December 2019

Governing Board Message

The Governing Board held a study session on December 5, 2019, and one of the items we reviewed was PVSchools letter grades. Philosophically, we understand the need for accountability for and to our students, parents and community members. It makes sense-ensure the resources we are utilizing are put to good use and our students are achieving. Read the entire December letter.

Julie Bacon, Governing Board president

Spotlight: School Psychologists - Highlighting the Essential Work Being

Done with Students

At PVSchools, our school psychologists believe in advocating for equitable access and opportunities for all students. They promote academic progress, as well as emotional, social, and psychological wellness through the identification of strengths, needs, interventions, resources, and supports. School psychologists seek to empower students with developing self-advocacy skills. Learn more about the work our school psychologists do.

PVSchools Video Features

PVSchools Transportation: A Journey of Excellence The PVSchools Transportation Department transports more than 10,000 students over a 98-square mile attendance area each day. The department's 250 employees travel more than 2 million miles annually. View the video.

Copper Canyon Veterans Day Assembly: Honoring All Who Served In case you missed it, Copper Canyon Elementary School honored veterans during a special Veterans Day assembly. View the video.

District News

PVSchools Receives Financial Reporting Award For the fiscal year of 2018, PVSchools received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). Learn more about the award.

Registration Now Open for 10th Annual PVSchools 5K Community Run Registration is now open for the 10th Annual PVSchools 5K Community Run. Visit our RunSignup page between November 11, 2019, and February 7, 2020, to register to participate. The PVSchools Community 5K Run will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Horizon High School (get directions). Download the flyer for more information.

37 PV Schools Make Niche's 2020 Top-Ranked Schools in the Valley List PVSchools had 26 elementary schools, six middle schools, and five high schools earn a spot on the niche.com 2020 Best Public Schools in the Phoenix Area list. Find out which schools are on the list.

Campo Bello Dedicates State-of-the-Art Campus Students, teachers and district staff celebrated completion of construction of the new Campo Bello Elementary campus on November 15th with a dedication ceremony and art fair.

In 2015, voters approved a $228 million bond that funded this project. The $19 million project includes new classrooms, a multi-purpose room/cafeteria, media center, special area classrooms for vocal music, visual arts, band and strings, and building support areas. A 12-classroom building that was constructed in 2001 was renovated for inclusion into the new school campus. Play fields were built where the old campus buildings resided prior to demolition.

FAFSA - Top 5 Takeaways for Parents and Students If your teen is graduating in May and you haven't filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application, there's still time to start the process. By submitting a FAFSA application, students will be able to access grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal student loans. Find out morw about FAFSA.

Clean Out Your Closets! PVEA Collecting Prom Attire for Girls & Guys Now is a a great time to clean out your closets! The Paradise Valley Education Association (PVEA) is collecting prom attire for its annual Prom Dresses & Ties for PV Girls & Guys event. PVEA is seeking dresses, women's shoes, necklaces, purses, earrings, tuxedos, bowties, formal vests, and men's shoes. Items may be dropped off through April 2nd at the PVSchools' District Administrative Center, Monday- Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.(get directions).

Tips for Families to Help Kids Deal with Cyberbullying and Mean Online Behavior Most kids will encounter mean behavior at some point in their digital lives. For some kids, this experience is a blip that's easily forgotten, while for others it can have deep, long-lasting effects. Read the article written by our IT Department.

PVSchools in the News View the latest news articles that mention PVSchools.

Upcoming Events

Bagels with the Governing Board

The Governing Board welcomes all members of the community to attend Bagels with the Board events for the 2019-2020 school year. These events are a great opportunity to talk with Governing Board members, share feedback, questions and concerns - all while being treated to bagels and caffeine. These events occur quarterly and are held at various schools throughout the district. Email reminders will be sent to all parents/guardians prior to each event.

Wednesday, February 26th, 2020, from 10-11 a.m. at Shea Middle School (get directions) Wednesday, April 29th, 2020, from 10-11 a.m. at Indian Bend Elementary School (get directions)

Winter Break Recess All schools will be closed December 23rd-January 3rd for Winter Break. Classes will resume on January 6th.

