Peoria Unified Sch�l District MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENU
PEORIA UNIFIED’S LATEST SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE
APRIL 2014 Calendar Highlights: April is tes�ng month. See inside for tes�ng schedule. April 5 - Peoria Arts & Cultural Fes�val April 10 - Governing Board Mee�ng, 5:30 p.m. April 16 - Na�onal Library Workers Day April 18 - Progress Report Period Ends April 18 - No School/April Break. All schools and district offices are closed. April 22 - Governing Board Mee�ng 5:30 p.m. April 23 - Administra�ve Professionals Day; District Volunteer Apprecia�on Event April 24 - Elem. Progress Report Distribu�on April 25 - HS Progress Report Distribu�on April 24-25 - STUCO PLUS Days Peoria Unified, one of Arizona’s largest unified school districts, prides itself on a 94 percent high school graduation rate, excelling schools, award-winning teachers, high AIMS test scores, specialized signature programs and championship sports programs. WWW.PEORIAUD.K12.AZ.US
PULSE
Unified Sports Basketball Game Played at Ironwood
nized to promote teamwork A basketball competiThe Uni�ied Sports basketball in a fun, friendly environment tion between Ironwood and game had two 20 minute halves amongst peers from two differLiberty high schools that had with a running clock and a �ive ent Peoria Uni�ied campuses. been brewing for awhile recentminute half-time. ly became a reality when UniThe competition was orga�ied Sports athletes from the two schools took to the court at Ironwood High. The team rosters included regular and special education student athletes. Teams were organized by age and abilities. The gym was packed with student spectators with Ironwood’s marching band playing and cheerlead- Teams of regular and special educa�on students from Liberty and Ironwood high schools par�cipated in a Unified Sports basketball game. ers cheering.
Change in the Tide of Testing, Curriculum and the State of Education This word usually strikes fear into the heart of many, no matter the subject at hand. Change. A simple word that when used in terms of education to me brings with i t exc i t e ment and possibility. This year Tracy Livingston and the Board Member fo l l o w i n g ahead of us allows for positive change...school choice, vouchers, and programs within our district and state that shine brightly, only to bring out the
best in each student. This is exciting. We are making progress! While our curriculum is worked through diligently by our own experts, it is not without criticism at the state and national level and fraught with possible change, that in my humble opinion as an educator would be excellent for our state and district. It is time to embrace our fears and create the best for our state, not based on funds but real curriculum needed for student achievement. Change is upon us and it is time to ride out this cycle of stress and indecision. Our
EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY, PREPARED TO SHAPE TOMORROW
paradigm must be switched as we move forward, society does not stand still and neither does education. So the winds of change blow and will continue, possibly until early next year... this is education and all businesses thrive on change. Employees, and in our case taxpayer happiness, are still top priority as we move forward with the largest decision we have ever faced, that will affect our state forever. Not a light decision or a light change, but one that will forever be in the best interests of our students, if we do not jump too quickly.