SanTanValley.com

After careful review of all of the facts surrounding the cafeteria incident of May 17, 2013, the School Board of J.O. Combs Unified School District stands behind and fully supports the decisions of the Combs High School Administration. Policies and procedures were followed appropriately. There are many facts which were not initially presented, or announced by the media, which fully support the discipline invoked, which involve the suspension of twelve students. Only three seniors were involved, among whom only one may have been eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies. The consequence of suspension prohibits students from being on campus, participating in extra-curricular activities or competing in competitive events. A suspension received this time of year impacts all end-of-the-year events, including the graduation ceremony.

This year, the J.O. Combs Unified School District has partnered with Banner Ironwood in a Student of the Month program which recognizes one student every month from each of our schools. There is a selection process in place where students get recognized for the various pillars of the Character Counts Program which include Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Caring, Respect and Fairness.

This presentation will take place each month at our Regular Governing Board Meeting where representatives from Banner Ironwood Hospital will be in attendance to present each student with a Certificate of Special Recognition.  A photograph will be taken with the representatives from Banner Ironwood, the Governing Board, and Superintendent Gayle A. Blanchard.

The Combs High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club, a national career and technical student organization is awarded a $3,500 grant from the Greater Valley Area Health Education Center (GVAHE).

Combs High School and J.O. Combs Middle School students recently submitted entries to the 3rd Annual Pinal County Scholastic Essay Contest. The essay topic was “What is the importance of the science of archeology to Pinal County”.

The 2013 – 2014 Kindergarten Registration “Kick-Off” week at J.O. Combs Unified School District will be February 25 through March 1.  Registration will be accepted at all our elementary school sites, Monday through Friday, 7:30 – 4:00.

There will be an evening registration from 4-6 pm on February 28 at Ellsworth, Harmon, Ranch and Simonton Elementary.  Combs Traditional Academy, a “back-to-basics” elementary school will host their evening registration on March 7 from 6-7:30 pm.