Foreign students matched
In an effort to improve the system of matching foreign exchange students with Payson host families, Janet Nossek has been appointed an international exchange coordinator for Cambridge Massachusetts-based EF Foundation for Foreign Study — the leader in high school exchange.
Schools facing cutback
So, Gila County finally feels some of the effects of sequestration — and what gets hit? The schools.
Athletic director shifting
The Payson School Board on Tuesday decided not to renew Payson High School Athletic Director Don Heizer’s administrative contract, but Heizer will actually continue to direct the athletic program under the terms of a teaching contract instead.
Board grapples with priorities
Proposed budget system uses funds in areas to boost student achievement
An intent Payson School Board struggled most of Saturday to understand the far-reaching implications of Superintendent Ron Hitchcock’s priority-based approach to the district’s budget.
Laughs, learning, and doing the earth good
Recycling program teaches sustainable and social skills to special education students
Brandon Nicholson could not hold back the chortles. He kept giggling then laughing out loud, pointing and trying to express his excitement, but he has challenges most kids won’t ever face
Intruders, armed teachers both worry students
Schools should have a different way to warn people when they have a lockdown because of a danger to students
District hires achievement director
Taking its No. 1 goal to heart, the Payson Unified School District (PUSD) quickly hired Brenda Case as the new director of student achievement.
Should we arm teachers?
Payson schools upgrade security, as bill to arm some teachers advances
The Arizona Legislature seems poised to ensure school safety by arming teachers, despite the qualms of many school administrators like Payson Unified School District Superintendent Ron Hitchcock.
County puts spotlight on children and reading
The Gila County Supervisors put the spotlight on children this week by proclaiming April 14-20 the Week of the Young Child and approving two grants for the Gila County Library District.
Musical Theater Club puts polish on performance of ‘Beauty and the Beast’
The Payson High School Musical Theater Club will stage Beauty and the Beast on April 11 and 12.
Payson High School DECA shines at state conference
The Payson High School DECA Chapter won 37 individual awards at the March 3-5 Arizona DECA State Career Development Conference at the Phoenix Civic Center.
Teachers face changes
Payson schools plan shift to evaluation system that relies on student test scores, despite mixed results elsewhere
This month, Payson Unified School District (PUSD) will reveal its new and improved teacher evaluation system.
The princess screams, the students learn
Payson schools experiment with iPads in elementary school classrooms to boost reading skills and students’ grasp of technology
The cartoon princess pranced across the iPad screen, her castle in the background.
How do you spell clever kid? C O L I N
Rim Country Middle School (RCMS) eighth grade student Colin Nossek loves to read —which combined with his Japanese language class helped him to place sixth at the statewide spelling bee on Saturday, March 23.
Judge teachers on teaching
A teacher’s quality should not be judged on their student’s test scores so much as to how they are teaching.
