School chief schedules visit to Continental

To celebrate Continental School’s designation as an “Excelling School” by the Arizona Department of Education, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne will be a special guest at a schoolwide celebratory event at 2 p.m. Monday at the David J. Fanning gymnasium.

School Board President Bonnie Klahr said that following Horne’s presentation of the Excelling School Award, the Continental School Chorus will sing “God Bless America” and the school band will play the “The William Tell Overture.”

A grand piano is being brought in so that Horne, a prolific pianist, can play some selections for the students, faculty and large corps of volunteers.

Continental School has emerged from being an “underperforming school” in 2002 to three years of “highly performing” to its most recent designation as an “excelling school.”

In addition to Continental Superintendent Dr. Gaye Leo, school board and faculty, Klahr credits more than 150 volunteers for the recent “excelling” status.

After the schoolwide event and entertainment, Horne will attend a Volunteer Appreciation Tea at 3 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria to recognize the volunteers.

“Continental School has over 150 volunteers that give their time and energy to our students,” Klahr said. “I believe that one of the reasons Continental School is an Excelling School is because of the support that the Green Valley community gives to our students through volunteering.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.