Tears of happiness and joyful memories were plentiful on Monday, May 20, when the Class of 2019 seniors returned to their elementary school to celebrate their high school graduation. Wildfire Elementary invited back its inaugural class of kindergarten students from when the school opened in 2006.

The Wildfire alumni, along with their friends and family, joined staff past and present and current students to reminisce and share their accomplishments. The seniors received congratulatory medals with the engraving, “Wildfire is proud of you!”, and took to the hallways for a final clap out and send off from the elementary students. The younger students cheered, high fived and waved handmade posters and signs, and shared the Wildfire spirit as the seniors paraded through the school, hugging teachers and staff along the way. The majority of these students attended Wildfire for kindergarten through sixth grade, Explorer Middle School for seventh and eighth grade, and will be graduating from Pinnacle High School this week.

The afternoon culminated with a graduation party in the multipurpose room where Dr. Troy Bales, inaugural principal of Wildfire and current assistant superintendent of Human Resources for PVSchools, shared his insights and memories with the graduating seniors. The sense of community and pride was overflowing as he addressed the seniors and their parents.

During the party, seniors created a Firebird out of their handprints on a giant canvas to leave as a legacy to hang in the hallway for future firebirds to look up to. They also recreated their first class pictures with their kindergarten teachers from 2006. Twelve years later, three of the four original kindergarten teachers are still teaching in classrooms at Wildfire. Parents shared stories and their student’s ambitions for the future, including attending higher education institutions such as Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, University of Southern California, Boston College, Stanford University, and Georgia State University.

Ryan Schoonover, current principal at Wildfire, was impressed by the graduates and encouraged the students to cherish their long-lasting friendships and always remember their roots. “Once a Firebird, always a Firebird,” Principal Schoonover shared, “You will always be welcome here as a part of our community.”

About the Author

Vicky Raymond is the Teacher on Assignment/Assistant Principal at Whispering Wind Academy and Wildfire Elementary School. She has served the Paradise Valley Unified School District for 12 years as a teacher and administrator. Mrs. Raymond attended the University of Florida for her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Northern Arizona University (NAU) for her graduate degree in Educational Leadership.

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Pictured from left to right: Top row - Olivia Charleson, Parker Heyden, Zane Niezgodzki, and Harrison Rosenberg. Middle row - Carter Brown, Sarah Ausloos, Zoee Woods, Joanie Colson (coach), and Chloe Calissi. Bottom row - Danny Seep (captain), and Tawny McEachern (co-captain).

Horizon High School’s 56th Street Comedy Club won the National Comedy Theatre High School League State Championship that was held at the National Comedy Theatre Phoenix in Mesa on May 11th.

The National Comedy Theatre High School League consists of 12 schools. Teams perform improvisational comedy similar to the TV show What's My Line.

“Winning our sixth first place title shows the hard work and dedication of our comedy team has had this year, with the ultimate goal of holding their state title. The team meets every Wednesday to hone their skills and bond as a team. Despite facing some tough adversity this year, they were still able to come together and triumph. It means the world to the team to win and keep the legacy going for Horizon,” said Joanie Colson, theater teacher at Horizon High School.

The 10 member team is captained by senior Danny Seep, captain, and junior Tawny McEachern, co-captain. Team members include Zane Niezgodzki, Chloe Calissi, Olivia Charlson, Zoee Woods, Parker Heyden, Harrison Rosenberg, Carter Brown, and Sarah Ausloos. Throughout the school year, they perform four shows and participate in competitive shows.

Since 2008, the National Comedy Theatre’s High School Improv League offers a unique opportunity for high school students across the Valley.  Participating Improv League schools learn improv skills and theory, and to put it into practice with regular performances. Horizon High School has been a member since 2009. The 56th Street Comedy Club has won first place six times – 2009, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Joanie Colson has been teaching drama at Horizon High School since 1990. She built the program from two levels of study to five, created the Humanities for the Theatre Arts Block, developed a state champion Comedy Club, and the Horizon Tech Guild. 

Learn more about Horizon High School.

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Michael Vargas, a physics teacher at Pinnacle High School, is the recipient of the Air Force Association (AFA) Arizona Teacher of the Year Award.

The State Teacher of the Year award honors exemplary K-12 educators and Chapter Teacher of the Year winners at the AFA State level who make a profound difference in the lives of their students and in their community.

On May, 9th, Mr. Vargas was presented with an award by the Luke Air Force Base chapter. He was nominated by a past award winner and works with STEM Teachers Phoenix. As the AFA Arizona Teacher of the Year, Mr. Vargas received a check in the amount of $500, a Certificate of Excellence, and a personalized jacket.

As the state winner, Mr. Vargas has the opportunity to apply for the national award.

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Leslie Wickens and Patricia Mastropolo

Leslie Wickens, a kindergarten teacher at Cactus View Elementary School, and Patricia Mastropolo, an English teacher at Greenway Middle School, were selected to participate on the Maricopa County Superintendent Teacher Advisory Team (STAT) for the 2019-20 school year.

STAT is an initiative of Steve Watson, the Maricopa County School Superintendent, with the purpose of increasing teacher voice and include classroom perspective during discussions about education practice and policy. STAT meets quarterly and will discuss topics such as school funding priorities, teacher retention strategies and accessibility of instructional resources.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the 2019-2020 Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Team. It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to advocate for educators in Maricopa County and have their voices heard on critical issues affecting all facets of education,” said Ms. Mastropolo.

