January 2014 PULSE Newsletter

Peoria Unifi ed Sch�l District MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENU

PEORIA UNIFIED’S LATEST SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE

JANUARY 2014 Calendar Highlights: Jan. 10 - HS Report Card Distribu�on Jan. 14 - Governing Board Mee�ng, 6 p.m.

Jan. 20 - Dr. Mar�n King Jr. Holiday, All Schools and Offices Are Closed Jan. 21-24 - Na�onal No Name Calling/An�Bullying Week Jan. 23 - Professional Development, Early Dismissal, All Schools Jan. 24 - District Spelling Bee Jan. 28 - Governing Board Mee�ng, 6 p.m.

Peoria Unified, one of Arizona’s largest unified school districts, prides itself on a 94 percent high school graduation rate, excelling schools, awardwinning teachers, high AIMS test scores, specialized signature programs and championship sports programs.

WWW.PEORIAUD.K12.AZ.US

PULSE

A New Year & New Way to Share Good School News H a p p y N e w Ye a r a n d welcome to the inaugural edition of PULSE, Peoria Uni�ied’s Latest Spotlight on Excellence, where you will �ind timely news every month of the school year.

Peruse the PULSE each month for breakfast and lunch menus,

calendar information and district news and upates.

This online publication replaces the printed Menus ‘N More newsletter. By bringing news and menus to you electronically, the district will save nearly $18,000 a year!

We’re “App” it Again!

Yo u r P e o r i a U n i � i e d our partnerships with quick Governing Board recognizes and easy links to a variety of the importance of keeping our areas right at the touch of the parents and button. It allows you to access community important calendar updates, members contact your school and read connected the latest news and events. The to the great app is a work-in-progress and things going next school year, we hope to on in our have it sync with our student district . In information system so you can Hal Borhauer fact, last fall, check your child’s grades with Governing Board we adopted ease. a new Strategic Plan that You can download the app emphasizes Parent by typing “Peoria and Community Uni�ied School Partnerships as a key District” in Google piece of our work.

Play and the Apple To m a x i m i z e o u r App Store. effectiveness in this On behalf of the area, we are always Governing Board, looking for additional we wish you and ways to increase your student(s) a our communication. great second Our new district app semester and a provides another way The district app is wonderful 2014! free and available for us to strengthen now for installing on mobile devices.

EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY, PREPARED TO SHAPE TOMORROW

In Memoriam On January 1, 2014, the Peoria Unified School District shared in the loss of Mr. Joe McCord, a dedicated Governing Board member. Mr. McCord served on the Peoria Unified

Governing Board for five years.

An advocate for children and community volunteer, Mr. McCord was once a magazine and newspaper publisher. In addi�on, Mr. McCord served our country for 28 years before re�ring as a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. McCord taught physics and astrophysics to children at the Challenger Space Science Center in Peoria. In 2012, Mr. McCord added to his list of accomplishments when his first book was published.

“Mr. McCord displayed a profound passion and commitment to the Peoria Unified School District for which we are extremely grateful,” said Superintendent, Dr. Denton Santarelli.

To view a slide show of Mr. McCord’s service, click here.

Kellis Students Visit Mars Science Lab at ASU Centennial High’s Classroom MVP Diane Dunham, a teacher at Centennial High, was selected by the Ariz.

Cardinals as ‘MVP in the Classroom.’ She received four �ckets to the 49ers vs. Cardinals game on Dec. 29, a parking pass, four pre-game field passes, a team jersey and a $500 donorschoose.org gift card. Congratula�ons!

Careful Teen Drivers Rewarded

Centennial and Ironwood high schools both won $25,000 in a teen drive safety campaign and competition, Celebrate My Drive. More than 3,500 high schools na�on-wide par�cipated in the State Farm Celebrate My Drive Facebook competition with more than 6 million safe driving commitments made. Celebrate My Drive encourages teens to make pos��ve choices as they start driving by reminding teens to think 2n2 -- 2 eyes on the road, 2 hands on the wheel, will save lives.

Throughout the day of exploration, students watched a live launch of the the Mars orbiter, the MAVEN, from the Kennedy Space Center, they targeted an image of Mars which they will track with a thermal camera and toured ASU’s science building which houses modGloria Medina, Jhaida Holmes and Elizabeth els of Martian O’Donohue review materials. rovers.

Raymond S. Kellis High students in Amy Bartlett’s science class presented Mars Student Imaging Project (MSIP) group projects to scientists and graduate students at the Mars Space Flight Facility.

Raymond S. Kellis High students McKenna Medlock, Emily Salamone-Welsh and Catrina Nicholas stand in front of a model of Curiosity at the Mars Science Laboratory at Ariz. State University.

It’s Official! #33 School Has a Name Peoria Uni�ied Board Members recently approved the name of the district’s 33 rd elementary school – Sunset Heights Elementary School.

