Roadrunner Gazette

Saturday, December 30th, 2017 Important Dates

Volume 13 Issue 4 12/22 – 1/5 Winter Break – No School
1/8 – School Resumes
Our IEM Running Club recently concluded 1/12 – Quarter Report Cards Sent Home
another successful season! 1/15 – No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/16 – Quarter 2 Awards Assemblies
2nd – 8:30
5th – 9:30
4th – 1:15
M.S. – 2:00
1/18 – Quarter 2 Awards Assemblies Continued
1st – 8:30
K – 9:30
3rd – 1:15
1/19 – 100th Day of School
1/26 – No School – Regional Professional Development

How did Imagine East Mesa’s AzMerit Performance

Compare to our Local Competitors?
As stated in last month’s school newsletter, the Arizona Department of Education recently released school
performance ratings for the first time since the 2013-2014 school year! We announced that we had received a
high “B” in both our elementary and middle school charters. Within this month’s newsletter, we wanted to
highlight how we did in comparison to our main local school competitors. Take some time to acquaint
yourselves with the interesting information below! The percentages you see in the table below are performance
percentage points that were awarded to each school in determining their respective school letter grades.
Way to go, Imagine East Mesa!
School Performance State Performance
School Letter Grade Percentage Points Grade
Percentage Rating Scale Earned

Imagine East Mesa Elementary 83% B

A - 86-100 percent Imagine East Mesa Middle School 84% B

B - 85-74 percent. Stevenson Elementary 68% C

C - 73-62 percent. Four Peaks Elementary 68% C

D - 61-50 percent. Augusta Ranch Elementary 80% B

F - Less than 50 percent. Desert Ridge Junior High 67% C

Smith Junior High 67% C

 Meet the Our Passionate 2nd Grade Learners and Leaders!
Ms. Sheets - I have taught at Imagine East Mesa for 2 years and I have been in second grade both years! I love how
second graders always try their hardest. They care so much about their learning and show that they also care about
one another. My hobbies include singing and playing the piano. I have always had a love for music and have continued
with music even today. I love Imagine East Mesa because of the family atmosphere we have here. Every staff member
is supportive of one another. We collaborate together as a team, not only in our grade levels, but as a whole school.

Ms. Cordova - I have taught second grade for two years. I love teaching second grade students because they are so
enthusiastic about learning and willing to try new things. Second graders can be kind, compassionate, hilarious, and I
love that I have the opportunity to play a small part in shaping their hearts and their minds. Some of my
hobbies/interests include reading, yoga, hiking, and spending time with my family. The thing I love most about teaching
at IEM is how supportive and amazing the staff/administrators are. IEM truly feels like a family and I love all the
opportunities I have to collaborate and learn from the teachers around me. They have helped me grow so much as a
teacher!
.
Mrs. Karski - This is my 6th year teaching. I've taught 1st and 2nd grade. I love teaching 2nd grade because 2nd graders
are independent, but still innocent and sweet. I love to be outdoors, mountain biking with my family, and having
handstand competitions with my daughter. I love the family atmosphere at IEM! I truly feel supported and appreciated.

Ms. Athans - IEM has been my home now for 5 years. This is my 5th year teaching! I taught 3rd grade for the past 4
years and am currently am loving to teach 2nd grade this year. The thing that I love most about teaching is watching my
students grow each year in academics, character, and leadership. My hobbies include spending time with my family and
friends, traveling, and exercising. The thing that I love most about working at IEM is that I feel like part of a family. I not
only have the opportunity to watch my students grow, but I also have been challenged and have grown myself! IEM is
truly a special place and I LOVE being a part of it.

Our Passionate 2nd Grade Teachers! Giving Gang Chili Cook-Off

The Giving Gang Chili Cook-Off was a tasty success!
We had around 20 different contestants who
created delicious soup and chili recipes to be
sampled by our very Imagine East Mesa friends and
family members! For the second year in a row, Ms.
Sheets and Ms. Cordova, two of our second grade
teachers, were chosen as the Giving Gang
Chili/Soup contest winners! How fun this night was!
 Turkey Trot Recap Santa Breakfast Success!

