Thursday, September 09, 2010
Principal's Corner 09/01/09
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Nearly every newsletter begins by commenting about how it doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that we started school, and how time is flying by. Well, once again I find myself shocked that we’re finishing our third week of school, and closing in quickly on our first completed month. The third week has given us some interesting comparisons to make, looking at this same time last year.

This year disciplinary incidents are down significantly, whether due to the changes to staff, to administration, to students, or due to some other x-factor altogether, such as the newly required uniforms or the new and improved Student Handbook. Either way, we are very proud of the new, better behaved SSA-Phx, and we thank our students and our parents for their help in creating this improved atmosphere for learning.
 
All students have now been given the SSA Student Handbook. This booklet covers all of the rules, policies, procedures, and punishments for SSA-Phx. Everything from Truancy to Bullying to Dress Code to Electronics are covered. Parents, please go over this handbook closely with your child to ensure they understand the rules they will have to abide by for the 2009/2010 school year.
 
On Monday August 31, we’ll be starting our Clubs. Students brought home a club interest form last week, and Mr. Ozel has assigned students to clubs now. These clubs range from Turkish Folk Dancing to Origami to Robotics to Sports to Photography, all making us here at SSA-Phx a wonderfully well-rounded club atmosphere.
 
AfterCare has begun, but sadly, we find our teacher volunteers too overwhelmed at this point. For this reason, we’re now opening up a second option for AfterCare, where parents can register their students with the Boys and Girls Club of Scottsdale. Transportation will be provided for up to 14 students starting September 1, 2009. We are hoping to be able to increase the number in January 2010. Those who cannot make it into the group of 14 will still be watched at SSA, though only if they are enrolled in SSA’s AfterCare program.
 
We have also adjusted our release procedures. Kindergarteners are no longer released outside of the school. Rather, our Kindergarteners will be held in the room with their teachers. Parents must come into the room to sign their child out. Children will not be released to any person who has not been specifically authorized by the parent. Without prior authorization, we cannot release to any person, related or not. Students in AfterCare will also have to be signed out by a parent or authorized adult.
 
Finally, I’d like to remind parents of the many different fundraising opportunities available to you. Basha’s has an excellent program which allows some of your savings to be paid to SSA. Boxtops are another wonderful resource to a school like ours. Parents can also inquire of teachers for any supplies needed in class or in clubs. And finally, we are now in need of a new refrigerator for AfterCare.
 
Thank you!

  

Principal's Corner 08/14/09
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Welcome back to another year at Sonoran Science Academy. Yet again, we begin the year listed as a Highly Performing school, an accomplishment we are quite proud of. With the dedicated staff and hardworking student body we have assembled this year, however, we hope to increase that score to an “Excelling” this year, and I believe that with the right amount of effort from our students, parents, staff, and administration, we can accomplish that. 

As you have probably noticed, SSA-Phx has switched over to being a uniform school this year. All parents must purchase a uniform for their child to wear in order to attend here. If economic difficulties make that impossible, please arrange a meeting with the Principal and Vice Principal to discuss our options. Rest assured that we will find a way to ensure your child won’t be left out.
 
Starting next week, we will be enforcing our uniform policy. This means students who come to school without the proper uniform (consisting of the SSA Logo shirt, and navy blue or khaki pants, shorts, skirt, or skort) may not be admitted to class. We simply cannot enforce a rule if we do not enforce it for all of our students. Students will be asked to call their parents to remind them about the uniform rule. Middle School / High School students will have to change out into their gym uniforms and wear those during the day. 
 
We will also be holding our annual Back to School Night on Thursday August 20, from 5 to 7 PM. Please stop by the school, where you can meet the principal and vice principal, and then see your child’s classroom and teacher!
 
As stated on the Academic Calendar for the 2009/2010 school year, there will be no school on Friday August 21. Our teachers will spend that day learning new and interesting education techniques which we hope to employ this year to make SSA-Phx even better than we’ve been in the past. Any parents who do not yet have an Academic Calendar, which shows all no school holidays and early release days, should inquire at the front office. 
 
I would also like to take this time to apologize sincerely to all of our parents for the inconvenient problem of our Before/After Care situation. We have been trying to find an affordable option all summer, but at the last minute some new challenges complicated the issue. Due to this, we have decided to simply offer Before/After Care provided by our own staff members. It will be available from 6:30 AM until 6:00 PM. We will be sending home a sign up sheet . Please fill it out and return it to register your child. 
 
Finally, please watch for the Club sign up sheet, which we will be sending home sometime next week. Read it carefully, and together with your child please choose which clubs you would like him or her to attend. Be sure to send it back to your child’s teacher. 
I look forward to getting to know all my students and all the parents over the course of this year. Together I believe we can make the 2009/2010 school year at Sonoran Science Academy-Phx one of the best ever. I can’t wait to improve this school working together with such a great group of students and their caring families. 
 
Thank you,
 
Mustafa Deniz
Principal of SSA-Phoenix

  

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