The district held a “Name That School” Contest in the fall seeking input from the future elementary school students who currently attend Coyote Hills, Parkridge and Zuni Hills elementary schools. A list of top choices were shared with Board Members who voted on the new name.

Peoria Uni�ied school bus driver, Andria Isler, submitted the name Sunset Heights during the contest.

A second story was added to Sunset Heights Elementary in November.

Sunset Heights Elementary School, located at 9687 W. Adam Ave., in the Camino á Lago neighborhood near Lake Pleasant Parkway and Deer Valley Road, will become the district’s 41st school site and is expected to open its doors to K-7 students in the Fall of 2014.

An eighth-grade class will be added the following year.

The 96,000-square-foot school will be the �irst of its

EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY, PREPARED TO SHAPE TOMORROW

kind for the district with �lexible learning spaces and natural light. Thanks to a grant from the Ariz. Sports and Tourism Authority, there will be lighting on the sports �ield in the southwest corner of the school site, adjacent to Camino á Lago park.

For construction updates, visit the district’s website at www.peoriaud.k12.az.us and click on the “Schools” tab.

PULSE / JAN. 2014 / PG 2

Student Artwork Judged Outstanding in Anti-Bullying Art & Video Contest Pes�cide Applica�on Schedule

The Peoria Unified School District is required to provide wri�en no�fica�on at least 48 hours prior to the applica�on of any pes�cides at any school site. Pes�cides are applied in the late a�ernoon, a�er school is dismissed.

Jan. 1 Sundance, Sun Valley Jan. 2 Co�on Boll, Fron�er, Parkridge, Sunrise Mountain, Zuni Hills Jan. 3 Canyon, Copperwood, Marshall Ranch Jan. 6 Pioneer, Sahuaro Ranch Jan. 7 Oakwood, Peoria Elementary, Santa Fe Jan. 8 Ira A. Murphy, Peoria High Jan. 9 Alta Loma, Apache, Cheyenne Jan. 10 Desert Palms, Heritage, Kachina, Paseo Verde Jan. 13 Cactus, Desert Valley, Foothills, Ironwood Jan. 14 Centennial, Oasis Jan. 15 Support Services Complex Jan. 17 Country Meadows, Desert Harbor, Raymond S. Kellis Jan. 22 Sky View, Cholla Annex, District Maintenance Jan. 24 Vistancia, District Administra�on Center Jan. 28 Coyote Hills, Lake Pleasant, Liberty Feb. 3 Pioneer, Sahuaro Ranch Feb. 4 Oakwood, Peoria Elementary, Santa Fe Feb. 5 Sundance, Sun Valley Feb. 6 Co�on Boll, Fron�er, Parkridge, Sunrise Mountaim, Zuni Hills Feb. 7 Canyon, Copperwood, Marshall Ranch

The district’s second annual Anti-Bullying Art & Video Contest, held last November, asked students to create a visual image, photo or video that best represents a general anti-bullying message for the theme: “The End of Bullying Begins with Me.” The �irst place winners, and the categories they won, are: Julianna Guevara from Alta Loma Elementary won the kindergarten- through second-

grade category; Raeli Smith, also from Alta Loma Elementary won the third- through �ifth-grade category; Lyndzi Ramos from Foothills Elementary won the sixth- through eighth-grade category.

The winner of the ninththrough twelfth-grade category, Timothy Litwiller, a senior at Centennial High, submitted a video. You can view his winning video in the School Safety section at www.peoriaud.k12. az.us.

Julianna Guevara, Alta Loma

Raeli Smith, Alta Loma

EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY, PREPARED TO SHAPE TOMORROW

Lyndzi Ramos, Foothills

Open Wide and Say “Aaaaaa” Dental hygienists, Debbie Holaday and Tracy Thompson, have provided dental screening for district preschool students for 20 years. Throughout this school year, they will screen nearly 1,000 kids twice, and provide fluoride varnish at no charge to parents.

This service is made possible from the Maricopa County Public Health and Delta Dental Founda�on with a grant from First Things First.

PULSE / JAN. 2014 / PG 3

Alta Loma SWAG Students Score at the Suns Game Alta Loma Elementary junior high students in the Students With Aspiring Goals, SWAG, program were treated to

a Phoenix Suns game where they were recognized on the court during half-time. The students also had an opportunity to meet

the players.

The City of Peoria Public Safety Department sponsors the SWAG program in schools within Peoria city limits, to recognize junior high students who exhibit four characteristics: good citizenship, good grades a n d b e h a v i o r, improved studies and participation in extracurricular activities.

Alta Loma Elementary junior high SWAG students: Mujo Music, Lucio Robles, Tyler Freed, Eriana Dominguez, Gigi Coronado, TJ Owens, Jessica Vaupel, Nick Lopez and Fabiola Gonzalez. Also pictured, math teacher Stephanie Williams and Assistant Principal Rebecca Slater.