Just before this past Thanksgiving, our National We had so many student leaders helping out at the
Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) held a fundraiser in Santa Breakfast as they raised money for their
Washington D.C. class trip at year’s end. What a
the form of a Turkey Trot as they looked to support
great opportunity for our students to show their
our very own Imagine East Mesa families with full
talents in other ways while strengthening their
turkey dinner meals! The turkey trot was such a
understanding of what it means to exert
success and money was raised to purchase perseverance and hard work!
Thanksgiving meals for 13 different families!
Special thanks goes out to our PATT Committee
A huge shout out goes out to our NEHS and which always works so hard for our school! We
supporting staff members as we were able to take appreciate them so much for the time they donate!
care of our very own families! They worked so hard decorating our MPR in
preparation for our successful Santa Breakfast!
One of our pre-k
students pictured here
is shown taking part in
the Turkey Trot
obstacle course. The
students truly had so
much fun while
working towards a
good cause!

8th Grade Junior Achievement

Our 8th grade students recently traveled on a field trip to

Junior Achievement. The students dressed the parts of
various real world business positions and gained an
authentic perspective of what it takes and feels like to
hold these professional roles. This always serves as a great
learning opportunity for the students as they collaborate
within a business society.
 Spelling Bee Grade Level Award Winners!

3rd Grade
Winner-Matthew Cadena
Runner-up-Lillie Lopes

4th Grade
Winner-Stella Gray
Runner-up-Rowan Valdez

5th Grade
Winner-Rylee Davis-Barret
Runner-up-Casen Overly

6th Grade
Winner-Emelia Meade
Runner-up-Eleanor Baker When the school-wide spelling bee concluded, we were able to recognize and
award the following 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place students:
7th Grade
Winner-Cody Gamel 1st Place Eleanor Baker-Giroux
Runner-up-Natalee Devine 2nd Place Natalee Devine-Sooknanan
3rd Place Jon Bonham-Radar
8th Grade
Winner-Jon Bonham Eleanor will be going on to the Imagine Regional Bee, on Tuesday, January 23
Runner-up-Erica Donkle at Imagine Bell Canyon! Congratulations to our Spelling Bee Award Winners!

Math League Competition

Imagine East Mesa had 20 total students participate in the math competition. We had 5 students place in top
quartile of their respective grade levels! While we celebrated all of the students for being nominated to take
part in the math competition, we want to celebrate the following students who were recognized as top
performers!

Rory Gardiner – 3rd Grade – 10th Place

Yamari Miller – 3rd Grade – 6th Place

Kamryn McClure – 4th Grade – 5th Place

Dominic Julian – 4th Grade – 4th Place

Gabriel Hache – 6th Grade – 2nd Place

Pictured here are our 3rd -6th Grade Mathletes that placed in the top 10 of their grade level divisions! The
students showed amazing perseverance and were so excited when they came back to school with their
trophies! Such a proud moment for IEM!
 IEM Sports Corner
Our Middle School Boys’ Basketball team has had a
successful season thus far! With the strong coaching
coming from Mr. Mikula and Mr. Cafaro, our
Roadrunners are playing with great teamwork and
perseverance! Currently, our team is in 3rd place
within their division and are confidently looking
towards competing for a playoff spot after our
Winter Break! Keep up the hard work, gentlemen!
Middle School Band Concert
Our Middle School Band Concert, which was held in
November, was a great display and opportunity for our
students to show off their musical growth made thus
far into the school year! Our beginner and advanced
bands combined to put on a great show with guidance
and support from Mr. Caddell and Dr. J! Our music
program continues to grow here at IEM! It’s very
exciting!
Tax Credit Information
Any Arizona Resident may donate their tax
liability (MAX $200 per individual; $400 per
married couple) to our school for various
purposes.
 They may designate a specific student
when they donate.
 This is a Win-Win opportunity for you as
an Arizona taxpayer and for our students
at Imagine East Mesa!
 The Tax Credit is available to all Arizona
taxpayers, regardless of whether you have
children in school.
 You will receive a tax credit for the full
amount that you contribute, up to $200
(or $400 per married couple)
 With the many field trips that our students
are able to participate in, such as traveling
to Washington D.C., Tucson, the Grand
Canyon, the Lake Pleasant Desert Outdoor
Center, and other various learning
opportunities for our students, you are
making it possible to offset the costs
associated with the field trips while
receiving a Tax Credit on your state taxes.
 You can also support our music programs,
sports programs, and our Giving Gang,
which offers help to members of our
community.
 These programs help build character and
integrity within our students.
 This learning experience for our students
impacts them greatly to become future
leaders in our community by your
contribution.
 Please contact Annette Lange, Business
Manager, at 480-355-6830 for more
information.
 Imagine East Mesa Alumni Spotlight

