State guts vocational class plan
First the state Legislature slashed its budget and now the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has gutted the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) nursing and fire science programs for Payson High School students.
Students show skills at Band Jam 2013
Most tapped their toes, while others had trepidation etched on their brows, but all had smiles on their faces after the last note of each song died out.
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.
Rodeo queen contest draws six hopefuls
They were those little girls who loved horses. Some grew up on ranches where horses were part of their lives; others had to persuade their parents to help them pursue their passion with riding lessons and boarding arrangements.
Dreams come true with Dreamscape book
Local writer, artist collaborate to publish luminous book about a girl and her dog
On a Monday morning, artist and mother of four, Amy Abney drove from Pine to meet writer Ken Crump at Green Valley Park by 90 a.m. — without really knowing why. “Did I tell you why we are here?” Crump asked the artist for his children’s book, “The Last Moment,” as they posed for Roundup photographer Andy Towle.
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.
Studio tour showcases local artists
A deeper and richer understanding of a piece of art blooms when the admirer meets the artist — and better yet — sees where they work. This past weekend, Rim Country locals and out-of-town visitors had the unique chance to see artists’ work in their studios during the Payson Art League’s annual ’Neath the Rim Open Studio Tour.
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.
Teens get pregnant
Figures show county rate 4x average: 42% of PHS students say they’ve had sex
The United States leads most developed nations in teen births, but Gila County’s teen birth rate is four times higher than the national average. Gila County has 83 teen births per every 1,000 girls aged 15 — 19 compared to a national average of 21 and a state average of 55.
Payson students take on the world
Middle school students travel to Model UN conference in NY
Capping off a two-and-a-half-year career in the Model United Nations (MUN) program, four Rim Country Middle School (RCMS) students convinced students from around the world to support their points of view at a conference in New York.
The organic plant food secret
Turns out you can feed plants without using fertilizers based on chemicals and petroleum. Funny thing is, the local feed store makes it all possible. It’s called alfalfa tea.
She’ll be in the stands
Illness forces senior Karessa Armstrong to miss final season
Karessa Armstrong will root for the team she played on for the last four years, but illness has sidelined her. Karessa contracted a deadly infection that has taken her out of the game this year and possibly for the next several years.
Sister Speak
Lady Longhorns’ Dream Team features three sets of sisters
If you see the following numbers on the infield during the Payson girls softball playoffs at Rose Mofford field in Phoenix, you know sister speak will work its magic — Megan Wessel, No. 5; Kaitlyn Wessel, No. 11; Taylor Petersen, No. 12; Payton Petersen, No. 8; Ari Paulson, No. 1; and Arissa Paulson, No. 10.
Report spurred shake-up
A consultant’s report that prompted a sweeping reorganization depicted the Payson Unified School District as a ship without a rudder. The report, obtained by the Roundup on Monday, offers a glimpse into the logic behind the sweeping changes in administration, job descriptions and response to state and federal mandates launched last week by Superintendent Ron Hitchcock.
Special Olympian runners shine at Pat’s Run
Coaches, supporters would like benefit run to become an annual event
Three Special Olympians from the Rim Country held their own against more than 23,000 other runners in the Pat’s Run on Saturday, April 20 in Tempe.
Seniors savor satin and sparkle
On the evening of Saturday, April 27, the town of Payson was awash in chiffon and lace, satin and sparkles and all shades of tuxedo.
PHS student government group hosts fun fund-raiser
On Friday, April 19, the football field rang with the laughter of children, the clang of musical instruments, and music blaring from speakers. The Payson High School (PHS) Student Government (STUGO) held a fair to benefit the band, Academic Decathlon, Payson HOSA (Health Occupation Student Association), the drama department and student government.
No beds for foster kids in an emergency
The Rim Country Child Protective Service’s office doesn’t have a single slot in a licensed, local home to provide shelter for a child in imminent danger. “The child would have to be placed in a licensed home outside of the area,” said Cindy Paul, licensing specialist for Arizona’s Children Association.
Frontier site sold
With enrollment dropping, the Payson School Board has approved the sale of Frontier Elementary School to the competing Payson Community Christian School (PCCS) at a fraction of what taxpayers spent to build it.
Mentored Pine teacher gets principal’s job in Jerome
Pine-Strawberry middle school math teacher Scott Jackson will move up to a job as a principal in Jerome, thanks to the support of retiring Pine Superintendent-principal Mike Clark.
