December - Madison School District
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MADISON Update aordinary Learning for All Extraordinary News for All Madison Staff DECEMBER 2013 ARIZONA SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD Dr. Tim Ham, Madison School District Superintendent, has been selected as Arizona’s Superintendent of the Year and will be the Arizona representative to the American Association of School Administrator’s (AASA) National Superintendent of the Year award selection committee. The award was presented during a luncheon at the Arizona School Boards Association/Arizona School Administrators Annual Conference at the Biltmore Conference Center on December 12, 2013. Bestowed by Arizona School Administrators (ASA), this award recognizes an Arizona Superintendent for their contributions to the success of students in their district and their role as an education leader on the local, state, and national levels. “I’m honored both to receive this award and to represent Arizona,” Ham said, “but leadership doesn’t happen in a vacuum and I have the good fortune to work with an outstanding team.” Ham’s leadership skills can be articulated best through his actions which have lead Madison to earn the distinction of being the only elementary district in Phoenix to be “A” rated by the Department of Education and the first elementary district in Arizona to become “Internationally Accredited” through AdvancED. Dr. Ham with Superintendent’s Cabinet members, Jay Mann, Deborah Huffaker, Lori Garvey, and Barbara Marshall. “A strong public education system is critical to the success of any democracy and is the key to economic prosperity,” said Ham. “Being the Arizona Superintendent of the Year is certainly one of the highlights of my career, but my greatest reward is visiting Madison classrooms where I get to see tomorrow’s leaders as they learn today.” MADISON Update 2 DECEMBER 2013 Extraordinary Learning for All STAFF AWARD RECIPIENTS Each month, four Madison staff members are selected for recognition of their outstanding contribution to our schools. The “You Make the Difference” award is presented to two certified staff members, and the “Shining Star” award to two classified staff members. Winners are recognized at their site by their Principal, Dr. Ham, and MDCTA President Lindsay Farr. They are also invited to attend a Governing Board meeting to be honored by the Madison Governing Board and attendees. December 2013 You Make the Difference Sara Daffe, Park Art Teacher & Athletic Director You Make the Difference Summer Izatt, Camelview 3rd Grade Teacher Shining Star Dale Davis, District Office Print Shop Operator Shining Star Gloria Esquivel, Camelview Secretary MADISON Update 3 DECEMBER 2013 Extraordinary Learning for All STAFF AWARD RECIPIENTS CONTINUED Shining Star Veronica Obregon, Park Secretary & Registrar KNIX/Fulton Homes “Teacher of the Week” Jessica Huyck, Rose Lane 2nd Grade Teacher Jessica Huyck, a second grade teacher at Rose Lane, was selected as the KNIX/Fulton Homes “Teacher of the Week” for December 6, 2013. Mrs. Huyck was nominated by a parent for her dedication and commitment to her students. Thank you, Mrs. Huyck and congratulations! Rodel Exemplary Teacher Finalist Mary Proctor, Park Special Education Teacher Mary Proctor, Madison Park 5 – 8 grade Special Education teacher was recently honored as a 2014 Rodel Exemplary Teacher Finalist. The Rodel Exemplary Teacher Initiative honors extraordinary teachers and asks that they each mentor high potential student teachers. Mentor teachers are selected based on their outstanding student achievement in high-need schools, their ability to mentor new teachers, and the recommendation of their principal and Rodel’s observation team. We would also like to recognize and congratulate Joanna Mena who was recently identified as a National Board Certified Teacher and Dr. Kay McClain who was identified as an Arizona Master Teacher. They will both be honored on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at the 5th Annual Celebration of Accomplished Teaching at the Camelback Inn Resort and Spa. Meadows teachers, Anna Andrews, Daniel Coffinger, Kay McClain, John Murphy, Lee Myer and Paula Schmitt were selected as recipients of the Xavier College Preparatory Golden Gator Award for Excellence in Teaching. Congratulations! MADISON Update 4 DECEMBER 2013 Extraordinary Learning for All EMPLOYEE WELLNESS UPDATES 15 minutes could save your life ~ Early detection is the best defense we have against Breast Cancer Mobile on-Site Mammography is dedicated to providing quality service with a professional staff and using the latest in Digital Mammography Technology for your safety and comfort. Madison School District January 24 & 31, 2014 7:00am – 5:00pm Madison School District District Office 5601 N 16th Street Phoenix, AZ 85016 To make your appointment and verify insurance, please call (480) 967-3767 or (800) 285-0272. Please have your insurance card available. $0 Co-Pay for MERITAIN member or their covered dependent per the Preventive Wellness Benefit. Non-insured patients $167.00 It is the patients’ responsibility to consult their individual plan for coverage and limitations. You will be responsible for any charges that are not covered. Patients under age 30 must provide a Doctor’s referral. Please bring the following: Medical Insurance Card Doctor’s Name & Address Location Of Prior Mammography Films Recommended Baseline 35-40 and annually after 40 MADISON Update Extraordinary Learning for All EMPLOYEE WELLNESS UPDATES 5 DECEMBER 2013 MADISON Update 6 DECEMBER 2013 