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Embracing transparency and choices

BY SUPERINTENDENT MARK YSLAS

West Valley View Columnist

Even if our school years are long in the rearview mirror, most of us continue to carry with us a vague recollection of our high school experience.

I’m sure some memories are more vivid than others. Certainly, our students today share some of the same experiences, but it is also important to remember that over the years, high schools have changed a lot.

There is so much more happening in our schools. Did you know Agua Fria High School District offers over 200 classes? Can you believe there are over 50 sports at our schools? Have you heard about our incredible arts pro-

grams and ROTC? Are you aware that every student receives a laptop to do his or her schoolwork? Would you be surprised to know we offer learning 24 hours a day, seven days a week? With so much happening in our district, it is almost impossible to highlight everything we are doing to create an excellent educational experience in this message. As superintendent, I am committed to transparency, particularly in two major areas — curriculum and finances. So, my goal for this communique is to strengthen and maintain trust with the community by being an open book about what we teach, how we teach and, most importantly, what is not part of our curriculum.WVV Qrtr Page Ad (4.9in x 4.9in) V2.pdf 1 2/1/22 9:37 AM You may have noticed that some dis-

Agua Fria Union High School District Superintendent Mark Yslas speaks with community members while attending Desert Edge High School’s Future Freshmen Night.

(Photo courtesy of Agua Fria Union High School District)

tricts and parents in other parts of the country are at odds regarding curriculum and, most notably, “critical race theory.” We are not one of those districts. Let me be clear: Our high school district does not teach critical race theory, nor do we have anything in the approved curriculum that references it.

We do, however, place a strong emphasis on the “three Rs” — reading, writing and arithmetic — and are an open book about what we teach. In fact, I would like to invite you to see for yourself what our schools are teaching and what our students are learning.

Please join us for “Curriculum and Conversation,” a monthly discussion about anything that is on your mind regarding teaching and learning in our district. We value parents as our educational partners and look forward to the conversation on Wednesday, Feb. 23. RSVP at aguafria.org/openbook.

Remember when our parents would tell us to value an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay? In our high school district, we still share that value. So, we offer career and vocational education to prepare students for high-paying jobs in high-growth industries. We have more than 60 courses that provide certifications and internships to prepare our graduates for the workforce.

Even with all the top-notch programs we offer, we still strive to create more educational choices for our students. While some may believe that public school districts would shy away from the word “choice,” I believe we can learn from the successes of private and charter schools to make our district even better.

By offering school choice within our district, through the creation of boutique specialty schools and academies, we can ensure every student has a pathway to their dreams. I have full confidence that our district can offer quality, competitive education and be the top choice for our community.

When I visit our high school campuses, sometimes I find myself saying, “We didn’t have that back in my high school days.” Our kids have so many opportunities at Agua Fria High School District, and it’s only going to get better.

In fact, here’s a look into our future: We are getting ready to start a servant-leadership program for students, launch an entrepreneurial academy, and create the concept for the best arts academy in the country. The future is bright, and I am excited for all that is to come.

Let’s do this together.

27 Collective launches program at Estrella Foothills

BY LAUREN SERRATO

West Valley View Staff Writer

Build Your Future Arizona — the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation’s construction workforce collaborative — launched an ambassador program to connect construction professionals with high school students.

Professionals share their experiences with children through career fairs to promote entry-level positions and raise awareness about construction jobs.

“It’s really a campaign to change the image and provide a better understanding of careers in skilled craft, often referred to as trades,” said Paul Sanders, Build Your Future Arizona’s workforce development manager. “It’s really trying to connect people with training and showing them career paths.”

Build Your Future Arizona’s first visit was at Estrella Foothills High School on Feb. 8 in Mark Adams’ carpentry class.

Finish carpenter David Thomas discussed his career with Erickson Construction. He discussed the field’s demand in Arizona, saying 57,000 carpenters will be needed by the end of 2024.

“Construction will take you places you don’t think it will,” Thomas said to about 15 students. “We can’t get enough people in the world of construction. You can’t send me enough people.”

Thomas also discussed career paths, what Erickson looks for when recruiting talent and entry-level positions and answered students’ questions.

