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Reading Initiative for A:shiwi and Dowa Yalanne Elementary
Schools and Jim Ford on School Food
Printable Format
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FOR AIRING: Monday, December 17, 2007
(5th -- Radio Spot)
Hello. This is Superintendent Kaye Peery again.
During the 12/10/07 Board Meeting there were two (2) noteworthy
presentations made.
First, there was information on the Reading First Initiative for our
two Elementary Schools – A:shiwi and Dowa Yalanne.
Authorized as part of the No Child Left Behind Act, Reading First is
the largest and most focused early reading initiative ever
undertaken in this country. This program provides states, districts
and schools with funding to implement scientifically based reading
instruction for students in grades kindergarten through third.
A:shiwi and Dowa Yalanne have been part of the Reading First program
for the past three years and data shows significant growth in the
number of grade level or benchmark readers. Both elementary schools
also were identified as making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for
last school year.
Both Elementary schools were recognized by State Reading First
Director, Dr. Lana Paolillo, at the beginning of the 2006-07 school
year for outstanding academic performance.
A team from A:shiwi Elementary has been selected to tentatively
present their reading progress at the fourth annual National Reading
First Convention scheduled July 18-20 in St. Louis Mo.
Our second presentation was by James Ford, our Food Services
Supervisor. This presentation was in response to the discussion of
school food at the 11/13/07 Board Meeting.
Our school meals are second to none as referenced by the following
information.
We are fortunate that with the support of the Board the District
Administration, we are now the ONLY District in New Mexico, and one
of the few in the nation, to provide a full “Offer Verses Serve”
program in Grades K thru 12. We are also the only District to
provide multiple entrees in conjunction with the “Offer Versus
Serve” approach. This provides our students with no less than three
(3) entrée choices each day at lunch time.
Even with a reduction in students, our overall student partipation
has increased. Breakfast participation has increased by whopping
30.6%.
At Zuni High School, approximately 91% of the students eat school
lunches each day, and about 44% eat school breakfasts. These numbers
are almost unheard of at the high school level!
Our Food Services Department received national recognition for its
efforts. They received the “Victory Against Hunger” Award from the
Congressional Hunger Center during the last school year.
Please go to our school website at www.zpsd.org to view both of
these presentations.
This will be my last radio spot until January, 2008. Next week is
the last week before winter break and there is a lot going on.
As a reminder, the schools will be having their Christmas programs
between now and Winter Break. I would encourage the parents to
support the children.
I hope everyone has a glorious holiday.
Elahkwa
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