Welcome to the Tartesso Elementary School Web site. We are located in Buckeye, Arizona and enjoy the benefits of an active and supportive community. As part of the Saddle Mountain Unified School District, we work to sustain the district mission to prepare our students for success in the 21st Century.

Greetings Saddle Mountain Unified School District Families:

As the new administration of Tartesso Elementary School, Mr. Kevin Kilborn and I would like to introduce ourselves. Mr. Kevin Kilborn holds two Masters Degrees from Northern Arizona University and has 11 years experience in elementary education as a teacher, student advisor, and administrator. Mr. Kilborn has a wife and three children, two girls and a boy. As the new principal of Tartesso, I bring 22 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, an instructional coach, and an administrator. I have received a Masters and a Doctorate in elementary education curriculum and instruction, with post-doctoral study in effective schools research, and school renewal processes.
 
There will be many new and exciting changes at Tartesso Elementary School in the coming months. As you know, Tartesso will grow from a small K-6 school, to a K-8 school of approximately 700 students. With the addition of seventh and eighth grades, it is necessary to add elective courses and after school sports programming. Elective courses will include a boys and girls physical education course that will have four distinct curricula, an information technology and literacy course, as well as choir and band. Sports will include flag football, basketball, volleyball, softball, and baseball. Other after school programs may include clubs for the yearbook and school newspaper, as well as a book club.

As part of our efforts to move Tartesso toward an Excelling status, staff will be working on curriculum mapping and assessment building this year. These are critical components of effective teaching that increase student learning. Additionally, teachers will be working on refining instructional practices, and adding new strategies to their teaching repertoire. Administration is thrilled to be working with a highly qualified staff of 30 dedicated professionals, five of which are recipients of the Westside Impact Teacher of the Year award.

Some noteworthy items are below:

• New start and dismissal times: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for Kindergarten through third grades, and 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for fourth through eighth grades.
• Monday and Tuesday, July 26th and 27th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 7th and 8th grade schedules may be picked up by parents. The building will be open to locate classrooms. Schedules may also be picked up in homeroom classes on Thursday evening, July 29th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. 
• Meet the Staff night is on Thursday, July 29th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. School maps, lunch applications, bus routes, upper grade schedules, school supply lists, and other information will be available in the lobby.

We look forward to meeting the families of our students, and want to take this time to thank you for giving us the privilege of teaching your children!

Respectfully,

Dr. Deborah J. Garza Chavez
Principal