GilbertSunNews.com
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July 25, 2021
/Gilber tSunNews
GPS Superintendent McCord addresses community BY DR. SHANE MCCORD GSN Guest Writer
D
ear Community and GPS Family,
Welcome to all of our Gilbert Public Schools students and families joining us and returning for the 2021/22 school year. This school year, perhaps more than ever before, we are all ready to be together again, in our classrooms, in our school buildings, and as a family that learns and grows together. Thank you to all of our employees
who have been working so hard to ensure we are ready for a strong and supported start to the new school year. Also, thank you to our students and families for your continued support of the important work that takes place in our schools every day. Together we are a family and I thank you
Shane McCord
for choosing Gilbert Public Schools. As we begin this school year, we will continue to focus on what is best for our students. Student success will remain at the center of our strategic operating plan and our day-to-day decision making. We are here to inspire excellence in every learner, and I take that respon-
sibility very seriously. As a school district we are moving forward, and continuing to evolve and improve, while offering students a level of academic excellence and educational choice like never before. Central to our schools are our highly trained, certified educators who remain committed to delivering academic excellence, while supporting all students to learn and thrive. Our educators, support staff, and administrators are the very best, see
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Gilbert Public Schools names five new principals GSN NEWS STAFF
G
ilbert Public Schools students at five schools will be welcomed this school year by new principals.
Tyler Dumas is the new principal at Campo Verde High School while Jonathan Schley will be heading up South Valley Junior High. New principals at three elementary schools are: Chris Bergen, Carol Rae Ranch; Sam Valles, Islands; and Amber Bickes, Playa del Rey. Here’s a look at the new school leaders. CHRIS BERGEN Chris Bergen comes to Carol Rae
that are working to make our world a better place to live,” GPS spokeswoman Dawn Antestenis added. SAM VALLES New Islands Chris Bergen Amber Bickes Tyler Dumas Johnathan Schley Sam Valles E l e m e n t a r y Ranch after 10 years as principal at cation teacher at Greenfield Junior Principal Sam Valles began his career Islands Elementary. High. in education 1996 as an intermediate He also has been assistant principal “Carol Rae Ranch Elementary is elementary classroom teacher and and dean of students at South Valley dedicated to building a community Junior High and was a special edu- of compassionate, life-long learners see PRINCIPALS page BTS 4
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GILBERT SUN NEWS | JULY 25, 2021
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has taught in various grade levels for GPS. He has held several administrative positions, most recently as principal of Houston Elementary. A Navy veteran, he is the husband of Dawn Valles, a reading specialist at Ashland Elementary. The couple have two sons: Diego, a Campo Verde graduate currently in the Navy, and Aidan, a sophomore at Campo. Valles’ goals are “are to work diligently with students, faculty, and parents to foster an environment that promotes a learning community characterized by child centered instruction, academic excellence, community involvement, and consistent communication.”
AMBER BICKES As the new principal of Playa del Rey, Amber Bickes has a notable thing in common with her husband Rob: they’re both principals. He is the principal of Arizona College Prep, the new high school in Gilbert that Chandler Unified opened just days ago. Bickes’ 27-year career in education
includes teaching, field coordinator at Arizona State University, a GPS elementary instructional coach and dean of students at Gilbert’s Neely Traditional Academy and Gilbert Global Academy. “While student success is at the core of what she believes we strive to achieve, relationships and people matter most,” Antestenis said. “She approaches every situation with a positive attitude and truly believes that by collaborating with one another, any situation can be resolved.” The Bickes have a daughter, Hailey, majoring in education at the University of Arizona and a son, Hunter, who is a senior at ACP. JONATHAN SCHLEY Jonathan Schley, the new principal at South Valley Junior High, has been an educator in Gilbert Public Schools for 17 years. His first three years of teaching were spent at South Valley, then at Campo Verde. He was dean of stu-
dents at Highland Junior High and Desert Ridge High and most recently was South Valley’s assistant principal and athletic director. He “brings extensive experience working with students, teachers, other administrators, parents, and community members, along with an understanding of the importance of effective communication and leadership within a school community,” Antestenis said. TYLER DUMAS Tyler Dumas heads to Campo Verde as its new principal after a stint as principal of South Valley. He was an assistant principal in academics at Campo Verde and “quickly fell in love with the community in which he lives, and that has educated his four children,” Antestenis said. Dumas spent three years at Dobson High in Mesa as an assistant principal and spent 20 years in the Dobson community as a teacher and coach see
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and are excited to welcome back familiar faces and meet new students and families for this new school year! As a school district we are proud to offer a wide range of high-quality learning opportunities, academic programs, and extra-curricular activities to serve our students and community. Students and families can choose from an extensive range of programs and schools, including exceptional neighborhood community schools, K-6 Traditional Academies, International Baccalaureate, Gilbert Classical Academy, Spanish Dual-Language Academy, Performance Academy, GPS Global Academy online, Advanced Placement Capstone programs, accelerated kindergarten, performing arts, athletics, career and technical education, and much more. A Gilbert Public Schools education is well-rounded and designed to support all students in their unique see
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BACK TO SCHOOL
GILBERT SUN NEWS | JULY 25, 2021
COVID-19 isn’t the only vaccine kids need this year BY MELISSA BAKER, ROBERT OUIMETTE AND JENNIFER YOUNG Guest Writers
A
s families prepare to send their kids back to in-person classes, there might be one essential item parents still need to add to the back-toschool list – immunizations.
Staying up to date on immunizations helps keep communities safe from an outbreak of a life-threatening disease. Unfortunately, millions of people fell behind their vaccination schedule
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at elementary, junior high and senior high levels. “Throughout his time as an administrator, classroom teacher, and coach, Mr Dumas’ primary focus has always been serving students and the community while empowering student success.” Antestenis added.
during the last year, as they could not physically visit the doctor or put off well-checks during the worst of the pandemic. It is important to keep up to date with these vaccines to receive the best protection against viruses. If you are still unsure why vaccinations are so necessary, consider the 1.5 million people who die from vaccine-preventable diseases annually.
With teachers and kids heading back to the classrooms this fall, it has never been more important to take stock of your health. Do your part by checking in with your doctor to confirm you and your family are protected. If you are unsure of your vaccine history, you can request a copy of your immunization records from your primary care doctor. Upon
pulling up your records, they may have you schedule an appointment for a vaccine or booster shot. If you do not have a primary care physician or are unsure of your previous health history, there are many healthcare resources like Jewish Family & Children’s Service that can connect you to the right kind of care.
learning journey. I invite you to visit our website gilbertschools.net to learn more. For the new school year, we will be continuing to offer GPS Global Academy K-12 for students and families who choose to learn online. We have an incredible team of administrators and teachers leading the way and we are excited for our families to experience all that our Global Academy has to offer.
Over the summer you may have seen some work being done to upgrade and improve our campuses, including the installation of new secure entrances at some of our schools. Thank you to all GPS staff who have worked so hard to make this possible. We are committed to continuing to provide supportive and safe learning environments that inspire our students to learn and do their very best.
It is truly my honor to serve you and our community and I am excited for the new school year which brings with it many opportunities for learning and growth. Thank you for being an integral part of our community. It is our students, families, and employees that make our district great and together we will continue to connect, create, and care, with our students at the center of it all.
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