Let Education Continue to Drive Our Community

by Cathy Stonecipher, Administrative Director, Guidance Helicopters, Inc.

Our community’s education is extremely important to Guidance Helicopters, Inc., and we strive to promote community awareness.

By sponsoring the education section, we hope that our community members become aware of all of our children’s educational opportunities in Yavapai County. We are blessed to live in a dynamic community that is education driven.

We are an FAA-approved helicopter pilot training institution that offers the most comprehensive, effective training available.

Our goal is to produce pilots who set the standard in the industry for professionalism and safety.

Founded in 1998 by John L. Stonecipher, Guidance Helicopters has trained more than 400 pilots who are working in the helicopter industry today. Guidance’s dedication to excellence is evident in the caliber of pilots who graduate and are employed immediately afterward to their highly experienced staff. Stonecipher was the United States SBA National Business Person of the Year in 2013, and Guidance Helicopters received the Safety Excellence Award in 2014 by the Helicopter Association International Augusta Westland.

Student pilots at Guidance have a well-defined, straightforward path to follow to reach their completion goals. In 24 months, students go from having no experience to certificated flight instructor rating. Training conforms to a rigorous schedule that’s been fine-tuned to promote the most success and certificate completion.

Education Directory

Sponsored by Guidance Helicopters, Inc.

UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 3700 Willow Creek Rd. Prescott 928.777.6600 www.prescott.erau.edu

Northern Arizona University - Prescott Campus 1100 E. Sheldon St. Prescott 928.523.2988 www.nau.edu/statewide-campuses/ nau-yavapai-college

Northern Arizona University - Yavapai 7351 Skoog Blvd. Prescott Valley 928.523.2988 www.nau.edu/prescottvalley

Prescott College 220 Grove Ave. Prescott 877.350.2100 www.prescott.edu

Yavapai College 1100 E. Sheldon St. Prescott 928.445.7300 www.yc.edu

TECHNICAL & TRADE SCHOOLS

Career & Technical Education Center (CTEC) 220 Ruger Rd., Suite 1 Prescott 928.776.2002 www.yc.edu/ctec

Guidance Helicopters, Inc. Helicopter Flight School 6565 Crystal Ln. Prescott 928.443.9370 www.guidanceaero.com

Mountain Institute Joint Technical Education District (JTED) 220 Ruger Rd., Suite 2 Prescott 928.771.0791 www.micted.net

Rogers Academy of Beauty 2375 AZ-69 Prescott 928.848.9929 www.rogersacademyofbeauty.com

PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS Chino Valley Unified School District #51 650 E. Center St. Chino Valley 928.636.2458 www.chinovalleyschools.com Humboldt Unified School District 6411 N. Robert Rd. Prescott Valley 928.759.4000 www.humboldtunified.com Prescott Unified School District 300 E. Gurley St. Prescott 928.445.5400 www.prescottschools.com Mayer Unified School District No. 43 PO Box 1059 12606 E. Main St. Mayer 928.642.1000 www.mayerschools.org Yavapai Accomodation School District No. 99 K-12 7497 E. Addis Ave. Prescott Valley 928.759.8126 www.yavapaicountyhighschool.com PRESCHOOLS Busy Bee Learning Center 8665 E. Florentine Rd. Prescott Valley 928.772.6333 www.busybeelearningcenter.net Cedar Tree Montessori Private School 129 N. Pleasant St Prescott 928.771.8785 www.cedartreemontessori.com Christian Academy of Prescott Private School 148 S. Marina St. Prescott 928.445.2565 Cornerstone Christian Preschool Private School 700 W. Rosser St. Prescott 928.771.2754 www.prescottcornerstone.com/ preschool Discovery Gardens Early Childhood Center Prescott Unified School District 300 E. Gurley St. Prescott 928.442.1283 www.prescottschools.com/ discoverygardens James Family Prescott YMCA 750 Whipple St. Prescott 928.445.7221 www.prescottymca.org/preschool Little Dreamers Preschool Academy 7175 E. 2nd St. Prescott Valley 928.800.1488 www.azlittledreamers.com

