos to Mr. Herold for sharing his love of science and astronomy with students.

With the launch of Sacaton Storytime and the Fall Break Reading Contest, our love of literacy is truly something to celebrate! During fall break students were encouraged to log in to their myON Reading Platform or participate off line by keeping a reading log. Students at the Elementary read a grand total of 6,342 pages and at the Middle School students read 1,034 pages. Kudos to our Literacy Specialist Maggie Velazquez for coordinating this fun contest. Our first place winner was third grader Aurora Torres who read 2,280 pages, the second place winner was Aaron Hilton in kinder who read 989 pages and the third place winner goes to Merleen Kelly in 4th grade who read 635 pages. We love a great story and love our super readers! Congratulations!