Volunteer In Paradise Orientation The next Volunteer In Paradise (VIP) orientation will be held on Thursday, January 9th from 9-11 a.m. at the PVSchools Community Resource Center (get directions). Learn more about VIP.

CREST Open House Eighth-grade students who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are encouraged to learn more about the Center for Research in Engineering, Science, and Technology (CREST) program on Monday, January 13th from 6-7 p.m. at Paradise Valley High School (get directions). Learn more about the CREST program.

K-12 Early Release for Professional Development All schools will dismiss early on Tuesday, January 14th for Teacher Professional Development.

United Parent Council Meeting The United Parent Council (UPC) will host a meeting on Wednesday, January 15th from 9 a.m.-noon at the District Administrative Center (get directions). Parents are encouraged to attend this meeting. Learn more about UPC.

Preschool Universe Parent Information Open House Learn about preschool options in PVSchools during the Preschool Universe Parent Information Open House on Tuesday, January 21st from 5:30-7 p.m. at Fireside Elementary School (get directions). Learn more about preschool options.

For district recess and governing board meeting dates, please view the PVSchools Calendar.

Staff & Student Highlights

On November 14th, four PVWIT (Paradise Valley Women in Information Technology) high school students presented the software they developed and their business plan for "LoLa Connect" at the State of the Smart Region Gala. Learn more about LoLa Connect.

Sadie Edwards, a student-athlete at Paradise Valley High School, was crowned champion in both the Girls 100-Yard Butterfly and 100-Yard Breaststroke events at the 2019 AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association) Division II State Championship on Nov. 7 at the Mesa Aquatics Club. Learn more about Sadie.

Pinnacle High School's Girls Golf Team won their first-ever Division I State Championship. Learn more about their accomplishment.

From left to right: Aileen Hammer, Lasya

Sreenivasan, Dr. Welsh, Alyssa Norling, and Megan Howell.

Sadie Edwards

Pinnacle High School Girls Golf Team

Chad Barnett, Stacey Orest, Jodi Viva, Chad Barnett, Zyere Wortham, Marlo Rudolph, Shaelee Tomakin, and Viva Johnson, and Stacey Orest

Subway Kids & Sports of Arizona, in partnership with Subway Restaurants of Arizona, Dasani Water, Shamrock Farms, and The Be Kind People Project, recognized two special students at Desert Cove Elementary School as part of its Cycle for Success program. Zyere Wortham, a fifth grader, and Shaelee Tomakin, second grader, were chosen to be surprised with bikes, helmets and locks, as well as Subway lunches for their classes.

Chef Charleen Badman of FnB Restaurant and Blue Watermelon Project visited Sonoran Sky Elementary School on November 26th to create a meal made with resources from the school's award-winning garden. Chef Badman and fourth-grade students made the following:

"Savory, Swiss Chard Pancakes" with flavored, creamy dipping sauce, using the herbs from the school's garden.

"Garden Water" infused with plants also from the school's herb bed -lemongrass, rosemary, and more.

Dessert was a creamy panna cotta, using organic, plant-based sweeteners.

"Table Manners" are very important to these chefs! Sonoran Sky students set the table with their own place setting and used their very best manners.

Over the years, Sweetwater Community School has created a community garden that ties learning and healthy living together, and is an on-going project and shared vision between the science and art teachers to cultivate a spot for students of all ages to enjoy. Last year, Sweetwater's science and art students partnered with a special needs classroom. They shared the growing cycle through literature and art activities and planted a variety of winter vegetables. Recently, on Love Our Schools Day, the members of Heritage Church worked alongside Sweetwater staff and administrators to give the garden a much needed face lift. So far this year, the garden has produced jalapeños, carrots, basil, chives, strawberries, cantaloupe, cucumbers, and squash. It's a project that just keeps giving to the community.

PVSchools had three high schools place in the top 10 at the Arizona Marching Band Association (AzMBA) Grand Championships! Out of 82 bands from multiple divisions, Paradise Valley High School received 5th Place with their Cowboys vs. Aliens Halftime Show, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World". Pinnacle High School received 6th place, and Horizon High School received 10th place! Paradise Valley High School also received 4th Place Overall at the AzMBA State Marching Championships.

Fireside Elementary School collected more than 700 pounds of candy that was sent to US Troops.

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