Inspired by its Namesake, Anasazi Elementary School Builds Close-Knit Community, Earns A+ Grade from AEF

SCOTTSDALE - August 18, 2009 - The teachers and staff of Scottsdale's Anasazi Elementary School need look no further than their namesakes to derive the inspiration necessary for each day. That inspiration has helped it become one of only 17 schools across Arizona to be designated an A+ School by the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF).

Much like the ancient Anasazi, who reportedly strived to live their lives in harmony and build close-knit communities where their children would feel safe and sheltered, the staff of the Scottsdale Unified School District campus wrote in it's A+ Schools certification sheet that it also seeks to provide "...a safe, happy place where students can momentarily forget cares from home so that learning can take place" and "...where growth into successful confident young adulthood can continue."

Called "...a caring, well run school with high academic expectations," by the AEF A+ certification judges, the staff at Anasazi Elementary School proudly points to its more than 20-year commitment to providing quality education. That commitment has led to numerous recent initiatives, including:

• Adding a pre-school for 4-year-olds to the campus
• Improving the school's TV station thanks to partnership with KAET-TV 8. The station features everything from important facts to fun trivia, and provides an enjoyable start to the Anasazi school day
• Teaming with the Boy Scouts to add cactus gardens and a tortoise habitat to the campus
• Instilling fitness with programs such as Grand Canyon Trekkers
• Actively participating in a school-wide recycling program

According to the school's A+ certification sheet, the Spirit of the Anasazi touches nearly every aspect of life at the school.

"As tradition and community were important to the ancient ones," the school wrote, "they are also important to us. We teach respect for self and others by hosting a variety of inreach/outreach and cultural events regarding heroes, artists, historical figures and those less fortunate. Our life skills program is infused into the school as well as the students' daily lives.

"We hope the spirit of the Anasazi of old is carried over to our students; they feel the joy of learning and when they leave us they are well prepared to go forward in life."

Principal Jeff Quisberg, who was recently selected into the AZ Leads3 Circle of Honor, guides the talented professionals that have led Anasazi Elementary School to the AEF's A+ School designation. Anasazi Elementary School will maintain its A+ designation for three years.

According to the AEF website, azedfoundation.org, the A+ program celebrates education and brings to light the positive stories and successes happening in public schools every day. Created in 1983, the program's stated purpose is threefold:

• To identify and publicly recognize outstanding public schools in Arizona;
• To make available a comprehensive framework of key criteria for school effectiveness that can serve as a basis for participatory self-assessment and planning in schools;
• To facilitate communication and sharing of best practices within and among schools based on common criteria related to success.

In order to be recognized as an A+ school, each school must submit an application providing demographic information, a description of current programs and practices, documentation of parent and community involvement, a profile of the school principal and his/her vision of the commitment to excellence, equity, service; and sustained high achievement or significant improvement in assessment. The winning schools are recognized for their superior ability to meet the needs of their student populations.

To learn more about the AEF A+ School Recognition Program, please visit, http://www.azedfoundation.org/school-recogition-program.php.