STAT meets quarterly for discussion around important topics such as:

• Educator advocacy strategies
• School funding priorities
• Teacher retention strategies
• Accessibility of instructional resources

"I look forward to the opportunity to represent teacher's voices and being able to speak with practical knowledge about early childhood education," said Ms. Wickens.

Teacher representatives are chosen each school year by an application and interview process. The process is intended to ensure the team includes perspectives and experiences that represent as many teachers as possible.

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"Our School" sculpture designed by Brandon Lenhard. Top photo: Maureen Peterson and Brandon Lenhard. Bottom photo: Kevin Keutzer, Jackson Carlson, Ruben Avila, and BrandonLenhard.

On May 14th, Desert Trails Elementary School held a ceremony to dedicate its newest student designed sculpture “Our School.” The winning sculpture design was created by sixth-grade student Brandon Lenhard.

“In my sculpture, the numbers and letters represent mathematics and reading/language arts. I chose a heart shape to show kindness and acceptance. The red and blue person at the top of the sculpture represents diversity and the different people at this school. The spiral shape represents how everyone at this school strives to learn, grow, and be the best that they can be,” said Brandon.

Maureen Peterson, an Art teacher at Desert Trails Elementary School, came up with the idea after teaching a lesson on “What is Public Art?” This was a rather big undertaking, and one that she could not do alone.

“I teach the students every day, to be creative and think outside of the box, so I did just that. I figured, just go for it. The worst thing that could happen is that I'd get ‘no’ for an answer.  So I looked into which high schools had a Metals class, and then I looked up the name of the teacher. I thought, what if we collaborated with one of the high schools and involve students from a different skill level,” said Ms. Peterson.

Through Ms. Peterson’s vision, elementary students would get to experience the actual process of designing something with specific parameters, and present it to be judged – much like a professional designer. An artist's statement is part of the project to communicate the thought process and idea behind each model. Students voted and understood that only the winning sculpture would be sent on to Paradise Valley High School.

Students at both Desert Trails Elementary School and Paradise Valley High School experience the professional process of taking an idea or model and turning it into an actual product or true piece of art. “I am beyond thrilled that not only was Mr. Keutzer willing to collaborate with my students and I, but his students were equally excited to be part of the project! He commented that they poured their heart and soul into making it the best it could be,” said Ms. Peterson.

Brandon’s design was handed off to Kevin Keutzer, a Career and Technical Education industrial arts teacher at Paradise Valley High School. First, his students built a tabletop-size model out of metal, to plan the dimensions and scale for the final sculpture. Next, they cut each piece from sheets of metal, and welded the pieces together, using the tabletop sculpture as their guide. Each shape on the sculpture was then sprayed with Rustoleum paint, using colors that matched the original model. Finally, a clear coat of automotive paint was sprayed over the sculpture to seal the paint and protect it from the elements.

“It was an honor and a privilege to work with Desert Trails to create this amazing piece of art. Much of this could not have happened without our incredible Facilities crew. Knowing that this piece of art will be on display for years to come and that we can stop by and enjoy it, is very gratifying. This collaboration between the two schools is something that should happen often with other schools within our district. We have so many people with many great talents just waiting for an opportunity to showcase what we can do. Being a part of a Community Project such as this project at Desert Trails gives us all a sense of great accomplishment,” said Mr. Keutzer.

It is the fourth public sculpture at the school. This collaborative project was entirely funded by the Desert Trails Elementary School PTO.

Learn more about Desert Trails Elementary School.

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Horizon High School's baseball team had dug itself into a 3-0 hole after four innings in Tuesday's 5A state championship game against Nogales High School. However, the Huskies put together a comeback to force extra innings, and not only did they hold firm as the game went 16 innings in total, but their bats came alive in the last couple of frames in order to emerge with a 7-4 victory.

The contest was the longest championship game in state history, according to AZPreps365; the 16 innings consumed 5 hours and 35 minutes at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Final Records

Horizon was the No. 2 seed in the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) 5A State Championship Tournament, and finished the year with a 24-7 record and the seventh state title in school history. Nogales was the No. 1 seed in the tournament and finished the season 26-5. Horizon kept the Apaches just shy of what would have been their third-straight state championship, as they had won the previous two 4A titles before moving up one conference level this year.

Standout Players in the Championship Game

Horizon sophomore Austin Corbett had two key hits in the final two innings. He hit a double down the left-field line in the top of the 15th that scored a run that put the Huskies ahead 4-3. As the game went another inning, Corbett hit a single with two outs that brought home what would be the final run of the game.

Senior Kody Huff was a jack of all trades Tuesday, as he started the game at catcher, moved to shortshop for an inning, then pitched a whopping eight shutout innings before moving back to shortstop for the last three frames. It's no wonder he has already signed with Stanford to continue his baseball career.

Junior Sam Buchkowski, who started at shortstop, closed out the last three innings on the mound for the Huskies, giving up one run in the 15th before keeping the Apaches scoreless in the final frame.

The final out was a pop-up that landed in the glove of Huff. The Huskies threw their hats in celebration with the game finally over and the championship secured. Play-by-play announcer Kevin Derryberry captured a video of the chaos that ensued after the final out. See the video of Horizon celebrating its championship game victory.

Success Under First-Year Coach

Horizon first-year head coach Jeff Urlaub, a former pitcher for the Oakland A's, recapped the Huskies' season after the team's big win:

"This team went through adversity all year long. I told them to keep the big picture in mind and that was a state championship. They worked so incredibly hard and came to the field every day hungry, eager to work and just grind everything out with only one thing on their, mind winning it all. They put all of their personal stats and agendas aside and bought into the team aspect and pulled for each and every guy. What a year! I couldn’t be more proud of this team and group of young men."

