SMUSD Shout Out!
April 2022
A Note From Our Superintendent
Dear Saddle Mountain Unified School District Families,
I hope you and your family are doing well and staying in good health. We are relieved to continue to have improvements with the COVID pandemic, with far fewer cases than seen earlier this year. Let’s hope it stays that way!
Through an extensive search process, the Governing Board has hired a new superintendent, Dr. Michael Winters, who will start July 1st. I am confident Dr. Winters will be a good fit for the district and I look forward to working with him to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Construction at Desert Sunset Elementary School is making great progress, on schedule and on budget! Check out photos of the school on our website: https://www.smusd90.org/Bonds.
Did you know it’s not too late to divert up to $400 of your AZ income tax liability to SMUSD? You can do so until April 15th. Click here for details: https://www.smusd90.org/Tax_Credits
As we continue to grow, we are adding new positions. You can find openings and a portal to submit an application on our website: https://www.smusd90.org/Human_Resources. Come grow with us!
Thank you for choosing Saddle Mountain Unified School District!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paul Tighe
New SMUSD Superintendent Selected By Board
Saddle Mountain Unified School District is pleased to announce that the Governing Board has selected its new school Superintendent. Dr. Michael Winters will take over the position as of July 1, 2022. The Board selected Dr. Winters from a large pool of excellent candidates. He will replace Dr. Paul Tighe, who led the district for six years. Dr. Tighe has taken a position as the Executive Director for Arizona School Administrators.
Dr. Winters is a career Arizona educator with 23 years of experience. He started his career as a high school Biology and Chemistry teacher, then taught middle school science, became an assistant principal, was a principal for seven years, and has spent the last eight years as the Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction in the Madison School District in Phoenix. He holds a bachelors in secondary education Biology from the University of Missouri, a masters in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University, and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership K-12 Education from Grand Canyon University.
"I was drawn to the small family-like environment in the district. When you visit Saddle Mountain, you can feel that culture as soon as you walk through the door. It’s a challenging and exciting time to be a part of K12 education and I hope to successfully navigate the challenges growth brings with it by continuing to build state-of-the-art learning environments and staffing those schools with talented, dedicated educators. Our fifth school opens this August, and we look forward to welcoming our newest group of staff, faculty, and students to the SMUSD family,” said Dr. Winters.
“We are very pleased that Dr. Winters accepted the Superintendent position,” said SMUSD Governing Board President Dan Blackson. “He is highly qualified and will bring a wealth of talent and energy to the district. We are grateful for Dr. Tighe’s years of service and our whole school family will miss his caring ways. We wish him the best as he begins a new career as the Executive Director for the Arizona School Administrators.”
Please Mark Your Calendar- Benchmark Testing Days
District Benchmark Testing
Week of 3/29-4/1
Tuesday: Grades 3-8 Math Post Tests
Wednesday: Grades 3-8 ELA Post Tests
Thursday: Grades 3-8 Science Post Tests (Pilot test for this year, no growth or proficiency levels will be calculated)
Friday: Makeup Testing (Tests will be open for makeups through Wed 4/6)
High School
Week of 3/29-4/1
Algebra 1, English 9 and 10 Post tests
Semester based courses mid terms.
State Testing Reminder:
April 5th, TVHS Juniors- ACT Assessment (Makeups completed by 4/8)
April 7th, Grades 3-8- AASA Writing portion (Makeups completed by 4/15)
April 13th Grades 5, 8, and 11- AZSCI Science Assessment (Makeups completed by 4/15)
April 19th TVHS 9th Graders- ACT Aspire Assessment (Makeups completed by April 29th)
April 20th Grades 3-8 AASA ELA and Math Part 1 (Makeups completed by April 29th)
April 21st Grades 3-8 AASA ELA and Math Part 2 (Makeups completed by April 29th)
National Library Week!
1. Visit your library.
Whether you're visiting in person or virtually, libraries offer the opportunity to connect with new worlds through access to technology, multimedia content, and educational programs. Take time to connect with your library during National Library Week to see all they have to offer.
2. Participate in the #MyLibrary promotion on social media.
As National Library Week Honorary Chair Molly Shannon says, "Libraries are places where communities connect—to things like broadband, computers, programs and classes, books, movies, video games, and more." During National Library Week 2022, we're asking you to share the connections you've made thanks to your library. Did you find a great book? Get access to computers? Attend a great program or storytime? Did you make new friends at the library’s book club?
Tell us by posting to Instagram, Twitter, or on the I Love Libraries Facebook page. Use the hashtag #MyLibrary. We'll gather all the entries, and one randomly selected winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card. The promotion starts Sunday, April 3 at noon CT and ends on Saturday, April 9 at noon CT. Don’t forget to tag your library!
If you love your library, say it loud and proud: vocal community support helps libraries secure much-needed funding and reminds hardworking library staff that their efforts are appreciated. Participating in the #MyLibrary promotion is a quick, easy way to help your library thrive!
Help spread the word about the #MyLibrary promotion by sharing these graphics on social media:
Twitter/Facebook | Instagram
4. Follow your local library, ALA, and I Love Libraries on social media.
- Be sure to follow your library on social media so you don't miss out on all they have to offer.
- Don't forget to follow the American Library Association and I Love Libraries on social media!
- ALA accounts: Twitter: @ALALibrary | Facebook: @AmericanLibraryAssociation | Instagram: @americanlibraryassociation>
I Love Libraries: Twitter: @IloveLibraries | Facebook @ILoveLibraries
Our newest school is almost ready!
What We Believe
Mission
Educate all students to become responsible, college-and-career-ready community members.
Vision
Everyone learns, every day.
VALUES
SMUSD has a commitment to…
· Accountability
· Being trustworthy
· Caring
· Taking initiative
· Being respectful
· Believing all children are capable of success. No exceptions.
Get in touch!
Website: www.smusd90.org
Location: Saddle Mountain Unified School, West Indian School Road, Tonopah, AZ, USA
Phone: (623) 474-5115
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Saddle-Mountain-Unified-School-District-90-1315568738609878/
Twitter: @SaddleMtUSDSupt