American Lutheran School Private School 1085 Scott Dr. Prescott 928.778.7049 www.americanlutheranschool.com

Bright Futures Preschool Humboldt Unified School District 6411 N. Robert Rd. Prescott Valley 928.759.5130 www.bf.humboldtunified.com Little Explorers Learning Academy 12150 E. Turquoise Cir. Dewey 928.379.5068 www.facebook.com/ littleexplorerslearningacademy

Valley Learning Center 2235 AZ-89, Ste.1 Chino Valley 928.636-1656 www.valleylearningcenters.com ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Abia Judd Elementary School Prescott Unified School District 1749 Williamson Valley Rd. Prescott 928.717.3263 www.prescottschools.com/aj

Coyote Springs Elementary School Humboldt Unified School District 6625 N. Cattletrack Dr. Prescott Valley 928.759.4300 www.cs.humboldtunified.com

Del Rio Elementary School Chino Valley Unified School District 1036 North Rd. 1 West Chino Valley 928.636.4414 www.chinovalleyschools.com

Granville Elementary School Humboldt Unified School District 5250 N. Stover Dr. Prescott Valley 928.759.4800 www.ge.humboldtunified.com

Humboldt Elementary School Humboldt Unified School District 2750 S. Corral St. Prescott Valley 928.759.4400 www.he.humboldtunified.com

Lake Valley Elementary School Humboldt Unified School District 3900 N. Starlight Dr. Prescott Valley 928.759.4200 www.lv.humboldtunified.com

Liberty Traditional School Humboldt Unified School District K-8 3300 N. Lake Valley Rd. Prescott Valley 928.759.4500 www.lib.humboldtunified.com

Lincoln Elementary School Prescott Unified School District 201 Park Ave. Prescott 928.717.3249 www.prescottschools.com/lincoln

Mayer Elementary School Mayer Unified School District No. 45 12568 E. Main St. Mayer 928.642.1101 www.mayerschools.org

Mountain View Elementary School Humboldt Unified School District 8601 E. Loos Dr. Prescott Valley 928.759.4700 www.mv.humboldtunified.com

Taylor Hicks Elementary School Prescott Unified School District 1845 Campbell Ave. Prescott 928.717.3276 www.prescottschools.com/th

Territorial Early Childhood Center Chino Valley Unified School District Preschool-2nd Grade 1088 Mahan Lane Chino Valley 928.636.3842 www.tecc.chinovalleyschools.com

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Bradshaw Mountain Middle School Humboldt Unified School District 12255 Turquoise Circle Dewey 928.759.4900 www.ms.humboldtunified.com

Glassford Hill Middle School Humboldt Unified School District 6901 Panther Path Prescott Valley 928.759.4600 www.gh.humboldtunified.com

Granite Mountain School Prescott Unified School District 1800 Williamson Valley Rd. Prescott 928.717.3253 www.prescottschools.com/gms

Heritage Middle School Chino Valley Unified School District 1076 North Rd. 1 W. Chino Valley 928.636.4464 www.chinovalleyschools.com Prescott Mile High Middle School Prescott Unified School District 300 S. Granite St. Prescott 928.717.3241 www.prescottschools.com/pmhms

HIGH SCHOOLS

Aspire High School Yavapai Accomodation School District No. 99 2970 Centerpointe East Dr. Prescott 928.759.8126 www.yavapaicountyhighschool.com

Bradshaw Mountain High School Humboldt Unified School District High School 6000 Long Look Dr. Prescott Valley 928.759.4100 www.hs.humboldtunified.com

Chino Valley High School Chino Valley Unified School District 760 E. Center St. Chino Valley 928.636.2298 www.cvhs.chinovalleyschools.com

Prescott High School Prescott Unified School District 1050 N. Ruth St. Prescott 928.445.2322 www.prescottschools.com/phs

Mayer High School Mayer Unified School District No. 44 17300 E. Mule Deer Dr. Mayer 928.642.1200 www.mayerhs.mayerschools.org

Yavapai County High School Yavapai Accomodation School District No. 99 6325 Baja Circle Prescott Valley 928.759.8126 www.yavapaicountyhighschool.com