Big Red Revs Up Frontier Elementary

Fron�er Elementary was visited by Big Red, the Ariz.

Cardinals mascot, during a school-wide assembly kicking off Fuel Up to Play 60 — a campaign which encourages exercise and good nutri�on.

Traditional School Kindergartners Top Dogs in Santa Paws Contest

Seana Chew’s kindergarten class at Peoria Tradional School brought in the most pet supply dona�ons during the school-wide Santa Paws Challenge. Amy Po�er, the school’s kitchen manager, gave an ice cream sandwich party to the winning class. All dona�ons went to Maricopa County’s Safe Haven, MASH, a no-kill animal shelter.

EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY, PREPARED TO SHAPE TOMORROW

PULSE / JAN. 2014 / PG 4

Peoria Unified’s Governing Board & Mee�ng Informa�on

Future Freshmen Nights Scheduled for High Schools

The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board consists of five members, each of whom resides within the school district and is elected to a four-year term. They serve voluntarily. School board elec�ons are held in conjunc�on with state and federal elec�ons every two years.

Eighth-graders who plan to attend a Peoria Uni�ied high school next year, and their parents, can get acquainted with the campus during a Future Freshmen Night.

Students and parents will learn about classes and programs, as well as Career and Technical Education courses offered.

Peoria Unified Governing Board Mee�ngs are typically held at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month with a few excep�ons. Mee�ngs are held at the District Administra�on Center, 6330 W. Thunderbird Road, unless otherwise posted. The public is welcome to a�end.

To verify the start �me of a meeting, access an agenda, or view a meeting streaming live, visit peoriaud.k12.az.us. The public is welcome to contact board members by email: Hal Borhauer hborhauer@peoriaud.k12.az.us Ma� Bullock mbullock@peoriaud.k12.az.us Kathy Knecht kknecht@peoriaud.k12.az.us Tracy Livingston tlivingston@peoriaud.k12.az.us Joe McCord joemccord@cox.net

The PULSE is published by Peoria Unified’s Public Rela�ons Department: Danielle Airey, Janet Clarke, Erin Dunsey, Kerri Staack.

Nondiscrimination Statement: The Peoria Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, na�onal origin, sex, age or disability.

Declaración de Non Discriminación: El Peoria Unified School District no discrimina a raza, color, nacionalidad, género, edad, o habilidad diferenciada.

Cactus Centennial Ironwood Liberty Raymond S. Kellis Sunrise Mountain

Academic programs include dual enrollment courses through Maricopa Community Colleges and the International Baccalaurete Program at Ironwood High.

Parents and students will also learn about graduation requirements including class credits, attendance and tests.

T h e Fu t u re Fre s h m a n events are:

Jan. 13 Feb. 3 Jan. 27 Jan 27 Jan. 27 Jan. 27

6:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

Peoria High’s Future Freshmen Night was held in December.

High School Graduation Schedule Set Peoria Uni�ied’s High School Graduations will be held May 15 and 16, 2014, and will take place at the Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, unless noted otherwise.

Thursday, May 15 1 p.m. Peoria 3 p.m. Cactus 5 p.m. Raymond S. Kellis 7 p.m. Ironwood Friday, May 16 1 p.m. Centennial 3 p.m. Sunrise Mountain 5 p.m. Liberty Monday, May 19 6 p.m. Peoria Transition Center at Peoria High School

Caring Peoria Education Foundation Nurses at Launches New Website Lake Pleasant The Peoria Education Fountown Peoria on April 5 and the dation, a nonpro�it organiza12th Annual Thank-A-Teacher tion that supports excellence fundraiser held in May for throughout National Teacher Peoria Uni�ied, Appreciation day. launched a new A scholarship and and improved grant reception website. The honoring stusite greatly imdents and teachproves the user ers will be held experience and www.peoriaedfounda�on.org on May 7. features a conThe Peoria venient way for donors to make Education Foundation is a online contributions through 501(c)(3) non-pro�it organizaPayPal or with a credit card. tion with a mission to support The site highlights past and and enrich education in Peoria future events hosted by the Uni�ied. This year, the FounFoundation, including the 9th dation awarded more than Annual Education Visionary $28,000 to district educators Awards Dinner to be held March to fund 14 grants which will 3, the Peoria Arts & Cultural enhance the educational expeFestival to be held in downrience for students.

EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY, PREPARED TO SHAPE TOMORROW

Carla Moore and Barbara Zech, nurses at Lake Pleasant Elementary, were presented the American Diabetes Associa�on’s Partner in Care Award for going above and beyond in caring for their students with diabetes.

