Peoria Unified Sch�l District Peoria Uni�ied, one of Arizona’s largest uni�ied 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.
Every Studen SStudent , Every Day, Prepared to Shape Tomorrow Honorary Crossing Guards Keeps Desert Palms Elementary Students Safe Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers and Vice Mayor Yvonne Knaack were honorary crossing guards at Desert Palms Elementary during the International
Walk/Bike to School Day. The Phoenix Coyotes’ mascot Howler made an appearance, greeting students on their way to school.
Each year, more than 3,550 schools from all 50 states participate in Walk to School Day. Millions of children, parents and community leaders from 42 countries join together in commemoration of International Walk to School Week which is observed annually t h ro u g h o u t the second week of October.
Menus ‘N More November 2013 www.peoriaud.k12.az.us
2014-15 School Year Calendar Approved The 2014-15 calendar was approved by the Governing Board at the Oct. 8 meeting. The �irst day of school will be Wed., Aug. 6, 2014, the last day is Thurs., May 21, 2015. To view the 201415 calendar, visit us at www. peoriaud.k12.az.us and click the Schools tab on the blue toolbar. The early dismissal schedule and testing dates for 2014-15 will be determined at a later date.
It’s Official, #33 Has a Name! The Governing Board approved Sunset Heights Elementary School as the name for the district’s 33rd elementary school at a recent meeting. The name was suggested by Peoria Uni�ied bus driver Andria Isler and was one of the top picks by students at Parkridge, Coyote Hills and Zuni Hills elementary schools who will be attending the new school when it opens next August.
Congratulations to our 2013 National Merit Semifinalists
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers was an honorary crossing guard at Desert Palms Elementary on International Walk/Bike to School Day.
District’s Strategic Plan Revisions Approved The district’s new Strategic Plan for Excellence, which serves as a blueprint for operations, was approved by Peoria Unified’s governing board during the Sept. 24 meeting.
to re-evaluate each section of the plan. With feedback from parents and staff, the Strategic Plan Committee presented recommendations to the Governing Board in Sept. for review. The approved Strategic Plan includes a new Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Areas: Mission: Empower Students to Fulfill Their Potential Vision: Every Student, Every Day, Prepared to Shape Tomorrow Values: People, Excellence, Opportunity, Respect, Innovation, Achievement Strategic Areas: Student Learning, Parent & Community Partnerships, Recruit, Develop, Retain Staff and Organizational Strength and Agility. The new plan replaces a 10-year Strategic Plan set for revision in 2016. However, as part of the district’s plan for continuous improvement, a committee was formed earlier in 2013
Three Na�onal Merit Semifinalists were recognized at a recent Governing Board mee�ng; Centennial High senior Milan Canak, Liberty High senior Giacomo Koszegi (not pictured), Ironwood High senior Caitlin Cash; and are eligible for Finalist considera�on in the Na�onal Merit Compe��on. Oluremi Oso (center), a senior at Ironwood High, was recognized as a Na�onal Achievement Scholarship finalist.
The Business of Education These Days...Let’s Create Memories!
The business of education is complicated, or is it? Teachers lead us into the future. It is not money, cur-
Tracy Livingston, M.Ed. Governing Board Member
riculum or any outlying nonsense. It is your teacher(s) who take charge everyday and are developing students for the future. So much time is spent in what is the future? What programs are needed? Monies? Curriculum? Testing? Time being bantered with that could be used to give teachers a piece of yesteryear...yes, let’s bring the past to the present. Field trips, �ield days, celebrations...what happened
to the fun of teaching? Of course, not replacing time on task...but allow the humanity of school back into the system. We are raising humans who will go forward and remember their days... I look back fondly but my schools were strong, principals greeting students and carnivals galore...and yes, I learned! While schools in our great district do this daily, we can improve...why they
are bogged with the realities of school. Not due to their fabulousness! Which of course PUSD is fabulous! We need to step away from just a bit to create humans not just test scores. Why this reality this month, we all need to relax and learn from each other, listen, laugh and yes do our jobs for our students our future leaders who need a few kicks and giggles...why? They are human and we want PUSD to be more about
people and less about scores as people=scores! And both will equal success stories in the future! So this little teacher’s prescription is a little laugh, and look out at your classroom and campus and think back to your entrance to education and your memories and ask...can I re-create a few moments like my past for my students? If the answer is yes, it will go a long way! Go create our future and enjoy yourself as you do!