Schools

All-day kindergarten touted as key to boosting scores

During her initial visit to the Payson Elementary School (PES) in January, what Brenda Case saw in the kindergarten classes drives her to tears today.

‘Starving education to death’

Retiring Payson Unified School District Director of Special Services Barbara Fitzgerald took her leave after seven years in Payson on Monday with a heartfelt address to the school board that drew a prolonged standing ovation from the audience.

Local group inspires homeschooling

“Right now there are about fifty families in the Rim Country that are homeschooling,” said Homeschool Support Group Lead Coordinator Kim Ballam, a position she shares with with Meg Smith. Ballam and several other homeschooling moms meet every other Friday during the school months at Mountain Bible Church to discuss mentoring those interested in homeschooling and providing quality playtime.

MURDER SELF-DEFENSE?

I set out to get a quick shot of Rim Country Middle School Resource Officer Michael Hansen impressing students with his bullet-proof vest and air of authority — but these days you never know what you’ll find when you actually get inside a classroom.

Lighthearted play profound

Some of the special needs students at Payson High School recently put on a play about the Musicians of Bremen Town, ranchers who no longer need these animals and are going to get rid of them. The animals consist of a donkey, two dogs, two roosters, and two cats. The Donkey, played by William Howard Mortis, decides to go to Bremen Town and be a musician.

Gila Community College Graduating Class of 2013

Associate of General Studies

Principals picked promptly

Administrators from Valley to fill top jobs at PHS and PES

Moving quickly to fill the vacant principal slots at Payson High School (PHS) and Payson Elementary School (PES), the Payson Unified School District (PUSD) has hired two Valley men. James Brian Mabb, currently the principal at Paradise Valley High School, will step in as administrator at the high school.

Students celebrate mentors and memories

Thirty-one students graduated from Gila Community College on Wednesday, May 8, all moving into the world with more knowledge and training in fire science, nursing, business and a host of other disciplines.

Imagination takes wing

RCMS celebrates success of science, technical program

In one corner of the Rim Country Middle School (RCMS) cafeteria, a robot toddled about while students at a nearby table built a model airplane out of straws and paper to mimic the Wright brothers’ airplane.

Host families sought for foreign exchange students

Edie Miller and Janet Nossek work tirelessly for the EF (Education First) Foundation to pair students from foreign countries with families in the Rim Country. But they have run up against a roadblock.

Wiz kids at Shelby School

On Friday, May 3, 36 Shelby School students performed “The Wizard of Oz” in a two-act classroom production adapted especially for them. The students gave two shows to packed houses of enthusiastic family and friends.

Payson DECA students among top in world

Nine Payson DECA Chapter members competed at the DECA International Career Development Conference April 23-28 in Anaheim, Calif. The conference drew 16,340 students from all over the world. Tanner Hintze, Eric Vohs, Nick McMullen and Jordyn Fruth all placed in the Top 20 in the world in their events.

Student achievement teachers: What will they do?

In the recent principal shake-up, the Payson Unified School District (PUSD) converted Anna Van Zile from a principal to a Student Achievement Teacher (SAT). Many have asked, is this just another layer of administration? No, says Director of Student Achievement Brenda Case.

Choral society hits the high notes

Show raises funds for scholarships

On the stage, a strange device glowed. Flanking the stage, two huge clocks started a countdown to a different age. “No one knows where the time machine will stop,” crooned Payson Choral Society Director Daria Mason.