#ThisIsWhoWeAre
Welcome to Good News Biweekly!
Welcome Back Week
Hello PXU Family!
We are thrilled to have our students who chose in-person learning back on campus. This was an exciting and memorable week because it was their first time back in over a year.
During the week of March 22 – 26, we welcomed back our students by grade-level. On Monday, Seniors came back to our campuses. On Tuesday, Juniors stepped back into their classrooms. On Wednesday, Sophomores got to see their teachers in person, and on Thursday and Friday, Freshmen met each other for the first time.
Welcome back PXU students!
Enjoy the video below capturing the great energy from our students and staff!
The following week, March 29 through April 2, all students who chose in-person learning returned simultaneously.
Enjoy the video below capturing the excitement around their return.
Safety Protocols in PXU
On March 19, the CDC released new guidelines about social distancing in all schools across the country. Specifically, the CDC revised physical distancing recommendations to reflect at least 3 feet between students in classrooms.
We want to reassure everyone that we remain committed to your health, safety, and wellness. This is why we will continue with our plans to continue with 6-foot distancing in classrooms.
Please watch this video message from Superintendent Dr. Chad Gestson addressing the new guidelines and PXU's approach to socially distancing in our classrooms.
As a reminder, you will be able to see the safety protocols implemented throughout our District below.
PXU Student Return to School Protocols:
English
Spanish
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our students!
Dance Teachers Welcome Back their Students
PXU dance teachers from across the District created a video to share with our students as we welcome them back to campus. Following a year of virtual learning, the dance teachers were excited to have their students back in their studios. Once again, students will enjoy the beauty of moving their feet!
Enjoy the amazing dance moves of our PXU family!
Exemplary Arts Schools Awards
Congratulations to Maryvale High School and Alhambra High School for achieving a gold rating in the Arizona Exemplary Arts Schools Awards!
Only 28 schools were given a gold rating, out of 1,542 schools rated.
Gold schools offered four artistic disciplines (Art, Music, Theatre, Dance), enrolled 60% or more of their school population in an art class, and grew enrollment in all programs.
Thank you to the teachers and administrators for making the arts a priority! The National Dropout Prevention Center lists the arts as a strategy to keep kids in school.
Arts programs create a beautiful environment for our PXU students to succeed!
Below are the pages on the data dashboard from Alhambra and Maryvale High Schools. These two gold schools will receive an award (framed artwork with a plaque) from ADE.
North High School M.E.Ch.A Students Meet Dolores Huerta
On Tuesday, we were honored to welcome Mrs. Dolores Huerta to a virtual presentation where our students from North High School M.E.Ch.A. got the opportunity to speak with the civil rights icon.
PXU Superintendent Dr. Chad Gestson participated in the forum and enjoyed seeing our students learn about the Farmworker Movement's history. As well as its importance in culturally responsive pedagogy and curriculum.
Mrs. Dolores Huerta, a civil rights icon, spoke about discrimination, equal rights for the human race, and Cesar Chavez's legacy. She is an amazing woman who tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice.
We thank you, Mrs. Dolores Huerta!
¡Si Se Puede!
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
In honor of Women's History Month, we're bringing you a few of the women in Arizona who broke down barriers!
As pictured below in order from left to right: Dr. Pearl Tang, Jean Fairfax, Dolores Huerta, Polly Rosenbaum, Diane Enos, Annie Dodge Wauneka.
- Dr. Pearl Tang, a Chinese immigrant, was the first female Chinese American doctor in Arizona and a champion for women's and children's health and welfare.
- Jean Fairfax was an American educator, civil rights worker, community organizer, and philanthropist. Her efforts focused on achieving equity in education, especially for low-income African American families.
- Dolores Huerta is an American labor leader and civil rights activist. She worked with Cesar Chavez as the co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers.
- Edwynne Cutler "Polly" Rosenbaum was Arizona's longest-serving state lawmaker, known for her efforts on behalf of Arizona's rural areas and contributions to education.
- Diane Enos is an attorney, councilwoman, and former President of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. During her tenure as President, she focused on the needs of children and economic development.
- Annie Dodge Wauneka, tribal leader of the Navajo Nation, worked tirelessly to improve the health and education of the Navajo Nation. She launched public health campaigns about sanitary conditions, clean drinking water, alcoholism, influenza, and tuberculosis (TB).
Even though Women's History Month ended on March 31, let's continue to acknowledge and appreciate women's accomplishments everywhere, every day!
Congratulations to Lynnann Yazzie!
Congratulations to Ms. Lynnann Yazzie for her feature in the Arizona Department of Education newsletter that celebrates amazing women in education! Lynnann Yazzie is the Native American Specialist here at Phoenix Union High School District.
The article highlights the work she is doing at our District and her impact and commitment to the Native American Community. She is also the Chair of the Arizona Department of Education's Indian Education Advisory Council.
We are incredibly proud of Ms. Lynnann Yazzie!
Below you can read more about Yazzie and her exceptional contributions to the education system.
Phoenix Coding Academy Students Meet "Mega Ran"
On March 30, our students from Phoenix Coding Academy had the opportunity to meet Raheem Jarbo, an American Nerdcore Rapper, DJ and record producer known as "Mega Ran."
"Mega Ran" spoke virtually to our Seniors about leaving a positive legacy. This talk coincided with with a final project Seniors are producing on what "legacy" means to them.
"Mega Ran," an Arizona resident and influencer on gaming and hip hop, has recently published a book called, "Dream Master." He also holds a Guinness Book of World Records title for most songs about video games.
Our Students had a blast hearing “Mega Ran” rap all the words they threw into the chat!
Here are some lyrics from the song, "Dream Master":
This is a story of a boy who believed…
That whatever he dreamed he would come to achieve…
But never in his life did he dream he could be…
An inspiration to those who came after he...
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Website: www.pxu.org
Phone: (602)764-1528
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