Peoria Unifi ed Sch�l District Monthly Newsletter with Breakfast & Lunch Menus
PEORIA UNIFIED’S LATEST SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE
MAY 2015 Calendar Highlights: May 1 | Na�onal Principals Day May 5 | Na�onal Teacher Apprecia�on Day May 6 | Na�onal School Nurse Day May 6 | Peoria Educa�on Founda�on Grants & Scholarships Recep�on, 6 p.m., Peoria Center for the Performing Arts May 7 | All Schools Early Release, Professional Development May 14 | Governing Board Mee�ng, 5 p.m. May 19-20 | Eighth-grade Promo�on Ceremonies May 21 | High School Gradua�ons: 1 p.m. Centennial 3 p.m. Sunrise Mountain 5 p.m. Raymond S. Kellis 7 p.m. Ironwood May 22 | High School Gradua�ons: 1 p.m. Peoria 3 p.m. Liberty 5 p.m. Cactus May 21 | Last Day of School, All Schools Early Release May 25 | Memorial Day, District Offices are closed May 28 | HS Report Card Distribu�on May 28 | Governing Board Mee�ng, 5 p.m. June 5 | District Offices are closed Fridays. A 4-day work week is in effect through July 24.
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PULSE
A Celebration of Student Art & Peoria’s Heritage Peoria celebrated its heritage and youth Saturday, April 11, at the annual Peoria Arts and Cultural
Festival. The festival, sponsored by Sky Zone, Midstate Mechanical and Theater Works, spanned several city blocks and activities and performances took place outdoors and indoors in the Peoria Community Center and Center for the PerformPreparing for a band performance at the Peoria Arts & Cul- ing Arts. tural Fes�val are Pioneer Elementary sixth-graders: Naomi Hancock Lilly Flores Hancock, Flores, Eden Brosseau Brosseau, Amayah Grijalva Grijalva, Karrah Hernandez and Stephanie Brown.
More than 14,000 attended the day-long festival and 5,000 pieces of student art and 80 dance, musical and theater performances were enjoyed. New to the festival this year was a Chair-ity Auction. Teachers, students and community members artistically re-purposed chairs and donated them to the silent auction. Nearly $10,000 was raised, and proceeds will go to Peoria Uni�ied arts teachers in the form of grants from the Peoria Education Foundation.
The Peoria United Parent Council Will Keep You Informed This is a tumultuous time for public district education in Arizona. I’m hopeful that your attention has been drawn to school funding issues that are having real, Kathy Knecht Board Member unfortunate consequences for our district. Here’s the silver lining: In my entire life in Arizona, I have never witnessed this level of interest and engagement by parents and voters. Frankly, it’s long overdue.
There are lots of reasons that people aren’t aware of the goings-on in government that impact our children’s futures. We’re all working harder and longer. We don’t always know where to look for good information. And, let’s be honest: There are many more pleasant distractions than keeping up with proposed legislation. Fortunately, more people are taking steps to get informed and be heard. Peoria Uni�ied has been very straightforward with the community through email and the Peoria Uni-
�ied web site. Nearly 1,000 stakeholders protested the budget at the Capitol in March. And, it was a Peoria Uni�ied mom, along with a teacher from Deer Valley, who stepped up and made that rally happen. Don’t worry, you don’t need to stage a rally, but staying abreast of what’s happening in education is necessary if we are to successfully advocate for our children. Stay informed. Subscribe to the Peoria United Parent Council at www.peoriaupc.org and, like them on Facebook.
EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY, PREPARED TO SHAPE TOMORROW