Urlaub also expressed his joy over the outcome and his pride in his players on Twitter after the game. In one tweet, the former MLB player wrote, "I will forever get chills in my body over tonight’s game for the rest of my life!" In another tweet, he wrote, "I am so proud of each and every one of you! Best team I will ever coach in my lifetime!"

PVSchools Honorees

Congratulations to Coach Urlaub and the Huskies on their fantastic season! We are looking forward to honoring them at the PVSchools Governing Board Meeting on Thursday, May 16.

Learn more about Horizon High School Athletics.

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Pictured from left to right: Meghan Schultz, Gabriel Brand, Talon Tucker, Kaitlyn Fry, and Jared Esquibel.

Before they even receive their high school diploma, five Horizon High School students have earned their Associate of Arts degree through the Dual Enrollment program at Rio Salado College.

On May 2nd, Meghan Schultz, Gabriel Brand, Talon Tucker, Kaitlyn Fry, and Jared Esquibel received their AA degree from Rio Salado College. Their hard work and determination has paid off. Now, they will enter college two years ahead of their peers. Dual Enrollment allows students to earn high school and college credit at the same time. In some cases, students can earn an associate's degree by the time they finish high school.

About the Graduates

Jared Esquibel plans to attend Grand Canyon University in the fall. “I decided to participate in the Dual Enrollment program because the classes are no different than the regular ones and finishing all the dual credits completely would give me an Associate Degree and set me up great for my future career,” said Jared.

Kaitlyn Fry will attend the University of Dallas to study their business program and to participate on their track and basketball team. “I decided to be a part of the Dual Enrollment Program to complete my AA degree. I wanted to earn my AA degree while I was in high school so that I was ahead in college to graduate earlier and pursue my dream of owning my own business earlier in life. It was an amazing opportunity to take classes that I would have already taken for college credit,” said Kaitlyn.

Gabriel Brand is planning to attend Northern Arizona University (NAU) in the fall. “I chose dual enrollment because it is a great opportunity to get two years of college out of the way, so I don't have to retake college classes. Also is makes college easier to complete and is cheaper,” said Gabriel.

Meghan Schultz will attend NAU. “I chose to do dual enrollment because I thought it was a great opportunity to get ahead in my education. I didn’t want to retake the classes I’m taking in high school, so I figured I would get college credit for them, as well as high school credit,” said Meghan.

The students will graduate from Horizon High School on May 23rd.

Learn more about Dual Enrollment.

Learn more about Horizon High School.

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Brian Mecinas, Mac McGraw, and Genevieve Craven

Genevieve Craven, Mac McGraw, and Brian Mecinas are three of the 16 high school students selected as 2019 Outstanding Young Men and Young Women of the Year by the City of Phoenix for their individual city council district. At the awards banquet on May 10th, Genevieve was named the Citywide Young Woman of the Year and received $1,500.

The Outstanding Young Man and Young Woman of the Year program recognizes and honors the outstanding achievements of young people, enhances the perception of youth and raises community awareness of the positive contributions of youth.

"Paradise Valley High School could not be more proud of our three students who are receiving these awards from the City of Phoenix. Genevieve, Brian, and Mac are excellent representatives of Paradise Valley High School and our culture of PRIDE. They excel in the classroom and the community. Between the three of them, they impact every part of our school in a positive way. I am so proud of all they have accomplished and honored that they chose to become Paradise Valley Trojans," said Ian Deonise, principal at Paradise Valley High School.

The students applied, wrote an essay describing their commitment to excellence in the community, and submitted a recommendation letter. All applications were reviewed and scored. The top applicants were invited for an interview and the winners were selected from this interview.  This year, nearly 100 students attending high school in Phoenix applied for this award.

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Pictured from left to right: Susan Matura, Dr. Kim Guerin, Steve Watson, Diana Cameron, Dr. James P. Lee, Anne Greenberg, and Nancy Case.

Diana Cameron, principal at Sandpiper Elementary School, is one of 11 recipients of the 2019 Maricopa County Exemplary Principals Award.

“It is an honor to recognize Diana Cameron as an Exemplary Principal. She has created a caring and supportive community that both attracts and retains teachers and staff. She has developed and grown a successful Spanish Immersion Program where students are thriving academically, socially and emotionally. Diana’s positive approach is an example of leadership at its finest,” said Maricopa County School Superintendent Steve Watson.

There are 1,100 principals in Maricopa County and from that number, 50 principals were selected based on student growth data. The Maricopa County School Superintendent office reached out to superintendents for a statement of support and retention data. From there, it was narrowed to 31 principals who were invited to apply. There were multiple phases that included individual applications, teacher surveys, video interviews, and site visits. The selection was narrowed down to 11 principals who are being awarded.

“I work really hard as all principals do, but I work to really have a relationship with my staff and to support them in every way possible. When you are honored for what you put so much of your heart and soul into, it means so much to you,” said Ms. Cameron.

The Maricopa County Exemplary Principal Award is presented to school leaders who:

• Exemplify practices and leadership (during the past three school years) that contribute to improved student learning.
• Involve staff, parents, and community members in developing an effective school culture.
• Have a history of high teacher retention.

Ms. Cameron has been an educator for 39 years. She joined the PVSchools family in 2008 and has been principal at Sandpiper Elementary School since 2015.

Learn more about Sandpiper Elementary School.

