Falcons
 

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year. I can’t wait to hear from our students about their summer
adventures, which I am sure there were many.

For those returning students and families, we look forward to continue to serve you and your child, by
providing a unique educational experience, for those who are new we are excited to get to know you
and your child, we are here to support and assist you/your child as they transition to a new school. Our
staff is committed to providing the best educational experience possible.

There have been some changes at McNeal that we need to inform you about.

1. Ms. Garcia has transitioned to the cafeteria and is no longer in the classroom.
2. Ms. Castillo is no longer with us the grant she was working under has come to completion.
3. Your children will now have a specials period daily for 30 minutes, we will begin the school
year going over the six Character Ed pillars, then transition to our special periods which will be
PE, Spanish, Keyboarding, and Art.
4. We will also have music/choir twice a week for both K-5 and 6-8.
5. We are in the process of installing new K-2 playground equipment, please bear with us as this
occurs.
6. Mrs. Zamora will now be the head teacher as I am now also helping Double Adobe Elementary.

Just a reminder that we are going into our 2nd year of the new math program, the staff continues to
receive professional development in order that they can become even better math instructors making
our students stronger mathematicians. We will be focusing on developing our students’ academic math
vocabulary throughout the year, please begin to help your child.

Activities for the week of Aug. 5-8:

1.  Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 6-7pm Meet/Greet/Eat night – please come and meet your child’s
teacher and get familiar with our school/staff

2. Benchmark Assessment – Isteep
We are all looking forward to having a great school year and remember make sure that your child reads
at home as much as possible. Also please attend our various activities throughout the year.

Go Falcons!!
R. Aguallo

4 Day Week:

McNeal Elementary is now on a 4 day week. Mon. – Thurs. 8:00am – 3:15pm.-

Modified Day Release is 1:30 p.m.

ARRIVAL TIMES:

Our school day begins at 8:00AM every day. Do not bring your child to campus prior to 7:45, as this brief time is the teachers prep time and time when I can work with the teachers individually.  Please be sure to have your child/children here on time. Students who are consistently tardy are at a clear disadvantage and usually arrive feeling agitated and unprepared. All students who arrive after 8:25am must sign in at the office with a parent. If your child is sick please report the absence by 9:30am by calling the office, (520-642-1071). If you drop your child off by car please remember to be extra careful, as we have many students who are walking to school, buses entering campus and other parents dropping off their child also.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS:

 Our instructional programs each year are structured to ensure that all our kids continue to receive a well-rounded and challenging education. Our standards and expectations remain high! As always, our number one goal is providing our students with a quality educational experience in a safe, caring and nurturing environment. We are beginning a new updated math curriculum this year, so there will be some new challenges for all students and teachers.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES:

Currently, McNeal Elementary provides all classroom supplies.  Due to cutbacks in education, supplies are growing shorter in supply, so if you would like to donate additional supplies to your child’s classroom, it would be most appreciated, Kleenex and disinfectant wipes are usually the supplies most needed. Please label personal belongings such as jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, and backpacks. 

Parents should continue to follow symptom guidelines when their child should stay home:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

What is Child Find?

 It is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act IDEIA (2004) that requires states to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities, aged birth through 21, who are in need of early intervention or special education services.

 Locate

Who is responsible for local Child Find activities?

Public schools and the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) are responsible for ‘finding’ eligible children.

 Babies 0 to 2 yrs. 10 ½ mo.

Contact AzEIP for children aged birth until 2 years 10 ½ months of age if your child is showing difficulties with:

 • Speaking/Understanding • Hearing • Walking/Running • Self Help Skills • Behavior/Social Skills • Manipulating Small Objects/Drawing

 There is no cost for this service. An AzEIP specialist will talk with you about your concerns. For more information about the Arizona Early Intervention Program, Visit their website at www.azdes.gov.azeip, or call (602) 532-9960

 Children 2 yrs. 10 ½ mo. To 5yrs

Contact McNeal Elementary School (520) 642-3356 for children 2 years 10.5 months through 5 years of age prior to September 1st of the current school year if you are concerned about your child’s development or performance in the areas that affect development and learning in school:

 • Vision & Hearing • Motor control or coordination • Behavior or social skills • Speech or language skills • Thinking or performing tasks

School Age Children K-12

 For children kindergarten age through 21 years, call the office at McNeal Elementary (520) 642-3356 and ask to speak with the special education teacher about your concerns.             

Evaluation

What happens next?

If an evaluation is needed, you will be part of the evaluation team. You can give important information on your child’s developmental and medical history. The team, of which you are a part of, will discuss the results of the evaluation. You will be involved in the decision-making process to determine if your child is eligible for early intervention or special education services.

What is early intervention (ages 0-3)?

Early intervention is professionals working in partnership with parents and families of children with special needs, to support a child’s growth, development, and learning. Early intervention is planned around each child and family’s unique daily routines and family life. An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed to provide supports and services.

What is preschool special education and school aged special education (ages 3 through 21)?

It is specially designed instruction and related services provided to students with disabilities, preschool through high school. An Individual Education Program (IEP) is developed based on their unique strengths and needs. Related services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or assistive technology might also be provided. Eligible students are entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

•   http://www.azed.gov/special-education/az-find/

Welcome to the McNeal Elementary School District and the Home of the Falcons. Here is some information you will need to register your child(ren) into McNeal Elementary School District.  Registration forms may be downloaded, printed and completed prior to registering your child(ren) in person at the School's Office located at 3979 W. McNeal Street. Listed below are the registration packets you will need.

McNeal Elementary Earned a "B" Grade in 2024!

Kindergarten through 8th Grade

4 Day School Week- 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.*New Release Time for SY24/25

Early Release days at 1:30 p.m.
 

Registration Packets are now available Online!: 

• New Student Registration Form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcJVFMSeEeD_UOu1sDM8J3w9s2DkEaJhtUEdcsnsINJBPGwA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1

• Returning Student Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScctKBxrjSrTvi2KNUG2LLDM_vpurjlrfI0mF2t70XIh7qvBA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

• Emergency Contact Information: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQvb0xh6JvAu78OjaD5y0br_nqdBQUhu-LxUImlbcwWJAFhg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

McNeal Elementary Offers:

• National School Lunch Program & School Breakfast Program
• Highly Qualified/Certified Staff
• Full day Kindergarten
• Small class sizes, limited to 7 students per grade
• 1 to 10 student to teacher ratio
• Transportation
• Supplies: water bottles, pencils, pens, notebooks, binders

 Kindergarten Students must be 5 by September 1, 2025

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE ALSO NEEDED WHEN REGISTERING YOUR CHILD:

• PROOF OF RESIDENCY

• BIRTH CERTIFICATE

• IMMUNIZATION RECORD

• CUSTODY PAPERWORK (IF APPLICABLE)

​Pupil-Teacher Ratio [1-7]
Pupil-Teacher (Special Education Services) Ratio [1-7]
Full-Time Equivalent Certificated Employees [3]
TEACHER SALARIES (A.R.S. §15-903.E, amended by Laws 2018, Ch. 285, §10)
1. Average salary of all teachers employed in FY 2024 (budget year)     $44,667
2. Average salary of all teachers employed in FY 2023 (prior year)         $44,000
3. Increase in average teacher salary from prior year                                   $667
4. Percentage Increase                                                                                         1.5%