Extraordinary Learning for All EMPLOYEE WELLNESS UPDATES ASBAIT Announces New Network Outside Arizona Your Network of providers has grown stronger! Beginning January 1, 2014 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona will remain the network within Arizona. Aetna PPO Network will provide in-network benefits if you must see a provider outside of Arizona. When you and your family seek healthcare services outside of Arizona, you will now have access to Aetna's broad national network of healthcare providers and facilities. Aetna's network contains more than 850,000 participating physicians and ancillary providers, with 6,900 hospitals. When you must visit providers outside of Arizona, the Aetna network will provide in-network benefits. Please note: Transplant services will continue to be administered by BlueCross/BlueShield of Arizona providers only. ID Cards DO NOT DISCARD YOUR EXISTING ID CARD. You will now have two ID Cards. For medical Services in Arizona, continue using your current BlueCross/BlueShield of Arizona ID Card. Enclosed is a second member ID card with the Aetna logo. For medical services outside of Arizona, you will show your provider your new Aetna ID Card. If extra copies of this card are needed, they may be ordered on the MyMeritain web portal. Important next steps When you must go to a provider outside of Arizona, show your enclosed member ID card Identifying Aetna as your PPO network. This can help ensure you receive all applicable network discounts. Please see the reverse side for directions on finding providers that participate with the Aetna National PPO network. MADISON Update Extraordinary Learning for All EMPLOYEE WELLNESS UPDATES ASBAIT Breast Feeding Benefit Expanding coverage for purchase of breast pumps! The ASBAIT plan document describes coverage as mandated by the Affordable Care Act as follows: Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling in conjunction with each birth, including the following: (1) Comprehensive lactation support and counseling by a trained provider during pregnancy and/or in the postnatal period (60 days from baby’s date of birth). Lactation consultation is limited to 6 cumulative visits per 12-month period. (2) Breastfeeding equipment will be covered, subject to the following: (i) Rental of a Hospital grade electric pump while the baby is Hospital confined; and (ii) Purchase of a standard (non-Hospital grade) electric breast pump or manual breast pump if requested within 60 days (electric) or 12 months (manual) from the baby’s date of birth, provided the Covered Person has not received either a standard electric breast pump or a manual breast pump within the last 3 Calendar Years. (3) For women using a breast pump from a prior pregnancy, 1 new set of breast pump supplies will be covered at 100% with each subsequent pregnancy for initiation or continuation of breastfeeding within the first 12 months from the baby’s date of birth Q. What type of breast pump may I purchase under the ASBAIT plan? A. A non-Hospital grade electric breast pump or a manual breast pump. Q. Do I have to use an In-network provider to purchase a breast pump? A. Good news. Effective January 1, 2014 ASBAIT will expand coverage to allow members to purchase eligible breast pumps from out of network providers such as retailers, web-based providers, etc. Plan members may submit a claim form and receipt to Meritain Health. Claim forms are available on my mymeritain.com or in your employee benefit guide. Eligible claims submitted for purchase from an out of network provider will be subject to usual and customary reduction. If you have additional questions you may contact customer service at 866.300.8449. 7 DECEMBER 2013 MADISON Update 8 DECEMBER 2013 Extraordinary Learning for All W-2 INFORMATION It is the end of the calendar year and the distribution deadline for 2013 W-2s is January 31, 2014. Payroll is making every effort to distribute these documents as early as possible. Please keep in mind we must reconcile and balance all 2013 wages and deductions to ensure the accuracy of the W-2 information before these documents can be released. BOND PROJECT UPDATES During the 2013 Winter Break, bond projects at several schools will be completed. These projects include: new fencing, three new sidewalks, and landscape repairs at Madison Rose Lane; a complete remodel of the kitchen at Madison Heights; a front office remodel at Madison Meadows to improve security while making the campus more accessible for students and parents; resurfacing of worn exterior walkways, stairs, and tetherball courts at Madison No. 1; new fence, gate, and walkway for the preschool entrance at Madison Park; and the removal of the HomeSmart building adjacent to the Madison District Office. Photographs below show project areas prior to construction (Rose Lane not shown). Watch for the January issue of the Madison Update, which will contain photographs of the completed projects. MADISON Update 9 DECEMBER 2013 Extraordinary Learning for All EDUCATION LICENSE PLATE The “Extraordinary Educators” specialty license plate is now available from the Arizona Department of Transportation. Conceptualized and spearheaded by Madison Governing Board Member Sasha Glassman, “$17 of the $25 specialty license plate fee goes to Arizona public educators who propose extraordinary activities, projects, or lessons for students in kindergarten through grade eight,” according to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s web site. The plates, which became available earlier this month, have the potential to raise more than $1 million