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PVSchools is expanding its early childhood learning programs with the opening of the Little Cubs at the Arrowhead Early Childhood Center on July 25, 2019, at the  Arrowhead campus (get directions).

“Little Cubs is opening to provide our employees and working families an option for childcare in the southern area of the district. Families will have district staff taking care of their children. This is the beginning of their experience with PVSchools,” said Jennifer Kelly, childcare coordinator with the Community Education Department.

The center is fully licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. The program will be open from 6:30 a.m-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and will follow the school calendar. Classroom ratios for staff and children are as follows:

• Infants 1:5 or 2:11
• One-year-old 1:6 or 2:13
• Two-year-old 2:8
• Three-year-old 1:13.

One feature that stands out from other childcare programs is that the Little Cubs will also have an onsite registered nurse. Parents will have peace of mind knowing that a trained medical professional is on site should a situation or issue arise.

A Snapshot of the Program

Children attending the Little Cubs program will participate in art, music, dramatic play, story time, songs, and dance. “Children are naturally curious. We play with them, introduce toys or activities that are right for their age. We read to them, sing, and dance with them,” said Ms. Bush.

Infant and Toddlers Program

“Our Infant and Toddlers program will incorporate individual play using developmentally appropriate toys good for both large and small muscles, socialization with children in the classroom, story books, art activities, music, and movement.  We also work on toilet training in the Toddler 2 classroom. Children are diapered and fed on a fixed schedule,” said Barbara Bush, a childcare associate at Pinnacle High School.

Parents provide diapers and wipes in these classrooms. In the infant room, parents also provide bottles of either breast milk or formula. Children in the Toddler 1 and 2 Program are fed breakfast, lunch and two snacks daily. Infants nap according to their individual schedule, and children in the Toddler 1 and 2 Program nap after lunch daily.

3-Year-Old Program

“A typical day will include large and small group activities that are developmentally appropriate for 3-year-olds. These will include activities in literature, early math, art, and music, as well as social studies and science. Children will also have the opportunity to choose free choice dramatic play, use large muscles on the playground, develop social skills, and make friends. The children nap after lunch,” said Ms. Bush. The center provides breakfast, lunch, and two snacks daily.

Daily reports are provided to parents. These reports include when diapers are changed, nap times, activities completed, food eaten, and eating time.

Schedule A Tour

If you are interested in touring Little Cubs at the Arrowhead Early Childhood Center prior to July, please call Ms. Bush at 602-449-4080 to tour the Lil’ Pioneers Program at Pinnacle High School. After July, please call the Community Education Department at 602-449-2200. Register today!

Learn more about the programs offered through the Community Education Department.

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Two PVSchools high schools, North Canyon and Shadow Mountain, brought home individual and team first-place medals from the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Track and Field State Championships, which were held at Mesa Community College from Wednesday, May 1, through Saturday, May 4.

North Canyon Winners

North Canyon High School claimed several first-place awards in Saturday's events. The school boasted winners in the following Division II competitions:

4x800 Meter Relay

North Canyon's championship-winning relay squad consisted of:

• Stefana Purkovic
• Makayah Richard
• Cassie Ogburn
• Bailey Mukai

4x400 Meter Relay

The first-place squad featured the following NCHS student-athletes:

• Jadyn Mays
• Dominique Mustin
• Delphine Dah
• Jayde Charlton

100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash

Jadyn Mays took home gold in both the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes.

100 Meter Hurdles, 400 Meter Dash & 800 Meter Dash

Dominique Mustin claimed a whopping three victories in the following championship races: 100 meter hurdles, 400 meter dash and the 800 meter dash.

Shadow Mountain Winner

A Shadow Mountain student-athlete took home gold in three Division III competitions:

100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash and Long Jump

Gifty Doeplah earned the top prize in not one, not two, but three championship competitions on Saturday.

Congratulations to all of our state championship winners, and thank you for representing excellence within PVSchools!

Explore PVSchools high school athletics.

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Hana Bauer, Ann Kaskel, Stephanie Klever, and Sara Moss

At PVSchools, we understand that nurses are integral to the health and well-being of our students and have school nurses at all of our campuses. As we celebrate National School Nurse Day on Wednesday, May 8th, we would like to thank our school nurses for taking care of our students. Whether it's bandaging scrapes and cuts, helping students overcome stomachaches or headaches, administering medications or wiping away tears, we appreciate the services our PVSchools nurses provide.

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Jazmyne Galindo with her winning logo for Tres Elegante Designs.

Students in Christine Brandell Melendez’s Advanced Graphic Design class at Paradise Valley High School had the opportunity to work with local client Jan Stiles to design a new logo for her company Tres Elegante Designs.

This real-world experience gave students the opportunity to work with a client and to create a logo that will be used for rebranding the company’s image, including business cards, social media, postcards, and eventually as a maker’s mark that will be used to stamp her jewelry.

“I feel like these students listened to me better than a major ad agency did 40 years ago. It was a very nice surprise to come away with a feeling that the students listened and responded to my request,” said Ms. Stiles.

The winning submission by Jazmyne Galindo, a Horizon High School student who takes the Graphic Design class at Paradise Valley High School as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) participant, represented the company the best with a visual presence and versatility of the logo. Jazmyne also submitted a written proposal that outlined her reasoning and insights behind the design.

“Ms. Stiles’ pieces are inspired by nature and plants. Once I understood her jewelry design, I designed a logo that ties it all together,” said Jazmyne.

Ms. Stiles visited the class and presented the criteria of the logo and provided details as to how the logo would be used.