Sean Enriquez
Sean is currently a senior at Imagine Prep Superstition. He will be graduating this coming May as he begins the
exciting stages of the next part of his educational journey! Sean is a former Imagine East Mesa student and is being
highlighted for his hard work and perseverance as a Roadrunner and a Panther within the Imagine Schools
Southwest Group. He is the definition of a student who holds himself to utmost levels of academics, character, and
leadership. His success is truly a story to tell for all within the Imagine Schools Organization.

What is your fondest memory of Imagine East Mesa?

My fondest memory at Imagine East Mesa was when I was chosen for the character education student of the
year award.

What do you feel distinguishes Imagine East Mesa from other schools in the community?

The mission, I feel at Imagine East Mesa, is to prepare students for a successful transition to high school with
all the necessary tools to be successful and earn the opportunity to go college. Imagine East Mesa’s emphasis
on character education has led me to be a better leader within my community.

If you could give one piece of advice to current Imagine East Mesa students, what would it be?

Have a strong focus on your grades. As you graduate to higher grade levels, having a good work ethic is so
important and will lead you to success!

What have you enjoyed about your current Imagine Campus, Imagine Prep Superstition?

The thing I enjoy the most about Imagine Prep Superstition is how all of the teachers and administration have
such a strong focus in leading us toward college education.

How do you feel that Imagine East Mesa and Imagine Prep Superstition have prepared you in leading up to
your high school graduation?

Both Imagine Campuses have shown that academics, character, and leadership skills are important to be
successful in anything you do. They work towards individual student goals and have led me to achieve my
dream of being accepted into my dream college!

What are your plans in continuing your education after high school?

I will be attending Arizona State University and will major in Secondary Education as I aspire to be a Physical
Education teacher! I want to be a positive influence for students so that I can help prepare them for successful
lives! The best way I can do this is by becoming a teacher!
 Imagine East Mesa Goodwill Donation Drive Early Dismissal Parent Reminder

We will be holding a Goodwill donation drive at At Imagine East Mesa, we strongly

our school from January 8th – January 13th! You recommend that our students are in
can drop off small items at our school during this attendance for the entire school day. Within
week in set donation bins. Any large items will each of our classrooms, we maximize
need to be brought on Saturday, January 13th, instructional time and truly have the team
from 8:00 – 10:00. We will have students at our belief that every minute counts in terms of
school on Saturday, January 13th, to assist and student learning!
take part in the donation drive while unloading
In stating this, we do, however, recognize
vehicles. Feel free to share this with your family,
there may be the rare occasion that a student
friends, or neighbors! We receive 10 cents per
must leave early. Imagine East Mesa has a
pound donated! Let’s work together in collecting
policy where messages to students are not
donation items as we raise money for our
able to be delivered after 2:30pm, unless it is
students and our school! In doing so, we
an extreme emergency. Please try to make
ultimately are helping our local community!
any necessary arrangements for your child
Goodwill will gladly accept the following items: before this time. This policy increases our
level of school safety, minimizes students
 Appliances
going in the wrong direction at dismissal,
 Books
reduces the interruptions within the
 Clothing classroom, and minimizes the amount of
 Computers phone calls our front office staff takes at the
 Cooking Accessories end of the day.
 Electronics
 Furniture We appreciate your continued commitment
 Glass & Housewares to your child’s education and our school as
 Handbags we strive to achieve as much growth as
possible with each individual student! In
 Linens
adhering to this school expectation, you will
 Musical Instruments
greatly help in our student efforts!
 Sports Equipment
 Tools
Contact Us!
 Toys
Office
 Exercise Equipment Hours: 7:30am – 4:00pm, Monday - Friday
 Shoes Phone: 480- 355- 6830
 Pictures Please visit our website at
http://imagineeastmesa.org/home/

The school prohibits discrimination against current or In compliance with the No Child Left Behind legislation,
prospective students and employees on the basis of race, Imagine School at East Mesa teacher resumes are available
color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual for review upon request in the front office.
orientation, or any other legal protected characteristic.