annually. Appropriately designed to raise awareness of the need to support education efforts in the state, the plates have a dark-green background, a red apple, and the chalk message, “Support Our Schools.” Glassman originally conceived the idea when she saw a plate benefiting public education in Alabama. After presenting the idea to Rep. Jeff Dial, R-Chandler, she came to realize, with Dial’s guidance, that adding a new specialty plate would be a challenge. In fact, there was even a recent bill that sought to prevent the addition of more specialty license plates. Ultimately, with Dial’s support and testimonies from Glassman and Madison Superintendent Dr. Tim Ham, the bill to create the plate passed with bipartisan support, and was signed by the governor in April. The next challenge was to raise the initial funds needed for a new plate. Glassman rallied supporters to raise the $32,000 necessary for the administrative setup fees. Ultimately she was able to exceed this goal with donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The “Extraordinary Educators” plate is now available for purchase through servicearizona.com. Jeremy Jackrabbit is the lead character in a series of environmentally-themed children’s books authored by Sasha and Rodney Glassman, illustrated by students, and distributed to all kindergartners in Maricopa County and Tucson. MADISON Update Extraordinary Learning for All EVENTS AROUND MADISON Park Turkey Trot Pi Day at Meadows Camelview’s New Mascot Author Jack Gantos visits Simis 10 DECEMBER 2013 MADISON Update 11 DECEMBER 2013 Extraordinary Learning for All FOUNDATION UPDATE World Percussion Thanks to the generosity of Madison Education Foundation supporters, students at all Madison schools will be introduced to percussion instruments from around the world beginning in January. In late December, Madison music teachers gathered for a special training which prepared them to fully utilize the “World Percussion” instruments in their classrooms. The program aims to use rhythms and sequencing to improve students’ understanding of music, social studies, and math. Tax Deductible Donation As 2013 comes to a close, and you are considering tax deductible charitable donations, the Madison Education Foundation would sincerely appreciate your support. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law. Your gift supports the Madison Education Foundation’s mission and commitment to enriching the quality of music and arts education of every child who attends Madison public schools. Please visit madisoneducationfoundation.org for details. MADISON MONDAYS AT TEXAZ GRILL Visit TEXAZ Grill on Mondays and 10% of your bill will be donated to the Madison Education Foundation! (Must present this ad.) Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you! Located on the NE Corner of 16th St. & Bethany Home 602.248.7827 / texazgrill.com Offer valid through 1 /20/14 12 MADISON Update DECEMBER 2013 Extraordinary Learning for All ARIZONA TAX CREDIT About the Tax Credit Program Tax Credits support extracurricular and character education programs in the Madison School District. The Tax Credit program allows you to dedicate money to schools while reducing your tax liability to the state by the same amount. Anyone can participate, married or single, with or without children. Donations may be used for any school sponsored activities that require students to pay a fee in order to participate or for a character education program. How the Program Works For every dollar you donate, the amount you own on your 2013 Arizona taxes will be that much less. If you do not owe taxes, the amount toy donate may be carried forward for up to five years to offset future tax liabilities. For example, if a single person owes $300 on their state taxes for 2013 and donates the maximum amount of $200, they will then only owe the state $100. If a single person owes $100 on their state taxes for 2013, and donates the maximum amount of $200, they will owe nothing on their taxes for this year and can still use the remaining $100 to offset future taxes. About the Law Arizona tax law (ARS§43-1089-01) allows tax credits up to $400 per household toward extracurricular activities in public schools. Couples filing jointly may donate any amount up to $400. Individuals may contribute up to $200. Extracurricular activities are optional, noncredit, educational activities provided by the school. Examples include: field trips, enrichment activities, athletic and fine art programs, and after school clubs. To participate, select the school you wish to contribute to and return the form on the right. Forms must be postmarked by December 31. You may also donate in person at Madison's District Office or any Madison school site, or online through our secure website at madisonaz.org Complete and return this form, along with your payment to: Madison Tax Credit Program 5601 N. 16th Street, Phoenix AZ 85016 DONOR INFORMATION Name Address City/State/Zip Donation Amount: (The maximum donation for a married couple is $400. The maximum donation for a single person is $200. Credits may carry over for up to five years.) Select the school's general activity fund which you want to assist: ____ Most Needed School ____ Madison No.1 ____ Madison Camelview ____ Madison Simis ____ Madison Rose Lane ____ Madison Park ____ Madison Meadows ____ Madison Heights ____ Madison Traditional Academy Signature/Date This non-refundable donation is eligible for the Arizona State Income Tax Credit as allowed by ARS§43-1089-01. Please consult with your personal tax preparer to determine the application of this credit.