“This was an incredible opportunity for my students to be able to design a logo and gain real-word experience while in high school. My expectations for my students were to do their best as the door was wide open to showcase their individual creativity and talents,” said Ms. Brandell Melendez.

Pictured from left to right: Jazmyne Galindo, Jan Stiles, Christine Brandell Melendez, Deona Del Brocco, and Anthony Gutierrez.

Paradise Valley High School students Deona Del Brocco and Anthony Gutierrez received second and third place recognition for their logos as well.

Ms. Stiles has been designing jewelry for 10 years. She retired from the PVSchools during the 2000-2001 school year.

At PVSchools, our CTE programs provide students with the foundation and opportunity to explore different career paths while gaining real-world experiences. Paradise Valley High School offers a variety of  CTE classes that are open to all district students; district transportation provided. Lean more about our CTE programs.

Learn more about Paradise Valley High School.

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The North Valley Arts Academies (NVAA) will host a Phoenix Fine Arts Fest on Friday, May 17th from 6-9 p.m. at Shadow Mountain High School (get directions). The festival is planned and led by student artists from the three NVAA schools - Desert Cove Elementary School, Shea Middle School and Shadow Mountain High School, and includes artwork and performances from both NVAA and non-NVAA students. This free event is open to the public and will include art, performances and hands-on family-friendly art activities for all ages.

Activities will include:

• Three art galleries, which will feature 100 pieces of art, including photography, 2D and 3D.
  
  
• Four hours of student performances, including vocal, instrumental, dance, theater, film and interdisciplinary. Performances include solo, duo, small group and large group combinations. Performances will take place at various locations throughout the campus.
  
  
• A variety of student-run workshops on topics such as music technology, visual arts, theater, dance and performance.
  
  
• Family-friendly activity center with booths and hands-on projects, including face painting, arts and crafts, club and student group booths.
  
  
• Food trucks will be onsite, including Aioli Food Truck, Modern Tortilla, Frosted Frenzy Cupcakes and Kona Ice.

The Phoenix Arts Fest is partially funded by the Youth Engagement Project Grant, which was awarded by the City of Phoenix’s Office of Arts and Culture.

Learn more about the NVAA program.

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Did you know that over the course of summer vacation, students can lose academic skills and knowledge that took 180 days of instruction to learn? In most cases, teachers will spend four to six weeks re-teaching material that was not retained during the eight weeks of summer vacation. Students who continue learning during the summer will be more successful in the long run.

“Summer programs and activities can make a difference for children. Not only do these experiences reduce summer learning losses, but they can also lead to academic gains that last up to two years,” said Dr. Dan Courson, assistant superintendent of Curriculum.  

We’ve put together a few tips to help you keep your child engaged in learning this summer.

Science

Learning about science can be as easy as going to your backyard. During the day, children can identify insects, birds, animals, and plants. At night, you can stargaze and map out constellations. Summer in the Valley brings monsoons and dust storms, which is fun for tracking the changing weather conditions. If you have a garden, have your child measure and track the growth of the plants.

Art

Visit art museums and art walks to get inspiration for an art project whether it’s creating a painting, drawing, ceramics or photography. Encourage your child to experiment with different art mediums and to learn about different artists and techniques.

History

Learn about National Parks, monuments and historic sites at WebRangers. Children can customize their Ranger Station, solve mysteries, solve puzzles, learn history, play games, and earn rewards.

Fun Websites to Explore

There are several family-friendly websites that offer free educational content for children.

• National Geographic Kids provides content to children so that they can explore the world through videos, games, and apps. Learn more about National Geographic Kids.
  
  
• PBS Kids provides educational videos and games featuring their favorite characters. Learn more about PBS Kids.
  
  
• TED-Ed is TED’s youth and education initiative.TED Ed video library includes hundreds of animated videos on a variety of subjects such as literature, language, math, science, technology, engineering and much more. Learn more about TED-Ed.
  
  
• Explore our solar system and beyond with news and images from NASA. Learn more about NASA .

Math

Students can lose more than two months of math knowledge during the summer. Incorporate math lessons at home by teaching your child to cook with step-by-step instructions and recipes. Cooking with Kids has measurement reminders, safety tips, and information for involving children in the cooking process. Practice math skills in the car by calculating time and mileage. When you eat out, have your child help calculate the tip.

Local Field Trips

The Valley has many museums, zoos and cultural events that you can visit and attend to keep learning alive such as the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Science Center, the Phoenix Children's Museum and much more. Make the most of your trip by asking thought-provoking questions about what your child has learned. Have your child write or create a drawing about his or her experiences.

Reading and Spelling

An adventure is waiting for you at the public library. Keep your child engaged by exploring different topics and let your child pick books that interest him or her. Library cards are free, and you can borrow books, CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks. Reading not only expands your child’s vocabulary, but it keeps his or her cognitive abilities sharp. Encourage your child to start a book club with neighborhood friends.  

Writing

Encourage your child to keep a journal during the summer. Journal writing is a great way for your child to express feelings and creativity while practicing writing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Motivate your child to write a short story, screenplay or a biography about a family member.

Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Habits

Establish a fitness routine and healthy eating habits before the summer. Find activities that you can do as a family such as walking, riding a bike, or swimming.

Vacation

If you are going on vacation this summer, have your child help with the research and planning of the trip. If you are planning a road trip, ask your child to view the map, view the route you plan to take and identify the states you will be visiting.

Workbooks

Set aside quiet time for your child to work in workbooks. Purchase books at big box stores or online. Skills gained throughout the school year will be easily retained by encouraging this activity.