CHARTER SCHOOLS

Acorn Montessori Schools Preschool-8 8556 E. Loos Dr. Prescott Valley 928.772.5778 www.acornmontessori.com

Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center (AAEC) High School 7500 E. Skoog Blvd. Prescott Valley 928.775.3200 www.aaechs.com/campuses BASIS Prescott K-12 1901 Prescott Lakes Pkwy. Prescott 928.277.0334 www.basised.com/prescott

Canyon View Prep Academy High School 9030 E. Florentine Rd. Prescott Valley 928.775.5115 www.canyonview-prep.org

Franklin Phonetic Primary School K-8 6116 E. Hwy. 69 Prescott Valley 928.775.6747 www.franklinphoneticschool.com

La Tierra Community School K-7 124 N. Virginia St. Prescott 928.445.5100 www.latierracommunityschool.org

Mingus Springs Charter School K-8 3600 N. Sunset Dr. Chino Valley 928.636.4766 www.mingusspringsschool.org

Mountain Oak School Preschool-8th Grade 1455 Willow Creek Rd., Prescott 928.541.7700 www.mountainoakschool.org

Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy High School 551 1st St., Prescott 928.717.3272 www.northpointacademy.org

Park View Schools Middle School 9030 E. Florentine Rd. Prescott Valley 928.775.5115 www.parkviewschool.org

PACE Preparatory Academy High School 6711 E. 2nd St. Prescott Valley 928.775.9675 www.paceacademy.com

Prescott Valley School K-8 9500 E. Lorna Ln. Prescott Valley 928.772.8744 www.pvschool Skyview School K-8 125 S. Rush St. Prescott 928.776.1730 www.skyviewschool.org

Tri-City College Prep High School 5th-12th 5522 Side Rd. Prescott 928.777.0403 www.tricityprep.org

Willow Creek Charter School K-8 2100 Willow Creek Rd. Prescott 928.776.1212 www.willowcreekcharter.com

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

ASCEND School K-12 special education 3021 Centerpointe East Dr. Prescott 928.443.9290 www.azautismascend.org

Orme School High School 1000 E. Orme School Rd. Mayer 928.632.7601 www.ormeschool.org

Prescott Adventist Christian School K-8 2980 Willow Creek Rd. Prescott 928.224.8022 www.prescottadventistchristian school.com

Primavera School Preschool-5th Grade 1446 Moyer Rd. Prescott 928.445.5382 www.primaveraschool.org

Sacred Heart Catholic School Preschool-8th Grade 131 N. Summit Ave. Prescott 928.445.2621 sacredhearteducation.com

Trinity Christian School K-12 1212 Warrior Way Prescott 928.445.6306 www.trinitychristianaz.com

Abia Judd 4th Graders Visit the Grand Canyon by Blake Herzog

“The Grand Canyon is a big hole, and it is amazing, it is the best Grand Canyon I have ever seen in my whole life,” one awestruck Prescott fourth grader told the teacher after seeing this marvel of the natural world.

Rox Media was a proud sponsor of a spring field trip for more than 100 pupils and 30 chaperones from Prescott’s Abia Judd Elementary School to the Grand Canyon to learn about how this natural phenomenon was formed.

“Students were able to wonder at the massive hole in the earth that they could finally see with their bare eyes. We had been learning about the canyon prior to the field trip, and it was a very magical experience seeing it as a class after so much preparation,” teacher Whitney Williams says.

The May 11 trek was enjoyed by all students and adults on the trip, many of whom got to see the Arizona landmark for the first time. It was also a chance to connect science curriculum about rocks and geology to a real-world example. All the kids walked the Trail of Time and completed a scavenger hunt. They visited the Yavapai Museum of Geology. They also learned from a ranger about when the Grand Canyon’s layers were formed, the conditions that created them and how to identify the rocks in each layer.

Williams says Abia Judd has been taking its fourth graders on this trip for as long as anyone can remember, and it’s always been a special time of the school year.

