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Benson teachers get together before new year
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| Quick answer: Benson Schools Governing Board member Jack Comaduran, left, and Danielle Bonde, a Benson Primary School first-grade teacher try to answer a question on the district's mission statement. The two were chosen to compete in the 'Are you smarter than a Bobcat' contest on Monday. (Photo by Thelma Grimes) |
Thelma Grimes
SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS-Sun
Students around the San Pedro Valley will be back in the classrooms this week, as all schools including the Benson, Pomerene and St. David public school districts are starting on Wednesday and Thursday.
Preparing for the new 2009-10 school year, teachers, administration and staff of the Benson School District came together for a special welcoming breakfast Monday morning.
Besides singing the Bobcats' fight song, doing the national anthem together and enjoying breakfast, selected staff members also participated in the 'Are you Smarter than a Bobcat' game. Like 'Are you smarter than a 5th Grader' or the popular Xbox game '1 in 100,' teachers and staff were asked questions about the district.
The first question regarded the school's mission statement, giving the staff a choice between a safe and welcoming learning community, a warm and caring student environment, giving all children the opportunity to learn, or prozac for staff.
The answer is providing students with a safe and welcoming learning community.
While acknowledging returning staff members, the principals of each school also welcomed their new teachers and staff.
Shad Housley, principal of the middle school and Bryan Bullington, principal of the high school, were sure to point out one of the school's more seasoned educators. James Driggers, the district's athletic director and high school dean of students, has now been serving the Benson School District for 39 years.
Bullington joked that he's barely had that many birthdays.
Driggers has worn many hats while serving Benson Schools. Driggers has been a coach, middle school teacher, high school history teacher and moved into administrative services several years ago.
Benson Schools will be welcoming about 1,000 students on Thursday, and Governing Board President Chic Maldonado expressed some excitement over the district being the pilot for the nationally-recognized Beyond Textbooks program that was introduced last year by the Vail School District.
Beyond Textbooks provides teachers an alternative source of materials outside the traditional textbooks. The program, which has been deemed successful in its pilot year, was also featured on the front page of Sunday's New York Times.
Kate Mueller, superintendent of the St. David School District, said they are also excited to use the new program this year.
While most schools in the valley will be business as usual once school begins, there will be some obstacles for parents to be aware of at Benson as a $6 million construction project moves forward.
Right in front of the middle school on Patagonia Street, crews continue to work on a new dining auditorium that is expected to be completed by the end of September. The new cafeterias was paid for through voters approving a property tax increase last year.
Construction will also be continuing at the football field and in front of the gymnasium near the parking lot throughout the next few months.
While not as obvious, David Woodall, superintendent of Benson Schools, said the district Web site is also under construction. Woodall said they are working to update all information and make it more available to parents so they can track their child's progress throughout the school year, and keep up with school news and information.
Mueller, in St. David, said they too have worked to make the Web site more accessible in the new year to help keep parents updated in a more timely manner.
Other technological advances mentioned during the breakfast was that the schools will continue to have cameras on school buses to help assure the drivers' as well as the students' safety.
City street crews have also been working throughout the week to prepare the roads for the new school year. Crosswalks are being painted, and as usual, motorists are asked to use caution while driving through school zones in St. David, Pomerene and along Patagonia and Union streets in Benson.
Mueller, in St. David, said they are also excited about the new year, but noted that due to state budget cuts, they will have three less teachers.
SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS-Sun
Students around the San Pedro Valley will be back in the classrooms this week, as all schools including the Benson, Pomerene and St. David public school districts are starting on Wednesday and Thursday.
Preparing for the new 2009-10 school year, teachers, administration and staff of the Benson School District came together for a special welcoming breakfast Monday morning.
Besides singing the Bobcats' fight song, doing the national anthem together and enjoying breakfast, selected staff members also participated in the 'Are you Smarter than a Bobcat' game. Like 'Are you smarter than a 5th Grader' or the popular Xbox game '1 in 100,' teachers and staff were asked questions about the district.
The first question regarded the school's mission statement, giving the staff a choice between a safe and welcoming learning community, a warm and caring student environment, giving all children the opportunity to learn, or prozac for staff.
The answer is providing students with a safe and welcoming learning community.
While acknowledging returning staff members, the principals of each school also welcomed their new teachers and staff.
Shad Housley, principal of the middle school and Bryan Bullington, principal of the high school, were sure to point out one of the school's more seasoned educators. James Driggers, the district's athletic director and high school dean of students, has now been serving the Benson School District for 39 years.
Bullington joked that he's barely had that many birthdays.
Driggers has worn many hats while serving Benson Schools. Driggers has been a coach, middle school teacher, high school history teacher and moved into administrative services several years ago.
Benson Schools will be welcoming about 1,000 students on Thursday, and Governing Board President Chic Maldonado expressed some excitement over the district being the pilot for the nationally-recognized Beyond Textbooks program that was introduced last year by the Vail School District.
Beyond Textbooks provides teachers an alternative source of materials outside the traditional textbooks. The program, which has been deemed successful in its pilot year, was also featured on the front page of Sunday's New York Times.
Kate Mueller, superintendent of the St. David School District, said they are also excited to use the new program this year.
While most schools in the valley will be business as usual once school begins, there will be some obstacles for parents to be aware of at Benson as a $6 million construction project moves forward.
Right in front of the middle school on Patagonia Street, crews continue to work on a new dining auditorium that is expected to be completed by the end of September. The new cafeterias was paid for through voters approving a property tax increase last year.
Construction will also be continuing at the football field and in front of the gymnasium near the parking lot throughout the next few months.
While not as obvious, David Woodall, superintendent of Benson Schools, said the district Web site is also under construction. Woodall said they are working to update all information and make it more available to parents so they can track their child's progress throughout the school year, and keep up with school news and information.
Mueller, in St. David, said they too have worked to make the Web site more accessible in the new year to help keep parents updated in a more timely manner.
Other technological advances mentioned during the breakfast was that the schools will continue to have cameras on school buses to help assure the drivers' as well as the students' safety.
City street crews have also been working throughout the week to prepare the roads for the new school year. Crosswalks are being painted, and as usual, motorists are asked to use caution while driving through school zones in St. David, Pomerene and along Patagonia and Union streets in Benson.
Mueller, in St. David, said they are also excited about the new year, but noted that due to state budget cuts, they will have three less teachers.
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