However you decide to spend summer vacation, PVSchools hopes that you have a safe, fun and relaxing time off while learning continues to happen.

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Pinnacle High School Graphic Design students competed in the 57th Annual Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference April 24th-26th in Tucson. This was Pinnacle's second time attending.

The students won four state championships.

State Champions – Graphic Design

Jadyn Ngo and Sonya Fraser won first place out of the 46 teams that competed.  They designed a logo as a much larger branding-package for their self-named “John McCain High School.”

State Champions – Public Service Announcement

Allison MacDonell, Haidyn Mallare, and Meghan Patnode won first place out of the 30 teams that competed.

State Champions – Mobile Application Development

Ninad Kulkarni and Bader Alrifai won first place.

Competing in the Website Design

Sofia Caballero and Michael Brayer won third place out of the 17 teams that competed.

Competing in the Computer Game Development

Jackson Raines, Donald Wecklein, and Hayden Paoletti won second place out of the 12 teams that competed.

The Graphic & Web Design students also became state champions by taking first place in the Chapter T-shirt Design event. Ninad Kulkarni designed the chapter T-shirt.

Additionally, Seniors Ninad Kulkarni and Bader Alrifai competed individually in the Coding & Programming event.  Ninad Kulkarni won second place, while Bader Alrifai came in third place.

The 12 students will compete in the FBLA National Conference June 27th -July 3rd in San Antonio.

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Graduating high school is a great accomplishment for students and one of the proudest moments for parents, grandparents and family members. On May 23rd, approximately 2,448 students will graduate from Horizon, North Canyon, Paradise Valley, Pinnacle and Shadow Mountain High Schools and Sweetwater Community School. Don't forget to share your photos on graduation night on social media with us by using #PVSchoolsGrad.

Roadrunner and PVOnline

Roadrunner School will have a Celebration of Graduation on May 17th at 12 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at Roadrunner School. PVOnline will host a Graduation Celebration for approximately 20 students on May 21st at 2 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at PVOnline (get directions).  

Horizon High School

Approximately 563 seniors will graduate on May 23rd at 7:30 p.m. at the Football Stadium at Horizon High School (get directions). Special guests at the ceremony include Governing Board Member Nancy Case and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kim Guerin. Student speakers will include Judah Taylor, Taylor Mittelstedt, Brody Heimlich, and Matthew Kobrick. Step on Stage and Towne Criers choirs will perform.

North Canyon High School

Approximately 401 seniors will graduate on May 23rd at 7:30 p.m. at the Football Stadium at North Canyon High School (get directions). Special guests include Governing Board Member Dr. Sue Skidmore and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dan Courson. Student speakers are Alejandro Garcia Melendez, Jr., student body president; Emma Kroon, senior class president; Joshua Luckey; Emma Hoffman; Jada Stewart, senior class vice president; Amela Hodzic, senior class treasurer; and Jasmin Garcia, senior class representative. The North Canyon High School Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of  Mr. Dylan Suehiro, will perform “Pomp and Circumstance,” “The National Anthem” will be played on saxophone by Caleb Jackson, and the senior song is "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons.

North Canyon will recognize First to Graduate students during the ceremony, which is part of the Commitment to Graduate program. Students who are the first in their immediate family to graduate from high school are given lime green cords at graduation. Many of these students are the first to attend college.

Paradise Valley High School

Approximately 450 seniors will graduate on May 23rd at 7:30 p.m. on the Football Field at Paradise Valley High School (get directions). Special guests attending the ceremony include Governing Board Member Anne Greenberg and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jason Reynolds. Student speakers include Hayden Araza, Genevieve Craven, Andrea Villalobos, and Mac McGraw​. Paradise Valley High School Band will perform "Pomp & Circumstance" and the “National Anthem.”  The choir will perform “National Anthem” and the Alma Mater and the Advanced Choir will perform "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.

Pinnacle High School

Approximately 624 seniors will graduate on May 23rd at 6:30 p.m. at the Peoria Sports Complex (get directions). Special guests attending the event include Governing Board Member Susan Matura and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Troy Bales. Student speakers include  Diane Krikorian, student body president, and Ryan Carlo, senior class president. The Pinnacle High School Choir will perform “For Good,” and the band will perform the “National Anthem.” The senior song is “Good Old Days.” The presentation of Colors will be performed by the Shadow Mountain High School Air Force JROTC students.

Shadow Mountain High School

Approximately 320 students will graduate on May 23rd at 7:30 p.m. at Victory Stadium/Football Field at Shadow Mountain High School (get directions). Special guests at the event include Governing Board President Julie Bacon and Superintendent Dr. James P. Lee. Student speakers include Tiffany Harmanian, Lila Oiegar, Elizabeth Olney, Aimee Antila, Supriya Weiss, and Lettycia Enriquez​. Voices of Shadow Mountain Choral Union will perform “ That’s What Friends Are For.”

Sweetwater Community School

Approximately 70 graduating seniors will receive their diplomas on May 23rd at 5 p.m. in the Auditorium at Pinnacle High School (get directions). Special guests at the ceremony include Governing Board Member Anne Greenberg and Assistant Superintendent Laura Felten.  Each year, Ms. Goudzward compiles a video slideshow with music highlighting each of the graduates. Sweetwater Community School has a wonderful tradition in which every staff member selects a graduate to honor and present a certificate and a trophy.