“All of a sudden the canyon comes into view, and there is a plunging hole in the earth. Kids can see the birds flying above, the deep reds, oranges and browns of the beautiful rock,” she says.

“All the students are oohing and aahing as they take in one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Looking at their faces in the moment is one of the most rewarding times of the year. There is nothing like the canyon.”

Getting Kids Ready for School without Them Realizing It

by Blake Herzog

1. Encourage kids to read at least one book about

Arizona before the school year begins.

2. Give them water bottles to carry around and fill during the day so they’ll keep up the habit when school starts.

3. Steer them toward a new language through games, apps and library books and resources.

4. Take them to Goldwater Lake and have them count all the boats.

5. Give them a garden plot in your yard to plant and grow.

6. Encourage them to create a budget for spending and saving their allowance.

7. Try out a new sport with them at their favorite park.

8. Pick out a packed lunch they enjoy; teach them how to prepare it.

9. Take them to a Courthouse Plaza concert, then ask them which musical instrument they’d most like to play.

10. Tell them to go climb a tree if they’re bored — keep one eye on them!

11. Go to a Living History event at Sharlot Hall Museum.

12. Teach them how to play chess — on a lifesized board drawn in your yard.

13. Keep them in a daily routine roughly following their school-year schedule, with their input. 14. Hike the trails with them and see the historic mining equipment at Prescott Valley’s Fain Park.

15. Find volunteering opportunities — almost anything they try will have educational value.

16. Let them “catch” you watching documentaries about science, nature and history.

17. Stream a show from Embry-Riddle’s Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium.

18. Let them tell a story about your neighborhood with words and pictures in sidewalk chalk.

19. Send them to the nearest Little Free Library or help them set up a new one.

20. Ask them to research that one building in downtown Prescott you’ve always wanted to know more about.

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.” —Abigail Adams

Education is the basis for the growth and progress of society, allowing people to contribute more in their areas of expertise and create better communities. Education on every level develops problem-solving skills and provides the opportunity for empowerment through hard work.

Welcome to our newest, regular section in Prescott LIVING Magazine, the Education Section! The section appears in every bi-monthly issue including a complete directory, local articles and messages from local schools to help you decide what best suits your personal or family needs.

A special thank you goes out to Guidance Helicopters, Inc. for sponsorship of the Education Section! Because of their generosity, we are able to bring you more information from our local schools.

Leaders for the Yavapai College Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center include from left Jeanne Skousen, Mary Talosi and Janelle Goligowski. (Photo by Ray Newton)

Family Enrichment Center Caters to Families

For 15 years, the Yavapai College Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center has provided a range of benefits for participants.

A fundraiser March 11 made it apparent those benefits will continue.

Debbie McCasland, chair, Yavapai College Governing Board, said before the program began that the Family Enrichment Center is unique in Arizona: “No other institution I know of has a similar comprehensive program that benefits so many children, parents and students. The program was recently given a 5-Star rating and awarded accreditation by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education programs.”

During the fundraiser, Janelle Goligoski, president, Friends of the Family Enrichment Center, urged those attending to support the center through contributions or other assistance.

“Your help can provide support for the lab school and for students enrolled in an early education degree program. You can help provide tuition assistance and scholarships for qualified families. Most important, you can help us continue an atmosphere that underscores our community belief that children are the future.”

The Family Enrichment Center offers opportunities not available elsewhere

Two local women said it would be impossible for them to hold jobs, attend college and have their children in an early childhood education program if not for the center’s program at Yavapai College’s Prescott campus.

Sarah Martin from Chino Valley and Karely Rodriguez Mata, who recently came from Phoenix but is now living in Prescott, said they were among dozens of parents benefitting from the program.

Now in its 15th year, the Family Enrichment Center provides a full week — 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. — of carefully supervised early education and professional childcare under exceptionally safe conditions.

Martin’s 17-month-old daughter Isabelle and Rodriguez Mata’s 3-yearold- daughter Orianna are cared for at the center. Both women had been granted scholarships, which gave them financial advantages and let them reduce debts, especially during the pandemic.

