Chandler Classes Start Today With Enrollment Increase
By Michelle Reese, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.
Jul. 28–The buses are rolling in Chandler.
School starts today for the thousands of students enrolled in Chandler Unified School District.
For high school students, it means getting up a few minutes earlier than last year — with class now beginning about 7:25 a.m.
And that’s if they don’t have an optional early morning class, which begins at 6:30 a.m.
The high schools, junior highs and elementary schools run on a staggered schedule for transportation services.
The district anticipates 36,000 to 37,000 students to enroll this year, with early indications showing an increase from last school year.
“We will have a better handle on enrollment after the first two weeks of school when we learn what students have moved and haven’t informed us. With the housing market slumping, we know we could have some surprises that impact our enrollment and budget,” district spokesman Terry Locke said.
Drivers should be aware of a new traffic signal near Basha High School and Navarrete Elementary School, at Hillcrest Drive and Riggs Road. Hillcrest is also known as Sun Groves Boulevard south of Riggs Road, said city spokesman Jim Phipps.
Police officers assigned to areas around schools will be visible when they are not out on calls, Chandler police Detective Frank Mendoza said.
Two new elementary schools open today — both in the southern part of the district. Haley Knutsen Elementary school is at 3401 S. Layton Lakes Blvd. and Charlotte Upham Patterson Elementary School is in Gilbert at 7520 S. Adora Blvd. Both schools will open with about 400 students.
Last week at Haley, teachers were setting up rooms and still unpacking books on the day when students were coming in to meet them.
“It’s going great, but it’s hectic,” Principal Pamela Nephew said Thursday morning. “The fire alarm is going off, the books need to be unpacked and tonight’s meet-the-teacher.”
The fire alarm was finally silenced, but not before two of the new school’s teachers shared their excitement about the school year.
“It’s been overwhelming, but it’s fun to come into a brand new school,” said kindergarten teacher Diana Gallagher. “It’s been nice to have all the furniture come in after you get your walls up.”
Gallagher’s room looked nearly complete, with the alphabet on one wall, a birthday calendar on another and the “Tattle Toad,” a cutout green frog on the door. The Tattle Toad is a learning tool she uses to teach the kindergartners about tattle-tales.
Juli Dahl-James will teach second grade this year.
“I’ve been teaching first grade, but at the end of the year I love how they write. I’m so excited about writing,” she said, so she made the switch to second grade.
Both teachers agreed the preparation the week before school starts is well worth it.
“It’s been a challenge, but it’s also been fun. I’m not stressed out at all,” Dahl-James said.
The other change in the district is at Perry High School, which opened last year and will add a junior class.
Chandler Unified is on a modified year-round schedule. It is one of two East Valley districts — the other being Queen Creek Unified — that start today.
But other districts are not far behind, with classes scheduled to begin in early August.
Back to school
School start dates around the East Valley
Mesa Unified School District: Aug. 11
Gilbert Unified School District: Aug. 6
Tempe Elementary School District: Aug. 4
Tempe Union High School District: Aug. 4
Kyrene Elementary School District: Aug. 4
Apache Junction Unified School District: Aug. 6
Scottsdale Unified School District: Aug. 11
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