PULSE / JAN. 2014 / PG 5

Peoria Unified School District

Elementary Breakfast, $1.50, includes fruit, juice, choice of entree, white or chocolate milk.

Elementary Breakfast & Lunch Menus

Elementary Lunch, $2.50, includes choice of entree, fruit & vegetable bar, white, chocolate or strawberry milk.

Menu Nutrient Analysis available at www.peoriaud.k12.az.us

JANUARY 2014 Monday

Carton of milk, 35-cents

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Bagel w/Cheese Cereal, Graham Crackers

Quesadilla Cereal, String Cheese

Glazed Breakfast Bar Cereal, Muf�in

Breakfast Pizza Cereal, Yogurt

Cinnamon Rolls Cereal, Bug Bite Grahams

Cheese Crisp Chicken Pa�y Tuna Salad Sandwich

Chicken Nuggets Beef & Gravy w/Roll Breakfast Lunch Box Mashed Potatoes Banana

Build-A-Pizza Italian Turkey Sub Cobb Salad w/Oatmeal Bar Sliced Cucmbers Mandarin Oranges

Spaghe� w/Meatballs Chicken Nuggets w/Sweet & Sour Yogurt Lunch Box w/Muffin Mixed Green Salad Applesauce

French Bread Cheese Pizza Gordita Taco Oriental Chicken Salad Carrots Fruit Ice

Ranch Style Beans Mixed Berries

6/6

8/2

7/1

9/3

10/4

Breakfast Burrito Cereal, Graham Crackers

Apple Frudel Cereal, String Cheese

Sausage, Egg & CheeseTac-Go Cereal, Muf�in

Harvest Muf�in Cereal, Yogurt

Mini Blueberry Waf�les Cereal, Bug Bite Grahams

Sweet Southern Brunch Stuffed Bread S�ck w/Marinara Sauce Ham & Cheese Bagel Hash Browns Orange Smiles

Baked Scoops w/Beans and Cheese Chiken Nuggets Chef Salad w/Roll Sweet Bell Peppers Mixed Fruit

Mini Cheeseburgers Fun Fish w/ Roll Egg Salad Sandwich Pork & Beans Apples

Chicken Nuggets w/Honey Mustard Bean & Beef Chili w/Corn Muffin Garden Salad w/Roll Cauliflower Tangerines

Sicilian Pepperoni Pizza Hotdog on a Bun Veggie Wrap Salad Strawberries

13/5 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

All schools and district offices are closed.

Board Meeting 6 p.m.

14/6

15/1

16/2

17/3

French Toast Sticks Cereal, String Cheese

Oatmeal Bar Cereal, Muf�in

Egg & English Muf�in Cereal, Yogurt

Mini Maple Pancakes Cereal, Bug Bite Grahams

Chicken Nuggets Macaroni & Cheese An�pasto Salad w/Bread S�ck Sweet Bell Peppers Tropical Fruit Blend

Popcorn Chick Bowl w/Roll Beef Fingers w/Roll Veggie Sandwich Mashed Potatoes & Corn Mandarin Oranges

No lunch is served. Early Dismissal. Elementary schools that start at 8 a.m. will dismiss at 11 a.m.; elementary schools that start at 8:40 a.m. will dismiss at 11:40 a.m.; high schools will dismiss at 10:20 a.m. /6

Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza Mini Corndogs Turkey Combo Sub Cucumbers Fruit Ice

20

22/5

21/4

23

24/1

Cinnamon Waf�les Cereal, Graham Crackers

Sausage, Egg & Cheese Flatbread Cereal, String Cheese

Chocolate Chip French Toast Cereal, Muf�in

Omelet, Biscuit & Sausage Cereal, Yogurt

Blueberry Pancakes Cereal, Bug Bite Grahams

Grilled Cheese Pepperoni Pizza Bites Spicy Popcorn Chicken Celery S�cks Chilled Pears

Chicken Nuggets Oriental Chicken Bowl Garden Salad w/Roll Edamame Mixed Fruit

Pretzel Melt Meatball Sub Yogurt Lunch Box w/Bagel Corn Apples

Turkey Alfredo Chicken Nuggets w/Barbecue Sauce *PB&J Pack Carrots Kiwi

Personal Pan Pizza Bean & Cheese Burrito Caifornia Turkey Sandwich Salad Chilled Pineapple

27/2

Board Meeting 6 p.m.

Numbers to the right of calendar date indicate the 6-day rotation schedule.

28/3

29/4

30/5

31/6

* Uncrustables are not served at peanut-free schools. Substitutions will be made.

The National Automated Clearing House Association requires the following non-suf�icient funds disclaimer: if a child brings a check to school, the parent is giving authorization to electronically debit his/her account for the returned check plus fees if the check should be returned. For more information, contact CCM/Restaurant Fund, 1-888-423-8974.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination of all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or family status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s target center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).