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Joshua Luckey, a senior at North Canyon High School, was selected as a QuestBridge College Match Scholarship Recipient. The QuestBridge National College Match is a college and scholarship application process that helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to the nation's most selective colleges. College Match Scholarships, which are provided by 40 participating colleges, cover the full cost of tuition, room and board, are loan-free, and require no parental contribution.

In the past 10 years, there have only been two other North Canyon High School students who have received this scholarship. This year, 16,248 students applied for this scholarship, and only 1,044 students were chosen. Josh will be attending Colorado College, which is located in Colorado Springs. Josh’s scholarship is worth almost $72,000 per year and covers tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and travel.

"Being from a low-income background, it's hard for me to imagine going to college without getting into debt. When I saw that such an incredible school as Colorado College was generous enough to recognize my talents and make that dream a reality by giving me this scholarship, I couldn't believe my eyes. I honestly couldn't wish for a more unique experience over the next four years, and it's an opportunity that made all of the work I put in before worth it. I plan on majoring in physics and double-minoring in math and linguistics. Go Tigers!," said Josh.

Josh is a member of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme and will soon earn his IB Diploma. He has a thirst for knowledge and immerses himself 100 percent into expanding his education. He is the Mathfanatics Club Founder and President, Vice President of the Exposed Expression Club, IB Diploma Programme Vice President, and the French Honor Society Treasurer. He is involved in campus life and has a passion for science.

“I have greatly enjoyed working with Josh over these last four years. I remember meeting him as a shy freshman when he first stepped foot on North Canyon's campus. He has grown into an amazing young man, who is thankful for everything he has and is incredibly excited to start the next chapter of his life. I had a lot of fun discussing college options with Josh and helping him decide on Colorado College,” said Samuel Costanzo, Jr., counseling instructional division leader and International Baccalaureate Counselor at North Canyon High School.

Learn more about the International Baccalaureate program.

Learn more about North Canyon High School

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PVSchools will host its Annual Faculty Art Show May 13th-17th from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at the District Administrative Center (get directions). Paintings (watercolor, acrylic, and oil), drawings (pencil, charcoal, and pastels), photography, multimedia, and ceramics will be on display.

“The PVSchools Faculty Art Show is a celebration of the creativity and talent we have among our colleagues. It spotlights to our community that PVSchools employs fine arts teachers who are, themselves, artists, as well as also celebrating our other artistically creative employees,” said Norm Pratt, director of Fine Arts.

A reception will be held on May 16th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. where attendees will be able to meet the artists, discuss art and learn more about arts education in PVSchools.

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On May 23rd, thousands of seniors will graduate from PVSchools. Many of our seniors began their journey as kindergartners in the district, eager to start learning and make new friends. Now, they are embarking on one of the biggest journeys of life - life after high school.

The next few weeks may be the hardest as students start to adjust to what life after high school will be for them. Some students may have a summer job or internship lined up while others may spend the summer packing and saying goodbye to friends and family members.

Mixed Emotions

As the school year begins to wrap up, students and parents may have mixed emotions about the journey that lies ahead. These emotions may include excitement, sadness or nervousness. Students will begin to clean out lockers, sign yearbooks, and reminisce about their time with friends, teachers, and school. During this time, students will start to say goodbye to classmates and teachers.

It’s also an emotional time of year for teachers as they will say farewell to their students and colleagues who may retire. During the last four years, PVSchools teachers have played a pivotal role in the lives of students. They have inspired, mentored, coached and empowered students sometimes helping them overcome an obstacle - whether it was mastering a math or science concept or providing guidance to a problem they may have had with a friend or family member.

Adventure Awaits

As students head off to college in the fall, whether it is community colleges, state universities or out of state universities, the next four years will define their paths for their future careers. For most students, this will be the first time they have been away from home and family members. During this time, they will meet new people, build relationships and have new experiences.

For other students, they have already begun to lay the foundation for their careers by taking Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses that PVSchools offers whether it’s culinary arts, nursing or sound engineering. Through these CTE courses, students may have already gained the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in their desired field.

Staying in Touch

Whether students are leaving or staying home, they can keep in touch with friends and loved ones through social media, Skype, Facetime, and other platforms. Even though one chapter is ending and another is just beginning, this doesn’t mean they need to lose touch with the friends and mentors they have made throughout the years.

Wherever your path takes you, PVSchools wishes the graduating class of 2019 the best of luck and much success and happiness in all of your future endeavors!

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At the April 18th Governing Board meeting, 12 pieces of student artwork, including ceramic, collages, watercolors, pencils, and mixed media were added to PVSchools’ permanent student art collection.

“The PVSchools Permanent Art Collection is an important legacy of the accomplishments of our students and fine arts instructors. The Governing Board consistently demonstrates a commitment to educating the whole child and our fine arts programming is a significant point of pride for PVSchools,” said Julie Bacon, Governing Board president.

PVSchools purchased art pieces from the following elementary, middle, and high school students:

• Russell Shope, a second-grade student at Indian Bend Elementary School
• Grace Pease, a third-grade student at Fireside Elementary School
• Leah Stipek, a fourth-grade student ay Desert Springs Preparatory School
• Gwyneth Chiara, a sixth-grade student at Pinnacle Peak Preparatory School
• Lauren Weiler, a seventh-grade student at Explorer Middle School
• Riley Boyle, an eighth-grade student at Desert Shadows Middle School
• Krystal Lopez, an eighth-grade student at Mountain Trails Middle School
• Ava Patruno, an eighth-grade student at Sunrise
• Middle SchoolKaren Javelera-Morales, a 10th-grade student at North Canyon High School
• Andrea Lopez-Cruz, an 11-grade student at Paradise Valley High School
• Ashley Lovett, a 12th-grade student at Paradise Valley High School
• Alison Yeager, a 12th-grade student at North Canyon High School

The artwork will be display in the Governing Board Room for three years before being distributed throughout the district. Each year, an art specialist, not associated with the district, is invited to adjudicate student artwork on display at the annual art festival.

