If anyone kicks off their retirement with a bang, it’s K.R. Scott.

J’ontar Coleman wanted what he felt was rightfully his all along.

The United States has seen a deluge of much-needed attention to the issue of bullying in the last decade. Horrific examples of young people harassing and abusing their peers — sometimes to the point that the victims commit suicide — have forced parents and educators to begin thinking about the issue and to initiate or expand bully prevention efforts. What is often missed in these discussions, however, is the problem of adults who bully young people.

According to the Government Accountability Office, the federal government operates 50 different programs for the homeless. There are 23 programs in housing, 26 for food and nutrition, 130 for at-risk youth. They also operate an astounding 342 programs for economic development, which government is notoriously bad at anyway.

Assumptions were made, jokes were told and Larry Holmes' confidence was shaken.

Summit School of Ahwatukee • 4515 E. Muirwood Drive

Change is hard, whether it be personal or professional. However, evolving is also a key element of progress. Last week at the Kyrene School District Governing Board meeting, we presented information about a year and a half study of our middle school program.

State lawmakers took the first steps Monday to what some hope will be outlawing the "isolation rooms'' used by some schools to deal with problem students.

In a previous column I discussed the PACER, a test of cardiovascular fitness that is part of the national youth physical fitness test battery (FITNESSGRAM). FITNESSGRAM, was developed at the Cooper Institute in Dallas and is now offered as a cooperative program with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (PCFSN) and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD). In addition to assessing cardiovascular fitness, the FITNESSGRAM Test Battery includes tests of muscle fitness, flexibility, and body composition.

At heart Trevor Neider is a teacher.

Desert Vista senior defensive lineman Lorenzo “Zo” Melvin gave his verbal commitment to continue his career at Northern Arizona in the fall after taking an official visit to Flagstaff last weekend.

Last week children returned to school after two weeks of winter recess. Two weeks of fun and frolic are over. The excitement of the season, treats, family reunions, unscheduled activities, late bedtimes, and no early morning hustle of getting ready are all in the past. The return to school brings a different routine requiring a disciplined approach.

It may sound like a movie title. But the issues that are going to dominate the upcoming legislative session are guns and money.

Cardiovascular fitness is generally considered to be the most important component of health-related physical fitness. Other commonly used terms for cardiovascular fitness include cardiorespiratory endurance, aerobic fitness, and aerobic capacity. The national youth physical fitness test (FITNESSGRAM), developed at the Cooper Institute in Dallas, is now offered as a cooperative program with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (PCFSN) and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD). The recommended test for youth in the FITNESSGRAM battery is called the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER).

A recent study released last month showed loopholes in physical education for schools around the country, but on the local level, educators have found ways for kids to stay active.

A recent Arizona law requires all school districts and charter schools to implement a new teacher evaluation system by the 2013-14 school year. For the first time, teachers in the Kyrene School District will be evaluated, in part, based on how well their students score on tests.

Eleven students at Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary in Ahwatukee Foothills threw around a Frisbee on the school’s practice field tucked under South Mountain earlier this week.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce has announced nominees for the 2012 Palo Verde Business Woman of the Year and the 10 women are well known in the community for not only their business but their service.

Nearly 250 East Valley students met last week at Mesa’s ASU Polytechnic campus to learn what it’s like to be a teacher.

It’s hard to believe that we are getting ready for another school year. Parents want their children to have a positive experience going to school this year. There are several things we can do as parents to make the transition a positive one.

Schools are responsible for setting every student up for success, even if they don’t always fit the average mold. This includes students with disabilities, and, with the number of physically or mentally disabled children attending secondary and post-secondary schooling expected to increase, schools are doing all that they can to ensure these students are supported.

Schools are responsible for setting every student up for success, even if they don’t always fit the average mold. This includes students with disabilities, and, with the number of physically or mentally disabled children attending secondary and post-secondary schooling expected to increase, schools are doing all that they can to ensure these students are supported.

AARP Driver Safety is celebrating and recognizing teachers this summer through the Educator Appreciation Promotion.

Two local physical education teachers said they always knew how important exercise can be for children, and how it can positively affect their retention of information and overall education.

Two local physical education teachers said they always knew how important exercise can be for children, and how it can positively affect their retention of information and overall education.