Superintendent: Message • About Dr. Scribner

This is an exciting time to be a member of the Isaac Community!!! We have experienced exceptional growth in academic achievement, significant improvements in customer service and unprecedented integration of parents and community as a result of the on-going commitment of students, their families, teachers, support staff, administrative staff and the governing board.

In 2002, we had two schools designated as “Performing.” Since then, we have experienced significant improvements in academic achievement. In 2007, eight schools are designated as “Performing” or better, including our very first school (Lela Alston Elementary) designated as “Highly Performing.” According to ADE, “Highly Performing” is defined as a school with a certain percentage of its students “Exceeding the Standard” on the AIMS test over the last three years. These results clearly indicate that we are on our way to becoming one of the excelling academic districts in Arizona.

In addition to the academic accomplishments taking place across our district, we are experiencing improvements in other areas. In collaboration with community partners, we are creating a safe and aesthetic gateway for everyone who lives in and visits our community. This gateway represents an $11.8 million investment in our community, which includes the Jerry Colangelo Clubhouse, Isaac Pedestrian Bridge, Isaac Neighborhood Learning Center, and the Isaac Community Street Beautification Project.

We are very pleased to inform you on the progress of the Colangelo Clubhouse . The Clubhouse will be constructed immediately north of the Isaac Administration Building on 34 th Avenue. This project represents a magnificent partnership between the Isaac District Governing Board, the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns and the Jerry Colangelo Family. The Colangelo Clubhouse will serve students of all ages with before and after school programs, as well as, school vacation days. On October 18 th, we celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony. Isaac Middle School Student Council President Jesse Hoover presented the Boys and Girls Club with a tile from each of our schools. These tiles will be placed inside the Clubhouse and represent the connection between our local school communities and the Colangelo Club. We are thankful to the Boys and Girls Club and Colangelo family for providing our students with a safe, structured and supervised environment.

Also, the Boys and Girls Club is finalizing sponsorship of an additional $1 million outdoor “Field of Dreams.” The Field will provide additional areas for our youth who participate in outdoor, supervised activities.

In 2007, the City of Phoenix expects to begin construction of the Isaac Pedestrian Bridge located on McDowell Road between 34 th and 35 th Avenues. The bridge will allow for Isaac Middle School students, as well as Isaac Community members, a safe route across McDowell Road. The City of Phoenix has communicated that construction should be complete in 2008. Funding for the Isaac Pedestrian Bridge is being provided by the Federal Highway Administration and the City of Phoenix Bond Program. We thank U.S. Congressman Ed Pastor and City Councilman Tom Simplot for their commitment to the Isaac Community.

The official groundbreaking for Isaac Neighborhood Learning Center is scheduled for April 2007. The learning center will offer educational opportunities to Isaac community members of all ages. A computer based virtual-library, adult learning classes, study areas, and community meeting rooms will anchor the center’s activities. We thank the City of Phoenix for building and maintaining the Center.

The Street Beautification Project will create a pedestrian friendly pathway. The goal of this Project is to be aesthetically tied to community culture, provide a safe pedestrian causeway for all community and school users, offer a sheltered public transportation use area, and visually tie together the Colangelo Clubhouse, the Isaac Pedestrian Bridge, and the Isaac Neighborhood Learning Center. This pathway is from 32 th avenue to 35 nd Avenue along both the northside and southside of McDowell Road.

With continued support and hard work, we are well on our way to becoming an excelling school district, which benefits everyone in our community. Congratulations to everyone for growing a community of life long learners.