PVSchools began purchasing student artwork in the late 1980s and have more than 250 pieces in its collection.

Lerarn more about our Fine Arts program.

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Students in Megan Bird’s fifth and sixth-grade Self Contained Gifted class at Fireside Elementary School had the honor to show their skills during the Arizona Council on Economic Education (ACEE) Mayors' Challenge on April 5th at Mesa Community College. The ACEE Mayor’s Challenge is a statewide competition reserved for middle and high school students and consists of the National Economics Competition, Personal Finance Case Study, and Economics Critical Thinking (high school only).  

Fireside Elementary brought 28 students to the middle school division of the competition. The Money Monsters team consisting of Max Drachler, Krish Desai, Shubham Kale, and Sienna Pritchard beat eight middle school teams and five other Fireside teams to win First Place in the Personal Finance Case Study category. Additionally, Fireside had several Judge's Choice winners in the Personal Finance Case Study.

"This competition is such an excellent opportunity for students to learn what it is like to compete at a high level and integrate their learning of economics, stock market, and a speech and debate program they were a part of this year. It leads to increased confidence and successful participation in events like science fairs, DECA, speech and debate, etc. We competed against two middle schools that have economics courses as a daily subject, as well as economics clubs.  I am so proud of the hard work our students put in! They learned real-world skills that will help them be proficient at financial literacy in the future and give them a head start to smart financial decisions and freedom in the future,” said Mrs. Bird.

Ms. Bird’s class has worked on economics concepts through the Social Studies curriculum all year long, as well as participating in additional economics competitions and simulations. In addition, they had Junior Achievement, parent professionals present lessons, and participated in a simulated Stock Market.

Learn more about Fireside Elementary School.

Learn more about our Gifted Education Programs.

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The North Valley Arts Academies (NVAA) Dance Company will host a Step By Step on Friday, May 3rd at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Shadow Mountain High School (get directions). The dance performance will feature students, guest artists, and faculty work. The cost (cash only) to attend is $5 for students and teachers, $10 for adults, and free for children under 5 years old.

“Students from Desert Cove Elementary, Shea Middle School, and Shadow Mountain High School are gearing up for their show. We are putting the finishing touches on some amazing work as the excitement brews for an awesome show,” said Emily Spranger, NVAA dance program specialist.

Learn more about the NVAA program – Dance, Theater, Music Technology, and Visual Arts.

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Jennifer Kelly, childcare coordinator for the Community Education Department, received the 2019 Administrator/Regional Leader of the Year Award from the Arizona Community Education Association (AZCEA).

AZCEA recognizes Community Educators and programs doing amazing work for the children and families they serve at its annual conference each spring, which was held on April 6th in the Performing Arts Center at Madison School District. Ms. Kelly was selected for the award based on her efforts to provide continuous quality and improvements to the programs and locations that she supervises, as well as her ability to exhibit effectiveness and efficiency with the programs and locations she supervises.

“I feel honored to receive recognition from my co-workers in the district and throughout the state of Arizona.  I feel that this recognition is truly because of the team of people who work so hard to provide services to our community,” said Ms. Kelly.  

Selection criteria for the award included the following:

• Proven track record of leading teams of staff members across multiple programs and/or locations.
• Continuous quality improvement, as well as overall program and/or department effectiveness and efficiency.
• Responsible for total program oversight across multiple types of programs and/or locations.
• Full supervisory responsibility for teams of individuals, as well as complete budgetary oversight.

Ms. Kelly was nominated by Susan Sherrill, Distance Learning/LEL manager for the Community Education Department.

Learn more about the Community Education Department.

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Desert Shadows Elementary School and Sonoran Sky Elementary School earned the A+ School of Excellence™ Award from the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF). Desert Shadows Elementary School and Sonoran Sky Elementary School were two of 52 A+ Schools of Excellence™ award winners.

This is the first time that Desert Shadows Elementary School has received the award.

"Being recognized as an A+ School of Excellence™ is a tremendous honor for Desert Shadows Elementary. To earn this award, it took the accomplishments and dedication of our staff, students, parents, and community partners. It was a true team effort and everyone in the Desert Shadows community can say they played a role," said Chad Caudle, principal at Desert Shadows Elementary School.

Sonoran Sky Elementary has earned the coveted award three times – 2019, 2015, and 2004.

"Being awarded with an A+ designation by the AEF is a wonderful recognition that validates the amazing hard work our staff, students and community do on campus everyday. Sonoran Sky is such a special place and we are very proud to be recognized as an A+ school," said Robert Dawson, principal at Sonoran Sky Elementary School.

According to the AEF, the A+ Schools of Excellence™ is a comprehensive school assessment program that challenges school teams to work together to identify areas of excellence in teaching, learning, climate, community building, and leadership. A+ Schools are celebrated and recognized as outstanding. Earning the highly prestigious A+ designation spotlights the positive successes happening in public schools every day.

Each school receives an award celebration at their school and will be presented with $500 and a banner designating it as an A+ School of Excellence™.

Learn more about Desert Shadows Elementary School.

Learn more about Sonoran Sky Elementary School.

Learn more about the A+ Schools of Excellence™ program.

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