The ambassador program launched at a perfect time, Sanders said, as February is Career and Technical Education Month. Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn proclaimed February CTE Month in the city.

Sanders said the ambassador program is exciting for high school students because of the demand the industry is seeing.

“Our demand is so high right now and is projected to be high over the next two and even five years,” he said. “If we aren’t nurturing that talent pipeline now, we aren’t going to improve our situation we’re behind in already. And if we aren’t trying to be proactive in connecting with them when they’re starting to make some career decisions, then we’re going to still be behind.”

While high schools advocate for students to attend college, Sanders said there are many teenagers who need an alternative option, for those that don’t enjoy school and would rather do hands-on work.

“Half of our students who graduate from high schools don’t have a post-secondary education plan, or even funding for them,” Sanders said.

“They’re going to enter the workforce, but where are they going to start working? Are they going to start working in jobs that will hardly pay anything or start a career? So that’s what we’re trying to do to show them. There are opportunities for them to get to those high-paying jobs and even earn up to $100,000.”

Build Your Future Arizona partnered with multiple West Valley high schools, including Buckeye and Youngker, but made Estrella Foothills their first stop for their ambassador program.

“We’re actually just launching this ambassador program. We’re new on this,” Sanders said. “Our grade report card is looking at how many people are

Local high school students, teachers and dignitaries gather at Buckeye City Hall, as Mayor Eric Orsborn proclaimed February CTE Month.

(Photo courtesy of the city of Buckeye)

registered for CTE programs throughout the state. And our division of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation called Elevate Ed monitors that. So we’re an arm to assist in connecting people to those CTE, or career technical education, courses that lead them directly into jobs.”

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Student Chronicles

Know of a student doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Email christina@westvalleyview.com.

Christine Ploog of Buckeye earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico, during the fall 2021 commencement ceremonies in December. Ploog graduated with honors, earning the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, with a 4.0 GPA. She has since been accepted to the graduate school in Valdosta, Georgia, at Valdosta State University, where she is pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science degree.

Natural Gas Safety

Wherever you live, work, or play.

natural gas lines

can be buried anywhere, even in areas where homes don’t use natural gas. So it’s important that EVERYONE knows how to recognize and respond to a natural gas leak, wherever they are.

A leak may be present if you:

SMELL:

a distinct sulfur-like odor, similar to rotten eggs, even if it’s faint or momentary. HEAR:

a hissing or roaring coming from the ground, above-ground pipeline, or natural gas appliance. SEE:

dirt or water blowing into the air, unexplained dead or dying grass or plants, or standing water continuously bubbling.

IF YOU SUSPECT A LEAK

• Exit the area or building immediately. Tell others to evacuate and leave doors open. • From a safe place, call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020, day or night, whether you’re a customer or not. A Southwest Gas representative will be there as soon as possible. • Don’t smoke or use matches or lighters. • Don’t turn on or off electrical switches, thermostats, or appliance controls; or do anything that could cause a spark. • Don’t start or stop an engine, or use automated (garage) doors.

For more information about natural gas safety visit swgas.com/safety or call 877-860-6020

WEST VALLEY VIEW NEWS | FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Golf nonprofi t off ering college scholarships

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

The Mexican American Golf Association, Phoenix Chapter, is offering 10 $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school students.

“We have been awarding scholarships for several years,” said David Juarez, a Goodyear resident and the association’s scholarship chairman.

Students can apply through magaphx.com before April 30. The awardees will be contacted by mail.

MAGA Phoenix has been offering student scholarships since the mid-1970s, although typically it was through other community organizations.

In 2015, the club has offered an average of eight $1,000 scholarships per year to graduating high school seniors and continuing college undergrads. Students who are Arizona residents qualify, regardless of gender or ethnicity.

“In the last few years, we’ve pushed our scholarship initiative,” Juarez said. “We’re much more active in the community directly.”

Juarez encouraged parents or grandparents to guide their grandchildren or children to the website to apply.

“We assume all the kids need some fi nancial assistance,” Juarez said.

This year also marks the fi rst season of tournament play by the newly founded Arizona Senior MAGA. This group offers membership to all golfers who are age 55 or older. For more information, visit azseniormaga.com.