Center Director Jennine Skousen said the two women represent dozens who balance workloads, college enrollment in the education curriculum, and have a child in the centers program.

“We can have as many as 76 youngsters at the center. We have 23 students we use as support staff and 13 fulltime faculty and staff members. What most people don’t know — we have children ranging from 3 months old up to 5 years in this pre-school educational program,” Skousen said.

More information about the Family Enrichment Center is available at www.yc.edu.

Stories by Ray Newton The Prescott Pioneer

Tim Carter Named to NAU Education Hall of Fame

Recipients of $4,900 scholarships from GiFTS flanked featured speaker Kelli Bradstreet, Director of Instructional Support For Prescott Unified Schools. Recipients were from left Cory Gross, Elaina Pagliasotti, Nicole Wouters, Andrea Varela, speaker Kelli Bradstreet. McKell Gordon, Mattingly Middleton, Desirae Pitt, Kacie Burns , Emily Schuler represent by her mother, and Patrick Leon. (Courtesy Photo)

$49K in GiFTS Scholarships Given

Ten Yavapai County students representing seven communities each received a $4,900 scholarship from the Gardner Family Teachers Scholarship Endowment (GiFTS) April 29 during the 22nd annual award ceremony.

Brown, superintendent of ClarkdaleJerome Elementary School District, and O’Neill, professor-administrator at Yavapai College, said scholarship increases this year followed recommendations from board members who recognized a severe teacher shortage in Arizona, especially among rural communities.

They said, “In this, our 22nd year of granting scholarships, the board decided to give money to persons who are conscientiously committed to careers in teaching.”

Scholarship winners are (hometown, name, institution going to): •Chino Valley, Emily Schuler, Northern

Arizona University (NAU) •Clarkdale, McKell Gordon, NAU •Cottonwood, Andrea Varela, Grand

Canyon University (GCU) •Dewey, Desirae Pitt, NAU •Peeples Valley, Cory Gross, Western

Governor’s University, Salt Lake City,

Utah •Prescott, Kacie Burns, Arizona State

University •Prescott, Nicole Wouters, NAU •Prescott, Elaine Pagliasotti, NAU •Prescott, Mattingly Middleton, GCU •Prescott Valley, Patrick Leon, NAU

Board officers also were elected for the coming year. They are Brown and O’Neill, co-presidents; Cory Gardner, vice-president; Tim Carter, secretary; and Ray Newton, treasurer. Andy Smith, an administrator at Prescott College, was named to the board.

Other board members are: Lance Barnes, Leslie Horton, Jean Knight, David “Mac” Macfarlane, and Ron Minnich. Jenn Nelson is an administrative aide, and Mike Beatty serves as a financial consultant.

GiFTS was founded in 2000 by the late Gladys Gardner. The nonprofit foundation, administered by a volunteer board, has granted $432,600 to 207 students so they could attend certified higher education institutions to pursue teaching careers.

More information is available at www. ycesa.com/gardner-teacher-scholarship. Career educator and administrator Tim Carter, currently the Yavapai County School Superintendent, was named to the Northern Arizona University (NAU) College of Education Hall of Fame this past winter.

The citation praised Carter for “distinguished service, accomplishments and contributions made to all levels of education during his lifelong career.”

“I did not expect this,” Carter said. “I am extremely honored and humbled by it.”’

The recognition was awarded during ceremonies at the High Country Conference Center on the NAU campus.

Carter graduated from high school in Tombstone and attended Grand Canyon University in Phoenix where he earned a bachelor’s of science degree. He later earned a master’s of arts in secondary education at NAU in 1978.

His teaching career began in 1973 at Alchesay High School in the White Mountains and then Antelope High School. In 1979, Carter and his wife Linda, also a teacher, moved to Prescott where he taught at Prescott High school. In 1991, he was named assistant principal; and in 1996, principal, a position he held until he retired in 2003.

During a brief retirement, he was an adjunct professor at Yavapai College, University of Phoenix and NAU.

In 2005, he was appointed by the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors as county superintendent. He has since been elected five times to that position.

Carter has served on the Arizona State Board of Education, where he has served as president and vice president.