The first draft of Arizona’s state plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act is now available for public comment.
The draft can be found at www.azed.gov/essa/draftplan.
Under ESSA, the Arizona Department of Education is responsible for creating a state plan that reflects a shared statewide vision for Arizona’s students and schools on topics such as accountability, funding, school improvement and grant-making systems.
Comments received by Oct. 1 will be considered as a second draft is developed for release in mid-October. The release of that second draft will mark the beginning of the official 60 day comment period required by ESSA and feedback gathered during that window will be used to finalize the plan.
ESSA, which is designed to replace No Child Left Behind as the primary federal legislation addressing America’s public education system, was passed into law by Congress in December 2015 and will take effect in the 2017-2018 school year. ESSA is marketed as affording states greater flexibility, and the new law encourages states and schools to innovate while maintaining a focus on accountability, state and local systems of improvement and a more balanced assessment system.
Charter school celebrates the opening of its Little Free Library
Highland Free School, a charter school near the University of Arizona, recently celebrated the opening of its Little Free Library.
Little Free Library is a nationwide movement that aims to promote literacy. Anyone who is interested can purchase a little library, the size of which can range from a birdhouse to a dollhouse, and place it at a spot of their choosing.
The libraries are then filled with books, which people can borrow for free.
The school is located at 510 S. Highland Ave.
St. Michael’s School slated to host open house for parents
St. Michael’s School, a private school on Tucson’s east side, will host the first open house this year on Sept. 14.
The open house is from 9 to 11 a.m. at the school’s campus, 602 N. Wilmot Road. Prospective parents can meet the school’s teachers and learn about its program.
The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade. For more information, call 722-8478.
Pima County seeks participating schools for walk, bike day
Pima County is looking for schools to celebrate International Walk & Bike to School Day on Oct. 21.
Pima County students and parents will have the opportunity to learn healthy and car-free ways to get to school.
Participating schools can receive special bicycle and pedestrian safety training. Prizes and incentives are available to schools that register by Oct. 3 for the event, including kick scooters while supplies last, pencils and posters.
Consistent physical activity can reduce obesity, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Walking and biking also reduces traffic congestion around schools and provides family members and neighbors with an opportunity to connect and socialize and teach traffic safety tips to children.
For more information and to register for the local celebration, contact the Pima County Department Of Transportation’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program at 724-BIKE(2453).
Reunion set for Tucson High’s class of 1968
Tucson High School’s Class of 1968 is hosting a reunion on Oct. 8.
The reunion will be at the Randolph Golf Complex, 600 N. Alvernon Way from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The cost to attend is $30 per person.
There will be barbecue, music, dancing and more. For more information, contact Rene Madrid at 520-440-4437 or renemadrid@cox.net.
Sabino High to honor 2016 HOF inductees
Sabino High School will induct its sixth annual Hall of Fame Class on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. during the home football game.
The Class of 2016 Inductees are: Joe Abney, Tod Brown, Darren Clausen, Amy Ford, Rodger Ford, Glenn Feuerbacher, Jan Koerner, Steve LaFrance, Doug McSpadden, Chris Meade, Carson Rustand, Warren Rustand, Gordon Simons, Patti Stinson and Bill Taylor.
The 1995 girls tennis team coached by Eric Anderson, along with the 1995 boys soccer team coached by Ron Fox and the 1996 girls soccer team coached by Alisha Kientzler will also be recognized.
