SanTanValley.com

Mechelle Dawson was honored as the Classified Employee of the Month.

She has worked in the Special Education classrooms at Magma Ranch since it opened in 2009.

Principal Rebecca Hendry expressed her appreciation for  the dedication Ms. Dawson brings to the job.

The Florence Unified School District November Governing Board Meeting was held at the District Office Auditorium in Florence on Wednesday, 11/14/12.

Magma Ranch K-8 hosted the meeting, providing curriculum and student leader reports.

Sixteen members of the AZ Future Educators Association (FEA) from Florence and Poston Butte High Schools attended the Fall Regional Leadership Conference at Arizona State University on November 14. The students spoke to college representatives, learned about fundraising, received tips on how to run meetings, and learned about the FEA State Competitions in which they will compete, March 7-9, 2013, at Grand Canyon University. The students also toured ASU, listened to inspirational keynote speakers, and competed in the FEA Olympics where they got a chance to interact with students from other schools across the state.

“Why should I learn math? When will I ever use it?” If your child has ever asked this question, you may be glad to know that there is a good answer, and, thanks to a $5,000 grant from the D’Backs Give Back To School Challenge Program, teachers David Carpenter and Dr. Mary Ploense will not just tell students what that answer is, but will be able to lead them to discover the answers for themselves.

Florence Unified School District Board Members Bob Ingulli, Bob Dailey and Denise Guenther were recognized at the October 2012 FUSD Governing Board meeting for achieving awards for Boardsmanship. The awards, presented by the Arizona School Business Association (ASBA), honor school board members for personal efforts toward improvement; as incentive for voluntary board member in-service training; to promote the idea of better boardsmanship; and for service in ASBA, NSBA, or local board activities and events.

On Saturday, October 27, Poston Butte High School Junior Christian Penn performed with the University of Arizona Honor Choir as a tenor.

This distinguished choir is made up of 60 high school students selected by audition, representing schools from throughout Arizona.

At this annual event, the students and their directors participate in two busy days of rehearsals, educational opportunities and social activities; the Honor Choir then presents its culminating performance, sharing the stage with the UA Symphonic Choir and the Arizona Choir.