‘Transition Town’ goal is economic, environmental independence
A group of Rim Country residents who want Payson to become more self-sufficient, both economically and environmentally, have been making the rounds of local groups trying to plant seeds of support.
More than a good day, it can be a life changer
Most folks toil up the Fossil Creek Trail, a trudge of drudgery with a 1,500-foot elevation change.
Offer for Frontier Accepted
The Payson Unified School District (PUSD) school board voted to accept an offer to purchase the mothballed Frontier Elementary School site during a special meeting Friday, April 19.
Haggling for Frontier
The Payson Unified School District (PUSD) school board continues to call repeated special meetings to negotiate the possible sale of the Frontier Elementary School site.
High school charms town with ‘Beauty and the Beast’
The Payson High School Musical Theatre Club did themselves proud this past weekend performing Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”
Fun and education run together in Fossil Creek
Outdoor Adventure Club delights in challenging hike to historic, scenic river
“I’ve never done this hike before,” said sixth-grader Dexter Tiffany.
Lady Horns play three this week; three next; then it’s onto playoffs
The Payson High School varsity softball team blew through three games in two days winning all three.
Special meeting on Frontier at noon Friday
Payson Unified School District Superintendent Ron Hitchcock said he expects some sort of formal action on the sale of the Frontier Elementary School on Friday, April 19 at a special meeting at noon in the district office.
Lady Horns on a roll...
PHS girls overwhelm Miami and Fountain Hills in storybook season that stokes hopes for state championship
Last Thursday and Friday, the Payson High School girls softball team trounced both Miami and Fountain Hills, the latest in a string of wins that has already earned perhaps the best softball team in Rim Country history a berth in the state playoffs.
Soak it, drip it, sprinkle it: Too many gardening choices
Payson Community Garden asks one thing of me — create my own water system. They provide the water; I just have to figure out how to deliver it to my plants. I’m stumped, stuck and stressed. Why? Too many choices.
JRE student health fair features healthy fun
Good habits taught with exercise, Pumpkin Guts and some real yo-yos
Three hours into the Student Health Fair, the Julia Randall Elementary School gym still rocked with activities.
Achievement director vows to boost scores
Brenda Case plans to use her 27 years in the Arizona education system to turn around the Payson Unified School District.
Special school board meeting on FES tonight
The Payson Unified School District school board could settle the fate of the Frontier Elementary school site tonight at a special meeting. The board will meet at 5 p.m. in the district office, 902 W. Main Street, and discuss offers made on the building in executive session. The public meeting will resume at about 5:30 p.m. and the board could announce what will become of the space, which has sat empty since the district closed it two years ago.
New leaders must meet heavy mandates with fewer resources
School districts around Rim Country had upheavals in leadership, changing the landscape of the schools — with an mudslide of state and federal mandates and cutbacks moving down the steep slopes of educational reform threatening to engulf them.
Already hired
Tonto Basin superintendent finds job with county schools
Outgoing Tonto Basin Superintendent Mary Lou Weatherly has already found a new home with Gila County Superintendent Linda O’Dell’s office.
Run for the geeks slated for May 4 at Green Valley Park
Geeks, brains, nerds — whatever label given them, they are loveable and worthy of support.
Hydroponics: Creating an intimate relationship with your plants
More than 28 people came to the Community Garden class to learn about getting intimate with their plants.
Why a garden’s like an unruly reunion
Planning garden can overwhelm the faint of heart
I’ve decided planning a garden has all the elements of planning a family reunion: lots of special needs, the ever-present threat of fights and visits from weedy, unwanted neighbors.
Child advocate program coping with scourge of abuse
CASA of Arizona seeks to raise awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and abused children need help.
Schools facing cutback
So, Gila County finally feels some of the effects of sequestration — and what gets hit? The schools.
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
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.
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.
Why a garden’s like an unruly reunion
Planning garden can overwhelm the faint of heart
I’ve decided planning a garden has all the elements of planning a family reunion: lots of special needs, the ever-present threat of fights and visits from weedy, unwanted neighbors.
Payson school district needs $2 million computer upgrade
Outdated servers, software will hinder Common Core Standards mandate
Payson Unified School District (PUSD) needs between $2 million to $3 million to rebuild its technology infrastructure, Joni de Szendeffy, director of technology, told the school board at its meeting on Monday, March 25.
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